Love like Twins

Oh my…

As an adopted twin, this story made me sit up and read…

Although I can’t imagine what the pillow talk was like when they found out, I imagine I would need some kind of therapy.

I wonder if they had (after a HUGE amount of processing) epiphanies that made them say out loud:

“Suddenly it ALL makes sense!”“The birthdays, the similar adoption story, the finishing of each others sentences…”

How did they find out?

Who took the first step to say… “y’know, I think we need to do some genetic testing…”

How could all of this come to pass AFTER a marriage?

What happens now for these two?

Adios 2007

2007 was, of course, just a great year for me…

In the short 6 months that he has been on this planet (out of utero) I have watched him develop from a pink wriggly wee thing into a communicative, relaxed, happy, healthy and gorgeous wee man. I am so absolutely in love with him, more than I thought was ever possible, and have come to realise that all those clichés are true about the depth to which you adore your own.

I have had the priviledge to witness my beautiful wife grow into the perfect, relaxed and caring mother, and it’s really humbling to see her become this so effortlessly and naturally. I’m sure that she’d deny the ‘effortlessly’ part, but still…

I’m so batty about my family it’s stupid!

I have enjoyed (and can, on reflection, actually say ‘enjoyed’ and mean it!) 9 months of gainful employment and have met some great people with whom I’ve shared some laughs and some great lessons on the journey so far…

I turned 37 years old and have more salt than pepper, but am gradually coming to appreciate the ‘distinguished’ description.

Who am I kidding? I still hate it.

On the flip side too many people I know have been affected by serious illness, and for the first time, I have felt very powerless to do anything truly positive to help.

His journey has been awful and inspiring all at the same time. I know you’ll read this and I state right here that you are – whether you believe now, tomorrow or whenever – the bravest, strongest person I know and I’m incredibly proud of you and what you have achieved despite so much going against you.

There, I said it.

I wish I could have done more.

So for all of the above, there have been resolutions for this new year that are easy to to adhere to, and which I fully, fully intend to keep. They’ll be between myself and the moon, but I guess those who know me will know and understand them through the upcoming days, weeks and months.

By ex-roommate always used to ask the following question at New Year:

What was the best thing about 2007What was the worst thing about 2007

What is your motto for 2008

I think the first two are covered… but the motto?

“Can and Will”

Happy 2008!

What’s yours?

Everything changes and I don’t feel the same….

It’s been over three weeks since Jack arrived and that cliché that “everything changes” is somewhat redefining itself.

I’m still in constant awe of what we created. This little wriggling, pink carrot-top is developing personality moment by moment, and growing in size and weight minute by minute.

His feet no longer fit into his 0-3 month PJ’s, but his baby bum does.

Sleep patterns have no rhyme or reason. Except for me. I sleep at night. Only less.

We have watched all of seasons one, two and are well into season 3 of Nip/Tuck. I think I know who the ‘Carver’ is. He’s still creepy.

I’ve been poo’d and pee’d on more times than I remember. It doesn’t gross me out at all.

My perception of the world around me, and my understanding of my view of the world pre-Jack is a complete “Sliding Doors” thing.

I used to look at those people who had kids and think to myself ‘that’s nice’ and move on, unaware of how small your world really becomes, how much energy you can realistically give to the other stuff and how your world is focused on my new family, and it’s safety, security and health.

…and I never appreciated that before now.

When friends and family had their kids before, I accepted that they would disappear and enjoy their moment and I knew that I shouldn’t take it personally when they chose family over me.

But of course it’s not a choice.

In these early days, we as parents have no choice but to care and love and look after our new kids.  Above all else. Instinctually. Primally.

So in that sense everything changes and nothing changes.

We’ll be back and into circulation. I still care deeply for my friends who are on the outside looking in, but they need to know that we’re not actively choosing to shut anyone out.

More that we’re still figuring it out.

It might make no sense within their perspective now, but trust me on this…

 There’s enough room in my heart for everyone – just not in my life right now!   

And if you want to see what’s going on, you should go see the wee man.

When the sharkies are spreading the love…?

It seems that there is something even MORE extreme than sitting in a shark cage awaiting the arrivals of mammoth Great Whites:

Bring them dinner!

A few hundred pounds of rotting whale flesh should do the trick…

Then – just when they’re in the throes of lusty shark-love, hop on, baby!

But aren’t they simply awesome? Seriously!

Sharkwater – some spoilers

Friday night was movie night and we decided that we should finally go and see Sharkwater.

(Click on the photo for the high resolution pic. It’s worth it)

I was SO excited when I began to read about this a while back and more-so when it came to the AMC. $13? Pah. It’d take an angry…um… Great White to stop me.

I knew this was a conservation documentary with some spectacular photo shots and some powerful imagery but I had no idea how powerful a movie this would be.

Let me preface this by telling you that since I saw “Jaws” in 1978 or whatever, I have been a shark lunatic. I was reminiscing with my dad today on the fact that when I was 10, I could name most species of shark, along with their regional names, average lengths and main features.

Heh. Still Can.

SO much so that the ginger menace know them now too. We’ve been secretly planning-ish for my (xx) birthday a trip to jump in a cage to go see the big ones off the Isla Guadalupe.

As scared as I have always been of them, I always knew it was a result of my own misconceptions and that they have their incredibly valuable place on this big bad planet, I although I knew they were in danger, but I didn’t realise to what extent.

This film blew my brains out, not only for the imagery of savaged and mangled sea-life, but for the implications for the oceans and for us. At times, I wanted to be on board the Sea Shepherd and fight with them as they took on the corruption and denial… and I genuinely mean that.

It made me ashamed to be a part of the human race.

So go see it. Make the pledge to actively do something. Investigate further and spread the word.

And go see this movie.