by Benjamin J. Kirby
He's doing great. We're all doing great, actually. He is huge -- up around 14 pounds, I think. Already getting to where he can't fit into 3 month-old stuff. Remember, he's only two months old on July 2, a week from Monday.
But we've gotten him to smile and laugh, and if you talk to him for a bit, he's starts to "talk" back a little, cooing and making noises.
Emeline is amazing with him. She loves her little brother, a lot. She holds him, very gently, likes to pat him, and loves to bring him toys.
Duncan is doing well, too. So am I.
I think we're all really very happy, in fact. Still kind of trying to find our way with respect to a routine -- and that won't happen until Duncan goes back to work.
I'd kind of forgotten how fun babies can be. Not that I don't love having a two year-old -- they're fun, too... just different. Finn is a very cool little boy, and we're just so lucky to have him in our family.
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I think it's unconscionable the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has a "perfect" record with the U.S. Supreme Court this term.
I'm hopeful for the Affordable Health Care Act, but this is not a promising sign.
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As you know, I love it when government's do innovative things.
It looks like the Mayor of Tampa is doing just that with Hack-A-Thon 2012.
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A day after the Romney Campaign openly scolded Florida Governor Rick Scott about staying on-message, it would appear that the hospital grifter is not listening.
If Rick Scott got an order from Mitt Romney to temper his cheery talk about the Florida economy, it clearly didn’t take. The Republican governor proudly boasted that his state was booming in a speech in front of Latino officials just hours before President Obama was scheduled to speak at the same event.
Can the Romney Campaign control anything?
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Peter Schorsch at SaintPetersblog has honored me by nominating me for a long-elusive Netroots Award in the category of Best Writer.
Best Writer: Anyone whose writings is published at any of the above websites is eligible for this one. Winners should have one or more of the following qualities: good grammar and presentation, provides original reporting, has a good sense of humor, shows creativity, has a strong personal touch, or has an effect on the real world because of their writing. This is the one award I wish I would have won by now, but, alas, there are much better writers out there than me. One of them, Benjamin Kirby of The Spencerian, is my nomination here. When I think of Ben’s writing, I think of the scene in the West Wing when Sam (Rob Lowe) is asked who his favorite non-fiction writer is, with an answer like David McCullough or Jon Meachem expected to be given. Instead, he replies that his favorite writer is his colleague, Toby. That’s how I feel about Ben. Yes, there are many, many more famous political writers out there, but Ben Kirby is someone who speaks to me.
Anybody who does any writing at all -- whether fiction, non-fiction, blogging about politics or whatever -- knows that the real joy of it, indeed the reason to do it at all, is recognition, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.
Well, Peter's recognition and nomination is significant, and I would hope he knows how grateful I am.
My only question now is, does this make me Toby?
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The blogging week goes from great, to even greater, when my friends at Progress Florida pick me among a handful of other blogs for a Best of the Blogs post, as they did this week. This week it was for my June 17 post on the ongoing GOP immigration fumble.
Thanks, gang.
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It's always a big deal when the President of the United States travels anywhere. This quick, behind-the-scenes look of what it's like when he comes to New York City -- a city that's pretty used to presidents and dignitaries -- gives you an idea of just how complex the process really is:
It's a cool video, and reminds me of one of my regrets of my time in Washington, DC: not volunteering to work a trip for the President. Sure, there was a Presidential Advance Office -- the folks who planned and staffed presidential trips -- but they would use you in some capacity if you signed up and asked to go on a trip.
I never did. What a dope. I should have at least tried.
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I'm not perfect, just another man.
It's finally Friday.
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