Spud has to keep a journal this year but not online. He has to write them out in Word and then they get printed and put in a folder that at the end oft the year he'll keep. Each week they are given a topic and he has to write at least 250 words or more. So far he's done 3 but the last one made me cry for a long time.

The first one on friends:

( Do friends have a profound effect on teens as they approach adulthood? )and number 2 is about his relations with pets
( The Dog Whisperer )
And finally on the Most Important thing in the world to me
( The Most Important Thing in my Life )
*wiping a tear*.. These are the joys of parenthood. I once heard the late Ossie Davis in an interview with his wife, Ruby Dee say that they had made a choice when they decided to become parents and that was to be married to their children. At the time I went "Ew" but reflecting back it's true. Funnily enough as I was writing this, on the Today show there was a segment about Helicopter parents.*those that hover* Well I guess I'm guilty but they did say that my generation (the last of the baby boomers 1954-1962) that our children are the most protected of any generation..consider bike helmets, safety seats, play dates etc. Well my excuse is that my son is a very old soul, I know in my heart his time here on terra ferma is limited, therefore I want each and every moment he has to be memorable, not just to him but to me so in those dark hours after he is gone from me, i can recall at will his laugh, his great jokes and his completely unique style.

Spud woke me up at like 11pm last night to tell me Steve Irwin was killed by a barb from a sting ray. After reading the report it turns out it's NOT the sting but the fact that the stinger punctured his heart and brought on a heart attack.

He was one of the more colorful characters on alternative TV, like Dogg the Bounty Hunter, Julia Child etc that use Gonzo style journalism (salute to the late Hunter Thompson) to get their voice heard.

I got many laughs off of him especially when we'd watch, spud would do an imitation of him doing porn.

"Crikies!!!" he'd say "It's the incredible flapping pussy. A rare creature indeed given the rampant enviromental devistation of the AIDS virus"

or

"Crikies!!! Look out it's a 10" black anaconda attached to an AB. Sure to penetrate with harm any unsuspecting incredible flapping pussy"

or something to that effect. I guess you had to be here when he did them. but they were hysterically funny and at 11pm last night or so.. he trotted them back out so that even in my sleepy stupor i was reduced to tears watching him run in and out of my room..popping open the door and shouting CRIKEY!!

So it might not be the best tributute to a bwanna croc hunter like Mr. Irwin but then again Imitation is the greatest form of flattery. He did a lot for the enviroment and for the conservation of animals. Hopefully his foundation will be able to carry on.

RIP and white light to the next life, Steve. Watch over your kids, they'll need your proctection.

Oh and for the record.. he is not on my DMILTF list.. not my type.. sworry