So I thought that Kristen (of the toilet paper storyI mentioned on the 17th) was one of those really clever and smart New York types. After reading this, I'm not so sure. I mean, c'mon...a Manhattanite knocking anyone over speech? Does anyone else see the humor in that?

I finished my Christmas shopping in only a few hours today. A few CDs and DVDs (as well as something for a certain someone) from Best Buy, a casino table for John (at Bed Bath & Beyond, of all places), a lottery scratcher for Kyle... did I mention that I like giving stuff to people? By the way, I must officially give more respect to Best Buy. To knock out over half my list and not use ANY of my own money (thanks to the gift cards and other rewards I racked up) really makes me like my work all of a sudden.

You know, there's been a lot of random thoughts going through my head these last few weeks, I've been needing to get them down. So here they are, in no particular order.

-Anna Paquin is friggin' hot.
-I'm still wondering what to do for New Year's... (Cotton Bowl? SA? Austin? Houston?)
-I'm real tired of people asking to "borrow" my discount.
-The best shows on TV right now: "Insomniac," "Around The Horn," and the infomercial for the "Johnny Carson Tonight Show" collection.
-Speaking of TV on DVD, who the hell made the decision to put "Felicity" out in a box set?
-I'll say it right now, I will do everything in my power to avoid Star Wars Epsiodes I & II, "Sex and the City," and the Harry Potter series for as long as I can.
-It has been WAY too long since I've kissed a woman.
-Part of me kind of regrets breaking up with Suzanne.
-If I get the UT job, I'll be saving for a trip to follow the Horns in the NCAA Basketball Tournament.

Okay, enough for now... 20 days and counting until I see Amos again.

Well, it's official.

A few minutes after my folks retired to their room, I moseyed on over to a major airline's website. And thanks to a special fare they offered, I can finally do something I've been wanting to do for a LONG time.

I'M GOING TO DETROIT!

I'm gonna see Amy next month, and I am SO excited! If nothing else, maybe this will get her to finally update her blog. I tell ya, I know this job had to be worth it just a little... ;)

My grandmother has passed.

Wednesday, before I went into work, my dad told me that his mom succumbed to Alzheimer's. She's been fighting it since the 80s, and has been in a nursing home for the last nine years. Thank God that her suffering is over.

My dad is no longer unemployed. Today, he found out that he got a job that he interviewed for back in early November. He starts in early January.

Yesterday, I worked a swing shift at the store to help restock DVDs. Went in at around 10 p.m., left at 6 a.m. And I've been tired all day today. Worst thing is that I can't fall asleep right now. (Hopefully the Tylenol P.M. will work...)

A good thing happened to me when I came back. Decided to pass some time by checking e-mail and stuff, when the following IMs are exchanged...

BrownBoyUT: Holy crap... I don't know what to be more shocked at...you being online, or you being online at 4 am...
BrownBoyUT: How are ya?
LilLaurSTP: hey stranger
LilLaurSTP: yeah i'm making a rare appearance
LilLaurSTP: pulling an all nighter

That's right. My second-favorite Trojan, Lauren (with an "e") made an appearance on AIM. Hopefully she kicked ass on her last final...

So this Internet feedback thing might actually be more than a rumor. While looking around blogs today, I came upon this amusing story. I (being the curious guy that I am) wondered on her message board whether she had photographic proof. Hours later, the proof was given. I swear, every time I read a blog from NYC, I always go back to that class that I loved/hated. Funny thing is, I think I was the only person in that class who didn't have solid or possible plans to go there. Maybe that will change soon. (I highly doubt that, though...)

And here I thought that websites were out of touch with their audiences...

While reading Salon today, I came upon the following headline: "Anne Lamott is back!" Apparently, Ms. Lamont was a well-known Salon columnist three years ago who took time off to write books. (Aside #1: Why does it seem that ever Salon writer is either a published writer or an aspiring writer?)

