Good Riddance '04!

Yeah yeah I know I've been slacking off (again) but this time I had a good reason: computer problems. No seriously, it's been acting really slow and would crash on me for no good riddance. So I had to wait on hold with the good old people at Dell Tech Support for about 20 minutes before I could get someone to help me figure out what was wrong with it: corrupted win socket.Anyway everything is cool now and I should be good to go in '05.
Xmas treated me pretty well highlighted by me receiving a dvd player (finally!) as well as the Star Wars trilogy set. This year was great because I was able to get something for everyone on my list but was able to stick to my budget (which wasn't that big to begin with) and I received pretty much everything I was looking for (which wasn't much).
I saw a couple of movies over the holidays: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and Meet the Fockers. Personally I really enjoy Wes Anderson's movies and I felt that this one lived up to my expectations. What I enjoy most about his films are the sets as well as the set design and his offbeat brand of humor. As for Meet the Fockers, I liked it but didn't think it was better than Meet the Parents. Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand were great and of course the film had it's share of over the top moments that appeal to it's target audience. However I thought that the film had too much going on in terms of the plot and there were more characters than were necessary.
Well it's New Year's Eve and once again I'm planning on ringing in the New Year in the city. I've made promises to friends that I won't be 'that guy' tonight referring to the belligerent drunk that I have been in recent new year's eve outings. Hopefully I'll make good on that promise. I think it's safe to say though that this year's celebration will be subdued given what's happened in South Asia this past week. I can't begin to think what the survivors and the loved ones of all those people who lost their lives in that tsunami are going through. It truly is one of the most horrific events to happen in my life time and I haven't felt more helpless and insignificant in all my life. I guess I'll just have to be grateful for what I have and not dwell so much on what I don't and just keep all those people in my prayers.

'Tis the season

For some reason I've been catching some flack for not updating this blog on a daily basis. I guess I'll take that as a good sign that awareness of the crimson bastard is on the rise. I'm a little tired tonight so I don't think this will be a long entry. However, now that we're in the stretch run of the Holiday Season I'll make sure to update the blog in order to chronicle my last ditch effort to complete my xmas shopping as well as any interesting holiday shenanigans.
Before I go though, I have to mention that I had the pleasure of riding on the subway (the uptown N Train) this past Saturday, with none other than the beautiful Amber Brkich. Most of you might remember her for winning the $1 million dollar prize on Survivior All Stars, as well as agreeing to marry 'Boston' Rob on the night of the finale. I must say, as great as she looked on tv and in recent magazine spreads, she looks even better in person.
She seemed like she had a lot on her mind so I wasn't sure on whether I should say something to her. The last thing I wanted to do is come off as some loser fan of the show, trying to blow up her spot on the subway. But as my stop approached, I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if I didn't say something to her before going on my merry way. I can't recall exactly what I said since I was pretty nervous and was determined not to sound like a giddy schoolboy.
I turned to her and said, "Look, I don't want to bother you but I just had to say that after seeing you on tv, you look even better in person." A brilliant smile emerged from her flawless face and she said, "Thanks, you just made my day." I then managed a feeble smile and made it to my feet as I inexplicably left the train, trying to maintain some sort of cool when in reality I should've stayed on and continued to chat away. Oh well, what can I say? I choked. At least I was able knuckle up and say something to her.
Later on that night I also saw Richard Kind (Spin City) walking along 8th avenue all by himself. Not on the sidewalk mind you but actually on the street and walking against traffic. For some reason that seemed odd to me.

This concludes the gossip column portion of this blog entry.

