My big fat ghetto divorce open mic night

I haven't blogged in a while. I've been busy here in NYC. Got my move done, Three nincompoops with 5 eyes between them came, saw and caused $1500 worth of damage to a car on my block. This did not inspire a whole lot of faith in their abilities to move my entire life down to Raleigh N.C.

I also saw Jesus this week. That was on Friday. Just in case anyone out there wanted to know, J.C. hangs out on the corner of 68th St. and catalpa Avenue in Queens these days. I saw him walking along with a drum corp,a few Romans, a police escort and a few hundred folks with candles and glow sticks. I figured they might be going to a rave. For some reason J.C. wasn't looking to jazzed. He actually looked kind of down. It might have been the crown of thorns or the bad wig that he must have just purchased. I give him points for trying, no one can have faith in a bald savior, or one with a comb over. I won't hold the wig against him though, I hope I look that good when I am pushing 2006 years old.

I was with Lisa when we saw J.C. She and I went out to the Cozy Corner. Which I was informed by my Dad was the bar that my great-grandfather used to favor. Good taste runs in the family. Lisa and I had a few drinks, talked about life and played some pool. I may have selective memory, but for the sake of me looking like a real shark, let's say that I kicked her ass each and every time. haha.John O'niell came and joined us a bit later. I will post the pics of all of this when I figure out how to size them properly.

I got together with Heather this week. I was not anticipating on seeing her. Felt good to do so. Funny how that all works out. I decided to link her back into the blog after talking to Nicole about her yesterday. Check out her blog here. What the hell is a Balieyjuice?

So Nic and I got together yesterday to get separated legally. As Steve put it "You mean you're living in sin?!?" Yes Steve, we were. We did it before our marriage also. Actually, I think, when I really look at my life, I have been living in sin, one way or another, for a long friggin time. No wonder Jesus wouldn't look at me the other day!

We went to a "We The People", which for those of you who don't know, are to divorce what McDonalds is to Hamburgers. A real top flight joint. We walked in and the lobby/waiting area, I noted, had two seats for customers, both with an Ottoman, but on exact opposite sides of the room. I figured this was so the people getting their divorces could sit down and stare at each other, sort of like Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef in The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. (oowee-oowee oooooo, wah-wah-wah). I took the ottoman and we sat together. After a while, Rodney, our ghetto divorce guru, came over and escorted us from the waiting area to one of the three, preassigned, divorce Ikea tables with matching chairs. What better way to go out than at one of those Scandinavian pieces of crap?!? We asked about the separation agreement and were told how we could go about getting one. He actually informed us that we could get that or a divorce. We opted for the latter. It was kind of like finding out that Bruce Willis was dead too in that friggin movie, by that Shama-lama-ding-dong guy, which I can't remember the title of right now. You know, the one with that creepy little kid saying "I see White people". Hmmm, why do I feel like I am getting my movie's mixed up?Point is I walked in there expecting one thing and after talking we ended up with a completely different ending.

So after talking about it we got the divorce forms from Rodney. The first pages was asking for names and info. Sort of like a weird job application. "Hi, I'd like to apply for the job of divorcee."

We were sitting there being pretty quiet and serious. Name, S.S. #, addresses, when were you married (Nic couldn't remember the date! I was always the one the screwed up the dates in the past.), where did you get married, what county (I was proud that I spelled Allegheny correctly. Those of you that read this blog enough know that spelling can be a real prbblam fo me). We were both being very serious. Then we got to the second page of the forms.

Reason for divorce. 1)abandonment 2)Cruel and inhuman treatment or 3)Living separate and apart pursuant to a separation agreement

I lobbied for #2. We both laughed. "Oooooh, can I have treated you cruelly and inhumanly?" hahaha. We opted for #1. Which was funny. There were three sub-options for #1, we fit all three and filled them al out. Rodney came over and told us we had to pick one. We were cracking up at this point. Laughing that we fit all three. Then we saw the next section...........entitled "Stuff"

WTF?!? Stuff? I could understand "Marital Assets", "Property" or some other legal mumbo-jumbo, but "stuff"?!? It was so ghetto that I wanted to bust out a 40 of the Old E and pour some out for my homies. Too much.

We also listed the Poop and the Bean (our cats) as assets which Nicole will be retaining. I like to think that this will be the first time in New York state history that a divorcing couple has listed poop as an item to split up.

After settling up with Rodney, we went to the bar for a few drinks. Talked about us, our lives, dating other people, etc. Nic had said that she had been reading Heather's blog and that she seemed like a smart girl. I had forgotten to share with her that Heather, had said that Nic seemed very witty after reading her blog. Weird to talk to your soon to be ex wife about the woman you dated for the better part of a year. Weirder yet to hear about her forays into the dating world.

Most of the day was really nice and suprisingly upbeat. No sadness. Two friends, who will remain friends, I think, making choices together and moving on. In just about 90 days, Nicole will no longer be my wife, I know that she will be my lifelong friend.

I dropped Nic off at about 7:30 and went into the city. John O'neill met up with me at about 9:30. I waited for him at a little bar that was holding an Open Mic Night. They asked me if I was going to play. I told them I would if I had a guitar. They lent me one. John got there. We talked about my day. They called my name to play. I was nervous as shit. I walked up, took the guitar and was actually shaking. It has been years since I have played in front of an audience. I was drunk as a skunk, which helped, because I may have lost bowel control had I not been. I have played on stage so many times I can't count them, this was the first time that I did it solo. It was also in NYC! It wasn't great, but it felt good. I found my voice after a few seconds. I am now more determined than ever to make playing my songs, out among people, a real key in my life when I get back to Raleigh. If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere.

We got back home and I crashed on Johnny's couch watching one of my all time favorite movies. Casablanca. That one gets to me every time. Great movie, great lines. The following are some of my favorite moments.

Ilsa: Sing it, Sam.
Sam: [singing] You must remember this / A kiss is still a kiss / A sigh is just a sigh / The fundamental things apply / As time goes by. / And when two lovers woo, / They still say, "I love you" / On that you can rely / No matter what the future brings-...
Rick: [rushing up] Sam, I thought I told you never to play-...
[Sees Ilsa. Sam closes the piano and rolls it away]

(Don't we all have songs connected to that one person? Whoever it is?)

