Weekly Rants, Raves, and Whatever

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a very Happy New Year's to everyone. 2006 is about shot, so I thought I'd hit a few of my personal highlights and lowlights from the past year.

*By far, the biggest highlight of 2006 was the wedding of Gimlet and FroggieGirl on June 3. During a year of some especially bad weather, the wedding day itself was bright and sunny, with mild temps and a crystal-blue sky. The ceremony was well-done, beautiful, and quite touching, and a good time was had by all at the reception Saturday evening. Here's wishing a prosperous 2007 to the newlyweds and all the friends and family who made the day the event of the year.

*Getting to know the happy couple's friends was a close second in highlights of 2006. If you're truly known by the company you keep, Gimlet and FroggieGirl have a lot going for them.

*Another big change for Mrs MercMan and I came over the Labor Day weekend when we picked up our Golden Retriever puppy Daisy. After an extended time since our last Golden passed away, Mrs MercMan and I finally took the plunge and brought home a 7-week-old bundle of fur who is now a 45-pound holy terror. After all that time without a dog, we'd forgotten all the energy puppies possess in spades, and how many times a puppy has to be taken out (especially in the middle of the night!) in order to become housebroken. Still, laugh-a-day Daisy has so many redeeming qualities we wouldn't trade a single moment. Well....maybe a few.

*A new stadium, new players, and a World Championship by the St. Louis Cardinals. The most storied franchise in baseball (sorry, Yankees fans) added another chapter with its amazing playoff and World Series victories over heavily favored opponents. What's not to love?

*Like 2005, I spent a lot of time, and money, acquiring more tools. It's gotten to the point that people think I work at the Sears Hardware store. My prize possession is a Craftsman 2-horsepower, 150 psi, 26 gallon air compressor, along with the attendant air wrenches, ratchets, hoses, and sockets. In fact, it's so prized that it's sitting here next to me as I type this entry! Hey, it's the best-looking piece of furniture we own!

*Biggest bummer of the year would be my surgery for a detached retina. The operation itself was not that big a deal, pain wise, but the thought of losing my sight was a little "off-putting", as the British say. I've always thought of myself as a very healthy and durable individual, but that went by the boards along with my retina. Fortunately ,the surgery went great and I still have my sight, although I'm more nearsighted as a result of the reconstruction. Did I mention the doc says I'm beginning to develop cataracts? D'oh!

*Weather was a lowlight a couple of times this year as well. In July, T-storms and hurricane-force winds knocked out our power for almost 8 days, and a late-November-early-December ice storm put us in the dark another 24 hours. Luckily, our house suffered no damage from either storm, but we've developed a greater appreciation for electric lights, air conditioning, heat, and a working refrigerator. During all that time without TV/radio/CDs/DVDs/etc/etc, Mrs MercMan and I found out we still enjoyed each other's company, even while living in the basement and sleeping on an air mattress. Who'd a thunk McDonald's by candlelight could be so romantic?

As the clock winds down on 2006, my wish for the New Year is peace, happiness, and lots of laughter for all people of good will. For you Cubs, Astros, and Mets fans out there, better luck next time (but not when playing the RedBirds!).