I guess it’s ironic that the last day of 2004 was the SLOWEST day in the history of mankind. Well, probably not. But I’ve been staring at this file for the longest time…and even though I’ve harbored feelings of “not wanting to be at work” before, I am really feeling that today. Good thing work let’s up in approximately seventeen minutes.

Ok, sixteen now.

Sad, sad, sad news.
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Until 2005. It’s only one number more, but for some reason, I know It’s gonna take me forever to remember to write the right year when I’m writing dates down. Isn’t that annoying? And I perfected my “4″ too, so it’s sort of disappointing that when I finally get something right, they up and change it.

I spent an enjoyable evening in the company of Miss Katrin Holt…back in town for the holidays. Unfortunately, she leaves on Saturday, so we had to get in our traditional hang out time. We hit up Chili’s and a few moments at Barnes and Noble (funny, but we went there last time she was here…hmm…). But it was good, as always. Seems like she’s doing really well.

Well, I finished uploading the new site format for NiceGuySociety.com. What can I say, I got bored with the old site. I mean, our old site hadn’t been changed for the past two years, so I figured that we’d ring in 2005 with a new look. After all, we are splitting up. Well, physically, anyway. Yes, if you haven’t heard, the NGS is going it’s separate ways later next month. But we are still a society…and going strong. There will be more news on that in the coming weeks.

Also, Brian and I met today for a new video project that should be hitting your screens in the next few weeks or so…so stay tuned for that.

Other than that, things are going well. I’m going to hit the hey and then enjoy the last remaining hours of 2004. It’s been a good 365 days, my friends. I look forward to a year of new challenges. Maybe I’ll get philosophical or something and write more later tonight. We’ll see. Good night, until then. And if I don’t see you…have a happy new year. Peace.

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To everyone who takes the time to actually check out my journal, just wanted to wish everyone happy holidays. Hope y’all had a very Merry Christmas. Mine was good because I got to spend some time with family. Got to sleep a lot (which I really needed, if you noticed my last post). Christmas just isn’t the same as it used to be…but it’s still good. The way we celebrate tends to change — whether it be because you get older, move to a different location, or your family structure is altered a bit. But the one thing that always stays the same is the reason we celebrate. It’s really easy to lose sight of that with what’s going on around us. But I have to admit, I have it pretty good. Had a certain kid not been born many, many years in a dirty stable in Bethlethem…well, for someone to live, and die, for me is a love I can never understand. But am thankful for.

So, Merry Christmas to everyone. Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend. I’ll write more later.

That’s it.

With Jamba Juice in hand, I’m ready to start fighting the battles. I got in to work a little after 6:30 and started kicking butt right away…the 5-hour jump start I put in yesterday really helped a lot, so I don’t have to stress out that much. I wouldn’t mind a bit more sleep, though, since I’ve been running low on energy ever since I kicked in overtime gear. But today’s our holiday luncheon, so that should be fun.

Had a fairly interesting weekend this weekend…first off, I finished Joanna’s CD on Saturday night. I have to say, I am mostly pleased with the results, being that it was my first project of this sort. I was concerned with how the piano would sound in the parlor…but I did my best to make it sound good. There are things I would have done differently, like how I miked the piano, etc. I probably also would have recorded a little bit louder as well. But piano is one of those tricky instruments…you have problems with “damper thump,” problems with EQ (balance is key because the treble seems to be too treble and the bass seems to be too bass). You also have problems with recording in a live hall like Crill…but I think the CD sounds good.

Joanna Wiley is an amazing pianist…I loved her Labenske pieces (my favorite is Be Thou My Vision) as well as her Prelude from Suite Bergamasque. She also plays an arrangement of Jesus Loves Me…which is absolutely beautiful. This was a fun project.

