No Mo NaBloPoMo!

And it's finally the last day of November, meaning the last day of NaBloPoMo. I've succeeded! It was a close call a few times, but I managed to post something every day of November, sometimes more than once. Granted, not all were thoughtful, well-written, inspired blog posts. Some were memes and videos and music and pictures.

However, in the past month I have discovered the joys of Hallowe'en on Church St., taken a look at my non-existant love life, made a collage to send to a good friend, wished I could take part in the American election, struggled with other languages, had a highway accident a little too close to home, got a few steps closer to officially being a crazy cat lady, discussed my favourite word, spent time with good old friends, celebrated my 100th post, provided some food for thought... twice, remembered, started to get excited for Christmas, met a new man... sort of, forayed into the world of online dating... and kept you updated, stood outside in the cold for hours to see Santa, revealed my childhood dream, spent a weekend at my other home, confessed my love of old men, gave in and started reading Twilight, ranted about cancer-related stuff, had Twilight slowly take over my dreams, was thankful, and saw the Twilight movie, and didn't love it... but didn't hate it either.


Unlike at the start of November, I am now a slightly Twilight obsessed online dater. Weird. Never would have seen that coming!
Happy end of NaBloPoMo, everybody! Enjoy the calm that this will bring to your google readers.

Okay, Maybe I Was a Little Dazzled... In Parts

That being said, Twilight the movie did have some parts that made me happy and girly inside:

The Prom.

Everything about Jasper and Alice... especially Jasper.

The scene in the Meadow.

Edward playing the piano.

Climbing in the tree.

The scenery was amazingly perfect.

Their first kiss.

And, of course, Edward's amazing sunglasses.

Commercial Love

Every once in a while, a commercial will catch my eye. I know it's meant to sell me something, but it's also incredibly pretty.




I like the idea of discovering something new, I think I need to do it more often. When was the last time I tried something new? When was the last time you tried something new?

Not Nearly as Dazzled by the Movie

Last night I conned a friend (who hasn't read the book) to go see the Twilight movie with me. I loved the book a lot (I'll get into that later) so I had fairly low expectations for the film, because I had heard it was bad. Still, there was part of me that was ridiculously excited to see it. I think I had expected it to be closer to the book. It took me hours afterwards to fully explain to my friend what she just watched, she had so many questions. I wouldn't recommend going if you haven't read the book, because it just won't make sense.
I thought I wouldn't like Robert Pattinson as Edward, because the picture of Edward I had in my head was so different. However, I was pleasantly surprised by his hotness, I think mostly because of the fact that he was Edward... if that makes any sense. Casting-wise, I had no major beefs, my beefs were mainly with the plot.
It felt like the build of the relationship between Edward and Bella was done in fast forward, so it didn't really make sense that all of a sudden they were in love and couldn't live without each other (especially if you haven't read the book). Also, Edward's explaination of everything about vampires seemed like it was given in bullet points - Bella is supposed to slowly unravel it, not have it all given to her at once. What what happened to the relationship between Alice and Bella? It was just non-existant. Not to mention Bella's friendships at school with Jess and Angela were also barely developed.
My other beef was with the filming itself. Who decided that the entire movie needed to be shot in close ups and bumpy forest shots from bizarre angles? I could see the covered up pimple on Bella's face, and my friend noted that she was wearing contacts. Not necessary I'd say.
Overall, I would strongly recommend reading the book first if you're going to see the movie, but if you're expecting something exactly like the book, you're probably not going to love the movie. But, if all you want are gratuitous amounts of the goodlooking and and swoonworthy Edward, then it'll be worthwhile to go see the movie.

Friday Five: Over

Here's my Friday5. I should start doig this more often.

1) What’s a profession you believe to be overpaid?
Professional athletes. I understand that they are talented and all, but really, the multi-million dollar contracts are more than slightly out of control.

2) Who’s a musician you believe to be overrated?
I love most '90s alt-rock, but I just don't get Nirvana. It sounds like Kurt Cobain is drugged up and moaning at me, I just don't get why it is amazing. Really, if Cobain hadn't died, I doubt they would be nearly as popular today. I do, however, have I GIANT crush on Dave Grohl.