Captain Renault: How extravagant you are, throwing away women like that. Some day they may be scarce

Rick: Here's looking at you, kid.
(all time great line)

Rick: Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.
(OMG another one)

Ilsa: Kiss me. Kiss me as if it were the last time
(Ingrid Bergman is so brilliant as Ilsa)

Rick: We'll always have Paris. We didn't have, we, we lost it until you came to Casablanca. We got it back last night.
Ilsa: When I said I would never leave you.
Rick: And you never will. But I've got a job to do, too. Where I'm going, you can't follow. What I've got to do, you can't be any part of. Ilsa, I'm no good at being noble, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Someday you'll understand that. Now, now... Here's looking at you kid.

Bogart's Rick, talking to Ilsa as they are at the airport. He is demanding that she go with Lazlo on the plane. You've all seen this flick, so you know the moment. God, it rips my heart out everytime. I am a sentimental fool. hahaha.

Well, I have blogged long enough. I need to go do something manly after writing that. I think I am going to go watch some sports, fart and look at pictures of naked ladies.

Bye Y'all

Songs of the day
Ticket to ride-The Beatles (I heard this one last night. Great song, timely topic)
Pictures of you-The Cure (Wow. What an amazing song. Good for the broken hearted)
Blackbird-The Beatles (Two girls did an acapella duet on this one last night. Nic and I listened to this many times. I used to play it on the guitar late in the parties)
Carolina-TSDowd (I get a really good reaction from this song. I'm happy that I got to record it and that I can share it with people now.)
That's life-Frank Sinatra (one of my all time get up and fight songs. Don't give up, don't give in. Shit happens and you keep going on. Life is yours to control.)
As Time Goes By-Sam (haha. Play it again. Sigh...what a song)

Word of the day-Stuff

Verbal

Many of you probably scratched your head at me on Saturday night when Joey and I settled upon an immature little in joke. The Verbal:Bouch-waaa. It is infinitely funnier in person, especially (and maybe only) if your name happens to be Tom, Joey or Mike. To most others it sounds like poor English, or mumbo jumbo.I decided to share it with all the loved ones on my cell phone contact list, excluding my folks, other various family/business associates and people with land lines. We were down at 151. Drinking for free, or at least next to nothing. Always good when the bartenders buy back every other round. I just wanted to spread the surreal. Lind of like answering the phone when someone calls you and saying "Hi, I'd like to order a large pie with Pepperoni and mushrooms. Do you deliver?" (Try it , it's fun). I was just having a little fun with all of you.

We had been talking about Mike Meltzer.Joe's cousin and a longtime friend of mine. He has pissed us both off, had our backs and used to throw Jack Daniels on me with regularity.The place we were hanging at holds a lot of memories.

The verbal (What saying bouch-waaa is known as to more grounded and sane people) has been around for at least 15 years to my knowledge. It was when I came back onto the scene in 1988 after getting kicked out of one high school, transfering to another one and not seeing Joey for two years. It was mainly used to end conversations, make somebody's life seem a little more surreal, or just have fun with them. The text you all recieved was of the latter ilk. Went like this-

"Can you please stop the drinking and calm down?"
"Bouch-waa"
"Huh?"

It was often used with various women at bars. Always a fun way to go.It was the answer for all unanswerable questions.

"So do you think Tommy likes my friend Joe?"
"Bouch-waa"
"What did you say?"
"Bouch-waa"
(a look of confusion would set in at this point)

Last night we were laughing so hard, and I, in a Jaegermeister and Bass ale fueled rage, decided to text all of you. haha. In jokes don't usually translate well to outsiders. I am sure this was the case last night. Some of the best responses are listed below.

Mike Meltzer-Who dare verbal me? (Mike was the creator of this made up word, along with our pal Ray Bondeen)
Dave-Wha?
Rae (Who called me)-What the fuck does that mean dude? I laughed and told her I was loaded. She said she noticed and promised to dedicate a song to me at Karaoke.
Kelvin-:) get some while u r home! (maybe the most bizarre response. good, considering what I did made no sense. I guess I will try Kel)

151 was the spot. It's this great rock and roll bar on the lower east side. It's like hanging out on the rim of hell, a very stylish rim of hell. I have been there at times till 6am. Drinking and watching all sorts of stuff go on around me. Things I never thought I would see. Heck, I've been part of it. Last night was no different. Joe and I were there early and talked about a lot of the shit that I have been going through. He reminded me of a couple things that I sometimes forget. One, that I used to be nicknamed M.I.A. as in "Where has Tommy been for the last 5 days" "I don't know man, M.I.A. again". He also said that I was always the "fuck it" guy. Try anything once. Whenever there was something new to try, I was first in line. Clubs, going places, dangerous activities. He also reminded me to let things roll off. I used to do that pretty well. I am going to start again.

Talked a lot about women. They will drive you nuts, and then you swear them off for a while, and then you go back. The cycle. After breaking up with one person recently and still being in limbo with my marriage, I am ready to just be alone for a while. I think I may date a little bit, but no serious relationships for a while. I've been so exhausted just trying to wrap my mind around all of my relationship woes, that I am done. I need to be alone and work on myself. I realized this year that I do want to have a family and a good relationship someday, with a woman who respects me and loves me and vice versa. I never thought in my life I would be at that point.

I played Joey the two song demo I did before I left. He said he liked it and that I was always a good songwriter. Once I get back down to N.C. I am going to start playing the open mic nights. I have been thinking about it for a while. My last two weeks in Raleigh were pretty much spent sitting in my hotel room. I am not going to do that in my new apartment.

Singing, drinking, breakfasting at the Odessa diner at 3 a.m. and cabbing it home. Joey's GF Michelle met up with us. She and Joe were having a little tiff and I was caught in the middle. Problem was Joe and I were beyond reason at this point and were well into Tom and Joe curse-speak, which is just bad for anyone.

Michelle-"So why didn't you wait at 151?"
Joe-"We were there for what?Tommy, fuckin 6 hours"
Tom-"We got there about fuckin 9:30 or some shit. So more like 5"
Michelle-but you knew I was coming
Joey_"Ugh. Tommy, whad I tell you? Violation!"
Tommy-"You and fucking violation. Like fuckin Pee-wee Herman waiting for Chairy to start sprinkling goddamned confetti"
Joey"hahaha"
Michelle-"So you're gonna side with him Tommy?"
Tommy-"Gotta be fucking kidding me. I'm fucking Switzerland over here. Just fucking staying neutral and eating my corn beef hash and eggs like any neutral country."
Michelle-"you're not neutral"
Tommy-"Just eating my fucking eggs, my fucking hash browns and my fucking toast. Which wasn't fucking buttered by the way. Why the fuck wouldn't you butter the goddamned toast?"
Joey-They never butter the toast at this fucking place."

Now, just in case that doesn't make Michelle look good, it was all kinda fun and funny, no real anger or aggravation. So, lots of cursing. Lots of chilling, lots of fun. So many good fucking songs played last night too. Joe and I gave the car a drunken rendition of "Little Dreamer", good stuff. BTW a note from earlier in the evening. I think David Lee Roth might be gay. Older, single, have not once heard of him dating anyone. He was a big enough start at one point that you would have heard that.Joey disagreed. I think he was a fruit.

The cab ride home was a blur. Good times.

Songs of the day (or night as it were)
Little Dreamer-Van Halen
You're Crazy-Guns and Roses
Dr. Love-Kiss
We Want The Airwaves-Ramones
To Young to Fall in Love-Motley Crue
For Whom the Bell Tolls-Metallica
Unchained-Van Halen
American Girl-Tom Petty
I'm looking Through You-The Beatles

Phrase of the day-Violation (Joe was saying it all night. His new favorite word I think)

Am I Lycanthrope?

Pardon the strange title. The moon does affect people is something to this. We are 75% water. Makes sense to me. So, freakiness to pass. Well, I took a break from packing to blog. While I am not sure how many people are reading at this point, but I will continue.

I can't wait to get back to NYC I am chomping at the bit. Though I am getting there earlier than anticipated. I feel pretty good about it. Today was a good day.

I have little to say today. I wanted to point out that you should check out the songs on LL's blog...only if you want to get all welled up. She is the penultimate blogger, whom I have been torturing lately. Dave, has the lightest, funniest blog in my opinion. Laura just does life-blogging very well.

So I realized that the maids have stopped coming to my room the last few days and I really miss them. Being a slob, I need them. Well, actually the first two weeks here were good. The last one, ugh! A depressed Tommy is a sloppy Tommy. And boy oh boy! ha!

Tonight I was coming back to my hotel and a VW bug drives up. Out of it gets, no kidding, about 7 baseball players, in uniform. Like a bizarro world clown car. The just kept getting out. Funny as hell. I saw they were from Kent State, in case any of you were interested.

Well, I have spent the night chatting with Dave and hanging out here. Gonna go.

See Y'all soon....next blog, NYC!

Song of the day-
Four Dead in Ohio-Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young (Has no deep meaning, but I really wish those baseball players had gotten out of the car with this blaring)

P.S. I just want to give a shout out to three really great gals who all knew I was needing a friend tonight and came through for me. Lisa T. You rock baby was great to talk with you tonight. See you tomorrow. The first round is on me Li.
Nicole, thanks again for being you, and for knowing me as well as you do. Dinner is on me this week. Anywhere you want to go. You name it. I know a fabulous little place in the East Village with great spanish food. It only seats about five people, but they make great Sangria, the Ceviche is killer and we'll have a good time.We can go check out a good E.Village haunt afterwards if you are up for it.
And what would be a blog from me without another "Lovin me sum Laura Lee" moment? Laur (I shorten all of my friends names even when it doesn't make sense to do so. Nic, Li etc, etc) you really have been so great to me I will forever appreciate it. I am glad that you feel comfortable enough to go to the bathroom while on the phone. You know how to make a guy feel special. haha. Lee, you have your finger on my pulse and it is goddamned scary. You really are the best and I am thankful to count you among my friends.

"Prove that you love me and buy the next round....."

Tonight I went out to a bar with a few of the guys from work. They have been hounding me to go for a little while. I have been avoiding it because I am the boss. So I did the right thing went down there and bought a couple rounds, showed them what it feels like to have their sorry hillbilly asses handed to them on the pool table by a cocky New Yorker and got the hell out of there.

I noticed a large amount of people down here call me Sir (pronounced Suuur eg-"Thank ya Suuuur") The fucking southern drawl is rather annoying. I will pick it up no doubt. Kinda like after I got back to New York from Pittsburgh and was saying things like "Could you red-up the table?" and "The wash needs done." Thank god I never picked up "You want to go Dahn-tahn?" (that means "downtown" to the rest of the world) I pick up accents so easily that I will no doubt be talking this way in a short time.

I drove around in two Mercedes Benz' today. It was really cool. I have decided that I wasnt one some day. This thing had GPS, heated and cooled leather seat and was convertible. When the top went down, theres was this attachement that went up and created a wind barrier. So you could have the sun on your head and face and not mess up your hair. I am adding the Benz to my list of goals.

I went out to dinner with the owner of the company and his wife (owners of the Benz'). Carol, his wife, has decided that she is going to play matchmaker for me. It's kinda fun that "Momma G" has taken me under her wing and now wants to set me up on dates here in Raleigh. "What kind of women do you like Tom"...."Pretty, intelligent, kind ones C" She tells me that she wants to play matchmaker in her old age. She told me that she met a nice girl but that she had a kid and that wasn't good enough for me. Hahaha. It made me laugh so hard. C and I G have been very good to me. They are relocated New Yorkers that have moved to Raleigh. Carol has made it her business to see that I am okay down here. Always good to have someone watching your back.we had this long talk about life today and it felt good. Love mostly, but life in general.

I also found out that I may have the opportunity to move to other locations as a manager if I want to. Phoenix and Tuscon AZ sound pretty cool. They are in the cards, as is Chi-town and and maybe NYC again. I am working my ass off and getting things in order down here. It's paying off already. I changed the purchasing structure at the store and it is now starting to reap dividends. The staff is hating the fact that we are now starting to see two large orders a day roll in the back door, but they will get over it. Things have worked out well so far. Customers are smiling more and we are selling more. Everyone is happy. There is a long way to go but it is all really exciting. The renovations start next week! I wish, especially for Aryn's sake, I could have done this stuff at Kate's. Aryn, if you ever feel like you and Joe want to move to N.C. you have a job with me!

I'm gonna go, I am tired,

Ya'll be good


Song of the day-
"Mecedes Benz"-Janis Joplin (Suzi Smith used to sing this at the end of our gigs with Exit 57, when we were out of songs. Also, the title of this post)

The Last Endless Summer

Anytime I go through a great transition period in my life, I find that I get a bit sentimental. In talking with a very good friend tonight, I got to retell one of the best stories I have acquired in my short life. This is the abridged version. Look for the whole tale on a bookshelf near you someday. Imagine a wide eyed kid in his early 20's, blond hair,blue eyes with no idea what was in store for him. The next ten years of his life being set in motion.

