Happy Birthday Evan!

Got back in town today and can't wait to see you and Rufus. Happy 1st birthday to Evan today!

It's a boy, and another boy, and another...

We are happy and excited to report that we are back in California because Dragon and Donkey, and Fiona and I are all proud parents! The gestational period for having babies is significantly less for us than it is for humans. We are now a full house! We've had many old friends from our travels come to visit us and the new babies. You should get to meet some of them as they will probably travel home with us. Hope you have room because we're on our way back!

New Zealand is Beaut Mate!

We've been here over a fortnight and have already gone kayaking, golfing, rafting, trekking, tramping, and tiki touring everything from heritage attractions to seeing penguins. It's a bit like the Bay Area, a little of everything really. There's this bloke down the road who sells greasies from his pie-cart for $1 a bag. They're choice! There are also volcanoes and the Lord of the Rings flicks were filmed here. They were no piece of piss to make, I'll tell you that much. But the LotR tour was sweet-as. On another note, we found out that Fiona and Dragon are both up the duff. They've been eating every ice block, hokey pokey, pinky bar, and sarnie they see. And since we haven't seen you in yonks, it'll be a brilliant reunion.

Hooray.

Sure It's Big Enough... But Look at the Location

So we've been in Egypt. Those pyramids are pretty amazing considering they didn't have the tools and stuff we've got today. And the structures themselves are ginormous. Sure it's big enough... but look at the location. They built these things in the middle of the freaking desert! How smart is that? It was hot, and dirty. It was interesting to see, but I'm not gonna call this my favorite place to live. But we did do a 4-day Nile River Cruise. Now we're talking. Then we took a hot air balloon ride over Luxor (not just a hotel in Las Vegas) West Bank and the Nile River.

Can't wait to see you again. It's been a while and we are getting ready to start for home. We've got some BIG news coming, but want it to be a surprise. Until next time...

King of the World

I'm the king of the world! At least I would be if I lived in Rome in Roman times because I'd be kicking butt and taking names in the ring baby. Woo hoo! Can you guess where we're finishing our Italian tour? Rome, of course. We went to the coliseum today. It reminded me of that time that I went to Lord Farquaad's place and ended up in a crazy fight with all his minions. Donkey and I were a good team for the time that day. It was great. Good times. Good times.

We've enjoyed the cafes for espresso in the morning and the great outdoor restaurants for food and wine at night. But it's time to move on. See you at the next stop!

Lean on Me

This region is especially known for it's art. We've seen works of art by the masters, and that crazy leaning tower of Pisa. The islands in the Tuscan archipelago (say "archipelago" 5 times fast!) have the the clearest waters I've ever seen! I convinced Fiona to go skinny dipping in a secluded area and told her that if you immerse yourself to your shoulders, you can't see anything anyway. Ha! She fell for it and I loved every minute of it. That water wasn't hiding much. She wasn't too happy with me once she figured that out - but it was worth it.

By the way, these people know how to eat and drink. But they drink wine instead of beer like the English. It's all good to me!

The Most Powerful Thermos Ever

"Compassion, which I would define as unconditional love, is essential to a Jedi's life. So you might say, that we are encouraged to love. "

-Anakin Skywalker, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

Why this quote you ask? Because Anakin was here in Lombardia, specifically Lake Como, when he said it. "Someday I will be the most powerful Jedi ever." Yeah! Me too. The whole time we were at Lake Como, Donkey was quoting lines from this movie. As if that wasn't annoying enough, he was quoting them wrong, "Someday I will be the most full thermos Jedi, Esther." Ahhh! Thankfully, Dragon offered to take him on a long ride across the lakes for a better view and left Fiona and I for some quiet time.

Home, Sweet Home

Italy is amazing. We've been in Alto Adige (in northern Italy), which is full of castles. Big castles, smaller castles, castles with draw bridges, castles with motes. But none of the castles had a dragon or damsels in distress! I'm thinking Fiona and I may have found our vacation home (see picture). More to do, more to see!

This Place is Right Cracking!

Watcha mate!

I felt right knackered after our flight to England. We've seen the full monty and this place is smashing! It's been right parky, but we wouldn't let that spoil our fun.

We've toured all over London, saw Big Ben, and of course we have been to see the landlord for a pint of best. I dinnar if it was the bees knees, but Donkey got sloshed and started snogging with Dragon right there in the pub! The next morning, I tried to knock up Donkey, but he was zonked from the night of getting rat arsed and going off his trolley. Fiona and I went for bangers and mash for breakfast with a bit of bucks fizz. But our favourite is black pudding. Yummmm! Later, Donkey was feeling much better, all waffling and full of beans before I knew it. He's a cheeky ass.

Next we went shopping and blow me! Those girls can spend some bloody money! Fiona found a dress that cost a bomb--but she does look rather tidy in it. Any road, things were going tickety-boo, then sod's law struck. Our camera was nicked, (which is total pants!) so I couldn't post pics. Overall, this place takes the biscuit and bob's your uncle!

Cheerio!

