Hot Springs Arkansas Quarter

So, today is a very special day. Yes, it is Tuesday and that means that LOST is on tonight but that is not what I'm talking about. As many of you may know I took up a new hobby a few years ago. Numismatics! That means coin collecting. So, I am very excited that today the United States Mint is releasing the first of the new 2010 America the Beautiful Quarters. This first quarter is honoring Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas. I have to admit, of the four possible designs for the reverse of the coin they picked the one that I liked the least, but it still looks pretty cool. I got the new coin folder for this series of coins back at Christmas. I suspect by next Christmas, if I'm lucky, I might have two or even three coins in there.

2009 In Review

Let's be honest; 2009 kinda sucked for me and my little family. But, I'm not gonna spend a lot of time talking about that. Instead, I have decided to list some of the good things that happened over the past year. So, here we go:

• I increased the size of my coin collection.
• The International Astronomical Union did not eliminate any more planets from the Solar System.
• Josh Whedon gave the world of television a wonderful, albeit short lived, gift. And the gift was called "Dollhouse."
• Alisa got prettier
• Patrick Rothfuss turned in his first draft of The Wise Man's Fear to his editor.
• Collin got cuter.
• I acquired The Ultimate Recording Device.*
• J.J. Abrams' remake of Star Trek was just plain awesome.
• Chuck got renewed for a 3rd season.
• I got a new nephew and a new niece.

*The Ultimate Recording Device is a VCR/DVD Recorder Combo with a digital tuner. This device allowed me to continue to record my TV shows after the digital transition.