Now That's A Huge Pile Of...

Well, let's just say it's huge.

Computer Woes

Dang it... I hate it when this happens. You're just cruising along, everything's fine and then BAM! Your computer is woefully underpowered to handle the things that you need it to.

So, it looks like I'll be building a new computer for myself pretty soon. The goal will be to keep it under $2K but to make it capable enough to handle anything I'll throw at it over the next two or three years.

As much as I'd love to drop $6K on a high-end graphics workstation, I don't think that that would be a good use of my money...

What's Cuter Than Dogs Playing Poker?

Dogs who do judo!

When Will I Learn?

Okay... So last night, I didn't want to make myself dinner and decided to go out to a local restaurant for a bite to eat and a drink.

Well, one beer led to another and now this morning I'm paying the consequences. I tell you, if 3 or 4 drinks are going to be my limit, I'm going to have to learn how to pace myself on my vacation.

Speaking of vacation, the codeword for the Whistler trip is now "Off-Site Meetings". That way, it won't arouse the suspicions of everybody at work. Heh.

Have I Mentioned Lately That I Love Canadians?

Certainly, Americans can be gun-toting, flag-waving and otherwise nuts. The British can be foppish and their food is crap. Canadians, however, are friendly, courteous and only they would have the wherewithal to do something like this.

Thar She Blows!

Today, it's supposed to be cold, frigid and snowy with blizzard-like conditions. Great... Just great... On the plus side, it looks like I've escaped the worst of the storm.

Why Didn't I Think Of This?

What a great idea!!

Amazing!

I wonder what else this woman can do...

Creeping Facism Alert

Wow... The next thing I expect to hear is that it will be illegal to look at women. Right? Then again, his behavior was rather rude.

8 Days and...

Well, it's certainly not the end of the world. However, this headline shouldn't be read too quickly or else you might end up seeing it as I did the first four times... "Bush Starts Term, Seeks New Tyranny". Oy...

Things That I Think About When I'm Alone

What day is today...? Wednesday, right? I wonder if there's a new South Park on tonight. Anybody catch Lost on ABC? Was it a new episode tonight?

Just got home from Delaware just a little while ago. It's not that far away but between the fog and the other drivers on the road, I'd just as well stick closer to home.

So, for some reason, lately I've been thinking a lot about my ex. I have to wonder what the heck that's all about. Must be some kind of wintering instinct to want to settle down with somebody (anybody?!?) during the cold season or something. At least, that's what I'm blaming it on. Even skiing or ice skating doesn't seem to clear my mind like it used to!

Speaking of skiing... Whistler, baby! Freakin' Whistler! I'm SO looking forward to this trip. Even if conditions bite, it's still going to be fun. I need to remember to bring a camera phone or something with me so I can rub it in with everybody at work.

Well, that's all for now. I'm just rambling (in case you haven't noticed) and probably should stop while I'm ahead. Cheerio!

Customer Appreciation Night!

I heard about this and I can't believe it. I say, "More power to them." While this guy's intrigued, he's not going.

Aw, Man...

It's not like I'm actually depending upon Social Security to be there for me when I'm older... But for Pete's sake can't we just balance the friggin' budget??!!?

As anybody knows, you cannot keep moving credit card balances around and around and around from card to card. Eventually, you have to pay up and I'm sorry to say that when the stuff hits the fan, it's going to be the people who can least afford it who are hit the worst.

Funny But Sad (or is it Sad But Funny?)

This reminds me of an old saying:

When I die and go to Heaven I want to go peacefully in my sleep, just like my grandfather.

Not screaming in terror like everybody else in the car he was driving.

Mother Nature Strikes Back

No, this isn't a doctored photo but a freakish sight that actually happened in California.

The Not-So-Weekly Report

Some progress has been made regarding my resolutions for the year. It looks like things are headed in the right direction after all! I've even taken the effort to prioritize my goals for the year. How about that?

1. No more fast food. Done. (However, do burritos count as fast food?)
2. Get an alarm system. Done.
3. Take some time off to go on a ski trip. Airfare booked and I'm ready to go!
4. Start working out 2-3 times a week again. Yeah... Let me get back to you on this one.
5. Become debt free. It's ambitious but I might actually nail this one.
6. Start a Roth IRA. Before trying to save extra money, I want to hit #5.

I Knew It...

It's official: Baltimore is one of the fattest cities in America. However, not all is lost!

Congratulations on moving from #23 in 2004 to #25 for 2005; perhaps in time, Baltimore can be as good as the place I moved here from or at least as good as Washington, DC. Perhaps.

Now They've Gone Too Far!!

PETA should really pick their battles better.

Here's a hint: stick to cute, fuzzy, fluffy and/or friendly animal issues that people can associate themselves with.

Good For Her!

A woman follows her conscience and turns in somebody who deserves it. In other news, police arrested the woman for prostitution.

We Need To Hold Parents Accountable!

If every family had parents like these, I truly believe that the world would be a better place.

Late-Breaking Terrorist Alert

Beware of old friends.

Shh...

It's my birthday. Blogging will continue after the hangover has subsided.

2005 Resolutions

Based on what I've learned from the past year, here are some ideas for me to improve my life in 2005, in no particular order:

• Start a Roth IRA.
• Get an alarm system.
• Become debt free.
• Start working out 2-3 times a week again.
• No more fast food.
• Take some time off to go on a ski trip.

2004: A Year In Review

What a year it's been!

In the first quarter, I traveled periodically for business and pleasure. I gave up my final fears about skiing after breaking my leg and began to embrace the sport all over again.

In the first part of the second quarter, I traveled a lot for business because I was changing roles and responsibilities. In the remainder of second quarter, I spent getting myself situated and comfortable with my new environment which is significantly different from where I'd just spent the last 11 years of my life. That's progress for you though!

The third quarter saw me crisscrossing the United States for business. Good times! I learned a valuable lesson: sign up EARLY for those frequent flyer reward programs.

The fourth quarter saw me come into my own. I had to strike out on my own in certain regards to make things happen in my personal life. I also suffered from some serious skiing withdrawals until mid-December (unacceptable!).

So, what have I learned from everything that's happened this past year?

1. All snowbunnies are cool in my book.
2. Living in the inner city doesn't mesh well with my lifestyle.
3. Moving sucks. The sense of adventure is great but the changes and costs can be overwhelming.
4. There are a lot of single, attractive women out there BUT that doesn't necessarily mean that they are nice people or worth spending any attention on.
5. I shouldn't have stopped going to the gym...

Anyway, farewell to 2004 and salutations to 2005!