Watching New Years celebrations around the world tonight. Just enjoyed watching a performance of U2 playing Beautiful Day. Really great film of the performance. It had a real sweetness to it.

Surfing around online trying to decide whether to just give in and brave the cold (bone-chilling tonight) and find some friends to hang around with. Doing all of my holiday socializing remotely tonight, so far at least.

It's the afternoon New Year's Eve and I already feel bored. The office closed early and I have no plans for how to spend what remains of the day. Snow is in the forecast for Wednesday. My feet are cold. Maybe I'll go shopping and try to find footpads (they really do make things warmer) and something spicey to bake or brew tonight. It will be great if I can find a copy of "Video Fireplace" too.

Which David Lynch character are you most like?

One cultural quirk of anyone who grew up in Smyrna, Georgia is that you can't experience anything without placing some negative criticism on it. This is true of every thing - every meal from every restaurant, every film seen, every article of clothing, the service you get at the drycleaners or from waiters or cashiers. And it's beyond personal. It is truly a characteristic of that entire section of Cobb County. I used to think it was just something severely screwed up about my family but I've since met other people from Smyrna who act precisely the same way. The funny thing is, nowhere else does this mental phenomenon happen as commonly - everyone I know is appalled when they first meet someone from Smyrna and it finally dawns upon them that that someone is not just having a bad day. Not every day can be a bad day. When you're from Smyrna, you get so used to the attitude that it becomes invisible to you. I've been living in the city long enough to recognize it in people now and I've gotten pretty good a pegging people I meet from there, but they don't offend me like they do others. Are Smyrna people thick-skinned or just prudish and bitchy? If I was better with the English language, this could become a good comedic monologue. I am not that clever, however. So, discuss amongst yourselves.
Of course what all this points out to me is the troubling question: Am I that irritating to be around? Am I insensitive to others? How do I rise above my own cultural upbringing?

Christmas was not as bad as it could have been. I am not the only one in my family trying to avoid everyone else, thank heavens. This way I don't look so awful while I'm still recieving my traditional holiday dose of guilt.

Looking sooooo forward to the big chick night dinner on Saturday. It's always great and stimulating when everyone gets together. I expect this to be the same.

Went to Jae & Bill's holiday open house today. I brought my friend David with me at their request, having already met him at Shakespeare Tavern. Randy is in town from Los Angeles for the holidays and it was great for everyone to see him again.
Despite my concerns that David might become bored or uncomfortable in a room of strangers, he was fine. There were a lot of people with very young children there and he pulled out his bag of balloons and started to make balloon animals. Kim left for her sister's house with a pink poodle from David.
We had a great time, the best part of the day being the very lively socio-political conversation after most of the other guests left, with Jae, Bill, Sandy, Charlie and Randy. We ended up staying quite a while later than anticipated because the conversation was so enjoyable.

Sometimes I still want to phone e.k. and find out what actually happened on Thanksgiving day, but then I always imagine getting a lot of silent head-nodding on the other end of the phone. When we first got to know each other, he had no problem carrying on a conversation. Was this bait-and-switch?

Got a haircut today with Robert Marcinko, who has a ton of Christmas cookies given to him by very thoughtful clients.
Afterwards, went to bingo night at the Gravity Pub in East Atlanta. Lots of ball jokes coming out of Chaz. His favorite ball was B9, as in "the tumor is B9."

It was a monday at work today. That off-time kinda feeling as if nothing was functioning at full capacity in the company.
Tomorrow will be much better.

Had dinner with my pal David last night at Doc Chey's (peace, love and noodles). Chilly night (one of the few this year) and despite the cold we had gelato after dinner. Lots of good conversation. He's gleefully busy now with his life and energized by it. A good counter balance to my lack of energy that evening. If I was a dolphin, I'd be riding the wake of his boat.

Got a call from Gretch to confirm the number of folks to make reservations for the Big Chik Nite Gathering at Satsuki. I told her to count my in for two. And so the die is cast for a fun evening to look forward to between Christmas and New Year.

Christmas has me filled with anxiety now because I still haven't got concrete plans on how to spend the holiday and I do not want to be guilted into being stuck alone with my parents for the day (yes, I know - very bad use of the English language, turning a noun into a verb). I am starting to become resentful of my brother's ready escape device of being married with other responsibilities. It would be so nice just to kick back at home with some Chinese food and good books or videos.

Did I do laundry tonight? Noooooooo. Instead I filled my early evening having burittos with Sandy while Charlie worked on their latest home-spun project. Then I filled the next few hours covering myself with dogs and cats first at Nick & Audrey's house (four new kittens, three dogs) and later at casa de Lounge (three dogs, two cats). Followed it all up with a shower and benadryl. :)

Laundry is always a good activity for the morning hours anyway. Start the first load, then have that first cup of coffee. Throw the first load in the dryer and start the second load, then run a few errands close to home. Once the washing & drying is finished and the folding & ironing begins, it's late enough in the day to turn on the stereo without fear of waking neighbors.

If I were a work of art, I would be Piet Mondrian's Composition A. I am rigidly organised and regimented, although my cold and unapproachable exterior hides a clever way of thinking and a rebellious and innovative nature. A lot of people don't understand me, but I can still affect them on an emotional level. Which work of art would you be? The Art Test

I need more clothes and towels.

Was going to do laundry tonight but it's much too cold and wet outside to slosh around carrying bundles of clothes to and from the laundromat. Decided to make do on the last-choice socks and undergarments and just stay cozy at home with some hot tea and a warm monitor.

I am 60% British, just like
Sir Elton John
Roots in the UK, the rest of your hair is in the US.


Take the Brit Quiz at
www.darrenlondon.tripod.com/britquiz1.htm
Quiz written by Daz

I am finished with all my holiday shopping except for my parents.
I'm completely stumped, as usual, on what to do for them. This will probably resolve itself about 8PM on Christmas Eve. That might actually produce the most creative result to the challenge.

Was in Criminal Records today and overheard the new Dictators CD. Very good "come back" album. I may have to buy that for myself after the holidays, along with the new No Doubt CD and, hopefully, the new Elvis Costello CD. I was in that store picking up the last issue of Bust Magazine since it seems (sadly) they're kaput. Also ended up picking up a couple of TMCM comix while there.

My right ear itches today. Alot. Weird, huh? Really annoying.

Got two more Christmas gifts wrapped today. That leaves just one more child's gift to finish shopping for and I'll be totally finished shopping for my generation and the one below it. Still have to decide on Mom & Dad's gift as well as sending my Grandmothers' gifts out.

Sitting watching TV last night eating dinner and had a weird fluttering sensation in my chest. Nothing uncomfortable or painful in any way - just like a wild spasm. Sat and wondered if I should be concerned or, if there was any point in being concerned since it was over in a few minutes and I don't think there's anything I can do about it. NOT a normal thing to happen.

Few minutes later my friend David showed up at my front door on his way to an art opening to see if I'd like to come with him. It was a very nice surprise for him to come by like that. I also thought it was a good idea to be with a companion should I collapse in a mysterious seizure or heart failure. Of course, I felt fine the rest of the night but my inner-Woody Allen had a healthy amount of concern.

Going to the show was fun. It was at a commercial gallery complex in Buckhead. Wide range of work from painters to sculptors to glass blowers to photographers. Too bad I'd eaten already because the catering looked good. There was an animal welfare organization benefit attached to the even somehow. One of the animals up for adoption was a beautiful chocolate-brown chihuahua with a gimpy hind leg. She was a retired breeder, I think.