Three things about me:

Some spewing from Simon's head this morning:

1. There's a scene in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (the book, not the upcoming movie, but for all I know it may be included in there too) where Ford Prefect is utterly amazed at the ability of the human race, as represented by Arthur Dent, to expound on the obvious.  In no other species to which he'd been exposed in his galactic travels did that particular trait make itself so terribly prevalent.
   
   As I was walking up the stairs to the gym this morning, I was greeted by a growing cacophony of conversation that sounded very out of place for 5.30 in the morning.  All the usual suspects I normally see in various poses of exertion were milling about what appeared to be an unexpectedly locked door.  I made my way through the crowd towards the front and eventually proclaimed to no one in general, "So, we're locked out this morning, eh?"
   
   One gentleman nearby provided the response, "Yes, indeed," with the same look that Ford Prefect must have directed at Arthur Dent.  I shook my head at myself, waited for 15 minutes, then decided to go to work early and picked up a coffee and muffin at Timmy Ho's on the way.
2. The times they are a-changin'. 
   
   I had my fourth night at the pool last night with my 9 month-old son.  There's normally a group of about eight or nine parent-child pairs that show up every Tuesday for the 'Babes and Tots' swim classes.  We start each class by taking a quick trip under the shower and then head into the pool.  As we were making our way to the deep end (only about a metre deep), I found myself expounding on something that was, thankfully, not quite as obvious as item 1. above: "Hey!  It's all dads tonight!"
   
   Whereas there is normally an even mix of moms and dads in the group, all the parent chaperones this evening were the men-folk.  I just thought it was nice to see such an obvious example of increased paternal involvement in child-rearing.



3. My recent attendance at Edmonton's Burns Night Supper brought to mind my Most Awkward Phone Conversation Ever.
   
   In preparation for the same supper a couple of years ago, I wanted to get my kilt taken in a bit since I'd shrunk a little over the previous few years.  So, I quite naturally called up the family I first contacted to have mine made.  A retired couple, the husband of which also makes, and instructs in the taming of, bagpipes.
   
   Ladies voice: "Hello?"
   
   Simon: "Hi!  Is Norm there please?"
   
   "I'm sorry, who?"
   
   "Norm.  Norm Kyle.  I wanted to talk to him about bringing my kilt in to him and having the waist taken in a bit, if he has the time."
   
   "You haven't called for him in a while, have you?"
   
   "Not since I first had my kilt made, no.  Why?"
   (sinking feeling starts... now)
   
   "Norm passed away almost two years ago."
   
   "OH!  Okay...  Umm...  Sorry to have bothered you then...  "
   
   (click)