T minus 7 hours plus until I have to buy a new calendar.

Planning to head to Austin to ring in 2005.

Stay safe, everyone!

CHRISTMAS STORIES NOT INVOLVING ASTEROIDS

So, to recap my Christmas, it was pretty good. Got together with my mom's side on Christmas Eve at my uncle's house. Of course, in this time of peace and goodwill, what did he have on the TV? Old boxing matches, of course! He was transferring an old match involving the late Robert Quiroga from VHS to DVD. Anyway, dinner was okay: tough brisket, bad rice, and good cookies. As for gifts, I got a mix CD through a White Elephant game, some money, and an annoying beeping key ring.

Christmas Day saw a gathering with my dad's side of the family. Among the gifts there, a $50 lottery scratcher winner, some socks, a sweater, along with other sundry gifts. An enjoyable day all around.

So the asteroid referenced in the last post has been downgraded, given a 0.002% chance to hit Earth. Since then, I've been trying to track down other probabilities for different events, though I haven't been too successful as of yet.

I'm hoping that this curbs my anxiety, what with the tsunamis and stuff going on. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to my happy place now...

So here I am, minding my own business, trying to enjoy the holiday, when I happen upon this.

Yeah, that'll help me sleep better at night...

So here I sit, waiting to print out a boarding pass for my aunt's flight... might as well blog, eh?

I've been thinking a bit about resolutions for 2005. I've contemplated a change in venue (L.A., N.Y.C., Vegas), a change in career (something other than "unemployed"), a change in weight (173 as I type this)... basically, a life makeover of some sort. Being my own "Queer Eye," so to speak.

Lord knows I've tried stuff like this before (a failed attempt to attend early-morning Weight Watchers among one of my schemes), but I'd really like this year to be THE year.

The areas I want to hit:

• Career
• Health/Fitness
• Finances
• Spirituality
• Sociality

Specific goals to (hopefully) come later.

Till then... Feliz Navidad everyone!

THINGS TO BLOG ABOUT WHEN I HAVE MORE TIME:

- Resolutions.
- Video games.
- Comedy.

Maybe this is why I've been having so much trouble with dating.

(Via nerve.com. Thanks Pico!)

Alright, Pico, your turn.

1. don't you think cal got jobbed?
Honestly, yeah, kind of. But I blame the system that lets Pitt and Va Tech instead of letting Cal, Texas, Utah AND Boise State play for the big bucks.

2. what is your texas take on current national affairs and the future, especially concerning interpretations of the meaning of the constitution?
Damn, I wanted thought-provoking, but this is a bit overboard. Honestly, it's been a while since I've read the damn thing, so I may have to get back to you on this. Although, I'm against both the "Arnold Amendment," as well as any amendment making flag-burning and gay marriage illegal. All the other amendments, I'll fight to keep and defend.

3. what is your dating philosophy going to be in the new year compared to past efforts?
This just might earn "individual post" status, but to try and give an answer: I don't think I've had much of a philosophy in the past. Entropy was the closest thing to a philosophy I've employed in the past few years (meet girl at soroity mixer, date her for a few years; meet old aquaintance at job fair, botch things up with her). As far as what I'll change, maybe take a more proactive approach? Even though approaching women scares the bejeezus out of me... Maybe try new venues (and stop wasting $15/mo on match.com). I'm totally open to suggestions; Lord knows what I've been doing hasn't worked.

Okay, now it's Suse's turn....

Q: What day of the week were you born?
A: According to this, I was born on a Sunday. (Commence your "THAT'S ironic..." lines now.)

Q: What's your favorite piece of clothing you own?
A: A pink shirt from J. Crew. (Yes, I said pink.)

Q: If you could play one musical instrument, what would it be?
A: Saxo-mo-phone. When I went into 6th grade band tryouts, that was the instrument I wanted to play. Unfortunately, I could not make any sort of sound when I blew into a sax mouthpiece. I could, however, keep time with my foot while beating a rhythm with my hands. So drums it was...

You've got questions... that's understandable.

First up, Kristi.

Q: What's your favorite book?
A: Tough one, I suppose. I really don't have THAT many to choose from. I guess I'll go with my favorite book during college, "House of Leaves."

Q: What's your favorite movie?
A: This question is money, baby! "Swingers"!

Q: And what's your favorite song?
A: "It's Probably Me" by Sting. One of the most earnest love songs I've ever heard; I'd LOVE to make it an "our song" someday.

As far as the lack of creativity, don't worry about it. I'll let you have another 3 Q's to be named later.

Copied from C.J.'s blog...


