Once we were seated and given our menus I think both of us were a bit disappointed. The prices were anything but reasonable and the full menu was less than exciting. So, we stuck to ordering a few appetizers and a bowl of soup to share.

Whether because of the mediocre fare or some other factors, I'm not sure, but our conversation didn't start off too endearing either - and we soon began to squabble over little things.

I'm not quite sure where they learned to be so excited about him. Neither Toni or I made too much of a big deal about him, despite the fact that both of us do feel pretty optimistic about the possibility of someone with a relatively unique perspective being elected.

Regardless, Porter and Fallon have been quite interested in the election. Fallon wanted to stay up and watch the polls, and was continually asking which states Obama had won and who had won the others (though I don't think she really grasps the concept of a state or an election).

This realization has made Toni and I more aware of how important these days are with them. I guess that's why family photos become so important - they capture these events and stories in midstream, allowing us to revisit them more easily when years have passed and the kids have grown up.

We celebrated their birthday on two separate days: one with just us, on their actual birthday; and again the following weekend with all of their friends. This entry is only about the first celebration. I'll add another entry later to chronicle the weekend festivities.

Until then, we hope our family and friends enjoy this entry about the family's celebration of their fourth birthday.

I have to say that I've never slept better...but on the other hand, it was awfully quiet and a bit lonely in the house. It did give me some time to relax and organize my thoughts a bit.

Families can register to walk in the parade with their pets. Every year someone brings their pet chicken, but mostly its all kinds of dogs. Maybe next year we'll walk in the parade.

The imagery that this photograph creates, fits the somewhat romanticized perception I have of Tokyo, Japan. I've always been fascinated by Japanese culture, especially food, film, history, and popular culture.

For film experiences that create similar imagery, check out the movies of two of my favorite modern Japanese directors:

Sion Sono (Jisatsu Saakuru, Noriko no shokutaku)

Takeshi Kitano (Hana-Bi, Ano natsu, ichiban shizukana umi)

Today, after we returned from a small outing, she spent about half an hour tearing individual pages out of the catalog and then asking me to tell here the name of each item on each page. This evening, she went to sleep in her bed with a handful of the torn-out pages snuggled close to her.

She's also enjoys propping a book open on her bed against the wall and then falling asleep. Books (especially her fish encyclopedia) and her horses are her favorites to curl up with.

Here are a couple quotes on the subject that I've found to be particularly thought provoking:

Vernor Vigne, 1993, The Coming Technological Singularity:

Within thirty years, we will have the technological means to create superhuman intelligence. Shortly after, the human era will be ended.

Stephen Hawking, 1998:

Some people say that computers can never show true intelligence whatever that may be. But it seems to me that if very complicated chemical molecules can operate in humans to make them intelligent then equally complicated electronic circuits can also make computers act in an intelligent way. And if they are intelligent they can presumably design computers that have even greater complexity and intelligence.

Vinge still stands by his statement that he'd be surprised if the singularity hasn't happened by 2030. I think it's a possibility (yeah, I'm not putting a value on that probability), and the thought is attracitve in a macabre way - along the lines of any dystopic society fantasy.

Let's see...I'll be 62 years old in 2030...just about ready to retire. The world will be a very different place by then indeed. It'll be interesting to look back 22 years to 2008 and read this entry.

Jaron is probably best known for coining the term "Virtual Reality" back in the early 80's. He's an extremely thought-provoking speaker and writer. In the past, his criticism's of Microsoft's products have been quite harsh.

I don't think we had been away from the kids for that long since Toni's parents visited two summers ago and watched the kids overnight for us while we spent the night at a Bed & Breakfast on Orcas Island.