12.29.2002
More Atlanta fun..
I hung out with BT and Jen last night; went to see "About Schmidt" last night. It was ok. But, I think I was expecting something much more. After the movie, we went out for a couple of drinks. Everywhere we went was too loud, smoky and full of frat boys and girls. There are no good bars in Atlanta.
Today, I'll get to see Berly and Tom [of L.A.] They're passing thru on the way back to Cali. We'll go out to dinner... then, the night is open. Mala is having a charades party. But, I don't think I'm up to hanging out with her friends. It's not that they're not friendly or anything. I just feel a little awkward around them. Like an outsider.
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I hung out with BT and Jen last night; went to see "About Schmidt" last night. It was ok. But, I think I was expecting something much more. After the movie, we went out for a couple of drinks. Everywhere we went was too loud, smoky and full of frat boys and girls. There are no good bars in Atlanta.
Today, I'll get to see Berly and Tom [of L.A.] They're passing thru on the way back to Cali. We'll go out to dinner... then, the night is open. Mala is having a charades party. But, I don't think I'm up to hanging out with her friends. It's not that they're not friendly or anything. I just feel a little awkward around them. Like an outsider.
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12.27.2002
Herb Ritts died today of "complications from pneumonia." Isn't that usually code for "AIDS"? I was a fan of his photography. And the videos he did. The great black and white Chris Isaak video with the chick on the beach. And the Janet Jackson video that's also in b&w. (I forget the song title). He was a celebrity photographer who sort of fell into the job accidentally. Pretty good gig.
Christmas is over; so, now it's time to figure out something to do for NYE. I have no clue what to do. I usually don't like trying to celebrate if I've got nobody to kiss at midnight. Maybe I'll just go have drinks at a bar with friends. ?
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Christmas is over; so, now it's time to figure out something to do for NYE. I have no clue what to do. I usually don't like trying to celebrate if I've got nobody to kiss at midnight. Maybe I'll just go have drinks at a bar with friends. ?
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12.26.2002
It's John's birthday. So, I went over to hang out with the kids a bit. Then, came back over to my folks' house for a photo session with my new niece. They're adding her to the group shot that was taken before she was born.
Tonight, i'm meeting up with McDowell for a couple of Newcastles,.... then going to a movie with my sister. She's really excited about getting out and doing grown up / late night stuff. This is a rare thing for her. She's usually got 2 kids to wrangle 24/7.
It's been a good day. Veggie lasagna awaits me. I talked Mom out of making "eggplant parmesan" (also known as "giant ass slab of cheese with a tiny slice of eggplant underneath".)
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Tonight, i'm meeting up with McDowell for a couple of Newcastles,.... then going to a movie with my sister. She's really excited about getting out and doing grown up / late night stuff. This is a rare thing for her. She's usually got 2 kids to wrangle 24/7.
It's been a good day. Veggie lasagna awaits me. I talked Mom out of making "eggplant parmesan" (also known as "giant ass slab of cheese with a tiny slice of eggplant underneath".)
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12.25.2002
Merry Christmas
It has been a really great day today. Thankfully, yesterday's hangover was gone when I woke up. I think I should have stopped after the 1st few glasses of wine when I went out with John and Eric. That last beer put me over the top. It's not fun to fly for 4 and half hours when you have a throbbing headache... you've gotten only a few hours of sleep,.. and any slight bumps or turns make you sick to your stomach.
All the nieces and nephews came over last night to open presents and play. It was a lot of fun to hang out with them all. But, they're all so competitive. It's hard to get any one-on-one bonding time with them individually. If one of them sees you playing a game with another,.. then they all have to join in.
Tomorrow, I'll probably catch up with some old friends.. and give John of Seattle a call. He's visiting family locally. So, I'll see if he wants to join us for a beer. Tomorrow is also my brother's birthday. I'll probably go over to his place and hang out for a bit.
I got a few gifts off of my Amazon list for Christmas. Unfortunately, nobody got me the TiVo or the SegWay. Oh well. It was worth a shot!
