novel

The wife finished my novel and she didn't like certain things that I know need to be fixed. Her parents (old school grammarians) are reading it, too. They have marks on most pages of dangliing modifiers and misplace prepositions. Of course the wife's initial reaction was incredualilty. Of course this is Sci-Fi so there's got to be some give and take here, but start with the good and end with the bad. I put all of my edits in the computer this morning and now I will do her edits. She really helped tie some things together and get rid of some of the wordiness of it all. She's the third "adult" to read it, other than me, and so far one loved it, one thought it needed work but wasn't bad, and the other person gave me a B-. (Was she trying to be nice?) People ask what I will do with it, and that depends on what people think of it. I feel sorry for the people who have read anything pre-Galley copy #1.

Tonight going to see Meet the Fockers with brother-in-laws girlfriend's parents and in-laws. Won't that be fun? The pizza time. (Carbs!) and some sort of games. Months ago the wife and I decided to spend New Year's Eve at her parent's house. This will be a welcome change to our usual smoking, drinking parties. A few years back we did it at J's house, and her little black roommate played his Rap music loudly in his room all night. Pissed me off. Of course, he was murdered a few years ago so I cannot be that mad at him anymore. So tomorrow is a nice night of fondue, television, games, and that omnipresent Apple ball. No Dick Clark, what a travesty! Can Regis Philbin be any better? No.

Merry 2005. The year I promised I would get a PhD, but here comes my little itty bitty daughter instead. The degree is another year off. As long as people stop making the not so subtle hints to hurry and finish I will be ok. Furthermore, I let two good friends down. I am sorry you two. I was suppose to edit their Comps before Christmas and sheer ran right out of time. Damn me. Sorry.

sister

I've seen my sister once a year these last two years and every time I see her she is cranky and pissy. I barely see her and she cannot be pleasant when I do see her? Wife and I did all kinds of work around the house today, and I bet no one will even notice. Why do I bother? People wonder why I don't live near my family and sometimes I need to remind myself of that reason too. Calgon take me away.

Want

The only thing I asked for, the only thing I wanted were the Redlin's. Nothing more, nothing less. J told me a few years ago that she would do whatever was in her power for me never to get them, and she's succeeded. It's in the partner agreement that they are part of the goddamn "decor". It's all I want from him. That's it, but nada, nothing. Nothing to remember him by when he's gone. Ever. Nevermore. Finale. Stick a friggin' for in me.

Chicago

We watched Chicago today on the television. It was done well, hence the Oscars. But of course this year I need to watch more of the movies before my annual party. The movie was shot well, and I am really waiting for RENT to be filmed, which is coming soon! Speaking of coming soon, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Price is coming soon. JUly 16, 2005. How am I suppose to plan my school year, deal with a baby, and read this book? For example, D & I went to get ice cream last night at Sheetz and we came home, and I realized that when you have a kid you cannot just grab your coat and go. We cannot even fit in the back seat of my dad's car. It's so damn tiny and mum hates it, too. Maybe they'll get a new one. It's about time too since it's not a spring chicken-and what's with spring chickens anyway? Why do people use that cliche? Who knows? I don't.

babies galore

We visited my friend's B&K who we'd not seen in 5 1/2 years. They now have a daughter who is about 5 months old, and it was a fun time playing with her. When we returned to my parent's house my sisters friend brought over her 4 month old and 3 year old. The older brother is brilliant and he's very cute. He reminds me of my cousin, B, when he was that age. Of course B is not in town now. I think some times he is bad at returning my emails. Of course he works on computers all day long, but I don't get emails back. For example I wanted to see him in October, but he didn't get back to me. By the time I called him he was not available when I was and vice versa. Then this time I emailed him about Christmas and Christmas Eve, and then h never wrote back. Of course I went to Grandma's on Christmas Eve, and he went on Christmas night. Damn, I will see him in another week or more, I hope.

Our schedule is coming together for this week. We have some plans coming together, and I think thinks are equalizing, We will see.

Ben should be ready to roll in three weeks for the playoffs.

By the way

Oh yes, I landed. I didn't blow up on the plane and the world did not end. Good for it.

