Touched by the Tsunami

I'm sure most of you have heard of the horrible disaster in Southeast Asia. Thanks to those of you who e-mailed me asking about my relatives.

All of my family in Thailand is safe and sound.

As far as I know, the ones that live near Phuket live inland enough. The rest live in Bangkok, which is far away from Phuket. Even my sister in law's grandparents, who live in Madras, India, live inland, so they are safe.

Through a mutual friend, I heard from an Indian journalist who I met at the Indianapolis 500 who lived a mile-and-a-half from the shoreline and he and his famiy are safe.

The scary part of this disaster was that my family was planning to spend the holidays in Thailand this year, but the whole trip fell apart during the Fall. If we had gone, there was a pretty good chance that we would have been sitting on a beach near Phuket.

Family Time

There's a scene in the movie "Love Actually" where the aging pop star explains to his manager that "At Christmas, you want to spend time with the people you love." I've always been sort of a family-oriented guy, so I'm happy to have time to spend with my family here in Plano.

It used to be everyone would come home for the holidays, but the past few years, that hasn't been possible. With the growth of the extended family with spouses and soon, children, home isn't the destination that it's been. More and more, the house I grew up in has become a nice place to visit, but it's not home just because everyone can't be here.

We're already evolving away from the great big event that I remember from the holidays of my youth, and that makes me sad. With only four people, the gift exchange went kind of quickly.
The days are gone when meals would last the whole day, the rounds of eating separated by sporting events or movies. I found myself not fighting to watch what I wanted, but watching anything I wanted, because no one was around to fight with.

Yeah, we get on each other's nerves when there are more than four of us around, but what family doesn't? But to tell the truth, this year it wasn't the same, and I wish everyone else was here too.

Happy Holidays You All

Though I will be taking my computer home for the holidays, I don't know how much blogging I will be doing.

So let me take the time now, to wish everyone a Happy Holidays. See everyone in 2005.

I'm Done

My last day of work for 2004 was today. Next up is a meeting with a potential mortgage broker. Then it's home for the holidays.

That is if a winter storm doesn't ruin everything.

Tis The Season To Be Lazy

I think I've discovered my new hidden talent -- sleeping on the couch. In fact, I did it again tonight. It was the the third night in five that I've awoken on the couch in my clothes with lights on and tv tuned to some channel I was watching long ago. The book I planned on reading is on the floor next to several pillows and the remote control.

To tell the truth, I'm starting to enjoy these little naps. Nights like tonight are times when your body begs the most, put me out! I go down without a fight. I'll be watching something on TiVo and before I know it, my glases are off and I'm down for the count. The rest is rest history.

Brushing my teeth? Forget about it. Changing into pajamas? Nice try.

When I wake up, everything is just how I left it. And I really haven't missed anything.

A Haiku Hiatus

Sorry to disappoint, but no haikus this week. Don't want to ruin the novelty.

They will return in the new year with better stories to tell in 20 sylables or less.

Craptacular...

SHITE 1, REDS NIL

As some of you may know, I support Liverpool Football Club... so needless to say, I'm gutted over the loss in the Merseyside Derby.

F-you very much Lee Carsley!

My Week in Haikus, Part II

It went so well last week, let's try another installment of the week in haikus. Don't blame me if it sucks, I'm no poet.

Monday
Out on a school night.
"Come on, you should sing too."
Touchdown! Cowboys win

Tuesday
Hungry and tired.
This study says why.
I'm sleeping in.

Wednesday
End of a long day
"Chief, Can you take me to my car?"
Security don't play.

Thursday
Is day so boring
That I can't remember
what I did?

Friday
Slow day on the job
I think I'll write in French
Seulement encore, naturellement

A Life Less Ordinary

I actually wrote this post earlier this week, but somehow I deleted it. But I'll give it another go.

My recent travels have reminded me about how much I value the friendships I've made in my life and how desperate I am to have similar relationships here in this place I now call home.

With that in mind, I've made more of an effort to get out and meet people. Through an office friend, Nick, I've gotten out and met a few of his friends and acquaintances. Maybe I'll even make some friends of my own. Who knows, maybe my life will expand beyond work, eat, tv and sleep.

My Week in Haikus

Monday:
Back Home Again
Geez, it's fucking cold out
California Dreams return.

Tuesday:
It's cold and snowing, too.
My car has no heat today.
This may be costly.

Wednesday:
I want my car back.
Bumming rides really sucks.
But walking home is worse.

Thursday:
Phone call came at last
"Arni, your car is ready."
My freedom has returned

Friday:
I have an idea
Update blog as haikus.
I really need a life.

Do They Know It's Christmas Time At All...

The new version of the Band-Aid Tune isn't that great, but that doesn't mean we can't "Feed The World" to "let them know it's Christmas Time."