Daily Update

I went running last night. I made the trek back to the Wild Sahara. The track was dark and mysterious. It rustled quietly with the fallen leaves of anticipation. There weren't as many cars there as normal. The few existing street lamps flickered with angst. During my 'light' stretch my muscles reminded me of how long it had actually been since the last jaunt around the forbidding desert track. Then all of a sudden, in a snap, as a flash of light, I sprang into action! The abrupt pavement did not try to be kind to my familiar foot treads. The shadow tried to play with my mind, the texture tried to mess with my stature, and the ambiance emotions. I swiftly covered the ground like the mysterious Panther. Each dark paw would fling dust into the air as it kicked up the dirt of the track. The wind raced through my fur as the pads of my paws pounded the pavement. For an instant I thought I saw movement in the shadows. Just as Peter Pan had a 'Shadow' problem, I threatened my shadow to say close, other wise I'd never come back for it. I saw other creatures lurking in the shadows from time to time. I only passed 2 girls, and 8 guys this night. Lots fewer than last report shows, a 61% decrease in traffic. As I was swiftly grazing by each side of the track, I noticed a lot fewer adversaries than in summer. But I did notice that the streets that I was on resembled those of Medieval Vampire Russia. I fear that the enemies that I scared away may have left the few remaining Evil-Doers victim to vampires. I'll have to be on the lookout the next few times I go.

So yesterday I was racing to finish a project with Ray, the interior designer guy. Ray is VERY soft spoken, whispers in fact. And he whispers really close to your ear. He does things differently. He is from Brazil. Ray is married. Ray has a picture of him and a girl on his desk. I don't think Ray is Straight. Every time Ray says 'Thank you' It looks like he's blowing you a kiss. Jim doesn't like when Ray says Thank You. Ray Likes to say Thank You. Ray also likes to call me James. Ray says 'James' twice as slow as every other word in the sentence. Jim is a little worried. Ray does things differently when working. Ray must be in close proximity to a person to work with them. Ray also carries a pen like a cigarette, and whips it around like its a magic wand. Jim doesn't like Pen's racing in front of his face when trying to listen to the crap that Ray is whispering. Everyone else that Jim works with is much more efficient than Ray. Jim should suggest Ray takes lessons. Jim should teach Ray a lesson. Jim should spill something on Ray's Man-Purse. Jim is funny. Jim will have to work on it.

Lunch was sponsored by Marvin's Diner. It was much better than last time. But the service is horrible. It shouldn't take 20 minutes to fry a burger and fries, and the guy who comes in 5 minutes after me should Defiantly NOT be served at the same time as me.

I'm listening to Pennywise right now.

daily update

I got a call from my dad this morning. He told me that Thanksgiving was Canceled. I told him I didn't believe him, but then he said that the rest of the family had just moved, and that I shouldn't try to follow. After two seconds of confusion I started cautiously chuckle wanting to believe that it was a joke. After all, he had used this one before on us, and we actually did move as my older brother was on his mission. After another moment of silence he starts laughing like a goom-bah and tried to claim to be funny. But the point of his call was to inform me of a different thanksgiving venue. Apparently Boise isn't going to work out. How lame. I haven't realized it yet, but I'm about to figure out how lame 'non-refundable tickets' are.

FHE was last night. After working late I went over there to help make Birthday Cards for terminally ill children. Its actually quite difficult due to all the sayings you can't say; like get well, feel better soon, God loves you, Hold on, You're a winner, etc. It was funner than I thought it would be. Lots of people were pretty creative. Then there were some guys who took it a little to far and started making cards that said 'hurry up and die, I pay enough taxes already'. and stuff like that. I shook my head at them.

I'm listening to MXPX right now.

Lunch was sponsored by Panda Express.

Daily Update

On Friday everyone had stuff to do so I just ended up watching tv. So I consider it to be productive.

So the Service Auction finally came. It was a huge headache, but also a huge success. After all was said and done we raised $10,325. People were very generous with donations and services. The 'big ticket' item of 2 first class tickets to Hawaii went for 1400 its self. Aloha!

After words, Renee Ko was having her birthday party at Fairburn. I got there a bit late after having to add up lots of cash, and it was in full swing. There was food there, but it was only small healthy snack type stuff. Sorry, but I wasn't in the mood for light healthy snacks. After having been too frantic to eat since noon, I needed more than rice crackers, cherry tomatoes and chips. Luckily Kristen had a few extra cinnamon rolls hidden away. I talked her into showing me where the stash was so I could sample the goods.

During the party she wanted to take a picture with me, and me, being in a funny mood, decided to play with her emotions a little bit. Every time Someone would try to take a picture I would change my face to be 'funny'. The only reason she knew, was because everyone in the crowd started laughing. Then she started previewing each picture (digital camera). That picture preview is both a blessing and a curse I tell you. Every girl I know, after having their picture taken NEEDS desperately to approve each picture taken of them. And in this situation R-ko would check it, then each and every girl in the room would get in line to look and see if they were somehow in the image. So with this extensive process, you can imagine all the time it took to take only a few picture with her. I had a lot of funny faces.

