We moved into our new home ~ a year ago, and now we are in a position to at least look at updating the house... that is, spend money.

I'm all for spending money, as long as it is done responsibly, especially when it lends itself to making my life easier. That is why I'm in a quandary... Danielle is interested in getting new furniture or say an entertainment center. That would be relaxing and comfy to enjoy. However, I'm more interested in looking at hard-wood flooring. Ever since we have moved into our new house, I have watched the carpet grow dirtier... no matter how much you try to stay on top of it. I miss the ease of just running a swiffer sweeper over the a wood floor. Not to mention how much easier it is to deal with spills... after all, red wine and white carpet do not play nice together.

Enough of house talk... onto more important things.

Like, I mentioned in a previous post, we are about 3 weeks away from our trip to Washington D.C. We will get to enjoy an entire week of site-seeing and fun, and then I will be running in the Marine Corps Marathon. If I could plan it all over again, I would flip it, so that I raced first, and then we spent a week of fun. The problem is... I can't really spend the week before the race, drinking, eating junk-food, etc. Oh well...live and learn.

Back to work I go...I have been trying to stay on top of tasks before they get on top of me.

I promised myself a couple days ago, that I would start writing in my journal again. However, it is late, and I do need to get a bit of sleep. So.. let me just do a quickie note.

Sex is good these days.
Work is is improving, but can still be frustrating at times.
School, well, you have got to do it, so it doesn't matter how it feels.
Politics is still a joke, at best.
Travel - Washington in 3 weeks.

That's it in a nutshell, I will try to write more later.

When I was younger, I told a friend that her significant other was cheating on her. At the time, I thought I was being noble. Sadly, that is not my intent. It just so happened that I was interested in her, and wanted her as more than a friend at the time. Funny thing is, she is still with him, and...she more or less dropped me as a friend.

Fortunately, some good came out of it. I learned that not everyone wants to know the truth. So, these days, I am certain that I would not tell a friend that their significant other was cheating. The truth only only causes pain. I would be more apt to talk to the significant other, and mention that I know, and that I will tell their partner if they don't fess up immediately. Even if they don't fess up, they will be stressed for a day or two. Hopefully, it would teach some lesson.

It seems that I have not been in here in some time. The last time I posted, things were not going so good for me. Basically, Danielle and I had bought a new house, moved in, and I watched the US and Global economy crumble. This would not be "that bad" but we still own a condo, which we have no hopes of selling in this economy. So, you might say that I have had a bit of stress on my shoulders. To make matters worse, about 3 - 4 weeks ago, they started layoffs in my company. One of the two programs that I manage are no more. The program was located in Ireland, which means no more travel either. Really though... it just bothers me to see all of those engineers getting laid off.

In other news... my ex- has been making life hard for m daughter (her daughter). It has been so bad that my daughter had been calling asking to live with me. God, that would be great. Unfortunately, my daughter and I don't really get a say in the matter...since my ex- isn't about to give up having my daughter live with her. After all, why would she work when she can get 1300/month for doing absolutely nothing. It amazes me how selfish some individuals are. Why one person would want to keep another human being prisoner is beyond me, yet that is what she is effectively doing.

Unfortunately, there have been other "negative things" going on in my life, but I don't really want to discuss those now. I would prefer to focus on the future, and imagine life will improve.

Peace Out!

Wouldn't it be great if we could sprout wings when we need them and fly? I think it would be great. The reason is not to escape...rather...I am sitting in San Jose airport. For those of you who do not know...airports are not fun. San Jose is one of the worst airports of all. Here it is, January, and for some unknown reason, which defies logic... they have the A/C on in the terminal. Even with a heavy sweater... I swear I have ice forming on my body.

However, I should not make it sound like the environmental controls of the terminal is the only issue...when there is so much love to consider. For example, how about $2.00 bottle of water, the cranky adults, misbehaving children, crying babies, and my favorite...filthy rest-rooms. Let us not forget the fine staff at airports also... ticketing agents that come in two flavors; brunette Latinas that cannot speak or understand English, and blonds that are as dingy as high-school cheerleaders.

The absolute best though... are the fine men and women serving our nation via the TSA. It is enough to make you wonder if the U.S. government has a new affirmative action plan that requires no less than 90% of their workforce have special-needs.

