Double Secret Probation
For the last 10 days or so, I've been hearing this countdown at least once a day.
It goes something like this: "9 more days until my birthday!"
Or, "you know what happens in 4 days? It's my birthday!"
And, "it's...my...birthday...in...two...days!"
(That last one sounds better if you sing it)
Well, the countdown has been leading up to tomorrow, August 8th, which is my wife Anne's birthday. We look forward to her birthday each year because we always take the family camping for a couple of days...and we don't have to hear the countdown.
Well, that's not entirely true...we'll hear "Only 364 more days until my birthday!" At least once.
So today is the day that we leave for the magnificent and storied Great Outdoors. I won't have time to write again until next week.
In honor of my wife's birthday, I offer the following Thought For Today, which perfectly describes our life together:
"I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
-Frost
Comments
Wow, the whole family has birthday at once in your place. Anne seems like a wonderful person, and I wish her the best.
Posted by: Shannon | August 7, 2002 9:13 AM
Have a fantastic trip, Wil & family! :)
Posted by: bethee | August 7, 2002 9:14 AM
Again, my timing has brought me to your page just as you post your plans -- and wonderful plans they are!
Have a wonderful trip, happy birthday to your wife, and I *still" want to hear about Chicago and the Cubs!
Posted by: Eva | August 7, 2002 9:14 AM
Having finally met Anne, I can testify to her coolness.
Wish her a happy birthday from me and Mrs. The Mat.
Posted by: Rob Matsushita | August 7, 2002 9:15 AM
Oh I knew I liked Anne for some reason.... we share birthdays. 27 tomorrow and I am looking forward to a nice dinner and homemade ice cream. Have fun camping DON"T FORGET THE BUG SPRAY!!!!
Posted by: Sweetpiv | August 7, 2002 9:21 AM
Happy Birthday Anne!!!!!!!
I hope you guys have a great and relaxing time on your camping trip.
P.S. that is one of my favorite pieces by Frost.
Nice Choice! :)
Posted by: NephraTari | August 7, 2002 9:34 AM
Happy Birthday Anne & Rob! I too have my birthday tommorow. Happy Birthday to us all!
1 more day till y birthday... *does a happy dance*
Posted by: Katrina | August 7, 2002 9:38 AM
Happy bithday Anne.
Don't trust Wheaton too much with his GPS
while camping.
Posted by: Dank | August 7, 2002 9:39 AM
All these birthdays in your family in such a short time span... it's like one non-stop party.
Warm birthday wishes to Anne.
Posted by: delphine | August 7, 2002 9:39 AM
You are all LEO'S!!
BUNCH OF COOL CAT'S THERE MR. WHEATON, SIR.
AND FAMILY!!!
Have a purrrrrfect time!(sorry couldn't resist!)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNE!
Posted by: bluecat/redblanket | August 7, 2002 9:40 AM
Nooooooooooooooooooo!
Don't leave us!!!!
:(
oh well as long as you promise to come back:). But don't be surprised if your bandwith jumps again :D.
Oh... and um, Happy Birthday to Anne.
Posted by: Samantha Lee | August 7, 2002 9:47 AM
Happy Birthday to you both (belated to you, early for Anne).
If you enjoy Frost and haven't already read it, I suggest "Mending Wall". There's also one about an Ant, that I can't recall the title of off the top of my head.
Anyways, Be well. Have fun. :)
Patrick
Posted by: Patrick Franklin | August 7, 2002 9:53 AM
Happy Birthday to Anne. Well, you guys certainly planned your birthdays well, you have them all in just a couple of weeks. Nice that they are in July and August so you can make all those wonderful summer memories together. And your brother getting married right before your birthday! You must have a non-stop grin on your face for weeks.
And, let me be the first one to wish Nolan a Happy Birthday.
Posted by: loretta652 | August 7, 2002 10:01 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNE!!!
