Aaron Riveroll | Photographer

Sometimes you wonder how accidents happen.  For instance, I was driving to work today and a large vehicle of some sort was stuck on the embankment.  First of all, how in the world did it get up there?  And second, how in the world did it get up there?  Only God knows, I suppose. 

God knows a lot of stuff, actually.  Like the lady at Walmart.  Brian and I went the other night to go pick up some essentials.  We spent a good hour or so perusing their wares.  On our way out, one of the greeters in a blue vest stopped us and asked how I liked Point Loma.  I didn’t realize it, but I was wearing my PLNC Concert Choir shirt from freshman year.  I told her that I loved PLNC (PLNU, these days) and she asked me about music, so I told her I loved that too.  She proceeded to tell me that she loved music and singing too, and then a little about her boys and that she was having some rough times.  The whole conversation was under 5 minutes, but she asked me to pray for her.  I told her I would.  I made it a point to look at her name tag, but I’ve since forgotten her name  So I prayed for the nice Walmart lady.  God knows who she is.  And what’s troubling her too. 

Sometimes people just need to talk.  I’m glad I can listen. 

In other news, today is Friday…and I’m gearing up for a nice three-day weekend.  And I want a chocolate Hostess donut. 

I have a photo shoot in the morning and then the rest of the weekend is open.  Although, I have been spending much time this week on projects and such.  I have Katie and Eric’s (still working on it…I know, I’m pathetic) wedding to finish.  I’ve had many excuses, like a new job and moving that sort of put a damper on things.  But it should be finished soon.  I also have to throw together some sort of promotional video for our wedding services since Brian and I will be stepping up our marketing and will need some sort of samples for potential clients to view.  Our work thus far is nice, but we can’t bring a full DVD for each client we meet.  It works with friends, but not when people want to see what we do really quickly.  So I’ll be working on that, plus getting a bunch of stuff in the mail that has been sitting around waiting to be mailed. 

And why am I going through my laundry-list of to-do’s with you?  Like you care?

In more interesting subjects, I cooked again last night…this time, without the aid of a recipe.  I did get some advice from my pop, who helped me choose chicken.  I threw some of this tender, white meat together with some green bell pepper, onion, and garlic…and it was very tasty.  Along with a bit o’ the San Francisco treat (I cheated a little), the cheesy rice added a little something special to the plate.  I also finished with some tossed greens.  You know, to balance things out.

Speaking of which, I had a very strange thing happen to me yesterday.  While I was cooking dinner, the phone rang.  It was my roommate’s girlfriend.  Now, my roommate works nights, so he was deep in Sleepyland when she called.  But she wanted to come over to surprise him for a special occasion, which was quite lovely …but even more lovely was the fact that she asked if it was okay to come over. 

I mean, of course it’s okay.  She’s dating my roommate.  But I was blown away… I have never had the girlfriend of a roommate do that before…they’ve always just sort of been there. It’s nice to know there are still thoughtful people in this world. 

Anyway, I actually have stuff on my desk now to work on, so more later.  I just haven’t been in the writing mood; every time I sit down to write something, I get distracted or stupid.   Hopefully it’s a phase.  Have a great Friday, y’all.  Friday the 13th, that is. 

Muah-ha-ha-ha…

Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to work for: Washington Mutual

See the full list here. 

Well, I embarked on another culinary adventure; this time, with a little Russian cuisine. Yes, folks, I tackled Beef Stroganoff.

Now, Beef Stroganoff is a relatively easy dish. If memory serves me right, I remember cooking it up as a mere lad, although cheating ever-so-slightly. Back in the day, I had used the typical ingredients (meat, sour cream, egg noodles, etc.) but used a sauce packet mix. It still tasted good and it was easy…but this time around, I wanted something a little more challenging. By challenging, I don’t mean “more time consuming,â€? just a little tougher than the Sandra Lee way.

So I looked to my friends at the Food Network and, of course, immediately to Rachael Ray’s take on this Russian classic. Rachael is my kind of woman because she knows what tastes good, yet doesn’t spend a heck of a lot of time making it. That’s perfect for me and my short attention span.

Again, my efforts turned out to be a hit and I will definitely be revisiting this recipe soon.

In other news, my dad and I went to GI Joe’s downtown. I’ve been looking to find myself a large duffle bag for when I tote my clothes, laundry, or a small child around. I think I accidentally chose a bag that is slightly larger than I need. I could fit myself in this bag. Well, not really…but it is huge. If anyone needs to sneak a midget, a really cute petite girl, or a smurf onto a commercial airliner, feel free to borrow my bag.

More adventures tomorrow. See you then.

