y cold has finally packed its bags. I don't talk like I had my voicebox removed anymore, and I probably didn't have monkey pox or The SARS, as it turns out. This has been my first real cold for many moons. Thankfully Sally didn't get it, try as I might to infect her. Now I'm left with the lingering, snotty effects. This morning I sneeze/coughed and, though I had a kleenex in position, managed to create enough pressure around my nose to force a hot jet of phlegmy grossness to squirt in a gentle arc up and across my glasses.

Truly what memories are made of.

Speaking of memories, I got around to a few batches of photos celebrating their first birthday on my hard drive. It seemed appropriate to try and finish posting all my photos from our Spring Break '06 marathon drive across the Southwest since it was roughly one year ago, and because I keep putting them off, and because I think one of our servers is dying, so I better get them moved. First up we have the quasi-goal of the whole trip, the chance to see the Cubs warm up for a year of glorious failure. This might be Mark Prior, except he's not injured... Can't be him. Immediately after the game we headed off to Vegas, because that's pretty much the only way I'll go on any trip, is if there's someplace I can quickly and permanently throw my money away while surrounded by tiny versions of major cities. We left shortly before sundown, and headed North into Nevada, arriving at the Hoover Dam well after the moon had risen. After that we kept on going, heading towards my Aunt Becky and Uncle Steve, who no doubt will be shocked to learn that it took me a year to get these photos up. We'll get to their stuff real soon, I promise.

In construction news, I've got no real updates, but an interesting opportunity is brewing. A certain couple of in-laws have offered us first crack at a cherry tree they're clearing from their yard. It appears to be healthy, and it's quite tall (easily 50+ feet, I'd think). They'd like to see the wood put to some good use, and I think it would make for incredible material just about anywhere around our place. So I'm going to try and find out about removal, cutting. milling, drying, etc. At the very least it gives me a chance to use that George Washington costume I've been storing for the last 32 years.

Check out all the photos of the Cubs game here, and a few night shots of the Hoover Dam here.