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Guess what the mailman dropped off today at my house?  It was a big box full of cool stuff from Maximum PC.  For those that don’t know I’ve been a volunteer moderator on the Maximum PC Magazine Forums for some time.  I think it was maybe January of 2001.

Well boy did they send a nice gift set!  You guys and gals sure did outdo yourself!  Just look!

There’s a cool t-shirt, nice hat, December 2004 Issue w/ special DVD, Two special winter 2004 issues that are only available in stores, Building A Dream PC book, 2005 Buyer’s Guide book, Ultimate PC Performance Guide, a $25.00 gift certificate to amazon.com and of course an wonderful card signed by the staff!

I feel so lucky being able to give my free time to help out the forums.  Although I admit I’ve slacked off a bit this last year.  I’ve been pretty busy with “real life.”  For my new years resolution I’m setting to try to be more active and helpful at the forums.

So thanks George Jones, Katherine Stevenson, Gordon Mah Ung, Will Smith, Logan Decker, Josh Norem, Andrew Sanchez, Jon Phillips and everyone else at Maximum PC and Future Network USA!  You guys and gals rock!

Oy!  It’s only a week until Christmas and I still haven’t started shopping for anyone.  I guess I should get going on it.  Tomorrow, we have the family get together for my father’s side.  This year we’re having it at our house instead of grandmas.  I’m a little disappointed because it’s always fun going to grandma’s house.  There are a lot of great ol’ memories from my childhood there.

I really don’t have to buy a gift for anyone.  This year I was able to get out of the secret Santa thing we usual do for all the grandchildren.  Being an adult it was rather silly for me to be buying a gift for one of the little kids and having one of them buy a gift for me.  I believe I’m also out of getting a gift for my god-parents.  Actually, I’m not sure on that one.  Mother hasn’t said anything about it so either she just bought something and put my name on the card or we’re not doing it.  I’d assume I’m not doing it.  I mean hey I’m an adult so getting and receiving gifts for god-parents is pretty silly.

Anyhoo, we’re doing a brunch instead of a dinner like usual.  I guess it’ll all work out fine.

The only people I need to go shopping for are my parents, brother, sister and my girlfriend.

I’m pretty sure I know what I’m doing for my parents but I’ll talk to my sister to see what she’s up to.  I’ve suggested a gift every year for the last 2-3 years and they always poo-poo it so I’m thinking I’ll just go and do my own gift this year instead of going together with the brother and sister.

I’m at a loss for my brother and sister.  I’ll probably get something silly for my brother.  He’ll like it!  My sister I’m having troubles with.  Good thing I still have a week to think!

My girlfriend I’m almost 100% set in what I’m going to get.  It’s just a matter of getting out and shopping.

On top of all the shopping I have to do it’s time for my car to get its oil changed and tires rotated.  Yesh!  I’m going to be broke by next week.

I just love the holidays!

Yawn!  OK now that he’s been sentenced can we please, please, please stop talking about him every freaking day?  Naa… why would we do that?  The media just loves to blow these things out of proportion.

It’ll take another 2-3 weeks before we hear the last of Scott Peterson.  I’m sure they’ll find something new to get enthralled with.  Someplace out there someone has been murdered or raped or kidnapped and the scumbag that committed the crime is just vying to get his 15 minutes of fame.

Hows that Don Henley song “Dirty Laundry” go?

quote:

---

I make my living off the evening news
Just give me something-something I can use
People love it when you lose,
They love dirty laundry

Well, I coulda been an actor, but I wound up here
I just have to look good, I don’t have to be clear
Come and whisper in my ear
Give us dirty laundry

Kick ’em when they’re up
Kick ’em when they’re down
Kick ’em when they’re up
Kick ’em when they’re down
Kick ’em when they’re up
Kick ’em when they’re down
Kick ’em when they’re up
Kick ’em all around

We got the bubble-headed-bleach-blonde who
Comes on at five
She can tell you ’bout the plane crash with a gleam
In her eye
It’s interesting when people die-
Give us dirty laundry

Can we film the operation?
Is the head dead yet?
You know, the boys in the newsroom got a
Running bet
Get the widow on the set!
We need dirty laundry

You don’t really need to find out what’s going on
You don’t really want to know just how far it’s gone
Just leave well enough alone
Eat your dirty laundry

Kick ’em when they’re up
Kick ’em when they’re down
Kick ’em when they’re up
Kick ’em when they’re down

Kick ’em when they’re up
Kick ’em when they’re down
Kick ’em when they’re stiff
Kick ’em all around

Dirty little secrets
Dirty little lies
We got our dirty little fingers in everybody’s pie
We love to cut you down to size
We love dirty laundry

We can do the innuendo
We can dance and sing
When it’s said and done we haven’t told you a thing
We all know that crap is king
Give us dirty laundry!

---

This is no fake ad.  It was in todays newspaper!  Saw that and busted a gut laughing at it.  Ahh, what a crazy thing to list in the paper.  Wonder what kind of guy would do that?

Here’s a great snack recipe that’s delicious, messy and above all fun to make and eat.  I came up with this on a whim the other day.  It took me two or three tries to perfect it but now I’m happy with the results and ready to share it with the world!

Alan’s Peanut Butter Banana Wrap

Ingredients
8” Wrap (I use Manny’s brand 8” fajita wraps but you could also use a French crepe or even a pancake if you wanted too!)
1 Whole Banana
Peanut Butter
Chocolate Syrup
Whipped Cream in a Can
Ground Nuts (peanuts or walnuts)

Step 1: Spread peanut butter over wrap
Step 2: Slice banana in half, length wise, and place onto wrap in the middle
Step 3: Squirt chocolate syrup between banana slices
Step 4: Squirt whipped cream between banana slices
Step 5: sprinkle nuts on top of it all.
Step 6: roll the wrap up

Once it’s rolled up start eating!  It’s really good trust me folks.  It’s a bit messy with the chocolate and whip cream oozing out but who cares when it’s so good.

Well I sent out my resume and references to the local library.  They had a job posting for a Library Page in the newspaper.  It’s part time for night and weekends.  They said 10-15 hours a week.  I’m assuming probably minimum wage.

It would be a nice second job to pick up.  After loading trucks all day at UPS pushing a cart around and shelving books would be a wonderful change!  I could handle it easily and it would be a great job.  Shelving and stacking books in a nice quiet environment for an hour or two every night.  Pure bliss!

I cranked out a cover letter and stuff my resume into a letter and headed downtown to the post office to drop it in the mailbox.  It should get delivered tomorrow so I hope I’m one of the first to get my resume in.

I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed.