Currently Reading The Eye of the World (The Wheel of Time, Book 1) By Robert Jordan see related

And so I wonder... does anyone still read this? -or- New beginnings

Starting on April 29th and continuing through May 20th will be a landmark time for me.  April 29th will mark my first full year with Firstline and the huge change in lifestyle that came with leaving the restaurant business.  May 20th is the date that Vanessa and I have chosen as our one year anniversary.  Since the beginnings of our relationship were somewhat... unusual, neither of us is sure when our first date really was.  So we thought it over and came up with May 20th.  The date isn't nearly as important though, as what it signifies.  One year.  One whole year in a real, honest to goodness relationship.  I haven't had one of those since highshool.  Don't get me wrong, anyone who knows me knows that I have been in one relationship after another for as long as anyone cares to remember and some of those have lasted into the 'years' category.  What separates this relationship, what makes it real, what makes Vanessa and I so different is so very simple, yet so very important.  We have been together, actually with each other, same zip code, state and everything, the whole time.  Thinking back on this year, I believe the longest amount of time we have spent away from each other is about three days.  True, we have only been together for a year, while other relationships I've had have lasted longer, but when looked at by time spent together, Nessa and I are leaps and bounds farther along than I have been with people in the past.  We are so happy and so very much in love.  It's been a great year.

If you have been to Nessa's xanga, then you've seen the pictures of the exterior of our new place, if not, then here is the news; we're moving!  May 27th is the big day.  We get the keys and spend Memorial weekend moving into the new place.  One bed, one bath with a den, second floor, deck with a nice view, it's perfect.  We love it.  It is the best way to celebrate our first year together.  Our new beginning in our new place.  It's going to be amazing.

On a completely different note I went to see a show at Just Off Broadway Theatre last night where they were putting on The Last Five Years.  I have been taken with the music for this show for a couple of years now.  I was hanging out at Bar Natasha with Bridge, Dehmer, and Holbrook last week when I saw a promo poster for the show.  Getting to actually see the show was great.  When you listen to a show for so long, you get an idea in your head of how it should look, how it should go.  Seeing the show was an eye opener.  Alot of what was done was just as I had imagined, and some was so different, it gave me a whole new view of the scene and the song.  As far as the performers, Cathy was amazing.  She was vocally wonderful and you could tell that she really knew the show and was a part of every scene.  Jamie, on the other hand, while vocally very good, was bland and dry.  He did NOT seem familiar with the show and I just got a very detached feeling from him, like he was acting the scene instead of being a part of it.  His grasp on the music was a little weak too.  Like I said, vocally, his notes were right, but his tempo was very shaky.  Jamie's songs are hard as far as tempo goes.  At times he was rushing and at times he was dragging.  It was unfortunate.  I'm not saying that he was bad.  It just seems like he could have used more prep time.  Overall the show was a hit.  If I could make it to another showing I would.  As it stands, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are the last nights of the show.  If you can, GO!  It is an amazing show and you'll love it.

Okay, That's all for now.  Gotta go.  Peace!

Currently Watching Serenity (Widescreen Edition) By Chiwetel Ejiofor, Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres see related

I am a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar.

I recently aquired the DVD compilation of Firefly and the movie Serenity.  I have fallen in love with this show and all of its characters.  This entry is in memory of Hoban 'Wash' Washburne; pilot of the Firefly class starship, Serenity.

Raised on a world so polluted he couldn't see the stars, Wash entered pilot's training to geta look at them.  He got more than a job when he applied to be Serenity's pilot.  After a shave, he found a wife in the ship's first mate Zoe.  A laid-back guy with an active sence of humor, Wash just wanted a ship to fly and his wife alive and at his side.

Wash's best weapon, offensive or defensive, was his sacastic sence of humor.  What follows are just a few of his more memorable quotes.

Serenity Pilot:  "That's right, of course. Because they wouldn't arrest me if we got boarded. I'm just the pilot. I could always say that I was flying the ship by accident."

Jaynestown:  "We gotta go to the crappy town where I'm a hero."

