The Proverbial Blue-Arsed Fly

Busy busy busy. Thanksgiving last week was a lot of fun, with 11 family and friends together in New Jersey for a couple of days. Still getting over how much food there was. Back to New York, hanging out with Jen and Hanna, a Salaam trainee from Michigan; ended up walking from my place on 102nd to the edge of the village in a overindulgence-penance; work starting up again yesterday, staying until 10pm for training and in for 8am this morning (why the hell was my Outlook on Central time? That meeting wasn't until 9!). It's nice to have everyone back at the office though, with Jill arriving this morning to complete the set. Still plenty of week left, with new MC roles, surveys, Scott's gig, Rangers v Pittsburgh on Thursday, and the almighty Jim-is-Leaving/Jen-is-Staying Day 'o Debauchery on Friday.

After not seeing too many this fall, watched 4 movies in the last few weeks; Good Night, and Good Luck (good, but I'm interested in that part of US history anyhow), Harry Potter (v good), Jarhead (good though not exactly an upper) and Rent (v good). I realized over the weekend I haven't bought any new books in a while; this should change. Any suggestions?

Being Thankful

Well, the office has four people in it, it's freezing outside, Christmas ads are appearing on TV and everyone is talking about shopping - Thanksgiving is here again. This is my 2nd Thanksgiving here in the States (meaning my 2nd overall), and a trip back to New Jersey with assorted family members awaits, with the two days of holiday that means coming none too soon, before the headlong rush into winter, Christmas and WSC.

I like Thanksgiving; not just because of the food, the family, the sales, the football on a weekday or the time off, but because it's one of those holidays that you're supposed to think about. True, that holds for most holidays, but Thanksgiving - it's right there in the name, y'know?

So I've been thinking a lot recently about where I am right now, what's been going on with me, where I'm heading. And while there's still a lot of stuff that gets me down, I have a lot to be thankful for - being able to be close to my American family, being able to work and relax with people that I have so much love and admiration for, being able to be a part of AIESEC, being able to set my own direction where ever that will take me. There's a lot of fun to be had with life, and I'm blessed to be able to share that with so many other people.

So, so what if things aren't always perfect? At least I have the opportunity to recognize that and try to change it. Sometimes stuff doesn't work out how you wanted, but it's usually an opportunity to do something else that's just as exciting and involving. I learned that a lot this year, and it's definately something I need to bear in mind more.

(Plus I've been listening to the Best of Rent a lot recently - that whole "forget regret or life is yours to miss" thing makes a lot of sense. And Sante Fe sounds nice about this time of year.)

I always remember the saying "Don't sweat the petty things (and don't pet the sweaty things)", and in the grand scheme of things my shit is pretty petty when you get down to it. So why not enjoy the ride for a while?

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I totally didn't spill anything on it

My laptop... well, didn't die, exactly... but it definately has the pox or something. Dr Paul is taking a look now, so it'd back to the old laptop in all its 3-year-old glory.

Been submerged in Evite.com all day for the new training updates; two days to go. Bring on the turkey...

Learning Points

Things I learned last night:

- Jen and I should not be trusted with anything. EVER.

- Jen's new phone is lame (sorry Jen 8P)

- "Pulverised" cheese isn't cheese that has been punched continually.

- My fighting style invariably involves distraction, followed by a swift kick in the crotch (hypothetically, no fights last night)

- The term "CockPunch" should not be used in polite conversation, even if it was my Word of the Day™.

Thanks for dinner and a very happy birthday, Paul!

Where does all the time go?

Phew. Kinda been rushed off my feet so far this week (and by week I mean since the end of October). LTM was fun if busy, with Connie and Aaron crashing at my place and putting up with me getting them to the venue an hour early on the first day. Great to see all everyone again, and to wish Franky a happy 21st (how you even showed up at the church the next day I'll never know). Very cool party at Scott Tworek's place to boot. Then Connie headed home and we were in Team Days for 2 days straight (who makes all of these early starts on the East Side?). Feels weird to be back in the office after such a packed few days. On the other hand, my trip to Dayton to check out the WSC venue has been postponed I've got this weekend to relax a little.

A combination of work, LTM, meetings and a one-day-old obsession with Guitar Hero has left me unshaven. Seriously, I have like a playoff beard thing going on. This will change soon...

Just when you thought he couldn't become any more of a tool...

Turns out former FEMA chief Michael Brown was swapping fashion tips while New Orleans was under water. "Highlights" here, full e-mails here.

Movin' Out

Last night, Jen, Jill, Dan, Paul, Nata and I went to see Movin' Out on Broadway. It was excellent. I was suprised that there was no dialogue in the show - just Billy Joel songs and dancing - but it made the movement more important in telling the story, which was a nice touch. We got good seats, too. First show I've seen in over a year, so I'll definately be heading out to Broadway more oftern in the future.

Aaaaand out

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Originally uploaded by Chris the Brit.

This was the drink that I was certain had alcohol in it, even though it was just coke. Not long after this photo was taken, I was back at the AIESEC House, asleep in full costume. If that's not the sign of a good weekend, I don't know what is.

It was all Downhill from Here...

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Originally uploaded by Chris the Brit.

Kinda drunk at this point. Caption: "Lookit what I can do!"

Partners in Crime

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Originally uploaded by Chris the Brit.

Me and Jen, my fellow inmate. Goooooood mutha-fuckin' times.

Dorks

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Originally uploaded by Chris the Brit.

We were totally the only people in costume by this point, and we hadn't even started drinking yet...

Action Shot

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Originally uploaded by Chris the Brit.

Trying to make apple picking seem more intense than it really is... "There, up in the trees!" Definately a good time though. Bit breezy, but hot cider and random appleness was well worth it.

Mmm, apples

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Originally uploaded by Chris the Brit.