First, I would like to announce that my great-uncle Jim has published a novel!! He went with the same company I did for my book. It's science-fction, about time travel, and has a lot of humor in it. If you like sci-fi or know someone who does, please show your support and order his book. I highly recommend it, as I already own and have read it.

Here's the link: http://www.buybooksontheweb.com/description.asp?ISBN=0-7414-3574-8

Second, I found this cool website for posting your entire book collection and seeing what books you share with others. It's called LibraryThing.com, and not only do I have an account on there, Crys-revising does too. If you have an account there, drop me a line with your username so we can compare collections, or if you do join, check out my collection and post a message there. My username is MarkB1981, and the link is: http://www.librarything.com/profile/MarkB1981
 

Man, things have been hectic here lately, that I haven't been in to write here. I'm still loving my job after two weeks, and today I get my first pay check!! I got so spoiled before with working less than 30 hour weeks. By the end of the day, which seems to go by fast now, I feel not only productive from everything I've gotten done, but tired as well. I come online just to mellow and talk to Crys for a while.

I'm finally getting a car, but it's not the one I thought I was going to get. The Shadow was a stick shift, and I'm used to only automatic, However, my dad found one for me, and the paperwork is being done for it today. It's a gold-tone 1996 Saturn LS, 74K miles on it. It will be great to finally get around and do things on my own, and to go where I want when I want to.

My dad also told me he would pay for me to go back to community college, so I am going to make plans for the fall semester. With working day time, I will have to take night classes (which means I will be here even less, but that's not until the fall).

So I think that's it for now.
 

Yeah I know it's only my fourth day, but I'm still loving my new job, and I think I'm gonna stick with this one for a while as I got back to school in the fall. My co-workers are friendly and fun, I haven't had any jackass customers (yet!) and I'm really picking up the job duties quickly.

I thought I knew a lot about music, but it was only the tip of the iceberg. But as I stock diffferent genres of music I learn about different artists or groups, and learn where they go.

The perks of the job are nice too. Each day at one point I get to pick out one of the used CDs and play it on the stereo for us all to listen to. Yesterday I picked some Led Zeppelin, so as I was stocking the R&B section, I was singing along to "been a long time, been a long time, been a lonely lonely lonely time..."

We also get to sign out used CDs, DVDs and video games too, as long as we return them within a week in the same condition we signed them out. And we can also buy stuff at a discounted price

Of late I've been listening to "Book of Days" by Enya rather frequently, and it has made me think how much it could be the theme song of my novel. If it were ever to become a movie, I'd want it to be on the soundtrack.

It also works nicely for a personal theme song. I should add it to my list

One day, one night, one moment
My dreams could be tomorrow
One step, one fall, one falter
East or west, over earth or by ocean
One way to be my journey
This way could be my Book of Days

Ó lá go lá, mo thuras,
an bealach fada romham.
Ó oíche go hoíche, mo thuras,
na scéalta nach mbeidh a choích.

No day, no night, no moment
Can hold me back from trying
I'll fly, I'll fall, I'll falter
I'll find my day maybe far and away
far and away

One day, one night, one moment
With a dream to be leaving
One step, one fall, one falter
Find a new world across a wide ocean
This way became my journey
This day brings together far and away

This day brings together far and away
far and away.
 

I am finally getting a car!! It turns out a neighbor of my aunt and uncle is selling his car, and they let him know that I am interested. It is a blue 1991 Dodge Shadow. I still have to get insurance yet, but at least now that I know what kind of car I'm getting, I can call and get quoted for it.

I already have some bumper stickers I want to put on it, and some fuzzy dice to hang from the rear view mirror
 

Man, this is too cool. I went for the job interview today, and I got the job! One thing that is funny is that while my starting pay is less per hour than at the bowling alley, I will be getting more hours, so the total pay will be actually about the same.

The atmosphere is going to be more relaxed and less stressful than the bowling alley. I'll get to wear my regular clothes instead of a company shirt. We even get to sign out CDs, DVDs or video games. The guys working there look like they will be fun to work with and easy to get along with.

Between getting my license, leaving the bowling alley and getting this new job, things are starting to work out for me.
 

Well I have finally left the hellhole known as the bowling alley. December 31st was my last day, and I have been enjoying a nice post-holiday vacation since.

However, I need some money coming in, so I've put in some applications. Barnes & Noble (2 different locations) and a music store so far. Tonight I got a call back from the music store asking me to come in tomorrow for an interview. It's similar to Record and Tape Traders, and the position they are looking for is the floor and stocking, which I know I can do and wouldn't mind doing as well. A bonus is that it is within walking distance to my house, only about 5 minutes away!
 

Response to "Invalid Entry" 

When we think of Christmas colors, we think write, red, green, gold and silver. But very rarely do we think orange. Maybe a gift would be wrapped in wrapping paper with orange on it, or decorated with an orange bow. But it's not really thought of as a holiday color.

But let me offer a suggestion...

Think of the open fire with the chestnuts are roasting over it. The bright, radiant glow that gives us warmth from the cold December air and comforts us. The orange hues of the fire tint the otherwise dark room. And the flame of the Christmas candles are nice shade of orange too.

Now think of the time of Christ's birth. They didn't have light bulbs or electricity. The only light they had in the night was that of the flame. Orange all around.

So, the warmth of orange should become a new welcome color of the season.
 

Response to "Invalid Entry" 

I can't remember off hand the last time I went on a decent vacation. I haven't really had the time nor the money to plan a trip somewhere I've never been and stay for a week or so, not have to worry about work or money, and really enjoy myself.

I would love to take a vacation to Ireland. See the countryside, explore my family's ancestral home, and take in the Irish atmosphere. *makes a mental note to visit the Aran Isles* (if anyone knows me well enough, the reason for this is obvious)

Also at one time I had planned a trip to England, because there are certain places there I want to see most of all: the area around Birmingham where Tolkien lived, Stonehenge, Stratford Upon Avon, and London of course.

What I would absolutely love is to take a long excursion of Europe, including the UK, France, Germany and Italy.

Then there is always the money thing. *sigh*
 

Response to "Mosiac" 

I remember one time seeing an interesting mosaic that was done with I think it was postage stamps. The coloring and layout of the stamps was that when you stood back and looked at the big picture, it was a portrait of a famous person.

In a way, my poetry is like a mosaic of my life. You can look at each one individually, and admire that for what it is, but then when you take a look at the entire picture, you see it, or me, in a whole new light.