Days gone by / For Auld Lang Syne

So after a year of being hit-or-miss with Blog postings I have finally decided to retire from this expression of myself. It’s both hard and almost too easy to let this go. I had mentioned in the last year about a “change” and maybe it is time for this one. I have thoroughly enjoyed writing, expressing myself, giving reviews & opinions, and letting my raw self be heard over the last 7 years. I am lucky that anyone was actually interested in what I had to say. I LOVE my friends and know they always have my back. It will be weird not having this as an expression of “CHEESE” but I do enough of that on Facebook, Twitter and Flickr so I can fallback on that.

I’ve been told that people love my Movie & TV reviews, Music updates, hearing about Comic-Con and my life in general. Thanks. It is kind of you to find my life that interesting when really it’s not. I live a very charmed life and that I am so lucky you cannot imagine.

I am thankful for Tasia for being there with me the last couple of years, as we start a huge part of our life together. She is definitely the thing that makes my life complete and makes me a better man.

Along with the new addition of Tegan, the rambunctious puppy that brightens my days with every passing moment, there is of course... Mister. My stead fast. My rock. The little abandoned kitten that became the greatest thing that happened to me on Grim Ave.

There are things I will try to live by and grow in. I will continue Being Creative Day-In and Day-Out, be it DESIGN, photography, drawing, gaming or whatever. My love for travel after our Costa Rica trip is insatiable. I MUST travel more. Period. I will still be in the pit or at the front for many great (and not so great) shows. I will still LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Foo Fighters with all my being. Comic-Con will always be part of me and I will try to always be part of it.

I will stay in contact with all my friends. They are part of me no matter the distance or because we haven’t talked in a year. I am there for you, as I know you are there for me.

Like everyday in my life, I feel lucky for my career, friends, family, job, love, car, cat, puppy, creativity, and life. Blog post #520. This is me, signing off, one last time.

Good Night and Good Luck.

The Small Things (for the last time) / 50 Things that make me smile

01. Girlfriend   02. Family   03. Friends  04. Kissing   05. Mister Surly   06. Music & Live Shows   07. Art    08. Sex  09. Puppy
Breath (Tegan!)   10. Making others Smile   11. The way other people smell (in a good way) 12. Honesty  13. Flirting 14. Hugs
15. Accomplishing Goals  16. Great Design   17. A Stiff Drink   18. Great Company  19. Foo Fighters  20. Listening to Rain
21. My Career   22. Christmas   23. Sleep  24. Inside Jokes  25. Compliments   26. Travel 27. Talking   28. Hearing a Tree
Fall in the Woods   29. Being in the Sun  30. Writing  31. Laughing   32. Cuddling   33. A Clean House  34. YOU  35. Having a Plan 36. Morning Texts  37. Football  38. Hot Showers   39. Pajama Time   40. Holding Hands  41. Handwritten Notes  42. A Clean Car   43. Eating great food    44. Photography  45. Movie Quotes   46. Looking into your eyes 47. Waking up from a Nap   48. Knowing someone cares   49. Knowing I am loved by my Family  50. Knowing my Friends are Happy

It’s XMAS Mother Fucker!

 

I cannot believe we are looking at Christmas in a few days. And then New Years. HOLY SHIT!!! This year is over. 
Hell, after Friday the 21^st it might not matter, because of the Myan calendar and all of that stuff. I don’t think anything 
will come from it but between that and the normal holiday Anger, Frustration, Short-Tempers, Rushing Around, and
the occasional "Finger", people are melting down. I have a few issues that are making me a Holiday Grumpus
but nothing that world ending. Hell, my life probably looks good to some people. I have to remember how lucky I
am with everything in my life. There is still homeless, jobless, sick & dying, poor,  or even worse.

I will still enjoy the holidays with the drinking and eating and parties, dinners out and spending time with those
close to me. So I will try to get right with it all over the next 2 weeks and start the year off fresh.

Top 5 Albums / 2012

#1 – Jack White / Blunderbuss
Hands down, the best album of the year – start to finish. It is powerful, soulful and the next step in the growth of Jack White. Add in the rave reviews of his live show with TWO supporting backing bands (one all male, one all female)
and he could be described as the ARTIST of the Year!

#2 – The Hives / Lex Hives

#3 – Django, Django / Django, Django

#4 – Japandroids / Celebration Rock

#5 – The Avett Brothers / The Carpenter

Honorable Mention:
Gary Clark Jr. / Blak & Blu
Grizzly Bear / Shields
Wintersleep / Hello Hum
fun. / Some Nights
Alt J / Ann Awesome Wave
Soundgarden / King Animal

Rivers & Roads

Today is 12.12.12.  I feel almost a little sad today. It's full of change. And hope. And remembering those that are
special and mean something to us.

This year was chock full of change in my life, including the addition of our dog, Tegan, but a part of me also left,
because a couple of friends moved this year. Todd (Chuckles) and Carmen (Mare) both left SD in hopes of starting
anew with their families. Todd moved to Michigan and Carmen to North Carolina. It does make me realize that I need
to spend time with the right people; the people that mean the most to me. Life is short and fleeting. Moments will
not be taken for granted.

My little world of San Diego is self-contained, where I have the things I need & want, all within arms reach.
I have a new system I will try to live by: Taking full accountability and controlling the things I can in my life. 
Enjoying the things I already have. Creating my own happiness. Setting goals. Helping those around me to 
the best of my ability.

Most of my close friends still live here. My family. My girl. My pets. All things that make me happy and smile
on a daily basis. I will miss my friends terribly but wish them the best in their new lives and endeavors.

Remembering 2012

This year (my 42nd) has been awesome to say the least. A little list of the highlights...

Kick ass NYE, Broken Toe, Palm Springs, 1 Year on Park Villa, The Hives, Costa Rica, Passing of MCA (RIP),
Tasia's 30th, BBQs, Chuckles leaving SD, Summer in SD, Chad turning 40, The Avengers, Comic-Con, Camping,
Del Mar Track, vhype.com, TEGAN!!!, Chixdiggit,  iPhone 5, Book of Mormon, Great Food, Great Birthday, Halloween,
and Tasia’s New Car.

What does December hold? Or 2013? I don’t know but I am excited to find out.