I wonder what sort of flux the Iraq Invasion is causing in geopolitics. Looks like Russia is choosing an interesting time to initiate war games with India.
With the US and major media outlets increasing hostility towards Al Jazeera. it’s important that people have the option to make up their own minds.
My roommate and I have been looking for a new place for the past couple of weeks and just today found the greatest duplex for rent in a nice older neighborhood of Austin near some of the best parks (which Austin is known for). I hope we get it. I will know by Tuesday and I’m keeping the old fingers crossed.
Wow. Yesterday had to be one of the more eventful birthdays I’ve had. The big 26. The night before Amy and I had a few drinks at Donn’s Depot and watched old people dance. Then the next morning my mom called early as she usually does on my birthday except this time she had some bad news. My stepdad’s father had passed away in the early morning hours. It wasn’t unexpected. He was 94 or so and had been suffering from dementia for the past two years. My mother kept saying “it’s a blessing, it’s a blessing really”. She has a very pragmatic attitude about aging and death. She has to I suppose since she manages an assisted living center. She sees people die all the time, many of them in pain, many who are ready to go having lived their lifes the way they chose. Sometimes I think she likes to seem more accepting of it and cooler than she really feels sometimes. But like I said, this was somewhat expected.
After rousing myself out of bed I made an appearance at work to make sure everyone knew it was my birthday and that I had the luxury of having the day off. I’m sure they really enjoyed that.
Later in the evening my mom came up with my brother and his fiancee for dinner at this local indian restaurant, The Clay Pit. My brother told some sick jokes including: Question: What’s black and blue and doesn’t like sex? Answer: The fourteen-year-old in my closet. Nice.
We went back and had some pie my mom had made especially for me. I made sure my roommate ate some. I like making him do things. Then after everyone left I called up some friends, James Stewart and his roommate Melissa. Then we all rendezvoused back down to Donn’s Depot with Susan and Steve, where I ran into my cousin Christy of all people. Everyone drank a good deal, hugged a good deal, and got a little loud. Then I went home and watched everything spin and watched a show about a guy with a twenty-five pound foot before passing out.
So the real question is: what did I get for presents?! Karen got me some very cool shirts I really like. My ex-roommate and ex-coworker, Jason, got me a really cool cinnamon Ralph Wiggum air freshener. Amy got me some nice shorts and awesome socks. In addition to buying dinner my mom made me a coconut cream pie from scratch! Susan and Steve got me some cool books including one Susan had given me the year before. It happens. Sara got me a Camillo Sivori CD (a very thoughtful gift for obvious reasons) and made me an old-school mix tape which I’m looking forward to listening to. I made out like a bandit. I’m looking forward to someone else’s birthday now. They’re so much fun.
Me and my brother, Scott.
It’s been a good one so far. I think this is the one where I start to feel really old.
Yesterday I felt shitty almost all day. Tired, hungover, depressed for a number of reasons I won’t go into because I do have some pride. Plus I was at work which didn’t help. At one point, during the day I went outside to smoke (I smoke at work). As I was standing there waiting for some signal to feel better, I saw a small anole lizard with his skin turned dark brown to soak up the sun. And maybe even I was looking for some sort of signal I would have found one anyway, I felt like it was an omen and a message that I should stop wallowing it whatever it is I’ve been feeling. I decided that I ‘d need to take my mind of stuff and get some real sleep, start eating and try to stay busy. When I went home I laid down still in my clothes and took a nap.
A little while later Karen and Jason brought some great early birthday presents by and when they left I tried to watch On the Waterfront. I fell asleep for a bit on my chair, then I went into my room and slept for about 13 hours. The point is, today I feel a lot better.