A Weird White House Greeting for Maya

As the above picture attests, Maya received a greeting yesterday from Dubya and his Desperate WhiteHousewife. It came in a hand-addressed envelope (the penmanship looks unmistakedly like that of an intern-level lackey) and the embossed card says the following:

The White House
Washington

Welcome! We are delighted to join your family in celebrating your arrival. You have already brought much happiness to those around you, and you've just gotten started!

We are glad you are now part of the wonderful American story. Our Nation holds great opportunities for you. May you make the most of your unique gifts, and may happiness and love surround you always.

Sincerely,
George Bush Laura Bush

I don't know if Dubya reads my blog, but I do know that I didn't include them in any of the updates on Maya. So how did Maya get on their pre-voters list? I need to call the White House today to get a firm answer, but I think that according to their website I need to formally submit a request to the White House Greetings Office to get one of these puppies. Could it possibly be that they automatically send congratulatory greetings to all new Americans? Wouldn't you think they'd concentrate on the Red States and save the stationary costs by avoiding dens of godless heathens such as our ilk here in San Francisco? I mean, how long could it really take to pull my FBI file and verify Maya's genetic leanings away from the Bushies? Enquiring minds will find out the root cause behind this thoughtful bit of government waste and get back to y'all. But if you sent a request on our behalf, drop me an email so I can quit looking for bugging devices around our apartment.

The NYTimes ran a piece yesterday about the overdone propensity to take oodles of digital pictures that should make me wince after a moment of self-reflection. Am I actually the type of person being profiled metaphorically, who cannot refrain from taking and posting pics repeatedly of my favorite subject beyond the 1982 Milwaukee Brewers, our frickin' adorable Maya? Horse hockey. Sure, loads of cheeseballs out there think any and every pic of their mutant offspring is worth a looksie. Sure, digital photography without the burden of printing is an addiction akin to collecting take-out menus that just pile up and pile up until they take over your space and bury you under the detritus. But the sort of unedited egotism described has nothing to do with what we put up featuring Maya. She's a professional - always on-time and her focus while on a "shoot" could teach certain SuperModels a thing or two. So don't expect that we'll be guilted into shooting less. If anything, worry more about the inevitable "prop comedy" shots sure to be coming soon (Maya in funny hats, Maya perched atop famous landmarks, Maya playing with fireworks or industrial chemicals). Suggestions, as always, are welcome.

And speaking of the Brewers, Maya and I shared the distinct pleasure of watching Milwaukee win a thriller at home against the Cubs yesterday (gawd bless you WGN). That makes 7 wins in a row for the decidedly schitzophrenic New Brew Crew, taking them all the way from last place to sole possession of second in the NL Central. Wacky. Can't figure them out at all. Meanwhile the Yankees are in last place and I'm pretty sure out there somewhere cats and dogs have begun sleeping together.

Lots more real news to cover later. Sarah heads back to clinical work today - Maya and I are giving her a ride to work very soon. And then it's the bottle battle for us throughout the day. Wish us luck.