TIME FOR CHANGE - I'M MOVING TO...

...WordPress.com. Don't ask me why, but I felt it was time for a change with the New Year ringing in as of 12 midnight. Seems like several blogger friends have or will be making the move too. So click here to check out my new 'digs' and to see what the post of the day is. I will be leaving up this post and my Blogger blog for one month so that any of my current readers and any new readers can make the adjustment. Be sure to update my link on your blog if you have me down as a 'read.'

The new URL is http://lifescolorfulbrushstrokes.wordpress.com/. Happy New Year!

A NEW YEAR WISH AND FRIDAY'S "WHAT'S UP FOR THE WEEKEND"

Well the week is nearly over and we are heading into the weekend. It's hard to believe that there are only two more days left in the holiday season and in 2006. I don't think I want to see another box of See's candy, another bundle of cookies, or another gift basket for as long as I live. All that food sitting around and 'temptation' hell. I swear at some point today it's back to the cardio and weighlifting after a 2 day hiatus.

The next to last of my siblings heads for home later this morning with the last one departing on Saturday. I am just happy that we were able to get the entire family in a single location for Christmas, including the newborn nephews. The smile on my face runs from ear to ear. I spent most of last night holding my one remaining 2-month old nephew, Angelo. The two of us even dozed off together for about an hour. I know some of you may think I am off my rocker in this next comment but "I miss not being a father." I realize that children are a huge responsibility yet I think the simple joys they bring far outweigh the negatives.

With that said, Mom is here in southern California for another week, leaving next Thursday, January 4th. Today and tomorrow (Saturday), I'll be spending my entire day measuring out my Senior Project floor plans so that they are ready for keying into CAD at the start of next week. I had hoped to have someone lined up to key in the floor plans for me, allowing me an opportunity to get out to Orlando for 4-5 days. But since things are not quite set up with a 'CAD keyer' and the potential still looming that I may have to do it, the trip is still up in the air. I so wanted to be out visiting my friends Spider, Sorted, and Derek this New Year's weekend, to be ringing in the New Year with that special someone, both in the singular and plural sense of the word.

So what do you have in line for the New Year's weekend? Will you be spending it with anyone special?

As I draw this post to a conclusion, I just want to take this opportunity to wish each of you happiness and prosperity in 2007. I am so thankful for having been blessed this past year with the expansion of my circle of friends through blogging. My only hope for this new year is that I have the pleasure of meeting and or talking with more of my blogger buds directly. One last thing, have loads of fun this weekend, but if you will be out drinking this weekend, please do not get behind the wheel of a car and drive. Sending out some huge hugs!

Happy New Year!!

A SPECIAL WISH FOR A SPECIAL BEAR!

It's Thursday and we are slowly moving into the New Year Holiday weekend. Can you believe the last few days of December are upon us! Where did this year go?

But as we get ready to close out this year, there are still a few eventful moments before it concludes. One of those events is the birthday of one of my dearest friends. I've talked about him in my blog on several occasions and actually featured him in one of my earliest blogging posts on May 10, 2006, titled Sexy - A Sense of Humor. That special person is Pete from It's Just Nothing.

Saratoga, New York - August, 2006

Pete is an incredible individual. Funny, silly, devilish, angelic, sensitive, caring, thoughtful, intelligent, fun, loyal...gosh I could give you a list much longer. And I mean every word of what I say. He's not merely a blogger acquaintance but someone who I have met, who has gone on several trips with me, who is truly all-out genuine. When he's ready to find that special someone, Pete is going to be quite the catch. If you haven't given Pete's blog a read, do! And while you are there pass along some birthday wishes.

So before I embarrass him anymore... Pete I just want to wish you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! There isn't a day that goes by that you aren't in my thoughts. Miss you, you big lovable bear! Hugs.

WORD PLAY ~ PROTAGONIST

PROTAGONIST

Main Entry: pro·tag·o·nist
Pronunciation: prO-'ta-g&-nist
Function: noun
Etymology: Greek prOtagOnistEs, from prOt- prot- + agOnistEs competitor at games, actor, from agOnizesthai to compete, from agOn contest, competition at games -- more at AGONY
1 a : the principal character in a literary work (as a drama or story) b : a leading actor, character, or participant in a literary work or real event
2 : a leader, proponent, or supporter of a cause : CHAMPION

Wednesday WORD PLAY is here once again. Thought today's word choice might be interesting to see what it conjures up in your minds. And my word choice is protagonist!

Usage: Martin Luther King was a protagonist for the civil rights cause. One has to wonder, with this past year's elevation of gay awareness, who might step forward in 2007 as the protagonist of gay rights and set the walls of 'blindness,' of ignorance, of intolerance tumbling.

Again, the "play" portion...any comment you leave must use the word protagonist in it. Your response can be about anything ~ the post, me (watch it!), something about you, something happening in your life. Knock yourself out thinking of something serious, humorous, or off-beat to comment about. Just have fun with it!

"THE DAY AFTER" and "HOW DO YOU LIKE IT? (#30)" TUESDAY

Another Christmas has come and gone. Somehow it always seems so anti-climatic. But none-the -less this was an incredible Christmas for me. Our family traditionally draws one person and buys one gift for him or her with a set spending limit being established. This year we were to forego it as some individuals in the family were having tougher years financially. I say 'suppose to' as my little sister, her husband, and my mother chose to keep the tradition going by playing Santa Claus'. Needless to say I was perturbed but grateful. 'Santa' brought me some clothing items, some cash, and the real big surprise, my new LG EnV cellphone (my sister and brother-in-law's gift to me).