At the end of the party, when I wanted to leave I noticed R-Ko trying to pick her stuff up and leave. Although it was kind of funny to watch that scramble, I offered to help carry stuff to her car. Little did I know, but she misinterprets this offer to 'here, let me hold all your crap so you can take 50 more picture of the three remaining people here, that you probably already have pictures of'. So I had to take pictures of her and B, then her and K, then K and B, then her and both of them, then each one in stupid korean-esque poses. It went on and on. Finally I prod her out the door, then R-Ko wanted to walk slow, and slide her heels on the ground at 2 inch strides. You're right Renee, I didn't need to sleep tonight. I kept asking where she was parked in hopes of me just dropping her stuff off, but I could barley drag which direction her car was out of her. And she wouldn't point no matter how many times I asked her to. After a 1 block trek we find her auto. and now I want to say good-bye. I wave and wish her well as I am walking away, to my car, but she would have none of that! She started to squeal/scream as if I had just slashed her tires! What?! did something happen? Oh, NO. She just wanted me to say goodbye within a certain distance from her. As well she thanked me about 20 times, which was a lot to much, which turned her from gracious to annoying. Do you know how some girls voices will go up a few octaves (to a squeal) when they get excited? well, thats what she did. Except as she did that, the squeal also got louder and louder. Thank goodness I was already walking away cause from 50 feet away it still heart my ears! I honestly became concerned about her waking the neighbors, and me being the only guy on the street and her the only girl shreeking, I saw a potential problem for me being there. I tried to shush her, but then the squeals only got louder cause she got more excited about something. And she was talking so fast about something that I couldn't understand her very well. After I got away I sighed in relief.

Church was cold. I started a new sketchbook. I think a few to many people saw me sketching and being funny in the back row with Rob than paying attention. oops. After church Rob invited me over for dinner at Fairburn. I spent a few moments over there with Robs Home teaching group; then the main 'Church After-Party' was at Laurel's Flat. It was a sweet set up, with a wet bar in front and Guitar Hero off to one side, a large kitchen in the back, and space to play games off to the other side.

Lunch was sponsored by the Corner Bakery. Mmmm

I'm listening to Skid Row right now.

I've had pancakes every morning since Friday.

Daily Update

Last night was terrific fun. I think almost all of you were there, so I don't need that much of a recap, but it was Jessica's birthday. We went to some sassy Mexican place in Beverly Hills. It was pretty expensive for being mexican. It was good food. They took their time serving us so when our food actually did arrive I was pretty hungry. In order to combat my hunger pains, I started taking some of the largest bites I've ever taken in public eating establishments. It took me a few seconds to realize that the food was a LOT spicier than I'm used to! It felt like someone had just hooked up a car battery to my tongue. I hate that feeling. One good thing was that I didn't splash my food on the people sitting next to me. The After-Party was at Jessica's. For a few minutes I think Danny was trying to eat Kami's cat. Then she noticed it and She got mad. So then everyone settled down. Oh, and of course we got Danny to sing his rendition of the birthday song. I even recorded it, and i'll post it soon on the ol Blog-a-roonie. Its a must see.

But, on the way over to Jessica's party I stopped by Borders again, to get Jessica something. (I don't like showing up to a birthday party empty handed) And the lady at the counter has been getting to know me quite well lately. Over the last few days she's gotten nicer and nicer. So yesterday as I whipped through the check out line she was enthralled with: What I was getting, the Wrapping paper I was getting, the bow I was getting, and the fact I was getting it. I explained that it was for a birthday that I didn't know about yesterday (during my Christmas shopping) And she was so willing to help me out. Although she was the only person on the register she offered the use of their gift wrapping station to me, and I even think she wanted to
help me out. Good thing she didn't cause there was a long line. Their security dork was checking me out as I was wrapping my present. So I asked him if he wanted to come and help, or if he was just 'checking out the goods' as I stuck my butt out and slapped my back side in a sassy Maggie-like manner. So he just walked away. After the fact, I realized that I shouldn't have done that cause if was a 'fruit' then there would have been a bigger problem if he got any closer, namely me punching him in the head until he stopped bleeding.

Lunch was sponsored by In N Out.

I'm listening to Guns N Roses right now.

(ok, this was weird. One of the cleaners at my work just asked me, in his thick accent, something about going to a strip-club with him I think. I accidentally responded "no I don't want to see your mom like that". Luckily he didn't understand me. But if he did understand me... I leave everything of mine in Utah to my brothers, and all my possessions in LA to Jeff and Josh. Ok, now he just left the building. I think he just went to his car to get a gun. Thats it, its the end of me. Its been nice knowing y'all. oh wait... no, he just got a squeegee to clean the glass. That was a close one. Does anyone know how to say "you smell bad" in Mexican slang?)