On the flip-side though, at least I have time to sit and consider what a good resolution for 2009 would be. I had half-heartedly considered not being so critical of people and things that I come across in life. However, after an hour an 2 hours sitting in an airport (the flight is still delayed) I am thinking I might not be able to ease up on my criticism of such things.

For some time now, I have been running. For me, it is my escape. The escape from my reality of work, school, family, and life. When I say life, I mean politics, religion, philosophy, theology, economics, and so much more.

It is funny how something as simple as raising your heart-rate and increasing your breathing can help you forget so much.

Few things help me to forget the issues of life. Things are great when Danielle and I get a chance to go on vacation for weeks on end. Even when the two of us can just sit and chat all day. However, when I return to work... a new quarter begins at school... and I see the headlines about how the economy continue to go down the drain... I just need to escape.

*****

I wish I could run across America, like Forest Gump... and just keep running. That sounds lame...but it would be so nice to escape life for about a year.

Well, I'm doing a lot better this evening. Perhaps the holiday stress had just become too great yesterday. I still have a lot stress, but I think things will be a lot better now.

I will try to write more tomorrow.

I just want to explode, and not in a good way. It has finally gotten to me... Friends, Family, Work, School, and life in general. I admit, I regret ever moving into management. Your average software engineer is a bitches more than chick on her rag. And the managers, don't get me fucking started. What the fuck is their problem.

Worst of all, there is no one that I can just speak to about my problems. In Psychology courses, specifically the ones that train you to be a therapist, they teach you that you need to keep a close relationship with peers. The idea being, once you are filled up with all the anger, sadness, depression, and drama of your patients... you can turn to you peer and use them as a sounding board. Unfortunately, all of my peers are in Seattle, which means I have no one to speak to.

Today, I sat at my desk and stared at the screen for literally 7 hours. 3 hours of work is not bad... right?

I do not even have time to vent about the other issues in my life right now, nor should I, as it will only make me more upset.

Hopefully, things are going well for everyone else.

Right about now, I wish I was in the Caribbean for 3 weeks with my wife, drinking rum drinks, smoking Cubans, getting a BJ, and working on a book.

( Day 2: Sunday )

I have been extremely busy at work lately, and with the clean-up and move to our new house. So, I have not had time to talk about our recent anniversary vacation to Disney World a couple weeks back. Luckily for me, Danielle loves to write about our vacations. This means that I can pass on her words as my own :-)

( Day 1: Saturday )

Yesterday was a good day. I got to feel like a man and paint the living room and kitchen of our new house.

This morning...I'm feeling like a man...with a sore back :-) I think I under estimated just how much work painting was.

Today, we are painting Liz's room. Perhaps I will take some Motrin for my back now!

This is historic in-deed, or is it?

Except for the color of the president elect's skin, what is truly different this time around?

As far as I can tell, the only difference is that the pendulum has swung to the other side of the aisle. If people remember what was the worst thing about the Bush years (specifically his first term) was the fact that the majority of both houses of congress were the same party as the president. And here we are again... in the same position.

As a registered Republican, yesterday was not sad due to the fact that the president is now going to be a Democrat. Hell, I think most Republicans around the country were disenchanted with their party after the last 8 years of Bush. Over these years, many of us "conservatives" learned that the new "Republicans" were not our party that we supported from years prior.

( What is a true conservative Republican... )

But back to my main point, which is, what has really changed… That’s right, the pendulum, it is now on the left side of the aisle, which is the party that believes in big government.

On the one hand, Obama already wants a second term; after all at one of his acceptance speeches he stated that it would take more than one term to correct the economy and other serious issues our nation is facing.

Don’t get me wrong, I hope we pull out of Iraq and Afghanistan immediately. I would be ecstatic if Obama could correct the economy. But the fact is, we will most likely be in Iraq and Afghanistan 8 years from now, and definitely stay there over the next 4 years. The economy is a beast, and it is not going to change dramatically in the short term and has a slim chance of improving to true prosperity within 4 years. The truth is though, the media and politicians could easily spin these top issues (war and economy) to benefit who they choose, and the people of America will swallow hook, line, and sinker.

So, with everything the exact same, should anyone worry about anything? Yes, everyone should be afraid anytime they see the same party in all three key positions of government (Presidency, Assembly, and Senate). Historically, this proves bad for everyone, and not just the minority party.

