New Year

It's New Years Eve and I'm sitting at work. I'm wearing all black to bid farewell to the old year. I can't say I'll be sad to see this one go. There was a lot of uncertainty going on for me in personal conflict. Though as of a few days ago I've felt a little more at peace - like I'm ready to get on the right track and finally finish what I started.

There's also a lot of scariness about 2002 apart from me. Attacks on civil liberties, censorship, wars and rumors of wars, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria.

Still, as a rule in my own book of life, odd years are definately the more interesting ones. God, if there is a God, help us in 2003.

Onward.

I placed my Oscar Wilde calligraphy on my desk next to Sai Baba. Yes, opposites DO attract and my karma is sinking ever lower. Though one is not suppose to think of karma in terms of a point system, so I'm not all that worried about it.

Last night I went out and bought alcohol for tonight's festivities. I picked up bottles of Sake, Johannisberg Riesling and Italian champaign. Then I realized the theme going on, so I put back the Riesling and picked up a bottle of Pernot Grigio instead.

Though some years ago, I was with a group of friends and we came up with a similarly themed mixed drink. Do NOT try this at home . . .

Triumph of the Axis Powers:

2 oz Jaggermeister
1 oz Fragelico
Sake chaser

Garanteed to cause blitzkrieg barfing.

I'm not sure what mix would go with the current Axis of Evil, but I'm sure Coors fits in there somewhere.

Stay safe.

Happy New Year!

In the News . . .

From CNN: Bush: N. Korea can be resolved peacefully - President not so sure about Iraq

CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) -- President Bush said Tuesday he is confident a diplomatic solution can be reached in the North Korea nuclear standoff but said he fears Saddam Hussein "has not heard the message" and Iraq may be headed into war with the United States.

So let me get this straight... North Korea has admitted to having a nuclear program and just booted out the inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency while Iraq has opened its doors to UN inspectors, delivered all the papers they were suppose to yet we still have to go to war with Iraq?

New year, same old same old. . .

Review & Resolutions

First, the year in review:

1. Finished up all my course work for my masters.

2. Became more active in bleeding heart social activists type things.

3. Kept a good job that I actually like for a full year. In this economy - Woohoo!

4. Fought for a film festival project on civil liberties and social justice to counter balance the American Values in the Post 9/11 era project going on at my university. I've just learned that it will be funded for the winter and spring quarter. Thanks to everyone that offered documetary suggestions =)

5. Made my first trip to Las Vegas.

6. Only wrote four short fics this year.

7. Moved off campus.

Resolutions:

1. Get myself into the right mindset so as to accomplish resolution goals. 2002 has not seen much enthusiasm from me. I think I let myself sink into a bit of a depression and I'd like to work myself out of it. Need right thought. I'm feeling a bit of a momentum picking up, however, so now is the time to grab hold of it and run.

2. Get healthier. Bad mindset didn't help the health at all. I've had the flu three times and several bronchial infections. Need to eat better and exercise. So off with the red meat and pork. I'm sticking to fish, occasional chicken and veggies and fruits.

3. No gluten. Separate resolution from the rest of the food stuff since this is the big one. A no-wheat life is difficult and I love bread. After Jan 1st, cold turkey. Nada. I'm told this will also help me lose weight, since the inability to process the gluten is what's making me gain the weight in the first place.

4. Lose about 40 pounds by June.

5. Write and submit original fiction, creative non-fiction and essays to various mags and contests.

6. Have the outline and first chapter of my thesis submitted for review by May.

7. Save enough money to take a trip in the summer.