April 25

I just got home from Panama City Beach, what a long drive. I ended up getting lost on my way home as usual. Florida is pretty but it seems like everything is more expensive. Gasoline is .20 more per gallon, and touristy type stuff is always overpriced. At least I didn't pay very much for souvenirs. My tax refund finally came in, I used it all to pay off debt, just like I said I would, it feels great to have that out of my hair.

April 19

I finally saw Avatar this weekend, good movie, but now I remember why I don't like movie theaters. I ended up in front of this family with obnoxious little kids being loud and disruptive the whole time. I could have waited one more week to watch it at home, which is what I'll probably do from now on, unless I can go during school hours to avoid the little kids. Looks like I'm going to Florida this weekend, I haven't been in a while, I'm looking forward to walking along the beach and getting some new pictures on my cell phone to use as wallpaper. I'm almost done listening to my "New Moon" audiobook, which is good because I've got another audiobook downloaded that I'm looking forward to listening to. I think I found a way to get a Gwinnett County library card for free, even though I live in Dekalb county, since I work across the street, I'll see today after work.

April 12

I have finally finished sending in proof to the IRS that I bought a house last year so I can receive my home buyer's credit with my tax refund in a couple of weeks! I already know how I'm going to spend it: paying off a whole bunch of debt. In fact, after I pay off this damn credit card & my graduate loans, my only debt will be my house & my undergraduate student loans. I won't be free of that before retirement, but both are pretty low compared to most people, complaining about the amount I'm paying is like complaining about my $53 electric bill in the winter time; there are people who are paying much more. I'm thinking about going to see Jimmy Buffett later this month at Lakewood Amplitheater, I've never been to see him before. Ticket prices are reasonable, I just need to see if anyone is free to come with me. Concerts are always more fun with a group.

March 31

I've never been crazy about American Idol; I always considered it to be a highly glorified karaoke contest, but last night I caught a few performances while I was playing poker, it wasn't bad. Last night was R&B night, so they actually did some pretty good songs, like "Midnight Train to Georgia" and "Chain of Fools." I ended up coming in 3rd place and won $5.00 in bar cash which is always cool. No trivia tonight, since my friends are out of town, but I can use the opportunity to get an extra work out in at the gym. Let's see if I can burn off another 5 pounds before it's shorts weather.

March 21

What an exciting Saturday. After visiting the tanning booth I sat at home and watched a rerun of Cheaters. I haven't been to the tanning salon since they were beds that closed over you like an oyster shell. These booths are much better, I don't come out looking like a candy cane. You just stand in the middle and hold onto overhead straps so your tan is nice & uniform. Everyone preaches at me that they cause cancer, but I don't think once or twice for a base tan ever hurt anyone. It's not like I'm going every day like those people on Jersey Shore or anything. I just don't want to look pasty and sickly when I'm standing under the overhead lights at the gym. Some of my fellow gym rats are so dark they look like they own their own tanning booths and I think some of them do. Perhaps I'll buy one of those Gym, Tan, Laundry t-shirts now that I've subscribed to the narcissist lifestyle.

March 10

Sitting in front of my computer, listening to Celtic music, just found out that Corey Haim died, how sad. Lost Boys was one of my favorite movies in the 80's, when I was a teenager, I think I still have the soundtrack somewhere. I can't say I'm all that surprised, like when Heath Ledger passed a couple of years ago. Some celebrities' deaths are sad & shocking, but not that much of a surprise, if you've seen pictures of him recently. Sort of like Brad Renfro.

I saw the weirdest website earlier, Celeb4aday.com, where for a fee you can hire papparazzis to follow you around for 30 minutes to an hour, taking your picture and making it look like you're a celebrity walking down the street to the nightclub or out of Starbucks. For anywhere from $300 to $1500 you can have various levels of Star Treatment, with a tabloid magazine detailing your experiences as a souvenir. Crazy.

March 4

I finally got my sink fixed, no more washing dishes in the bathtub. There are two large areas that need to be sanded and painted, but that shouldn't take too long. Not only that but my HOA fees were taken over by a company that lets me set up automatic debit, no more mailing a check in every month like in the 1980's. I hate checks, I worry every month if it's going to get there on time. Tonight is the last night I dog sit for my Uncle Kenny & his roommate, since they're both out of town, I haven't slept in my own bed since Sunday. Had Domino's pizza last night for the first time in 20 years, it's not bad.