On the horizon...

1. It's not that I drank that much to begin with, but I haven't had a soda in two weeks. Less caffeine headaches and a great way to prepare for #2.

2. Tomorrow "morning," at 5:30, I am starting a four-week boot camp. It's five days a week, for one hour each session. It's basic core strength and cardio endurance. Should be interesting...

3. Since graduation last May of '06, I've read over 40 books. I read the classic canon, contemporary novels, non-fiction, titles from my favorite authors, and a short-list of recommendations from the people I trust the most. It could have been more; however, I took a hiatus from all "frivolous" things when I was teaching. Barely enough time to sleep, reading became something I just wasn't able to do.

4. In the same vein, since last May, I've watched over 60 movies. I've really enjoyed watching all those classics you say you will and never do, brushing up on my favorite directors, and partaking in some wacky documentaries.

5. So, let's say that, between the book reading and Netflix, as well as my recent, meager attempt to teach myself Flash, 3D Max, and CS3, all add up to an education that didn't stop when I left BG. My learning process has simply shifted back to the things that give me true joy.

6. Three more things to fix on my car: small dent on the passenger-side door; small tear in the driver's seat leather; and, my headunit's faceplate hinge is busted. I figure one job per paycheck and I should be ready to sell the my darling Warrior and get me a fresh model ready to do some road-tripping. I'm thing Mazda3 or Toyota Matrix--both over 30mph, both safe and reliable, both with great resale. It will probably come down to what it costs to insure.

7. And now, for something totally different: my best girlfriend from Pittsburgh is pregnant with her second child! YAY! Double YAY! Here's the funny thing that not all of you may understand. She caters at Heinz Field and makes, essentially, a whole year's salary in five months. Thus, it was her goal to not be pregnant during football season. I cracked up when she called :)

8. As most of you know by now, ASU declined both of my applications for teaching positions, which I guess is okay considering I can't bankroll a move to Tempe right now. So, I'm going to resubmit my resume and transcripts to Anthem and, hopefully, pick up a few sections of english and/or art courses.

9. One of these days, I wish I could no longer be a part of everyone else's drama at work. One of these days, I wish my boss would stop picking on me. On of these days, I look forward to working at a healthy company, not this toxic, fingerpointing bullshit, with not a dysfunctional department in sight. Until that day, I am learning a great lesson. I am learning to re-grasp my own fate; to focus on what I want and what I need; to move forward regardless of what tries to hold me back.

10. Just saw the Deftones on Friday. Wicked good show at the Mesa Amphitheater. Had fun sitting in the grass and drinking $8 Bud Light. I've got the Memorial Day weekend trip to Cali coming up, with much fun visiting friends and family, I'm sure. I'm gonna do Burbank, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and Hermosa Beach. Might go with Julia to see M. Ward and Norah Jones second week of June. I really love to see M. Ward, after digging him on the road trip, and I haven't seen Norah since her first record. I'm sure her stage presence has improved since then! Then, last day of June, I fly to Sandy Pond for eight days of vaca and my birthday. End of August, Manson will be touring down here, and you can be damn sure I'll be there Second weekend of September, I'll be in BG for Black Swamp. I'm going to extend my stay by a day, because the Steelers first regular season game is that Monday versus the Brownies. Sometime after that trip I'll be buying a new car. So, in the end, I've got a lot of amazing things on my horizon. In the short term, I'll check in soon and let you all know how sore I am from boot camp...

P.S. So, I already have a full version of his new album, Eat Me, Drink Me. Usually, I would refuse the offer of receiving such goods; however, I was hungover Saturday and in an awful mood for having to go in to work. When Brett offered to burn it for me, I said yes. Anyhoo, I'm going to go ahead and say that I believe it to be his best work ever. It's technically perfect, musically sound, whimsical, dripping with extravagant '70s-esque guitar solos, and cream-filled with that singularly distinguishable voice of Manson we've all come to know and love. If you are now, or have ever considered being, a Marilyn Manson fan, THIS is the album to start with (of course, you'll then have to slowly work your way backward and buy everything else as well, but that's just my opinion of the guy...).