3) What in your life could stand to be overhauled?
My terrible eating patterns and extreme pickiness. Not happening anytime soon though.

4) What’s something interesting you recently overheard?
I overhear crazy things at the shelter every time I'm there, both from the kids and staff, all confidential though.

5) Who is the most overextended person you know?
My Grandma. She's taking care of my ailing Grandpa, keeping up their house in the country by herself, trying to keep herself from being socially isolated, acting as the head of our crazy family, she's been coming out to help Mom out with the cancer stuff, and she does tonnes of stuff at her church. She's amazing.

Thanks, Eh

Better late than never, eh, America? Thanksgiving already happened in October, sorry you didn't get the memo. But, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I thought I would discuss some of the things I am most thankful for.

1) I have the best family anyone could ever ask for. Sure, they're a bit crazy sometimes, but they're always there when I need them.
2) The fantastic medical system we have here. The doctors and nurses and other health professionals that have taken care of my Mom the past half-year and helped her to beat cancer. Amazing people. Amazing knowledge and research. Amazing care. Amazingly free.
3) My kitten. He's a beautiful ball of fur who loves me unconditionally. I always have him to go home to at night. I don't know how I would have survived living on my own without him. And sometimes, like last night, he surprises me by cuddling, and I love him even more.
4) Fantastic friends, both old and new. People who love me no matter what, people I can be myself with, people who have helped me through the tough times.
5) How I am so damn lucky. I was born into a loving family with wealth who gave me all sorts of opportunities in life. I've never really had to struggle to do anything I've wanted to. Everything so far in my life has gone relatively smoothly, and seeing what others have had to go through has made me see just how lucky I've been.

So, whether your American or otherwise, I think we should all use this weekend to thank about all of the things in life we are thankful for, and to think about our many blessings instead of taking them for granted.
What are you thankful for?

For Your Viewing Pleasure

This makes me laugh so hard I almost pee. I thought you would enjoy it! Found via i suwannee.

My Very Own Blog Secret

With no time to officially post, and an intense commitment not to fail NaBloPoMo, y'all get to hear my embarrassing confession...

I am officially a 15 year old girl again...


I had a dream involving Edward Cullen last night.


In my defense (and to make it less creepy), he was older than 17 in my dream.


I'm about half way through Twilight, in case you were wondering. I'm the girl with her headphones in her ears and her nose stuck in a book on the bus and subway... so much so that I nearly missed my stop yesterday.

Yup, officially a teenager again.

This May Verge on Ranting...

You know it must be Monday morning when you wake up and have to clean up cat puke from the kitchen floor. Poor guy. Apparently his attempts to destroy the mini Christmas tree I brought back from home with me had him all worked up.
Anyhow, my weekend of relaxing at my parents' house is over and I am back in the big city ready to take on the last 3 weeks of school. I'm trying not to think about all of the things I have to do, so instead I'll share a story from my weekend.
Yesterday, my family went to church to see my sister be part of the service. Mom has only been to church a few times since this whole cancer business began. It's not the religious aspect that has made her stop going, I think, but more the social aspect. I made sure to stick near her yesterday, to be support and a body guard if necessary. They mean well, all of her church friends and acquaintances, but they make it really really hard. One after another they come up to say hi, saying the exact same lines - "it's good to see you" "how are you feeling?" "you're looking well" "how are you doing?" "we've been thinking about you" "you've been in our prayers" - all accompanied by a sympathetic look and a hug or awkward back rub/pat. Mom gave them all back the same well rehearsed lines - "it's good to be seen" "I'm feeling well, it's one of my good weeks" "I'm doing alright" "well, thank you" - what else can she say? They mean well. Trying to give her support and love in the only way they can. But that's really not what she needs... we're trying to make things as normal as possible to get past this, so she doesn't really need a constant barrage of sympathetic looking people who are all "cancer, cancer, cancer" without ever actually saying that dirty word. We know you know she has cancer, it's nice that you want to be supportive, but let's move on please, we don't need to make Mom cry at church. But that's people, right? That's what people do. They mean well, and they're just doing the best they can.

