Christmas Day 2006

So, Christmas Day was more unusual than ever this year. The picture shows the moment, but does not explain how or why I am in a hospital room with all the accoutrements. The picture was taken December 25th, 2006, but I am now (December 27th) at home and inflicting this on y'all.

"What is going on?", you ask. Well, the story is not that long, somewhat convoluted, and an emotional roller coaster that continues. To explain: I had a routine medical test scheduled for mid-December - a colonoscopy - set up many months prior. More on this later. Anyway, the "routine" test turned out to be anything but routine and resulted in my undergoing bowel surgery December 21st with an expected hospital stay of 5 to 8 days. The early diagnosis was a serious colon cancer, but that is now on hold as the operation went very well and found something less than expected. Lab results will not be back until next week sometime, but the expectations have improved considerably.

The doctors are not certain what they found. A very good buddy opined it was probably the burr I have had up my ass these past many years. Not a bad guess (or observation).

On the colonoscopy front, Penny had this test done over a year ago and has had some bowel problems ever since. The concept of the test is disgusting (Are we there yet? ARE we there yet? Are we THERE yet?) and rather invasive (In some states we would be legally married by now, doc.). I came very close to cancelling my test. DO NOT DO THIS. Have this test done on the regular 10 year or so basis. Not all doctors recommend or request the test. Talk to your doctor.

Penny's father will be here tomorrow, Andrew and Alison are already here (all this planned as Christmas visits before we changed plans), and we will have a family Christmas then. For now, I am just taking it easy, walking short distances and healing quickly.

Enjoy the winter solstice celebration. Penny and I both are!!!

Chess crisis

OK, Houston, we have a problem. I made a great move and Andrew said it was foolish because nothing was guarding my queen.

Here's the board as I see it.

Here are the moves that got us there:

1. d4 ... d5

2. c4 ... e5

3. dxe5 ... d4

4. Nf3 ... Nc6

5. Nbd2 ... Bg4

6. g3 ... Qe7

7. h3 ... Bf5

8. g4 ... Bg6

9. Bg2 ... 0-0-0

10. 0-0 ... Nxe5

11. Qb3 ... c6

12. Nxe5 ... Qxe5

13. Qxb7!

And the board looks like this --->

It may be just me, but I don't see the difference. Methinks Sonny Boy is up to his pits in doo-doo.

Of course, there has been a roaring debate going on through all this. Maybe someone (other than me) lost focus. More on the debate anon; it is fun!

Hmmm. Seems if I make the second half of move 11 properly we get this position at the end of move 12. May have to call the director for a ruling.

A day or two off

No new pictures, I forgot to take my camera to Penny's concert in Sharon on Sunday. Probably just as well as we (Dana, Eri, Hannah [aka Shirley] and I) were off in a corner and could not really see Nan. The joint was sold out! May have had something to do with the True North Brass playing; the concert was a great success. You can always tell the pieces the choir likes and those they sang under duress. One in particular was an obvious favourite; they truly filled the hall with joyful sound and did not even need the wonderful brass background.

The True North Brass are definitely professional players. They did not over-power, but also supported as needed. The other end of the spectrum was "wassail", a piece with a difficult beat and sharp bursts of notes in half-tones. I think the choir was quite happy to have the brass holding the line.

Goodies afterwards as always - cheese, crackers, cookies and such. Hannah liked that part. Then off to Swiss Chalet for dinner with three families (table for 10). The kids were great. A lovely time of year, catching up with Mike and Jason and teasing Hannah (aka Shirley).

Today is a no food day as I prepare for medical tests tomorrow. I will not over-share, but I will be ready, perhaps, to eat anything that moves by tomorrow afternoon. Maybe.

We are supposed to meet the Creese gang tomorrow at Station. Tammy and Ryan have just moved into Cornell, so there will be much chatter.

And so to another glass of water before downing something ugly.
Speaking of which, no move from Andrew yet. They will be here in 13 days. I had expected to clobber him by then, but it may take longer with his delaying tactics.

Chess and trees

To the left is the position as White (Dear old Dad) has made move 11. We await the response from Black (Andrew), with a strong suspicion (hope?) the guy on the right will be featured in that response.

I probably should list the moves that got us to this point. Let me know if anyone cares.

So today was the St. Louis' "holiday tree" decorating. Total mayhem and fun with the three familys and 4 grandkids in attendance. Just gotta love digital cameras, keep shooting and no development costs. Dana probably has better, but here are some of the better Dad shots with the point-and-shoot.

We start with the "and they're off" as the kids attack the ornaments, then fast-forward to the finished product. Dana and Jason moved quite a bit of stuff up from the bottom 4 feet!

Bennett loved the lever on the front door.

Penny enjoyed sitting in the sunshine and watching.

In all, a very fine hour or so before getting back to home and out to dinner with neighbours.