I wish I could explain in words just how much I love winter in general, but the fact that Christmas is just around the corner makes the whole feeling even more amazing. Whiteout-causing snowstorms where large amounts of college students gather for a dorm-vs.-dorm snowball fight in the middle of the night, where big inflatable Santa Clauses and Grinches populate frat house front lawns, and two week vacations from school make it even more of a joyous time. To be completely honest, the only things I really dislike about winter are that my flip-flops go totally out of style (and out of the realm of practicality, of which they weren’t even wanted in that circle during summer) and that I can’t rely on the use of the 400m track a few blocks away from my house. I have a fear of treadmills that I’m trying to overcome.

The last week or so has been an interesting time for me. I’ve actually left my house for not one, not two, but damn near three socials events of some sort or another. This is very close to being a new record for me (at least, within the last year). Give me some sort of applause or something. In related news, I look good, and whatever I’ve been doing is working. Or so I’m told. And if only people would let this information die a swift death.

I’ve been a fairly big fan of The Shack for my gaming news and nerdy socialization over the last year or so, and now I’m becoming subject to a special phenomenon known as Shack Hype. In particular, the Nintendo DS has been a big contender in the Shack Hype Arena over the last few months — something that came as far more than a mere surprise to me. I had always simply assumed that the DS was nothing more than a cheap gimmick that would fade from the public eye in a way that would even make the VirtualBoy shudder. I can safely say, especially with the recent releases of Animal Crossing: Wild World, Mario Kart DS, Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time, and Nintendogs that I was gravely mistaken in this manner, and plan to remedy my lack of ownership in this arena as soon as my budget allows.

As far as music is concerned, my recent obsession with early 90’s tunes has led me in the direction of Live - Throwing Copper. How in the hell did I miss this album all these years? I vaguely remember the cover art from years past in places I’d rather not be able to recall with such precision, but other than that, this album has gone largely unnoticed by me until recently. Thankfully this has been remedied and I consider myself a far better person for the discovery.

Hobbes is growing up all nice and feisty-like. He’s been far more demanding of my attention lately, and if I fail to take notice of his ever-so-subtle hints he will then proceed to do something not-so-subtle. Like climbing up my legs or jumping on my keyboard. It really is an awesome feeling having a cat around at all times. Sometimes I get to wake up to him curled up in a ball near my chest in the morning, his little purr-machine running at full blast. Then there are other times, such as seconds ago when I spill water all over my desk and he acts as an all-in-one cleanup crew. I really want to get some of the new pictures of the little guy up, but they’re just going to have to wait until I get home in little more than a week, as I seem to have misplaced my camera cable.

Also, just as a point of interest: I received my first piece of creepy fan mail yesterday. It’s a milestone worth noting, to be sure.

Seems like a good place to stop. <3 you all, and so forth.