June 22nd 1995
I had been squeaky clean for months. No smoking (of any kind), no drinking, no sugar, no caffeine, no meat, no milk. I gave all of that up in one day on the spring solstice. I had a vision at a meditation meeting and realized that I couldn't do those things to myself anymore. I would fail miserably in the coming weeks, but I was clean at that moment was meditating every day and having the most lucid dreams. I had one a few nights earlier. There was an eclipse in the sky. Two flying dragons, the snake-like Asian type, came out of the eclipse and fly around in circles. Eventually they merged, becoming a bigger and more brilliant single one didn't realize at that moment how significant that dream was...Nor how much it actually told the tale and set the stage of the next decade.

I was at work at PS13 in Queens. My parents car packed with my belongings. The grey acoustic guitar I've had since I was 15, recording equipment, clothes and cassette tapes (this was before CD's had completely taken over). I was looking at the clock the whole day. I said goodbye to the kids. "Have a good summer Mr. Dowd!" "You too Mayuri!" I think that I even did my yearly exercise of taking my hair out of the ponytail on the last day of school. At 1 p.m. I hopped in my car and headed to beautiful Pittsburgh, PA. for a two week stay with my cousin Steve, Aunt Carol and Uncle Bruce.

I got to town the next day after a short stop over in Carlisle. Just to sleep. I drank coffee the whole way down there. When I got in, Steve and I of course, drank some tea as soon as we could. I think it was that night when my Aunt and Uncle went out. I got f.u.b.a.r.'ed.

The following weekend the Greatful Dead were playing at Three Rivers Stadium. Steve had floor seats. We decided to buy me a ticket for the upper deck. Steve would then go in with his friend, and come back with his buddies ticket stub, which I would then use to gain access to the floor. Much better than section 345. We drank tea the whole way down there. Bought some humble county brownies when we got to the concert and just hung out along the banks of the Monongahela River (or is that the Allegheny?I always get them mixed up. All I know...It wasn't the Ohio.) Most of you have heard the tale of what Steve and I call the "Magic Ticket", and how that was the greatest concert I ever attended. I was sure that Jerry Garcia was controlling the universe that day. I wanted to buy a pair of Birkenstocks and a VW van that very day.I will continue that tale in another entry.

Well, the vacation went sour soon after. Steve and I, who according to my Aunt Carol, are "like Salt and Pepper", totally different and totally alike and belong together, started to get on each others nerves. Drinking tea waaaaay too much doing less and less. I hear that can happen. It all finally came to a head on July 8th. He and I got into a screaming match. "Fuck you!" "no Fuck you!!!" fingers pointing. Territorial guy shit. I told him that I was going home to New York. All of my friends were going to great adventure on Monday, and I was going to go with them. He went into the basement. Me to the back porch. After about an hour he came upstairs and said "Tom, I'm going to work. If you have gotten all that you need out of Pittsburgh, then go home". With that he left for work. I thought about what he said and called him at work about an hour later. I asked for his friend Pat's number and said that if Pat would go out with me to the South Side (Carson street is on the Southside of Pittsburgh and has a million bars. The Carson Crawl is a famous thing to do. One beer or drink in as many bars as you can go to before you can't see straight) I would stay one more day. I called Pat. He called me back, and we were off a'drinkin'

We got down there and were going to Jack's, the first bar on Carson Street. We were met outside by a guy who said "Hey you're Steve's cousin right? Don't go to Jack's, go to Dee's, Jacks sucks tonight" We listened and continued down the street. Got to Dee's and walked in. So I got in and ordered a drink. I swished my hair around like a rockstar as if to say "Ladies, love me now". They didn't. haha. We sat near the Jukebox on the first floor. I was facing the corner booth. We were talking.

Then it happened. In the corner booth I saw this girl. She was looking right back at me. It was like in Waynes World "Dream Weaver........", the blue light, stars and all. haha. She had brown eyes, curly long brown hair. Pat's voice quickly became much like the teacher from Peanuts.

Pat: "Mwa, Mwa, mwa"
Tom: not listening and staring at the girl "yeah"
Pat"mwa, mwa, mwa"
Tom:"The most beautiful girl in the world is sitting in the corner"

Pat was sickened as I was playing the eye version of footsie with the girl. She was into me! Finally she got up and walked over towards me. She went to the jukebox behind me. I turned around. Ready to make my suave move.Like most guys, I thought I was suave but really came off more like a chimpanzee. I turned and said "Hi. What are you playing?" This girl turned and gave me the coldest, if looks could kill look of all time... and then walked away without a word. I mean, what the hell did I do?!? She was giving me the eye. "Right Pat? Right?"

A little while later, she came back with a friend. The friend turned to me and said "Hi, I'm Mary, what's your name?" I said "Hi, I'm Tommy, meet Pat *turning towards the friend after pawning Mary off on Pat* what's your name?" She said "Nicole"

We spent the rest of the evening together. A day or two later we went on our first date. I saw the tattoo on her arm, the eclipse from my dream. She thought I was a lying freak when I told her so. We spent the rest of the summer together. I left in late August.I moved to Pittsburgh months later. We moved to New York the next year. We got married, five years to the night that we met.

Nicole and I will have known each other 10 years on July 8th 2005. Kinda makes time seem different. A lot of time seems meaningless up against a decade, a lot of time seems bigger.Things are just what they are. It's like our teachers used to say, it's not about quantity, it's about quality. Life has a funny way of putting you exactly where you need to be on the night you need to be there.

1995 was my last endless summer. The year I stopped being a child and started being a man. My life was formed that year, it changed everything for me. Some days I feel like I still have a lot of growing up to do, but I know that summer was one of the truly perfect moments in my life. No worries. Calm and love were the rule of the day. They ruled the kingdom well.

Songs of the day-
Little Guitars-Van Halen (It makes no sense but it is my favorite summertime song.I heard it on my way down to the Burgh' in 95. Beautiful sunny day, windows down, Jersey Tpke singing at the top of my lungs)
Do You Really Want To Hurt Me-Culture Club (Heard it at dinner this evening.Made me think of "The Wedding Singer"

P.S. I just read the lyrics to those two songs. Funny what I was saying about things popping up at the right time. hahaha. Little Guitars now makes sense and I now have more respect for Boy George, who made me scratch my head saying "That's a man?" when I was in the 5th grade at P.S. 113 in Glendale Queens.I have never read his lyrics before. I have sang those Halen ones a million times, but today I finally understand them.

