Today, the most important person in my life turns a year old.

I wanted to do this whole tribute, including a video montage with special effects and music, but considering I was up til 2am yesterday finishing up work, that didn’t happen.

But I do want to say a few words about my little bear, my crazy little elf, my adorable little Benjamin.

It’s amazing how much one person can change your life. Not only how I’ve been living it, but my attitude towards it, the purpose of it. I never realized that I could love someone so much, and have the need for their love in return. Hugs are sweeter when they come from Ben. Every little milestone makes my life that much happier. I can’t picture my life without him, nor can I remember the life I led before him. Although at times I may get frustrated with him, he makes me laugh every day. I’m sad to leave him when I go to work, and I’m counting the minutes until the work day is over so I can hug him and squeeze him.

Watching him grow has been an adventure. He’s grown from this little blob into this curious little character. Every new thing he learns, from learning to sit up, to learning how to walk (yes, he walks now!) to even his new trick he learned yesterday - picking his nose, has been a wonder to watch. These little buggers DO grow fast.

So happy birthday my little boy. I love you SO much, and I can’t wait to see how you grow this year!

Even though I don’t have my birthday montage made, here’s a little video of his first steps, taken this weekend. Enjoy!

Tags: Ben by Yano
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You can tell when work is REALLY kicking my ass, because there’s no new posts from me!

Hopefully that’ll end this weekend.

Anyway, til then, here’s some Alanis Morrisette for you…spoofing Fergie’s “My Humps”.

Tags: Video Gaga by Yano
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So I’m on a pretty high profile project for work. I’ve been working with them for the last couple months, and we’ve been spending a lot of time together (including that 4 hour car ride together in a mini-van). I always try to make a connection with my clients, just because I feel it’s easier to work with them when you have a good personal relationship with them. However, I’m always a bit wary when it seems like I’ve got a good relationship with a client. There have been times I’ve been screwed by clients that I thought I had a good relationship with.

But this really is a great group of people. Even though they’re very focused on work, they’re also a lot of fun, and its a great mix of personalities. They’re incredibly friendly and althrough there are times we’re stressed out with work, there are good times when we laugh and play practical jokes on each other.

Anyway, we talk a bit about our personal lives, and I’ve told them about how I’ve been planning Benjamin’s birthday party. I let them see a copy of the invite (which they loved) and they always ask about any new tricks he’s learned. The other day, when all our meetings were finished, they had a presentation for me. They had bought a birthday present for Ben! In a back they gave me a little monkey and a t-shirt with their company name on it (which I really can’t divulge). I was really taken aback by their thoughtfulness. It was one of the sweetest things that a client has done for me!

I made sure to make a video of Ben playing with his new friend (which is currently competing with Elmo for the “Ben’s Best Friend” spot), so I’ll share it with you all!

Tags: Video Gaga by Yano
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Driving back and forth to Milwaukee can get pretty boring. Usually in the morning I listen to a local radio show, but once I get over that Wisconsin border, I’ve got to start channel hopping. As much as I complain about the drive, I do enjoy it in a way. It gives me time to myself, time when I can’t be working or I don’t have to worry about if I’m spending enough time with Ben or worry about watching over him. It gives me a chance to think about my life, where I’m at, to digest everything that’s currently happening to me. There are a lot of thoughts that go through my mind, especially when there’s traffic or those close calls when people do stupid things on the road that keep me on my toes. There are also some other times when I’m just so tired driving that I’m slapping myself in the face to keep awake. Times like that I think about one of my favorite driving CD’s, the Barenaked Ladies’ Maroon. My favorite track on the CD is called “Tonight is the Night I Fell Asleep at the Wheel”. It’s a pretty morbid song, especially when you’re driving, but I like the notion behind it.

Tonight is The Night I Fell Asleep at The Wheel

Driving home to be with you
The highways dividing, the citys in view
As usual, Im almost on time
Youre the last thing thats on my mind
I wish I could tell you the way that I feel
But tonight is the night I fell asleep at the wheel

No commotion, no screaming brakes
Most of its over before I awake
From the ceiling, my coffee cup drips
While out my window, the horizon does flips
The worst part was hitting the ground -
Not the feeling so much as the sound
Cant help but wonder if all this is real
Cause tonight is the night I fell asleep at the wheel

Rubberneck traffic and passersby
And slow motion walter the fire engine guy
Stand around with their mouths open wide
I heard some idiot ask if someones inside
With the jaws of life they tried and they tried
Nobody here can know how I feel
Cause tonight is the night I fell asleep at the wheel

I guess its over now
Cause Ive never seen so much
Never seen so much, never seen so much
Never seen so much, never seen so much
I guess its over now
Cause Ive never seen so much
Never seen so much, never seen so much
Never seen so much, never seen so much
So much blood

In all the confusion, theres something serene
Im just a posthumous part of the scene
Now Im floating above looking in
As the radio blares and wheels spin
I can see my face slump with a grin
And you…youre the last thing on my mind
Youre the last thing on my mind
Youre the last thing on my mind
Youre the last thing on my mind

I love the song because the first time I heard it, I laughed when he first says, “As usual I’m almost on time, you’re the last thing that’s on my mind…” I had thought that the singer had so many other thoughts in his head that his love was the last thing on his mind. But the lyrics were literal - his love was the very last thing on his mind before he died. Morbid, but beautiful at the same time…

OK, it’s time for me to get some sleep…I’ve gotta drive to Milwaukee tomorrow!

Tags: Daily by Yano
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