Thursday, December 20, 2007 - Catching Up

Hey kids! I didn't get to update yesterday because I was busy working on a project that I wanted to get finished so that I can take tomorrow off. I was able to get done with the major portion of it, and now I just have a few more things to do before I can enjoy the long 5 day holiday weekend. I am not sure how consistent I will be about blogging, but considering that I am planning on hitting the mall tomorrow to pick up some last minute items, I am sure I will need to vent.

On to the bullets!

• Holiday Party - As I've blogged about in the past, I was in charge of the office Holiday Party this year, and since we're a not-for-profit, it wasn't like I was wallowing in funds to make it a black tie affair with an open bar. Everything went off without a hitch, and I think everyone was pretty happy with it. The food was good and plentiful, and the people really got into the White Elephant gift exchange. It is definitely hard planning something like this for people of extremely diverse backgrounds, but in the end, I was happy to do it. Frankly, it was nice to hear people say, "I'm so happy you're our IT Director," because I have certainly had my bouts of negativism for this job.
• Jeff Ranieri Update - As you saw in my fan obsessed entry from Tuesday, I love watching Jeff Ranieri on NBC. In the course of my preparation for that blog, I found his MySpace page, and after some nerves, yes, I get nerves on silly things like MySpace, I decided to attempt making him my internet friend. I've never really been one to gawk or disturb celebrities or people in the media. I've always felt that they have a right to their own privacy, and they last thing they need is for me to bum rush them while they are at dinner because I want an autograph. This lead to me not totally geeking out (well, at least externally) when I saw Ian McKellen eating dinner in San Fransisco. Anyway, I sent out the friend request, and I figured it would sit there for a while. Well, I run Yahoo Messenger at work, and I get little notifications whenever I get an email. I almost swallowed my tongue when I saw "New Message from Jeff Ranieri." HOLY SHIT, Martha! OMG! and all other internet abbreviations! I responded back to his email, and I told him about the blog entry. If he wants me to alter it in anyway, I said I would do so, though I am usually leery of censoring myself. He's probably filing papers for a restraining order anyway...
• Make The Hobbit Happen - Another geek obsession of mine is the world of JRR Tolkein. Now, I have not read everything out there because I really cannot get into some of the intensely dense narrative of his ancillary works. However, I have been a hobbit lover since I was a child, and when it was announced that Peter Jackson would adapt The Lord of the Rings, I pretty much soiled myself. I just hoped I lived long enough to see them in the theater! Then after the third movie came out, speculation began as to whether The Hobbit would be made into a movie, and obviously, geeks wanted it fast tracked, especially in view of the fact that Ian McKellen is no spring chicken. No one else can be Gandalf, period! Anyway, then the news of how the rights to the movie version of The Hobbit were tied up between different studios, which made it a nightmare, and then Peter Jackson sued New Line for money he felt he was owed for The Fellowship of the Ring, which lead to very bad blood between him and the studio. Long story short, it looked like The Hobbit was either never going to be made or it was going to end up being made by someone other than Jackson. Then something miraculous happened. Bob Shaye's contract as president of New Line is up next year, and with The Golden Compass underperforming, he really needed to swallow his pride and make The Hobbit happen. The deal was struck, and at least Peter Jackson will be involved. There are rumors that Guellimo Del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth) may direct, which I think would be an awesome fit. Now, if only I live long enough to see The Hobbit and the second movie that will bring them all and in the darkness bind them.
• A Christmas BRAWL for myself - While I was shopping online for my nieces, I found that I could get 90 days same as cash if I purchased over $100 in stuff. Well, since I was only getting a couple things there but was close, I had to find something to bump me up. So, I pre-ordered Super Smash Brother's Brawl for the Wii. It doesn't come out until February, but it is nice to know that it is paid for and going to be shipped to me! Wee Hoo! Xena, Maestro, Romeo, and Blanche - Brawl party in February!
  

I just realized this is the nerdiest post I've ever done...

Ah well..FitnessNerd, I am!

I will attempt to do some blogging over the weekend, but if not, I want to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday!