It's a beautiful and rather warm day, for the end of October.

I remember, as a kid growing up in northern Wyoming, having snow every single halloween.. leading to a winter parka and occasionally snowboots ruining my costume. Even back home, it looks like it will be snow-free evening.

Today, October ends, and I didn't get my wish for an early snowfall... but I'll live. Winter is right around the corner, after all! ;^)

So, dress up, attend a party, eat something that's bad for you, and have a fun night!

What i'm listening to:

Who's Crying Now
Journey
Escape

So, I've been invited to this hallowe'en party tomorrow night. It was originally going to take place at the club, but after it's closing, one of the club girls moved it to her house.

Should be fun, right?

Of course, my ideas are frequently quite late. I've been trying to figure out where I can find an English bowler... with no luck. My costume doesn't require it, but it would add a nice touch to it.

And I'll have to work on my British accent tonight. It's been a while since I've used it, and I would like for it not to suck tomorrow night.

Today, I grabbed a quick sandwich from my favorite coffee shop, and exchanged my usual banter with "Amy." She got a kick when I told her what I was going to dress up as, and she told me she wanted to be a slutty school girl, but she doesn't do heels, so she opted to go heavy on the bling, get a grill and be a wannabe sista.

She's cute... she can probably pull it off. I wonder if she'll take pictures?

Today, I've started the wheels in motion on planning trips to Greece, Hungary and Argentina. I'm not sure which order they will occur in, but it's never too early to start planning. At least the Greece trip is set in stone, but since it is part of a university course... it is also the most expensive and causes the most concern.

Right now, anyway... but let's see if we can't change that! ;^)

So, tonight I have a class, then the annual lecture at the university regarding the social history of the vampire... that I wouldn't miss on a bet! Then I need to pick up some hair coloring for tomorrow.

There are a couple of places I may be able to find a bowler in town yet. We'll see if I can find one. I haven't tried Sally Ann's yet.

Should I be concerned that my soda is chewy? I guess the fridge is set a wee bit on the cold side.

Finally, I'm guessing tomorrow night's party would be a fabulous night to bring along the ingredients for a Vesper martini. I hope she has gin... perhaps I'll send her a quick text and find out. ;^)

What i'm listening to:

Seventeen
Winger
Winger

Ok, I've alluded to this before. I've been working on getting video off of my DVDs and onto my file server so it can feed my iPod with my favorite standby movies... ones that I'll watch if I'm in a situation where I have nothing better to do.

Granted that doesn't happen very often... only boring people get bored, right?

However, mostly I'm thinking of when I travel... whether it's an overnight road trip or away for the week.

Anyway, I've rediscovered a short film that's on the DVD for Century Hotel called Moon Palace. I remember it blew me away the first time I saw it, and after watching again for the first time in a few years, I still love it.

"It's time to change your life and take flight."

The film is quirky, and I highly recommend finding a copy of Century Hotel so you can watch it. The main feature is incredible as well, but the short is the hidden gem.

I think I respect the film even more now... because I've come to realize that my "future, although it may appear cloudy at present, is actually very auspiscious."

Today, I happened upon a pre-release copy of Britney's new album. Just the notion that I would listen to it would make most of my friends cringe and cower in fear (although personally, I'm finding that not one of them knows me as well as he or she thought!), but I gave it a listen just the same.

It's a solid pop album. I would say that it is the best of her career, and unlike most pop albums, I made it through each song without skipping a track, which says something to me.

I don't know if I'd promote it as great... but then I know I wouldn't need to. The album is going to sell a bajillion copies to lovers and haters alike... many people will buy just out of morbid curiosity of what one blog calls "America's favorite train wreck."

It's definitely a dance album, and Spears and her producers put together something they can be proud of, and something that should make a lot of money. Something that deserves to make money.

Of course, while I'm not a fan of Britney, I do think that the media wanna-be's on the internet are largely responsible for at least some of her problems. I'm not saying that she wouldn't screw up if she wasn't under the scrutiny of the online community 24/7, but people need to realize that it isn't a big deal.

Just because she lives in a different world, loves the attention and commands a presence whether she wants to or not, doesn't mean she doesn't still shit, shave and sleep. Seriously, what would the world find out if the cameras followed one of the haters around with such enthusiasm?

Give the girl a break. She's only 25... she's supposed to be an idiot! I cannot think of a single girl in her early to mid-twenties who isn't. It's just most of them don't have the media and internet exposing every flaw.

