This is Nigel. He is our Crowntail Betta. Since Aquarium photography requires a lot of luck, I just shot a video of Nigel using the built-in light on our camcorder. You can't see his colors very well, but you can see his cool tail and fins.

Spent the afternoon at my in-laws' with Stephen's aunt, uncle, and cousin. Good day. Best possible weather.

Still trying to write a little piece about the Bobby McFerrin concert. It was truly amazing.

Chloe is whining and kicking her feet while dreaming. She is curled up in our armchair on her back. I wonder what she's dreaming about...

I'm not sure if it is just my NPR station (WAMU 88.5 FM), but on Saturday nights between 8-10pm, it is great. 78rpm records all night, mostly instrumentals. They have themed nights too, like Fats Waller or Django Reinhardt. It never fails to be the best show ont he radio.

I don't understand this Betta. He just passes out for extended periods of time. Every time he does it, I swear he's dead. It looks like his gills aren't moving, and he won't come to life if you put food in his bowl or tap the glass.

Last night he was just floating on the top for about an hour, lifeless. Right now he's lying motionless on his side on the bottom of the tank... just kind of sprawled on some rocks. It's weird, scary, unsettling, disconcerting, all that.

Seizures? Coma? Normal Betta behavior? Practical Joker? You decide.

Regardless, I keep thinking he's going to die.

Edit: Okay, this time he's really dead. Our last fish lasted two years before he committed suicide. This fish lasted five days.