My new monitor is beautiful. I don't think I realized how frustrated my old toaster-sized screen really was. The new ones a 19-incher, though, and I can already feel some of the stress that accompanies design work melting away. Thanks, Dad, and a very Merry Christmas to you too.
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Apparently, Heather Maxwell is going to produce a me-penned, Preston Sturges-inspired short film called Sweet Charlie's Big Idea and it should be available for viewing by the end of January. Gulp! Now that's turn-around time, baby. It also looks as if she may be enlisting the aid of my old high-school chum Jon Floyd Schweitzer to perform in this little opus. I've never met Heather, so I don't know what her casting-couch policy is... but, Jon, if you're reading this... guard your virtue, young man.
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Yesterday, I received my business cards. Cripes... I love business cards! I think everyone's familiar with the Monster.com commercial where the newly-employed gent has business cards delivered to his office... he immediately opens the pack, takes a look around, and smells them. I can relate. It's that freshly-printed aroma of professionalism. Kind of like affirmation that, indeed, I have a place in society. "Look, ma, I'm a round peg."
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Remember when Billy Crystal was funny?
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Hope this is okay to post... yesterday, Carey was asked to be in my sister Lauren's wedding, which thrilled her to no end. The wedding plans are a-rollin'.

Man, if there was one thing I hated about the whole getting-married process, it was the choosing of the wedding party. (First, let me get the PC hoohah out of the way... I deeply treasure every single person that was in ours and I don't regret their participation in any way. Lovely gents and lasses. There.) But, dude, it's the only time in your life where you not only need to make up a list of people that you consider your "best" or "closest" friends and family. (You married guys out there with 1 brother and 4 cousins-that-are-all-great-friends to fill the best man and groomsmen spots, don't even talk to me. You've got it easy.) Not only that, but you're then forced to PUT THEM IN NUMBERED ORDER. Who came up with this dignity-destroying tradition?!

"Joe, Mary and I would really like you to be in our wedding..."

"Aw, Fred! What an honor! Of course!"

"Thanks, bro. You'll be standing between John and Pete."

"Okay, sounds good. Is John the best man?"

"No, Bill's the best man."

"Ah. Then it's John, then me, then Pete?"

"Well, actually, Frank is next to Bill. The order goes: Bill, Frank, John, you, Pete."

"Oh. So, I'm fourth."

"Yeah."

"Fourth. Huh. Well, at least I beat out Pete..."
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Then, there's the obligatory speech you have to give to everyone in the party... the 'Please-Don't-Think-I-Consider-The-Guy-You're-Standing-Behind-A-Better-Friend-Than-You' discourse, assuring them that this order was chosen because of "what will look good height-wise and who matches up best with what bridesmaid and blueeeghhhh". And of course no one ever believes this speech, even if it's true.

And don't get me started on ushering.

And THEN there's the whole issue of people who aren't in the wedding. I actually had a guy in my wedding party take me out to dinner several months before his own wedding to let me know that I wouldn't be in his wedding, but he still valued me as a friend. People, THIS MADNESS MUST END.

Anyhow, Carey said yes, she'll be in Lauren's wedding. I'm sure it'll be a beautiful affair.