Besides, we learn from our mistakes... and we should be allowed to without going through the trauma of the world judging us because of our mistakes.

Why can't we extend Britney, Lindsay, Paris, and all of the other celebutantes the same privilege. I know this will never happen, but ideally people definitely need to get a life and stop caring so much about the lives of others. We need to stop using the misfortunes of stupid celebrities (who are young and entitled to be stupid) to make us feel better about our own train wreck of a life.

If we really want to help rescue Britney, we need to stop judging her. Let her be twenty-five.

What i'm listening to:

Piece of Me
Britney Spears
Blackout

So, I've been going through another stretch where I just haven't felt like writing. This weekend, that'll change... because it'll be time to stick my nose back into my history projects.

At least I'm returning to some semblance of normalcy. I've returned to the gym, I've attempted to stop skipping meals, and my sleep is beginning to balance back out.

I haven't gone out and socialized, however. I'm not going to say that is a bad thing. It will be, and I'll need to begin my quest for a new place to hang out, but for now, I'm cool with it.

In lieu of clubbing, though, I'll at least need to put myself in social situations. I need to keep building my comfort level with being social. When I'm spending a great deal of time alone at the house, it is way too easy to get back into my old thought patterns and habits.

Way too easy. And waaaay less fun.

For instance, one fun thing that I've realized lately is that women don't like to be ignored. Just the other day, I was visiting my favorite coffee shop and ordering a sandwich from a girl I'd never seen there before.

From her behavior, she thought I wasn't funny, or I was just an ass, or something. Anyway, I wasn't getting anywhere with my flirting. Not a big deal... I've learned that some girls just aren't "fun."

Anyway, "Amy" returns to behind the counter from her break, and we start chatting. The conversation goes from iPods to cars to money to jobs... which for someone who used to hardly have two words for me, is pretty impressive. Anyway, this brought the new girl into the conversation... but the impression I was getting was that she didn't want to get left out of it. She even got pretty pushy about staying in it.

Of course, I just found it all amusing. Really, everything is very amusing when you look at it from the right angle!

So, there are benefits to being social. I have to say I'm learning more now than ever before... which is a good thing, and the pay off will be incredible! =^)

What i'm listening to:

Break It Down Again
Tears for Fears
Elemental

So, for the most part, I've been flying under the radar for the past several weeks. I spent a couple of weeks holed up in my home working fervently on my history project... to a point where I just kind of broke down last week.

No, not a nervous breakdown. Just to the point where I needed to stop. I needed to get my life back.

Friday and Saturday night were both spent at the club. Just another couple of fun nights... but with the dark cloud looming overhead.

Early Sunday morning, when everyone was finally leaving, it was like the last day of high school... except no one wanted to leave. Some of the girls were crying.

But everyone will survive. That much is certain. Maybe, someday, there'll be some place else to go as well.

Today, I attended a luncheon at the university. The luncheon's purpose was to promote the summer class which includes a trip to Greece.

Now, I've been very excited about the prospect of overseas travel for a long, long time... and now my opportunity is here. Three weeks in the magical isles.

How much fun will that be? Waiting until next May might just prove to be a difficult task, but three full weeks in a foreign land. Imagine the possibilities!

Something to look forward to!

And, as if I didn't have enough to look forward to... there is a new Harold and Kumar movie due out next year! The trailer is available at What would NPH do?

Yes, that movie is on one of my lists. =^)

What i'm listening to:

Back in Black
AC/DC
Back in Black

Today, I'm in mourning. I just learned that my favorite club... which I haven't been to in the past few weeks... is closing Saturday night.

I have a date Saturday night in Kansas City, so I won't even be there for the big blowout.

So, it looks like I'll be going out tonight. I'll need to take advantage of my VIP status one last time, before it's gone. There are no other clubs like this in the area, so if I really want to continue with the club scene I'll probably have to move.

Which I wouldn't mind doing anyway... It seems like I already know too many of the ladies here. I want to live somewhere where I can virtually meet someone new every night for a year.

That would be fun, wouldn't it?

However, there just aren't any bars in town that I enjoy. I have a friend who says that I'm not very adaptable, which is a fair statement. I do need to be more adaptable. However, do I have to like sports bars? It was fun hanging out in a club when the ladies are ALWAYS dressed up... and now that will be gone.

So, tonight I'll have to go and see if I can get some phone numbers. Where will I find the few ladies I've counted on seeing at the club?

