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So here we are again, at the end of another year. 2004 was one of those years that I could never had predicted. It certaintly had it’s ups and downs.

It began on somewhat of a down note, with me being depressed over something that had happened in December. Then I pulled myself out of the funk and built myself a new computer and started gaming with JP on a regular basis. The best part about all the snow last winter was the fact that JP and I were snowed in more than once during a gaming night that turned into a 16 hour game-a-thon.

Then came spring. The spring was weird for me in that it was a very transitional period for me. I was still pining for someone who had no interest in me, and effectivly, I kicked them to the curb at the end of May. I also got my new cell phone in April. NOt a big deal, but to this g33k, getting a nice camera flip phone was a nice treat.

Summer is when things really started to come into focus. In early July, I decided to try an online dating service. Considering I spend most of my free time on the computer and online it seemed to be my “bar”. After only 2 days of signing up with the service I took a 1 in a 1,000,000 shot and clicked on this chick’s picture from New Jersey to see if she would like to talk with me. That girl ended u pbeing Jess and I’m pleased to report that 6 months later I’m the happiest I have ever been with someone.

The fall was completely different as I was dating someone for the first time in 2 years. So needless to say, with an 82 mile handicap between us, a lot of that time was spent in my car. But it was all well worth it!!! It was really nice to spend my birthday with someone ratehr than sitting home alone.

The winter has been pretty interesting thus far. Not really any snow, but one kick ass Christmas!!! Totally the best in recent memory!

So here I find myself at the brink of 2005, trying to imagine what the next 12 months will bring my way. I have a slight idea of what may come, but I’m not going to spoil it! You’ll just have to keep reading and find out!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!!!

When I first started dating Jess, we had talked a lot about our various hobbies. When I told her I’m a gamer, she said that she had never really played video games before and that she never really understood the facination with them. Being a gamer, it was of course my duty to try and get this girl to play some games. We tried a few games on the PS2, but nothing really held her attention. I tried on the Xbox, and succeeded on BurnOut 3. But, it was just one game and she would get bored after about 20 minutes. Then one day, she let it slip that she loves Mario. So, to the Gamecube we go! I pull out Double Dash and she loves it!! I get Luigi’s Mansion, and even though she’s frustrated by the control scheme, she loves it. We rented Mario Tennis, and although she played, she never really got into it. Then yesterday while we were running around, I stopped into Best Buy and picked up a copy of Mario Sunshine. Well…let’s just say she played it well after I fell alseep last night and she’s been playing it since she got up this morning. I honesly think I’m going to have to wrestle with her so I can get some time in on the game later. So, it would seem, the Gamecube is her system and Mario is her bitch. Although sadly now, I have lost my TV, Gamecube, and my surround system to her and her little plumber.

So my friends, be careful what you wish for….

This year was an exceptionally good Christmas. Once again, I spent half of it with both of my familes (my native family and Jess’s family) in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I can honestly say that I got some of the best presents I ever got on the whole this year. Here are some of my favorite highlights.

Carpe Noctum hoodie
Firefox t-shirt
Lord of The Rings – Return of The King Extended Edition Gift Set
HellBoy Director’s Cut Gift Set
Godsmack DVD (JP and I were actually at this exact concert that they filmed. How kick ass is that??)
GeekMan Action Figure (so sw33t!!)

Those are the highlights that I can think of right now. I also got a lot of really nice clothes, great gift cards, and lots of excellent ca$h. I still have a few more presents coming to me tonight when Jess comes up. Although I have to admit I’m a bit scared since she told me she’s been working on this present for a few days and she has to go to my house before I leave work to “set it up”. Should be an interesting night tonight.

Well, it’s time for me to get ready for work. Thank you everyone for all the great gifts!!!!!!

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Only one creature was stirring, in his hand, an optical mouse;

His rockets were launched, from his barrel with care,
In hopes that his enemy would soon disappear;

I grabbed the sniper rifles, and lay down in the nearest bed
While visions of head shot after head shot, danced in my head;

Terrorist in my scope, his ass I will cap;
I’ll drop him to the ground, for an eternal dirt nap;

When from my machine, there came such a clutter,
The Blue Screen Of Death?? Microsoft you mother fucker!!

