| 1/01/2004 |
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MORE THAN WORDS by Extreme
Scott is celebrating his one-year blog anniversary. It got me thinking about why I originally started keeping a web log. While I've only been doing this for about 5 months, I think that in some strange way it has actually become a little addictive. I even managed to get Jay into blogging after he seemed so anti-blog at first. So the cycle continues...
I don't recall their being a specific reason behind why I wanted to start up a blog. Or at least not only one reason. Part of it was, admittedly, just to say I have one. Just another shameless venture of self-promotion...
I can't say that I've learned a whole lot about myself by blogging. But I don't necessarily think it was something I was doing for any introspective purpose. Granted I have certainly had my introspective moments that I have openly blogged about. I have also made attempts to be entertaining, and even somewhat informative. Considering that some people have blogs out there that each day there is a new and interesting topic of discussion, I think that is what newspapers and cnn.com are there for. I don't think any of my friends have ever uttered the phrase "I wonder what is going on the world. Hey, I'll check Cris's blog and find out." So my mindless babbling will not rank up there among the most note worthy of informational sources.
I like the blog for it's ability to let my friends and acquaintances know what is going on in my life and what's on my mind at any given time.
For example... Right now When I Look To The Sky by Train is playing on the radio so I'm going to take a moment and enjoy it. Sing along if you'd like.
...now see, wasn't that entertaining? If you ever wondered what I mean when I say a song that makes me want to stand in the middle of a field spinning with my arms spread wide... Watch the video... you'll get it then hopefully.
As I was saying...
I've tried to be entertaining at the very least. Which is a fair portion of my personality in general. So seeing it digitally emblazon on a website is pretty close to what I would be saying in person. I tried my hand and being worldly and talking about topics that affect our country or our city or the people who live in the world. I found that while I do care, I'm not the best and capturing the sentiment needed to speak passionate about such things. I will leave that up to people like Mike, Jeni, and Brenda.
I'll do the daily/weekly memes, answering various questions about what kind of pie I like or what is the scariest thing that has happened to me. Sometimes they will be writing prompts for me to expound on something else that is on my mind. Typically they just are what they are...
Lately I've thought about how 'personal' I really want to/can be when I write on this blog. I don't bash my job on this blog, yet knowing that a couple people where I work have come across my site has made me feel a little selfconcious at times. I don't use this blog to say things, good, bad, or otherwise, about my friends that I wouldn't say them in person. This blog is not meant as a shield. It's a weird thing... I have no problem answering most any question that a person might ask. Yet, I'm not always the most willing to voluntarily put my personal thoughts out there for the public to feast on. I have my moments, tho. I think it is that healthy 'fear' that has censored my writing at times. I may or may not change my outlook on that. I haven't really decided yet.
Anyone who is reading this... You can expect me to continue being entertaining. I don't foresee that changing. You can expect me to have my occasional rambling mind moments, much like this one is turning out to be. That probably won't change either. I'll toss in the occasional new Cris-tionary word. Perhaps a photograph or two... So the blog forecast is pretty much status quo with 20% chance of change. Enjoy!
CENTERFOLD by J Giles Band
CRIS'S RULES TO ONLINE DATING IN AN OFFLINE WORLD: PART 2
Just a quick addendum to a previous post about this.
10) If you are going to invite someone out on a dinner date... try to make sure you go to the right restaurant. I know accidents happen, but hopefully a first meeting is worth double checking where you are to meet them.
11) If you say you find a person interesting, yet when you speak to that person a week later, and you start off by calling them by the wrong name.... don't try to dig yourself out of that hole. It only will sound pathetic and pointless.
11a) Right after calling someone by the wrong name, don't invite them over to your place. It REALLY will sound pathetic and pointless.
11b) Right after calling someone by the wrong name and then inviting them over to your place... Don't re-ask for their name and number, even though you already had it at one time. Do I need to say why at this point?
TRUE FRIENDS by Shannon Curfman
I'll be the one that / That will pull you back
When you've taken one step too far / That's when you'll know who
Who really loves you / You're gonna find out who your true friends are
I'm not feeling down, or depressed, or melancholy, or introspective... Not really. I think if I'm feeling anything right now, it is appreciated and thought for/cared about.
Friends are those people that will do things for you and don't feel the need to take credit for them. They do them because they care. They do them because whether the act is acknowledged or goes unnoticed the friendship wouldn't change either way.
