This being the last day of 2003, I guess maybe I should deign it important enough to take the time to post once again. Once again this year, I haven't a clue what my plans will be for New Year's Eve. Madison has been suggested, but I don't know if I want to deal with having to get back to A-town in time for work on Thursday. The Fish House has been suggested, and their deal doesn't sound so bad, but I don't know if I really want to spend New Year's at The Fish House. Several other possibilities, including Jekyll's, have been suggested also, but I guess I won't know what's going down officially until tomorrow afternoon or early evening.

I see from my time out on the town this evening with Corey and Josh that there are two new businesses now open. Jimmy John's sandwich shop is open next to MacGregor's, while the Vegas Lounge has opened in the former location of the Gibson Grill and Champaign Charlie's. We didn't get in either one tonight. No, instead we started out the evening at Jim's Place, where we spent a good amount of time amusedly conversing with Marty, who was once a bartender there, but was only back tonight as the "celebrity bartender." We then moved on to Mill Creek Blues, where the regular Tuesday night Jeff Johnston Jam Session was going down. That place was downright dead. Now I'm home recanting all of this for you good folks... and also so Dave can read all about what he missed while having his morning bagel and coffee.

I feel like watching a movie now, so I'll get back to y'all another time.

The Brat has been home just over a week and I've already long ago reached my limit with him. He never talks politics, but the day he finally does, I know of no better conservative than him - he cares about himself, himself, and nobody else but himself. I've had enough of him wearing a hat at the dinner table. I've had enough of him deciding he needs to run in the shower quick right as he sees me getting ready to shower. I've had enough of him leaving my parents' computer signed on 24-hours-a-day, even though we have a dial-up connection through AOL, so I have to go sign him off every time I want to use my computer. I've had enough of his swearing - every other word out of his mouth is a swear word... on good days - and his complete lack of consideration for anyone but himself. I just can't wait for him to go back to La Crosse so I don't have to deal with the spoiled, spoiled brat anymore. The saddest part is, my mom doesn't even realize just how much she spoils him! My dad has finally started to take note as I pointed it out to him (and he quit taking it like I'm just jealous), but he doesn't actually do anything about it. Make the kid get a job! On his own! Don't give him everything he wants! Quit tolerating his BS!

Merry Christmas everyone! I just returned home from Jekylls, which was probably the only bar open in town. I met Corey there after church. Yes, I was in church tonight. Let me talk to you about P.C. Why are we changing the words now to traditional Christmas carols to make them politically correct? Fuck political correctness! Let's just leave these songs well enough alone. I won't have it.

Well, the morning will be coming soon. Everyone have a safe and happy holidays.

If anyone has 24 hours to kill starting at 7pm CST tonight, I suggest you tune in to Turner Classic Movies. TCM is showing 11 hours of Billy Wilder movies, followed by 13 hours of Fritz Lang Movies. The films they're showing are:

• 7:00 pm - The Fortune Cookie
• 9:30 pm - The Front Page
• 11:30 pm - Witness for the Prosecution
• 1:30 am - One, Two, Three
• 3:30 am - The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes
• 6:00 am - Metropolis
• 8:15 am - M
• 10:15 am - Fury
• 12:00 pm - You Only Live Once
• 1:30 pm - Hangmen Also Die
• 3:45 pm - Clash by Night
• 5:30 pm - The Blue Gardenia

It's almost enough to make me want to call in sick to work. Damn you work!