Recent happenings in my little life:

Chillin' with my buddy Kong

Yet another new year - yet another new page:

January 2006-   It's a new year again.   I don't really have any "resolutions" as such, except to perfect my already impressive powers of levitation, ESP, and mind control.

February 2006-   Another Groundhog Day.   Thanks to everyone for all the cards, calls, and emails.  
Allow me to suggest two CD's for you: The Gorillaz: Demon Days, and Madonna: Confessions on a Dance Floor.   They actually played together at the opening of the recent Grammys.   (That woman's held up well!)
I dug Woody Allen's new movie Match Point

March 2006-   For whatever reason, I feel I need to write the following for whomever may take it to heart: This life is short.   You can't change the past. You can affect your future.   You are far more lucky than you even realize, so be appreciative for who and what you have every day.   Keep raising the bar for yourself.   You can only evolve by willingly and purposefully stepping outside your comfort zone regularly ("no pain - no gain").   I realize all that sounds trite, but if you really apply it, your life will greatly improve exponentially.  
And remember, just because you live in the United States, doesn't mean you have to over eat.
My friend William is in the trailer for the upcoming Will Ferrell movie "Taledega Nights".   He's the one at the end of the trailer wearing blue and saying "You're not on fire, Ricky Bobby!".

April 2006-   Thanks once again to my man Earl for hookin' a brother up.   I now have a 19" flat screen monitor (with digital input and picture-in-picture capability).   I got a crown (in my mouth, not on my head).  
I faired much better tax-wise this time round this year.
I've been working steadily at putting together a DVD of my artwork and animations.   I'll keep you updated as to the release date.
Every weekend, I've been setting aside an hour, and I pick a spot of the house (a desk, a closet, etc.) and organize and throw away all uneccessary clutter.   Over time it really makes a huge difference.   It's the best feeling and I highly recommend it to everyone.
I aerated the front lawn and planted grass seed.   I'm now officially that guy who stands out front watering his lawn each day (I just look better doing it than the other guys).   I bought a hose nozzle with multiple settings.   It's like a shower head massager for my lawn!
I got a black eye in class (can't make an omelette without breaking some eggs).   The thing is, it's not one of those cool looking ones where people say "wow, I bet there's a good story there."   No, I have the kind where after I walk away people ask "is he wearing eye shadow?"   And speaking of class, I'm now level 6.   Woo hoo!
I spent Easter hiking Crowders Mountain.   Great fun.
I had an intensive two-day training class in an editing program called Final Cut Pro.   You see, what most people don't realize is that we computer graphics people have to know and study as much as doctors.   It's true.   For example, a guy like myself has to know backwards and forwards every aspect of Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, and various others including 3D animation software and web site related stuff, and then knowing how to make all these programs work together.   And then you have to keep up with the updated versions!   Later this year I plan to learn the latest version of Flash.
R.I.P. Dr. Glenn Morris.   He wrote the book Path Notes of an American Ninja Master.   This book is too involved to cover here, but unlike most other "Ninja" books, this is about how we're all only human, but have a universe of hidden power at our disposal if we master the ability to detach and visualize.   A lot of meta physical stuff in here (and those of you who know me well, know I'm crazy for that).

May 2006-   Saw The Roots.   I'd have danced more if I could have actually moved (it was so crowded).
What's up with all these people walking around with the flashing blue phone piece connected to their ear?! It's as if to say "look at my flashing blue light - I'm important enough that I could get a call at any second - acknowledge me!"   Sad.
Went to Carowinds.   I tried not to stare, but it freaks me out to see just how HUGE Americans are getting.   (and again with the flashing earpiece!   Do these people really need to wear them on amusement park rides??)   Anyway, Top Gun is still my favorite ride in the park.   It makes me giggle like a little kid.   I love me some roller coasters!   I always have to sit in the very front seat.
Got the new Chili Peppers album.   A double CD, doncha know.   :)

June 2006-   Just got back from the beach (Oak Island -thanks Allen and Christy!!).   I'm a bit sunburned, but it will become a dark and lovely tan soon enough.  
I got a new 17" Mac Book Pro lap top.   It's cool beyond description!
I picked up the newest Prince CD (2131).   This album is more old school Prince that we all know and love - you know, the Prince that makes your neck work as you dance and sing along.
I got off work early last week and went out to catch the last 40 minutes of the Tom Petty concert (with special guest Stevie Nicks).   Since I got there late, I got in for free.   I knew my friend Vanne was on the lawn somewhere, so I stopped and centered myself, cleared my mind, and turned on the mental antenna, and I found her within a minute of walking through the gate.   No lie.
It's June, so that means Pops in the Park time.   Lots of John Williams and Beatles music.