Later Gators and congrats to those of you that made it all the way through this. You are troopers for putting up with my over-blogging.

I'm outta here!

I am so sick and tired of this hotel room. These four walls are starting to really drive me nuts. I'm hoping to have a good weekend and then get back to New York.

So on better notes! Today was absolutely beautiful. Sunny and perfect! Song of the day has my new favorite song. I bought Ozomatli's "Street Signs" today. Unreal how Good his band is and how much they have progressed musically. Now I don't speak Spanish. Well, not well. I can speak barely passable Spanish if I am immersed in it for a week or so. Pretty cool when that has happened. I can by the end of a week say things in Spanish like "We want to travel to the bar in playa del carmen and has people like to dance". Pretty messed up. That actually doesn't do justice to my total butchering of their language. I think they all just smiled at the American that tipped like a New Yorker.

When I got Ozo's first album a few years ago I was listening to it at Pearl and asked one of the warehouse guys what one of the song titles meant.

"Hey Lisandro, what does "Como Vez" mean?"
"Como Vez ?"
"Yeah"
"What the f**k? Let me see that CD"
"Well....."
"Man that means something like "What it be? It's like ghetto Spanish"

Okay dude. And this man was street! I knew that Ozomatli was hardcore and that I was one cutting edge white boy!


So Dave took the time to hang and talk to me tonight. He is the genius who helped me to get these pics onto my blog.Therefore, my baby brother gets the first pic. He had housed my phone and took this of himself.Much better than an ass pic.

THIS PICTURE WAS REMOVED FOR BEING TOO DAMN BIG!

So without further ado, allow me to introduce you to my new pad. The Dowd-hollow as it were.Better names for my cool new pad will be appreciated.

My front door. Check out the mosaic tiling on the floor!


Living room-Just to the left (right as we're looking at it)


Kitchen-To the right (our left)


this place is killer and I can't wait to move in!

So words of wisdom from the Big Dave-
On being alone-
davidjdowd: I can understand that
davidjdowd: no one likes to be alone
davidjdowd: well most people dont anyway
davidjdowd: you a good looking guy who has a good personality
davidjdowd: who cares if you smell a little every now and then
davidjdowd: I'm sure you can find someone right for you
davidjdowd: who can look past your stink

On Drinking-
neaslures: do you have any beer?
davidjdowd: no
davidjdowd: I have some Irish cream
davidjdowd: I could have a cordial
neaslures: nice
davidjdowd: drinking cordials are only gay if you have a dick in your other hand
neaslures: okay, restart, make your cordial and I will be back in two shakes
davidjdowd: that isn't your own
neaslures: hahaha
davidjdowd: its not gay if its you dick
neaslures: wisdom of a master
davidjdowd: ok

On my trip to Vegas-
davidjdowd: nice
davidjdowd: what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas
davidjdowd: unless you kill a hooker

On getting Married-
davidjdowd: and if we leave that Thursday the 30th we would not be able to get married until the wendsday and then have to leave on the Thursday
davidjdowd: I want to have a fucking date already
davidjdowd: I'm beginning that they try to make it hard to get married in Mexico just so they know you really want it
davidjdowd: like when monks would make new disciples sit outside the wall with out food and drink

I often find myself wondering who is the older brother. Dave you can be the best man at my next wedding also. You're the best, not to mention the funnier brother.

Later Gators

Michael Fucking Jordan.....what's in your fridge? Please move down one urinal.

Be like Mike. Fuck that. I hated that mother fucker so bad 1980' and 90's. I truly wished that his kneecap would shatter so my Knicks coould finally win the championship. When he is gone what happens? John Starks shoots 2 for 18 in Houston while OJ and Al drove on their fateful trip in a box in the corner of the TV screen. I was hating OJ that nighttoo. In NYC I would have seen him in the upper right hand corner of my TV screen. I just so happened to be in a hotel room in Calisle, PA. with my Mom and Bro. We were driving to Pittsburgh and I was soooooo pissed that I couldn't watch my game. Mom was snoring, Dave and I were watching the events and hoping for the game to come back on. Boring as all fuck, until Peter Jennings on ABC put on one of those Howard Stern phony-phone callers. It was the funniest thing to hear Baba-Booey on live national TV. Dave and I started cracking up out loud. Mom being the easily startled type, woke up and started freaking "What, what?!?!" which made us laugh even harder. The point of this story? 1) Thank you phony phone caller 2)Fuck you John Starks for fucking it all up, you were so exciting to watch when you were on, too bad that was rare.

So I have decided that, for today, I am Michael Jordan. I told that to a good friend tonight. It fits though I still hate him. Let me tell you some of the things I know about Mike. He was rejected by the H.S. basketball team. He let nothing stop him from the goal. Never gave an excuse. Was focused. He was wonderful to watch.

Now that you are all fucking bored and thinking "Okay, point please Tom" or "Uh-oh, I feel another borderline Tom pumping himself up session coming on". Yes, it's the latter. I know that I am a loyal, funny, emotional (overly some might say), communicative, and (like DLR said in "Aint Talking bout Love") semi-good looking and on the street again. I can also reach the top shelf of any cabinet with ease...and I hold the door for old ladies, and young ladies alike. On top of all that, I am fiercly loyal to and protective of my friends. I don't know how many of you have seen me get protective, but it can be pretty scary. I gotcha back. Alot of good qualities, if I do say so myself. Now, of course I forget that shit all the time. Others see it. SOOOOO as of today, I am tossing in my Patrick Ewing #33 jersey. No more "best big man to never win a title" or empty predictions of victory. I am putting on the red and black #23 (Would have considered a blue "Wizards" Jersey bc blue brings out my eyes, but that really wouldn't help my analogy here and it crawls two close to the homoeroticism which I try to keep out of my blog. More on that later though, hahaha.) Comparisons can now start with, goddamn is he great. Starks can try all he wants...but he can't guard me, can't hold a candle, got nothin', no game, no hands, no guts, and nothing to offer that I can't poster-ize, and end with Starks choked everytime the he was given the chance to step up and play the game like a man.

Well that felt good. hahaha. So, if you've made it this far, lets play a game.........

