Fear the coming of G.I.D.!

Yes, that's right. You heard me.
Fear the coming of G.I.D.!
What; or mayhaps, whom; do you ask is G.I.D.?
G.I.D. is Gracie Irene Daley. My brand new little niece. She was born on Jan. 20th of this year to my next-to-youngest brother Ryan (the esoteric one) and his lovely wife, Rachel (the one that keeps Ryan grounded). The wee little one is the first new Daley family member that we've had in over 15 years. She's cute as button, makes theses little cooing sounds, protests as opposed to cries, and is most likely going to end up just as insane as the rest of the bloodline. Despite Rachel's best efforts to keep the poor little one from going down the dark path of madness that all Daleys end up merrily dancing down, I fear that she will, in the end, be making just as many bad jokes, crude noises, and bizarre theories as the rest of us.
At the very least, she's as impatient as the rest of the family. She was born a week early, and (according to Ryan) when she decided it was time to be here," Whoop, there she was!" (Rather elegant for someone going for a "socio -something -or -another -with -a -theology -and -anthro -this -and -that" degree, ain't it?) I am very excited to be "Uncle Mat" for the first time, ever. (And not have it be an honorific presented to me by kids who just think that I'm the coolest person since Santa. This time it's because of blood.) I'm actually pretty excited to hear those words come out of her mouth. "Unca Mat" sigh... "Unca Mat, can I watch Heroes with you?" "Unca Mat, why does fear lead to the Dark Side?" "Uncle Mat, I'm pretty sure I made that saving throw, can you check the DC again?" I can't wait.
That being said... I really can't wait to hear the word "Daddy". My wife and I are both longing for "Mom" and "Dad" to be added to the long list of titles that we already wear. It's not easy being here in Utah, and struggling with infertility.
I will admit, when I was younger, I was foolish, and thought "Wouldn't it be great to go out in the world, and wait to have kids on my time table? To be able to do things without consequence?" Sadly, there are always consequences to actions. Here I am, overweight, struggling some nights to breathe lately, watching family and friends provide the future with something to remember themselves by... and I'm writing a blog that no one reads. My boys are as affective as a U.N. peace keeping force in the Middle East. It's not an easy realization to come to. For years my wife struggled with her own issues of infertility, joined a support site, and then, when I finally got tested... I'm probably more to blame for the situation than her. A difficult realization in deed. I sometimes think, at night, in the dark, what I did wrong to make this happen. I know that there are things to be done, and I'm starting to do them, but I fear that I may be too late. All I can do on somethings is pray.
Perhaps that's why I hide in my games. I fill my mind with other things. I bring joy to others, to mask my own struggles. At least, that's the hope I have. A laugh, a smile, a "that was a pretty cool game", all help me to forget the emptiness I feel, if only for a little while. If I can bring a chuckle to a few people, then I've done my job. I love storytelling. I will always love storytelling. I wish I could make a living doing it. I love the joy I feel when I've put in a good amount of work into a campaign, and watch it unfold, and have the players respond that they have had a great time.
I know that it may be trivial to some people. But this, for now, is my creation. This is my therapy, my little attempt to spawn something greater than myself into this world. Hopefully, it won't be the only thing that I spawn into this world.
Now.... if only I can find a few more books on pdf for my next section of my story arch....

Happy ::Boom Boom:: New Year ::Pop POP::!

Well, there are few things in this life as exciting as being right there, less than a block away from the action as a torrent of fire, smoke and explosions launch into the night sky in a dazzling array of colors and large boomy sounds! Unless, of course, that totally awesome display of fireworks is being launched about five doors away (as the crow flies) in the nearby mall parking lot, and that display is occurring on Dec. 30th, not the 31st/1st of Jan. I'll admit, I was as giddy as a schoolboy, listening to the windows rattle and the doors shake with each concussive blast, as the cats skittered all about the house trying to find respite from the confusion. But, I'm a bit touched in the head at times. My wife... she was not as giddy. In fact, she was more than a wee bit upset. I don't blame her, actually. If I was in my right mind, I'd be upset. Who's idea was it, after all, to launch that holiday barrage so close to houses, and sleeping children? Also, on Saturday, instead of Sunday? Technically, the second it hit Midnight, it became Sunday... sooo... it wasn't to avoid launching them on the sabbath. Besides, I honestly feel (please advert eyes if you fear blasphemy) that the good Lord has no problems with the occasional fireworks display on the Sabbath. I mean, honestly, how often does New Year's Eve fall on Sunday? Once every 10 years or so? I can understand the Rose Parade being looked down up on a bit more than someone setting the trigger off on some noise makers, but that's me.
Truth be told, I don't think it was really a "New Year Celebration". I think it was the Mall celebrating surviving another Christmas shopping season. Any one that's worked in retail during the Holiday season can attest to the fact that it is near miracle that the stores don't implode, burn down, or become exhibition WWE pro-wrestling events.
So, I have made one determination. I am going to start a series in the New Year. I just need to work on what I actually want to write. I think I am going to just have some fun with writing an actual story. That or I'm going to make an official d20 review page, where I give my unabashed, unwarranted, and unneeded opinion of the most recent d20 products that I'm able to get my hands on. So, here I was, considering putting the matter up for vote.
If you're interested in me actually trying to put a story series together on this (or a linked) blog, let me know. If not, I may still attempt it, things permitting.
*****
1/23/06
Okay, So I started this at the beginning of the year, and here it is almost over and I'm still working on this post. Not a good omen for the story idea, huh? But here's the news.
I am finally an Uncle. Being "Daddy" is still going to have to wait, but my wife and I are Aunt and Uncle to a real live niece! I'm so excited! Gracie Irene Daley was born Sunday night, and apparently she was in a hurry to get here. She was a week early, and once things got going, she just popped right out and said "Hello" to the world. My brother Ryan and his wife, Rachel, are going to be great parents, and I think I'm going to end up being that "weird uncle" that comes to the house and Dad tries to keep you away, because he promotes rebellion and gives you all the good stories about your dad. Hehehehe....
I really am very excited about this opportunity to be an uncle. Just can't wait until given the chance to baby sit. Unfortunately, Ang has already put the kibosh on me buying the little micronian her first stuffed Chuthulu. Shuckadarn.