Away went my game, in a bright blue flash,
I jumped out of my chair, my keyboard, did I almost smash.

I reset my box, to the kitchen I go
Maybe some snackage, will help soften the blow,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
A bag of peanut M&Ms, a remnant of my EQ gaming gear,

I grab the bag, and return to my computer quick,
Time to connect, and get my EverQuest fix.

To the title screen I go, and sign in my Station name,
Now to pick a character, none of them, the same.

“Now, Kastigar! now, Dittka! now, Quincy and Gimlord!
On, Badashius! on, Jadzia! on, Treegan – all grab your sword!

Past the tunnel in EC! and in Kith we hug the wall!
To Misty Thicket! I hear the Halflings call!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
If we agro the wrong mob, we shall quickly die,

So we head up to Halas, for some warm Barbarian brew,
Alcohol from a warrior race? Who would ever have a clue.

Belly to the bar, the bar keep somewhat aloof,
Looks to my Necromancer, and gives him the boot.

As he drew his staff, and I was turning around,
The bar got all quiet, not nearly a sound.

He was dressed all in red, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of bones he had flung on his back,
With a chant and a warm blue glow, empty was the sack.

His eyes – how they glowed! his scowl so scary!
He had conjured a skeleton, his pet, stood stationary.

From across the room, I heard the draw of a bow,
The Necro turned ‘round, ‘twas time for the show;

His scowl did lower, and he gritted his teeth,
A shot to the back, he did like the least.

He had a broad face and a little round belly,
The Neco quickly chanted, and turned him to jelly.

When from down the stairs, came a righteous High Elf;
Badashius just laughed, “I’ll handle this myself”;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know, we all might soon be dead;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
The High Elf let lose with everything he had, man what a jerk!

The building to timbers, everything was hosed,
We all lay in the snow, looking around, partially froze;

The bar keep sprang up, and gave a whistle,
Soon we were all protected by a nice shield of thistle.

The High Elf did exclaim, as he ran out of sight,
“I pwned you all, now I’m logging off for the night!”

So I wake up this morning all set to get into the Holiday mood so I can wrap presents an such for tonight, and what do I wake up to?? It’s dark, stormy, windy, and raining like all hell. It’s December!!! This should be SNOW!!!!!!!!

Ok…I’m done now.

Today was my day off and I spent a few hours of it playing EverQuest for the first time in a little less than a year. When I was playing last winter, they had just started to introduce some game engine refinements that was making everything look a bit more up to date. graphics wise. Let me tell you something, the game now looks amazing. When i re-activated my account I noticed that I first started playing March 1st, 2001. So, it’ll be 4 years in March that I have been playing (on and off). The game on my dial-up has never run better! No lag, no dropped connections, and very little load time. The weather and environmental effects are supurb, as are some of the new models. I like it!!

In my travels of Norrath today, I did a little bone chip hunting with my Necromancer in the East Commonlands, killed off my sad Ranger, and created a new Ogre Shadow Knight named Gimlord. Here’s a pic of my new Shadow Knight.

Click On Image For Full Size

Keep in mind I haven’t played him long and he’s only a level 3 character. I really wanted to get him to at least level 6 tonight but I’m just too damn tired. Tomorrow is always anther day.

Speaking of tomorrow….it’s going to be interesting. I have the day off again (thank Christ!) , but since my extended family from Florida is coming in on Christmas Eve to spend it with us, we’re (immediate family) going to have our Christmas tomorrow…er..tonight…er…Thursday night (12/23) instead of Christmas Eve so we can keep it private. It’s not that we don;t like the family, it’s just that we would feel weird opening all of our presents to each other in front of them. Weird?? Yeah, I know.

Once again, I have passed into the realm of The Dark Side. As I’m writing this right now, I’m downloading over 9 hours of EverQuest updates to once again run amuck in the land of Norrath. This is going to be pure evil my friends. I will be off of work sometimes around 2-3pm tomrrow afternoon, and then I have the next 2 days off and all to myself. All I have to do in that time period is a wee bit of laundry and wrap all my Christmas presents. That means I can play EQ all that I want!!!

And yes, I have the full blessing of Jess to start playing again. Either she’s the greatest woman ever to live, or she has no clue what EQ does to me. Most likely a little bit of both.