December 20, 2002
Today is homecoming day for the George Washington Battlegroup. Welcome back Gil. This being a navy town, it really makes a difference when a couple thousand sailors get back. It should be real noticable at the malls on this last shopping weekend before Christmas.

If you still haven't gotten me anything yet, don't sweat it. I'm pretty easy to shop for. In fact, all I really want is this (caution: it's pg-13 stuff for you guys at work).

What I don't want is anything Hasselhoff. I've heard from several of you actually thinking about buying some of that stuff. Don't spend the money just to get the joke across. Yeah it'll be funny, but I want you all to know that it's not original since everybody has already come up to me about it.

I took care of a big chunk of my christmas list yesterday on an all day shopping trip. It also took a big chunk out of my bank account. I just know way too many people and I hate cutting people off.

December 19, 2002
I'm going to have to hold out on buying you all XBOXs and PS2s because I just found out that the prices might get cut again. Looks like I may finally invest in all of the systems. And then soon they can follow in the footsteps of atari and cram the whole system into just the joystick.

Some people are just too cool.

I know a lot of people are going to start coming home this weekend for the holidays. I've got a busy weekend planned but let me know if and when you get in. Otherwise, I'm probably going to be headed to Excess at the beach on Saturday night if you want to accidentally bump into me. Jessica says she'll probably be going there also to celebrate her graduation/birthday.

Speaking of birthdays:
Happy birthday Katrina Peneda.

December 18, 2002
It's Lord of the Rings Day at movie theatres all over the country. Some of you already know this as they started showings at midnight last night. So for you true fans, I commend you for watching a movie until 3am this morning, just so you can say you saw it first. Just don't spoil it for the rest of us. If you need to talk about it, there's always the boards on the internet. I'm probably going to wait until the weekend and watch it at the Commodore Theatre. Since it's a 3 hour movie, I need the most comfortable chairs and you pretty much get your own recliner there. And the Lucasfilm THX sound at the theatre rocks!

Only 6 shopping days left. And I've only gotten half of my list done. My funds are also depleting rapidly so it looks like the further down I go on my list, the cheaper the gifts are going to get. So when you recieve your gift, you'll probably be able to estimate when I bought it. If you recieve a gift from the dollar store, you'll know I was thinking of you throughout the whole season.

I bought this one gift yesterday. It was some sort of clothing that I found on clearance. It was something I'd been looking for myself for a while and now I find it marked down about 90%. I'm thinking "someone's gonna really love this gift and think I spent a fortune on it" (I'm not gonna say who). But as I'm wrapping it, I decide to try it on. After that I decided I couldn't give it away. So today I gotta find this person another gift, but I'll be rockin' my new jacket while I'm out.

December 17, 2002
I just want to again congratulate my sister Jessica for graduating with a B.S. in Business this past Sunday from Old Dominion University. For those of you who missed it, or if you just want to see it again, the ceremony is being streamed online from ODU's website (Realplayer needed). And make sure it's the December 2002 ceremony you're looking at. It's more than 2 and a half hours long (and this is the short version), so if you want to cut to the chase, Jessica's name is said at 1:29:40 and she walks across the stage at 1:29:56. You may want to check out some of the other people who graduated too. I'll list some names later when I get my hands on a graduation program.

I also want to congratulate her for graduating Cum Laude. Really impressive. I can't believe we're related. She's really racking up on the presents right now. On top of her graduation presents, it's her birthday next week and then Christmas.

She's still looking for a job though.

December 13, 2002
For those who are looking for just the perfect Christmas gift, I think I found it here! Check out the reviews... it looks like a winner!!! Over 400 overwhelming responses for the musical messiah and his etherreal masterpiece of pure genius. Thousands of Germans cannot be wrong. The man is so underrated. I think he's my hero. You can WATCH more here!!! I cry tears of joy when I watch that. What a guy!!! Don't sleep on the TRUE face of avant-garde. Why couldn't Pam Anderson and Nicole Eggert follow in the great one's footsteps??? And if you still yearn for more, check out what others recommend you buy along with this musical milestone. Please spread the love and share this with your friends and loved ones.

I'm now beginning to think that Amazon.com is becoming the AT&T of the internet. Jeff Bezos is the Rockefeller of the online age (or Bill Gates, depending on your take on the guy). CDNow, the musical powerhouse of the internet, is now an Amazon site, alongside Toys R Us, Target, Borders, Office Depot, Old Navy, Footlocker and other top notch companies.

