Hallmark Hogwash .

One of my favorite movies is 500 Days of Summer and I love the parts where Tom talks about how stupid writing cards is. The best thing you can take away from those scenes is when he says that cards are there so that we don't have to express ourselves. They can put words into our mouths, conveying to people a feeling that may not be there. Now, I can't say that this is entirely true, because I have found some truly amazing cards and I've underlined those sections that really hit me and ring true with my being. But I think that a lot of people, while looking for cards for people, get something they think just sounds nice, that says something along the lines of what they are "supposed" to say.

What It's All About .

In this day and age, with so many hateful and hurtful and painful things in life, the holiday season is a great way to bring some joy into your life. A smile, happiness, love, joy. It's not often that word joy is used. The first thing that comes to mind for me upon hearing it? The song "Joy to the World" -- often sung at the Christmas Eve mass that we go to each year. But that's what it's really all about right? As the song goes: "Joy the world, the Lord is come".

i miss .

I miss being able to do the little things. I miss creating matchbox car villages on the driveway with chalk. I miss getting face lunches from Mom, and learning how to ride a bike. I miss making towns in the sandbox, only to destroy it and build another one. I miss having Family Nights on Fridays, and doing things like going camping.

Singles Awareness Day .

As the holiday of Valentine's Day fast approaches, many begin to wallow in the fact that they are still single and will never find the perfect person to spend their life with. It seems to be a constant reminder that if you are single, you still haven't found what you are looking for. Personally, I have no issue with it; if I have a significant somebody, that's great, and if not, I'm not really too concerned. In fact I think all of the TV ads around Christmas and Thanksgiving bother me much more than marketing and advertising for Valentine's Day. Is the hate really warranted? What's so terrible about your current life?

an outstanding christmas .

I didn't post yesterday, so here's yesterday's post: I had a really great day; nice meals, all day in pajamas, lots of reading time, lots of relaxing time, lots of time spent with my brother. I didn't ask for much, but got so much more than I wanted / needed, and got to see the joy of other people as they opened the gifts from me. I hope that your Christmas was as good as mine.

From my home to yours, Merry Christmas.

a few things all at once .

So today, there are a few things I'd like to mention. Today was pretty uneventful, since I went to work. But later I went to the library to grab a book and then out to eat with my family at Outback, where I had my first beer as a legal dude. Nice. I'm loving the new car, that I bought, and while it gets shit gas mileage, I knew that was going to happen anyways so I'm not worried. But there are three things in particular that I'd really like to go over today.

Barcelona: Day 116 : Christmas spirit .

I don't begin to think about Christmas until only about 10 days before Christmas. I hate Christmas music, and even plug in my headphones while we put up the tree (though these days I am never home to partake in that anyways). I hate the commercials you see on TV that seem to start after Halloween, and I hate the stores being full of people when all I want to do is meander and browse in peace. While many may call me a Scrooge, I beg to differ. I just celebrate differently. There are still some songs that I enjoy, and I do like giving gifts -- actually much more so than receiving. I'd like to think I put a lot of effort into getting a great gift for somebody, something that will mean something and that they'd really appreciate. I try not to ask for much... though it's hard when you always want new things, and sometimes just need new things.

Barcelona: Day 93 : Giving Thanks .

So it's the third Thanksgiving that I am celebrating away from home, and in a sense it has become a bit of a tradition to not have my Thanksgiving dinner at home. In some ways, it's depressing; missing out on a little time with the family and getting to feast in the peace of your own home. At the same time though it's interesting to sit in with other families and see how their traditions and cooking goes. But this year was different, because there were no families to scamper off to the holidays. This year, we were on our own.

independence day .

Yesterday was July 4th, and as everyone knows that marks the day of our independence as a nation, the date when we officially declared ourselves free of the tyranny of our parent nation. Over the years since I was born there have been a lot of traditions made for July the 4th. Because of the younger ages of the family members, it has yet to become just another excuse to get plastered on a random day of the week -- instead, there are generally barbecues involved and going to various fireworks celebrations.

But this year was entirely different, perhaps breaking the train of tradition for good.