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It has been a really great day today. Thankfully, yesterday's hangover was gone when I woke up. I think I should have stopped after the 1st few glasses of wine when I went out with John and Eric. That last beer put me over the top. It's not fun to fly for 4 and half hours when you have a throbbing headache... you've gotten only a few hours of sleep,.. and any slight bumps or turns make you sick to your stomach.
All the nieces and nephews came over last night to open presents and play. It was a lot of fun to hang out with them all. But, they're all so competitive. It's hard to get any one-on-one bonding time with them individually. If one of them sees you playing a game with another,.. then they all have to join in.
Tomorrow, I'll probably catch up with some old friends.. and give John of Seattle a call. He's visiting family locally. So, I'll see if he wants to join us for a beer. Tomorrow is also my brother's birthday. I'll probably go over to his place and hang out for a bit.
I got a few gifts off of my Amazon list for Christmas. Unfortunately, nobody got me the TiVo or the SegWay. Oh well. It was worth a shot!
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12.21.2002
Shouldn't Christmas tree lots have a 50% off sale now? It's not like they're going to sell any more trees, with only a few days left till Christmas. I saw a family buying their tree a few days ago. And, all I could think was... "kid, your dad sucks." I mean, where were they a few weeks ago when everybody else was buying their tree. Ok, maybe they had been out of town and just now got back? That's the only excuse I can think of that makes sense. If I was a kid, and my dad just bought the tree recently, I'd wonder what was up. Why miss getting 3 weeks of enjoyment out of your tree? The thing costs a fortune and only lasts a month! All of the lots in Seattle still seem to be full of trees. I wonder what happens to the ones that don't get bought. Maybe they grind them up and use them for mulch? In Georgia, the power company used to collect them from the side of the road. I think they would sink them in the lakes and river and use them as fish habitats. That's better than letting them take up space in a landfill.
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12.20.2002
Christmas time.
"It's a great time of year...
unless you're a turkey, a tree, or a jew."
- Bill Maher
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unless you're a turkey, a tree, or a jew."
- Bill Maher
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I got to the production offices right on time. It's located in Tacoma, Washington, in an industrial park; rows and rows of long, low warehouses and shipping offices. I told the reception guy that I was there for a wardrobe fitting. They asked what I was playing. But, I wasn't sure. ["Atmosphere? Butler? Staff?, etc"] I had only been told that I would be a "featured extra." This just means that I'm slightly more prominent than the blurry guy walking past in the background. Normally, those people are only around for 1 day of shooting. But, I've already been told of 2 dates that they will use me. There were several women waiting in the lobby when I arrived. One was a dancer. [You could hear music and dancing going on in the next room.] They took her into the rehearsal room after about 10 minutes. Another woman, Hilary, will be playing a prostitute. The movie is going to be called "The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer." I will be playing a butler. They took Hilary and me back to the wardrobe department. Earl and Gerrard, the wardrobe queens, picked out a tux for me, and a slutty dress for Hilary. Then Hilary went off to try hers on. I got into my monkey suit (complete with tails) and went upstairs for Ron the costume designer to give his 'ok'. He said it looked fine, and asked if I could slick back my hair. No problem. So, with that approval, they told me I could get changed out of the tux. As soon as I got finished with that, Gerrard told me to put the tux back on! He had forgotten to take my picture. [they need digital photos of everyone in costume] So, I put the tux back on again, got my picture taken, then changed out of it again.
I rented "Rose Red" yesterday to see what it's all about. So far, I can just tell that it's about a haunted house in downtown Seattle. RR is the name of the place. Ellen Rimbauer was the 20-year old bride who had it built. I'm not sure what happens in the prequel. But, I know that the setting is around 1910. That's the period I'll be playing. I think that it flashes forward to present day a few times as well. The same director will be shooting this one. But, I'm not sure who else is on board. More updates as they happen!
