Yes, it's my birthday. I am four million today (air mileage, not years).

No, really, I am 51, and the last two birthdays I spent in the hospital (ruptured appendix - 2002; brain aneurysm - 2003). So any day above ground and out of the hospital is a win.

I appreciate the many emails and IMs I recieved over the past few days. In fact, I have spent most of the day catching up with friends old and new.

My son, Conrad, was looking over my shoulder yesterday and said "Dad! Do you really have 250 people on your buddy list?" And I said, "Yes, I do."

After the past 12 months, there have been a few downs (like the anuerysm) but mostly ups (2nd level Brown Belt in Shito Ryu a few weeks ago, for instance), and most importantly, I have made a lot of new but very deep friendships. You know who you are. Thanks.