I realize it has been quite some time since last I made an entry. Clear back in the Thanksgiving area actually. A lot has happened since then, and I intended on writing at the end of December, unfortunately, things happened and I was unable to. So let me try doing some catching up here.

I must admit, after my last entry, I was fully looking forward to Christmas. I was working on my Christmas page as well as getting my own Christmas decorations up in my house. I only had one wall that was that way, but that was all I really needed. I had the lights on every night. I always get that special feeling around Christmas, one of the things that make me love that time of year so much. Most people seem to change around that time of year also, start becoming a bit more friendly, and generous. Unfortunately, I was talking to my dad about, and the way Christmas works is it just slowly builds up from Thanksgiving clear up until Christmas Eve night, when it peaks. Right after Christmas night though, it all comes crashing down and in not time it seem to be in the distant pass, even though it may have only been a couple of weeks ago. That's the part that I think sucks the most...

Anyway, my Christmas was very blessed this year. Once again, I went to Valerie's house. I got there Christmas Eve Eve and we went and watched a movie, The Green Mile (highly recommended if you ask me). The next night we went to one of her sister's houses. That's where a lot of the fun was. We all sat around telling stories, and joking around a bit, and talking. A lot of laughing and smiles were all around. That's one thing that makes this time of year so special. There was also plenty to eat, and not quite enough to drink, but everyone made due. At the end of the night was the most interesting thing... and keep in mind there was no alcohol present here. Val's son, who is 13 years old now, was going to run to her house to grab the South Park Christmas Special that we had recorded on tape. Somehow talking got done, and somewhere along the line, some money started being talked about. Within no time, he was stripping down to boxers, and running down the street wearing nothing but his boxers, a Santa hat, and his boots while singing Christmas Carols. He ran for four blocks before getting to his house. Everyone was saying that that was the fastest anyone had ever seen him run. And what did he get out of it... 50 bucks. Like I said, something I will remember for years to come.

The next morning we had the opening of gifts. A little bit of snow fell on the ground to outline everything in white. It just added the perfect little touch. The afternoon we spent backing up some stuff and playing around with our new toys. Later that night, we all went over to Val's parents house where there were a few more gifts to be opened, and some more laughing and smiling. Just the way a Christmas should be. It was definitely a memorable one. So, it is here that I wish to thank Val, Jared, Jason, Melissa, Jeff, Val's Parents, Bev and Donna, alone with everyone else who were present, for giving me such a memorable Christmas. I will carry it around with me always...

The next day however, I had to go home.... but that was not the end

The day after I left there, I came to work in the morning, and then that afternoon I was on a plane, flying home to Oregon. Unfortunately, on the plane is where my laptop's display burned out, and that is why I have been unable to make a journal entry, or any other updates for so long. I was going to work on it some while I was in Oregon, but was unable to. Oh well, as long as I'm doing it now.

I flew home, and was greeted at the airport by my mother and sister. We got my luggage and then drove to my Dad's house in Central Oregon. The next day was once again Christmas Gift opening day for me and everyone else. We did that at my step-grandmother's house. We also had some food to snack on, but had to leave early because my stepmother had to work. But that was all right, because we went back the next morning for breakfast. I spent the first few days there at my dad's and then hopped in my truck and drove up north to Portland to spend New Year's with my best friend, James and his wife Heather. I think the best way to spend the new coming year was with my friends, rather than out with the crowds of people that were all over. It was an excellent night, just sitting around, talking with all of them, barbequing some steaks, and drinking frozen margaritas for a good portion of the night. The next day we spent recovering, and James and I went around town just browsing. That night we went to a Comedy Club where I laughed harder than I have laughed in a long time. I wish I could go in some detail about that, but it wouldn't nearly as funny.

The next day, I had to head back to my Dad's, but before I left, I called who I consider to be my ex-girlfriend Francine just to talk, but she asked me if I wanted to meet one of her daughters and her new grandchild. (long story) I said sure, and then made plans to stop by there on the way out. I spent a couple of hours there and then got word that if I was going to leave that night, I had to leave then because there was snow on the pass between Portland and where my dad was. So I said my goodbyes to her because I already knew I was coming back that trip.

The next day at my dad's place, we went out and about and did things. This was the only day that I visited that my stepmother wasn't working. Unfortunately, that night was also the night I had to get on the bus to go back down to where I lived for a good portion of my life, Klamath Falls, Oregon. Not much to the bus ride and all that. While I was down in Klamath, we went out a few times, and I also visited a couple of more friends that I had. I also went to my old high school so I could see my old Choir Teacher. It was good to see him again, even if it was for only a brief few moments. Before I knew it, I was leaving Klamath Falls to go back north to my final stop before coming back here... to Portland once again.

It was a train ride that I took across Oregon from South to North. I love train travel than any other I think. Don't get me wrong, I love planes... but trains are the way to go. I spent a good portion of the time just looking out the window at everything going by. Also got in a conversation with a couple of people that were very entertaining. Then when we got to the station in Portland, Francine picked me up. We talked quite a bit about different things... but one of the topics I remember talking about most was Val. I care for Val deeply, but don't know where my feelings go with her. Francine helped me realize how deep my feelings do go for her for the time being. So that night, a little while after we got to Fran's house, I gave Val a call, just so I could listen to her voice for a few moments. After I hung up, I felt pretty darn peaceful. I stayed at Francine's place that night; we watched a couple of movies and then went to bed. I realize how special Francine still is to me... not as a love... but as a friend. I get along with her so well, even with the differences I see in us now... I can say now that I never again want Francine as a love... but I never want to lose her as a friend.

The next morning, we got up and then she took me to the airport so that I could fly back to South Carolina. After I got here, things went back to normal. Much ado about nothing. My laptop has been sent off to be repaired. And my days are lonelier than before, because I don't really know anyone in town anymore. After work, I just kind of go home and sit around. I am going to have to do something this weekend though.

Only one exciting time has been here since my return from Oregon, and that is when Val came down here to visit me. This was all last weekend. Friday, we went to a movie, Supernova (which wasn't very good mind you...). But Saturday was our day. First we went down to market street and looked around, and then ate at Wild Wings... a restaurant totally based on chicken wings... very good place to eat and I recommend it. Then we went out to my favorite spot in this whole city... which is just like a dock or pier just off of Market Street, which has a fountain and everything. I just love going out there every time I'm in the area. I enjoy all the birds, the fresh air, and the breeze off the ocean. Then we went back to my place where we got ready to go... and then we went to a Japanese Restaurant around here where they cook in front of you. That was also fun. But after that, we went to a local bar called JoJo's for some Karaoke.

We spent three to four hours there, I sang a few songs, and she got up for the first time and did a great job. I was getting a lot of compliments on it myself, which really makes me feel good. One reason I am starting to enjoy it so much. A lot happened that night. In the future I'll have to start getting into some fine detail about stuff like this... but I believe this entry is already becoming too long.

Therefore, this is where I am about to end it. I am planning on making more frequent entries after I get up and running better. More descriptive ones, too. You can't grasp how good the past month has been for me just by this entry along, and I'm sorry that you can't. You'll just have to take more word for it. I just wanted to get all this in so that you all knew what I have been up to.

I plan on working on this page a lot more in the coming months. Finishing the pages I already had planned to make, and thinking of adding another one, one dedicated more to my high school. But that is on the drawing board. I need to work on these others some more.

Son once again, sorry for the long and not too descriptive entry... I am going to do my best to work on it so I'll have better future entries.

Until then...