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I rented "Rose Red" yesterday to see what it's all about. So far, I can just tell that it's about a haunted house in downtown Seattle. RR is the name of the place. Ellen Rimbauer was the 20-year old bride who had it built. I'm not sure what happens in the prequel. But, I know that the setting is around 1910. That's the period I'll be playing. I think that it flashes forward to present day a few times as well. The same director will be shooting this one. But, I'm not sure who else is on board. More updates as they happen!
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12.19.2002
I'm going to be in another movie. I signed up to be an extra for anything shooting in Seattle/Tacoma. And, the casting office called me yesterday. It's the prequel to "Rose Red", the Stephen King mini-series from earlier this year. I'm going to be a "featured extra" starting in January. I go down for my wardrobe fitting today. I never saw the original mini-series. So, I'll have to check that out.
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12.18.2002
12.17.2002
Xmas songs
There's a radio station here in Seattle that plays 24-hour Christmas music. Sometimes it's great (Springsteen's Santa Claus is comin' to town, ..), other times it's crap! (Celine Deion, et al). My question is this: Why is "My Favorite Things" considered a Christmas thing? I don't get that one.
Alternative Gift Options
Here's another alternative gift idea. Make a donation to Toys for Tots. You can give online!
Click to check out my Christmas card.
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There's a radio station here in Seattle that plays 24-hour Christmas music. Sometimes it's great (Springsteen's Santa Claus is comin' to town, ..), other times it's crap! (Celine Deion, et al). My question is this: Why is "My Favorite Things" considered a Christmas thing? I don't get that one.
Alternative Gift Options
Here's another alternative gift idea. Make a donation to Toys for Tots. You can give online!
Click to check out my Christmas card.
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12.16.2002
Holy crap.
I've been driving around today, running errands. And there are some crazy-ass drivers out there. I was nearly plowed about a dozen times. What's with people? A couple of people were driving on the wrong side of the road; another one tried to clip me as I made a right turn; another putz stood in the only downtown parking space, so he could save it for his buddy; another made a u-turn right into me. Geez! Is it the Christmas frenzy?
I had to cancel my green power contributions today. I've been throwing in an extra $3/month to the power company to invest in alternative energy. But, I've got to make cutbacks wherever possible. As soon as my income increases, I'll be back in though. I still think it's a great program. It's worth it.
The Seahawks beat the Falcons yesterday. I was torn... didn't know who to cheer for. So, it's good that it went back and forth a bit. The Seahawks won in overtime after the Falcons tied it up in the last 30 seconds. I know Jack about football. But, it would be pretty cool if the Falcons went back to the Superbowl.
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I've been driving around today, running errands. And there are some crazy-ass drivers out there. I was nearly plowed about a dozen times. What's with people? A couple of people were driving on the wrong side of the road; another one tried to clip me as I made a right turn; another putz stood in the only downtown parking space, so he could save it for his buddy; another made a u-turn right into me. Geez! Is it the Christmas frenzy?
I had to cancel my green power contributions today. I've been throwing in an extra $3/month to the power company to invest in alternative energy. But, I've got to make cutbacks wherever possible. As soon as my income increases, I'll be back in though. I still think it's a great program. It's worth it.
The Seahawks beat the Falcons yesterday. I was torn... didn't know who to cheer for. So, it's good that it went back and forth a bit. The Seahawks won in overtime after the Falcons tied it up in the last 30 seconds. I know Jack about football. But, it would be pretty cool if the Falcons went back to the Superbowl.
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Osama Nutcracker
My art show on Saturday went pretty well. I think I may have sold one of my Photo transfer pieces. Still have to make contact thru email today. Hopefully, she won't flake!
Tonight: 2 Christmas parties. One for the Ballard Family Center. I agreed to take pictures. They wanted to recognize me for my volunteer work tonight. But, I declined. They've done enough stuff for me over the last year or so. I don't need more pats on the back. Plus, I need to sneak out early and head to the other party! The other party is a mulled wine / cheese fondue party. An English/Irish couple are hosting. Wonder if they'll have crackers?
