UrbanSkies

Whiplash

I start class today: Education Psychology - Individual Learning Skills. It's been recommended by a friend of mine, so I'm eagerly looking forward to it. It's a small class, so there is a lot of class participation. And cute guys, apparently. Speaking of... I'm getting whiplash from swiveling my neck looking at all the new eye candy on campus. Breaks are nice because traffic lessens and there is more abundant parking on campus. However, the semester brings forth the students, and there are so many lovely, lovely students at Texas.

Rick Barnes' squad beat the 5th-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys at the Erwin Center on Big Monday! That was a hell of a game. Texas dominated the second half and never let the 'Pokes back in the game after getting down by double-digits in the first half. The crowd rocked as well, creating an electrifying environment in The Morgue the Erwin Center. It was a redeeming win after such a disappointing loss to aggy.

I need a new entertainment center: my DVD collection is growing too quickly. This past weekend, a gift certificate for Best Buy yielded the following additions: "The West Wing - Season 3", "Latter Days", and "Bush's Brain". Then yesterday, four DVDs arrived that I ordered from Deep Discount DVDs. I highly recommend them if you don't require a timely arrival of the discs; they're significantly cheaper than Amazon and they offer free shipping. More shelving needed for: "Trick", "All Over The Guy", "The Laramie Project", and "Spinning Boris". A good mix of films and moods. I've already watched "Latter Days", "All Over The Guy", and several episodes of The West Wing. I still have a lot more watching to do.

Random worthy links for the day:

Check out this excellent Saturday Night Live skit about "soaking corks".

General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz has a blog. ... an insightful look into the auto world!

Jib Jab has a new vid satirizing Bush's election. Not on the same level as the first two, but still worth a look.

Perhaps part of why blogging is popular? A UT researcher has found how writing can help one deal and heal with upheaval in one's life. Interesting topic. I know writing has helped me a great deal, particularly writing in my offline journal. Of importance is also finding a relaxing place in which to write. As I'm sure I've mentioned, I spend a good deal of time at Mozarts writing, and find that the lakeside setting calms me greatly. Once calm, it's easier to focus on the problem, on the solution, on the next steps to take, on over-arching goals. The setting is very important. It's tantamount to healing.

Unless of course you get whiplash from all the "distractions" at the same location. But that just makes it all the better. *grin*

2004: In Retrospect

I'm currently watching "The Fog of War", the excellent documentary about Robert S. McNamara, the US Secretary of Defense during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. I usually put it in just to listen to the Phillip Glass soundtrack, but I always end up paying attention to the film itself. "The Hours" is also played for the same reason, and usually ends with the same result: me sitting on my couch watching when I should be more active.

Despite its tardiness, here's my 2004:

What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before?

Several things:
1. Start a blog.
2. Go to a therapist.
3. Volunteer at the Bands of America Summer Symposium. This was part of my Journey to Normal.
4. Take a class while working full-time.

Did anyone close to you die?

The director of our department died this year after a long battle with cancer. He was my first boss after being hired full-time out of college, and was an absolutely delightful person to work with. Certainly, one of the most understanding and kind people you could ever meet.

What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004?

More money! But then again, who wouldn't say that?!! Also, more motivation to be active.

What date from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

I don't think any particular date stands out.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Hmmm. I suppose the progress I've made in therapy. From the outside, it probably appears to be more than I give myself credit for, but I still feel like I'm digging a tunnel out of prison using a teaspoon.

What was your biggest failure?

Communication breakdowns. Several come to mind, but the top ones are the interactions with my parents, and the total lack of communication after the C incident at Oil Cans.

What was the best thing you bought in 2004?

I made no major purchases this year. However, there were several small things:

1. The Complete Blue Note and Pacific Jazz Recordings of Clifford Brown
2. A much needed upgrade in wardrobe this year: new polo shirts, new jeans, new shorts, New Balance shoes
3. The new shelves from the Container Store

Where did most of your money go?

Food, bills, loan payments (car, student loans).

What song will always remind you of 2004?

There really isn't one.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder?

On the whole, happier, but not without a lengthy path of sadness to go with it.

Older or wiser?

Wiser.

Thinner or fatter?

The same.

Richer or poorer?

Financially: poorer. Mentally: richer. Emotionally: the same. Spiritually: richer. Physically: the same.

What do you wish you'd done more of?

Exercise. And save money.

What do you wish you'd done less of?

Eating out.

What was your favorite TV program?

1. The Daily Show with John Stewart
2. The Amazing Race

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

I've rediscovered some hatred for certain family members that negatively impacted my youth more than they were entitled.

What was your greatest musical discovery?

Any trumpet recording by Clifford Brown.

Top 3 Music releases in 2004 in your opinion?

Didn't keep up with music this year.

What was your favorite film of this year?

I now realize I didn't see many films in 2004. Most looked awful. However, great films I saw this year include "Super Size Me" and "Sideways". Other excellent films that opened in 2003, but are mentioned now, include "Latter Days" and "My Architect". Not a great film, but one I laughed at was "Team America: World Police".

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Having my parents act responsibly. For a change.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004?

Polo shirts with jeans or shorts. New Balances. I took a small upgrade in clothing, but in 2005, there will be a large upgrade in my appearance, and that includes fashion.

What kept you sane?

My therapist, my job change and my friends.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

There are so many. Matt Damon, Mark Walhberg, Tiki and Ronde Barber, Cooper Anderson, News8 meteorologist Burton Fitzsimmons, plus countless others. However, this list is really no different from any other year.