Daily Update

I went running last night. It about took the life out of me. It felt like it had been a month since the last time. We went up to the Australian Outback Track. There were Wallabees everywhere. We had to avoid them cause I think they were carrying some sort of engineered virus. All the 'carriers' looked like high-school aged mutant zombies. Luckily I was bigger than all of them, so they stayed away. I was sleek and cunning as the best Hyena possible. I didn't have a watch to tell me exactly how superb I was, but I was. trust me. My angry claws gripped the pavement
like velcro and would I would speed away like a car tire. On the last lap I tried to use up every last bit of positive energy and sure enough I did. about half way thru the last lap I felt the last drop evaporate off my brow as I quickly slowed to a trickle. I tried to hurry, but I was spend. It was a good feeling on the walk back to my cave.

I felt compelled to stop by Stan's Donuts this morning. I got a 'Chocolate Halloween Delight, and a Coconut Surprise. I don't know why he has out his Halloween supply, but when I took the first bite, I realized why. It was like going back in time a full week. I was still dancing around in the fitting room of the Harry Potter Store. The sprinkles on top of the donut reminded me of Scary houses from Scooby-Doo. And the whole assortment of sprinkles made me think of the Last
time I had Lucky Charms Cereal. The little candy moon's and ghosts were a joy to think about and a pleasure to eat. and the purple and orange sprinkles were just bedazzling. I wonder if I stop by there tomorrow if it will be the same experience. Don't worry, I'll let you know.

Wandering around Westwood was weird today. I kid you not, I saw a real live ninja. I think it was a she, but not sure. its face was covered. I had to laugh at it when it walked by, cause it didn't seem to threatening. I though of pushing it in the street and laughing at it, but I didn't cause It could have been the mysterious 'Lizzard-Face' Ninja. I didn't want to risk it so I continued on with my donut experience. Later I saw a bunch of freaks.

Lunch was sponsored by Jamba Juice.

I'm listening to No Doubt right now.

Daily Update

Not much to update you all on. I've been super busy at work; making me stay late and go to bed early. Yesterday they gave me my own project to work on. I don't know if I like that cause that just means more responsibility for me! What are they thinking? And right before the Holidays too. And on top of that project, some of the others have been telling me that they have more for me to do when I have a free minute. Good Grief Charley Brown.

So last night I went Christmas shopping. I was in line to check out and some of the stuff I was holding made it obvious that it was for the holidays, so the ladies in line and behind the registers were getting really excited about everything I was doing all of a sudden. I figured it was because they were girls and cause I had gifts.

I also went to a movie last night with a friend of mine. At the last second they said "I hope its not to much of a chick flick". "?" I thought, followed by 'What have I done?'. It wasn't after all, but it made me nervous for a second. I don't think I've ever seen one of those...'Chick flicks'. Not that I remember anyway.

Steve my desk neighbor at work has toned down on talking to himself out loud. I wonder if hes OK. He did switch from a Scottish to a British accent when he swears and yells at imaginary people. I wonder if there's an adult version of 'Child Protective Services' that I can call for him.

Lunch was sponsored by The Corner Bakery.

I'm listening to some song titled 'Don't Stop The Music', by Rihanna.

Daily Update

The Move Premier of Beowulf was last night in Westwood. They were setting up all day. At night they had fancy lights and lots of short little Asian kids who would do everything they could do to get in front of me and then block my view by holding crap up or lifting each other up in an awkward manner. After they started taking pictures of themselves, and the flash would go off right in my eyes, I had enough then started making loud mumbling comments and making weird faces in their pictures, but would ignore them when they looked back at me. I saw a few famous people who I barley recognized. Anthony Hopkins was probably the most famous. Then some hot blond chick, then some weird long hair dude, and some tall black guy. Thats who I saw.

At FHE they were having Craft Night. I brought paint for the kids to use, but My part of the adventure only lasted a few minutes before I felt my stomach telling me to leave and to find food. Sorry FHE. Not only that but I have other art projects that I'm trying to finish before I take on more.

After that I went to watch TV at Cheryl's Flat. At first I didn't care what was on, but then after a few seconds I realized that CS was forcing me to watch Dancing with the Stars. There was nothing I could do; I had already started eating, which means I couldn't move from my spot till I was done. OK, just kidding I wasn't forced. I was actually somewhat interested in watching it cause i hadn't seen it this season yet and I can't watch it alone or with dudes cause that could be considered GAY.

Lunch was sponsored by D'Amores Pizza. It was just as delicious as the last time I went.

I'm listening to Depeche Mode right now.