Serenity Movie:  "Can we start with the part where Jayne gets knocked out by a 90 pound girl? Because that's never getting old."

Wash's death was nothing short of the biggest shock I have experienced in a movie in a very long time.  You never expect a character with so much vitality and who is so loved to die.  I still have a hard time believing he's gone.

And so we say goodbye to Wash, the best gorram pilot in the 'verse.  God's speed, my friend.  Truely no power in the 'verse can stop you now.  In my book, you're one of the biggest damn heroes ever.

 "I am a leaf on the wind.  Watch how I soar."

Take my love, take my land
Take me where I cannot stand
I don't care, I'm still free
You can't take the sky from me
Take me out to the black
Tell them I ain't comin' back
Burn the land and boil the sea
You can't take the sky from me
There's no place I can be
Since I found Serenity
But you can't take the sky from me...

Please take a moment and post your favorite Wash memory and/or leave a send-off for our dear departed friend.

The Best Christmas Ever!!!!!

First off, Merry Christmas everyone!  I hope that each of you had a great holiday and were able to hang out with those you love and maybe even receive a few really cool gifts. 

This is Nessa and my first Christmas together and it was so amazing!  We even started our own tradition of buying a special ornament to commemorate the occasion.  The plan is to get a new special ornament every year.  Here is a pic of our tree.

Oooo.... pretty lights...

My parents came over the other night to check out the decorations and they brought Speedy a present.

Tonight is Christmas Eve and we just returned home from a wonderful evening of seeing our families and doing our gift exchanges.  It is an unfortunate circumstance but I had to work tonight and I have to work tomorrow too.  I was lucky, though, and we were offered early outs as early as 1:30.  So I decided that since I wasn't going to receive holiday pay until tomorrow, and since we were going to do gifts and whatnot tonight since I would be unable to attend the family events tomorrow, I would leave and spend the day with the people who matter most and not the stupid last minute flying public.  I came home, changed, went out to Nessa's moms place.  We all hung out there for a while and exchanged gifts before they went to church.  Her brother, Jason, and sister, Jessi, got me these really cool candle holders and candles to go with them.  They will be pictured later.  Nessa's mom, Nancy, surprised me big time with a homemade gift.  Check it out.

  It's a robe!  I was amazed, not only at how well done it was cause she made the whole robe, but also at the fact that she would go to the time and effort to MAKE something for me.  Especially something so neat.  Thanks mom!

We left there and headed out to my folks place.  There we got to see my parents, my brother and Staci, my grandmas, and my aunts Susan and Sharon.  We had a great time eating, drinking, and being merry.  Then came more gifts.  Here is a picture of just my haul this year.

Yeah... OMG...  Here, in no particular order is an actual list of what is pictured.

Candle holders, candles, Marvel coffee mug set, Marvel 06 calander, Crown Royal gift set, Fantastic 4, Lost Season 1, Phantom soundtrack, 24 Seasons 3&4, a sweater, Starbucks GC, AMC GC, QT GCs, and as a joint gift from the folks, a night at the New Theatre Restaurant.  Also pictured above are my gifts from my wonderful girlfriend.  They are the DVDs of Serenity and Hulk along with The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest pack for the Game Cube.  Thank you baby!  I love you!  Also, not pictured is my brother's gift to me, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 for the PS2.  Thanks bro!

I found several neat things for Nessa that she really seemed to enjoy.  Belly button rings, a GIR t-shirt, a print of Starry Night by Van Gogh, and the Harry Potter movie collection.

All in all, I must say this has been the greatest Christmas ever.  I am so happy I can't even believe it, and it isn't just because of the presents.  Vanessa, you are my rock, my heart, my soul.  I am looking forward to many more happy Christmases by your side.  I love you, doll.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night.

Currently Watching Lois & Clark - The New Adventures of Superman - The Complete First Season see related

Being 24 feels a whole hell of a lot like being 23...