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12.13.2002
All I Want For Christmas.
Ok, I don't really need anything. But, if there were a Santa Claus, here's what I'd want him to bring me:
- wireless base station for my Powerbook. (so, i can surf from the sofa!)
- movies passes/blockbuster gift certificates/starbucks cards/home depot g.c.'s/Delta SkyMiles
- a Segway HT! (these things are just freekin cool)
- Microsoft Office
- A stereo/cd player
check out my Flash christmas card if you haven't already!
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Ok, I don't really need anything. But, if there were a Santa Claus, here's what I'd want him to bring me:
- wireless base station for my Powerbook. (so, i can surf from the sofa!)
- movies passes/blockbuster gift certificates/starbucks cards/home depot g.c.'s/Delta SkyMiles
- a Segway HT! (these things are just freekin cool)
- Microsoft Office
- A stereo/cd player
check out my Flash christmas card if you haven't already!
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12.12.2002
BookCrossing - Home - FREE YOUR BOOKS!
A cool site... cool idea. If you're a book reader, check it out!
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A cool site... cool idea. If you're a book reader, check it out!
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Christmas tipping?
Does anybody tip their mailman? I've heard of this practice. But, I don't really get it. What extra service does a mailman do to deserve a Christmas tip? They put your mail in your mailbox. Isn't that their job? MY mailman rarely even gets that part right. I often find that he skips my house if a car has blocked my mailbox. He's too lazy to get out of the truck and walk the 3 steps to the box. When he's not skipping my house entirely, he sometimes gives me mail that isn't mine! It either belongs to somebody I've never heard of that lives several blocks away. Or, he gives me mail belonging to the woman who hasn't lived here in over a year! When I get a package that's too large to fit in the mailbox, he does get out of the truck and bring that to the door. He always seems really pissed off about it too. And, he never brings the rest of the mail with him. He just hands me the package and walks off. The rest of my letters still sit out in the box for me to retrieve. So, I'm not giving my mailman a tip this year. In fact, I'm hoping I'll get a new mailman for Christmas.
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Does anybody tip their mailman? I've heard of this practice. But, I don't really get it. What extra service does a mailman do to deserve a Christmas tip? They put your mail in your mailbox. Isn't that their job? MY mailman rarely even gets that part right. I often find that he skips my house if a car has blocked my mailbox. He's too lazy to get out of the truck and walk the 3 steps to the box. When he's not skipping my house entirely, he sometimes gives me mail that isn't mine! It either belongs to somebody I've never heard of that lives several blocks away. Or, he gives me mail belonging to the woman who hasn't lived here in over a year! When I get a package that's too large to fit in the mailbox, he does get out of the truck and bring that to the door. He always seems really pissed off about it too. And, he never brings the rest of the mail with him. He just hands me the package and walks off. The rest of my letters still sit out in the box for me to retrieve. So, I'm not giving my mailman a tip this year. In fact, I'm hoping I'll get a new mailman for Christmas.
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12.11.2002
the book of seg. phillip m. torrone. segway ht human transporter
You gotta love the Segway. If I had an extra 5 grand, I'd probably get one myself!
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You gotta love the Segway. If I had an extra 5 grand, I'd probably get one myself!
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Christmas Cheer
So, I'm driving to the library this morning.. It's a dark, gray day. It's raining. I've got the wipers on; I've got my headlights on. And, I'm approaching a truck driving without headlights. So, I politely give him a flash of my lights. I figured he must have just forgotten to turn his on. And, instead of giving a thank-you wave and turning on his lights, the guy sticks his arm out the window and gives me the finger.
Merry Christmas to you too, pal!
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So, I'm driving to the library this morning.. It's a dark, gray day. It's raining. I've got the wipers on; I've got my headlights on. And, I'm approaching a truck driving without headlights. So, I politely give him a flash of my lights. I figured he must have just forgotten to turn his on. And, instead of giving a thank-you wave and turning on his lights, the guy sticks his arm out the window and gives me the finger.