When I landed in my layover city the flight they said was canceled was not canceled, and I could've made it but it was too late since they had a standby list a mile long. I sat and finished editing my book and drinking coffee before I could load the plane. Then I flew here. Woohoo.

Christmas

More more more here I am am am... Yesterday was Christmas. I bought my wife a cell phone & laptop computer. I was worried she would not like them, but she really did. She was so cute with the cell phone and when it rings, she jumps up and down. It's very small like she wanted it.

Steelers are on. Go Big Ben! Damn Raven drove him into the ground right now. AzWeepA.

I got fun stuff, like atari Galaga game, DVD-R, some clothes, a rocking chair, Best Buy gift cards, and other fun stuff, including a rad Harley t-shirt from the danster. We chilled with M, too. She's cool. I dig that.

I am reading Who Let the Blog's Out! I am stoked. It's a cool book, and I hope this thing looks different eventually. I want to reformat my blog and add some stuff. I want to add more links of other blogs, since I have all of these blogs I look at all of the time.

They have friggin' Maddox warming up now. Damn this. Go Ben! Ok I am a freak. I got my terrible towel and have been whopping it around. Haha.

WILL

In case the world does end, and my family survives, please understand a few things.

1. I have a WILL on my computer. The password is my childhood nickname.

2. If I go into an unexplicable comma, be patient. I will wake up in 21 years and save the world.

Yours truly.

PS. Do not forget, if I do die, the baby's name is Phoenix. Always. The ashes rising from the dust.

Christmas Yuletide

So we were told we had to absolutely work today until 3:00pm (mind you I was totally done yesterday at 11:15AM). Now today I get to work bright and early, and cook my pot luck while at work, then I work on my book a bit. After that we sang karaoke in my boss' room. At 11:30AM we had a potluck that ended around 12:30OPM. At that point people began to leave and go home. I was pissed off.

Useless Airways changed my flight so I will have a 3 1/2 hour layover tomorrow morning after flying the red eye 400 miles over my destination. They offered to switch my flight to today at 4:00PM, BUT I had to friggin work until 3:00PM. So at 12:30PM people were leaving. The people at our other site left even earlier than that.

So now here I sit brokenhearted... n/m wrong thought. Anyway, the animals are at the kennel, and I have SEVEN hours before my flight, and I've been home scratching my butt for over an hour.

Wish me luck. I am going to edit my novel on the airplane. You know? The one that begins with the end of the world, as I fly home for the holidays. Wish me luck. If you all die tomorrow, blame me.

stuff

Sorry I've not posted. So my wife went away on a plane the other day. I will follow soon enough. My secret pal bought me 12 Jump Street, first complete season, on DVD! I am totally stoked! I bought a book called Who Let the Blogs Out? about the history of blogging. Cool. Perhaps you will see some format changes happen here.

Moreover, I saw Blade: Trinity today. I could go without Ryan Reynolds jib jabs through the damn movie, but it was cool. Haven't seen M in so long and that was fun.

So it's after midnight and I have a potluck tomorrow at work, so I need to go in around 5:30AM to cook the food so it's ready by noon. I bowled tonight, and I worked on editing the never ending novel. I have read half of it, and the wife has read most of it now. She's being nicer than I expected, which must mean it's not bad.

Ok good night world. The dog and I are out of here.

Plaigarism

It's the end of the semester and no matter how many times you tell someone not to plaigarize, they do it anyway. They always do, then it's your fault. Not theirs. Bastards. Errr... I met with a parent today and had phone calls to three more. One woman yelled at me, and another was planning on yelling at me, but my awesome assit admin, N, saved me. Woohoo. Go you. I sure wish all of the essays were graded, though.

Sitting here waiting for Simpsons "Raven" to show tomorrow. Lalala

Karaoke

I am totally stoked. I got a Karaoke machine for my birthday/Christmas today from my best friend! Woohoo. Now I will never get anything done. :) Yes, I sang Africa three times today, and several others that are awesome. Very cool present. Thanks!

