*twitch, twitch*

I think I have a problem. I've been eBay-ing. A LOT. It came to the point where I had a few items that were ending on new years' eve, shortly after 8PM. Then I thought to myself, "Do I really want to be watching an auction on new years' eve?" The strange part is the answer. Didn't really have one.

So, I decided to bid on the same item (different auction), and pay a bit more so I could get it now, and not have to be an eBay geek on new years' eve. Plus, I can pick it up this Saturday with the "maybe all the pieces are there" TV stand. Hopefully it isn't as bad as Silvermane's reaction to it...! :)

The great part is... I don't actually have any official plans for new years' yet!

Where, oh where can they be?

You know, if I didn't work for this company and get a huge discount on services, I'd have cancelled them already.

It's frustrating. Waited 3.5 hours last night before finally getting a phone call - 30 minutes AFTER they were supposed to be here. And now, they're supposed to return tonight. But are they here? Have they called? No.

And wtf, I don't really *need* a home phone service... I just wanted to try out VoIP, and see if it sucked.

Add all this to injury: I've been waiting since OCTOBER.

It's that time of year...

When it's really not that busy... when I have time to catch up on other work that I've been neglecting... when I have time to bitch about how webmessenger is a horrible, horrible interface. When I actually have time to post on my blog while at work.

I wonder if that's frowned upon? :)

*sigh*

It could be worse. I could be going to Kitchener-Waterloo for New Years'... 'cause I have *so* many friends out there! :rolls eyes:

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Who'd have thought? Christmas music that doesn't make me cringe and think about buying gifts. Christmas music that should not and will not likely ever be played in an elevator. I think it's the only brand new CD I bought myself this year!

Should've known. Silvermane told me about them. And of course, I didn't understand. But now I do. She's full of surprises, that girl!! And none of them are bad. :D

Oh, and cool lights set to "Wizards In Winter" didn't hurt either. :)

Be Still, my bleeding heart.

Actually, brings a smile to my face.

Look out, there's a TELEPHONE POLE there!
Not to mention that you're driving on the sidewalk. Ass.
:rolls eyes:


Now this... this is a true tragedy.
Base price...? About $1,000,000. Seriously.


I feel better about the dings and scratches on the Miata all of a sudden...

Say thanks!

Penis so small

Manipulation

It's something I grew up with. I'm unfortunately very familiar with it, in the first-person sense of it.

In my experience, if you grow up with it, you have two options:

1) make it a part of your own life, assuming that it's normal, or
2) choose to see that it's wrong, and choose to rise above it.

In my own life, it wasn't easy. It took a long time to realize the hurt and pain it caused. It's not the easiest path to choose, but being honest with others pays off in the end. It can enrich all relationships, professional and personal. It means choosing to be honest with others, but more importantly, with yourself.

Manipulators (again, in my experience) end up weaving their own web of lies. In order to live with themselves, they actually begin to believe their own lies. And this becomes their own truth. It can get to the point where they don't even have a clear sense of the reality that is around them. They start to believe that other people don't agree with them; that others are actually out to do them harm, and to make thier life miserable. They then seek to manipulate these people even more; to try and prove them wrong. To try and exact revenge on others for the "attack" upon them. It's a vicious cycle, and I have yet to help anyone break out of it.

It also seems to quickly become an issue of control. In fact, I'd venture that manipulation IS a form of control. And when you lose that control, that's when things get ugly. Accusations begin. More lies. More manipulation. More rejection of the reality that is right there in front of you. I truly believe that this is a sickness.

But how is it treated? How do you help someone realize that they're doing this? How do you move on, and keep that person a part of your life? When someone rejects what you have to say, and refuses to believe what you say, how can you convince them of anything?

First my father. Then my brother. Now my friend of more than 12 years. The biggest question on my mind is, how did I not see this behaviour all along? Sure, we haven't talked a lot in the last 4 or 5 years, and only recently started talking again in the last year or so... but was it there all along? Was he always like this? Does it really matter anyway?

The burning question is, how can I make him realize that I really mean him no harm?

How do you talk to someone who refuses to listen?

Best. Ever.

Isn't she though?

*smiles*

Yeah, she really is. :)

Give a man a fish...

And he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he'll eat for a lifetime.

Mind you, he'll only be eating fish. Sooner or later, wouldn't he want to have some steak and potatoes?

Learning is a part of life. It's an ongoing process. If we don't allow ourselves to learn, we shut ourselves out of a lot of experiences. And it's not just about learning facts. It's about learning about other people. Every person is different and unique in their own way. And it's beautiful.

So why would someone choose not to open up their mind to someone elses' opinion, and to someone elses' views? You don't need to adopt them or make them your own - just realize the value that another point of view might have.

Christmas & commercialism

I've never been good at buying gifts around Christmas time. They always seem to be lacking enough thought, in my opinion. Despite the fact that if someone got me a gift, i don't really care what it is, but care that they thought of me.

So today, i went Christmas "browsing" with Silvermane. It was nice. I didn't actually buy anything or get any good gift ideas, but the company is always good!! :) AND I got to accidentally meet some of her relatives which was nice, and see her niece - who is super-cute. I'm not the type of guy to seek out babies or say how cute they are or anything ... but this kid is cute! :D

The only problem with today was the looming sensation that I really don't know my family members that well. I have no idea what they need, what they want, or what they would appreciate for Christmas. Sure, a card is nice. But they're not getting just a card. I may have to flat-out ask if subtle hinting doesn't work - and since we talk *so* often... I'd almost have to send an email and ASK what they want!! Hell, there aren't even that many of them to buy for!

At least I have an idea of what i want for Christmas.

New Socks

Not really. But a new blog. This week didn't suck at all. Actually, it was downright amazing, despite the childish rantings of a long-time friend. That's a whole other story in itself.



And it's December. Already. When did that happen? The year went by so quickly, but good things only started happening in the very recent past. We're talking weeks. Maybe it's my sunny disposition that's making me see things as rosier than they normally are. Whatever. I'm happy.


*Almost* as happy as those marshmallows.