But what made me the most happy was merely having my family in my presence, sharing the commonalities we do have - our faith and our love for each other. I sat looking at my nieces and nephews, thinking "where has all the time gone?" This holiday is really about recalling the PAST in hopes of setting the path for the FUTURE. I'm not going to try to explain myself as it ties in with my faith (as you know I tend to retain privacy on that element). I am so fortunate for this blessing. The other item that was the 'feather in the cap' was speaking with friends and exchanging well wishes. This year I chose to thank a few close friends with simple gifts because their lives, their spirit, their generosity, their friendship has impacted me in so many ways. Admittedly the giving of the gifts brought me some pleasure but the greatest pleasure I received was merely hearing their voices. I miss not having them in my daily life in some physical location nearby.

Hmmm! I could go on but I suspect I need to shift gears over to the other portion of my post today. So without further ado....

It's time for another Tuesday "HOW DO YOU LIKE IT?" I'm curious about something so I have this question for you:

How do you like to spend your day after Christmas?

I realize that there may be some people who do have to work the day after Christmas so tell us how you would like to spend it if you had the day off. Me personally, I don't know anymore. I used to love to hit the stores the day after Christmas. I know...you're saying, "Is he nuts? Join in with all the chaotic crowds." What can I tell you. I use to love hitting the Macy's and Nordstrom's Day After and Semi-Annual Men's Sales, respectively. However, the last five years or so I have found no interest in doing it. I'd rather now sleep in and have a day of leisure. Not sure if it's age creeping up on me, my lack of interest these days with being current on fashion, or some combination thereof. If I had my way, I'd like to be lounging by a roaring fire surrounded in utter silence. Bliss!

So, care to share your thoughts on this topic.

A PICTORIAL ESSAY ~ MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas today! Some pictures of my Saturday night adventure to a neighborhood about a 75 minute drive from where I am. This neighborhood does it yearly. This year we took two nieces that hadn't been before and they had a blast. Some residents were selling hot coffee, hot chocolate, churros, even hot homemade tamales. If only there was more neighborhood camaraderie like this nationwide. So enjoy! A side note: I've incorporated some photos that are a little blurry only because they often showed the full-on view of the neigborhood in it's lighted stage.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

MY CHRISTMAS WISH FOR YOU

I debated when to post this and finally decided to do so today. I wanted as many of my fellow bloggers and blog lovers to get this message. I know a good chunk of individuals on Friday and Saturday will probably begin their Christmas trips home to see family and or to special travel destinations. And therefore my posting for Thursday.

I realize that Christmas is not a holiday for all. Some people are of different religious denominations, some are atheistic, and some simply do not see reason to celebrate the day. I understand and respect this. Since moving out on my own, Christmas has been a hit or miss celebration for me. I suspect the component that drives my feelings is the holiday's commercialism. But one element I won't pass on, is an the opportunity to enjoy the day with family. My enjoyment comes from watching the people I love find happiness in the spirit of the day, especially the nieces and nephews. And well, a few gifts here and there never hurts.

This year I find myself feeling blessed with so much. My Christmas presents came early...you might say at the beginning of 2006, all because of the doors that the blogging world opened for establishing meaningful friendships - friendships that I know aren't going away. First I want to thank any and all that have come to my blog, whether you have left comments or merely remain anonymous in the background. Secondly, thanks to those on my blogroll...you keep me going with your faithful commentary. Admittedly there are a few bloggers that I know comment and that I read on occasion that I have yet to add to my blogroll. I'll get to it one of these days. Lastly, I have some special thanks for people like Rob, Pete, Brett(Cajun) Spider, Sorted, Derek, Mike, Hypoxic (retired blogger), Josh, and Tom. You have put faces and or voices to the names behind the blogs. Each of you has welcomed me without conditions or judgment. To each of you a giant hug. Because of you I am more self-confident with the person I am.

My wish for each of you is to have a day of peace, rest, and well, maybe, just maybe, a bit of self-indulgence. To those of you that may not be experiencing the best of times, I hope, for a moment, that the heavy-heart and burden will be lifted.

Merry Christmas to All!!

Don't you just love Santa?! What a hunk in the buff.

Pete, this made my day!

WORD PLAY ~ EUPHORIA

EUPHORIA

One entry found for euphoria.
Main Entry: eu·pho·ria
Pronunciation: yü-'for-E-&
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek, from euphoros healthy, from eu- + pherein to bear -- more at BEAR
: a feeling of well-being or elation
- eu·phor·ic /-'for-ik, -'f¤r-/ adjective
- eu·phor·i·cal·ly /-i-k[&-]lE/ adverb

So we stroll into Wednesday, hump day, 5 days before Christmas, 2 days left until the weekend, and a day for yet another WORD PLAY post. Today's word is euphoria.

Usage: I have this memory of an incredible night that I spent with someone special. A king size bed, fine white lines, a fluffy down comforter, river breezes. This stud sent me in to a state of euphoria that put my body in a complete state of numbness. I think it was a whole new level of orgasm! Too much info??? I'd be in heaven if Santa could somehow grant that wish and present it to me as my Christmas gift. Hmmm! There might be one other person that could put me in a state of euphoria but that's my fantasy man! You all know who that is.

So what's your sentence for the day?