:happy cat birthday dance:
:wiggle:
Posted by: Toonces | August 7, 2002 10:07 AM
Sounds like you're having a great summer. Please give us a mega-post or two when all the excitement's over, because there's *so* much we're still waiting to hear about!!
Happy Birthday Anne.
Posted by: NickW | August 7, 2002 10:07 AM
On the road again...Happy Birthday Wil's wife!
Posted by: ze-mag | August 7, 2002 10:12 AM
Wil,
WOW! All those birthdays, thats alot of gift buying. I hope you all have fun camping..I will miss your posts while you are gone but will look foreward to hearing from you next week. Enjoy these last days of summer, as they are passing quickly. Happy Birthday to Anne. Whoa, almost forgot what did you do for her birthday to top all of her surprises for you? Nice writing buy Frost, I to took the road less travled by. Until next week..SniFF.. Have a G R E A T time.
Matt......:)
Posted by: Matt | August 7, 2002 10:16 AM
Frost.
The Road Less Traveled.
You rock, Wheaton.
Happy birthday to your wife. My wife's is the 18th.
Posted by: Chuggnutt | August 7, 2002 10:26 AM
It's already been conveyed, but you know, Happy Birthday, and all that, Anne.
The fanny pak(tm) is on it's way!
Posted by: Roughy | August 7, 2002 10:29 AM
Wil,
I can't believe noone commented on the Double Secret Probabtion. You just saw Revenge of the Nerds, I bet.
Happy Birthday to All! Anne, especially, since she threw a kick ass party for you AND got you tickets for the Cubs. If I ever get married, I hope I get a husband half as generous as Anne is to you.
BTW, what's up with G4 and Arena? We haven't gotten it yet here in Manhattan. Oh, and I saw The Girls Room on Showtime this weekend. I love ya Wil, but you don't really pull off the whole Southern thing. But it was good to see you in something. Take care and check for ticks.
Patti
Posted by: NYCPatti | August 7, 2002 10:42 AM
Happy Birthday, Anne!
Watch out for bears.
And mountain lions.
And mosquitos.
And remember... leaves of three, let it be!
Posted by: kendoka | August 7, 2002 10:44 AM
Hey! My brother's is the 18th!
And Nolan's is the 19th!
Cool!
Posted by: wil | August 7, 2002 10:49 AM
And get some good geocaching in, dangit!
Posted by: Courtney | August 7, 2002 10:49 AM
Please give Anne my best wishes for a delightful birthday!
Posted by: Shell | August 7, 2002 11:03 AM
i love the thought for today...because i read that in 8th grade for this poem unit we were studying! happy birthday anne! :) :)
Posted by: Jason | August 7, 2002 11:26 AM
At any given time, I'd bet there are more than 26 people on this site, which Wil can easily confirm. The odds of someone in a group of that size reading this, and no one sharing a Birthday with the Wil, the Ms. Wil, or the StepWils is actually less than no one sharing a birthday.
That being said, Happy Birthday to all 19,178,082.19 of us!
Posted by: dwyerdawn | August 7, 2002 11:32 AM
Happy Birthday Anne.
Hope the Wheaton's enjoy some R&R in Mother Nature. Nothing like getting back to our true roots to feel at home on this rock we hurtle through the stars on.
Enjoy the sunsets as you cannot see them in city, as realize, as the sun dips behind the horizon, that you are rolling away from the giver of warmth we call Father Sun.
Posted by: RevXaos | August 7, 2002 11:40 AM
Did I say "less"? I meant "more". Ergh. I hate it when my insight is blinded by my Homonym Turrets...
Posted by: dwyerdawn | August 7, 2002 11:45 AM
Hey, Happy Birthday Anne!
And Wil - you are sooooo well read!
Posted by: Scaryduck | August 7, 2002 11:56 AM
Happy birthday to Anne from the East Coast!
