Big News

Starting with the big news ...

I got me a new phone .. check it out:

I wasn't sure if I was going to like it so I was going to test it out for 2 weeks and return it. But I love this phone. I am going to keep it. It has EV-DO highspeed so when I tether it to a computer I can get speeds of 700Kps. My DSL is about 1100Kbps, so it is very fast. The only problem I see is that tethering your phone to your computer is frowned upon by Sprint. Apparently, there is no rule against it now but you will get a letter if you abuse it. I don't plan on using it much, just for when I need access to the Internet when I am on 24hr call for work and not near a wireless access point. I will try to get a definative answer from Sprint soon because they will charge you a ton of money in over usage.

I am enjoying the slim-ness of the phone and I can create my own mp4 ringtones. Michael has the theme from Sealab 2021, and The Greek has the intro to Jump by Madonna ... as requested.

What would you like your ringtone to be?

The past few days have been a blur. Friday, Saturday, and yesterday I was with The Greek. We have been spending a lot of time together, and it has been great. Our relationship is (surprisingly) very easy and there aren't any major issues. I think we've talked just about everything, and nothing seems to be off limits. Just the fact that we do talk is nice. I am meeting one of his friends tomorrow for dinner, and I am going to a house warming party with him this Saturday. So, I guess I am being formally introduced to everyone. We'll see how everything goes.

The Greek and I were having dinner at Panda this past Saturday, were he mention this perfume he like. Perfume and cologne are the same thing in terms of language in Greece. He asked what was the most "gay" thing do in term of grooming. I mentioned that I wear my Tree Oil Face Mask from The Body Shop twice a week. He laughed. Externally, I told him if I didn't do this my face would be one big zit; internally, I was thinking "You wear perfume and LOVE Madonna, but me wearing a facial mask in the privacy of my own home is 'gay'." But you know, whatever. While dining he was becoming increasing annoyed by these rowdy gays who were reading their fortune cookies. The would finish whatever they read with "...in bed." Example:

Fortune Cookie: "You are very skilled and won't settle for anything less than perfection."
Rowdy Gays: "...IN BED!"

I didn't seem to mind, mostly because that joke is tired ... but The Greek was not amused. He mentioned that we should eat in other places besides the gay area. When they finally left he seemed more calm.

After dinner we saw Transamerica. It was a good movie and it was different than what I expected. I thought the theatre was going to be packed considering that lead actress Felicity Huffman won a Golden Globe for her performance. But when we arrived it was about 1/4 full. It worked out well because I hate packed theaters. Unless they have stadium seating, then I don't mind that much.

I went to see Brokeback Mountain again on Sunday with my housemate. Even though I saw the movie a month ago, I was surprised how good is was/is during the second viewing. There were some things I missed the first viewing that I caught on Sunday. I don't want to go on and on about the movie and spoil it for those who haven't seen it. But my housemate finally understood why I was so infuriated when Gene Shaliat referred to Jake Gyllenhaal's character (Jack Twist) as a sexual predator during his review of the movie. Which made no sense at all. How could Jack Twist be a sexual predator if the Heather Ledger (Ennis Del Mar) was a willing participant in the relationship. Jack may have been the original aggressor, but Ennis was just as aggressive. Gene Shaliat has since apologized for his comments, but the damage has already been done. My housemate and I think that Gene didn't even see the entire, but only the trailer because he seem to be fixated on the sheep than the love story of the characters. I don't expect everyone to love this movie, but a guy like Gene (who has a gay son) should have worded his review a bit better. Consequently, he has a book coming out soon so maybe he was trying to get his name in the headlines.

Anyway ...

I am playing tennis tonight looking to win in straight sets. There is only one guy in particular that I am worried about because he has a great first serve. Everyone see to be on my level of play. I just need to keep the play and play and be conservative with my shot making. I will post the result when I get home.

edit: I lost; 6-4, 2-6, 2-2. Because of time the total number of points determines the winner. I end up playing they guy I was worried about.

This past Saturday I played tennis for three hours and I brought my digital camera with him to get some video. I got a 1GB fast card so the video ended up being like 30 minutes long. I will edit it down and I will post it as my highlight reel soon. From watching the video, I notice that my service motion is a bit clunky so I need to smooth it out a bit. I will be working on it over the next couple of months.

I am working on my taxes and hopefully will be able to finish on Friday. I need my W2 from my current employer, but I received the W2 from the previous one. I am using HR Block free tax program, like I have done for the past 2 years. I am not sure whether or not I will file for tax taxes. I lived in New York State for only 5 months and 4 days so technically I don't have to file. I don't expect much of a return I will do the forms and see how much I will get back, if it is a couple of hundred buck then I will file.

I wondering if I should include the money from my part-time stripping gig? Is there a sweating-single dollar bill deduction?