42: The Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything

As I was lamenting turning 42 my friend Stephan reminded me that 42 is the Answer to Life, the Universe and Everything. For those that have no idea what he was referring too - in Douglas Adams' "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" novels - a computer named Deep Thought is built to answer the Ultimate Question (what is the answer to life, the universe and everything?). The computer chugs along for 7½ million years and finally comes up with: 42.

Of course, just about everyone is disappointed with the answer - one individual demands of the computer: "Forty two?! Is that all you've got to show for seven and a half million years' work?"

The computer replies: "I checked it very thoroughly, and that quite definitely is the answer. I think the problem, to be quite honest with you, is that you've never actually known what the question is."

Ain't that the truth.


Yesterday marked my 42nd birthday and I celebrated with a tri-fecta. Some quality time with Julie in the morning, then off to meet up with some of my diving buds for a little winter diving. We went up to Dutch Springs in PA and dove in a retired limestone quarry - which is now a now a freshwater lake. It was cold out, the air temp was about 36F. The water temp was 41F. When I dropped under the surface and was completely submerged in 41F water I was completely aware of how alive I was - I was also completely aware of brain freeze. The great thing about the lake in the winter is that the underwater visibility is outstanding and yesterday didn't disappoint - we had easily 70 feet of vis - or more.

My buddy Stephan and I did two dives, total combined runtime of 1 hour and 9 minutes. It was a great way to spend a chilly afternoon. When I got home - we headed over to our friends Joe and Christine's house for some dinner and drinks (more drinks than dinner actually) while the kids ran around and generally caused a ruckus.

All in all, a great day.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Happy Birthday!!!

So - it's been a few weeks since my last update. Christmas came and went, as did New Years and Ryan's sixth birthday! Wow, that went fast. On deck is my birthday - followed by Cory's birthday in mid February. Then a little break until Julie's birthday in April. Who's idea was it to have all these birthdays so close together? Oy, with all the cake.

For Christmas we stayed home - in our newly re-done home - which I LOVED. Nothing better than waking up in my own bed on Christmas morning - basking in the glow of not having to travel during a holiday. The boys had a great time opening up all of their gifts - especially Cory as we got him a Wii. I think his exact words were "My life is saved! I got a Wii!!!!". The Wii IS pretty cool, although after a full day of playing "Wii tennis" I started to develop "Wii shoulder". I had to learn how to swing the Wii "racket" - and not try to swing like a real tennis racket.

Here are the little rascal's on Christmas morning.

As you can plainly see, we went to great lengths to make sure they were dressed nicely.

For New Years Eve we were invited over to Rob and Barb's house - there new house which I had never seen before. I liked it - great job Rob and Barb and good luck in your new home. The kids stayed up until midnight and we watched the ball drop on Barb's 13" tv - yes 13" that wasn't a typo. Personally, I can't believe that Dick Clark is still bringing it at 78 years old. Where would we be without Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year? Julie went around and collected everyone's new years resolutions. I've decided to opt out, as I don't see the point in making promises that I know I won't keep! I gave myself a low hanging goal of trying to get in 30 dives in 2008 - I should be able to hit that one.

Cory and I on New Year's Eve.

No sooner was New Year's over, and the Christmas decorations packed away, and here come's Ryan's birthday. We had a small group of Ryan's friends from his class over and threw him a party at our house.

Here's the big boy about to blow out his 6 candles.

That's all for now, I promise not to take so long to make my next post.