i never really enjoyed opening gifts in front of other people. the only exception i would make is the christmas gift opening with the family. i don’t like opening gifts in front of other people because they are always watching you with hawk eye intensity trying to gauge how much you like their gift.

so then there’s already a bit of pressure for you to like the gift. now i don’t really care if i get gifts or what gifts i get from people, it really is the thought that counts. and so i will always appreciate the thought…if not the gift. =P

i don’t think it’s rude to open gifts in front of each other, though.

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i went to bed, bath, and beyond today after a tip from paul who said that he saw poker chips being sold there. it turns out that they are of the cheaper variety and i didn’t get a very good feeling of them while i was playing with the store model.

they also had a poker table top for sale. a table, complete with individual chip racks, for eight people was merrily on sale as well. i was tempted, but i wasn’t sure where i would put the thing in my apartment anyway….besides, i still have to make room for the foosball table i want somewhere.

what i noticed at bed, bath, and beyond though was the cashier. he seemed like a rather unhappy fellow who was there in body, but certainly not in spirit. after i purchased my items, he wished my goodbye with these parting words, “have a holiday.”

not “have a happy holiday”, but “have a holiday.” in a complete monotone voice. without cracking a smile. he just said it very matter of factly.

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i’ve heard a few times over about the painful memories that some people have when it comes to their ex’s. they lament about how tragic it is and they focus on the negative. they don’t understand why things have taken such a wretched turn and they believe the world will never be as good. these are the people who are still entrenched in the pains of loss. they remember all of the good, yet conveniently forget all of the bad.

and then people believe, particularly in long term relationships, that everything that they went through was a waste. a waste of time, a waste of energy, and a waste of effort. everything that they had done was for nothing.

i know this because i went through it.

i know that it doesn’t seem like much, but things do get better. everyone is so goal-focused these days, it’s a wonder anybody actually enjoys life for what it is. a large part of life is not about getting “it” right. it’s about the journey.

the journey of life is what builds our character and is what ultimately makes us who we are. we may have to fall and stumble a little bit here and there, sometimes we have to plunge deep into the abyss of depression. but when we emerge from the hardships that life has thrown at us, we come out stronger and more able to cope with whatever life throws at us.

many people lose sight of the journey. we get too caught up keeping up with the jones that we forget that we have our own paths to forge. it’s during the christmas season that i always remember that life is about the journey as i reflect about this past year and where i’ve come.

for those of you who find this time of the year painful for whatever reason, try to take comfort that you are not alone. there are those who have pained like you have, who have cried those same tears that you cry and they have persevered.

endless vigilance must be kept for the good. it’s out there waiting to be found.

i woke up at 6:20am this morning. it was by intention, not mischance. why? i’m going to the [url=http://www.nba.com/games/20031223/LALGSW/preview.html]warriors (12-13) game[/url] tonight where they are pitted against the pitiful lakers (20-5 eep!). i’m going with three lakers fans, so i think that i may have to cheer extra loud.

i had to go into work early today because i hitched a ride from paul who gets into work at insanely early hours.

but the lakers will be without karl malone unfortunately…because in his old age, he hurt himself last sunday. go figure that in his 18+ year career he’s only missed 11 games and today will make his 12th. grrrr.

the lakers have won 10 of their last 14 games against the warriors which means it’s about time that the warriors step it up and beat some laker butt. it’s not that i don’t like the lakers, but you GOTTA root for the home team, you know? unless, of course, they are playing the kings…if that’s the case, all bets are off and the kings are going to have to win.

the warriors are in a 3 way tie for 3rd place in their division. i think this is going to put them at .500.

go warriors!

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