Busy, busy, busy. I've been sleeping in a lot lately, but have a ton of stuff to do. I wrote this top ten beer list and a haiku just to see if it got any hits. That's about it.

Pork Ribs and Podcasts

It finally rained here, for two days. I'ts nice and cool also. I wrote this pork rib recipe and this list of fiction podcasts and worked. Took the wife to the pregnancy place and got a sonogram. WOW there's a little freak with a giant head in my wife's belly and it's half ME! One of the coolest experiences I've ever had..

Some good reasons not to smoke

I posted this short article on how to quit smoking last night and today found myself thinking of some of the ways I'm better off now that I have quit. Here's a list, in no particular order. If you think of more put them in the comments.

more energy-I've picked up running and exercise

more willpower/determination-see above+I get a lot more done

less chance of cancer

more money

the ability to stay indoors/occupied for more than an hour at a time-no more smoke breaks

more testosterone-smoking inhibits testosterone production in men, lowering sex drive and overall masculinity (I understand non-smoking women also have gender specific benefits, see Google)

vast improvements in the auto immune system-no colds, sore throats, or coughs, and only one time with a runny nose in a year.

better smelling breath

whiter teeth

I can stay at home for a few days-no need to go to the store for smokes (I live in the country)

no need to leave a conversation/movie/dinner/ect. for a smoke break

more endurance/stamina

overall empowerment-Since defeating cigarettes I have been gaining the above benefits and continuing to get stronger, faster, and tougher, both physically and mentally. I see most people/obstacles/tasks  that were imposing before in a new light that shows them as they are, conquerable.

Disadvantages: More likely to strangle someone, having a lighter in your pocket comes in handy sometimes.

Wrote something else

I've spent a pretty large part of my life in the restaurant business, and I encounter the same frustrations again and again, so I wrote a list last night.of complaints against the people who pay my bills, the customers. I feel that people wouldn't do these things if they knew they were so irritating, so hopefully this will get the word out.

I wrote something

Posted a hub detailing how to make my awesome banana bread, of which there is only one slice left, last night. Nothing else to note.

The backward-assed system

I did some research today and found out that I won't qualify for medicaid for my wife's birth, even though the total household income is less than $300 per week and I have no insurance. Why? Because I denied myself immediate gratification and saved what little scraps of money I have. I drive a beat up 17 year old Saturn and eat Great Value. I have never got more than $700 back on a tax return, hell , I had to pay the feds the last two years. I've been putting money back from my low-lower class income for a few years to retire on one day and now that money is too large of an asset (it's not even enough to buy a new car) to qualify for medicaid. If I had been stupid and squandered my money the government would help me, but now I will have to dip into my hard-earned(janitor, cook,carpenter, factory production work) money to pay to have a baby while the people      earning the same as me or not working at all who are making payments on brand new cars and using smart phones send the government the bill. There goes my those years of savings. Sure, I could move the money to a relatives name and lie, but that would make me no better than all the lazy pieces of shit in the world. I generally take the high road in life, and though it's bound to suck as it usually does, that's what i'm going to do with this, too. I don't believe in divine retribution, the lazy people are probably making the smarter decision, but I still have my dignity.

My wife is officially knocked up

I took the wife for an official pregnancy test today. She failed, showing positive for baby in her system. Going back next week for an ultrasound. Early in the spring and then summer I saw some weeds that looked interesting and cut around them. Now I have three specimen patches growing in my yard: white morning glories, maypops (purple passion flowers) and wild mint. I took some photos of the latter two and wrote articles on them on hubpages, hence the links. I also baked some banana bread, expect an article on that soon. Good times.