Dating Update

Why hello,
I just wanted to share with y'all the best* Plentyoffish.com message I have received thus far.

hello sexy. how are you doing. my name is sam. i was just seaching and i saw ur pics believe me you are so sweet and i will love to know you better pls reply me and let me be on top of the world i will love to meet you. by the way am also single and know how to pleaseand pleasure my woman when i have one

I am not saying anything more about my dating adventures just yet, let's just say it hasn't all been duds, but I'm taking it slow.



*Best as in it was so funny that I almost threw up a little.

Here I Go...

I am ready to be a teen again, I have the book in my hot little hands (swiped from the little sis, who was currently re-reading it). This lovely lady and I are hopping onto the Vampire bandwagon together. Seeing as I loved vampire books, such as "Companions in the Night", as a teen, and really really really loved vampire books such as "Dracula" and "The Historian" as a 20-something, I should have no issues with this. I'll let you know how it goes.

I Have a Confession...

... I have old man crushes. It seems like the older I get, the more I find older men attractive. That said, I would never date an old man in real life, more like I've watched way too many old movies. I fall for the 20 years younger versions of these men so much so that the crush carries over to the current day version. So, even though I would never date an old man in real life, if any of my old men crushes were to approach me in real life I wouldn't hesitate for a second. My top two:

Harrison Ford,

and Pearce Brosnan.

Oooh yeah!

Outside the City I See, I See I'm Inside Out

Home, Sweet Home - August 2008

I'm home for the weekend. I get to relax and spend time with my family and friends. My high school self would never have imagined that I would not only willingly travel back to the hometown, but want to go and be happy that I'm there. In three short weeks, I'll be home for Christmas, selling jewelery at the parents' store to husbands and boyfriends. I used to hate having to work retail every Christmas, and now I can't wait.
Ahh, now back to my relaxing weekend.

Crafty Rabbits

Today, I am loving rabbits and bunnies. Here are a few pretty ones from etsy.

Few Know Mopsy s Secret by badbird

Made of Meat by kimem

nobody's home by ellemoss

Girl with Balloon by monjojo


A Hare with a hat- Original ACEO Painting by poordogfarm

rabbit speak-original painting and drawing by prettylittlethieves

Bits & Pieces

• I am heading to my parents' house for the weekend as of tomorrow. Toronto has completely avoided the snow thus far (unlike the rest of Ontario, it seems) so I am really hoping it doesn't start today or tomorrow. I haven't been home in more than a month - since Thanksgiving, and that is a looooong time for me.
  
• I bought a laser light toy for my cat this weekend. It is the absolute funniest thing I have ever seen to see him try to understand it, AND it keeps him distracted so he doesn't play with his poop (Gross, I know).
• I had to stay downtown after placement yesterday so that I could come back in and co-run a group. Originally I was pissy about this, BUT I just keep telling myself that it shows dedication and dedication gets hired. Also, we had a pretty fantastic time.
• I have been slacking in my school work like mad. I think I am slightly overwhelmed in the amount I have to do in this last month (or less) before I graduate, and in order not to deal with the stress, I have been ignoring everything. Also, my apartment is a mess.
• I have less than a month less until I have to be a grown up. This scares the crap out of me and makes me want to go back for more schooling.
• I am a little worried that Paul Reiser was on that commercial I just saw during The Price is Right. The 13 year old me who crushed on him in Mad About You just died a little.
• I feel as though I may be self-sabotaging myself in regards to things with the guy I met on plentyoffish.com. I have to force myself to reply to messages, even though he seems great. I'm not sure why I'm doing this to myself.
• I just realized I only have 3 weeks left of school. Holy crap I need to get cracking.
  

When I Grow Up

When I was little, I wanted to be an astronaut when I grew up... until I realized how freakin' scary outer space is.
What did you want to be?

"when im older" by neilslorance

Concept via Girl With a Pearl Earring.

Me! Me! Me!

Found over at Kyla Bea and at My Life In a Nutshell, it's time to talk all about me!