WHAT'S IN YOUR FRIDGE?!?

I have not been eating well the last few days. I have been working on my burb-gut. In my fridge right now is the following.

• Two pizza boxes-Papa John's both containing two Jalapenos, one with some garlic sauce in it. Pizza has been eaten.
  
• A quarter jar of pasta sauce
• 5 beers-Yuengling (pronounced Ying-ling)
• A knife- As if to accentuate my lethargy! I look at as a tiara to go with my red sloth dress and matching laziness clutch.
• Gourmayo!-creamy dijon
• 9 eggs
• A head of lettuce-Romaine

I'm thinking I should go see Chu and the boys at Krogers. Fuck it. One more week. What's in your fridge?

Last night I got trashed. Went out and watched some NCAA action on the big screens at the Hilton. Some good games. Fucking Pittsburgh. Anyhow, I don't think any of the women out there can relate, but drunk guys are notorious for talking to each other at the urinal. They look over at whoever is next to them and will make conversation. They also should be aware of the "one urinal rule". Ladies, guys have this things where when you go to the urinal, if the bathroom is not full, you should ALWAYS leave one urinal between you and the next man. So this guy walks in last night and starts talking to me right away. Older black guy. "UNC, Wake Forest...blah, blah,blah" Then just as he is finished, he turns towards me! I get get scared cause he is holding a billy club. I was ready to defend myself Crouching Tiger style, flying through the air and shit. Just as I am about to punch him, I realize it was his penis, which must have been about two foot long.Now, I don't make a point of looking at penis' other than my own in public restrooms.I see them in the normal places like everyone else, internet porn, enlargment spam and gloryholes. hahaha. It is also the second urinal rule. YOU DON'T LOOK DOWN! Except when that down is straight ahead. I rarely experince envy, but this guy was a tripod. I had to avert my eyes. I felt like Fienes (was that Ralph?) in Pulp Fiction when the briefcase is opened for him. Another reason I want to be Michael Jordan (that and his obscene amount of money). There have got to be some black guys out there with the "curse of the Irish"...Right?

I then went home and puked. More from the amount of alcohol that I imbibed than from being disgusted with my penis looking episode.

Later

Been a while, back in style! Brazillian Girls Rule!

I haven't really been in the mood to post. Blogger ruined my P.P.P.MJ. contest by not allowing comments. I found it pretty disturbing that after it came back up only my ex-girlfriend bothered to at least try the contest. Thanks for being the one entry Heather. You suck for cheating and looking everything up on the internet, but you're great for actually posting.

A No prize was indeed a prize given to readers of Marvel Comics through the 1990's I believe, for people noticing errors in the comics. For instance, The Invisible Girl lifting a wrench to the Thing who is fixing the Fantasti-Car and saying "Here's the screwdriver" In the 90's some ass had the idea of stopping giving the no prize out for reading the comics and giving them out for acts of service, charity work. Fuck that. This, as you imagine was the end of the no prize. You already get nothing out of being charitable and giving of yourself!

So I bought a new cd. Brazillian Girls is the name of the band. it's dance music that is played by live instruments. They are sort of a freakier Jamiroquai. Less funky and more "let's all drop ecstasy and be artistic and get it on like rabbits with emotional attachment". Really cool stuff. So after listening to the first five songs, I get to work and decide to play it over the pa system. (Yes Aryn, I get to listen to whatever music I like here) So I am rining up a customer and over the loudspeakers I hear a song playing it's chorus "Pussy, pussy, pussy, marijuana!" I realize what its saying and leave the customer, bolting to the office to change it. hahahaha. I highly reccomend checking them out. The CD is awesome! "Don't Stop" is my current favorite song.

Hope all is well in your part of the world. It's snowing in Raleigh. I assume that means the town will be shutting down any moment.Where is the 70 degrees that I signed up for?

Tom

Back in bid-ness!

So it seems that blogger is done with it's policy of not allowing comments on here. Does anyone know what happened?

I stayed in the last couple nights. Talked to some good friends, got frustrated on a phone call with my parents (big shock), watched the new star wars trailer and played some dominoes online. I need to say that my hotel's internet connection SUCKS! It keeps going down and I am now on a first name basis with the service technicians.

"hi, my internet is down again"
"Oh, hello Mr.Dowd, this is Ramachandran again.Yeah, it is down again"
"When will it be back up and why does this keep happening"
"We don't know. We're working in it. Boy, you are a real sucker for expecting a good connection huh?"
"Yeah, I think you're right Ramachandran.By the way, what is your last name?"
"Muruganandan"
"Cool! did you see the new Star Wars trailer?"
"Yeah, but the movie will probably suck. I mainly just search the internet for porn."
"Yeah me too"
"Later"
"Bye"

And this is how it goes every day.

Work is fine. Like this place. Very calm and quiet.

Apartment search status-I have decided on the bachelor pad downtown. I am waiting for a reply from the owner. Sent him my negotiating price yesterday.Fingers crossed everyone. I really want this spot. I hope my lowball offer doesn't scare him off. I was a buyer for four years...it's in my blood to lowball.

Hope all is well with you. Shoot me a comment or a note and let me know what is going on in your little part of the world.

Be sure to join the Pussy-pussy writing contest in my last post.

Later

Pussy,Pussy,Pussy Marijuana!

So, as you can see I never got to post last night .The server in my hotel was down. I was going to post a poll seeing what people thought about the two apartments that I have narrowed my search down to. One is better for my credit and is up north with vaulted ceilings and a deck overlooking a pond filled with geese. The other is a place in the downtown area. Really cool with surround sound speakers built into the walls. This is the one I am now leaning towards. I think that if I am going to be hanging out, dating and showing visitors around, this would be better. Do I really need a pool and a gym and subburban life? I don't think so. I need some mini-city vibe. I would probably go to the pool twice in my time there.

Speaking of suburban life. I actually drove to a store across the fucking street yesterday. Couldn't have been more than 50 yards away. I am going to grow me a mighty burbs pot belly. hahaha.

I went out last night and stayed out late. Had maybe the best time I have since I have been here. Yesterday was truly great.