So, in a way, it might sound contradictory to thank someone for doing something that wasn't for thanks for begin with... but just the same...
To all my friends...
...THANK YOU...
...your acts of friendship don't go completely unnoticed or unappreciated.
"The worst solitude is to be destitute of sincere friendship." -Sir Francis Bacon
CRAZY by Alana Davis
and you know that I'm doing alright
and I won't explain myself to you
just to avoid a fight
How I'm livin' ain't correct
but for me it's just right
I'm not completely insane
I'm maybe just a little crazy
This is going to be one of those 'true' rambling mind posts... brace yourself, folks!
First I'd like to point out that I added a new blog that I read and have linked on your left. I love quotes. Random ones... funny ones... wise ones... thoughtful ones... you name it! So when I stumbled across this page I lost myself reading page after page of overheard quotes that have been posted. They truly are entertaining! You can't make up this kind of funny!!
In other news... I fear I may lose myself and cease to exist for the next couple weeks.
The Australian Open started this week with my man Andy Roddick seeded #1. I think I'm going to have to adjust my social calendar accordingly... This might be a seriously problem with work as well. What's worse is that I'm tempted to look up scores ont he internet WAY before the match is even shown in the States. So I have to be careful even where I surf... Blerg!!
I've also picked up Prince of Persia for the PS2. I have not had a game in a while that has completely sucked away my ability to remember to eat. It happens occasionally... I fear this may be the case. I may need to be turned occasionally to prevent some for of gamer bed sores from developing.
I fenced my first tournament of the year this last weekend. I didn't do too bad for not having had much practice since Thanksgiving. I ended up seeded 6th out of 13 fencers. I however lost to my 'nemesis' in the second round. I say nemesis because somehow no matter how good or bad I do in the seeding pools I always end up meeting him in my direct elimination rounds. I am current 2-3 against him as far as wins-losses go. They are always close matches. What irks me so much about it is that I SHOULD be able to beat him no problem... He is a less-experienced fencer, but it is that lack of experience that makes him unpredictable and as result hard to predict (great analysis...). So it is always a kick in the onions to lose to him. I'm a LOT more competitive than I may initially let on.
Speaking of getting kicked in the onions... If you are ever fencing someone or, for those non-fencers, being attacked by someone with a pokey object there are some places that you just don't want to be stuck. Obviously gear is worn while fencing to protect the tender vittles, but there are other others that you may not think about that they don't make protective gear for. There is nothing like having your nipple be an innie for a day and a half because someone made a lucky shot and felt they needed to poke THROUGH you. The belly button is another sensitive area... but for different reasons. On my fencing gear that is right about where the zipper of my knickers will ride on me. So having metal jabbing more metal into you is not the most pleasant of experiences. Although, I suppose if I ever decided to get any of those places pierced I'm well on my way for developing some sort of pain tolerance.
EAT IT... JUST EAT IT by Weird Al
I know Scott was asking for recipes once before. Sorry so late. :-)
Pasta Piselli (Pasta with Peas)
2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic
4 or 5 soft, ripe plum tomatoes, diced
1 pound green peas
1 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon basil
Salt and pepper to taste
½ teaspoon sugar
½ pound bacon
1 pound bucatini pasta (or any pasta noodle with ridges to hold on to the sauce)
1 cup grated romano cheese
You can add cubed chicken breast meat to this recipe as well.
I actually used just a half the recommended amount of peas, but if you like them a LOT then add the whole thing.
In a large skillet, combine 2 tablespoons of the olive oil with the onion and garlic, and sauté over medium heat, being careful not to brown. Add the tomatoes, peas, chicken broth, basil, salt, pepper, and sugar. Cover and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.
Brown the bacon in another skillet. Drain off the fat, then break into pieces and add to the simmering mixture.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the remaining teaspoon of olive oil and the pasta, and cook al dente. Drain and toss with the grated cheese. Stir in the pea mixture and serve.
LET'S GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT by Bonnie Raitt
I'd come across one of these lists on a couple websits and have received things like this via email. Enjoy!