Times Square Is Not a Square

We took a bite out of the big apple! Contrary to many negative views about people in New York, they are actually very friendly, and straightforward. But that's OK by me. "Say what you mean and mean what you say," I like to say. There is one thing I just don't get: Time's Square. It's not a square! It's like a triangle. Why do they call it a square?

9/11: We Will Never Forget

Today was a tough day. We went to the 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center site. There is still more to be done before the memorial and museum are finished. One cool thing is that the creators are inviting family and friends of those killed to participate in the memorial exhibition by recording remeberances and sending pics, videos, etc. It's going to be a pretty amazing place when it's finished. This was one stop we knew we had to make. It was good to give a little time to this.

Go Yankees!

We went to Yankee stadium yesterday and watched the Yanks beat the Rangers 5-2. It was pretty amazing to be there with the fans--they're so excited about their team--and be with them when the Yankee's won. Great way to cap off our New York trip!

Central Park: Something For Everyone

This place is so huge, it's like a city of it's own. We took a walking tour, went to the zoo, and ice skated. I also found out that there is a 2.5 acre area called Strawberry Fields, which is named after the Beatles' famed "Strawberry Fields Forever" song and was created after John Lennon's death in 1980 because he was a longtime beloved resident of New York. It's pretty cool.

The ladies enjoyed the carriage ride, and the beautiful gardens and romantic bridges (especially Bow Bridge), and other crap like that. I have to admit that Bow Bridge is actually kind of cool because it is made of cast iron and the name comes from it's resemblance to an archer's bow. At least that makes it seem a little more manly. Donkey and I most enjoyed the Belvedere Castle. And a little tidbit of info you might be interested in: anytime you hear a weather report for Cental Park, the data is taken straight from the weather station at Belvedere Castle. Sorry, but I couldn't tell if it was a Davis weather station. Anytime I see a castle, it reminds me of the first time we met Fiona and Dragon--and how incredible we were at rescuing them and being awesome heros. Yep, that's me. A handsome hero who works with an ass.

Swamp in the Sunshine State

I can see why they call Florida the Sunshine state. You want warm weather, water, and a general sense of fun and relaxation, you go to Florida. There are some pretty amazing things here: the Kennedy Space Center (my God, it's full of stars!), Disney World, Ernest Hemingway's old diggs (Prose is architecture...), jet tours (I think I ate a bug), dolphin tours (lunch?), state parks, trails, alligator farms (yeah!) and pirate cruises (arrr matey!). Of all the amazing things to do in Florida, Fiona and I have agreed that our favorite is the swamp. We feel right at home there! Donkey and Dragon are a little more adventurous--they are in love with the jet tours. Dragon is just happy to hitch a ride with someone else for a change. And Donkey's happy when Dragon's happy. Ahhhhh, true love.

Happy Birthday!

I want to give a shout out to my good friend Mikey who is having a birthday today! Woo hoo! Happy birthday good buddy.

Mardi Gras Baby!

What better place to celebrate the beginning of a new life together with Fiona and the win for the Saints at the Super Bowl than New Orleans during Mardi Gras? This place is insane. Party all the time, party all the time, my baby likes to party all the time. Fiona kept asking where to get some festive beads and I kept telling her she didn't really want to know. She finally found out and decided she didn't need any. Ha ha ha. I still think she should get lots of beads. Yeah baby!

Can you spot us in the picture? The ladies went up on a balcony and took it. Cheers!

We Went On the Dam Tour

We set out for the Hoover Dam. It took a little longer than we originally anticipated since we now have two lovely ladies joining us who have to stop to pee every few minutes. But the benefits outweigh the negatives.

I have to admit that it's been nice having Dragon around for Donkey to converse with, or talk at. One or the other. She's much more patient than I am.

We visited the Hoover Dam today. It's pretty amazing that those guys could make something like that during the 1930's without all the computer technology we have today. And the thing still works great!

Good Old Fremont

We're finishing up our Vegas sight-seeing with a Fremont street visit. It used to be the real main street of Vegas back in the day. Now it's just a tourist attraction. What would the gangsters think of that? Some of them are probably rolling over in their concrete graves. It's got a really cool light show with a screen that runs the whole street overhead with projections of pictures and stuff on it. If you're ever in the mood for some cheap tables, this is the place to be. You can play tables for as little a buck! Not that I have to worry about that too much just yet. I've still got quite a hefty bank account.

I think that's it for Vegas. I know there's still a lot more to see, but we're ready to move on.

Wedding

After a very long engagement, we got hitched! Donkey and I had a double wedding at Lake Las Vegas. That is to say that we married Dragon and Fiona respectively, not each other. It was a great day, perfect weather, and many of our fairly tale friends came to join in the celebration. Wish you could be here!

By the way, we were informed that our friends and family might get some visitors stopping to by to check in and keep things safe. After our little stint with the government, you can't be too careful caring for friends and family.

That's all for now. We're thinking about where we want to go for our honeymoons. Maybe we'll see a few more Vegas sites and the Hoover Dam first. Life is good!

Love at the Lake

You would not believe this place! It's this serene bit of land so close to Las Vegas, yet seems like it's worlds away. We already fit in a bit of golf and relaxation. We're doing some more touring today to scout out locations. More on that later. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend this place.