Sometimes I learn such awesome stuff on the internets. Today I learned about Perihelions. Did you know (anyone besides Tadd and Wally) that the Earth’s orbit around the Sun is actually elliptical? I didn’t. Yesterday the Earth was at is closest orbital point, to the Sun. I read about it on Gothamist, but the Gothamist article linked to a pretty sweet column called “Bad Astronomy,” hosted on the Discovery site. The article contains diagrams, and formulas, plus extensive nerd dialogue in the comments section. Check it.

Reagan and I were able to have several great visits with Piper over the extended weekend. She has been doing great. There have been a few days that she wasn’t super keen on idea of protracted Trache collar stints, but for the most part, she has still been on Trache collar for several hours per day. Sunday, we put her up on the window ledge so that she could look outside. She wasn’t super interested. It’s almost like she is a little vampire when it comes to bright light. She did enjoy kicking the window, though. Hahahah.

Man, oh man. I’m pretty happy.

Piper has already had a great new year. Yesterday, the Hopsons came with us to visit Piper. Apparently Piper was in the mood to show off. Reagan positioned her in a sitting up position and she was able to hold herself up for almost a minute. Check Reagan’s blob for the video. She was in great spirits again today. She was sitting up, propping herself up with her arms (like in the picture). Our visit with Piper was cut shorter than we wanted it to be, when Piper’s feeding tube became disconnected and spilled all over Reagan’s jeans.

In other great news, I came out to another ticket on the car today. Yippee. This time it is because the inspection expired on Dec. 31. I will probably get a $65 ticket every day between now and Monday, when I take it in to be serviced an inspected. NYC parking cops, serving and protecting.

Also, tonight Utah takes on Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Cross your fingers for that one.

This is the only picture that I took on New Year’s eve. It is a shot of our block, as I was heading downtown for the evening’s festivities. It was bloody cold and nasty weather pretty much all day, and night. We had a great time though. Thankfully, we didn’t spend much time, at all, outdoors. I met Reagan at work, and we ate dinner with some of our friends, at a place nearby. We then retired to the Bennions pad, watched a movie and watched the times square coverage. I was still so wired when we got home, that I stayed up until 4 watching the Arrested Development discs that we borrowed from Reagan’s sister. I have to say that I have really enjoyed not having to work. I wish I could be a bum forever. Hahahah