Have you seen the commercial for the Glade Wisp? I’ve never been impressed with this commercial and honestly have thought it was stupid. First of all, the whole concept of the campaign is this Wisp thing; this magical puff of smelly goodness that creates a pleasing aroma throughout your home. It’s so pleasing and captivating that it shows an entire family (mom, dad, and kid) sitting around the living room watching this little device puff out little clouds of Mmmm.

Okay, stop right there. Who ever heard of a kid sitting still for that long? And really, folks, is there a little white puff of smoke that really poofs out? And is it enough to captivate an audience of puff-loving people?

The answer to most of those questions is yes. I purchased one and set it up in the most important place in the house; the bathroom. And whilst I was in there organizing, I watched as a little small puff poofed out of the blowhole, if you will. Apple cinnamony goodness. And I actually saw the white puff. It was quite magical.

Never will I be so skeptical.

And in other news, the first day of January is officially come and gone. As a matter of fact, it’s about 5:30 in the morning on the 2nd, and I’m watching the news. There’s a dude that’s reporting LIVE from Pacific Beach. The difference between he and I is he has a good reason for being up this early. So I think I’m going to sleep now. But there are 30 more shopping days left until this old man gets even older. Just thought I would throw that in there. :)

Good night. Er, morning.

so this is the new year.
and i don’t feel any different.
the clanking of crystal
explosions off in the distance (in the distance).

so this is the new year
and I have no resolutions
for self assigned penance
for problems with easy solutions

so everybody put your best suit or dress on
let’s make believe that we are wealthy for just this once
lighting firecrackers off on the front lawn
as thirty dialogues bleed into one

i wish the world was flat like the old days
then i could travel just by folding a map
no more airplanes, or speedtrains, or freeways
there’d be no distance that can hold us back.
-the new year, death cab for cutie

Welcome to 2006, people. It’s definitely been an interesting ride…but we are finally here. :) The ball has dropped, the cork has popped, Auld Lang Syne has been sung, and now I look forward to several excruciating weeks of getting used to writing “2006″ instead of “2005″ on everything.

Looking back, 2005 had a lot of interesting stuff. This is what I could remember…

Changes
There were lots of these. People. People in my life changed. Although that’s what happens when you grow up. People change. Sometimes it’s for the better…and sometimes it’s for the worst. I’ve seen it go both ways these last 365 days, some more recent than others.

The place where my paycheck comes from also changed. That was hard, since I left a bunch of people I cared about for a strange, different place. But it’s worked out for the best and there are several great people at the “W” that have become good friends.

Changes are always hard; but they are part of growing up. They make us better people, and that is something I’m learning every single day. It actually is one of the mottos over at the “W,‿ since things are ever-changing around there.

I’ve also changed the roof over my head. A year ago, I moved out from my Point Loma paradise to live in La Mesa. I left the convenience of being so close to the beach to being so close to…well…nothing. I gave up sharing a room to having a room of my own, which actually ended up being as small as an Altoid tin. And now, officially as of last night, I am out of that house and into my brand new apartment. I’m loving the situation, the roommates, the location. I, of course, didn’t like the circumstances surrounding the move, but you get over things. Maybe. We all know how I deal with that. Do I feel a resolution coming on?

New Friends, Old Friends
How ironic, two years before the big 10-year reunion, that I would reconnect with people I haven’t seen or talked to in the last seven years? With the MySpace explosion, I found people that I never would have even thought would be on MySpace. And of course, leave it to those Ramona grads to find success…a high-paying government job, grad school in France, love in Italy…the list goes on. Who ever said nothing good comes from Ramona? Cow-Pie High my butt! Can I get a yee-haw?

And along with old friends, I also have met some new special people…a cute California girl from Kansas, a really cool model from Alpine, three really cute girls and a Chihuahua from Sacramento just to name a few. Who knows who I will meet next?

Relationships
2005 was a lonely year. It was a year where I realized I could feel absolutely and totally alone and at the same time be totally surrounded by people, if that makes any sense. It was a year in which I realized that more times than not I had nothing to say. It was a year I saw true colors. It was a year I realized the things that I want may not be the things that I need. It was a year of making a fool of myself at times and learning from those mistakes.

There’s a lot more I could reflect on and a lot more details I could fill in, but then they wouldn’t be the mysteries of life that we know and love. Besides, most of you reading were here for the journey anyway; the ups and downs, the good and the bad. I appreciate the comments and the emails from people who actually read what I ramble about. I’d probably still write anyway even if no one read…but it’s nice to know you people actually care about me.

2006 is going to bring some good things…I can just feel it. It’s another 365 days to meet challenges head on and to fall flat on my face. And as long as I keep getting up, I know I’ll be okay.

Happy New Year!