(A) First, recommend to me:
1. a movie:
2. a book:
3. a musical artist, song, or album:
4. a song to download:
(B) I want everyone who reads this to ask me three questions, no more, no less. Ask me anything you want.
(C) Then I want you to go to your journal, copy and paste this allowing your friends to ask you anything.

Spreading the word of God: some people use television, some use street corners...

and some use Ibiza. An awesome article about preaching in the most unlikely of places.

Ever see a movie where a seemingly irrevelant sub-plot becomes foreshadowing for the entire film?

That was my day today. Allow me to tell you about it.

While doing some blog-surfing I happened upon a blogger by the name of "Profgrrrrl." She's starting a chapter-by-chapter review of the relationship book, "He's Just Not That Into You." I started reading this, solely due to all the stuff I've heard about it, and to figure out how what I might be facing in the dating world in the next few months. At first, I thought this whole thing was bogus, but ever since the author was on Oprah (so I hear), it's shot to the top of the New York Times' Bestseller List. Anyway, I thought it was just a nice aside to the day I was having: I got back safely from Austin, I was gonna hang out with G... things were looking okay.

I met her at a popular Riverwalk restaurant for dinner. She wore a classy sweater and skirt combo (her legs looked mighty nice). I gave her a professionally-wrapped gift that I got for her at Origins (a lotion and body wash combo, along with some small massagers). We talked for a little while, then she said she had a "serious question" to ask me.

I said, "Well, my insurance needs are covered, and I already have a church," trying to comically pre-empt any serious discussions of those topics, but I wasn't that lucky.

She asked me about what my thoughts were on our "relationship." I knew that I was in trouble. She went on to say that she "wasn't ready for a relationship right now." The next hour or so after that is a little blurry to me, it included a walk along the non-touristy part of the Riverwalk, talk of relationships past, bad jokes from me ("abstinence makes the heart grow fonder"), and a lot of awkwardness.

And now, the book that I mentally made fun of has slapped me right in the face with one realization (partially-developed by Suse): she's just not that into me.

Damnit.

THINGS TO BLOG ABOUT WHEN I HAVE MORE TIME:

- Lotion gumming up the works.
- A review of a book I'm glad I'm not buying.

I went to Borders today to continue my Christmas shopping, and saw something pretty interesting.

There was a large group of people in the upstairs part of the store that I could see through the windows. I went up there to see what the commotion was about, and found that there was an author signing going on. The author: Joel Osteen. He was there signing his book, Your Best Life Now. Now, I'm not familiar with the book, nor the author (other than seeing him on TV). But it surprised me how long of a line there was at the store. I hadn't seen a line that long for anything since the Spurs last won the NBA championship.

While I was there, I browsed the CD section, and happened upon a disc from an up and coming singer-songwriter. (Bad thing is, I just found out I could have saved $3-$4 if I bought the thing on the official website. Guess I should look into this e-commerce thing.)
Not a bad album from what I've heard; I'm usually not one to buy singer-songwriter stuff, always reminds me of the bad singer-songwriters that make up 2% of Austin's population. I was also thinking about buying William Shatner's CD, but decided against it. (Although, if someone wants to get it for me for Christmas, I'd be grateful.)

B-C-S! B-C-S!

Now I know what I really want for Christmas: Rose Bowl tickets. I would love anyone that could make this happen. And I'm talking "hot sweaty monkey sex" love...

Okay, some quick thoughts...

- I'm thinking I need to move. I've been looking at industry jobs out in Los Angeles for a few months now, and I keep getting the feeling that the odds will be better for me to get those gigs if I was actually IN L.A. After reading what Suse and Steezy (fo' sheezy) went through to get where they are now, I keep thinking I should just pack up the car and head west on Interstate 10.

- First it was C.J., now it's Kristi. What do they have in common? They're both Mike Remlingers of dating. More specifically, set-up men (er, women...). More explanation to come.

- Had a very lovely evening Wednesday night with G (introduced here). We drank some, we danced some, we strolled down the river and saw some nice lights. Found out a few cool things about G, including one answer to a question of mine that totally broke my heart.

Me- "What do you want for Christmas?"
G- "Some more time with my mom." (Her mom has been having heart problems for some time now.)

Thing is, I don't think I can truly classify it as a date, just another friendly outing. It's not that she has an aversion to romance (at least, I hope she doesn't). It's just that I haven't gotten any sort of vibe from her. Then again, I totally suck at reading people, so it might just be me.

- One of the bloggers I regularly read is in the job hunt. Let's just hope she has more luck than I'm having.