Hi everyone!

At my work, we're given a "floating holiday" that must be used between Thanksgiving and New Years (approx). There wasn't really a good day that Diana had off when I could use it, so I'm taking it today! I'm in my comfy clothes, playing some chess and Nethack... I took a nice bath and read my book. Good stuff.

My birthday was on the 6th. Diana and I went out to a nice dinner at Rancho Valencia that night, and we're getting together with my family on Sunday for lunch and the Charger game. I don't feel very needy when it comes to birthdays, but it's nice when my friends and family and coworkers through a "happy birthday" my way. I felt loved.

Speaking of birthdays and presents and things. A coworker asked what I was going to get for Diana for Christmas. I never really know how to explain that Diana and I don't really get each other gifts for occasions like that. Or rather, if we do, it's not a Big Thing, but something small like a game we can play together, or a nice dinner out, or a play or concert or something. Something that isn't very exciting for other people to hear abuot. So I explained about the cruise, and that seemed to be a good enough answer.

I don't think I posted about the cruise yet. We were looking for somewhere to get away for Christmas, since we're not going to Montana this year, and Diana needs some R&R. One thought was Costa Rica, but we were kind of late making plans, and it was pretty expensive. Staying at some all-inclusive Carribean resort was also looked into, but we decided against it. Instead, we're taking a Mexican cruise to places that I've only heard of on the Love Boat (Mazatlan, Peurto Vallerta, etc). I'm looking forward to seeing if I enjoy it. I'm hoping I do, but I also wonder what it will be like. I don't think either of us like the idea of being totally touristy, and that seems to be exactly what cruises are all about. But on the other hand, sometimes it's nice to be a tourist and let someone else take care of everything. I'm also a little worried about sea-sickness, but have read and heard multiple accounts that it's not a problem. Still, I'm taking plenty of remedies, medicinal, herbal, and placebo. :)

In other news, my boy Norm came into a couple Chargers tickets that he couldn't use, so on late notice, I rounded up Iwan and Little Buhr and we hit up the Raiders game. It was a good time, and great to see the Chargers win (and the Raiders lose!). There were a ton of Raider fans there, and I spent a lot of time avoiding eye contact and ready to apoligize profusely for any incidental contact, but there weren't many problems. The only bummer about the event was that we were at Field Level and were forced to stand for the entire game (because everyone else was standing). A minor complaint, though, and thanks again to Norm for the tix. I'm excited every week for the Charger games, hoping not only that they win, but that LT carries my fantasy football boys closer to the coveted Crown of Tinfoil. I just made the playoffs in our league. Very exciting.

Ok, lunch is calling. Smell you all later.