LAYER ONE:

• Name: Erin
• Birthdate: October 12, 1985
• Birthplace: W'burg, Ontario
  
• Current location: Toronto (more like Etobicoke)
  
• Eye color: Greenish, greyish, blueish
  
• Hair color: Brown
• Height: 5′ 8″
• Righty or lefty: Righty
• Zodiac sign: Libra

LAYER TWO:

• Your heritage: About as WASP-y as you get. English and Scottish mixed on all sides, most of whom came to the U.S. first and then to Canada as United Empire Loyalists.
  
• The shoes you wore today: Teva runners, they make me feel outdoorsy.
  
• Your weakness: Shopping and bad for me food.
  
• Your fears: I have and always have had so many (thanks to my Generalized Anxiety Disorder).
  
• Your perfect pizza: Just cheese!
  
• Goal you’d like to achieve: To never stop learning new things.
  

LAYER THREE:

• Your most overused phrase on AIM: Change that to MSN, it would have to be "hahaha" or "no kidding".
  
• Your first waking thoughts: If I'm working days, something like "ugggghhh".
  
• Your best physical feature: I have pretty eyes.
  
• Your most missed memory: My days as a camp counsellor, I did not cherish those times enough.

LAYER FOUR:

• Pepsi or Coke: Usually, I'm a Diet Coke girl, but lately I've been loving Diet Pepsi.
  
• McDonald’s or Burger King: McDonald's is another one of my weaknesses - the chicken nugget meal!
  
• Single or group dates: Haven't been on one of either in a long time!
• Adidas or Nike: I don't have a preference really...
  
• Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: I don't like ice tea.
  
• Chocolate or vanilla: Chocolate!
• Cappuccino or coffee: I don't like the taste of coffee, so usually I'll go for a hot chocolate if I need a hot drink. If I had to choose, a cappuccino, they remind me of studying in university.
  

LAYER FIVE:

• Smoke: Never.
• Cuss: A little too often sometimes.
  
• Sing: Only when I'm alone for the most part. Like, to my cat in my apartment and while driving. I spent my summer driving and singing.
  
• Take a shower everyday: Usually...
  
• Do you think you’ve been in love: No, I haven't.
  
• Want to go to college: I've gone to university and am currently in college. I'll probably go back for a masters someday.
  
• Liked high school: Yeah, I had a lot of awesome friends, good teachers, and was a part of the Drama Club (which was MUCH less nerdy than it sounds).
  
• Want to get married: Maybe, if I am absolutely sure.
  
• Believe in yourself: Sometimes, in some situations more than others.
  
• Get motion sickness: Rarely, but it's happened.
  
• Think you’re attractive: Sometimes.
  
• Think you’re a health freak: No, even though I should be.
  
• Get along with your parent(s): Very well, especially now that I haven't lived with them for so long.
  
• Like thunderstorms: I love them, unless tornadoes are involved, they scare the crap out of me!
  
• Play an instrument: Not at all.
  

LAYER SIX: In the past month…

• Drank alcohol: Oh yeah.
  
• Smoked: No.
• Done a drug: Only the ones prescribed to me.
  
• Made out: No...
• Gone on a date: Girlfriend dates... do they count?
  
• Gone to the mall: Too many times!
  
• Eaten an entire box of Oreos: No, they're expensive.
  
• Eaten sushi: Gross gross gross no.
  
• Been on stage: Umm, no I don't think so.
  
• Been dumped: No, you have to have a relationship for that.
  
• Gone skating: Sadly, no, but there will be outdoor rinks soon!
  
• Made homemade cookies: Do Pillsbury count?
  
• Gone skinny dipping: Haven't done that since I was a tot.
  
• Dyed your hair: Nope, I stopped dying it over a year ago.
  
• Stolen Anything: Nope.

LAYER SEVEN: Ever…

• Played a game that required removal of clothing: Yes. Good old university.
  
• Been trashed or extremely intoxicated: Oooh yeah... like, Friday.
  
• Been caught “doing something”: Nope.
• Been called a tease: Yeah.
• Gotten beaten up: Never.
• Shoplifted: Nope. Having parents who own a store deterred me from that.
  
• Changed who you were to fit in: Only when I didn't really know who I was.
  

LAYER EIGHT:

• Age you hope to be married: In my late 20s or in my 30s.
  
• Numbers and names of children: Maybe none, maybe a few... I think the names will have to fit the children.
  