Merry Christmas to you too, pal!
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12.9.2002
This was a picture from last December. I faked the lights. Maybe next year I'll have some way to string up my lights. But, I don't currently have any electrical outlets on the front of the house!
When I was a kid, we lived really close to James Brown's house in Augusta, GA. Every year at Christmas, he would deck out his front yard with all sorts of wacky decorations: light up figures, candy canes, snowmen... and the piece de resistance: A Black Santa Claus! We would go over to his house and wander around in the front yard checking out all the crazy stuff. It was a little tourist attraction, right there in my own neighborhood.
Another thing I used to love to do is to go to "Fat Man's". It's a place that has room after room of xmas decorations. They had this cool popup santa claus in the back. That was my favorite thing. And they always had boiled peanuts cooking at Fat Man's too. That was another great tradition.
I didn't get a tree this year. They're just too freekin expensive. Maybe next year.
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12.8.2002
12.7.2002
My art show last night went fairly well. A friend who dropped by is interested in buying one of my paintings from my web site. But, I didn't sell either of the pieces that are in the actual show (yet.) 8 friends came out to support me! After the show, we all went out for more beers, and a little shuffleboard. I was really happy they all came. It was a great surprise that they all came.
I tried to attend the Humane Society Fostering Orientation this morning. But, when I arrived, they told me it had been cancelled. So, I've been waiting a month for this.. and now I have to wait another month for the next one!
Nothing much else going on this weekend. I think I'll make some art! I've got a new trio of photo transfers in the works: "Liptych." And, I need to start on my hubcap paintings. First: clean and prime all my hubcaps!
See my christmas card yet? check it out!
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I tried to attend the Humane Society Fostering Orientation this morning. But, when I arrived, they told me it had been cancelled. So, I've been waiting a month for this.. and now I have to wait another month for the next one!
Nothing much else going on this weekend. I think I'll make some art! I've got a new trio of photo transfers in the works: "Liptych." And, I need to start on my hubcap paintings. First: clean and prime all my hubcaps!
See my christmas card yet? check it out!
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12.6.2002
Otis Cafe - 7pm - First Hill, Boren Ave. be there for art and food and drink. A mimic-octopus presentation! Tonight! Friday! Art by me.. and lots of others. "PET" is the theme. Come check it out.
Have you seen my xmas card yet? See link below...
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Have you seen my xmas card yet? See link below...
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12.5.2002
Golden Arch Hotels Suisse SA
There's a hotel in Switzerland that has a McDonalds theme- how weird is that?!
Xmas
Have you visited my flash christmas card yet? Pass the url along to everyone you know! Click here.
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There's a hotel in Switzerland that has a McDonalds theme- how weird is that?!
Xmas
Have you visited my flash christmas card yet? Pass the url along to everyone you know! Click here.
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12.4.2002
Have you seen my Holiday greeting yet? Click here.
I'm in an art show this weekend. Be sure to come check it out if you're in Seattle: Otis Cafe, 7pm on Friday night. Otis is on Boren Ave., 1st Hill, near Swedish.
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I'm in an art show this weekend. Be sure to come check it out if you're in Seattle: Otis Cafe, 7pm on Friday night. Otis is on Boren Ave., 1st Hill, near Swedish.
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12.3.2002
Christmas Stress
Most people get stressed out by things like parties and shopping at Christmas. But, here's what I dread: answering my sister's questions about what I bought each relative as a gift. It's usually the 2nd thing out of her mouth. After: "how was your trip?" And, by the way... the answer to that is always the same too. So, I'm not sure why that one still pops up. "How was my crowded, noisy, uncomfortable 5 hour plane ride? It was a blast! I've never had more fun in my life! I can't wait to do it again!" So, anyway... back to question 2: "What did you get for Mom? (or dad, or whoever..) Here are some rehearsed answers I'm trying out:
"I got them... ME!" When you factor in the plane ticket, shuttle to the airport, rental car, etc., it ends up costing me about $500 a pop each time I fly to the east coast. There goes the gift budget!
