OK, so I still haven't posted Miami pictures. In fact, I haven't even taken them off of Igor's laptop yet. I promise they'll come sooner or later.
December is so busy.
And oh, another fishy died. Evy, you gotta help me redesign this blog into two things: "Big Trouble" and the "Big Fish Bowl in the Sky." This is getting out of hand.


THE BRAIN, APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS, DIES IN HIS STAMFORD HOME
The Brain the goldfish, a Stamford resident, died last week at his Springdale home with his so-called trusty best friend, Pinky, by his side. The Brain was approximately four to six months old.
The Brain died in the big fish tank in the living room. He was reported missing one night last week. No family members knew of The Brain's whereabouts until a family friend (that would be me) found The Brain dead, wedged behind an artificial rock.
The exact cause of death is unknown, however the family speculates Pinky was the mastermind of the fish tank this whole time, and he is behind The Brain's untimely death.
The Brain, who was orange and had somewhat of a brainy head, was likely purchased at the Fish Bowl store in Springdale.
He is survived by Pinky, who has since been relocated to the small, plantless fish tank in the bedroom to live alone. (This tank was the former home of the nameless goldfish who died a week earlier. See the Dec. 8 entry below.)
He is predeceased by the nameless goldfish; and former tankmates, Whitey and Blackie the goldfish.
Burial was private in the hallway bathroom. During the ceremony, Igor said, "His brain looks like Jell-O."
The large, living room fish tank is now occupied by two new, large goldfish — Tele (short for "Telescope" because this black and orange fish has big, bulging eyes), and Casper (another white, orange-brained goldfish who likes to hide in the corner).
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that your thoughts and prayers be with Pinky and The Brain.

Oh man! A week ago I was on a flight to Miami, and now I'm here and it's been below freezing for almost two days now! Oh, you don't want to hear me complain, because most likely you're in the cold with me, too. But it's all good, because a week from now it'll be Dec. 23 and almost Christmas. I have almost all my shopping done, and I've even started wrapping (my favorite part). Then comes baking. And my jetset brother will be in America on Monday (pending the predicted snow). Woohoo!
I will upload Miami photos soon, I promise. Check back soon.

T-minus 21 hours and we'll be in South Beach, with this list in hand:

Things to do in Miami:
1. Lay on the beach.
2. Salsa y merengue.
3. Eat Cuban sandwiches.
4. Drink mojitos at the Delano.
5. Get a sunburn.
6. Swim.
7. Go star-searching at the Sagamore.
8. Eat at Emeril's.
9. Wear bright colors in the middle of December.
10. Find JLo.
11. Hablo espanol.
12. More beach.
13. More mojitos.
14. Shop on Lincoln Road.
15. Sing "Feliz Cumpleaños a mi," on the beach, of course.

Viva la Miami! (Gracias a Igor!)
Y viva mi cumpleanos!



**********
This is getting ridiculous...
NAMELESS GOLDFISH, AGE UNKNOWN, DIES IN HIS STAMFORD HOME
A nameless white and orange goldfish, a Stamford resident, died recently at his (her?) Springdale home. Time, date and cause of death are unknown.
The fish lived alone in a plantless and rockless fish tank in Igor's parents' bedroom. The fish, who had somewhat of a orangey-colored brainy head, was likely purchased at the Fish Bowl store in Springdale.
He is survived by Pinky and The Brain, two larger, more dominant goldfish who live in the big tank in the living room.
The family speculates that Pinky and The Brain, known as the evil masterminds of the living room fishtank, sent their menacing vibes over to the nameless goldfish in the bedroom, causing his death. It is thought that Pinky and The Brain may have caused the previous deaths of former tankmates Whitey and Blackie the goldfish.
Funeral and wake information are unknown.
In lieu of flowers, this goldfish lover requests that your thoughts and prayers be with the nameless goldfish, and all the other nameless fish in need of some fishy love and attention.

How sad! My blog is starting to turn into the obituary page for fishies...



ARMAND AND BEATRICE, 4 MONTHS, DIE IN THEIR COVENTRY HOME
Armand the Platy and his beloved lover, Beatrice the Platy, Coventry residents, died early Sunday morning, Nov. 28, at home with their son by their side. They were approximately four months old.
They died peacefully in their seven-gallon, tropical community aquarium in the home of their dedicated owners, Evelyn and Mike. The exact cause of death is not known; however, the family speculates they died because of their recent struggles with poor water chemistry.
"We read that fish who live through those conditions don't last long," Evelyn says.
The couple was purchased in August from PETsMART in Manchester. Armand was a red and black Platy; Beatrice was a yellow Platy.
They are survived by their beloved young son, Armand Junior (A.J.), who, according to family, "is the spitting image of his father." They are also survived by tankmates: Guppy, Anderson Cooper; Golden Algae Eater, Goldie; and two unnamed Guppies. These tankmates were never subject to poor water chemistry conditions, and the family reports they are doing fine.
Armand and Beatrice spent their last few nights enjoying the company of many human friends at a lovely holiday party thrown by their owners on Nov. 26.
"It is sweet, though, that Armand and Bea departed together, as the lovers they were. We are so grateful that their one offspring will survive in their memory," Eveyln says.
In leiu of flowers, may your thoughts and prayers be with A.J.