• Describe your dream wedding: Something a little traditional, with all of my closest friends and family.
  
• How do you want to die: In my sleep, of old age, peacefully.
  
• Where you want to go to college: University of Western Ontario and Humber College!
  
• What do you want to be when you grow up: I don't want to grow up.
  
• What country would you most like to visit: So many! Maybe Peru.
  

LAYER NINE:

• Number of drugs taken illegally: None.
• Number of people I could trust with my life: My immediate family and a few of my friends.
  
• Number of CDs that I own: A lot!
  
• Number of piercings: Two holes in each ear.
  
• Number of tattoos: None currently.
  
• Number of times my name has appeared in the newspaper: Once for sure, when I wrote a letter to the hometown news years ago pro gay marriage.
• Number of scars on my body: A BIG one across my side from the kidney surgery I had at age 3.
  
• Number of things in my past that I regret: I do my best to never have regrets. If I can't change it, then I let it go.
  

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Today was the Toronto Santa Claus Parade! My room mate from first year university and her boyfriend came up and we met up with my cousin downtown near the parade start. We made it there around 11, the parade didn't start until 12:30. It was max 2 degree Celsius, and we couldn't move for fear someone would snag our sweet spot. Also, halfway through the parade, it began to snow, not just light snow, like a wet snow blizzard. I bet it looked nice on tv, not so nice to be in. It was worth the cold, I think, even though I was fairly certain all of my joints were freezing up and therefore I would never move again. It was pretty exciting to see the parade, as I used to watch it on tv growing up every year. Although, there were no dressed up goats like we used to have in our hometown parade every year (BEST.PART.EVER.). I don't have pictures yet, and I was going to wait to post about the parade until I got them, but I needed a NaBloPoMo post today, so there we go.
It's still snowing a bit, which is nice for me now that I am inside looking out.

Dating with Erin - For Real this Time!?

Well, I finally did it. You can now find my profile at plentyoffish.com. I'm trying to keep an open mind about this... My combo of super-shy and super-picky is not necessarily going to help me here. We'll see how this goes or if this goes. I'll keep you posted.

Saturday Tunes

I'm SO Lucky!

A while ago, I entered a contest at Hallmark's Things We Make Blog for Paloma's Nest ornaments...

AND I WON!!! Check it out:


And this is what they look like! So beautiful!!

Makes me so happy!!

I Met a New Man Tonight...

He's a big guy, yellowish tone, got pretty fresh with me and is named Cheddar...

Too bad he's a snake. (Excuse the crappy cell phone in low lighting picture) Pretty freaking cool!
I think I need to start dating...

Free Print Lovin'

Jessica Gonacha and Renee of Wolfie and the Sneak are giving away these two beautiful prints!! And, being incredibly sweet, Renee even told me that us Canadians can get some free hope print lovin'! Amazingly pretty prints and an awesome idea! So go e-mail for your own, or just go check out their pretty sites. Do it!

More Food for Thought

Okay, y'all. I just wrote a 6 page reading review for class this morning in a matter of hours (it was supposed to be 2 pages... whoops!). So I don't feel like writing a blog post, but NaBloPoMo has got me in its dirty clawed grasp.... so here you go, some food for thought in graphic form. I am a jerk and don't remember where I found most of these, so I am not giving them credit, sorry guys.



These make me happy.

It Only Took Me a Week...

When everything Christmas started to go up immediately after Halloween, I was less than enthused. Wayyy too early, I thought. But I'm changing my mind. I think the getting ready for Christmas is what makes November exciting, rather than cold and dreary. It's the anticipation of things to come. And living in Toronto makes the Christmas season especially exciting...


The Christmas windows have been put up at The Bay on the corner of Queen and Yonge. I haven't had the chance to go see them up close (and the picture is from last year), but I can guarantee that they will be fantastic. I remember, during university, we came to Toronto on a bus trip to see a musical, and the "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" windows just took my breath away. I have been excited for the windows ever since.
And on Yonge Street, the Christmas lights have been put up, so when I go on break from placement, I get to walk under these stars. It is especially pretty in the area I have my placement, because there are trees in the divider in the middle of the road that are also covered in lights. It makes me happy to work the evening shift.

