Happy New Years, folks.  Mine, though, will involve sitting on the couch and hanging out with my dog.  The Nurse, while things look promising, is still a work in progress.  So my night alone isn't necessarily reflecting negatively on that situation.

Things have gone amazingly well with the nurse.  I learned that she has a similar attraction to me.  Last night she actually called me.  And today she was texting me throughout the day.  It has been kind of mind-blowing to me.  I am hoping she will want to do something on New Years Eve night.  But at the very least perhaps she will go to lunch with me on that day.  We shall see.  I have kind of been walking around in a daze in regards to all of this.  This sort of thing usually does not happen to me.

THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS: (or, THE LOOT)

Alright, I did pretty good this Christmas.  Everyone took great care of me.  My mother was here, of course.  We went to the home of Cirse and Rigormortis in the morning.  Watching kids open presents and hanging out with family is the quickest way to get into the Christmas spirit.  We then hung out for awhile after gift opening.  I don't get a lot of chances to hang out with them these days.  After that we went to Rig's relatives, who adopted me on day one when I got here.  They have definitely made me a part of the family.  It was a great Christmas. 

I think I did good in the gifts I gave.  I didn't make a budget, because I knew I would blow it.  I also got a lot of awesome gifts.

• A Luis Royo canvas (my favorite one)
• Left 4 Dead for Xbox 360
• Mirror's Edge for Xbox 360 (those games completed my wishlist for all of '08)
• Three t-shirts (I love t-shirts)
• A mug shaped like Darth Vader's helmet (I have a candy jar that looks exactly like it)
• A 65 piece drill-bit set
• A $25 gift card to Gander Mountain

I might have left something out.  But I got some good loot.  If I weren't working late both tonight and tomorrow night I might be able to try out the new games.

So how was your Christmas and how did you make out in the loot department?

Alright, my mother is here...has been since Saturday evening.  My Christmas shopping was finished today.  And tomorrow is a full day of Christmas glee, starting at about 6am.  So I think it will be a good Christmas, although it doesn't feel like that is tomorrow.

Things are progressing slowly, but surely, with the nurse.  I hope to eventually wiggle my foot in the door, when right now I have slightly more than a crack in the door.  I am being optimistic. 

I want to wish my Xanga family a very Merry Christmas and I'll save the Happy New Year for afterwards.

RANDOM AS HELL

I did a google search on my username and came up with 129,000 entries.  I know the majority that i looked through were related to me and various places I use that name (everywhere I could get it).

Me mudder should be in town Saturday evening.  Unfortunately I do not have the time to take off.  She'll most likely be leaving Friday, the day after Christmas.  I've been working on cleaning the place up.  The biggest problem with her being here on Christmas?  I have no idea what to get her for a gift. 

I've still been talking to the nurse.  She seems interested and she's an awesome woman.  So I am still trying.  We shall see.

Olga (whatshername) in the Hitman movie has to be one of the hottest movie stars I have ever seen.  I'm just sayin'.

FIRE AT WILL!

Several of us went out shooting in a rural area on another officer's property.  The same group from the snow night, which will from now on be referred to as the A-Team.  Anyway, we bought some clay pigeons because our buddy has a skeet thrower.  This was the first time I shot skeet.  I didn't do all that well.  I did manage to shoot two with one shot.  Anyway, I brought my new side-by-side double barreled 12 gauge Stoeger Coachgun and my Kimber 1911.  There were plenty of shotguns in assorted gauges, mostly pumps, but there was a Browning over and under double barrel.  I also shot an M1 Carbine and a few other firearms.  It was pretty darn fun.  I might have some photos later on, if I can get them from one of the other folks there.

SNOW!

We had an assload of snow this past night.  It is still snowing heavily.  I am amazed.  I'll try and get some photos up soon.  Now?  Sleep.

EDIT:

I added some photos I took with my cell phone last night.  It literally was some serious snow flurries last night with over two inches sticking to the ground.  We (a bunch of off-duty police officers) were out running around at 2am throwing snowballs and giggling like little kids.  I've been places where it snows, but it has been awhile and it isn't supposed to happen here.

(above) Early morning hours.  Todd and Tony, two of my coworkers and very good friends.  We, and several other officers, hang out every Tuesday and most Wednesday nights.  That's why it worked out that we were all up for the snow and got to play in it.  You can't tell in the photo, but a lot of snow flurries are coming down.  Incidentally, this was also Tony's birthday and he also found out, while we were hanging out, that his wife is pregnant on this day.  I told him that it was a good luck sign.

(below)  My apartment complex from my balcony.

(above and below)  My apartment complex at about 10am.  Snow was still on the ground.  It's pretty awesome.  I made for a good night.  We also got a good group photo from the night before, but it is on another officer's camera (a real camera).  So I will post that when I get it.  It was a good night.

Well, now, if anywhen, is a time for fresh starts.  I have some ideas on things I want to do that I have procrastinated on or perhaps couldn't afford to do.  One of the biggest things I want to do is get back into traveling.  I intend to go back to Ireland next year.  That is the goal.  I haven't been since 1993 and it hurts.  So next year is what I am shooting for and 2010 is the latest.  I want to get back into drawing.  I am looking at an art tablet that I can hook up to the computer.  It will be the best option since I don't have much room in an apartment to make a studio.  I need to get back into the gym.  I haven't done a whole lot of working out in awhile.  I'm not in the kind of shape I want to be and only have myself to blame.  I've been reflecting on some things and almost feel like I've wasted my life up to this point.  Time to start doing and less thinking about doing. 

On other fresh start news, I did ask someone out on a date.  Didn't work out.  But it's all part of getting back on that horse, I guess.  I am a little disappointed though.  She would be a good catch. 

Looks like I am approaching five years on Xanga in a couple of months.  It's hard to believe that much time has gone by.  It is even harder to believe how much has happened in that timeframe.  I've moved along in my law enforcement career.  I've been married and divorced.  I've shared a lot with you folks, my Xanga family.  So, for those who still read my Xanga blog, let me ask you this: 

What Xanga anniversary are you approaching? 

And how much has happened to you in the time? 

What kind of stuff?

THE LATEST

The divorce was finalized yesterday morning.  We were in front of the judge all of two minutes, since Jana didn't have any disputes and chose the option to not be present.  The downside?  Had to pay the attorney another $250.  But it is done.  So you know, I am great.  I spoke to Jana's dad awhile back, something I had been putting off.  He just wanted to make sure we were still friends and that I didn't have any problems with the family.  So things turned out even better than I could have hoped.