1. Are you an innie or an outie? INNIE
2. Have you ever worn bell-bottoms? YES
3. Have you ever written a song? NOT THAT I EVER SHARED WITH ANYONE
4. Can you make change for a dollar right now? YES
5. Have you ever been in the opposite sex's public toilet? YES
6. Have you ever smelled your own feet? YES
7. Do you like ketchup on or beside your french fries? BESIDE
8. Can you touch your tongue to your nose? NO
9. Have you ever been a boy/girl scout? NO
10. Have you ever broken a mirror? YES, ABOUT 7 YEARS AGO, SO IT'S TIME FOR MY LUCK TO TURN AROUND.
11. Have you ever put your tongue on a frozen pole? YES... I WAS TRIPLE-DOG DARED
12. What is your biggest pet peeve? CO-WORKERS WHO IGNORE/DON'T ANSWER MY EMAIL QUESTIONS
13. Do you slurp your drink after it's gone? NO
14. Have you ever blown bubbles in your milk? YES, I WAS 6 ONCE
15. Would you rather eat a big mac or a whopper? WHOPPER
16. Have you ever gone skinny-dipping? NO
17. When you are at the grocery store, do you ask for paper or plastic? WHATEVER IS EASIER FOR THEM
18. True or false: you would rather eat steak than pizza. FALSE
19. Did you have a baby blanket? NOT IN THE SENSE OF A BLANKET THAT I CARRIED AROUND LIKE LINUS
20. Have you ever tried to cut your own hair? NO
21. Have you ever sleepwalked? I'M SLEEPWALKING RIGHT NOW. DON'T WAKE ME!
22. Have you ever had a birthday party at mcdonalds? YES
23. Can you flip your eye-lids up? HELL NO
24. Are you double jointed? YES
25. If you could be any age, what age would you be? WHATEVER AGE I AM AT THE TIME. AGE IS A STATE OF MIND.
26. Have you ever gotten gum stuck in your hair? NO
27. Have you ever thrown-up after a roller coaster ride? NO
28. What is your dream car? BRAND NEW JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
29. What is your favorite cartoon of all time? TOO MANY TO NAME JUST ONE
30. Would you go swimming in shallow waters where, one year earlier, a shark had attacked a child? NO. I CAN BARELY SWIM AS IT IS
32. Have you ever eaten a dog biscuit? YES. WE WERE LOOKING FOR THE CHEESE FLAVORED ONE. WE NEVER DID FIND IT. THEY ALL TASTED LIKE SAND.
33. If you were in a car sinking in a lake, what would you do first? AFTER DROPPING A LOAD IN MY KNICKERS?? ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND SWIM OUT TO THE SURFACE.
34. Have you ever ridden in an ambulance? YES, I DROVE THEM FOR A YEAR AND A HALF.
35. Can you pick something up with your toes? YES.
36. How many remote controls do you have in your house? 2
37.Have you ever fallen asleep in school? YES
38. How many times have you flown in an airplane in the last year? IN 2003... NONE
39. How many foreign countries have you visited? 6
40. If you were out of shape, would you compete in a triathlon if you were somehow guaranteed to win a big, gaudy medal? I SUPPOSE...
41. Would you rather be rich and unhappy, or poor and happy? POOR AND HAPPY
42. If you fell into quicksand, would you try to swim or try to float? TRY TO FLOAT
44. Do you ask for directions when you are lost? YES
45. Have you ever had a mexican jumping bean? AS IN OWNED? YES
46. Are you more like cinderella or alice in wonderland? ALICE
47. Would you rather have an ant farm with no ants or a box of crayons with broken points? BOX OF CRAYONS WITH BROKEN POINTS. YOU CAN AT LEAST STILL COLOR WITH THEM.
48. Do you prefer light or dark bread? LIGHT
49. Do you prefer scrambled or fried eggs? SCRAMBLED
50. Have you ever been in a car that ran out of gas? NO
51. Do you talk in your sleep? NO ONE EVER SAID I DID
52. Would you rather shovel snow or mow the lawn? EVEN WITH ALLERGIES... MOW THE LAWN. BECAUSE IT WOULD BE WARMER.
53. Would you rather be bitten by a poisonous snake or constricted by a python? CONTRICTED. I'D HAVE A BETTER FIGHTING CHANCE.
54. Have you ever played in the rain? YES. EVERY CHANCE I GET.
55. Which do you think is more dangerous: an angry bear or a hungry white shark? WELL SINCE I DON'T SWIM IN OCEANS, I WILL SAY ANGRY BEAR.
