wait – one more!

Oh yes, and I’m also thankful for discounted DVD sales because I’ve probably spent more on movies in the last week than I have all year long! (…well, close anyways…)

20 DVDs for less than $200, including the 6th season of The Simpsons for $16, an entire season of Project: Greenlight for $23, and a few old holiday favorites for $7 a piece that aren’t even supposed to be available anymore – who can argue with that?! See – I knew it was a good idea to get that extra DVD rack when I moved here… 🙂

giving thanks where thanks is due…

It was a fairly quiet, lazy day, but that doesn’t mean that I didn’t go through the motions. Here are some highlights for 2005:

  • Of course, first and foremost – I’m thankful for health … that of my friends, family, and colleagues, but also my own as well. A year ago, you’d have been hard pressed to find me actually spending time at the local gym, but for a handful of reasons this year I finally decided to start taking it a little more seriously…and I’ve got to say that I feel much better for it.
  • I’m thankful that I work at a job that nine times out of ten I actually enjoy going to…not to mention the bonus that they’re willing to pay me considerably more than minimum wage to show up every day! I know that I’m very fortunate to work for a company that takes such an active role in the retirement planning of its employees, and am certainly greatful because otherwise I wouldn’t have a retirement plan at all right now!
  • I’m thankful for my creativity and sense of humor, and especially that now here in the final months of 2005, I’m finally being presented with opportunities to put these traits to good use once again. Sometimes you’ve got to just laugh, and if I have it my way, it won’t be long again before that phrase is synomonous with humor across the Internet…
  • I’m thankful that I know good people who are waiting to stand behind me when I need their help, support, or even just a little encouragement. More importantly, I’m glad that they respect me enough to let me take the risks that I do and stand behind me, even if they don’t understand why I’ve made the decisions that I’ve made.
  • I’m thankful for good friends, young and old, who know the importance of keeping in touch even when separated by miles upon miles of open country. I’m also happy for my friends who know that its never a bad time to pop their head in to say hello, even if only virtually…
  • I’m thankful that President Bush can’t get re-elected again and that so far, there really isn’t a strong republican candidate for him to start grooming for the job. I’m also thankful for the will-power that each and every one of us maintain on a daily basis because otherwise, that man would’ve gotten lynch-mobbed, like, five years ago…
  • I’m thankful for a wonderfully-talented little sister who will hopefully some day truly realize the potential behind her gifts. One of my largest bragging points this year has certainly been that we’ve started back up our comic together, so hopefully this time we’ll see it sky-rocket to new heights!
  • I’m thankful for a very special woman this year who taught me more about life, love and happiness in a mere four months than I’ve learned in years. Although we may not be together these days … for reasons unknown … she still inspires me to be the very best that I can be and I’ll never be able to thank her enough for that.
  • I’m thankful to live in a city that promotes diversity, and for a mayor who’s not afraid to stand up and tell her political colleagues when they’re being disrespectful idiots!
  • And finally, I’m most definitely thankful for this beautiful, tropical weather because I just couldn’t imagine ever shoveling snow again in my life! Today the computer said it was 18 degrees in Michigan, and 71 degrees in Tampa – you do the math… 😛

Ladies and Gentlemen, the system works!!!

Lafave Signs Plea
http://www.tampatrib.com/MGBL1FT6DGE.html

All others’ opinions aside, I’ve got to say that I remember being 14-years-old and for some reason I really don’t think this kid is going through as much emotional distress as the world seems to think he is! His teacher was beyond hot and he’s now the envy of not only his male classmates, but probably half the men in Tampa to boot! Maybe if she had been forcing herself upon him, it’d be a different story, but come on – she’s not exactly the kind of girl that you’d kick out for eating crackers in the bed, now is she?!

I don’t know why, but I’ve been really big on personal responsibility lately, even when it comes to children. I’m sorry, but I just don’t buy the “ignorant until eighteen” rule of thumb that we reign by in this day and age. The kid’s going to brag about it in college anyways…or at least he’s going to brag about it more, that is…so give the hot chick a break…

the future IS Google…

Sam Walton Taught Google More About How to Dominate the Internet Than Microsoft Ever Did
http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20051117.html

Anyone who’s been following Google’s gargantuan growth spurts recently will find this article particularly interesting – if there is one company that I’ve ever wanted to work for more than Disney (or Pixar, or Industrial Light & Magic, but you get the idea!), it’d be Google. These guys eat and breathe innovation, and it’s no wonder that they’ve got everyone from Microsoft to Wal-Mart shaking in their boots…

Like the author says, “…Web 2.0 IS Google.” Good for them!

things to do this weekend…

  • continue unpacking
  • fill big fish tank and test water
  • paint master bed and bath rooms
  • play borrowed copy of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
  • catch-up comics for upcoming project
  • continue to diagram backend for new Just Laugh
  • get majority of paid writing done for December
  • order DVDs, cables, and other things that are far too expensive locally
  • find time for the gym!

last day of the big 20% off sale…

http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com

If you’re looking for easy Christmas presents or just a cheap way to fill some holes in the collection, don’t forget that the 20% off coupon DVDTALK is good until Saturday at midnight for all of your shopping needs! Also including free shipping, I’ve currently got a shopping cart of 10 discs that hasn’t even reached $100 yet – a lot of them are showing up at $7 or $8 a piece … the only way to beat that is to find these in the value bin at Wal-Mart, which you’re certainly not going to do!

Enjoy and keep me in mind during your holiday purchases… 😉

just call me Mario!

Super, indeed…

Tonight I got to play plumber, even got to use the tape and everything! Replaced leaky flappers in both of my toilets (even though one’s still being stubborn), and also installed a very sweet, new showerhead — of all things, this one rotates! Tomorrow’s shower should be quite the interesting adventure…

P.S. As a tribute to Dave Barry and a plea for him to come back to the writing side, “The Leaky Flappers” would be a great name for a rock band! 🙂