I went to Sumter again, and I took my camera with me. I got some shots of an unfinished building that has gone untouched for God knows how long. 



I couldn't help but to visit the drive in again. Cory had decided to tag along with me. He was as dumb struck by the dececration and decay as I was when I first saw it. It had been vandalized further since the last time I went. Nothing was left of the mirrors in the women's room. I was glad I shot them when I did. Whatever remained of the sound equipment was torn off of the wall and strewn all over the floor.


This Valentine's I had a date with the law! (I know it's not funny, but it's still damn fun to say) I went to the Greer Municipal Court, which I swear was a convienience store that someone slapped an official-looking sign on. I ran a red light (not deliberately), but fortunately, the ticket was waived in court. I've been making an extra effort to drive carefully, much to the relief of everyone around me, I'm sure. I also saw Cory before, on, and after Valentine's day, making it a weeklong marathon of sorts. It was all time well spent.

This past weekend, i learned how to play Texas hold'em, and I didn't loose too much money in the process. I also started playing D&D again, which was less expensive, and hella fun.

That's the official update. Everything else flows on as usual.

Charter tech support is a gaping portal into the darkest places in hell!

Everything was covered in snow and ice. Finally! Some decent wintery weather! My boss had left me a voice mail saying that all the stores would be closed and not to come in. I slept in an extra two hours, and then once I was up, spent the day reading The Curious Incedent of the Dog in the Nighttime. Excellent book.

As always, I was not as productive as I had hoped to be on my day off. My apartment office was closed, which is strange since everyone who works there lives in the apartments themselves. Alas, rent went unpaid. Much of my free time was spent playing final fantasy and reading, and not working on photos, or figuring out my hours for the past two weeks, or finding apartments...   Well, there's still time for all of that, and not enough time for anything fun lately.

Sunday I head back to Sumter to visit Mom, then It's back up to Columbia to meet up with Alex, Brian, and Angie. It'll be a good weekend.

I got the job with the wedding photographer in Landrum! It will be a while before I start working full-time, but it's good to know that there is an end to my retail hell. (Until that time, I'll be more than happy to help with any cell phone needs.) As a bonus, I also get to shoot more often, as the coolness of my camera is not as much of an issue with this photographer.
Also, I got the chance to run around town with a fellow I met from Rock Hill. He introduced me to a game called Monkeyball, which is exactly as much fun as you might think it is!

It was pushed back until Sunday.

it would reduce my stress level and my income dramatically at the same time, but it would be worth it.

I know that I talk a lot of trash about my hometown, but it's been really nice to be back here for a couple of days. Sumter is still Sumter, but the people here are awesome.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!

Just like that. That's a lot to wrap up in such a small space in time.

If by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
IF you can wait, and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream- and not make dreams your master;
If you can think- and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up again with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Wil which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings- not lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run-
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And-which is more- you'll be a Man, my son!

What sort of twisted logic is it to say that ending the occupation in Iraq would dishonor the soldiers who have died there? No, the only way to properly honor them is to keep the death toll rising. There is something very tragic in the fact that arguments like this come off as credible.

Here is a link to the PBS documentry The Lost Year in Iraq for some more information on the American occupation in Iraq.

You can find some information on South Carolina candidates here and here.

You can also find some information on South Carolina amendment 1 here and here.

Here's one reason to register: Old people are senile, but they vote a lot, and they're organized about it!

1. How tall are you barefoot?
5' 5"

2. Have you ever smoked meth?
No. I'm very particular about the toxic fumes I inhale.

3. Do you own a gun?
No.

4. Who's your best friend?
That would be Angie.

5. Do you get nervous before "meeting the parents"?
Always.

6. What do you think of hot dogs?
Gross. Pig testicles.

7. What's your favorite Christmas song?
The Russian one. I can't remember the title for some reason.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Coffee with a little milk.

9. Can you do push ups?
Maybe one.

10. Is your bathroom clean?
Yes.

11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?
The heart pendant that Justin got me for Valentine's Day.

12. Do you like painkillers?
*sigh* I miss my darvocet sometimes.

13. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex.
My sense of humor and my smartness.

14. Do you own a knife?
Yes, for cutting steak.

15. Do you have A.D.D.?
That's what they say.

16. Middle Name?
Alexandra Carolyn

17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?
I really wish there were more customers.
Booty music and work don't mix.
It's such a dreary Monday afternoon.

18. Name the last 3 things you have bought:
Gas
Breakfast at Denny's
Desk from Ikea.

19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink:
Coffee
Amber Bock
Chocolate Milk

20. What time did you wake up today?
6:55 am.

22. Current worry?
That one of my customers is going to return his phones, and cancel his lines.

23. Current hate?
Ann Coulter

24. Favorite place to be?
In Toronto on a Summer afternoon.

25. Least favorite place to be?
My job, right now.

26. Where would you like to go?
On a Roadtrip across North America.

27. Do you own slippers?
Yes. Purple slipper socks.

28. What shirt are you wearing?
Black uniform sweater, complete with lame name tag.

29. Do you burn or tan?
Mostly I burn, and then I get slightly less transparent.

30. Favorite color(s)?
Red.

31. Would you be a pirate?
The treasure part would be really cool!

32. Last time you had an alcoholic drink?
Last night.

33. What songs do you sing in the shower?
Whatever song inspires me at the time.

34. What did you fear was going to get you at night as a child?
The creepy guy I always imagined crouching in the corner of my bedroom with a big knife.

35. What's in your pockets right now?
Nothing.

36. Last thing that made you laugh?
Pizzly bears!

37. Best bed sheets you had as a child?
The pastel floral ones that matched my bed at my Dad's house.

38. Worst injury you've ever had?
Probably my sister and I colliding on our bikes.

40. How many TVs do you have in your house?
One.

41. Who is your loudest friend?
That would have to be Angie.

42. Who is your most silent friend?
I don't think I know any quiet people.

43. Does someone have a crush on you?
Hopefully *smiles*

45. What is your favorite book?
Right now I'm still on a God Delusion rampage

46. What is your favorite candy?
Those chocolate oranges. I could suck those things up through my nose!

47. What song do/did you want played at your wedding?
Otis Redding "Cigarettes and Coffee" and/or "My Funny Valentine" By Frank Sinatra. Very good songs.

48. What song do you want played at your funeral?
I really don't think I'll care much one way or the other.

49. What were you doing at 12 AM last night?
Going to bed.

50. What was the First thing you thought of when you woke up?
Stop tickling my feet, Goddamnit!

Richard Dawkins is going to be a guest on the Colbert Report tomorrow! This has to be the reason they invented TV!