Well, it took 3 weeks, but I finished the Italy album. Every picture I took (which is over 900) has been worked on, identified, named, uploaded and then re-organized and labeled. A lot of work...but the end result is a wonderful collection of memories. I still need to get a few pictures from my parents, which I'll get in a couple of weeks. If you wish to check it out, click here, and use the side bar on the left to go to the various sub-albums. Hope you enjoy them.

Part of what took so long is that I've been a might bit busy. One has to be when one is on the dole...I don't sit idlely easily or nicely, and usually have to be involved in a few projects. Plus some of my friends have wanted to meet up to talk about the trip, and I have obliged willingly and eagerly. It's always good to know who your friends really are.

One such friend made a profound statement: she and I are in the the golden years of our lives, that they won't get better than what they are now. That the 30s and early 40s are the best years, ever.

Um, really?

I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm fully aware that I can work now harder and longer than I will be able to in the future, that I live in a part of the world that people flock to, that my health is good and so is that of my family, and that life is generally good. But if you took a snapshot of my life at this very instant and said it'll be like this for the next few years, and then said that it's the best it's going to ever get, I'd find a nice padded cell for you.

Nope, my life is not bad, but it will always be better in the future. How do I know? Because that's the way it is. I am one of those people who is always trying to improve, always looking forward to something in my life to be better. I don't really like to be complacent, as it tends to lead to boredom. And as I've said, I don't do well with such elements. Besides, there are so many goals yet to accomplish: finding a mate, having a family, being gainfully employed for some entity that I enjoy, watching said family grow and advance in life, traveling even more, enjoying my life for as long as I have it. And I'm only 35...I have at least half of my life left to live, if not more.

Life's going downhill from here? Steer manure. Life's only going up from here