56. Would you climb a very high tree to save a kitten? DOES THIS QUESITON INSINUATE THAT I MIGHT BE AFRAID OF HEIGHTS OR THAT I WOULD SAVE A KITTEN? LET'S JUST SAY YES...
57. Can you tell the difference between a crocodile and an alligator? A PICTURE OF ONE, YES... IF I WAS RUNNING FROM ONE, I WOULDN'T CARE WHAT IS WAS.
58. Do you drink pepsi or coke? COKE
59. Whats your favorite number? 8
60. If you were a car, would you be an suv or a sports car? SUV
61. Have you ever accidentally taken something from a hotel? YES
62. Would you blow your nose at the dinner table? NO
63. Have you ever slipped in the bathtub? WHO HASN'T?
64. Do you use regular or deodorant soap? DEODORANT
65. Have you ever locked yourself out of the house? YES
66. Would you rather make your living as a singing cowboy or as one of the simpsons voices? SIMPSONS VOICE
67. If you could invite any movie star to your home for dinner, who would it be? SEAN ASTIN
68. Have you ever gotten a truck driver to honk his horn? YES
69. Which would you rather live with: a huge nose or crossed eyes? HUGE NOSE
70. Would you hang out with someone your best friend didn't like? IS MY BEST FRIEND WITH ME AT THE TIME?
71. Would you hang out with someone your best friend liked, but you didn't like? IS MY BEST FRIEND WITH ME AT THE TIME?
72. Have you ever returned a gift? YES
73. Would you give someone else a gift that had been given to you? YES
74. If you could attend an olympic event, what would it be? OLYMPIC FENCING
75. How many pairs of shoes do you own? 5
76. If your grandmother gave you a gift that you already have, would you tell her? YES
77. Do you sing in the car? EVERY CHANCE I GET
78. Would you rather jump into a dumpster or into a vat of honey? WELL I'VE JUMPED IN A DUMPSTER SO LET'S GO WITH THE HONEY
79. What is your favorite breed of dog? BULLDOG... BEAGLE... HARLEQUIN GREAT DANE
80. Would you donate money to feed starving animals in the winter? YES
81. If you were a bicycle, would you be a stingray or a mountain bike? MOUNTAIN BIKE
82. What is your least favorite fruit? APRICOT
83. What kind of fruit have you never had? LOTS OF THEM
84. If you won a $5,000 shopping spree to any store, which store would you pick? SUPER TARGET, BABY!!!
85. What brand sports apparel do you wear the most? I HAVE NO BRAND LOYALTY. THEY DON'T PAY ME.
86. Are/were you a good student? YES
87. Among your friends, who could you arm wrestle and beat? ZAIDA
88. If you had to choose, what branch of the military would you be in? THE SALVATION ARMY
89. Would you ever parachute out of a plane? NOT BY MYSELF...
90. What do you think is your best feature? MY SENSE OF HUMOR
91. If you were to win a grammy, what kind of music would it be for? ALTERNATIVE MUSIC
92. What is your favorite season? THAT TRANSITION BETWEEN SPRING AND SUMMER
93. How many members do you have in your immediate family? HARD TO SAY REALLY... DEPENDS ON WHAT IS CONSIDERED IMMEDIATE
94. Which of the five senses is most important to you? HEARING... I LOVE MUSIC TOO MUCH
95. Would you be a more successful painter or singer? PAINTER. EVEN THO I LOVE MUSIC, I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE STAGE FRIGHT.
97. How many years will/did you end up going to college? 5
98. Have you ever had surgery? NO
99. Would you rather be a professional figure skater or professional football player? FOOTBALL PLAYER
100. What do you like to collect? SHOT GLASSES
CAMERA ONE by Josh Joplin Group
Following suit of Scott & Brenda... here are the 100 movies and bolded the ones that I've seen. I'm strangely proud that I've seen more of these than I thought I had when I first started reading the list.