I took my car in on Saturday morning and needless to say, they didn’t know what the problem was. They also didn’t have a solution. They also didn’t have a timeframe. And I was without car. So, feeling adventurous and stranded, I thought I’d fork out the money for a rental…but not just any rental…the 2005 Ford Mustang. Mine was silver. It had about 900 miles on it…a lot for a new car. But it sounded nice. Handled like a dream. I felt like Steve McQueen in that thing. It fit me like a glove. I may have to give up my “bigger is better” mentality when it comes to cars. Even though ’stangs have been my dream car of sorts, they sort of lost their luster when I actually drove one. My mom has had two, which I’ve driven. No excitement. Back in the day, my friend Jen had one, which she let me wash one night…and I have to say I wasn’t particularly impressed. Even this ‘05 pony I drove this weekend didn’t really do a whole lot for me. But it was still nice — and got a lot of looks.

What’s on the agenda this week? Well, I NEED to get Sonja’s DVD done as well as get to work on the band concert DVD. Also, I think I’ll schedule some sleep in between.

There is nothing more that needs to be said. She is amazing. That’s all there is to it.

Right now I’m working on mastering her CD that we recorded tonight, so I should have it finished up in the next couple of days. I should be getting to bed, though, because tomorrow is John Joseph’s band concert that we are recording. But anyway, back to Joanna…had a lot of fun recording tonight…she wanted to do a Christmas CD for her family, so we recorded in Cooper and a blast. It was my first official recording session…I think that NGS Media will be offering CD demos and recording if people want to do projects like this. It really is a lot of fun to do…and Joanna is a very talented pianist. The CD will be amazing.

Well, back to the editing…

It takes a lot for me to get upset. It doesn’t happen very often. But when I do, it’s not a pretty sight. I’ve noticed one thing that will always make me angry…and that’s when my car doesn’t work. And it’s not like my car is broken or anything like that…both of my last two cars have been purchased brand new, so it’s either just a regular maintenance issue or something minor that is easily repaired. But the fact that I am without wheels is an aggravating feeling. It never fails to piss me off. (Wow, strong language there). So needless to say, there were no tears when I dropped off my car at the dealership tonight to fix whatever the problem is…no tears, but a little smoke coming from my ears. We’ll see what tomorrow brings…hopefully a working automobile and a better attitude.

Today is officially the first day of December…Christmastime is approaching rapidly. And considering how fast November flew by, I would say that the jolly fat man will be here in no time. I look forward to a lot of things. I love the weather. Even though I’m a stupid California boy at heart (meaning I have a tendancy to wear shorts and a t-shirt in sub-zero temperatures) there is something to be said about crisp, clean air. We are far enough away from L.A. to enjoy that once in a while. I enjoy driving up to Julian and singing/watching the Messiah…or really, any performance of the Messiah around town. Julian, specifically, because I get to visit my good friends, the Holts, and depending on if I’m lucky or not, I get to see Katrin too. Woo hoo. Speaking of which, I know she has sort of given up on me at this point, but ’tis is also the time for carol-swapping. Ever since I can remember, I have been a Grinch of sorts when it comes to Christmas carols. For the most part, I hate them. There’s just something oh-so-cheesy about tunes about chestnuts roasting on open fires and partridges in pear trees. Some are okay…but some just get annoying. I’ve lightned up over the years…and there are some that can bring me to tears. And I just rhymed, so I’m moving on. Time to break out my Christina Aguilera “My Kind of Christmas” CD…the only Christmas CD I own, incidentally.

I also look forward to the decorating. I, myself, don’t do any of the aformentioned decorating…but I used to look forward to helping out at home…my ma would make a big pot of stew, which was so tasty. It might have had something to do with the cold weather outside…or the fact that I would eat anything. My grandma decorates her house with the changing of the seasons, so it’s always a treat to see the transformation the living room takes on…or the Santa rug in the bathroom. Ho, ho, ho.

Well, there are lots of other things I enjoy about Christmas, but they are too numerous to list right now. Maybe later. This is a teaser, if you will. If this kid is gonna get the energy to go to work tomorrow, he better get to bed. Good night!