Post Script:The Pussy, pussy, pussy Marijuana contest!
The previous was written at 9a.m. when I was feeling especially tired and hung over. It is now 8:09p.m. I did what I normally not do and titled this post before I wrote it. It just seemed to work. I brain farted and forgot to explain the title. A few asked me what the hell that meant. Lindsay even posted as much. hahaha. So at lunchtime I tried to edit it and post the explanation, but Blogger was not letting me. I have decided, that instead of explaining it, I am going to ask YOU to explain it. That's right, this is, if you decided to partake, a fun creative writing contest. I will judge all entries and decide on a winner who wil recieve a Well In Dowd no-prize(5 points are added as extra credit to the person who can also explain where "no-prize comes from) I'm looking for the most original and outrageous stories. I will explain the title in Monday's post.

Another really good day.

So I must have something going on right now. Stars lined up, things going good, feeling really great. I had an awesome day at work and am going out tonight. This is just a quick post.I will be posting later, no doubt. I would like to thank those of you who commented on my last blog. All props to you. I did not go to the Elton John Concert. It had been canceled, Sir Elton was sick. I would invite those of you who are reading constantly to go and comment on my last blog. I'm gonna have a big poll for you all later on if you need something to do.

Mojo workin' in the time of trial, mojo working wit my Raleigh style!

So I went out with my first Raleigh bud of the female persuasion. Went to a place near my hotel, basically because I have no sense of direction getting around. We had met Saturday night at a bar downtown. Her name was Raewyn, cool name. She was from New Zealand and had this weird "down under" meets "y'all" accent which was interesting. Had a good time. She invited me to go to see Elton John on Wednesday night.

I have been talking to everyone that I can when I go out and that has been serving me well. I went to this place called Kings on Saturday night.It has been the one spot I have been to more than once. So on Saturday night I walk in and there is a birthday party going on. I just started shooting some pool and talking to people. Told them that I was new to town. There were no shortage of people who were offering up ideas on neighborhoods and places to go. Tommy got his Mojo working in the time of trial. I mean, I don't know what it is but I got something going on down here that people are really picking up on. It feels good.

Yesterday I was hurting pretty bad, feeling pretty lonely and tried calling just about everyone in creation. Those of you who got back to me, thank you. I really appreciated the support.

So I have one friend who is going through a breakup and is having a hard time of it. We've spoken numerous times and I just wanted to address some things to them about the situation though I know this will only not be that much fun for all of you to read. You may scroll past the blue highlighted stuff to the end of this post.

1-Yes. It does suck when someone gives you some ridiculous reason for not wanting to be with you anymore
2-Be thankful you never had a chance to become more invested. A blessing in disguise.
3-You are a fantastic person. (God now I am sounding like a mom, but I mean it!)
4-Like you said...why are you fretting? (I mean we both know why, but you said it) You are worth so much more! Someone will come along your way who will treat you with love and respect. You will not be the only one giving when that happens. It will be honest and true. You are smart, funny and treat people well. (I know it hurts anyway)
5-Get yourself a good strong emotional retard repellent. I think the ones with DEET in them work best.
6-I still say that you should do that thing that we talked about which you said you shouldn't do because it wasn't the right time and that you didn't have it in you. IT WILL HELP! I STLL BELIEVE THIS! hahahaha.

So after that side note from our sponsor The Heartache Society of America,I would like to leave you with a pretty funny note. I have noticed that everything in Raleigh, ever answer, takes a story.
For example-
Yankee asking question-"Hey, can I throw this box out? Is it garbage?"
Carolinian-"You wanna know about them there boxes? Let me tell you. You see..... (there is always a long pause after "you see" as if to let it sink in. If they didn't wait, I might not "see". Meanwhile, all I think in that momentary pause is that I am going to have to sit through another fucking story to get an answer to a yes or no question.) these shelves.....we used to have them in the front....up by the registers and they held the books....Well, what happened wuz...."
Yankee-*thinking-"Oh fuck! Please someone shoot me"
Carolinian-"when they moved the books, these we busted and we broght them back here to store."
Yankee-Thinking-"YES OR NO!?!?!?!?!" (and I wasn't singing that to myself like the throaty girl in "Paradise by the Dashboard Light. Nor do I look like Meatloaf thank god!)
Carolinian-"and then they just kind of satyed here for the last few monthes whle we..."
Yankee-seeing his opening and needing to have a resolution "So it's garbage?"
Carolinian-"Well...."
Yankee-"Okay, we're gonna throw it out then"

Holy shit! whew. Love this place. It's also going to make me a ton of money. I have noticed that no one locks their fucking car doors down here. I've taken to trying the dorrs on the cars parked next to me in the strip mall (and everything is in a strip mall) Anyone that needs a car stereo, CD's or anyhting else. Let me know.I'm taking goddamned orders. Like shooting fish in a barrel. I should have no trouble getting you Nascar hats and confederate flag paraphenalia either. As a New Yorker, I feel it is my duty to rob these mother fuckers blind.

So a few questions for my commenters (which I have been loving btw)

1)Should I go to this Elton Concert?
2)For those of you who stuck with me through the forbiden forest of heartache any advice for them that I missed? ( I think you can all gather enough about the situation. Ever been mistreated by someone you loved?)
3)What do you most want from a hillbilly car?
4)Finish this sentance- The best thing about Tom is.....

hahaha. I had to sneak that one in there.Hey, I need a pick me up. Be nice, I've had a rough week and need to hear some good things.don't let me down now.

Love and kisses, Hillbilly Wishes

Raleigh Tommy

Phrase of the day- "Emotional Retard"

Stay on that medication and go to an island alone

So today was a great day! I am feeling really comfortable Raleigh. Today was fun and I am loving it here. I know it is a bit slow, but I'm feeling really positive. I jump at the chance to help a customer (they are far and few between (how's that for a difference Aryn? If you're reading! haha) and I like the fact that there is alot of time to fix things, which I love, and I was doing today. I also like that I need to wear jeans to work. Some of the customers today were a bit strange though.

This one guy walks in today. I am in the back of the book section and am hanging some artworks (they actually SHOW artwork in the store right now!) and he sees me and runs up to me and starts talking about nothing! He's about 40 years old and I notice that there is a very mild shake that he has going on, a crazy look in his eyes and he's rambling. He's got an arm full of product, which of course I think..."good, give me your money mutha fucka".I thought, oh shit, this guy is unstable.Naturally my Tae Kwon Do training kicks in and I am sizing him up and figuring how easy it would be for me to kick him in the thorax if he got out of line. The conversation went something like this.

