Some of my friends and loved ones are hurting right now; some are hurting from physical illness, some from emotional distress, and some from both. Remember there is no situation that you can't work through, though things may look bleak at the moment. Sometimes wonderful surprises occur from the most unexpected places.

If you are tired of trying or doing the same thing, and feel stuck in a rut, try a different approach. Maybe it will work. Maybe it won't. Maybe you will have baby steps of success before a big breakthrough occurs.

Because of the "vague LJ posts about someone else" phenomenon --- which I think is an ill-advised way of telling people what they already know, and in a potentially embarrassing public manner, no less --- let me clarify that this posting is not directed at any one person; rather it is applicable to everyone in the world. Or at least my world. The information certainly applies to me!

Take care, my friends!

Thanks to everyone who came to and performed in my birthday show at ComedySportz last night! You all made it a fun, memorable event. I doubt that, Five Things-wise, I will ever top being Kiss's Gene Simmons, David Bowie, and Neil Diamond on the same night! Plus, singing a Barry Manilowish ballad about Barry Manilow, and being a pirate-fighting penguin? Too much.

Thanks also to Thin Lizzy and Big Jim Sports Camper for hosting a spur-of-the-moment post-show get-together, and C-Note and A-Bomb for the snacks and drinks. Speed Scrabble roooooooools!!!

Thanks to Martacycle, I get to stretch my birthday out even further next week!

We have missed you over the last 13 years, Johnny, and we will miss you more than ever now. 

Happy birthday to me

Wednesday the 26th marks my next birthday, and the festivities begin tonight as Mermaid and I go to The Psychedelic Furs/The Shore gig tonight at the Roseland in Portland. I haven't seen the Furs since their heyday, though I did see offshoot band Love Spit Love once in Seattle a few years ago. I have wanted to see the Furs on their previous two tours, but things just didn't mesh. So yay for tonight!

Actual day-of-birthday plans at this point are a staff meeting at work which, at least, includes Thai food on the company dime.

On Friday, I hope to have lots of my friends and acquaintances come to the ComedySportz show, so if you are reading this and I haven't contacted you yet, please try to attend, and give me a call for details.

Have a fun weekend!

The week has started off really well. Mermaid had a solid, laugh-filled ComedySportz Portland Farm Team show on Sunday (part of a fantastic belated Christmas weekend); CSz workshop tonight was upbeat and fun; and Portland Wrestling on Saturday promises Roddy Piper plus cage, coal miner's glove, bullrope, and chain matches all in one evening. Can a man ask for much more?

Yes . . . for the Robitussin to kick in, and combine with eight hours' sleep to ward off the congestion.

Today's musical recommendation: go to www.jem-music.net, listen to the music ("Come On Closer," "They," and "24" are personal favorites) and prepare to be wowed. 

Hello, 2005. Glad you're here.

January has been interesting so far, like imported light butter on whole wheat sourdough toast. Wait, that's my snack I'm eating right now . . .