Soon soon soon, if not already, the Swarvsky tree will be put up in the Eaton Centre. They were getting the base ready for it when I was there last Saturday. Last year, 2 cousins and I went to the Eaton Centre shopping one evening, and ahead in the distance I noticed the tree. One of my cousins absolutely loves Christmas, so I made her walk towards the tree with her eyes closed until we got up close enough to get the perfect view - and she almost peed she was so excited. The entire tree is covered in Swarvsky crystal ornaments, and the entire thing rotates and the ornaments catch the light perfectly, it is beautiful!

And, this Sunday, it is the Santa Claus Parade! I grew up watching the parade on tv, and so last year when I could actually see it in person, I was thrilled. It is big and crowded and terribly impressive. I love Christmas parades. I went to the one on my hometown with my family every year growing up. When I lived in London for university, I made my friends go with me to see it there. And now, I'm making friends come to the Toronto one with me! I couldn't be more excited for it!!

Any thoughts from you out there? Is it too early for Christmas, or does it help you get through November? What are your favourite Christmas events?

Lest We Forget

It's Remembrance Day here in Canada, and, although I lost my poppy in the TTC the other day, I am remembering.


I have never had a family member die in a war. I have been lucky. My Dad's grandfather was in WWI, but survived. My Mom's father had just completed Air Force training when WWII finished. I know other families have not been so lucky.
So today, we remember those who have bravely fought and those who have lost their lives in our wars.

Today I also remember Pvt. William Cushley, or Will, as we called him in high school. I sat near him in Computers class, and he was always fun to sit near and laugh with, playing practical jokes on everyone who sat near him. Will joined the forces and went to fight in Afghanistan, where he lost his life. Rest in Peace, Will.

Remember
by Christina Rosetti

Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.

Food for Thought

Via Because It's Better Out Than In

Celebrate We Will, 'Cause Life is Short But Sweet for Certain

I missed the opportunity to celebrate my 100th post! As in, I completely did not even realize that it passed and now I'm on 102.
Over 100 posts and more than 1300 hits (I'm sure they can't all be me, right?)... my little blog is growing, and it's only 3 months old!

Celebrate! by bearfont

P.S. Clearly, the title is from "Two Step" by the Dave Matthews Band

Comfortable

Sweet! 11:57! Clearly this won't be published until after midnight, but I am counting it towards my NaBloPoMo goal. I wasn't sure if the streetcar was going to get me home in time to do it, and considered the options of editing the time that I wrote it at to make it look like I didn't miss a day of posting (yes, these are the kinds of things I think about on my streetcar rides home... *NERD*), but luckily it didn't come to that.
I went to a choir concert this evening, an old friend from camp/home/university is in it, so I went with some other old friends. After, we had apps and drinks. It was good to be together again. These are friends I've known since my early-to-mid teens. Comfortable friends. People who have seen me at my worst and continue to love me anyways. Friends who have been there through it all. I've learned in the past year to really cherish those old friends and all the others, I'm lucky to have them.

Hope, Always

Hope is the thing with feathers - imago2007

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune--without the words,
And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.
(Emily Dickinson)

Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: You don't give up.
(Anne Lamott)

Hope doesn't come from calculating whether the good news is winning out over the bad. It's simply a choice to take action.
(Anna Lappe, O Magazine, June 2003)

Hope is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. Hope is the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best. [1] To hope is to wish for something with the expectation of the wish being fulfilled, a key condition in unrequited love. [2] Hopefulness is somewhat different from optimism in that hope is an emotional state, whereas optimism is a conclusion reached through a deliberate thought pattern that leads to a positive attitude.(Wikipedia)

Hope was so my thing long before Obama stole it. Okay, maybe not. All the same, it has been the belief, the feeling, the wish that has gotten me through this year so far. The year is almost done... 5 weeks until I am home to work at Mom and Dad's store for the Christmas season, and I am done the CYW program. Not much longer after that, 2008 is over. 2009 will be better, it has to be. I am still contemplating a tat to celebrate making it through. I have commitment issues I think, though, so we'll see. Either way, always, always hold on to hope.