1. Godfather, The (1972)
2. Shawshank Redemption, The (1994)
3. Godfather: Part II, The (1974)
4. Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The (2003)
5. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The (2002)
6. Casablanca (1942)
7. Schindler's List (1993)
8. Shichinin no samurai[Seven Samurai] (1954)
9. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)
10. Citizen Kane (1941)
11. Star Wars (1977)
12. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
13. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
14. Rear Window (1954)
15. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
16. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
17. Memento (2000)
18. Usual Suspects, The (1995)
19. Pulp Fiction (1994)
20. North by Northwest (1959)
21. Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain, Le [Amelie](2001)
22. Psycho (1960)
23. 12 Angry Men (1957)
24. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
25. Silence of the Lambs, The (1991)
26. Good, the Ugly, the Bad, The (1966)
27. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
28. Goodfellas (1990)
29. American Beauty (1999)
30. Vertigo (1958)
31. Sunset Blvd. (1950)
32. Pianist, The (2002)
33. Matrix, The (1999)
34. Apocalypse Now (1979)
35. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
36. Some Like It Hot (1959)
37. Taxi Driver (1976)
38. Paths of Glory (1957)
39. Third Man, The (1949)
40. Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
41. Fight Club (1999)
42. Boot, Das (1981)
43. Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi [Spirited Away] (2001)
44. Double Indemnity (1944)
45. L.A. Confidential (1997)
46. Chinatown (1974)
47. Singin' in the Rain (1952)
48. Requiem for a Dream (2000)
49. Maltese Falcon, The (1941)
50. M (1931)
51. All About Eve (1950)
52. Bridge on the River Kwai, The (1957)
53. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
54. Se7en (1995)
55. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
56. Cidade de Deus (2002)
57. Raging Bull (1980)
58. Wizard of Oz, The (1939)
59. Rashômon (1950)
60. Sting, The (1973)
61. American History X (1998)
62. Alien (1979)
63. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
64. Leon (The Professional) (1994)
65. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
66. Vita bella, La [Life Is Beautiful] (1997)
67. Touch of Evil (1958)
68. Manchurian Candidate, The (1962)
69. Wo hu cang long [Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon](2000)
70. Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The (1948)
71. Great Escape, The (1963)
72. Clockwork Orange, A (1971)
73. Reservoir Dogs (1992)
74. Annie Hall (1977)
75. Amadeus (1984)
76. Jaws (1975)
77. Ran (1985)
78. On the Waterfront (1954)
79. Modern Times (1936)
80. High Noon (1952)
81. Braveheart (1995)
82. Apartment, The (1960)
83. Sixth Sense, The (1999)
84. Fargo (1996)
85. Aliens (1986)
86. Shining, The (1980)
87. Blade Runner (1982)
88. Strangers on a Train (1951)
89. Duck Soup (1933)
90. Metropolis (1927)
91. Finding Nemo (2003)
92. Donnie Darko (2001)
93. Toy Story 2 (1999)
94. Princess Bride, The (1987)
95. General, The (1927)
96. City Lights (1931)
97. Lola rennt [Run Lola Run](1998)
98. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
99. Notorious (1946)
100. Sjunde inseglet, Det [Seventh Seal, The] (1957)
CENTERFOLD by J. Giles Band
Maybe it's my mood lately, but I've been in a ranting mood lately.
So what's on my mind today?
People online... Let's start off with the facts. I am single. I have a personal ad out there. I also chat in a chatroom with other singles from time to time. I know that in any scene there are winners and losers. I've meet my fair share of both online and in person. So is life. This I understand and accept, but while thinking about the 'online' world... let's go over a few basic ground rules to remember as a human being and member of a civilized society.
I present to you:
CRIS'S RULES TO ONLINE DATING IN AN OFFLINE WORLD
1) Be honest! If you say you are "very good looking" yet you don't provide some photo in a profile to support that then you are less likely to be believed.
2) Speaking of photos. If your have a decent profile, yet no photo and someone asks you nicely for a picture.... Do not assume that they want a photo of your bare chest or a crotch shot. Granted there are some people out there that some skin is all they want to see. Don't automatically assume that. I will be looking at your face if we do ever meet for dinner, so how about a photo of that.
3) When chatting online and you try to strike up a conversation with someone: Do not start off with a proposition for an encounter. It lacks tact. At some point, introduce yourself before you ask if someone is looking for sex at the VERY least.
4) If you do proposition someone and they turn you down, accept no as an answer. Don't ask why someone turned you down.
5) You are not all that. You are not a bag of chips. Fries do not come with that shake. You are not the next best thing to sliced bread. Your shit stinks just like any other. You need to go eat a sandwich and quit looking like an extra in a Fiona Apple video.