At least I wasn't the last to find out... but I'm still sad.

Maybe someone will buy it and continue provide this rarity. If only I had the resources, I would.

I'm afraid that would take more than a PayPal Donate button on the page, though. Ideally, I'd like to be able to buy it as a project that can run with a reasonable net loss... just to keep it as it is today.

Oh, did I mention that this is the place that helped me through the rough patch last summer? Didn't think so. Funny how a place can mean so much after such a short amount of time.

C'est la vie...

What i'm listening to:

Malibu
Hole
Celebrity Skin

Everything in my life is derailed. So, the question now is this: How do I get back on track?

I'm burned out. I suppose I should have seen this coming with all of my extra-curricular activities... but I really did enjoy having something going all the time.

A couple of years ago, I made the decision to become a history major. It seemed like a logical decision... since I just eat up anything history related. However, I think I'm more of a history hobbyist. A dilettante, if you will. I enjoy reading about something and thinking, "Wow, I didn't know that." Then I enjoy doing some more quick research and knowing just a bit more about the subject, then moving on.

I guess I never gave much thought to becoming a "historian." Being a historian requires a LOT of work. There's a lot of book finding, reading, analyzing, and then there's a lot of writing.

Then there's attributing credit to sources, and editing, and more reading, more sources, more writing... and it all takes so much time.

Enough time, in fact, that I find I don't have time for much else.

Which is bad... and the source of my burnout. I can feel the depression lurking below the surface. I miss socializing, I miss the ladies. Plus, the longer I go without using my new social skills, the further below the surface they'll sink.

So, this week has been a week "off." I need to work towards that harmonious balance of eating, sleeping, working, exercising and recreation. True, that balance may not actually exist, but if I quit striving to find it I'm going to lose everything I've worked for since the "before time."

And I've been experiencing these headaches. They aren't migraines, in fact, they aren't even particularly painful... it's more of a numbing sensation. I'm certain it's stress-related... a result of trying to do too much.

Additionally, I'm having a hard time maintaining state... hence my depression fears. Of course, I'm sure that's all from the stress I've been putting on myself too.

So, what's next? How do I re-organize an already full schedule to insure I have time to do everything? I suppose the logical first step is to make a list of what I need to do, prioritize it, estimate how long it will take to complete each activity, set reasonable goals and deadlines.

And stick with it. No one thing is so important that everything else can fall away... that's the prize I need to keep an eye on.

You know what, I feel better already! Sometimes, you just need to write things out to figure out the next plan, or to get through a mental block. Hmm... that's a valuable note in itself... since there are plenty of mental blocks I seem to set up for myself.

Back to reframing... it's not that I can't do it, it's what do I need to do to make it possible?

Finally, I'm starting to have the "snow" dreams. I can't wait! =^)

What i'm listening to:

Whip-Smart
Liz Phair
Whip-Smart

So far, all of my efforts to recover my priceless iTunesDB file from my iPod have proven fruitless. It looks like I'll be starting over in training my mp3 players to know what songs I like more than others.

I wonder how difficult it will be since I want to "auto-update" which means each change will be synced with my Mac.

I am debating using my last known good backup of iTunesDB... from my iPod woes last winter when the problem was reversed... the DB file was fine, but the songs were missing.

All that will be lost is the summer. Let's see, what happened since last winter in music.

Umbrella happened, which propelled Rihanna into the stratosphere. I discovered club music, Regina Spektor and Feist. Ozzy, Avril and Kelly each released new albums. I rediscovered the first Pet Shop Boys album as well as Bryan Ferry. I saw Casino Royale, which instantly landed in my Top-20, and I fell in love with the soundtrack. I *finally* added Exposé's Exposure to my 80s collection. And spring, then summer came with no new album from Rachael.

And apparently, I hated most of the music I added to my iPod in August... with the exception of my rediscovery of Elvis and my introduction to Lisa Marie's music.

So, not much... however there is the question of what to do about the songs that I've listened to SOOO many times that I still like them, but I'm pretty burned out on. Last month, I'd added the perfect smart playlist to accommodate those. Since those songs are old timers, restoring from that backup file will identify them.

Yeah, that's the ticket.

I have to admit that my curiosity got the best of me last night... and now I can read my email, check the weather, take notes, and utilize Google maps... all from my iPod.

Plus, I can play NES games... which is fun. =^)

Which means I need to revive the brick. This new iPod has too many distractions (one of my original fears about owning an iPod video), so I'd like to have another option... especially for those boring days at work.

