DISQUS

When I moved to the bay area, I was shocked to see how many people just sit around with their laptops not secured. People use their laptops on the muni (lightrail) in plain view. It would be so easy for someone to just snatch if off their lap.

I too have become complacent in this regard. When I lived in Austin and went to school, I made sure that everything was locked up and nothing, not even my crappy walkman, was in plain view. People steal things for weird reasons or no reason at all. I'd rather not be a target.

I think our neighborhood is kind of an anomaly though. Nothing gets stolen from our apartment complex. People leave their bikes out unlocked. It's weird and it does give me a false sense of security. In Austin, I was never a victim of crime, but I took care to watch out for little things. I'd even worry if I left my sprinkler out on the lawn all day. Someone could take it. Sure, it was 8.99 to replace it, but people stole stupid little stuff like that all the time.

Ugh...that drive from Austin to Dallas is so boring. When I drove up there, I always got stuck in some horrible traffic jam just south of the river.

If you have some extra time, you should take the backroads sometime. There are lots of little towns to stop and visit and it breaks up the monotony. Take I-35 to Georgetown, then cut over to Burnet on 29 and take 281 up to 67 where you cut back over to I-35 east. It will add about an hour but at least it's something different.

I agree with Susan. I think the point of buy nothing day is more to remind people to think about what the holidays mean and maybe reevaluate some things in their lives if their main focus is buying a ton of crap out of obligation.

Don't get me wrong. I love to shop and I love a good bargain. But I think that before the buying frenzy takes over, maybe people should stop and think about where their money is going and whether or not buying that extra scented candle is really necessary. Wouldn't it be nice if instead of fighting the other million shoppers at sprawlmart, they stayed home, had a cup of coffee, and wrote a check to the charity of their choice or just called a friend that they hadn't talked to in a while?

You too! My mom and bro are flying out here to visit us in CA. We're going to Sonoma this weekend so we'll have a super-fun smashed holiday weekend! Whooogonnapartyonwithmymom! The cats will cower in fear.

Wow, that is bad. I think that's worse than the giant vasectomy reversal billboard we had in my hometown for a few years *shudder*.

Greetings fellow TM. Man, I miss my meetings. Although Danny is thoroughly convinced it is a cult, I really loved it. Part of the attraction was that at least three of my good friends were in my club and were also fellow officers. I've been meaning to find a new club but it is a big commitment especially if you want to give speeches regularly. I commend you on the early morning meetings. My meetings never started before noon and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Hee hee - yeah, I love that pic.
For his bday, I took him to Applebee's and then shopping at Kmart. No, seriously. Then, I went home and baked him a yellow cake with chocolate icing to go with the pepperoni pizza and diet sprite we had for supper. It was a very nice birthday.

That's really funny. I hope he gets at least $200 for it.