Posted by: Potch | August 7, 2002 12:13 PM
Thats fine, you only post once a week, if that, anyway. - And coincidentally, you never have time to talk about whatever latest and greatest even it was that was takin up so much time.
Posted by: Kyrandos | August 7, 2002 12:18 PM
Sorry, it was Animal House. Getting my frat movies mixed up.
Posted by: NYCPatti | August 7, 2002 12:49 PM
Great poem you've selected there Wil. I've left a link to my poetry library for anyone that cares to check it out. Hope you have a great time on your birfday excursion. I'll leave you with this thought...
"The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep."
~Frost
Posted by: Phil | August 7, 2002 12:53 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNE!!!
That is so cool because my dad's birthday is tomorrow as well. He turns 50 tomorrow. My mom turned 50 on Saturday, so we have the whole "everyone's birthday at once" thing going on in our family too. Well, Happy Birthday again, and you guys have a wonderful and safe camping trip!
Posted by: Rachel | August 7, 2002 1:03 PM
happy birthday anne! as i said in my last comment, you rock hardcore!
Posted by: heidi | August 7, 2002 3:10 PM
have a verry merry birthday ANNE!! =) i'm sure Wil's gonna give you something cool!!
...and an early happy birthday to Nolan too!! :)
Posted by: suzy | August 7, 2002 5:29 PM
Happy birthday Anne! And to all you lot with birthdays close together, Wil and Ryan and Anne have a great week!!! (Isn't it the pits though as presents are so close together!)
And lets not forget a vert happy unbirthday to Nolan.
Posted by: firemage | August 7, 2002 7:28 PM
Good stuff, this birthday love. Happy birthday to all of you, and happy camping.
Posted by: Alejandra | August 7, 2002 7:43 PM
hi wil. i'm a long time reader but first time poster. i don't know why i haven't posted before.. i guess i'm shy? well i did have a crush on you when you were on star trek:tng..
ANYWHO, i just wanted to say happy birthday to everyone and i can't believe you have a family full of leos! that must be one fun and loud house. i'm a leo too and i know all lions like to make wise cracks and be the center of attention. dinner at your house must be like a night at an improv show. have fun camping and don't let the blair witch get you ^_~
wendy
Posted by: wendy | August 7, 2002 9:05 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MRS.WHEATON!!! :) Hope your day is great and many more to come!!!
Posted by: Rachael | August 7, 2002 9:18 PM
You bet your booties it's Animal House, NYCPatti.
I'm surprised the house hasn't burst from the concentration of Leo Ego(tm) in the Wheaton household. I mean, damn.
Then again, your family is possibly one of the coolest I can think of, so there you go.
Hmm, to watch Enterprise... or Dirty Harry with Liam Neeson?
Hmm. Dirty Harry. He is the Chosen One.
Posted by: KJB | August 7, 2002 9:30 PM
wil you're great
Posted by: maureen | August 7, 2002 9:34 PM
They made a song out of that poem by Robert Frost i can still remember singing it at graduation.
Posted by: Franki | August 7, 2002 9:43 PM
Wil,
First, Happy birthday to your rose. Enjoy the clean smell of camping. The old band, calling themselves the birds, call birthdays a count-up.
Lasser tag without time-limits. You both are younger than that now.
F.G.
Posted by: Fabian Greene | August 7, 2002 9:43 PM
Happy Birthday Anne!!!--
Becarefull of the poison oak/ivy Wil
Ya'll be safe!!!
Posted by: Andie-Gypsy_girl | August 7, 2002 10:22 PM
Wow...you're having a regular Birthday Extravaganza with your family.
Hope you have a fun time camping. Don't forget to extra batteries for the flashlights/other important tools.
Posted by: Eyeno | August 7, 2002 11:54 PM
Have a good trip and happy birthday Anne
Posted by: Phil | August 8, 2002 1:45 AM
This countdown just reminded me of something:
"Five to one against and falling..." she said, "four to one against
and falling... three to one... two... one... probability factor of one to
one... we have normality, I repeat we have normality." She turned her
microphone off - then turned it back on, with a slight smile and
continued: "Anything you still can't cope with is therefore your own
problem. Please relax. You will be sent for soon."
