Monday. The last day of December 2001 and thereby the last day of 2001.

Worked for three hours and then Julia, Dee, Rick and I ditched and went to our neo-traditional post-work eatery: Chinese Gourmet (or “Chuck E. Chinese” as we call it – that location was a Chuck E. Cheese in a prior life). Jess met us there.

After lunch, Jess and I met Scott and Angie at Ye Olde Borders for tea, chai and mocha. We then went to Scott’s and hung out with him, Angie and Dan for New Year’s Eve. We played cards and videogames. We ate snacks and drank various beverages. We talked. We had fun. It was a nice, low-key evening. We’re heading back there tomorrow (today) for New Year’s lunch/dinner.

Quote of the Day: Today’s quote was a joint effort from Jess, Julia, Dee, Rick and me. Have you seen my hat? Unfortunately, it was one of those “you had to be there things,” so posting it is more for our own edification/gratification than anything else.

Random bits and pieces:

  • On the way to lunch, I snapped this picture. I hopped out of the car, ran down to Dee’s car, took the pic, ran back to the car. I should also mention that there was a car between us. I think that I scared the lady in the middle car. It was no “Chinese Fire Drill” (and why they are called that, I have NO idea), but it was almost as fun.
  • It snowed tonight (1, 2, 3, 4).
  • I noticed this (1, 2, 3) brand of food, for the first time, tonight. Not even the frozen foods aisle was safe. You have to wonder: What possesses someone to name a food brand “Krusteaz?” I would think that you’d want something a little more… appetizing… if you intend for people to want to buy it. Of course, I’m not in marketing or advertising, so I could be way off-base with this one.
  • Doesn’t this usually require two consenting adults, even if they are videogame (Metal Gear Solid 2 for the PlayStation²) characters? Shouldn’t the upside-down guy be awake at least? Hmm. Maybe he was just so bored that he decided to catch a quick 40 winks and hope that it would be over by the time he woke up. Who knows?

And in closing, I’d like to say that, for me, 2001 was a good year. Naturally, there were good and bad points in it, but in the final analysis: There were enough positive points to outweigh the negatives. I hope that 2001 left you better than it found you; if not, I hope that 2002 is more kind.

Best wishes to all of you, your families and friends for the new year. Make as much of out of this year as you can… and share it with others, if at all possible.

Peace.