I haven't yet decided wether or not to re-code the previous years' worth of entries to this new format. It would definitely be pretty time consuming, as in this new format, each article has its own header bar, whereas previously it was each date, regardless of how many different topics I discussed. I also like the old format, and may keep it "just because." The archives will be available, but the visuals may not change to this new format. Ever. I don't know.

Then again... Whoever had to convice the Danes that it was a good idea to put the moat in is probably being phoned right now and being asked to design a larger one.

The whole damned thing is just so confusing. Apparently, the cartoons (it is a sin to publish craven images of Mohammed in the Muslim faith) were published in September of last year. Sure, the government has no real control over the press in Denmark, but why couldn't the government issue a statement denouncing them anyway? It would have been a whole hell of a lot cheaper than a new moat.

This whole thing, at least the Danish side of things, seems remarkably familiar... Bush-like. Again, with all of this exploding at the same time my wife was getting ready to have surgery, I am less than well-versed to have a valid opinion... Except to say that at last check people were getting killed over this, which is just ridiculous when some smart and well-timed diplomacy could have ended this cockup long before it got out of hand. Like I said, it's all being handled so... Bush-like.

I think the biggest problem from all of this is that no lesson will be learned from this. Clearly this is all based upon something that white Christians take just as seriously: not taking the lord's name in vain. Use Jesus' name creatively in a good curse word and you'll knock a born-again Christian all out of shape. While he or she might not get up enough steam to storm an embassy, there will be some outrage. However, that same person is probably now thinking how silly, or worse, how stupid the Muslims are for reacting in such a way to something as harmless to a cartoon.

Such ignorance is exactly how these kind of things get started.

One thing is for sure (and I know my wife shares the sentiment): for all the medical crap she has had to endure, from her body not effacing to an incision not healing properly to the latest discovery of a hernia... It's worth it. I know that it's my wife dealing with all this, but she agrees. Sam is a beautiful child, happy and precocious. A charmer through and through, our lives are happier and fuller (and more chaotic and crazy, sure) for having her in them.

And neither one of us wants to go back. Although it would have been nice to have my wife not be such a pincushion for it all...

The only thing left to look forward to other than the hockey finals is Bode Miller's performance in the 40 gallon keg pull.

With my own domain and host comes changes. You'll notice a new look to the ICRVN, which I talk about some in an earlier entry. January's entry will be re-coded to match this new design soon, but the previous years' entries will remain in the "classic" format. They should be up and running shortly. One major difference is that there will be more regular (maybe not daily, but certainly more regular than monthly!) yet shorter, entries posted, allowing for more relevant timing of rants. This will also allow me to post particularly great shots of the munchkin. Photos of Sam will also be larger (640x480), unless I'm posting one of my "Sammy Sagas," which will have the smaller photos as before. This may result in some slightly slower loading times for dial-up readers.

You'll notice there are already entries for February. These were both items I wanted to "get on paper" as it were, and tests to get the coding right, thus the few "archive" posts that exist before the actual, official relaunch.

Another thing you will notice, if you haven't already: the lack of "Comment" links. I code this puppy myself because I like keeping everything on my computer, and that includes archival control over my content. It's a thing. Blogging software just makes me a little nervous in terms of total archival control, etc. So, if you ever want to make a comment about something I've written, you actually have to email me. Sorry for the extra step, but there you go.

Another new "feature," if you will, is the addition of my "picks," which will post at the beginning of every month. This will be the best of whatever I'm listening to, reading, or watching each month. Shortly I will be linking these to Amazon in case you want to learn more or purchase these items for yourself. For the most part there will be short hits on why I picked these items, but on occasion I will do a longer review as well.

So, thank you to everyone (all three of you) that has read the ICRVN all these years, and thank you to those of you just now discovering my little hole in the web. Grab a lovely beverage, pull up a chair, and enjoy the ride.

"You know, I go in as a favorite in almost every event... If I were to go and participate to the top of my ability, really race in a way that made me proud, you know, I'd put down performances that would make people inspired, that they would witness that I was doing everything I could but somehow the circumstances allowed me to leave with no medals... I think that would be something that would make people address the fact that sometimes the inspiration and the really powerful performances don't correspond directly with gold medals or with standing on top of the podium."

