I'm14 years old, and I see a video that changes everything for me. This is the tune that sparked my obsession with pop music. Play it loud.

It's The Stone Roses doing "Elephant Stone."

Play this one loud.

Tired. Cranky. Had NPR to keep me company, but it was precious little comfort. Wasn't sure if I was going to make it up the hill to my house. But when I got inside, all that melted away when roughly 30 pounds worth of 19-month-old wrappped itself around my knees, grinned up me with unbridled joy and repeated, "Dadaaaa ... Daddaaaa ... Dadaaa ..." over and over again.

Got home just in time to fix Miss Monkey her dinner -- a veggie burger tonight. It's Lent hereabouts, which means half of the adults in the household obey the Catholic injunction against meat on Friday. My lovely bride is an urbane Jewish lady, and joins me voluntarily in this fast. For Miss Monkey, well, we know it's one of the things she'll eat.

We had around an hour after dinner to play, and spent it chasing each other around the living room, with Momma serving as "base" in our game of catch-and-tickle. Miss Monkey was breathless with laughter by the end of it, and so were her parents.

A little before 7 p.m., Miss Monkey and I headed upstairs for bedtime. The requisite three stories ("Colors and Shapes," "Pajama Time," and "The Going to Bed Book") followed, with Dad turning in his usual Oscar-worthy performance while acting out the books. 

By story three, we had some serious eye-rubbing, and it was into bed she went. We got about half-way through "Take Me Out to the Ballgame,"  (don't ask ... it works.), when it became apparent that Miss Monkey was on her way to dreamland.

A kiss on the forehead.

A smile from my girl.

And it was lights out.

It was, in fact, a perfect way to end the day. 

Mostly, I'm here to see what happens. But welcome, nonetheless. Step inside Have a look around. Drop a note if you're so inclined.

Most of all: Take care of your family. And I'll talk to you all soon.