Bad & Good

Good first I suppose. I was in Starbuck's tonight grading papers, and in walked a woman with six children aged 12 - 1. Two were hers. Some names included Amara, Taylor, Jacey, Victoria and some others. Some cool names. Tonight I had my hand on my wife's belly and was calling out names. We got to one of the names I have been tossing around my head, and she kicked. We did it a little more, but I only got that one kick. Who knows, maybe she likes that name. We so have no idea what we will name her. Who knows. I think it'd be best if we have like three names and then wait for her to come out. If you have any suggestions of names, please comment below.

Now for that bad. My mother's hip is getting worse. She will eventually need a replacement. She is in great pain and it's really getting to her emotionally as well. Seriously. I feel useless and helpless since I cannot do anything to help her from here. I did all I could today, and part of that was listening to her.

Weight

So I am pretty damn excited. I met my first goal and beat it by two pounds. Next goal is eight more pounds, hopefully atleast five of them before Christmas.

And that's another thing. I respect people who celebrate other things, and my best friend is even an Irish Jew, and he rocks my world. But I think it's wild that I cannot say "Christmas" in my classes. I dig the manorrah, and all that jazz, but I'm into the whole tree thing, too. "Winter Break" Pish Posh, gimme a break! We all know stockings get stuffed, candles get lit, and we all get a little fatter, except this year! WOOHOO. Go me!

Relief

So today I got a crap load of stuff graded, then tonight I was able to get through 50 pages of my novel. It's damn good, I think. Everyone who has read it says the same thing. Who knows? After I go through it, my wife is next. And M has asked for it, too. My best friend has a copy, but he's so busy. I'm patient though.

Went to the wife's holiday party last night, and next Saturday is mine. This will be fun. And we have an Open House at a friend's house during the day. Maybe I will splurge and have one cookie. Yum. It was hard enough to pass up cheesecake last night for a bottle of water, but 25 to go.

Survivor Finale is on now. I bowled tonight, so I didn't get home until recently. I slept in pretty late today, so I am not tired tonight. Although 4:50AM will still come early.

Money

Came to work today to make extra money. Of course I did not tell them I was coming before the RSVP date, and now they were a little pissy. What fun was that? So glad I gave up a Saturday morning for this. At least it's money, and I need money.

Edits

I am now on draft #5 of my book. It's *MY* edit now. I am 13 pages into it. It's double spaced & 184 pages. I have marks in every paragraph. This will take longer than I thought. *Yawn*

An anonymous person wrote today about the snowman. I wrote a book called Schneeman once, which means Snowman. It was based off an old English professor of mine. It was with him I drank whiskey with James Morrow, author extraordinaire.

Secrets

Have you ever found out something about someone or a group of people that you never knew? A group you were close to, a group you were part of. That they held some large secret that you did not know because the link beyond and above you was severed long ago. I discovered something today about my family, and I am still floored by the realization. I was more than excited to hear this, and I feel almost like something's been kept from me forever that now is not. I have tons of questions, and I will discover the answers for myself. Thank you.

subpoena

A few years ago late one evening there were loud noises outside my apartment building. I went out & men were driving around in an SUV drinking beer, knocking over street signs, and riding on the roof of the truck. I called the cops. They came. They arrested them. They told me I might have to show up for the trial.

So today I received a subpoena. I am suppose to show up Monday it looks like. I bet my boss will let me out of work, although driving downtown early in the morning sucks my donkey. Of course it's for a good reason.

The Mall

Went to the mall all day today. The kids were great and we had fun. Great time, and Jen's a good friend. Nice to know good people.

Someone cut a snowman in half today, so the decorating is done. Gone. Kaput. The stuff is going away. Damn it. They've ruined it, as I am sure I would expect. No one is bad, but they are the worse.

I like The Mountain on the WB and Lost on tv. These are shows worth watching.

journals

My kids think they're cool. They write in their online journals when they think I am not watching them. Haha. Of course I was, and they even talked about me there. What fun is that? :)

So we're watching The Real Gilligan's Island. This is a step above the Surreal Life. But woohoo. Go go.

It was nice to chill tonight. Came home, went out to the store, cooked dinner. Did nothing. Edited my book, which I will print tomorrow to edit more deeply.

