before i leave...

so, as i mentioned in my past post (the fact of which i did not realize until tim pointed it out), there has been this commercial on the radio recently - it probably started running after thanksgiving - that i really love. actually, i used to hate it. i thought it was sort of lame and didn't really deserve to be listened to and i "poo-pooed" the idea of it at first. i can't even remember who or what it's advertising, but it basically says this:

instead of being assholes to each other this year while driving around, let's be nice. rather than cursing at the amount of holiday traffic, enjoy it. because the rest of the people stuck in traffic are probably doing things like you - visiting family and friends, going christmas shopping, or headed to a party. and you wouldn't want people ruining your holiday cheer, so why not be a bit more patient and cheery on the road this year.

that's not nearly a word-for-word recap though. if i can find the audio clip on line i'll post it.

anyway, so i was doing some last minute exchanging/shopping and some necessary errands before i head back to texas and i got to thinking about it. yah, it's f'ing busy. sure, it took me 25 minutes to get across town, when normally i can zip through in about 7. and yup, there are a zillion pedestrians keeping me from making that right turn on red i'd been waiting three light cycles for. but...really, is it that aweful?

the reason you can find so many more people out and about is because it's a joyous time of year. families are reunited, children are awaiting santa, kids are celebrating the lack of school, and friends are out partying. this time of year brings things out in the world that don't ever show the other 11 months of the year.

so, what i want to say is this: if you've found yourself stuck in the scrooge-gear this season, kick yourself out of it. you can try as hard as you want to not enjoy a time of year all about celebrating the people you love and the life you have.

and yah, all of this is really damned sappy, but it's christmas time kids, and i'm happy. and of course, i wish all of you the same!

recent ramblings...

as things slow down in the work-world, i find myself searching for things to fill the 7.5 hours i spend in my office each day. now that phonathon is done for the semester, i have re-joined the traffic and gotten reacquainted with my usual morning radio show. without them i would never be able to deal with the combination of california drivers and rainy weather. spending an hour (plus) of my day stuck on the road is not my idea of fun. but, then the commercial i keep hearing on the radio while sitting in my car asks me: "what if the roads were full of people being kind to each other this holiday season?" yah, that's a "what if" if i've ever heard one. as much as i try to cut people a little slack during one of the busiest times of the year, i find it harder to do so than in the middle of june.

really though, i am anything but a scrooge this season. last year i found myself struggling to find the holiday cheer. i think it had something to do with my tiny, cold apartment; my lack of a real christmas tree; and the weather. i had no desire to do anything but sit on my couch and mumble "bah humbug." but, as my mom joyously pointed out a few weeks ago, i am in a much better mood this year. even the repetitive christmas music doesn't bother me! and ask tim, i've been playing plenty of it around the house.

i'll be going back to texas on the 22nd to spend a week with my family and friends, and i couldn't be more excited. it's funny though, because i think for the first time i am more excited about giving presents, than opening my own. what?! selflessness during the holidays?! you betcha. in lieu of all this excitement buzzing inside me i organized a huge all-inclusive happy hour on the 27th in houston. (if you are reading this, are going to be in houston on that night, and didn't get the e-vite please let me know!) this is the 2nd annual event like this, started my senior year of college by a small group of us that wanted to find an easy way to see everyone during a short time. why bother running around town spending 30 minutes here and there with friends, when you can have everyone in one place? last year there were nearly 30 people there and it was a blast! hopefully just as many will show up and i will get to catch up with many friends from elementary school to high school to college.

let's see...what else? new years resolutions. no, it's not too early. i started working on them slowly so that it wasn't such a jolt on january 1st. the one i've done the best with so far is working out at home. my dad sent me some great at-home work out tools, like free weights, for my birthday so i have been trying to do something at least 4 days a week. i'm pretty damned proud of myself, and i hope to have a routine set up by the first of 2007.

an hour later...

okay, well, i had some ideas of what else i wanted to share with you, my internet friends, but i got distracted. a couple of my co-workers and i got into a big discussion about weddings, and in-laws, and crazy families, and what type of girlfriends we were. it totally got my mind off track and now i have no idea where i was going. i'll be back, don't worry...i gotta do something with my time.