I'm sorry for yet another Hichhikers guide refrence...
Posted by: Bugs | August 8, 2002 2:33 AM
Have fun Wheaton family!
Happy Birthday Anne!
Posted by: Brock | August 8, 2002 2:51 AM
Happy Birthday Anne! 8-8 is my birthday too!
Posted by: Lane | August 8, 2002 3:35 AM
Hi-
Anne, I hope you have a very happy birthday! :) And you too, Nolan, whenever yours is.
Franki- when I was in Chorus, we sang the Frost poem, too. I still remember the melody- it was beautiful.
Fabian Green- that Byrds song you mentioned is called "My Back Pages". I love that song... It was written by Bob Dylan. The Byrds really liked Dylan... Great song! :)
Bugs- Here's to another "Hitchhiker" fan! :D
I guess that's it for now. Everyone have a groovy day! :)
Love, Alicia
www.thewagband.com
Posted by: Alicia | August 8, 2002 5:17 AM
15 Days 'til my birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
O, happy Birthday Anne!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Jason (FutureWonder) | August 8, 2002 5:37 AM
Wil! You'd better do something excellent for Anne's birthday :p She spoils you rotten :)
Posted by: Sarah | August 8, 2002 5:53 AM
You know Wil, sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason.
Posted by: Wooly Doug | August 8, 2002 7:03 AM
Happy Birthday to the family!
A professor once pointed out...how does he know he took the road less travelled by if he didn't go down the other one first to see how busy it was?
Posted by: tanyak | August 8, 2002 7:06 AM
One of my most favorite quotes, I think that describes a lot about one's life in general!
Posted by: Marie | August 8, 2002 7:51 AM
Happy Birthday, Anne!
Posted by: Ness | August 8, 2002 7:51 AM
This is what it's all about...
http://www.night.net/rosie/images-kids/cc-cailyn9811-bday-cake$.jpg
Posted by: Spudnuts | August 8, 2002 8:15 AM
Johnny Burrito's SUV cake (best not to ask, I think)...
http://www.johnnyburrito.com/images/birthday.jpg
Posted by: Spudnuts | August 8, 2002 8:17 AM
Happy Birthday, Anne! I hope you guys have a peaceful and relaxing camping trip. All the best, Rob
Posted by: Rob | August 8, 2002 9:23 AM
Wil,
I said all the above without even saying have fun camping. So there it is have fun camping. You know last nite while you were camping The New TNN showed that episode The Child where Troi has the alien baby and you want to stay on board the Enterprise even though your mom transfered to Starfleet Medical. I like it when Worf says he will tuck you in at nite. Anyway enough Star Trek TNG rambling, have fun tucking your kids in on your own little camping Trek. I think now it is time to go Farking for a while. Until your next post or I think of something else to say..lol
Matt......
Posted by: Matt | August 8, 2002 11:52 AM
I've always loved that poem and Anne is a very lucky woman.
Kudos Wil
Posted by: Tim | August 8, 2002 12:08 PM
Happy Birthday Ann. Happy belated birthday Wil. Hopw ya'll have a gr8 time
Posted by: JediPrincess | August 8, 2002 1:50 PM
Today is my sister's birthday too, 8/8/76. For those of you born on this day do you remember taking part in the luckest day of decade back in the 80's (8/8/88)? I remember and wasn't even my birthday.
Posted by: Jessica Perkins | August 8, 2002 1:51 PM
Hi Wheaton family!
Happy Birthday Ann!
Here in Hungary there are name days to celebrate. Your name day is on 26th July...so close..another celebrate!!:))
I was 22 and 2 months old on 29th July:D!!