Danielle and I started getting things ready for next week's anniversary vacation to Disney World. Part of the trip will include the costume party at the resort. At first we had considered a lot of different things... Pirates, Saloon Girl & Sheriff (but I don't look good in high-heels), and then we decided on Scrubs. It makes great sense, they are comfy and lightweight (after all...it's still warm in Florida).

Still, I happened across the costume section on Amazon.com and found the following. I have to admit, I don't know which one gets me hotter!

( Costumes )

I have to admit, the Rock and Roll 1/2 marathon in San Jose was pretty cool. I cannot say the music was good, but luckily I had my iPod :-)

I decided to run another 1/2 marathon in the spring and would like to run a full marathon this time next year.

( Pics from the big day a couple weeks ago. )

Well, Danielle and I finally did it. We own a new house. I spent most of my weekend back from Ireland, moving boxes between the condo and the house. Although I am excited that we have a new home, I have to admit, moving is never fun. However, I have to admit, doing "man stuff" at the new house was very...very fun. Get your minds out of the gutter, I don't mean that kind of "man stuff", I mean pulling weeds in the backyard and checking out the sprinkler system. Not to mention... I got to buy things at a hardware store... yeah!

I know... totally lame of me to get excited over "man stuff" but I tell you... it is great.

We have some of the original pictures from when we were looking at the house to buy, but I think Danielle expects me to wait until the paint is completed and furniture has been moved in, etc, etc... Still, it is unlike me not to post photos when I have them, so I will try and sneak some up on my journal.

Best of all... our Golden Retriever finally has a backyard to play in. She is totally a house dog, but still she needed more space than our 2 bedroom condo.

So, you might be asking... what did we upgrade to? Well, we went from a 1100 Sq Feet 2 bed / 2 bath condo, to a house with 3800 Sq Feet 6 bed / 4 bath / loft and a spacious kitchen, living, and formal living room. Honestly, I don't know what they hell Danielle expects us to do with all this space. I hope she isn't starting to feel maternal.

About to leave the UK and I'm so excited. In 10 hours... I will get to kiss Danielle!

It's kind of silly that I should get excited by such a small but perfect thing.

Well... It's time to go!

Only one day and a wake up, and then I will be leaving the Emerald Isle and finding my way back to my sweetie. It won't be soon enough... God I am horny and lonely.

Trust me, being alone on a business trip is not exciting... or fulfilling.

Of course, once I arrive home, Liz arrives for a visit. So much for passion and kink.

For those of you that are wondering... I am a hopeless romantic, but more-so this trip, as tomorrow is our anniversary. I was going to send roses, but she will only have two days in her office, and then they would fade over the weekend. Hmmm... Time to put my thinking cap on.

I believe I have died and gone to heaven... They sell Cuban cigars at my hotel.

Granted... I have some in my humidor at home, but the fact is I had been unwilling to have one during my 1/2 Marathon training. Now that I have completed my 1/2... it's time to enjoy a good cigar (or 3).

My flight is about to take off. In 10 hours, I will be landing in London, and then I'll be off to Belfast.

It sounds fun, but really it is not. First, I'm going for business, not pleasure. Second, Danielle will not be with me, and I wish she was.

Hopefully it will not be too much of a drag.

Well, I did it... Last Sunday, I ran my very first 1/2 Marathon. A pathetic time to say the least, 2hrs. 43mins. Still, I finished it, and now I have a personal record that I can try to improve upon. I probably could have done a lot better, if I would have kept pace, but I did exactly what the books tell you not to do... As soon as no one was in front of me, I began running 2 minutes per mile faster than I was supposed to. By the time I was at mile 7, I started to fade :-( Oh well, lessons learned right?

In other news, we bought a house. Kind of scary in this economy, but it was a good price, and a huge house (I think it is almost too large). Now, comes the hard part... we need to sell our condo off. Until we do, we carry two mortgages. This is OK, but it is not like we will be saving large amounts of money in the interim. More importantly, this means we do not have money for sweet vacations and travel that we have come accustom to taking.

Speaking of travel... I'm going back to Ireland. Well, actually the UK (Northern Ireland). I have to spend a week at one groups development centers in Belfast. I enjoy the travel, but I really wish Danielle could go with me.