Crazy- "I love books. Especially art books. I would spend all of my money on them. I am really into *insert some artist that you have never heard of*. Do you have ay books on him? I can't find them anywhere.
Me-"Um...I don't know. I haven't seen any. (and then in a tone that indicates that I deperately want out of this conversation) Well, you can look through this section and maybe you'll find something"
Crazy- "Yeah. I love them. I would spend all of my money on books. My mother keeps all of my money so I don't spend it all on books"
Me- (thinking "Oh shit...is he harmless?") "Oh yeah?"
Crazy-"My mom is an artist. She's much better than me. I used to do tag art. I never did it on walls. Just on canvas' with an airbrush. I like to do that. It's good.......My dad is a poet."
Me-(looking aound for any sales help) "Oh yeah?"
Crazy- Yup. But I am pretty good. I do alot of protraits. Mostly of Bonnie Raitt....
Me-(Thinking-"Oh, poor Bonnie, anyone with such a sultry, sexy voice, deserves more than a crazy stalker in Raleigh, NC")
C razy-"I am very good with portraits (flailing his arms about his torso) but I am not very good with bodies"
Me-"Oh yeah?" (looking around and notice the sales help laughing at me, but not coming to my rescue.....They will all be fired, the mother fuckers)
Crazy-"Yeah.I'm bi-polar...."
Me-(thinking, oh shit, I am going to have to kick him in the thorax? Is there enough room to do that in this section? How long would it take me?"
Crazy-"but I'm on medication and it helps. Do you like Ozzy?"
Me-(Thinking and smiling and clenching my fists "What the Fuck?!?")
Crazy- "I like Ozzy (note that he did not wait for my response) and Randy Rhodes"
Me-(thinking and smiling and nodding and hating my fucking staff..."I used to also"
Crazy-I like girls, and Bonnie Raiit. I used to date a girl that was on medication also.It didn't work out. Don't date girls on medication"
Me-(Thinking...Hahahahaha. Brother you are bizarre. You are so fucked up, but have made me laugh inside. Now get out)
Crazy....as he is walking away..."What's your name?"
Me-(thinking-Don't say Tom. He will be back! He will know your name! Tell him "Jim Bob McGillicutty" or "Buck Wild".... just don't say Tom!"
Me-"Tom"
Me-thinking-"ugh"

So what did we learn? Bonnie Raitt is beautiful and deserves a more calculating stalker and Crazy people say the damndest things......maybe we could get Bill Cosby to host that show. This guy should definately up his meds...they are not helping him much.

On another note, someone I care about very much is thinking of an Island Vacation alone. I actually think that it would be good for her. She has always talked about doing it and I think it's a fab idea. She needs it. After the year she has had she really deserves a big getaway, free her mind, get away from people and problems.I hope she does. She's a really special lady and deserves more than what she has gotten lately. While I think it is a bit weird to go to an island by yourself, Nicole baby, do it! Go! You have that and more coming to you! St Croix here you come!

So I went out tonight and had a few drinks in downtown. I found a cool bar and shot some pool with Eric from Fayetteville. Which made me laugh. "Ya'll (there it is again...I fucking giggle every time) ever heard of Fayetteville?" hahaha. Yes buddy I have. Are you happy now? "Sure" SO we shot some pool. I had a couple drinks and a shot and went home.Well....back to my hotel. So here I am , and here I blog. Hope all is well in your part of the world.

Hey, I don't know how many of you have a bible, as you are aware I am a very religious person, about on the level of Ben Stiller in "Meet the Parents" (or was that just lack of knowledge?) "Dear god. Sweet, sweet,sweet, sweet god...." but I am going to recomend that you all read the book of Job at least once in your life. I know. It sounds fucked up and hokey, but you all really should. I am in the bible belt now! Read it, it will fill you with A LOT (two words) of hope.

Any phone calls today would be appreciated I'll be around.

Love and kisses and semi-drunk wishes

Raleigh Tommy

A call for ball

I am on my way out. My second day at Jerry's was great. I noticed two things. 1)Everyone says "Y'all" and 2) everyone is really friendly. The first one cracks me up. I giggle a little bit every time I hear it. The weather was nice and sunny today. I'm really getting into the nuts and bolts of what needs to occur at this place for it to be a sucess. I'm also finding that I like the staff. It's quiet though. I must admit that the lack of traffic is a bit disturbing to me. I liken it to driving a NASCAR racer and taking a right off the track onto a side street with a speed limit of 35.

the title of this post refers to the fact that Dave has organized a fantasy baseball league. We need 10 people to play. We have seven. Any takers? I think it should be fun. I have never done this, nor am I really a baseball fan. But bragging rights would be cool, and you get to make fun of those whose asses you whip. Write me if interested.

So good notes.

I am going out tonight, by myself to shoot some pool and get some drinks. I cannot be holed up in this hotel room another night.

Rob from Toad Hall lives down here now and we're going to get together this weekend (provided I don't find myself in NYC, which is a possibility)

Mike told me that Raliegh (actually his wife told him this as I was bitching about Bo-Bo to him) was just rated the seventh best place for guys to meet women in the U.S. Top ten baby!YEAH!

I was told that I had nice eyes today ( nothing makes you feel good like a compliment from a perfect stranger.)

Women in N.C. mostly smell like fruit and honey (mind you , I am not taking a whiff of the customers when they walk up, that would be rude. You just can't help it. I have always liked nice perfume)

Song of the Day-
I do-Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians
Walking on Sunshine-Katrina and the waves
Something by K.C. and the Sunshine Band or G-Love and Special Sauce (to keep with the "and" genre)

FINAL REQUEST- I could use some blog loving from you out there in cyber world and hope that you will post some good comments. Name some other "and the" bands if you like. I need a laugh. Ooooh I know...

Question of the Day-If you were the leader of an "and the" band, what would it be called

Mine?

Happy T. and the Rebound Loverboys

later gators

Carolina sun on my face, spring in my step

So it's an absolutely beautiful morning here in Raleigh. I think I am going to love this weather.Yesterday was my first day at Jerry's and it went well. I was feeling a bit down from being here., but got through it.
I am looking forward to the next little bit here. In fact, this morning I went outside and drank a cup of tea and thought about all of the recent occurences in my life. I am feeling positive about my future. Last night, I realized alot of things about myself, my inner strength and what the coming year holds for me. It's a great thing.
On another note, I may be back in NY sooner than I thought. I forgot some important documentation there and have to retrieve it.Ugh. I was hoping to only go there at the end of this month. Oh well. More on that to come. I hope you all have a great day. Chin up!