It's free as a download!

My anthology of short comedies based on my experiences with cancer is now a free download for any who would like to read my chemo-crazed words. Please download it, read it, and write a little review for me (on Lulu) - I'd appreciate the feedback. I'm not beyond begging. Actually, you may have already read them in my journal entries. Still, it's free, and I'm granting permission for performance with no royalties, just credit and a notification to me.

Go here - lulu.com

My favorite part of Pinocchio. . . sadly, it wasn't in the Disney version

The story of Pinocchio and the Talking Cricket, in which one sees that bad children do not like to be corrected by those who know more than they do

Very little time did it take to get poor old Geppetto to prison. In the meantime that rascal, Pinocchio, free now from the clutches of the Carabineer, was running wildly across fields and meadows, taking one short cut after another toward home. In his wild flight, he leaped over brambles and bushes, and across brooks and ponds, as if he were a goat or a hare chased by hounds.

On reaching home, he found the house door half open. He slipped into the room, locked the door, and threw himself on the floor, happy at his escape.

But his happiness lasted only a short time, for just then he heard someone saying:

"Cri-cri-cri!"

"Who is calling me?" asked Pinocchio, greatly frightened.

"I am!"

Pinocchio turned and saw a large cricket crawling slowly up the wall.

"Tell me, Cricket, who are you?"

"I am the Talking Cricket and I have been living in this room for more than one hundred years."

"Today, however, this room is mine," said the Marionette, "and if you wish to do me a favor, get out now, and don't turn around even once."

"I refuse to leave this spot," answered the Cricket, "until I have told you a great truth."

"Tell it, then, and hurry."

"Woe to boys who refuse to obey their parents and run away from home! They will never be happy in this world, and when they are older they will be very sorry for it."

We have hundreds more books for your enjoyment. Read them all!

"Sing on, Cricket mine, as you please. What I know is, that tomorrow, at dawn, I leave this place forever. If I stay here the same thing will happen to me which happens to all other boys and girls. They are sent to school, and whether they want to or not, they must study. As for me, let me tell you, I hate to study! It's much more fun, I think, to chase after butterflies, climb trees, and steal birds' nests." "Poor little silly! Don't you know that if you go on like that, you will grow into a perfect donkey and that you'll be the laughingstock of everyone?" "Keep still, you ugly Cricket!" cried Pinocchio. But the Cricket, who was a wise old philosopher, instead of being offended at Pinocchio's impudence, continued in the same tone: "If you do not like going to school, why don't you at least learn a trade, so that you can earn an honest living?" "Shall I tell you something?" asked Pinocchio, who was beginning to lose patience. "Of all the trades in the world, there is only one that really suits me." "And what can that be?" "That of eating, drinking, sleeping, playing, and wandering around from morning till night." "Let me tell you, for your own good, Pinocchio," said the Talking Cricket in his calm voice, "that those who follow that trade always nd up in the hospital or in prison."

"Careful, ugly Cricket! If you make me angry, you'll be sorry!"

"Poor Pinocchio, I am sorry for you."

"Why?"

"Because you are a Marionette and, what is much worse, you have a wooden head."

At these last words, Pinocchio jumped up in a fury, took a hammer from the bench, and threw it with all his strength at the Talking Cricket.

Perhaps he did not think he would strike it. But, sad to relate, my dear children, he did hit the Cricket, straight on its head.

With a last weak "cri-cri-cri" the poor Cricket fell from the wall, dead!

Allow me to introduce Michael and Morgan

(Multipliers - sorry for the double post)
Michael James Fauver and Morgan Russell Fauver were born at 4:58 and 4:59 PM respectively on January 13th, 2008. Michael weighed in at 5 lbs 8 oz. and Morgan was 5 lbs 12 oz. These pictures were taken from 5:03 PM on. . .

We're so happy!

Steph is even happier that they're out and not kicking her anymore.

Michael cried from the moment he was out and every moment forward. Morgan opened his eyes right away when I held him and even seemed to smile (though I know that's not really the case). They will be in special Care until tomorrow and we'll also find out tomorrow when they will be able to come home.

It started at 4 this morning, when she had some spotting. She told her doc at the appointment (10 AM), and he asked why she didn't call. She explained that the nurses and midwives always told her that as long as it wasn't a lot of blood, it was no worry, so she didn't worry. The doc said, "Well, I don't agree, go to the hospital, we're taking them today." Fast forward seven hours later, and more boys!

- Brett

(photos posted on my Multiply page - http://brettfauver.multiply.com - Just Minutes Old!

Thought for my morning

I was making a cuppa joe a few minutes ago and had a sudden thought - out of the 6 and a half years Steph and I have been married, 2007 was the only year I have been cancer-free. We married in July 2001 and by December I had developed the big-ass tumor in the middle of my chest (which I ignored for another four months). While 07 was still full of annoyances and about 50 doctor appointments and two hospital stays, I was without Hodgkin's. A cause for celebration, I believe.