Anyway, about halfway through her piece, the following question jumped into my head: "So who is Anne Lamott, and why should I care that she's back?" Well, when I got to the end and saw the "send mail" link at the bottom, I decided to share said question with the good people at Salon. Now, part of me really was curious who this woman was. But mostly, I felt like being a belligerent a-hole.

Which is why I was totally surprised when I got the following e-mail...

She's a best-selling author and past columnist for Salon who was very popular with our readers in the past.
This came from Patrick Hurley, Sr. VP (!) of Business Operations at Salon Media Group, Inc. So now a few thoughts come to mind.

A) They really are in touch with their readers.
B) This guy has way too much time on his hands.
C) He defends his colleagues with gusto.
D) This gave him a break from his manuscript.

Who knows? I'm just hoping they print my letter, so I can call myself a "published author" as well...

So it looks like I may have a job.

During my dealings with News 9, I got an unofficial offer (pending my background check and drug test). Here's the thing, I'd be part-time weekends with them. If UT calls, I could possibly do that gig during the week and do the TV thing on the weekends. Thing is, training at News 9 starts mid-Feb., and it pretty much full-time (or so I've been told). Quite a conundrum, I find myself in, eh?

So I've made contact with yet ANOTHER UT blogger. Say hello to Kristi. A Ph. D. student in history who did her undergrad at UMass. Bet she's wicked smaht...

As predicted here on Nov. 3, the Longhorns are headed to Dallas and the Cotton Bowl on January 1. I really want to go, but we'll see. Maybe some of my Dallas friends will be wanting to go as well. Or maybe my parents.

We took a little family trip on New Year's of 2000 to the game. Saw Texas defeat Mississippi State, and saw Ricky Williams' last collegiate game. My mom was amazed at how foul-mouthed some of the girls sitting near her and my dad were. (She should see some of my exes....)

Hopefully I'll get my Christmas shopping done tomorrow. We shall see... Adios.

Film production in Battle Hall Saturday to involve elegant staircase in Architecture and Planning Library

The movie production will involve simulated gunfire and other noise in the building that may be distracting to people who plan to use the library. Those who prefer a quieter study area may prefer to use the Flawn Academic Center, the Texas Union or other campus study locations.

Damn, I miss being on campus...

Well, well... the hits just keep on coming.

I forgot to mention last night that I have an interview this Friday at UT for the same position that I interviewed for back in September. Turns out I have another one.

I got a call from the people at News 9 San Antonio, S.A.'s new 24-hour cable news station. I have an interview Friday afternoon with them to see about maybe doing audio for them. Let's just hope I can make it back here after an 11:00 a.m. appointment in the Tower...

Damn, it's been a while. Allow me to fill you all in on what's been going on since mid-November.

Turns out this is my 42nd post to this here blog. Seeing as how the six-month anniversary is coming up, I thought I'd try and count up. I always envisioned doing something grand for Post #100. But I'm not close, so stay tuned...

I haven't chatted with Lauren(with an "e") in a long damn time. And I miss it. I mean, yeah, she's got her own things going, which are definitely more important than keeping up with a strange brown dude from Texas. But I don't even see her online on AIM anymore. I just hope she's doing well.

Speaking of all things West Coast, I've been looking into possibly taking a trip out to L.A. In early January, "The Price Is Right" is going to tape specials in which $1,000,000 could be given away. Looking at Southwest's site, I see, there's a special to LA and Burbank, $94 each way. Hopefully I have enough gumption to actually go on this trip...

So Laura and I sent in our package for Hot 104.9 last week. According to the fine folks at UPS, the package got there Wednesday. We have yet to hear anything back from them. But here's the thing... we had planned (somewhat hastily) to deliver the package ourselves, and road-trip it to Tallahassee. But opposition from my dad ended any thought of that idea. Sometimes I really wish I could be more assertive about stuff.

Anyways...gotta go now. More later....