Happy New Year

I was supposed to go to a massive bear party on New Year's Eve, bought the ticket and everything, but at the last minute, I decided that spending the night in close quarters with a bunch of drunk, sweaty men I didn't know wasn't exactly what I wanted for my New Year's Eve. And frankly, as with Xmas, I didn't really want anything for the night. So, I opted, instead, for a couple of hours of WoW and then a trip to see Volver finally. I had forgotten about the movie completely, and I'm so glad that I remembered it before it left the theaters. Loved it. All hail Pedro.

And today, I went to the park to find some peace and quiet...and to read a book that I just got. I read about thirty pages into it when I ran into a guy I met several months ago, someone very spiritual who helped me understand a lot more than I ever had before. I'll call him my minor guru. I'm not sure he would like that title, but it seems to fit for now. And when I met him today, I knew it was just what the doctor ordered. I have been stewing and moping and wallowing about the couple that I met, both of whom have consumed me in their own special way, and he reminded me, gently, to get over it and stop worrying about it. The "maya" is not worth it. Whatever will happen will happen. I met them and started a friendship (for lack of a more detailed, specific term) with them for a reason, and though that reason is unclear to me at this point, it's supposed to be, otherwise it wouldn't be. Could it be any more simple?

He also encouraged me to resume my attempts at meditation as a way of finding these answers for myself. I have tried it before, but it always put me to sleep, and I guess that's OK after all. I just have to practice at remaining conscious. That may be the hardest part.

It's a great feeling to be able to say to this amateurish drama, "Enough. Go away. You're not important," and then get on with life. I may have to create that as my mantra, because it's a hell of a lot easier to fall back into the drama, but it's worth it to see the way out.

Creature Comforts

So I went to Costco last night with Former Roommate and spent way too much...no, he spent way too much on food. And you shoulda seen it. It was almost $600 worth of meat, veggies, canned goods, staples; you name it, he bought it. And then you shoulda seen my poor little VW laden with all $600 worth of supplies. It was tight.

I went with because I needed to buy a few things of my own, including this sweet little set of speakers that I've wanted like forever and which were only $46.99! Gurrrl. OMG. They're sweet indeed. How could I pass that up? So as soon as I got home, I plugged them all in and felt the rumble of the subwoofer and was in heaven. I love it. And so of course I had to play WoW for a while, lvl'ing up my priestess to 29 (it's taking forever to lvl her up) and listening to the audio of the game on these new speakers. It's pretty cool I must say.

Had another blood draw this morning. I was up at 6:30 a.m. to the furnace blasting hot air into my room, so I had no choice but to be on time today. Last week I was late. Bad story. I'm almost done with the regular visits. I have only four more visits in total, and the study will be over. Kinda sad. And though it's a double-blind study, chances are pretty great that I received the study drug, so it will be my last vaccine study. That's even more sad. I don't mind being a guinea pig.

Tonight is Dreamgirls with the SF Moviebears. We got free tickets because of the Superman Returns in IMAX fiasco last July. Can't pass up a free ticket. Yay. It doesn't hurt that this is one of the most recommended movies around right now. Happy.

Five Books

Got this from the Princess:

1. Take five books off your bookshelf.
2. Book 1 – first sentence
3. Book 2 – last sentence on page fifty
4. Book 3 – second sentence on page one hundred
5. Book 4 – next to the last sentence on page one hundred fifty
6. Book 5 – final sentence of the book
7. Make the five sentences into a paragraph:

It's hard being left behind. I drew a great couch out of its place near the corner, so that, as I lay, I could look at the lovely view to east and south, and unthinking of and uncaring for the dust, composed myself for sleep. Already the rapid walking had somewhat mitigated my excitement; and with a firm and steady tread, I paced the garden walk. An Elephant in her disguise as a human princess, a Scarecrow with painted features, a glittering tiara under which to glow and glide in anonymous glamour. So pleasing to the eye.

1. The Time Traveler's Wife – Audrey Niffenegger
2. The Essential Dracula – Bram Stoker
3. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall – Anne Bronte
4. Son of a Witch – Gregory Maguire
5. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim – David Sedaris

Dreamgirls was absolutely amazing. Everyone should see it...if not just for the hair, heels, and attitude. And it looks like the next Moviebears pick of the week will be Pan's Labyrinth which looks too delightful for words. Friday night is a blur, so I apologize deeply if I offended you or kissed you inappropriately. OMG. What am I turning into? Saturday was bliss, sheer unadulterated bliss. Thank you, Mr. You Know Who You Are.

Sunday is Sunday, and my fresh clean laundry smells so good.

Monday Monday

Another blood draw this morning. My blood pressure was way down to 102/80. That's amazing to me. I am hoping that it's not just a temporary thing, and I wonder if it's because of two months without a cigarette and all the walking I've been doing. As I was looking at the tubes of blood this morning, I had to wonder why it's so hard for movies/tv/etc. to get the color of blood just right. It's always off, and it's usually too runny. Shouldn't they have perfected that by now? And what's with wine being all like kool-aid? I never understood that.

