Reflections on 2006

Thought I would add a rant Adam posted on another blog towards the end of 2006. They asked him to write about something that frustrated him during last year. Apparently, my husband was a little miffed about some debate over the scientific definitions involving planethood. Who knew?
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The Year of Planet Subtracting or Pluto to the IAU: “Eh, kiss my ass.” by Adam Anderson

Undoubtedly you have heard and quickly forgotten by now that on August 24 of this year, the International Astronomical Union voted in favor of demoting Pluto from its previously enjoyed planetary status. This meant that when you went to bed on August 23rd, there were nine planets in your solar system; when you woke up the next day, there were eight. And you used to get pissed when you lost your car keys.

The reason I am annoyed is simple: the world at large just doesn’t give a rat's batootie. During that month at work, I went up to people in their respective cubes and asked them what they thought about Pluto. Puzzled, they would ask,“The dog from the Disney cartoons?” Sigh. “No, doof. The planet farthest away from our Sun. You know, the one about one-fifth the mass of the Earth’s Moon.” Science-less heathens.

Now that 2006 is closing and 2007 is beginning, you’re bound to see all kinds of “year in review” specials for 2006. I guarantee you one thing: Pluto won’t make the cut. Oh sure, you’ll hear about the war in Iraq, Tom Cruise’s couch-jumping, or Britney’s crotch-jumping, but there will be no respect given for “the little planet that could.”

Look I understand. Really, I do. Pluto becoming unplanetized doesn’t affect how you drive to work, biggie-size your fries at Wendy’s, or make the wait in line for the new Nintendo Wii any less unbearable. But have some respect. The entire celestial landscape changed this year. And, although I am no astronomer, I do know one thing.

That crap never happens.

Ice Storm '07

The last two days have been pretty fun. The weather has kept Adam and I home for the past two days. We are starting to get cabin fever and the togetherness is starting to get to us. Now, we pass the time by trying to keep out of each others way in our tiny 1-bedroom apartment. It's so cold that the thought of venturing outside is horrifying. This is the view from our balcony.







In addition to how cold it is outside, it is remarkably cold inside our bedroom. We have been having to sleep in sweats and add more blankets to the bed. Today as I was cleaning, I opened the blinds and noticed our bedroom window has a solid frozen block of ice on it and there is a pool of water on the window sills. Brrrrr

Happy New Year

We rang in the New Year in a swanky downtown loft on the 28th floor of the Hilton hotel. We had the most amazing view of downtown Austin. It's hard to believe that people really do live like this. If you weren't able to make it, here are some pictures for you to enjoy.