Unless you're not afraid of aliens, I suggest you stay away from the movie theatres today. With the anticipated opening of a new film, the freaks are out in high numbers. And I'm talking about the one's standing in line for the Hot Chick!!! Be vary wary, resistance is futile.

Say it ain't so...Stallone is working on Rocky 6 right now. He's also been writing Rambo 4. He needs to stop making movies and start a singing career in Germany.

Gil Ordonez should be back home next Friday as it was announced that his naval ship, the George Washington, is on its way back to Norfolk.

I took tonight off... so i'm free tonight. Let me know what's up.

December 12, 2002
We've got less than a week before The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers comes out. I'm already hyped. But I know you trekkies are already at the edge of your seat because tomorrow is your big day when The Hot Chick comes out. The one I'm really waiting for comes out next Friday - The Gangs of New York. Should be fire.

We're in the middle of final exams here at Old Dominion University. While I don't have to stress out over taking any of them, I do get a huge load of work from them, from printing to processing. It can get hectic, even at 3am. But that's almost over with, and I'm sure a bunch of you are glad about that.

And for some people this will be the last time they take finals because this Sunday is graduation day. And one of those graduates just happens to be my little sister. She's graduating after only 3 and a half years of college. That just blows my mind. I guess she's just balancing out the 6 years I took.

So if anyone knows of any accounting jobs, my sister will be free after this sunday.

I found a great deal when I was shopping around yesterday, so don't be surprised if a bunch of you guys get the same christmas gift. I still have a long list to go, and it is so hard shopping for you ladies.

December 11, 2002
I know I've been slacking off here the past few days, but I've just been really busy. I'm still moving stuff and organizing stuff and when I'm not doing that, I'm trying to do my Christmas shopping. And whenever I can, I try to find time for some sleep. It's just been a hectic 2 weeks for me. Hopefully things will start to calm down, but this weekend already looks to be busy for me. I'm going to have to revert to my Ninja Skillz to be in several places at once.

Luan just got back from a quick weekend getaway. This time his travels took him to Maui in Hawaii. He says aloha to everyone. Remember that one uncle in Fraggle Rock that actually left their house and journeyed into the world (or outer space as they would call it), exploring unchartered territory. Lu is that Fraggle. I'll pass along any info he provides me with his Hawaiian excursion.

December 6, 2002 - Big change
This week I moved back home with my parents, and so ends the era of the House of M.E.N. Several factors led to my moving. Nestor had left and got his own place also Ryan (honorary resident) had moved to Williamsburg in October. That left me and the married couple, Mike & Rachel. Not trying to be a third leg, it was time to leave.

So why back to my parents' house? Mainly because I'm broke. I'm gonna reduce my debt and try to buy a much needed new car. I am also contemplating a return to school for either a Master's degree or some kind of certification. And that all takes money that I don't have. Plus, I don't go hungry at this house. Whenever I get a better paying job, then I'll be right back out there.

So if you're planning a trip to 1201 Minion Brief, don't be expecting to see the whole gang anymore. The House represented many things to many different people and I was glad to be the "E" in M.E.N. Who can forget our monthly parties at the beginning? Christmas parties, halloween parties, bachelor parties, superbowl parties... it was all held at the House. And our "open-door policy" helped everyone feel at home when they needed a home away from home. But we've gotten older, the pool table's been put away, foosball is now played at Nestor's, the bachelor parties ended with the addition of Rachel, and I now go "out" to party.

So if you need to find me (to mail my christmas presents or something - only 19 days left), look me up in the phone book under my parents' name. But my new wireless phone is still the same so use that if you have the number. I'm right now in the middle of unpacking, but I did get my computer back up and I'm running the broadband connection again. It took about a day to pack, but it looks like it's going to take weeks to unpack, and I've still got some christmas shopping to do. Looks like a busy time for me.

Now where is the christmas party going to be this year?

December 5, 2002
I know I said I was going to write out something long dealing with why I've been busy lately and all, but I don't feel like doing it right now. I'm just going to save that for tomorrow.

The weather is crazy right now. We've got below freezing temperatures and chances for snow. I'm getting sick from being outside a lot the past few days but at least of got my Nissen Cup Noodles with me (when did they change it from Cup O'Noodles?).

I'm just now making my christmas list. If you know what you want, within reason, I could use a little help.

December 3, 2002
I am really busy nowadays. I am also computer-less, except for when I'm at work. But I got so much stuff going on right now I don't have time for dilly-dallying around. I'll try to explain what's up in detail tomorrow (so expect something long).

Yesterday was Britney Spears' 21st birthday. Good. Now all my nasty thoughts can now contain alcohol.

It's December, it's the holiday season, and it's cold.