As promised, a post about my new goodies:
I got (among other things) an iPod Nano, books (including the ESPN College Football Encyclopedia), “The West Wing” (seasons 4 & 7 — thus completing my collection), several books (history and baseball, of course), tickets to the U.Va./Gonzaga game at the JPJ on January 3, some non-stick cookware (big enough to make TWO grilled cheese sandwiches at the same time!), a couple of pilsner glasses etched with the U.Va. seal, a motorized tie rack from Sharper Image that will apparently show me 72 ties in a matter of seconds (my 26 ties should take even less time), a good bit o’ cash (which I promptly spent on new clothes, including a new tie), and a big honkin’ cordless drill (which has inspired a lust for more and bigger power tools which I neither need nor know how to use). I had some cash leftover, so the rest will be going toward buying books for school, although I also want to get an iPod accessory or three. I want something to protect it, something to strap it to my arm while I’m working out, and possibly something to enable me to listen to it in the car. But I’ll probably just stick with CDs in the car.
I also got engaged. Yes, that’s right. Engaged. After months of planning to propose, I finally did it on Christmas Eve. For you saps out there, the proposal involved a Faberge egg Christmas ornament and a ring that belonged to my grandmother. Anticipating your next question, we don’t have a date yet, but for now we’re going with “sometime in the next 18 months.” If I had to wager, I’d put my money on late spring of 2008, but it could be as early as fall of 2007 I suppose.
Emily and I are both very excited, and I suppose we should probably start thinking more seriously about the who/what/when/where/hows of everything, but for we’re just enjoying all of the attention. Or at least I am. Even if I’m a little bit ashamed to admit it.
Needless to say, this was a very good Christmas for me. I hope everyone out there can say the same. Best wishes for a Happy New Year!
Filed under: General
I’ve been slacking on my blog. Such is life at home for the holidays, when I’m not chained to my computer writing papers and checking e-mail compulsively. OK, fine… I’m still checking e-mail compulsively, but I’m not writing papers. And so I’m not posting much. This won’t be much of a post either.
I’ll try to post in a few days with my newly-acquired Christmas loot and perhaps some photos, but I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and other assorted winter holiday greetings.
Filed under: General
I had a 19-hour train ride (it got delayed, but only a little bit) and finally made it home Saturday morning. Since then it’s been a complete blur of Playstation with my brother and hanging out with Emily.
I picked her up at the airport Sunday night around 11, and who did I see at the baggage claim area but “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair! Some of you may be saying, “Who the hell is Ric Flair?” (That’s exactly what Emily said when I whispered in her ear: “Oh snap, I’m pretty sure that’s Ric Flair.”) Others of you will most certainly know who he is, especially if you’re a male between the ages of 15 and 30 and have ever harbored a secret (or not-so-secret) desire for professional wrestling. I myself am not much into it these days, but there was a time when I fancied myself a young brawler.
Anyway, Mr. Flair had a young woman on his arm, quite attractive and probably half his age or less (I think he’s probably close to 60 by now–he looks like crap, at least compared to his peak days, but he’s still pretty big). He had a skycap and several airport security guards came over to chat him up and get his autograph–probably a dereliction of duty of one sort of another. I, for one, tried to take a picture as inconspicuously as possible, but Emily’s camera failed me. Alas.
I wanted to walk right up to him and just shout: “Wooooooooooo!” (only those of you with previous wrestling knowledge will understand this) but I figured that was probably not terribly original. It would have been funny for me though.
I have a confession to make.
For the last couple of years, Christmas has been kind of a letdown. I don’t mean in the sense that I didn’t get the presents I wanted or that I didn’t enjoy spending time with family and friends, but I just didn’t have the same sort of excitement I always had as a kid. Maybe it started when I discovered that Santa Claus wasn’t real. I don’t know.
I loved Christmas when I was little, but for the last couple of years, it just hasn’t been the same. I didn’t get the same joy from simply walking through the mall during the holidays. I certainly didn’t have any urge to listen to Christmas music. Exchanging presents, while fun, didn’t seem to hold any special meaning.
I never said anything to anyone about it, but I felt like a Scrooge. I wanted to love Christmas again, but I couldn’t for some reason. I was afraid that Christmas would never be the same magical time of year that it once was. I was afraid that I would have to begin listing the Fourth of July as my favorite holiday.
This year, I’m happy to report, I’ve gotten rid of my inner Ebenezer. I contemplated buying and decorating a tree for my apartment, and although I didn’t (mainly because I’m heading home in a few days), I’ve been downloading Christmas music like a fiend, and I plan on baking more than you can shake a stick at next week.
I also have every intention of making wassail again this year. I know it’s a hassle, but it’s Christmas. Mom, we’re gonna need some apple cider.
I don’t know if it’s because my time away from home has made me appreciate the idea of returning, or if I’m simply clinging for dear life to any final vestige of childhood. But whatever it is, I hope it doesn’t go away. This is how the Christmas season is supposed to feel.
Filed under: General
I would not be at all upset if this company went under tomorrow. Sure, I’d have to find a new internet provider, but I would almost welcome that hassle. Let me share with you my latest BellSouth customer service adventure.
Well, a month or so ago, I decided that I was not using all of the feature on my so-called “Complete Choice” phone plan. I mainly use my cell phone, and really only have the landline because it’s required for DSL service. The only people who call my landline are my mom and the people who run my apartment complex, so I had no need for caller ID, caller ID block, call waiting, call waiting caller ID, three-way calling, and the like. So, I called and cancelled all of that nonsense, reducing my monthly bill by about $30.
One night about two weeks ago, I get a phone call from a lady with BellSouth who barely speaks English. She assured me that the action she would be taking on my account was going to save me money. I said to her, “I don’t want any extra services, are you sure this is going to reduce my bill?” I asked her this three times, being assured each time that my bill would be less. Finally, desperate to get off the phone with this incomprehensible woman, I said “OK, fine.” and hung up.
I got my bill today, and sure enough, all of those nifty little services had been added to my account and my bill was almost $40 more than the previous month. PISSED is what I was. I called, had everything cancelled again, and reluctantly paid my bill.
I considered trying to fight it, but given everything else I’ve been through with BellSouth in the last three months, I figured they probably wouldn’t give in, and I decided it just wasn’t worth my time or effort. So I paid the bill, and the next time I get a phone call from BellSouth, I will politely to tell them just where to stick their fancy little features.
ARRRGH.
