December 28, 2005 by j.

Went to Charlie and Janet’s engagement party last night, a swanky affair climaxed by the groom-to-be’s one-word toast. Brevity is next to godliness. Here is a picture of his eyebrows.

God I am a good photographer.

Kevin rocked everyone in the wine tasting, getting 100% correct and winning a stylish pair of women’s tap shoes. Congrats guys.

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December 23, 2005 by j.

My baby brother graduated from college yesterday. He’s a smartypants, got his electrical engineering degree in just 3.5 years. He didn’t even want to go to the graduation ceremony (which I completely don’t understand), but bent under family pressure.. which made me think, how many things do we do in our lifetime that is actually more for the benefit of those around us.. rather than for ourselves? Some moments are best enjoyed in privacy and reflection, but we honor those that love us by sharing them and allowing ourselves to be fussed over. Despite his misgivings, he was all smiles all day long, looking every inch the handsome graduate. Proud of you, little bro.

I got to use my kickass new camera also, which my mother pronounced “worth every penny” once she saw the images.

Went downtown with Kevin a few nights ago to see an exhibit in Georgetown called PostSecret, where people anonymously sent in postcards naming their most personal secrets - from the humorous (”I like the smell of my own farts” and such), to extremely disturbing and scary secrets … While some of it was funny, I won’t make any jokes - there are some really lonely people out there, and there’s nothing funny about that. It was worthwhile and thought-provoking experience. There is a book available too, by the same name - you can get it just about anywhere, look it up on Amazon for images.

Here is their website (must see - take a look): http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

For those in the DC area, here is information on the exhibit - it’s open until January 8, I highly recommend it: http://note-a-note.blogspot.com/

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December 20, 2005 by j.

We got an angel for our tree. She has wings made of real feathers and a Victorian gown with lots of big flowy ribbons, and puts on a light show like no one’s business. Groovy.

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December 19, 2005 by j.

Had the greatest weekend of the year this past weekend. Kevin took me to the tiny town of Hot Spring, Virginia, a resort town either in or near the Blue Ridge mountains. His coworker Jon grew up there and I think his family is one of those “it” families that operates as the town sheriff/postal service/social committee/mayor/etc. We met his dad and it was like meeting the king. So we did some skeet shooting with Jon’s dad, had an amazing dinner, and then enjoyed the fireplace in our room for the rest of the evening - it is so blissful to fall asleep listening to the crackling of logs in the fireplace. Woke up to hot coffee and warm scones. I haven’t been this relaxed all year long. We’re going back in the spring and learning to fly fish, I can’t wait.

And let me not forget. Saw King Kong also this weekend and it is amazing. Do NOT pass up the opportunity to see this one on the big screen - I don’t care how big your TV is at home, it just won’t do it justice. I actually hadn’t wanted to see it because… well, it’s a movie about a big monkey. But it was exciting and poignant and emotional, and I was just completely engrossed.

Ricky Martin is performing on Ellen today. I don’t get the big deal about him, I’ve heard both men and women say that he’s super good looking. I just don’t see it! He looks like a smirky smug insincere asshole to me. But, he does have a rocking ass, and can do this cool hip shake that’s pretty hot. Got to be a Latin thing, yeah? He’s really tall too.

Other random things I heard lately that are interesting..

You are either a Piler or a Filer. Don’t think that one requires explanation. In 2006, I intend to make the short hop from piling to filing. How hard can it be anyway.

Good is the enemy of Best, and Best is the enemy of Good. In 2006, I will aim for “good enough”. I think that will make my parents proud.

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December 16, 2005 by j.

Hooomigosh, it’s hard to keep up with blogging.

Nine days til Christmas, and I’ve eaten more than I really want to admit. Ho ho ho. It’s ok, I don’t have to worry about losing weight until 2006. One more week of parties and luncheons before this sugar-fueled race to bankruptcy comes to an end.

Kevin and I made a gingerbread house the other night - Pulte aint got nothin’ on us. Here are the occupants, Mr. Gingerbread Pimp and his homeboy.

I also have several x-rated shots of these two that I’m keeping in my private collection (anyone else read the exposes about brothers doing brothers, but claiming they’re not gay??)

What else worth reporting.. two weeks ago we attended a karaoke party at my coworker’s home where Kevin consumed entirely too much aguardiente (a Colombian liquor that tastes like Sambuca), and sang Viva Las Vegas so violently that it sounded like he was being shaken by a linebacker. Oh and it was a fun morning after too, let me tell you. Ok I’ll stop embarassing you now, Elvis.. (actually, it was a pretty good rendition - wasn’t the King blitzed out of his mind all the time too?) All other parties were of a normal merrymaking level. I have to go shopping now.

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