The World is Good

Yeah! My archive links work. My wife who never comes here, came here, and she wanted to read the archives and all the links were broken, and maybe they broke when I moved servers, and now, other than my wife, I know someone else who read this--hi, there, good to see you, and I hope you liked your Pellegrino, so I am going to leave now, but don't forget rain in the desert and cold rain that looks like snow is close enough for some people.

narrative

I am taking a course. I didn't do much for it so far, but since it's over Monday I thought I would now. Here I am sitting, as I've done for three days now. I am getting it. I dig it. The three hour presentation will work Monday. Go me.

Last night was greek food. Yum. A, D & I went.

Ok so the wifey poo is the first one. She said "I had to be the first one." I almost cried. I am getting use to this.

pickled pigs eat pork products

It's cold here. Chilling the sun kissed sky like Dionysus flutting high above my little space here on Earth. Natural elements continue to caress and carene as I sit and wait for this.

friendship is like fine wine

I appreciate communication. I have almost always spoke my mind. I am fiercely protective of friends and family. I get hurt when my friends are hurt. I get mad when my friends are hurt. Something I said was misconstrued by a friend. I expressed concern for health and safety, but this message was received as if I were being malicious. I know that. I apologized. I thank my lucky stars (bad cliche!) that I have two close friends in this world who would speak to me directly when something bothers them. One of them rarely has a problem with anything because there are so many areas where we are so similar. The other one is the kind of friend who would call me to the curb if I made them mad or did something inappropriate. They both act differently, and the latter is more in your face, abrupt, while the former is more tactful. More sensitive. When I upset people it hurts me. I want to please people. When I was in high school I could care less what anyone thought about what I did or said. I could really care less. In college all that changed when my world was stripped from me, ripped from me, and tossed aside before I created it anew. I am not who I once was. I appreciate my friends. I have a good group. I have moved across the country away from my family for my best friend. Friends help keep me here. I have better friends here than anywhere. There are conflicts, and people talk about one another. I've seen it. Some of it is viable and some is not. I've seen it. I've heard it. I have been more upset in the past about things I've done or said, and I know in the past I have had deserved it. I can tell you one time in particular, dear reader, but I do believe now that only four people ever even bother looking at this thing, so I will not bother. One of you know the story, the rest of you never will. This time is different. Surely my loving friend will learn of my intent. Surely. So here we go. Post away, Mr. A. Have fun with this.

girls everywhere

OK it's offical. Yesterday we saw had an ultrasound. I am a girl daddy. I cannot tell you what that means to me right now. Two words: shell shock. A number of things race through my head. I am just happy to have a child, because there are so many people who cannot have children. God obviously wanted me to have a girl, just like he made me wait for four months before giving us our house.

Now you want a but? Sure here you go. My wife said "now I can go to Target and buy that bikini I saw!". Damn.

Here are some things to consider now: prom dresses, weddings, menstruation, training bras, boy friends, etc... Now here is something that will be fun. I get to say "what are your intentions with my daughter?" while slowly sharpening my (insert scary looking weapon here with which I could castrate said boyfriend). Woohoo.

I do not like Pink. People will buy pink to spite me. I like green, yellow, blue, denim, plaid, etc... Our friends R&L will be exicted. They have a little girl and wanted her to have a playmate. Well, you got your wish.

I am fine with a girl. Seriously. I am just in shock. Wife is too. I just don't even know how to raise a girl. I was a boy. I can tell you about boys. Penises and all. But girls are foreign to me. I have one sister. I have one biological female cousin. The rest are boys. All boys. I know boys. Girls are from Venus, right? Anyway. Ask me in a year, and I bet I will love it.

Today

Today is the first of the month. It's cold outside and I brought my jacket. My wife woke me up and said hello at 5:01AM, which is ok since my alarm was going off; of course, she's never up this early. I am subbing today for the Basketball coach. Yum.

We're planning a door decorating party here at work. My friend was going to decorate with me since she doesn't have a class that period. Then she wrote back and said she would not do it with me. I was concerned because I do not know why she chose to decline this invitation now. And she said she'd talk to me about it later. I thought perhaps a kid pissed her off, but she said no, so who could it be now?

Going out to dinner with my bestfriend. I like my best friend, I am glad he emailed me. I had a banana for lunch.

Today is the day.