What political issue stirred you the most?

Both the re-election of this "president" and the pushing of the Federal Marriage Amendment were enormous disappointments this year.

Who did you miss?

Chase. My parents' dog Keila.

Tell of a valuable life lesson learned in 2004:

Look out for yourself. Take care of yourself. No one else will do it for you.

Blogging

There's a great Fortune article about blogging. Some of my favorite quotes:

"There should be someone at every company whose job is to put into Google and blog search engines the name of the company or the brand, followed by the word 'sucks,' just to see what customers are saying."

"[Blogging] is the ultimate word-of-mouth marketing channel."

"If you fudge or lie on a blog, you are biting the karmic weenie."

BTW, searching for "blog" on Google's image search produces some interesting results!

Magic Shoes

I'm getting new shoes from Bite Footwear. This is the most excited I've been about a pair of shoes. Why? Because they 1) look stylish, 2) should be comfortable and support my feet, and 3) will slip on and off easily. My other pair of brown casual shoes damage my feet, and look like crap. I've been meaning to get some new ones for ages, but never found the right pair. Now I don't have to wear tennis shoes to work all the time, and can look slightly more business appropriate. They should be here Friday or early next week.

Champions

So many items to blog about, so little time. Why?

I am going to work out today. I am in the right mood; I feel good; I have all the necessitities (shorts, shoes, etc). There are no excuses. I got in pretty good shape by my birthday, and then just let it all go. That on-again-off-again cycle shall cease. From now on, workouts 3 times a week! No Excuses!

I hurt my back the first day of xmas vacation, and boy did that suck. I was on pain meds the whole time, lounging around my apartment, not wanting to agitate anything. I finally went to my chiropractor who made some adjustments and that helped a lot. I've been wary of going back because he's really spouting off the Jesus talk. That's fine for you to practice and all, but I don't feel comfortable talking to you about some things now, because I'm afraid of a moral judgement that may affect your care of me. I'm sorry. He's a fantastic chiropractor, but I feel it's time for a change.

At some point, I will go through the whole 40-questions-yearly-wrapup spiel that is popular on the blogs these days. Look for that future entry later this week.

I ended the year at Justin's house, just hanging out. I celebrated the Eastern Time Zone switchover with him, and then raced to hang out with Chase (who promised to be my date for my 10 year high school reunion...Thanks Sweetheart!!). When I arrived, Chase was a wee bit tipsy, and spraying Cristol champaigne all over the place like it was F'breeze. "Uh, not on my shirt honey." Then I experienced what I like to term "The Best Hour Of My Life." Well, not really *the* best, but it was pretty damn good. It was certainly the best first hour of any year of my life. Afterwards, Evan drove the "lush"-ious Chase home, and I drove home, my head spinning with delightful sensations and memories. If the rest of the year is like this, then I'll be fantastic!

And I didn't have to wait long for the festivities to continue.

On January 1, I went back to Justin's to watch the Longhorns in the Rose Bowl. Vince Young was incredible, and should be a legitimate Heisman candidate next year. This is one of the best two games I've seen Texas play (the other being the 1996 Big 12 Championship). If you missed, it's your loss. I'm looking to get this on DVD, because I'm sure I'll be watching it for years to come. Right now, everything is flying high for Mack Brown and the Texas football program. Everyone has jumped on the bandwagon.

Speaking of...

I've jumped on a different bandwagon. I'm all about the wrist bands these days. In addition to my Lance Armstrong band, I just got a Go Horns band, and will order a Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps band soon. I'm jumping on this fashion bandwagon now. I am hip. I belong. And I have the $2 wristband to prove it.

In other news, two really good friends of mine are no longer a couple. I've chatted with them both online today, and they are both sad. I feel bad for them. I know one of them is really hurt, and I wish I could do something to help him. I've been there before, yet I could only come up with stupid cliches and platitudes when chatting with him. He'll rebound - he's incredibly cute and sweet and creative. He'll have a new boyfriend just as soon as he wants. The problem is that this was his first love, and those are always the hardest. Hmmm...sometimes I wish I could be a better friend - say something meaningful in these situations. The only thing I can do is be available for both. Hopefully both know this already, but since they both read this blog: I will be here for both of you if you need me for anything.

So all this love chat got me reminiscing about my last break up (3 years ago!!!). I pulled up the archive email files and read through some of the things we emailed back and forth. I forget sometimes that there are good days. Receiving even the smallest bit of attention makes all of life's problems melt away. That's why we humans love, despite the potential heartbreaking consequences. The heart defies the head. And that's why I need to date this year.

I don't make New Years resolutions, because they're forgotten within three days. However, I do implement lifestyle changes. And now is the time to change my unhealthy habits. No more couch potato - back to the gym. No more crappy food - good-bye mayonnaise. No more back pain - hello cardio and weights. Shedding the excess crap from my body will hopefully lead to similar shedding from my mind. Some of the negativity permeating my thoughts will dissipate and I will become a better person. The therapy plateau will be broken, and I will soar!

2005. Texas is the Rose Bowl Champion. That's something I never thought I would write. And here's another: I will be a champion this year. I am going to be hot. I am going to be smart. I am going to win. I will look fantastic, not just for the upcoming high school reunion, but also for the many dates I will have this year. I will fit in the clothes that currently sit in the bottom drawer of my dresser. I will pay off my credit cards. I will continue pushing myself towards graduate school. I will push myself higher and higher. 2005 will be MY championship.

Now get out of my way...I'm off to the gym.