Top Ten Things I Love About My Friend Rowdy

10. Guaranteed designated driver.

9. On the Border is much more special with him than with anyone else.

8. As much as I eat for a girl, he always eats more.

7. He goes to church.

6. Even after three years, he's never pressured me for ANYTHING.

5. Biceps.

4. Pecs.

3. Hilarious blog posts on MySpace that are so funny, you know no one could ever make them up.

2. Bon Jovi sing-alongs in the green Jeep for which he STILL hasn't gotten VA plates.

1. Knowing I have a friend who will always be there for me.

Field of Gray by JunkFood

Because I can't get it out of my head . . . this is for Dusty.

everyday feels like a lifetime
every noise i hear is coming after me
the world keeps closing in
i know they're coming to take you away

every pill brings back the life
it sucks me closer, closer to the end
my pounding head is starving for answers
my brain won't question anything

how long before i remember
how long before you fade away

is it really crazy just to think
someday
the little things won't mean anything
another day
i belong in this field of gray
and you belong with me

lock the doors, i let no one in
i set the table for me and me and me
inside this bottle i see the light
it helps me help you go away

how long before i surrender
how long before they take me away

is it really crazy just to think
someday
the little things won't mean anything
another day
i belong in this field of gray
and you belong with me

i want, i need
i can't find right from wrong
i want, i bleed
and i can't break free

is it really crazy just to think
someday
the little things won't mean anything
another day
i belong in this field of gray
and you belong with
you belong to me

Thankful

Geez, it's been a while, over a month. I've been busy, and I really mean that. I worked 60+ hours of overtime in the last month, and kept my out-of-work time filled with fun and frolic. Buffet mode rocks my world and keeps me entertained, if not out of trouble. It's good fun to just spend time with interesting guys that are so different from one another. They all have their nicknames and perks, pros and cons. It's a smorgasboard and I'm definitely enjoying the feast.

The parents came down and we had our own little Thanksgiving today with two of my friends who are also far from home. We ate like maniacs, watched football, drank wine, and smoked hookah. A truly good holiday.

Everyone should count their blessings, especially today. In that spirit, I am posting a list of things for which I'm thankful . . .

• My freedom, and my life and work in this wonderful country.
• My family, who taught me what love means and remind me every day.
• My friends, who support me no matter what dumb thing I've just done.
• My health, which is a true blessing for which to serve my purpose on the Earth.
• My faith, which pulled me out of many a fall, and continues to move me.

These priceless things are all that really matter. The rest is just paychecks and needless worry. I am fortunate enough to have everything I need . . . and I really want to stop whining so much, because I have no reason to.

At the end of the day, my hope keeps me an optimist. The good in me will always prevail.