or how about this answer: "My unemployment check!" I'm sure they need it more than I do. Groceries are so overrated. And, I'm sure the bank won't mind if I skip a mortgage payment next month. If you multiply out my unemployment checks for the year, I'm living below the poverty line.
or maybe the straight forward approach: "Jack Squat!" I tried to get my family to drop the gift exchange thing a few years ago. But, they wouldn't go for it. They're too focused on the materialism of the season to give it up. I'd rather we all save our money and spend it on the kids/grandkids of the family. Or we could make a donation (or better yet, VOLUNTEER) to a non-profit group. We added another niece this year. So, it's even more difficult to get something for EVERYbody. I personally don't want any more "things." I have everything I want. If anybody wants to get me a gift, I wish they would just give me SkyMiles or cash so I can continue to visit the family for Christmas. I don't need any more sweaters. I get my books from the library. I don't get magazine subscriptions. Ok, if I had to get something selfish,.. then I'd probably want a gift certificate for the movie theatre or video store. That's about as far as I'd go.
Am I being selfish?
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Most people get stressed out by things like parties and shopping at Christmas. But, here's what I dread: answering my sister's questions about what I bought each relative as a gift. It's usually the 2nd thing out of her mouth. After: "how was your trip?" And, by the way... the answer to that is always the same too. So, I'm not sure why that one still pops up. "How was my crowded, noisy, uncomfortable 5 hour plane ride? It was a blast! I've never had more fun in my life! I can't wait to do it again!" So, anyway... back to question 2: "What did you get for Mom? (or dad, or whoever..) Here are some rehearsed answers I'm trying out:
"I got them... ME!" When you factor in the plane ticket, shuttle to the airport, rental car, etc., it ends up costing me about $500 a pop each time I fly to the east coast. There goes the gift budget!
or how about this answer: "My unemployment check!" I'm sure they need it more than I do. Groceries are so overrated. And, I'm sure the bank won't mind if I skip a mortgage payment next month. If you multiply out my unemployment checks for the year, I'm living below the poverty line.
or maybe the straight forward approach: "Jack Squat!" I tried to get my family to drop the gift exchange thing a few years ago. But, they wouldn't go for it. They're too focused on the materialism of the season to give it up. I'd rather we all save our money and spend it on the kids/grandkids of the family. Or we could make a donation (or better yet, VOLUNTEER) to a non-profit group. We added another niece this year. So, it's even more difficult to get something for EVERYbody. I personally don't want any more "things." I have everything I want. If anybody wants to get me a gift, I wish they would just give me SkyMiles or cash so I can continue to visit the family for Christmas. I don't need any more sweaters. I get my books from the library. I don't get magazine subscriptions. Ok, if I had to get something selfish,.. then I'd probably want a gift certificate for the movie theatre or video store. That's about as far as I'd go.
Am I being selfish?
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12.2.2002
12.1.2002
December.
The birthday is over. And it was a half-decent one. I went out with friends for dinner and drinks last night. Some of them didn't even know it was my birthday until halfway through the night. Others, who were invited to join us, never responded. Some, who said they would come, didn't show up. I have great friends, don't I?
Malia and Neil kicked ass. They made it all worth it. We had dinner at Carmelita- an amazing vegetarian restaurant. Then, we walked up the street and had some beers at 74th Ale House. A good night, overall.
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The birthday is over. And it was a half-decent one. I went out with friends for dinner and drinks last night. Some of them didn't even know it was my birthday until halfway through the night. Others, who were invited to join us, never responded. Some, who said they would come, didn't show up. I have great friends, don't I?
Malia and Neil kicked ass. They made it all worth it. We had dinner at Carmelita- an amazing vegetarian restaurant. Then, we walked up the street and had some beers at 74th Ale House. A good night, overall.
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