6) If you reply to a persons ad or reply to what someone has sent you, take a few moments to spell check it. Trust me... people notice those things.
7) If u r over da age of 18 or out of high school, do not use chat shorthand as a proper means of communication. This goes back to spell checking...
8) Spell their name right when you write to them. Believe me when I type that my name is spelled Cris. Don't presume I just made a typo in my own name. While I admit that it can happen as I am prone to typos... I will ALWAYS go back and spell my name correctly.
9) I reserve the right to add or revise these as I think of more.
GETTING TO KNOW YOU by Oscar Hammerstein
I would like to make a couple of introductions. First, I would like to point out that I added a new blog to the list I read. Wil Wheton... Yes, that Wil Wheton. Why add his blog? First of he is hilarious!! I don't have the disillusion that people that are celebrities have some different method of putting on their pants like anyone else. Still, it is always nice to get a glimpse of a more down to earth, human, side of people that are in the public or more than the rest of us. I've enjoyed the movies and television shows he has been in. He is also the only person from Star Trek that I've met. This last statement will tell you two things about me. 1) I am a Star Trek fan. 2) I am a geek. To love me is too love my geekdom...
In other news, I would like to welcome all those people from work who have 'stumbled' across my webpage/blog. You might have read stories about people who will bash their job or their co-workers on their websites and think that they live in total anonymity on the internet. I do not fool myself with such beliefs. I don't bash anyone that I work with. I will tell amusing stories about the occasional co-worker or work related situation. Certainly nothing scandolous... I do not hide my identity on the internet, although I do take steps to makes sure that my personal information is not added to mailing lists and such.
Yet, here I am with the knowledge that there are those at where I work who have intentionally sought out my webpage. I do not know for what purpose, nor do I honestly care. Though, I can't help but find it odd/amusing that if someone wanted to know about me that they would specifically search on the internet for what they might find as opposed to simply ask me when they see me.
Without further adieu... WELCOME CO-WORKERS!! Enjoy your stay as you peruse my little slice of the internet. Meet my friends... See where I shop... Hear about my likes and dislikes... Care to know who I am interested in... Perhaps you'd like to know where I bank... Maybe you're more impressed by my stunning insight into the personal quirks of humanity... Whatever the case is, and for whatever reason you might have chosen to view my life on a computer screen as opposed to get to know me in person is your own. Although, I invite you take the time to get to know me. The real me, if you have the opportunity. You will no doubt find many more reasons to talk about me behind my back if you collect fodder and flotsam directly from the horses mouth.
WELCOME!! WELCOME!!
CRIS-tionary
B's 'N' H's or Beesenayches: n. (beez'-un-ach-ess)
1. A contraction of several words typically used to describe people in a profane manner.
bork: v. (bork)
borked, borking, borks
1. To foul up, mess up.
2. More socially accepted word used in place of the word fuck or screw.
BRAND NEW DAY by Sting
You can turn the clock to zero, honey
I'll sell the stock, we'll spend all the money
We're starting up a brand new day
Yes... Gordon Sumner (a.k.a. Sting) is right. It is the start of a brand new day. Brand new YEAR even... So I thought why not do a retrospective of 2003. Now granted... I've not been blogging the entire year. Still the whole year was valid. Not just the latest few months that I've been keeping an electronic record of online. So even tho we are already a good week into 2004, I still wanted to post.
*LONG POST WARNING*
In the beginning of the year, I made a few news years resolutions. While in the past I've made or vowed not to make resolutions, 2003 seemed different. It was more of an overall change in temperament and desire to make some changes in my life. I wanted to strike out more.
I won't go month by month, but a few of the high lights that stick out...
-I had just recently been promoted within my job. The thing I recall most about January of last year was a series of conversations that began with our Admin. Assistant, my friend Nikki. She is someone that is on my level of debate-ability. So it wasn't uncommon to find us whiling away a Monday workday emailing back and forth about the topic du jour. This was nice because it wasn't about who was right or wrong or who won or lost. It was just nice open forum discussions, about life, relationships, current events, and what-not. This is significant for me, because I've never been one to feel that I was able to debate very well without becoming too emotionally involved and frustrated.
-Mike & I struggled to figure out if we were ever going to actually put out a webcomic or not. The deadlines we set were being pushed back for one reason or another. No ones fault, but something that becomes important later...
