The other day, Julie and I started talking about what our plans are for when our lease is up at the end of the year. She and I have lived together since 1998 and we are good roommates. Used to each others quirks and charms. For the last 8 years, we've been a family.

But things are a tad different now. The dynamics have changed since Jason moved in. Don't get me wrong, I like Jason. Quite a lot actually. Especially since he makes Julie so happy. It's just been challenging adjusting to someone new. Jason's the first straight boy I've lived with since I was in college.* I forgot how odd straight boys can be.

Plus it can be difficult being the single guy versus the couple. I'm not living with the two of them, I'm living them as a unit. When I ask one of them a question, I am asking both of them a question. Fortunately our place is big enough that we aren't on top of each other except for the kitchen. (Dinner time can get a little crowded.) But I realize that they need to be a couple and having me around isn't always conducive to that.

So over the next several months we will be weighing the benefits of going our separate ways or extending our lease for one more year. A huge pro for staying put is life in The Cocoon, as Deek likes to call our neighborhood. I love where I live. All my favorite stuff is nearby. Plus, Deek and Matt are around the corner so it's nice having friends so close. But, life in The Cocoon is going to become very pricey in the near future. Lots of high-rise condos are being built and property values will soar. It's predicted that many of the residents in my income bracket will not be able to afford to live eventually.

So there are decisions to be made. And when it comes to matters of money, I suck. So I may end up living in my car parked in Deek's driveway. Yippee!

*Speaking of way back when, today I got an email today about my TWENTY year high school reunion for next year. That's right kids...20 effing years. I'm all "Oh HELLZ NO it's not been twenty years!" Like I needed this glaring reminder I'm getting older. Bitches.

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Permalink | File Under: Life

Last week I received an email from D, the first in over four years. He said he tried to contact me about our friends who passed away but the email address he had for me was out-of-date. Then he told me that another mutual friend of ours died in July. She was the reason we met. He knew her from high school. I knew her from college.

That's three deaths I've learn about in the past three weeks. I've always hated the saying, "Death comes in threes." It's always seemed a little dim-witted and insensitive, but I'm kind of hoping for now, it's true. My heart is a little worn out from learning of these losses, so it was good it had a reprieve with some happier times this weekend.

Jenn and Kooka's wedding was Saturday. They both were beaming and quite beautiful. The ceremony was nice and the toasts were heartfelt and touching. It was also great visiting with the out-of-towners and friends I haven't seen in a while.

Nights like that remind you how good life is.

Lovely brides, Jenn and Kooka

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Permalink | File Under: Life

Adam and Kacy are bringing sexy back!

While the internet may be great for delivering information and changing the way we communicate, shop, express ourselves, get laid, etc. it's especially good at taking liberties with your friend's photos.

And taunting them with ghetto phone calls. (Holla!)

Long live the tubes!

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Permalink | File Under: Friends, Sharing

Today is Homer's 43rd birthday. Show him some love.

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Permalink | File Under: Friends

Buaernplatte for Two at Haus Murphy's

Last night Adam and I had dinner at Haus Murphy's in historic (?) downtown Glendale. We order the Buaernplatte for Two which has Bratwurst, Knackwurst, Weisswurst, Kassler Kotelett and Pork Schnitzel served with Sauerkruat, Red Cabbage, German Fried Potatoes and German Potato Salad.

Yes, that's a lot of food and yes, we ate much of it. Adam talked in a German accent and sounded like cross between Augustus Gloop and Dieter.

After that we went to see Cirque du Soleil's Delirum where I had a mild anxiety attack. More on that later.

Auf Wiedersehen!

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Permalink | File Under: Friends

I saw this at Biz Stone. Go to your browswer's URL field and which address auto-completes for each of the letters of the alphabet.

A. aaronedwards.net
B. bloglines.com
C. cheapblueguitar.com
D. del.icio.us
E. en.wikipedia.org
F. flickr.com
G. google.com
H. himonkey.net
I. ia8bit.net (I was listening to this while doing this.)
J. jackplotnick.com (I was so surfing MySpace last night for actors.)
K. knottyboy.blogspot.com
L. last.fm
M. mail.google.com
N. naughtyamericanhistory.com (Thank Marc for this.)
O. Zilch!
P. phoenixfest.blogspot.com (I really need to update my bookmark.)
Q. quotes.zaadz.com
R. readymademag.com
S. secretsimon.blogspot.com
T. thisboyelroy.typepad.com
U. unitedlife.com
V. Zilch
W. womenfolk.net
X. Zilch
Y. youtube.com
Z. zaadz.com

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Permalink | File Under: Lists

My head has been swimming in murky waters a bit tonight. After work I called my friend Shane to ask about a friend of ours. I had already read her obituary online, but wanted to hear it from someone I knew.

I haven't seen her in years. When my friendship with D ended, by extention my friendships with others from that circle suffered. It was just too awkward and painful at the time to be around anyone in that group so I stayed away. Months passed. Then years. Now, it's been almost four. From that group I've only kept in touch with two — Shane and Autumn, who's still in Japan — and my correspondence with them is sparse at best.

Shane gave me the back story of what happen. Filled in some of the blanks. Answered some questions. Then he said, "That's been two within the last year."

I paused for a moment and felt my heart sink. "Two?" I asked with my voice cracking. Then he told me about another friend who committed suicide.

I really am out of the loop.

I wasn't particularly close with either — four years of absence obviously proves that — but I'm sad for the losses nonetheless.

A couple weeks ago, before I knew about any of this, I was leafing through a box of old photos. Among all the photos of various birthdays and other celebrations were pictures of her and him. Bright beaming smiles. Young faces.

There are happy memories there. I'm glad I have them.

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We all have them. Here are a few of mine that I'm willing to own up to. (There's at least one that I would NEVER reveal publically...for now.)

• Bootylicious by Destiny's Child


• Daybreak by Barry Manilow


• Dance, Dance by Fall Out Boy


• God is a DJ by Pink

What are some of yours?

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Permalink | File Under: Music, Photos

Dear Korina,

Thanks for the pizza stone. I haven't quite mastered its use yet.

XO,
Brian

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Permalink | File Under: Photos

...I kicked everyone's ass tonight at Killer Bunnies, but I assure you it was not skill but dumb luck.

Liz and Eric invited Megan, Travis and I over to celebrate mine and Megan's birthdays. I love celebrating my birthday more than once. Eric grilled some tasty salmon and we had it with lime cilantro salso. So good. Liz made snickerdoodles for dessert since she knows I like them.

Pictures are here.

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Permalink | File Under: Life