Posted by: Agi | August 8, 2002 2:00 PM
Many times I wonder if this road I'm on is, in fact, the one less travelled. That _was_ the one I wanted. Can't really tell, now it's the only road I see.
Posted by: Drakensykh | August 8, 2002 3:18 PM
Happy Birthday Anne!
Posted by: Maureen | August 8, 2002 6:40 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNE!
Bye, Helene
Posted by: Helene | August 8, 2002 7:10 PM
Ok, what is it about late October/early November that I don't know about?
Posted by: Laura Lu | August 8, 2002 8:33 PM
Laura Lu:
Maybe there are more people who like sex and dressing up than will admit it.
You know, because of Halloween.
Posted by: KJB | August 8, 2002 9:40 PM
Hey, know who Anne shares a birthday with? The Edge of U2! (I'm so envious.) ^_^
I thought that was cool, unless of course you hate their music, in which case it is not. (= I hope that you guys don't hate their music so that it can remain cool. =D
Happy Birthday Anne!
Posted by: Aya | August 8, 2002 10:49 PM
AUGUST 8TH IS MY BIRTHDAY! Pardon me while I go do the happy dance...
And paraphrasing the from the book of Wrong Shui, perhaps the road is less traveled because it doesn't go anywhere interesting.
Posted by: Joel Franklin | August 9, 2002 7:51 AM
Happy Birthday Anne!!! I think you should have a toga party or have your own parade! Start something new.
Posted by: Patrick | August 9, 2002 8:12 AM
Only 18 more days 'til my birthday(28 on the 27th). . . I think I might start my own little countdown :)
Posted by: Sarah C | August 9, 2002 10:56 AM
Have a great trip!!! Happy Birthday Mojo to Anne, one of the luckiest women in the world. :)
From the sounds of it, YOU'RE one of the luckiest men in the world. Congratualtions on finding someone so special and beautiful. Treat her well! Birthdays will get harder and harder over time. >:D
(I'm 25 and feel damn old, yet 25 is YOUNG for men. *sigh*)
Jess
Posted by: yoyofool | August 9, 2002 2:51 PM
hope your birthday was a great one anne...
god knows wil is a lucky man...
one road up and one road down...
did not know he was lost until you were found.
Posted by: d. burr | August 10, 2002 4:38 AM
While you've been away they've been talking about you at Fark.
http://forums.fark.com/cgi/fark/comments.pl?IDLink=267103
Posted by: NickW | August 10, 2002 5:56 AM
hey,
i know your probably tired of reading this...but i want to wish you a happy birthday! i hope that you and your family had a good time camping!! she is very lucky! by the way say hi to ryan for me! ::wink wink:: lol, have a great day! and dont worry, you look the same as you did 10 years ago...trust me
Posted by: sara :) | August 10, 2002 8:10 AM
Wow all these birthdays! Happy Birthday to all!
My brothers birthday was on August 8th too!
We'll be celebrating for a week!
FESTIVAL! FESTIVAL!!!!!
=)
Posted by: Karoshi | August 10, 2002 8:53 AM
Wil, everyone swallows your words. I am happy for your success an happnes, and i only hope for the best and that these things will contiue. Happy birthday Anne.
Posted by: Lore | August 10, 2002 10:45 AM
is it true that a Goonies 2 is comming out in 2003?
Posted by: Maureen | August 10, 2002 11:12 AM
TIPSTERs
Hey check out this... Congress/Government are changing the tips programs big time.. hey Wil maybe we can make a difference complaining in these forums.
http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/08/10/operation.tips.ap/index.html
Hops.!
Posted by: hops | August 10, 2002 11:32 AM
Wil,
You have got to see the Aug 9th post from Fark about you, or maybe you shouldn't Someone really has an overactive imagination, personally I would be kinda offended and not flattered. They wrote you in a script where Picard has a daughter that visits the Enterprise and you and her...well you get the idea. Check it out at your own risk. Anyway I hope Anne had a great birthday and you guys had a great time camping. Hope to see a post on Monday. Take care and have fun. Till your next post...
