This Weekend Has Been Too Grey.

Seriously, if I don't see a little bit of sunlight soon, I'll jump about a damned window. I live on the first floor, so this won't really DO anything, but the sentiment is there. The gloom makes me want to do rash things.

It's almost painful. Everything feels dead and wet, and it's hard to feel inspired about anything, much less mundane and necessary tasks such as laundry, dishes, and vacuuming. I'm in a rut, and I blame the weather. Caffeine sometimes helps, but I went too far in that direction yesterday and found myself stuck in a self-induced panic attack for the majority of the day. It took all the strength I had to get in the car and drive to Long John Silver's for dinner. The drive was terrifying. My heart beat audibly, and I sat at the edge of my seat like an old woman, hands tightly clasped to the wheel.

Not again.

I'm fixing myself some tea, and then I'll figure out what to do with the rest of the day. Eating is imperative. I need some good grub.

Speaking of which, good friend Amanda and her fiancee' have put together a great blog on eating.

I recommend checking it out. It will make you hungry. In my case, it's made me hungry for food from restaurants that are hundreds upon hundreds of miles away. Thanks for the frustration, jerks. Hear you've had a beautiful sunshine-filled weekend, too. It figures.

Like a Fat Man in a Skinny Suit.

That's the best way to describe trying to move my sister's couch into the basement. You might like to see it fit, but it just isn't going to happen. So, it goes. We moved it up to an upstairs sitting area instead, and now I think we'll be moving it into her bedroom.

Later, we had a wonderful dinner at my folk's house, and now I'm getting ready to take the garbage out and then read before going to bed. Not a bad Sunday evening.

Cat in Hiding.

Running late, and on my way out to church. Plugging a cup of Irish breakfast tea (with milk!), but wanted to share a picture of Truman hiding in my dresser cabinet.

We had a rough day yesterday that left me with a shredded right hand and arm, but then he goes and gets cute like this, and it's hard for me to stay mad.

Good boy.

When Rain Turns to Snow.

Last evening was a night of driving, pissing sleet. As it got colder, it turned into snow, and this is what I woke to see. Enjoy it while you can, folks. That's snow in Chicago: an hour of pretty, followed by several days of grey ugliness. The temperatures will be above freezing for the rest of the weekend, and all of the snow in the branches will start pouring down on heads, both human and squirrel.

This day is one without obligation. I have nothing to do.

So far, I've made a pot of coffee, which is a good start. The day might end up spent playing videogames, or I might watch some movies. The car, still covered with snow, is going nowhere, unless I'm wounded by an icicle and require immediate medical attention. These are good days, nothing to do, and nowhere to be.

Last weekend was spent with AMF out in DC. I had a great time, and I would certainly rather be spending a weekend doing stuff with her than doing nothing alone, but still- doing nothing can be quite great.

I was hoping to be able to post some pictures of the Spy Museum, but they had a strict no photography policy. I didn't even think about cheating; they would have known.

No More Shall I be Loyal to my Sorrowful County.

At least in the sense that I shall not be here from tomorrow through Monday.

A week back, I took a look at the calendar, and saw that Monday was Martin Luther King Day. What better way to commemorate, I thought, than to fly to DC and go to the Spy Museum with AMF. I'm taking tomorrow and Monday off from work, and look forward to enjoying a nice long weekend with the young lady who I'm going to marry.

Right now, I'm working from home following a doctor's appointment. It's a beautiful sunny day outside, and feels like a great one to not be physically in the office. Plus, I can get laundry and other assorted mish-mash done for the trip. Everything rocks.

So- be good, folks, and we'll talk soon.

When the Wind Hits This Building, This Building it Tilts.

I spent Friday night recording the second song for my new band, "Aluminum Crutches." This is pronounced "Al-loo-MIN-yum," in accordance with the King's English. This band plays Clash covers. The first track recorded was a loud and garbled version of "What's My Name," of the self-titled album, and Friday's was a slowed-down acoustic take on "Up in Heaven (Not Only Here)." I like how it sounds thus far, but want to screw around with it a bit more today. So, I might.

Yesterday was spent having a new suit fitted, which entailed a trip to the mall with my folks. I'm going to look like a dapper man. I also got a couple new ties and a pair of Pumas out of the deal. My folks, they do spoil me at times.

The rest of the day was spent playing Civilization IV, going to the gym, picking up Wendy's, watching Ocean's 12, playing more Civilization IV, and then reading. I ended up going to bed fairly late, so I'm going in slow motion right now. Church is at 12:30, then I have some errands to run. Hopefully, I can find time for some more screwing around, i.e., aluminum Crutches and Civilization IV. Both are addictive, and likely healthier than many other ways I could find to waste time.

Rock on.

A Couple Quick Things.

First, my good buddy Brendan's dad woke up in India. We are unsure how this occurred, but you can read about his saga here. I wish him the very best, and my hopes and prayers are with him and his family.

Second, someone contacted me about purchasing www.thighpod.com, a domain I own (don't bother clicking, as there's nothing there). While the sale fell through, I feel obligated to point all who are interested in the direction of the inquiring party's Website. One can only imagine his plans for thighpod.

And, third, I purchased toilet paper and beer last night at Target and was given a gift receipt at the end of the transaction.

I am still puzzled.

That is all for now.

Happy New Year's, Folks.

This is not my TV. I do not have a nice TV like this, but it's okay. I still feel good about myself. Also, this is a representation of New Year's on the East Coast. In the Midwest, we still had an hour to go. It was anticlimatic when it happened. The East Coast takes it all, and leaves us in the heartland to lap up the crumbs.

Still and all, I harbor no ill will, and I wish everyone across the world a happy new year.