Kinda like this one. I do wish it would stop raining. Bleah!

What i'm listening to:

Family Man
Hall & Oates
H₂O

Last night was glorious!

Seriously, I don't remember getting sleep feeling so wonderful! Of course, it was a cool night and I was sleeping in freshly laundered, thousand thread-count sheets...

Mmmm... I wish I was back there!

And it was cool enough this morning, it took some persuading to get me out of bed. Why couldn't I have had one of those dreams last night which feature car alarms or sirens or whatever it is that enables me to sleep through my alarm some mornings?

Well, tonight I'll have to get back to work. Plenty more work on two history projects remain... plus I haven't devoted enough time to learning my lines for class.

Hopefully I can finally figure out how to manage my time better. Everything went out the window over the weekend. I didn't sleep, I didn't eat, I didn't go to the gym. Kinda reminds me of the gal from Soul Man: I don't have to eat, I don't have to sleep, I just have to study.

Wow, that was a terrible movie... but I must confess that I did enjoy it. I'm working on compiling a series of lists. I'm interested in building Top-20 lists featuring favorite "good" movies and favorite "bad" movies.

I want to do the same with music as well. And television. Of course, the television shows are long since cancelled... most after a handful of episodes.

Which leads me to my initial thoughts on the new iPod. Overall, I really like it. The display is awesome, for album art and video... in fact, I've had to upgrade some of my album art, because the images gleaned from AllMusic revealed compression artifacts (acceptable) and flaws (unacceptable) that bothered me on the display. The cover flow is great fun to play with, and the wi-fi is everything I'd hoped it would be. I still haven't gotten used to the keyboard, though. You can add contacts on the fly as well.

Being able to check my email and surf YouTube before getting out of bed this morning was a treat! I get a huge kick out of this from last weekend's Saturday Night Live!

But, I don't like the volume control. It is too close to the song navigation, and you can't just touch the bar to "drop" the volume... you have to drag it. I also miss the song position indicator. It's still there, but you have to tap the screen to get it to appear. I'd be happy with merely a timer.

Also, I imagine the "24-hour" battery life that Apple was touting is if you allow the display to sleep and lock after a minute, which is the default setting. Unfortunately, when the display goes out, you have to hit either the home or wake button to wake it up, then slide the unlock before you can change tracks or adjust the volume or pause the track. Too many extra steps if the phone rings or someone approaches your desk.

Perhaps the backlight going out without the display going dark would be a potential solution?

I miss the "notes" feature. Also, while different navigation doesn't lend to the games my brick and nano have, I would think Brick Out would be viable! I don't understand why they don't allow you to add items to the calendar. From what I understand, you can on the iPhone.

All in all, I really enjoy my new toy. I wish I had the time to set it up proper... because of its size, I want it to trade music off to keep the playlists fresh based on ratings, skips and play counts, and to effectively manage that I'll need to have iTunes manage my music automatically. It's currently set on manual for the sake of having something to listen to today.

Over the weekend, I think I'll rip a couple of DVDs so I can put movies on it for whenever. I think Swingers, Flash Gordon and The Adventures of Ford Fairlane are on the short list, since those are a couple I can watch whenever. Hence my need for favorite movie lists.

If only I had time. I guess winter break isn't too far off. For now, I'll settle for what's on it and being able to drop songs onto it on a dime. It can wait, but the school work cannot.

What i'm listening to:

Objects in the Rearview Mirror...
Meat Loaf
Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell

OMG! Rachael Yamagata was in town earlier this month... and I totally missed it!

How did this happen?

Of course, I've not gone out at all in the last several weeks... but normally I hear SOME buzz.

Oh well, I'm sure I'll get over it. With her new album coming out soon, I'd think she'll be touring again very soon.

Yes, very soon.

So, would I be totally crazy for thinking about a tattoo? True, it's nothing I would ever have considered before... but I think that may have been because I hadn't been inspired what to get or where to get it.

But now? I think I have a pretty cool idea... but I'm going to mull on it a bit before I share.

My new toy arrived this morning... so my lunch hour was spent putting just enough onto it to get me through the day. Probably the week. I have plenty of things to do when I get off work today.

Yes, I came in to work today. Still not tired. I suppose 1200mg of caffeine will do that to a person. At least I'm not hungry either! =^)

What i'm listening to:

Stupid Girl
Garbage
Garbage