Word up homies. So, I will start off by saying I am happy to announce I am working less than 50; more than 45 hours a week now. I think the last time I was able to say that was in early September. Crazy I know.

I hope everyone is having a good holiday season. I know that it took me some time; but I think I am starting to think this isn't going to be such a bad holiday season after all. Good friends, good times; large bar tabs. Well, I could do without the large bar tabs.

But the house is becoming more and more complete. The plumbing and electrical will be done by mid-next week and sheet rock should be up by the first week of January. I know, the same update for how long?

So, now that the house is coming along, I have the promotion; what else is going on in Marcus's world? Nothing terribly exciting. I went and saw Syriana. It was good; but not the movie to watch when you have been drinking and are not in the mood to pay attention. Also saw Narnia and that movie rocked.

I remember the movies as a kid and they kicked serious ass as did the movie. I really hope the decide to finish the rest of the series as the other books were just as good as the first.

I am almost done with Christmas shopping which will be nice. But I still have to do my Christmas cards which always takes longer than I anticipate. I should set a timeline of which I have milestones in which to meet. Maybe then I will have them done by the time Christmas comes around.

DAMN CAFE RIO

So, numerous people have confirmed what I have feared to come true. Cafe Rio now will have a downtown location. Of course after I have long lobbied to have a downtown location and have since moved to the "Southlands" of the Salt Lake Valley; they now have a downtown location.

Am I bitter over this? Very much so. It is complete B.S. If they open up a Cafe Rio on Main St. that only serves to-go orders for businesses during the day; I think I'll go Michael Douglas "Falling Down" on someone.

SO I'M A GEEK, WHAT OF IT?

It has been brought to my attention that I am a geek. Apparently the following makes you what you would call a "nerd":

• Star Wars Fan
• Know what a Sarlacc Pit is
• Have beat Halo and Halo 2
• Play Fantasy Football (don't know how this makes me nerdy...)
• Was overjoyed to see Narnia, Lord of the Rings and all of the Star Wars
• Spent hours refining my MP3 collection (even I have to admit...it's impressive)
• Watch the O.C. (go Chrismaka!!!)
• CNET.com is on my favorites at home and work
• I call CompUSA and Best Buy the "Toy Stores"
• Weezer is one of my favorite bands
• I own a Star Wars vintage shirt

So, if these are components to defining a geek; then I guess I am a geek. I am not gong to shy away from the prior mentioned traits because they might be "geeky". But I have never been to a comic book convention, watched Star Trek and have deep theological discussions on Star Wars. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I hate that people are afraid to say Merry Christmas or even Happy Holidays. This time of year; when you go to the store or somewhere and say Merry Christmas you are usually met with a "deer in headlights" look. WTF? Since when was it so politically incorrect to say either?

Hell, not even the president has the balls to put Happy Holidays on his Christmas card. Oh, and it isn't X-Mas by the way. There is no such thing as X-Mas.

- Boston Renames 'Christmas Tree' to the 'Holiday Tree'

MUSIC OF THE MOMENT...

So, with my latest resurgence in listening to music. I thought I would put the three albums that I can't seem to get enough of. Does this mean you need to run out and check them out...yes. Yes it does.

- Beatles; The White Album: For those who only know the Beatles for their hits. This is a must. But avoid 'Revolution 9'; it is a little weird. Songs like Rocky Raccoon; Happiness is a Warm Gun along with a handful of ones that you will already know you're bound to like it (if you're a Beatles fan that is)

- Modest Mouse; The Moon & Antarctica: If you like their last album Good News for People Who Like Bad News; then you'll like this one.

- Weezer; Blue Album Deluxe Edition: This is a must have for any Weezer fan. The B Side tracks are epic and classic Weezer. 'Mykel and Carli' and 'Jamie' are two classic tracks that are right up there with my favorite Weezer tracks

Those are three albums that have been playing non stop in the Subaru lately. Don't care how you get them; just do it.
 

I am going insane. Yep, completely insane. No sleep, long hours at the office and burned out of work. I have another week, or that is what I tell myself. Another week of this hell and I will have some time to myself. I haven't looked this forward to Thanksgiving since I was a kid. I think I am going to take a week off when all of the dust settles.

I'm not going to do shit the entire time. No christmas shopping, no going to work, nothing. I am going to show up to work after a week off and look like a hobo (think Ron Burgandy in Anchorman). I don't even think I'll change my clothes during this time. I'm going to take a sleeping bag and to sit in a cave for a week.

What had become known as the vehicular version of the chick magnet, is now in critical condition. I was making my way downtown to meet Mr. Hollen for coffee and the truck got all hot and bothered. The 'Check Engine' Light came on for a real long time...six minutes.

Now, there are events that occur in life where you remember where you were when you heard the news: Kennedy being shot, O.J. verdict, Princess Di's death and the breakup of Brad and Jenn. This event isn't close to being in that category, I would be lying if I said it did. But...to my circle of friends...this is equivalent those.

Ryan "Yes...I'm Basque" Pagoaga is engaged. I know...if you know him, you should have been sitting when you read that. Even if you already knew, it is surprising to all of us. Now, it isn't that he found someone to say yes or that he found someone to ask. It is just that when we first met we compiled what was called the 'Depth Chart'. This was the order people were supposed to get married. Here is where it stood in 2000. Brandon doesn't count because he was practically married when we met him.

- Marcus - Megan - Melissa
- Jen
- Justin
- Ryan
- Freddy

The surprising part is that I remained in the top spot even after Lindsey and I broke up. But, you will notice that Ryan and Freddy are at the bottom. And out of that list...they will be the first two to go.

This is like pulling the string on a button and watching it fall..but it is that one button that you needed for the shirt to look okay. Without it, it just looks odd. That is what Ryan's engagement has done. Up is down...left is right...Megan shops will start shopping at the Gap and Freddy will become a vegetarian.

Either way, they are a perfect fit and I think I'm not alone in saying congrats Ryan and Cat. I'm glad to see that Cat will be able to improve the Basque blood line; now his kids have a fighting chance of being normal cause of her.

AND THE ALTICE AWARD OF UNSMOOTHNESS GOES TOO...

So, I have to say that if there was an award for being ultra unsmooth with hitting on a woman; I might have to throw myself into the running. We'll call this the Altice Award of Unsmoothness. So, allow me to explain myself ::No, no Marcus...keep going. We are all totally interested::

After dinner the other night, I was dropping the guys off up at the ATO house and heading back home. No big deal, it had just rained and I was heading home. As I was driving home, I said I would call someone after dinner. I call and she answers..."What are you up to?...Nothing, you?" Now as I am driving along; the lines are hard to see on the road when it rains; especially up at the dorms.

Now, two girls start to cross the street. I was going fairly fast (surprise...surprise) and stopped when I realized people were crossing. Now, they were never in any danger of getting hit; but it was more of a "thanks asshole...glad to see you could stop" type of situation. So, they cross the street only to realize the girl I was talking to...was the girl who I "almost hit". Nice huh?

None the less, talked to her and her friend and apologized profusely for it. I would have offered them a ride; but her friends building was close by and safe from having to cross the street. So, I have nominated myself for the Altice Award of Unsmoothness which is sponsored by Old Milwaukee Beer.

NO NEWS FROM THE JOB FRONT...