Before I get on with my regular witty update I just need to recognize my brother Charles for graduating from high school yesterday. CONGRATULATIONS, Sir ! ! ! Isn't this when life is supposed to really start, ya know, the big bad cruel world of reality? Yeah, good luck with that brotha. But I will say this; life at 19 is very different than life at 25, VERY different. I've tried not to be all cheesy and welcome you to the real world and all that cliche bullshit. None of that matters, NONE OF IT. Just wake up tomorrow and find some kind of happiness for yourself, THAT'S a reasonable goal.

Violence was just one of many emotions I felt while on my "jaunt" to Texas. Let's see, there was rage, fury, wrath, and borderline hysteria as well. I almost died once, and almost killed someone too. Wouldn't you all like to know what the hell I'm talking about. Alas I cannot reveal the source of my "frustration." If you were there you already know, if you weren't you can probably guess.

My trip to Texas wasn't ALL bad. I got to hang out, and get ditched by, my brother Tyler. I also got to meet Charles' girlfriend - she's much taller than I had imagined. I was also driven around town in a car with no air conditioning, and much to my dismay, it wasn't that bad. Granted, the car needed to be moving at over 40 mph to feel comfortable. Goddamn that Texas size heat. I don't have a sweating problem like someone I know, so no pit stains for me.

I'm making it all seem worse than it really was. I did enjoy myself, and my brothers. The four of us - me, Gray, Charles, and Tyler - get along exceedingly well. And we ALWAYS have fun. I find that rare. I usually can't stand being around people - all people. So I don't know how those three don't piss me off. Am I being too schmoozy? If so, I also had to endure the awkwardness of being around a group of people who'd come together to celebrate an event, but would otherwise NEVER see each other. Charles mom and step-dad, his dad and his step-mom (my mom), and his dad's parents. Weirdness was abound - awkard handshakes, enough small talk to fill three lifetimes, mindnumbingly boring stories, and lots of fake laughs and pretended interest in conversation. Everyone did it, don't pretend you didn't. Ha, poor Charles.

MOVING NEWS, I know you've all been eagerly awaiting my commentary and analysis. As of last Thursday, the 27th, we are officially moved in. The actual move took SO much longer than my sister and I had anticipated. It was an all day event! And a bit more costly than I expected, but worth it. The moving process is never fun - handing over all of one's posessions to complete strangers is not my idea of a relaxing experience. But these guys were relatively cool. One of them was sweet on Grayson.

The only thing that really did my in was the complete boredom of the experience. There is NOTHING to do but watch and wait. And I was spent from the days beforehand. We got the condo on Sunday, I was in the next day painting. Nine hours a day, paint paint paint. It turned out phenomenal though and I am SO friggin proud of myself. I painted one wall in my sisters room a deep red. She has a leather bed and it looks fantastic against that wall. Now, my room, the piece de resistance of the whole condo! I have blue carpet so I had to work with that. What goes well with blue - some of you may be thinking green or perhaps yellow, but imagine ORANGE. Yeah baby, I painted orange accent walls. It looks bang on fantastic! To downplay the orange a bit I painted most of the walls a light mocha color. I will, of course, have pictures soon. As soon as I get it all settled. I did the kitchen today...sort of, not decorated, just unpacked. Tomorrow I start on the mountain of boxes that have become the Little Rockies in the basement.

That's all I got for now. I saw two movies over the weekend so look forward to reviews on those. Tonight is Barkley's first night in the new place. Of course, I am stressing....of course I am, that's what I do.

Just to keep all inquiring minds fulfilled - I'm still losing weight. I've lost a total of 26.8 pounds so far. I got my "I Lost 25 Pounds" magnet proudly displayed on my refrigerator. I really do feel a sense of accomplishment. I haven't figured out exactly why I decided to start, but I'm doing it with reckless abandon. When I look in the mirror I still see the same person. I don't see a tremendous difference. The only way I have to gauge that is others reactions when they see me. Tyler said "Yeah, you've lost like so much weight." I got a chuckle out of that. What's hard to swallow is how I must of looked 26.8 pounds ago if I'm inspiring such reactions from people. That's a nice little nugget to leave you all with. Enjoy!