So, yesterday, I tried on my tuxedo for the first time in about 4 years.  I am getting married in it, after all.  Well, I have to give great thanks to the salesman who sold it to me 8 years ago.  When it was a little big on me, he said that was good because if (and he probably meant "when") I put on weight, it would still fit.  Now, 30 pounds later, it still fits.  The only thing is that my belly has begun to take on the attributes of a beer fueled gut and sticks out just enough that, well, it sticks out next to the lines of the clothing.  For a little while, I considered the thought of "compression garments" but realized that I would not be happy with that.  That only leaves one thing: the ancient Army PT guide on my shelves.  Tonight I have done crunches, flutter kicks and sit-ups, twice as many as I did last night.  And I'm going to keep doing them from now until the wedding day.  I've wanted a flatter tummy for years.  Now's the time to either put up or girdle up.

Tomorrow, I have to go to a formal wear store.  The tux itself is fine, though after 4+ years in a bag, it needs cleaning from the dust and such.  My stockings, however, have runs in them.  My one tux shirt needs an encounter with some bluing but I'll probably just get another one.  A vest is a must and a bowtie to match it.  I used to have a set of silver studs but I lent them to JonBoy when he got married to the Russian Bride and he managed to lose them.  I still have my gold ones but since the color of the wedding is blue, I think silver would go much better.  And our rings are white gold.  So I need new studs, too.  Actually, I need everything but the tux and shoes.  But it's way, WAY, WAAAAAAYYYYY cheaper than a wedding dress so I won't complain about the cost.

Oh, and thanks, you guys.  When I was feelin' mighty low, you all made me feel a lot better.  So much for the great-souled man, I guess. :) But, then again, as a really smart friend of mine would point out, one of the attributes of a hero is that he has friends who will fight with and for him.  I think I can live with that. 

That's it for now.  Bed time for me.  Sleep well, you all.

That is all.