Although the list is long, the above line is probably the number one reason why REO Speedwagon is the lamest band to be born out of the late 70's. And considering the state of popular music at that time... that's quite an achievement.

I mention this because I recently changed my "commuting" music in my car from the Avenue Q soundtrack to REO Speedwagon's Greatest Hits. Why did I do this, you ask? Well, because it just makes me chuckle listening to a group of thirty-something men whine about the various ways in which they have been wronged by the female sex.

That may be somewhat shallow, but I find I'm okay with that.

Ok. Due to a wave of comment spam revolving around philosophical sayings and online gambling, I have installed a plugin to the blog software that requires comments to be approved. I will try to do this as quickly as possible, but if you post a comment on this blog and don't see it for a bit, don't panic.

Question: If you fishtail dramatically through a major intersection... and you don't hit anything... but only because it's after midnight... do you get a prize?

PONDER THIS! Cuz I want a prize. A blue ribbon would be nice... or a puppy. Or maybe just some decent snow tires. That would be neat.

Seriously, though, the drive home wasn't as bad as I expected. I mean I think I averaged about 15 mph the whole way but there was no one else on the road really so it didn't matter. And, our supervisor let us leave a half hour early, so despite the fact that the driving sucked, I still made it home at my usual time. Not a bad night, all in all...

Until I heard about what's going on in South Asia. Crap. I wish I had something more profound to say but I can't think of a damn thing. I do hope Luke is okay.

So, now I'm off to bed (read: watch stargate on my computer until I fall asleep) and to count my blessings for only the six hundredth time this weekend. Goodnight.

OKay, well, it wasn't a Patriots game but it was still an entertaining way to spend my day off. This game had it all... offensive touchdowns, defensive touchdowns... special teams touchdowns... yeesh. Not to mention 12 or so rushing yards for my man, Drew. Way to go, Bills.

Marcus is feeling better. He's starting to tear around the house again and beg for food, although only in short bursts. He's still a little sniffly and congested but much improved. So, I'm feeling much better as well.

Only four more days of work, then I'm home for the holidays... only for about 24 hours of holidays but it will have to do. Oh, and by the way... it's looking like I probably won't be getting anyone any Christmas presents... at least not in time for the actual day... they may be more like New Years presents... we'll do it like the Russian Communists do. But, I do apologize... I just happen to be broke at the moment so there's not a whole lot to be done unless I plan to not eat for the next four days. Which... come to think of it, wouldn't actually be a record breaker for me but still not something I'm eager to try.

ANYWAY. I'll see everyone on Friday. :)

Well, THIS is... kinda not wholly unexpected but still bizarre. Personally, I think the whole idea of a ninth season is bizarre but I am totally looking forward to it. I've reached a point where I've had my fun with this show, and now it's just fun to sit back and watch how far it will go. I mean, I'm never going to get tired of it. I'm not entirely sure why that is, except that the characters are so well established now, the actors are able to get creative and do things with them that they couldn't seven or eight years ago. Mostly, though, it's just mind-boggling to watch the show and realize that it will never truly die. It's rather frightening in that respect.

So, Marcus is sick. He's got a cold and generally looks unhappy, which makes me unhappy. I'm hoping he'll snap out of it soon, but if he's still looking crappy or worse tomorrow, I'm going to have to get him checked out. My exceptionally nice roommates offered to help pay for the vet bill since it was their kitten that undoubtedly brought home the nasty little virus but I doubt I'll take them up on it. It's not like there's anything they could have done to prevent it, and honestly, Marcus brought this on himself the way he's constantly licking the kitten. Apparently, his neurotic cleanliness applies to all cats in his vicinity, not just himself.

The kitten, by the way, is named Tato. Or... Tate-O? Tatoe? I dunno. Sounds like the last half of potato, but I'm pretty sure Eylem stuck an "e" in there somewhere so... go figure. Maybe it's a Turkish thing. I don't question it, mostly because this is like the fourteenth name this poor cat has had since coming to live here and I don't want to risk Eylem losing confidence in her latest choice. This one appears to be sticking, though, so I'm probably being overly cautious. Oh well.

I suppose I should try and update a little more frequently... not a whole lot has been going on, though. Work is going really well, I'm definitely getting the hang of things now. Unfortunately, one of my co-workers who did most of my training and was incredibly cool quit on Sunday and is moving back to Oregon after what must have been a rather unpleasant break up with her boyfriend with whom she was living. I'm totally bummed. Oh, and men suck.

Other than that, though, things are going well. My roommates and I are getting along and the cats are now fast friends. They wrestle and clean each other and sleep together, it's very cute. I got my first paycheck on Friday which just totally made my day and I am definitely getting a feel for the geography around here. I've totally mastered Storrow Drive now and I'm getting good at the other main drags too.

So, all in all, life is good. And, just so everyone knows, I *will* be home for Christmas. I have the 24th off so I'll be home that morning and will be able to spend that night and Christmas morning with the fam before heading back to work around 12:30ish. So, that's that. Now, I'm off to bed. Gute nacht!

I'd like to send out a massive thank you to my parents and Elizabeth and Andrew and Karen taking their Saturday morning to haul all my furniture and miscellaneous items up three flights of stairs to my apartment. I also extend that thank you to Kali and Lee who surely would have been a great help had they a single brain cell between them. (Haha... just kidding. It doesn't take an idiot to get lost in Somerville, anyone can do it.) But it was nice of them to make the trip and attempt to help.

So, I'm finally settling in and feeling very much at home here. Today is my day off so I'm going to explore and also meet Gi and Eric (of Hidden Valley Camp fame) for lunch. My roommate invited me to a "Passion Party" tonight that she's more or less obligated to attend despite her reluctance, but I passed. I think I'll watch Charmed instead. Heh heh.

It's a new month, with a new job and a new home for me. And for Marcus. Moved in officially on Tuesday and was very grateful for Andy's help in hauling all my stuff up three flights of stairs. He then proceeded to sack out in front of "Donnie Darko" while I puttered around and tried to coax poor Marcus out from under the futon. Eventually he came out and is now quite comfortable around here.

Started my new job today... yesterday rather. I started at 3pm on Wednesday... and I was, of course, late. Only by about ten minutes but it was still embarrassing. No one seemed to care, though. I have got to find a new way to drive to work because Storrow Drive is going to thoroughly kick my ass inside of a week. But anyway. Work went well... i learned some of the things they don't tell you in the interview... like the fact that once I'm done training I'll be on my shift in my assigned wards BY MYSELF. Absolutely NO ONE else will be assigned with me. The day shift wards have attendants to assist the nurses but at night the ward nurse flies solo. It's gonna be great.

Actually, I don't think it will be bad at all. I kind of like working on my own, plus there will be other nurses and techs around in other areas if I get lonely or confused.... which, let's face it, is pretty likely.

So that's that. Saturday my furniture and the rest of my stuff arrives thanks to my benevolent family members. I can't wait. I don't mind sleeping on the floor in the short term but I can't really settle in without a bed and dresser. Those things are key. So, I'll just have to deal for another two days.

Now I'm off to bed. Goodnight!