Well, the end of the year is finally near, and I can honestly say, "Thank God!". The massive ball of insanity that was 2005 is coming to a close, and from what it looks like (today anyway) also leaving with it is the craziness. January will bring about much peace and quietness (whatever that is) and some traveling for yours truly. As for the rest of the year, I plan on taking it one day at at time. My New Year's resolutions are simply to keep my apartment clean, become fluent in German, find a better paying job (hopefully out of retail), and find more time to read and write. I leave this year with one last website, which is www.brainyquote.com which below I have provided a few quotes from the site. It's easy to navigate and a handy tool to have. And since it is almost Christmas, may you have a merry one with the ones you love.

"I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see."
-John Burroughs
"Look, I don't want to wax philosophic, but I will say that if you're alive you've got to flap your arms and legs, you've got to jump around a lot, for life is the very opposite of death, and therefore you must at very least think noisy and colorfully, or you're not alive."
-Mel Brooks
"Thank you, God, for this good life and forgive us if we do not love it enough."
-Garrison Keillor
"May you live every day of your life."
-Jonathan Swift

Merry Christmas

There, I've said it. I feel better know. At work I have to answer the phones "Happy Holidays" and I see all sorts of "Holiday" sales going on. Now I understand that Christmas isn't the only one coming up (Hanukkah, Yule, Kwanzaa, etc.) but come on people. No one's going to be offended if you wish them a Merry Christmas. I have even had a Jewish customer (after informing me he was Jewish) wish me a Merry Christmas. Sure I've gotten my share of glares in the past, but those people were already in a bad mood to begin with. So, take a deep breath, relax, and have a very Merry Christmas.

I'm an uncle!

On the day of Tuesday December 6th, 2005, Shayla Rose came into this world. This baby girl is the first child of Matthew and Jennifer. She is 8 lbs 6oz and 19 inches long. Everyone is doing fine, although my sister is rather tired from her ordeal.
Jenni's water began a slow leak over the weekend, which she wasn't aware of until she had a doctor's appointment on Monday. She then went to the hospital where she had her baby at 6:13 on Tuesday morning. The baby's original due date was December 1st. Welcome to the world, baby girl!

All right, so I haven't been keeping up on the whole website of the week thing, so sue me. Actually, don't, I wouldn't like it. Anyway, autumn is in the air and with it comes thoughts of Back to School, the Puyallup Fair (September 9th-25th), and of course, Halloween. So since is is now that time of the year, my Website of the week is www.thefair.com This is the website for the Puyallup Fair. It's rather informative, including ticket prices. One thing it does not mention is that if you get there opening day before noon, you can get in free. I plan on doing this, just because I can.
My other website is www.redcross.org I am mentioning this one because of the tragic effects of Hurricane Katrina. I strongly advise you, if you can, to donate money. They need it folks. That's it for now. I will blog soon.

Website of the Week:

I have decided to start a website of the week. This week it is: www.crayon.net It is a site were you can view various newspapers online and read them all in the same place. It is completely free and really cool. I myself have one and I check it quite often. I hope you enjoy my website of the week.

Movie Review: Red Eye

3 1/2 Stars

What do Tim Curry, Cillian Murphy, Christopher Wilson, Gary Oldman, and Anthony Hopkins all have in common? If I were to direct a movie, I would have one of these five men play my villain. Although, I would be honored if Sir Hopkins would have any part in the movie. Each of these men have the ability to make you trust them just before they stab you in the back. And it's all in the eyes.
Now Cillan is my newest edition to my list. I marveled at him as the Scarecrow in Batman Begins and I thoroughly enjoyed him in Red Eye. I appreciate a good villain in a movie, especially one who as the ability to unnerve me.
I also enjoyed Rachel McAdams, and not just because she is, well, a hot woman. I found her very believable and thoroughly enjoyed watching her try to outsmart this guy. Admittedly, there were a few places where it became cliched, but for the most part, there was some believability to it.
The one thing I enjoyed the most, though, was the accurate depiction of the disgruntled customer. I work in retail, and can totally relate to Cynthia, who is played by Jayma Mays. They way she is treated is probably a watered down version of what I deal with every Christmas season. I take that back, it IS a watered down version. People can be downright ruthless if they even suspect that they are being cheated or not getting the service they deserve. I have to give huge kudos for that.
Overall, I had an enjoyable time with this move and give it three and a half stars.