Matt......
Posted by: Matt | August 10, 2002 5:31 PM
Well I stopped by to see if there was an update and alas there is none. Oh well, maybe tomorrow.
Later Wil and take care.
Matt......
Posted by: Matt | August 12, 2002 3:02 PM
wil we have no life unless u post stuff here..
Posted by: hops | August 12, 2002 10:24 PM
I know we are supposed to stay on topic, but I just wanted to mention that there is an article about G4 in the Aug 5-11 issue of Variety. They have a photo with the article and I presume it's all their on air folks. Wil is standing in the back row.
I went to Variety's website but you have to be a subscriber to see the article online, so you'll have to check out a hardcopy of the newspaper. It might be off the stands by now, so hurry if you want to check it out.
Again, Happy Birthday to the whole family.
Posted by: loretta652 | August 12, 2002 10:35 PM
Today is your birthday well it's by birthday too! really it is!
I also got married. I was a little sad because my new husband had to go to work. Wil's is very sweet to his wife in letting her know just how important she is and my husband the same way. I think we are the lucky ones.
Posted by: trishie | August 13, 2002 5:37 AM
Whats up with this!
Everyday i visit this page in hopes of a intresting blog from the Chief Monkey himself: Uncle Willy and all i get is Birthday shout-outs!
First it was Wil's b-day, then Ryans, and now Anne's.
Wait...don't tell me...tomorrow is Ferris's b-day. Geeezze. Birthdays are cool and all, but i miss your blogs.
Posted by: adore65 | August 13, 2002 7:35 AM
Happy B-Day, yada yada, etc.
Wil, do you ever update your conventions section? Found this for anyone interested. To far for me to travel, but maybe not for others.
PASADENA, CA
Fri. Sat. & Sun. SEPTEMBER 27-29, 2002
Pasadena Center
Creation Entertainment proudly presents:
THE OFFICIAL 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF STAR TREK:
THE NEXT GENERATION CONVENTION
Show Hours: Noon to 6pm daily
Evening shows: FRIDAY and SATURDAY NIGHTS at 9pm
A spectacular one-time only convention, on the exact anniversary date of the launch of the award-winning series!
Guests:
BRENT SPINER
JONATHAN FRAKES
MARINA SIRTIS
MICHAEL DORN
GATES McFADDEN
WIL WHEATON (Well Lookie Here!)
Posted by: Nyarl | August 13, 2002 9:32 AM
Happy belated B-day to Anne! Sorry I couldn't post the day of...
Hope the camping trip is awesome! I love camping. :-D
Posted by: Anne | August 13, 2002 12:00 PM
This week's theme seems to be birthdays.
I turned 42 on the 11th, so I sent out some birthday cards with the wil42.jpg.
So far the reaction has been "huh?"
But i enjoyed it.
Posted by: arbi | August 13, 2002 12:02 PM
Saw a movie with you in it last night "The Girl's Room." I found it very odd as far as storyline and all, but I thought you were great. I love seeing movies with you being grown up. It prompted me to look up some info on you and then BAM! I find this kick-ass website you have. I'll have to check out more...of your website, and latest movies.
Posted by: Renee | August 13, 2002 12:43 PM
Wil i saw you on an old Family Ties episode last nite.
Posted by: Mel | August 13, 2002 4:06 PM
Wil,
Here again and still nothing new. Oh Well, hope you didn't get lost camping..lol. I am looking foreward to something new in the blog. Later
Matt......
Posted by: Matt | August 13, 2002 5:04 PM
camping note: it is better to go camping in cold weather rather than in hot weather...in the cold you can bundle up in your sleeping bag, longjohns and extra blankets...but you can't go any farther than naked as far as cooling off when it's hot and humid...just trying to help you maximize your camping enjoyment.
Posted by: d. burr | August 13, 2002 5:33 PM