July 2006-   I had some time off of work, so I grew a beard.   I'm not completely sold on it, apart from it being a change from the norm.   I think it will be short lived.   I got to see my buds Jim and Phillip (who had never met each other before), both in town for the annual comic convention.
Week nights at 11 on Adult Swim, they are re-airing episodes of Pee Wee's Playhouse.   SUCH a creative show.   So much animation.
Like with Tom Petty last month, I tried to see Def Leppard after work recently.   I got there a bit late and only heard the last song of the encore as I was walking up (Pour Some Sugar On Me).
If you get a chance, check out Charlotte's own Incognito Mosquito.   I tell you, these three guys can't be more than 20 it seems, but they're playing funky jam-type music along the lines of classic Yes (and just as well too!).
I recently got to see my family as they visited, including my 8 year old nephew.
I have a 60 Gig iPod (the video kind).   Woo Hoo!   Now I'm one of those people - you may see my black silhouette dancing around with my white ear phones.   And once more - thanks to my man Earl - I have another flat screen monitor to go alongside my current one (as well as the video card to make that work).
I'm level 7 now in my martial arts school.   I tried out a Jiu jitsu class and had my ass handed to me.   A real eye-opener.

September 2006-   I never got around to writing about August.   I attended another "sucker punching" seminar.   Good times.
I was in line at a convenience store recently, and had to wait for the guy in front of me to buy all his Power ball (or Lotto, or whatever you call it) tickets.   I started thinking about all the money people waste doing that.   Yeah, somebody wins, but it won't be you.   I was thinking how all that money would be better spent put in a retirement and/or savings account each month.   The people buying these tickets are usually wearing denim shorts.   There you go.
I've been slowly adding graphics software to my lap top each month.
Had a random meeting with Jordan's family.   That made my week.
Hurt my right knee pretty bad in class last month and it's still not right.   I probably shouldn't have written that in case someone will take advantage of me in a "weakened" state.   Started taking Jiu Jitsu classes in addition to my usual classes.   I have a Gi and everything (picture to appear here soon).  
I was at a Labor Day picnic at a rock quarry in Mooresville (thanks once again to Allen and Christy for the invite).   I got to jump off a 55 foot cliff ledge into the water.   What a rush!   And thanks Shannon for putting together the Labor day block party the night before (lots of fun), and thanks William and Lisa for inviting me to your culdesac party.
I started my "Myspace" page.   I avoided it for a long while, thinking it was just for teenagers, but then I saw all the cool potential for which one can use it.   It's still in its zygote stage, but I'll have a link here soon when it's more fleshed out.
I've been pressure washing around the house.   It's awesome and addicting.   All that power - all that clean afterwards.
R.I.P. Steve Irwin. You'll be missed.

October 2006-   I finally bought a new phone.   My previous one got so old as to only work part of the time.
Went to a pumpkin carving party at Shannon's.   I can't show a picture here because I was unhappy with both my pumpkins and threw them both out.   At this party, I picked up a girl to crack her back.   When I leaned back, my knee buckled and we came crashing to the floor (she wasn't even a big girl).   It was at this point that I acknowledged that something is in fact very wrong with my knee, and I decided it's time to see a doctor.  
I dressed as Darth Maul for Halloween.   Thanks to Marren and especially Margaret for the help with the costume.   I had the contacts and the horns, but couldn't do the cloak (this year).   As it turns out, the horns wouldn't stay on (which highly annoyed me), and I had to rush the make up job.   Thanks to Shannon for the use of his bathroom and mirror (sorry for the mess!).   I ended up losing the horns when all was said and done!  
I have my name in the credits of a DVD due out in December.   I'm listed under "Production Support".


November 2006-   So I went to see a doctor about my knee, got an MRI (interesting experience), and it was determined that I have a torn miniscus and a torn ACL.   My surgery is scheduled for early January after the Christmas crazyness.
The guys at the office were sick and I started feeling some sniffles coming on.   I took Zicam and it knocked the symptoms right out! (I think that's the first product endorsement on this site).
I went to vote, did you?
Duran Duran played in Greenville, SC on the 9th. I couldn't get anyone to go with me at such short notice, and I didn't want to go all that way and back alone, so I went to class instead (yes, with a torn ACL)
So, it was really bothering me that my pumpkins didn't turn out last month.   I mean, it just kept eatin' away at me, so I set out to redeem myself, however, by now pumpkins are hard to come by.   But after searching, I found one.   Granted, it was a white 75 pound one, but I found one nonetheless.   Here it is:
Thanks to William and Lisa and family for having me for Thanksgiving.   I played the Playstation game Guitar Hero, where you play with guitar shaped controllers.   I was reminded why I can't allow myself to have a video game console in my house!   You'd never see me!

December 2006-   It's that time of year again already. I guess I should start shopping.   I'm really only good at shopping for myself though...
I got to see my brother Jon when he had a layover at the Charlotte airport.
I met Chris Daughtry (of American Idol fame) at The Southern Sports Awards.
Got to see my girl Sarah during her annual Christmas visit.   Also Hope, who I hadn't seen in 17 years!   (She tracked me down through MySpace).   I spent Christmas in Atlanta with Bryan and his family.   It's my home away from home.
I recieved more holiday cards this year than ever before.   People must like me or something...

R.I.P. Tetley.   I'll miss you.


click here for 2008.

click here for 2007.

click here for 2005.

click here for 2004.

click here for 2003.

click here for 2002.


carried over: home defense! (because it's cool)

Stay tuned for even more excitement yet to come...

(Can you stand it?!)


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