Passing Afternoon

Can't Wrap This

Eve

There is no one at work today; this place is like an abandoned warehouse. Really, it's not like I have anything better to do, but I resent being here.

I have to buy stockings and candy from Dylan's with which to stuff said stockings during my lunch break. I stole the idea from a coworker which is why I'm doing it at the last minute. Otherwise, I've done all of my Christmas shopping/wrapping/shipping. I'm still in shock that I completed everything so early (for me) and that everyone will actually get their presents on time.

I'm spending Christmas with my mom tomorrow during the day and then The Big O at night. I didn't do Thanksgiving with my mom because of the trip to Barcelona - a fact that she ruefully recounted. This was first Thanksgiving that we haven't spend together since coming to the US 24 years ago and though she tried to hide how upset it made her, I could tell she was genuinely distressed. I think she expected this to happen sooner or later but I don't think she could really prepare herself for it. So, yeah, I'll be with my mom during the day and then head over to The Big O's at some point.

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it, Season's Fury to those who don't.

Sleep

One unintended consequence of losing weight is that I don't need nearly as much sleep anymore. Before, I had to get at least 7 hours, preferably 8, per night. This never ever happened so I was always tired and miserable. Now, I can get by on 5-6 hours per night. It's a good thing, too, because I went to bed at midnight and woke up around 5 and if I fall back asleep, it won't be for another hour or so.

(As an aside, I'm typing this post using the Typepad app for iPhone and it is simply atrocious. I can't select or create categories, even though I should be able to, the "save draft" feature doesn't work, and the viewable area where I type the post is half an inch. It's kind if pointless to be on the cutting edge of technology if you're going to half-ass it, Typepad.)

Barcelona

Milton, John, and I went to Barcelona and Amsterdam for John's 30th birthday. Naturally, we had a great time and quickly decided we have to go back in the summer so we can go to the beach and Ibiza.

Pics and more after the jump.

Black Mona Lisa

When I use my iPod, I usually have it on shuffle and listen to individual songs instead of albums. For the past month or so, I've been listening to albums and most of the time doing so does nothing to change my opinion of an artist or album. Once in a while, though, I've come across a great album, like Lamya's Learning from Falling that's more than a collection of songs that were thrown together for one reason or another. Lamya is best known for Empires and while I like that track (and absolutely love the remixes), Black Mona Lisa is my favorite song. I freely admit my love of this song is because of an emotional connection rather than any qualitative artistic merit. My favorite verse is

I used to be a connoisseur Of hate, self hate, paternal hate Hate cum gratis I connected every kind Sipping it like red wine The insecurity was mine The ties that bind were My design

Though now I can see why I connected with this song, back in 2002 when the album was a bit more... clueless. Isn't it strange how we can be blind to the obvious? Sadly, Lamya died earlier this year of a heart attack at the age of 35. Maria Lawson covered Black Mona Lisa but I don't care for it since Lawson's arrangement didn't add anything to the original.

Paris: Gay Pride, Briefly

Paris

Bonjour, Bitches!

I'm going to Paris next week! As with so much in my life, this trip was not planned until the very last minute.I have much packing to do, but hopefully I can get that done over the weekend. As a bonus, I'll be in Paris during Pride. I'm so excited... I'm so exciteeeed!... I'm so... SCARED!

The License

Via everywhere.

Looks like my uncle is OK. (I actually thought the wrong one was visiting Honduras.) Overall, there doesn't seem to be that much damage from the earthquake. I'm still trying to get more info.