I'm just Wild(e) about Olivia

I will now dedicate this entry to all things Olivia Wilde or as I've come to call her: "The O.W." I knew she was going to be a star once I laid eyes on her during last season's failed Romeo and Juliet meets Larry Flynt farce known as 'Skin.' Even when FOX mercifully pulled the plug on that show faster than you can say, "Her father is the district attorney," I knew that someone over there was goin to make sure that the OW's star would continue it's meteoric ascent.
So when I learned that she was going to be on the OC this season I knew that all was right in tv land and was grateful for Josh Schwartz creating this guilty of guilty pleasures.
Needless to say the OW solidified her place in The O.C. with her performance this week when she proceeded to not only kiss the beer man (Homer) but her female colleague at the Bait Shop within the first 10 minutes of the show as well. After that display I was at critcal mass. Thankfully I was able to get a hold of my bearings in time to learn that Marisa was heading the annual SN"O.C" winter dance. On a side note: with so much jail bait running around this show I can't think of a more appropriate name for a main gathering point for the show as well as the place of employment for the OW. Okay where was I? Oh yeah, I was getting a little ahead of myself... Anyway, looking to strike while the iron was hot Seth asked Alex (Olivia) to go with him to the dance only to be 'served' by the OW who promptly vetoed that request therefore leading to the fireworks that I alluded to before. But with the help of Summer, who informed him that Alex was givig him the old Hot/Cold play, Seth was able to gain the upper hand by playing cold as well, quitting his duties at The Bait Shop.
Meanwhile, Zack oversees them huddling up and is fuming over what he perceives as Seth and Summer continuing to perpetuate whatever it is that exists between them. This leads to Zack blowing Summer off when she asks him about the dance, leaving her to ponder the error of her ways.
Well it's getting really late and I have to get up early so I'll have to continue the rest of this week's synopsis in a few days. I'll leave you with the end as it pertains to the OW. After rescuing Seth from the lame Zack attack, Cohen uses his boyish charm not to mention his "twin ambassadors of pain" to disarm Alex leading them to a major make out seesion at the Bait Shop. Unfortunately, with the arrival of the OW, I must say that I am now really jealous of Adam Brody. He was my favorite character until he unwittingly became the luckiest man in tv (honorable mention goes to Jesse Metcalf). Damn you Seth Cohen, damn you!

Moving on...

For my purposes here, I'll just refer to her as Lady X. Upon the suggestion from my wise friend Sarah, I just deleted Lady X's name from my buddy list as well as my cell phone. Hopefully now I can move on from dwelling over what might have been with her. Can't believe how much I let myself get caught up with her, afterall, when we met she told me she had a boyfriend.
Somehow, some way, out of the blue, this person captured my imagination in ways that I hadn't known in quite some time. I guess that's why it's been hard letting go of the pipe dream that I might one day be able to call her mine. I let myself think that Lady X marked the spot in my heart that I've been longing to fill.
Don't get me wrong, I don't wish her any ill will at all. I'm the one to blame here. The only thing she's guilty of is being wonderful, beautiful and downright adorable. It's been a while since we last spoke and I was under the impression that we would be in touch. The fact is I don't know if she's even around anymore. Wherever she is I hope she is safe and above all else happy.

As for me, the elusive search for my piece of mind as well as my own slice of happiness continues....

Season's Greetings

Now that I've finally taken off my 'fat' pants and digested all of my Aunt's cooking from turkey day, it's time to get down to business...That's right, I helped my dad put up the good ol' xmas lights as well as dragged the artificial tree out of the attic today. Can't wait for the annual 'oh shit I haven't started my xmas shopping and the mall closes in 10 minutes' ritual.
And in the holiday spirit, Notre Dame fired Ty Willingham today and the Browns broomed Butch Davis out the door. Bah humbug indeed.
Just saw National Treasure today for no apparent reason than the fact that I was bored and needed to give in to my treasure hunt fetish. I must say, Jerry Bruckheimer has this popcorn movie formula down pat. Diane Kruger is nice to look and on top of that there was a treasure to be found courtesy of out Forefathers. Couldn't believe that JB was able to not only rope in Jon Voight but Harvey Keitel as well. The movie was fine, harmless in that way where you're entertained and afterwards you completely forget about it. Totally recommend it if you're catching it via the matinee. Not quite worth the $10.50 that's being forced on us but you won't feel totally ripped off.