That quote did not come after Miller failed to place in his first downhill race, or in his second attempt, the Combined Downhill (the race in which he was disqualified for apparently straddling one of the gates). Allow me one aside here: Miller had to watch the replay to realize that the gate had gone between his legs. Really? How drunk were you, Miller? If an eight foot carbon-fibre pole goes whipping between my legs, against my happy place at roughly 70 miles an hour, I'm fairly certain I don't need any video evidence.

Moving on.

That quote from Miller was filmed several weeks ago, during a pre-planned ad campaign for a website called "joinbode.com," in which we are supposed to track Miller's progress and success at the games. Really? So, Miller... How's that going for you?

Michelle Kwan so desperately wanted to win gold that she basically pushed Emily Hughes out of contention on her name rep alone. Kwan quickly returned Hughes' rightful place when she realized her groin pull would not allow her to compete. Lindsey Kildow practically turned herself into peanut brittle during her practice run, then less than 48 hours later placed 8th, apparently using the bones they couldn't put back as her ski poles. I have one question for you, Miller. How much shame are you feeling watching them? You have done nothing but phone it in, shrug your shoulders, and go back to your beers, apparently. People have come out saying that on the eve of your first race you were out until after midnight with friends having food and drinks, when you probably should have been resting.

My other question is equally easy: did you make that statement for the ad in order to help people to understand that everyone is working hard to get to the top but not everyone can win?

Or did you make that statement to convince yourself that you could go enjoy a nice Italian vacation on the Olympic Committee's dime, compete just hard enough, and when you didn't medal, you would have a pre-filmed excuse to fall back on?

At what point do you just turn to another well-placed camera, smile, and say, "it's Miller time?"

We'll start with the first event of the month: Super Bowl XL, in which the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Seattle Seahawks. (For those of you that didn't get hit over the head with this fact, my wife's family hails from McKees Rocks - sorry, Da Rawks, a suburb of Pittsburgh.) Guess who we rooted for...

Sam preps her Terrible Toddler Towel with positive Mojo for the game...	...But late in the second quarter, it's not looking great.
YAY! SCORE! Wait... Did Ben get in?	PLEASE don't let Seattle score again...
THANKS, Mean Joe!	Have a Coke and a smile!

As I said earlier, Sam has recently discovered, in her quest to skip crawling and go straight to walking, a new toy: her Great-Grandfather's Ottoman. This new discovery, and total domination, really, has prompted me to dub her "The Ottoman Empress." As you'll see, she really enjoys being able to stand and hold herself up.

These first two photos captured her early trepidation as neither my wife...	...Nor I were really holding her at all, allowing her to hold herself up.
DROOL Brittania!	More comfortable, as you can see.
A little wobbly here as she loses a book.	Leaning in for an adorable close-up.

There were several other photos this month that were too good to not post, even though there weren't enough to make a story or theme, so they're just "February Favorites."

Break Dancing Baby!	What?
Smack!	Sam and Lily...
Must... Develop... HEAT... Vision...	Ohmmm...
Dis widdle piddy... STAY STILL MOMMY!	Hi.
As Caitlin put it: What a Q-T!	Contemplative Towel?
Yeah - I'm used to Daddy's humor.	...Like I said...

By the way, her toy pig's name? Puller. Just think about it...

And now, what you've all been waiting for...

SAMMY'S SOLID FOOD ADVENTURES FOR FEBRUARY 2006!

I'm not going to like this, am I?	WHAT THE...?!
You're trying again?	No, I really don't think so.
No, really, just give up.	I'll just have your dinner, Mom.
MMmmm... Potatoes! Hey! Is that Kielbasa?	Hey! No fair moving the plate!
This leg won't stop ME!	Climb every mountain...
Fine. I'll have your foot.	Harumph. My own will do.
That's not funny, Daddy.	Move on with the story, please...
What's this?	Ah, brain food!
This should help...	Uh-oh... Caught!
Guess I'm stuck with the "Freshmaker."	Ew. Not so much.
OOH! Cupcakes!	Wait. I see you...
Hands off my cupcakes, you.	You too, Shakes!
I don't care if milk does go with cupcakes! Get off!	Uh oh... Be afraid... Be very afraid...

See y'all next month...