Sunday ended very well. I went to dinner with Pharmbear, who brought along a few maps and guide books to help me prepare for my trip to London in May. He has been there many more times than I have, and he's much more social than I am, so I thought he could clue me in to some other places to visit. And he did. I've got a lot of planning to do. So far, the trip is eleven days, four of which is mostly travel, taking advantage of the Memorial Day holiday to get me a couple extra days for free. And It's all in London and Essex (sadly). I'm going to visit a couple of guys I met last time I was in Palm Springs. They have a bear event going on the last weekend in May, so I thought I would check that out and visit them at the same time. And dinner with Pharmbear was very enjoyable. I ended Sunday watching Barefoot Contessa and admiring her kitchen. Her kitchen is perfect.

Very boring Monday. I'm starting classes again, this time in a completely different direction, and tonight I'm going to finalize the application process. With any luck, I'll start my first class on 25 January. Should be an interesting change of pace.

Meh, screw it. Can't think of anything else.

To See or Not to See

Well, boys and girls, guess who needs glasses? After all this time, I finally caved in and got my eyes checked. I have been getting headaches from staring at the computer all day long, my eyes get dry and tired at the end of the day, so duh, you should get them checked out. This morning, I had the whole battery of tests done, and while my eyes are healthy, and while I still have 20/15 long distance vision, I do need reading/computer glasses. I'm farsighted. Who knew?

I've always wanted glasses because they're a cool accessory, but now that I need them, I'm hating it. Why is that? Yeah, I know, denial. I have had a hard time reading books and magazines lately because my eyes get so tired and I can't concentrate. Now I know that it's because they spend all their time focusing and trying to adjust to the small type so close to my face. I'm turning into my mother who pushes reading material to arm's length in order to see it. OMG.

I'll get them in about a week, so we'll see...no pun intended. I'm sure I'll have to take pictures...OMG. So weird. I should watch the ep of The Brady Bunch where Jan gets her glasses and doesn't want to wear them and she crashes into the portrait of the kids which was a gift to Mike and Carol, etc... As usual, overdramatizing. It's my job. I do it well.

And in other news: The Burning Crusade is finally among us. I'm about to leave for lunch in my own quest for a copy of the software. I'm very excited about this expansion pack, even though I'm still only Level 32! I'm hooked. I'm an addict. I need my fix. There you go.

Because I'm Bored

1. Adventured to: Vancouver (on a great, unforgettable road trip), Ireland, England, New York, France, and all over the US
2. Best Friends: SP
3. Cohabitants: Sergio
4. Desire(s): To find inner peace.
5. Eye Color: Green
6. Favorite Food(s): Pesto anything, pizza, tortellini, curry – I'm currently hooked on curry
7. Games: World of Warcraft
8. Habit(s): Breathing, eating cookies, listening to the iPod, staying up far too late at night
9. Interests: typography, foreign languages, computers
10. Job: technical publisher for a pharmaceutical company
11. Kitchen (Wonder or Blunder?): Not enough COUNTERSPACE!!!
12. Languages: English, French
13. Most Valued Possession(s) (an item, not people/pets): my big beautiful iMac, my iPod, my fluffy comfy goose down vest, all of my Keens.
14. Not nice things: Impatience, indifference (but not always)
15. Outfit You Love: Any of my long sleeved polos with jeans, my army mesh Keens, and my fluffy comfy goose down vest.
16. Pizza Toppings: olives, pesto, sausage, peppers, lots of cheese
17. Question Asked To You the Most: "How are you today?" like they have to find out Michael's Weather Forecast before continuing on with the conversation. "Is he pissy? Is he happy? Gosh, we just can't tell!" I'm not really that bad. Why are people so afraid of me?
18. Relationship/Partner: Nope
19. Sport: Walking. Otherwise, nope.
20. Television Show(s): Battlestar Galactica, Barefoot Contessa, wow...I've stopped watching TV altogether. Buffy, Charmed, all Star Trek, Dead Like Me...OMG why did they cancel that show!!!!!
21. Unsavory characteristic(s): Takes life too seriously, does not live up to potential, mumbles when speaking...
22. Video (Favorites): Grease, Dial "M" for Murder, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Run Lola Run
23. Webpage (Favorite--not your own): Specialtys, Bear 411, Digg
24. Xylophone (or other Instrument?): Not currently
25. Year Born: 1971
26. Zodiac Sign: Cancer

I haven't got my glasses yet.

I'm starting classes tonight. I'm going back to school to get my BS in IT, which is equivalent to a BS in Geekdom. So after my name I'll have BSG. OMG!! Starbuck is so a cylon.

Four Eyes

OK, got the specs. They're weird to get used to, but they really do make a difference in reading and doing stuff on screen. Everything's more clear and just a skosh bigger. I'm not sure about the frames though. Take a look.