On the eve of each new year we often reflect on our lives. As I do this dear e-strippers, I wish you joy that never ends and happiness with all your family and friends.

Where were you when 2006 began?
Drunk in the ladies restroom of Regal theatre.

Who were you with?
(e:theecarey)

Where will you be when 2006 ends?
Dressed as Patsy from Ab Fab at the PMT party!

Whom will you be with when 2006 ends?
Everyone at the party.

Was 2006 a good year for you?
Overall, yes. It has been a struggle but I learned so much about myself and who I am that it was worth all the hurt!

What was your favorite moment of the year?
Holding my nephew Ryan for the first time.

What was your least favorite moment of the year?
My Gramma's wake.

Did you keep your New Year resolutions of 2006?
I don't do resolutions.

Do you have any New Year resolutions for 2007?
Again, I don't do resolutions. Just see the list for my plans at the bottom.

Did you fall in love in 2006?
No.

Did you breakup with anyone in 2006?
Friends, yes.

Did you make any new friends in 2006?
Yes.

What was your favorite month of 2006?
September

Did you travel outside of the US in 2006?
Only Canada this year. Blah.

How many different states did you travel to in 2006?
Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, D.C., Pennsylvania

Did you lose anybody close to you in 2006?
My Gramma.

Did you miss anybody in the past year?
All my family and friends that live in other countries and states.

What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2006?
The Science of Sleep

What was your favorite song from 2006?
James Blunt - Goodbye My Lover

What was your favorite album from 2006?
30 Seconds to Mars - A Beautiful Lie

How many concerts did you see in 2006?
9

Did you have a favorite concert in 2006?
30STM at Edge Fest

Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2006?
Yes.

Did you do drugs in 2006?
Yes.

Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
I let others walk on me. No more.

What was the worst lie someone told you in 2006?
You're a very beautiful woman.

Did you treat somebody badly in 2006?
Questionable, but probably yes.

Did somebody treat you badly in 2006?
Many.

What was your proudest moment of 2006?
Getting two outstanding employee reviews by both of my bosses.

What was your most embarrassing moment of 2006?
My door opening while having sex.

If you could go back in time to any moment of 2006 and change something, what would it be?
Not drink 8 martinis at Cecilias. Oy.

What are your plans for 2007?

Visit family and friends around Europe
Fix my bike
Fix my trunk and put new wheels on it
Hang that damn spice rack before it's time to move
Write my structure for the text book I'm working on
Get much better at guitar
Graduate
Land a job I love
Buy a car that's not a total piece of shit
Say what I mean and mean what I say
Don't make assumptions
Always do my best
And try not to take things personally!

I'd like (e:theecarey)'s journal but i'm in a hurry. so just go look at hers for further readings on this adventure. meanwhile, here are some crayon renderdings we did while on our mental vaca.


the adventure begins in a dark red room by a cozy fire and a well packed vanilla 'enhanced' hookah


carey's fire depiction


my fire depiction

we decided to draw fruit baskets with our mouths


carey's


mine


i saw little ghosts coming out of the smoke flying at my head


i have no idea what carey saw although she kept laughing and yelling 'chainsaws!'


dinner


then came my merry-go-round ride. my legs were kicking away because i thought i was running the opposite direction of all the horses on it. the music was wack, and i think i saw paul.


self-explanitory


i began riding a horse complete with gallop motions


when i looked at carey she was wearing a huuuuuge yellow hat, like the 'man in the yellow hat' and her lips were covered in blood.


i did my party trick. write like davinci.
can't read it? print it out and hold it in a mirror.


carey and i will be attending the new year party as eddy and patsy!

Christmas Eve at Gramma's last night was hard. I cried a little bit in secret, but then I remembered this poem someone sent. I thought I would share it in memory of Irene, and to anyone else who lost a loved one this year. Happy Christmas peeps.

My First Christmas in Heaven

I see the countless trees around the world below
With tiny lights like Heaven's stars reflecting in the snow
The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tears
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year

I hear many Christmas songs that people hold so dear
But the sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here
I have no words to tell you the joy their voices bring
For it is beyond description to hear the angels sings

I know how much you miss me
I see the pain inside your heart
But I am not so far away, we really aren't apart
So be happy for me dear ones
You know I hold you dear
Be glad I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year

- Unknown

I shouldn't be at work. I should be off on vaca like all the others. But noooooooooooo, I had too much fucking work to do. This is what I felt like

Today's quote:


"Sleep. The death of each day, but a doorway to the map of humanity." - unknown



I'm helping my program director/professor/internship supervisor write a new textbook. It's about the function of Catholic colleges and universities. As we were discussing some things today during our meeting we checked in on the Cardinal Newman Society. If you're not familiar, it's a set of like minded individuals in the Cahtolic faith. You may also refer to them as the watch dogs of Catholocism in education, very conservative. Anyhoo, I came across this piece and thought, wow. That's something. Particularly look at numbers 5,7, and 8. I am in NO WAY saying all Catholics believe this for surely there are many that take a different approach. I'm just curious of other's opinions. If you have any. Ciao.

Embrace the chaos for when you least expect it, peace will be put upon you.

In Chaos I see: The Clint Boon Experience.

I just wanted to say thanks (e:jenks) for really helping me out with the sweet potatoe casserole last night. My kiddos LOVED it. They were really excited to have the chance to try it, since we lost the other one in the fire and all. I just wanted to give a little shout-out, I really appreciate your help! Ciao.

awake again, stars are bright

watch tv to see people more messed up than me

smile :)

it's gonna be alright, no matter what they say


it's gonna be alright cuz I'm alright with me.

(jewel, new sound)

Stormed Toronto Wednesday night to see, you guessed it, 30STM, again. I love those guys so much, it's always a rockin good time at their shows. I think this makes show 7 this year? Didn't do any stalking this round because we had to truck back home after the show. Not to mention Kool Haus is right on the harbor so the whole place smelled like bad fish. Gross. New user sound clip from a live acoustic set. Ciao.



Jared



my favorite, Tomo

The theme song for this post is Eminem: Cleanin' Out My Closet

There is something on my mind that keeps rearing its ugly head at me. I've tried and tried to work through it but I can't seem to make any sense of it, therefore I'm having trouble moving forward.

I've recently been faced with facts. These facts changed my mind about several people in my life, their sincerity, and how much I've been used for my kindness. It gave me the motivation I lacked to do what I had to do and to be ok with it.

Why be ok with it? I feel for people. Deep down, everyone I have ever known, no matter what wrongs they have done to me, still has a place in my heart. Probably a very, very minute place, but they are never forgotten. So I have a hard time moving people to that remote part of my heart. More often than not I simply get used along the way, and continue to forgive and forgive. Lately the events in my life, though certainly not pleasant, allowed me the opportunity to shift some people over and feel good in the end.

I feel no guilt, not that I should. It was hard but I feel all the better for it. It was a real step in my personal growth. The confidence to know I don't depend on others for my happiness. Friendship is a circle created by two people. When one is holding on only half-assed with one hand, the circle is broken. I've gained the confidence to know I can let go too. There's no sense reaching for someone that doesn't want your hand. Let them fall. Let me fall. It's ok.

I've learned that most of my friends dislike each other. As a result A doesn't want to be around me because of the B, while the B 'won't allow' the A to come around. I don't really care if A and B get along however I will say I think both A and B SUCK because the person being punished for it is C.

My struggle to move forward is, do I let A and B go as well? Since neither wants to spend time with C because of their dislike for each other, there isn't much of a friendship left is there? Can I let go of this too, and be ok? That is the question I have to be able to answer yes to.