Yay for birthdays!  As if having people fawning over you and showering you with gifts for the mere fact that you exist wasn't cool enough, I am so easy to shop for.  I am guaranteed to get something, usually several somethings, involving Superman.  This time was no exception.  In my possession now are seasons 2 & 4 of Smallville, which completes my collection, and season 1 of Lois and Clark.  So awesome.  Also received was the two disk Batman Begins, a Justice League throw blanket, tickets to the Majestic theater and gift cards to the Buckel.  With money received I went to Best Buy and took advantage of their sale on the seasons of 24.  I now have seasons 1 & 2.  But the crowning glory of the ceremonial showering of gifts because I rock is this:

Vanessa hand painted this for me.  It is one of the most amazing and thoughtful things anyone has ever done.  I love you so much baby.  Thank you.

In other news, I am working on another show.  I made mention of it in a previous entry.  It's called G.I. Holiday Jukebox and it will be running December 8, 9, 10, & 11.  It is a holiday show based on the USO in the 40s.  It's going to be a very fun show.  Any and everyone is required to come and see it.    Give me a call or email me so I can give out directions and other additional information.

I also treated myself to a birthday present:  a new cell phone!!!!  I am now a proud member of the T-Mobile network.

Not only is it neat looking, but it is also a half hearted mp3 player.  With the memory stick in the phone I can hold about 12 songs.  I am hoping to get a larger memory stick and a Bluetooth headset by/for Christmas.

Justin was also in town for the holiday.  I love it when he comes back home.  He should be almost back to Chicago now.  Luckily he'll be back in about three weeks for winter break.

I hope the holiday weekend went well for everyone else.  For those of you who contacted me to wish me happy birthday or happy thanksgiving or both, thanks for thinking of me.  Take care everybody!

Currently Gaming XB The Matrix: Path of Neo By Atari see related

Just saw the new Harry Potter movie.  I have to say that I have been very impressed with these movies.  I love watching them.  The characters are fun and the action is always so intense.  Why is everything in the magic world always about life and death anyway?!  Even there sporting events are potentially lethal and not just to the players!  The people in the stands are just as susceptible to mortal danger as the contestants.  I shall not write about any part of the movie so as not to spoil it for anyone reading this who will be seeing the film, just suffice to say it was great.

I must admit that my urge to see a noon showing of this film on it's opening day was not, however, because I love the series.  Several sources reported that a very special teaser trailer would be attached to this movie and I wasn't disappointed.  Superman Returns!!!!  Obviously this is a big deal for me.  To those of you whom I have shared my doubts and misgivings as to the potential disaster that this movie could be, after seeing even this smallest of previews I am feeling much more confident that DC Comics will at least do the character justice.  Don't misunderstand, the potential for yet another bad translation of this character is still a very, and all too real, possibility.  But having seen what little this clip reveals, I am finally able to put aside some of my fears.  It will be an almost impossible task, in my opinion, to equal and/or top the wonderful piece of cinema that is Batman Begins.  DC Comics has raised the bar for what superhero movies should be.  Let's hope that this trend continues in the newest film starring the greatest hero of them all.

For those of you who haven't yet seen the preview, here is the link:

http://supermanreturns.warnerbros.com/trailer.html

Congrats to Justin for winning tickets to the advanced screening of RENT.  If anyone else won as well, congrats to you too.  If anyone would like to see it again later in the week, let me know and we can try to set something up.  I am really hoping to see it by the end of next week.

I've been playing the new Matrix game, Path of Neo.  Really a fun game if you don't mind terrible cameral views half of the time.  The controls are kinda hard to get used to, but once you get the general hang of it, it's a very entertaining game.  You play through all three films as Neo and the story sidetracks at times to show things that didn't happen in the movies, but are still quite fun and they don't take away from they main story.  I would like it even more if my Xbox wasn't a complete piece of crap and would actually let me get to the end of levels so the game would auto save before it locks up with it's damned "The disk you are using is dirty or damaged" message when I know there is NOTHING WRONG WITH MY DISK BECAUSE YOU SAY THAT ABOUT EVERY DISK I PLAY FOR MORE THAN 10 MINUTES!!!!  YOU JUST SUCK XBOX!!!!

Sorry....  That just kinda slipped....

That's all for now.  Up, up, and away!