Hello, all. It has been awhile.

It's the fourth day into the new year and I can't judge whether it's been a good start or not. All I know is that I'm really craving some Nutella right now. A jar of which is in the cabinet. Right behind me. Literally five and half feet away.

But I will resist. For this is the new year and indulging such cravings will put me in a shitty mood. But this tasteless oolong tea is absolutely delightful!

Last year was a good one. It had its highs and lows, like any other year, but this time I actually accomplished some of the resolutions I set out for myself... a pretty Damn Big Deal for me, and for those of you who know me and know me well know why.

Recap of last year's resolutions:

- Get 4.0 GPA [check]
- Get promotion at work [check]
- . . . .

Shit, what were my other resolutions? I probably didn't accomplish them.

Anyway, this year, I would like to continue on this upward slope my life is taking and do my best not to fuck it up. The greatest saboteur of my life is me, and if I find myself wrapped around an empty jar of Nutella in some dark corner with my guilt caked in an unsightly mess around my mouth, I am the only one holding the spoon...

So, without further ado, my new year's resolutions for 2009:

- Get a 4.0 for this sem. This shouldn't be hard if I stay focused and don't miss any of my classes for more than two weeks.
- Fill a sketchbook. I haven't drawn anything of any significance in over a year and I fear any aptitude I once had is slowly slipping away.
- Write. Write. Write. Write. Write. Write.
- Get back down to 107lbs. How? Replace that spoon with a dumbbell.
- Be a better friend/person.

And that's that. Now, excuse me while I enjoy this slice of nicely toasted bread spread with delicious, chocolaty sin.

... So shoot me, folks; I'm human.

Congratulations, President-elect Obama! 

Though I did not vote for you, I will support you... May the United States of America prosper under your leadership.

Greetings, all!

Yesterday, I participated in the democratic process.  For eight hours.  

I woke up at around nine o’clock, oriented myself, ate breakfast, brushed my teeth, crapped around on the computer, and left the house at around ten.  I figured Sunday would be a good day to go because, why, Sunday’s church!   Most people would be sitting in pews and such, right…?  

Heathens, all!

The line went full-circle (and then some) around the North Miami Public Library building, which takes up, pretty much, an entire city block.  I was one of the “earlier” ones; eight hours is good time!  Fortunately for us, the devoted citizens of the US of A, the weather was decent.  It was overcast for most of the time and therefore, mercifully cool.  Every now and then, the clouds would even tinkle.  We also had some gawkers from Europe, the UK to be specific.  They were all pale and accent-y; snapping photos, making comments (“We are observing your election process!”, “Fascinating!”,  “Well, I say, John!  Look at this massive congregation of sentient bodies!”), and expressing disbelief at how long some of us had been standing in line.  SMILE!  Snap, snap!  I think I might have glowered at them.  By that point, I had been six hours in; cranky, hungry, thirsty, aching all over, and mind-numbingly bored.  Of course, why hadn’t I thought to bring with me a lounge chair, an umbrella, lunch and dinner, a battery-powered grill to cook said meals on, and a dancing monkey?   Next time, I’ll know better.  I did bring a book, though… which I finished three hours in.  Also, back to the Brits.  You know what I found just a tad annoying?  Well, I’ll tell you.  The fact that they had the gall -- the gall, man! -- to openly endorse a presidential candidate for a country that they don’t even live in.  Seriously.  On the bright side, there was this election attorney guy walking around, explaining the obvious to us, while looking very delectable in the process.  I thought he might be of Irish descent, what with his being all luminescent in the sun and orange-y of hair.  As I was contemplating his heritage, he introduced himself to us as Patrick.  Hah.  Hah-hah.  Oh, Patrick.

Anyway, I was emancipated by six, and to celebrate, I drove straight to Publix, bought some grub, and ate proportionately to the relief I was feeling.  Then, I went home, drank a gallon of oolong and died.


Moving on.  I think I need to start exercising again.  Since school started, I’ve been so focused on my academics (What?  I know; a new leaf) that I’ve neglected to stay in shape.  And while I have lost weight, I think that that can be attributed to my rapidly disintegrating muscle mass.  Woe!

So!

( Mari's Detailed Exercise Routine )

I also have something else to share: I’ve been thinking of YouTubing myself; doing some comedy skits and the like.  My mom is a ridiculously rich source of material.  That and my whole life is basically an ongoing comedy of errors.  So, what do you, my friends, think?  Avoid the Tube of You like the plague?  Keep the little dignity I have left and hold on to it tightly, never let go?  Good advice; I might consider it.

Now… what else?  Oh, yes!  I finally finished Last Friends.  I started a long time ago, but then I stopped, just a couple of episodes short from finishing.   However, will_of_fire  saw to it that I finish it and I did.  The ending didn't deliver, but shit, were there some intense moments.  From watching this, I have come to the realization that pair mugs are an integral part of meaningful and lasting relationships!  Also, if the handle on one of them breaks, this is to be interpreted as a Bad Sign.  That is why I am considering ballistic plastic.  Alicia...?

This year's Halloween was uneventful.  I basically just stayed at home (I was invited to parties, I swear!  I just turned them all down...), watched House on Haunted Hill, and consumed a whole container of tapioca pudding.  And while the movie was cheesier than a bag of Cheetos sprayed with ketchup, Taye Diggs redeemed it by simply being a glorious, glorious vision of chocolaty man-flesh.

Well, this was quite an extensive update and kudos for anyone who got this far!  You are a true friend.  A rasuto furendo.  I -- I love you.

~ Mari

PS To chibimidori</lj>: Looks like there will be no blood spillage of first borns...

Jesus, what an ASShole. 

Sorry my card didn't go through.  Sorry I had to make you turn around and ask the guy behind you how to do your job, because you obviously don't have a fucking clue.  Sorry I held up the no-line behind me.  Sorry for inquiring "Is this the whole sandwich?" because in the fucking display window the 'wich looked 2x longer than the box you popped it in. 

"Just walk away..." 

Don't tell me what to do, Fug-Mug.  This is America.  And didn't your mother ever teach you some motherfucking manners?

I was fucking polite, too.  

On the other hand... 

That kid's life is probably a huge Fistula of Suck.  Next time I see him, I'm going to give him a big-ass toothy smile.   

Yeah.  That's what I'll do.