Post for my Peeps

I had a relaxing Christmas...well-fed, and well-rested. Christmas Eve service started at 6pm and wasn't more than an hour in length, which allowed us plenty of time to throw a bunch of appetizers in the oven and watch RV (better flick than anticipated) with the family. I got to thinking that this time was more special than usual, what with Colin leaving for four months to tour with stereotrap across Canada and with me hopefully settled somewhere into a career by the time he gets back.

We didn't open presents much before 11am on Christmas Day because we all slept in! I was spoiled rotten...got a few Xbox 360 games, a few books (looking forward to the Secret Mulroney Tapes as soon as I stop writing my "book"), season 5 of 24, a talking Elmo (I have a fascination with these talking robots) some clothes and some odds and ends for my future place. I also ended up getting Switchfoot's new CD a day before the rest of the world, thanks to Colin (I snapped up tickets for Switchfoot before Christmas...I just couldn't risk waiting). I made sure Colin was well stocked entertainment-wise for his tour by getting him a computer game for his laptop and a book written by Anderson Cooper, who he seems to admire, in case he gets bored with his game (not likely). Got the parents tickets to go see Colin James, hoping all the while that my dad didn't buy them first for Mom...

Col and I used up our CD Plus scratch and win tickets on Boxing Day. He ended up with about 10 DVDs for his trip, and I got Seasons 1 & 2 of the Office (UK edition), Little Miss Sunshine and Thank You For Smoking for dirt cheap. Spent the rest of the night with the extended family, feasting on ham, perogies and jello fingers, getting career tips and relaxing. I ended up with yet another singing robot in the gift exchange, this time of the Dean Martin variety.

Oddly enough, I've done a lot of work on my thesis over the holidays. I'll be editing Chapter 3 tomorrow after work, which will put me at approximately 64 pages out of a minimum of 75. 11 pages to play with for a conclusion...I can do that. I was worried I'd have 20 left! I'm hoping I can edit and defend this bloody paper in February (fingers crossed).

Spending New Year's Eve out in Dalmeny at Dana and Zach's place with good friends, chips and dip. Speaking of New Years, I've already made a few resolutions (usually I think they're STUPID), but since this very well could be a year with a lot of change for yours truly, there's a few things I want to accomplish: graduate, settle into a new job, and I'm keeping the other 2 to myself...I'll let you know if I achieve the secret ones!

Hope you had a great Christmas, and all the best in 2007! I leave 2006 wanting to laugh heartily...and I immediately thought of Paul Timberman.

Danger isn't my middle name...it's party

I'm trying my darndest to get Chapter 3 done before Christmas...it actually could happen, so I'll keep this blog quick and to the point.

I'm getting some good laughs from this Donald Trump-Rosie O'Donnell feud. I don't find either of them particularly likeable, so I can sit back and enjoy this! I will say this though...I'm glad Trump called out O'Donnell in public for being so friggin' annoying...it actually needed to be said YEARS ago. Although delivered rather harshly, it's nice to see Rosie get a taste of her own medicine for a change.

So many Christmas parties this week...it was good connecting with people I don't see as much as I used to. The late nights associated with these parties are starting to catch up with me though...I can't believe people can party like this week in, week out! I'm a 44 year old man in a 24 year old body.

I'm feeling pretty burnt out, so it'll be nice to have 2-3 days to eat, sleep and be merry.

Enjoy the holiday season, and remember to reflect upon the REAL reason why we celebrate this time of year.

I close with Youtube, Christmas-style.

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I need something to do before bed, so I figured a blog update was in order whilst listening to a plethora of music...P.O.D., Rise Against, Our Lady Peace, Mobile, Alien Ant Farm, Switchfoot...I'm all over the musical map this evening. Not sure if I want to rock out or power down...

I pretty much finished my Christmas shopping today. I prefer to do it all at once on Christmas Eve purely for the adrenaline rush and because I really don't know what to buy people. Alas, the 24th is on a Sunday this year, rendering my participation in the mall madness meaningless this season. All I have left to do is buy a $10 gift exchange dealy and compile an Extra Foods gift basket for the family.

Speaking of Extra Foods, I've been thinking of quitting relatively soon. It's been a gong show over there for the last month or so and I've been dreading most of the days I'm there lately. After 5 years of stupid shirts, stupid ties and stupid customers, I've almost had it. So do I quit now so I can wrap up my thesis and start looking for a career, or do I hold on to a flexible, well-paying job until the very last minute? I'll think about that over the holidays...

I don't have much left to do for my thesis. I'm working on my last major argument for Chapter 3, which is basically a tedious regurgitation of notes. Then I have my overall conclusion (Chapter 4), a few interviews with yet-to-be-determineds and whatever editing needs to be done. I've found it really hard to work on this lately...inexcusably, I'm lacking in motivation to finish this.

I'm going to try and insert a Youtube link at the end of every post, now that I think I know how to do so. Let's find out if they work....TOGETHER!