-My father makes plans to come for a visit with his new family in late Spring. A visit which ended up being cancelled at the last moment. No lost feelings there.
-I make plans to attending the National Fencing Competition in Austin Texas. This is the first time that I've attended an event this big. Everyone talked about how nerve wracking it can be, to be at such a large event. While I am impressed by the size of it. I'm energized by the scale and level of competition. I end up having one of the most disappointing and rewarding experiences in my fencing career.
Of the two events that I was in.. I came in damned near last in the higher classed of the two events. And in the top third of the lower classed. Now while this may not sound impressive... consider a few things. This was my National event. I have no National ranking or rating. For my skill level I was considered to be there more for the experience as opposed to actually doing anything noteworthy.
Just before the end of the first period I trip and fall. Not used to such a tractioned surface and anticipating that I can literally slide into my shots I stumble forward over my own feet nicely twisting my ankle. There was not a snowballs chance in Texas that I was going to give up due to a sprained ankle after having 1) come all this way to fence 2) spent how much money 3) to go down in such a simple way without a fight.
It is getting to the point of the match were my opponent had settled into what he thought was a comfortable tempo and that he didn't have to try too terribly hard. I close the gap even more, and by the end of the second period we are close to being at a tied score. I trail by one at 11-12, going to 15.
Now, I'm not a religious person, but I was doing some heavy "Christmas praying" just asking for one win in such a major competition. After one back and forth attempts and scoring. I get the final touch and point. I tossed up my hands in victory. The last few moments of the bout were honestly surreal. Simply because I wasn't expected to win. I was shaking so bad from the rush of adrenaline, the pain in my ankle, and just the sheer joy of actually winning my first such bout in a competition like this. If I wasn't hooked on fencing before.... I certainly was after a moment like that.
-Relationship-wise... One bad... One good. In both situations, I learned a lot about the type of person that I am and who I want to be with. They say everything happens for a reason, and I believe it more now than before. Truly some very insightful times.
-Mike and I had a falling out. Maybe it was over built up tension. Maybe it was over things that should've been said that weren't. Regardless, it was a breaking point that worked out for the best for both of us. I don't write this thinking he won't see it. Or that I am talking to faceless visitors. I'm fully aware of who reads this blog. I say that because I think that as far as 2003 went.. I've never been closer to my friends than in 2003. The conversation (and relationship since then) that Mike and I have as a result have been the a great showing of why I consider him to be my best friend. Love ya', man!
-In the world of entertainment, Matrix 2 and 3 were set before us like flaming bags of poo demanding to be stepped on. While I loved the first Matrix, the second and third open just as many doors to confusion and disbelief as it did answer any questions about what the hell was going on. Overall... GREAT action sequences. The plot line was convoluted. I'm sure the Wachowski bros' heard a collective gasp as audiences around the country were stunned at such an exercise in pointlessness.
-Peter Jackson gave birth to his third love child in what was probably the best epic ever. I wonder if movie goers around the world felt this way when the first Star Wars trilogy came out? The Lord Of The Rings was well worth the wait each year. I found myself so engrossed and engaged by these films that by the time the third one ended, I was honestly a little sad. I wanted to see more of Samwise. I wanted to hear more about Aragorn and Arwyn. Granted, there are books out there, but it is on a different level of enjoyment. The movies only fed my addiction to Sean Astin. If It's a little unhealthy...
-The holidays also brought a time of some confusion. Just when I thought I was dealing with my biological parents just fine... I toss myself out there once more to see just what kind of people they are. When will I learn...
I don't want it to sound like the year ended on a down note. Because overall it didn't. It was a great year... a great year indeed. I hope that 2004 brings more of the same. Both ups and downs... I'm not saying I desire such drama in my life. Yet, I think that it is such dramatic situations that lead to such fond memories to look back on later.
I'm sure I'm forgetting some major moments. Someone might read this and say "hey why didn't (fill in the blank) warrant a mention?" My only response would be that I'm sure there are things that do deserve notoriety in this retrospective. Just because I didn't mention then doesn't mean that I don't remember them.
Welcome, 2004!! Here's to new opportunities.... new friends... new memories in the making!!! It's the start of a brand new day. |
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I posted this @ 1/01/2004 08:39:00 AM.............Need a link?..........
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