On Lucas's 6th birthday, let me give a hearty cheer to those who made the party a whopping success-

The good folks at Cybelle's, who never fail to undercook a pizza in dangerous ways.

Sam Cooke, who breeds smiles every time he opens his mouth.

The Sharks, for wiping that teary-eyed look off Lucas's face when they went down 3-0 by coming up big with a 9-4 win over the mighty Red Wings. Lucas remarks at the end of the second period: "See, that's what happens when you never give up."

The Rolling Stones, for surprising me again with the occasional greatness of Between the Buttons. "My Obsession" is gold.

South Park, for providing solid between-period chuckles. Cartman, for god's sake.

Steppenwolf, for existing. Don't deny the power, hater.

Jonathan Cheechoo, for being who he is, my oldest son's hero, the bearer of the number on his Sharks shirt, and a goal scorer tonight. The families that watch hockey together, stay together. It's in the Bible, so burn, hater, burn.

Chocolate cake. Straight up. No frills. Winna.

Teel.

Good night.