To those of you who might be questioning:

I have to figure there are those of you who have compared my previous trip with this and are thinking to yourselves, "Waitaminute, sir, but what's the holdup with the updates?"

I'll gladly tell you.

It is a surreal yet gratifying experience witnessing your little brother truly Living the Life.

Admittedly there is some jealousy that drips through when you see your kin raising and nurturing offspring successfully, but - and here's the secret - when you spend *just enough time* with that gift, you get the jist of what they go through for that very experience. It is admirable - easily more - but if I ever felt the need to justify my bachelorhood, well then - it's laid out for me, doiley and all. Raising a human requires an endurance I can only have night terrors about, and these past few days I've tried my damndest to immerse myself in (honestly) The Real Bliss that is Parenthood.

It is atonishing. Arbitrary endeavors truly fall by the wayside.

..I suppose what I'm trying to articulate in my asswards-back way is this: Three cheers to your mom and your dad. Because they had every reason not to raise your ass. And yet...