A few things

[penda]

Work
Love it. Seriously, love it. I didn't hate the law, I just hated plaintiffs work. I even recommended law as an option to chemical_ike. Something I never would have done before switching sides. Plaintiffs work is just too... sharky. It was soul-sucking and I couldn't, in good conscience, recommend it to anyone. Defense is hard, and requires a lot of work and time, but it is much more satisfying. Also, being in a small firm is pure <3. It's the difference between being an infantry man in a large army and being a team member in delta squad. There are orders, but there is also freedom and discussion. It's great.

Melissa and The One Ring
I haven't found a ring yet. I am mocked at work for being "almost engaged... kinda... nearly..." The boss even told a few big-wigs at the last mediation about it. "Jamie is the only guy I've met who has an almost-fiance." But I haven't found a ring yet that seems right. Seriously, it's just the ring. We've even figured out the time-frame for the event. That's the messed up thing about all of this. A small material object is slowing everything down, ironic since it is the materialistic aspect of this whole process that I've always complained about. But damnit, ring shopping is HARD! And let me tell you something else, those people in the jewelry shops look at you like you're fresh meat when you walk in the door. "Oooo a man on his own... I can probably sell him a tin ring for 10k!" Personally, I dig on titanium and tungsten, but those are impossible to find. White gold rubs off, platinum chips and warps. It's hard to figure out even what metal to use. I'm starting to think tin and CZ are the way to go. ;)

Food
Made home made mac and cheese. It was awesome. However, whereas the rest of humanity is comprised of 99% of empty space (look it up), I have filled those gaps and am comprised of 99% cheese and butter. I'm fairly certain that if I go outside, I'm going to be chased down the street by a pack of hungry dogs and fat people who crave my buttery flesh. In short, I think my mac and cheese might start a zombie apocalypse.

Heroes
Why is everyone hating on this season? I have never liked the show. Seriously, if you talk to just about anyone, I've been what you might call "a hater" for quite a while. This season actually turned me around on it. What they've done with Sylar, in particular, made me smile. Good vs. Evil is boring and cliche. And also, unrealistic. The world is grey, not black and white. People do very wicked things, but always for some reason that goes beyond "I'M THE BOOGEY MAN!" And sometimes people pull a Javert, and go evil simply because they are too self-righteous and unwavering with a code. So this season is touching on that, and is getting darker. I dig on the new darker theme. As for the writing, it still feels like a high schooler wrote most of the dialogue, but that's nothing new. So I am honestly baffled why it seems that everyone but me loved it while the show sucked, and now it has gotten better I'm the only one who likes it.

Dexter
This show is awesome. Jimmy Smitts is an excellent addition. Watch it right now. Seriously, fake sick, go home, and watch it.

Gears of War 2
Turns out that Melissa and I are killing machines. We tore through the locust hordes with wild abandon. We, in short, rock at this game. I think we'll have to play the first game together, so she can hear Cole-Train rap. Yeah, we are that geek couple. We headshot together. Heh.

Blessed Be
Years ago I got into a flame war with a dude who ended it by sending me a flame that concluded with "blessed be." I thought this might be the most douchey thing I'd ever encountered and mocked it for ages. Well, I met him at Kat's party a couple weeks ago. Turns out I like the guy and will probably be going to a cocktail party he's hosting. Heh, who knew?

Old Friends
Saw chemical_ike this week. It hammered home two things... 1) we've all changed a LOT! It isn't obvious when I talk to people I always talk to (read: Jeff and Jabby), but when I see people I haven't seen in over 6 years, it become very clear. Big changes. 2) It is important to have old friends. It keeps you connected to where you came from, and gives you perspective. Also, it's just kind of fun to talk shit about the old days. Heh.

Comments

[sepulchrave.livejournal.com]

This is where we got my wedding ring. They work in estate, vintage and re-productions, their stuff is fabulous. Regardless the ring is always going to age. I have an 18K white gold engagement and it's super soft and the wedding ring is platinum.

http://www.alanajewelry.com/

I love this place. Rob got me an Edwarding necklace from 1902 last year for xmas, so beautiful.

(PS CONGRATS DUDE !!!!! )

[inevitability.livejournal.com]

Tell rob to stop making us all look back. I gave Melissa a macaroni necklace that I made. ;)

[hemperz.livejournal.com]

hey, that macaroni necklace got a lot of good feedback in clinic. "cute," "sweet," etc. i just told them it was from my nephew. don't worry though, honey, someday i know you'll upgrade to popcorn on a string.

[hemperz.livejournal.com]

we could just give up and go for a decoder ring. <3 gears of war.

[inevitability.livejournal.com]

Fer serious. Or an onion ring. Mmmm onion rings.

[hemperz.livejournal.com]

The incredible, edible wedding ring!

[inevitability.livejournal.com]

We should probably be more traditional.

"With this churro, I pledge my love to you."
"And with this leak, I too pledge my love."

At which point you can yip and dance around a Sombrero and I can start pronouncing a word that is 48 letters long and has no vowels.

[hemperz.livejournal.com]

that ceremony would have a lot of "gwfffthffmcphffiffiff" and "arriba!" can we stomp on a taco shell together?

[inevitability.livejournal.com]

*stomp*

OLE!

[hemperz.livejournal.com]

wasn't your dad talking about kilts, too?

[inevitability.livejournal.com]

Yep. And I'm sure he'll be bringing it up with you, too. He really REALLY wants kilts.

Frankly, I'd be satisfied with a celtic band (and we have an in with Amadan through Marc)

[deusinnomen.livejournal.com]

+1 for the Getting Married in a Kilt idea. It's what I did. :D

[inevitability.livejournal.com]

-1000 for, you know, the fact that I'm NOT SCOTTISH! ;)

We're Welsh, I don't know what my dad is playing at. Heh.

[deusinnomen.livejournal.com]

pffft DETAILS DETAILS.

I blame the excess of fish, it makes him think too much.

[quipper.livejournal.com]

Just when I thought I could stop hating you, you go and do a thing like see chemical_ike when I wasn't able to. You're a douche and I hate you!

;P

[inevitability.livejournal.com]

Well, if it's any consolation, he gave me shit for becoming "artsy."

Odd, considering he knew me back in the day when it wasn't a rare thing for me to wear eyeliner, etc. Digging on artsy restaurants seems pale in comparison. Hehehe.

[quipper.livejournal.com]

Yes, but Ike's so macho he thinks that flames on a GTO are "artsy."

[inevitability.livejournal.com]

Haha! Yeah, he's a lot more "army" than he was back in the day. Not a bad thing, of course. I just happen to remember when he had long pretty hair. Pretty like a girl. ;)

[hemperz.livejournal.com]

Stop stealing my sarcasm before I finish writing it.

[hemperz.livejournal.com]

Really, I torture him more than make him happy. I think he only sticks with me so somebody pays half the rent and he can fantastize about being a kept man when i pay off my student loans. Poor deluded soul.

[quipper.livejournal.com]

Well, obviously you're doing something right to keep him all tortured and deluded and still with you. You're a gal after my own heart! :)

[hemperz.livejournal.com]

I plan on writing a book later. Preliminary title choies: "Dating 101: How to torture your man and eat cake, too," or "Bully them so much they think it's flirting: the secrets of a successful relationship." I expect a lot of success on the self-help aisle of Fred Meyer.

[inevitability.livejournal.com]

Less shit talking, more studying, missy! ;)

[hemperz.livejournal.com]

yes, sir. whatever you say. sorry to have upset you, honey. i swear it won't happen again.

[euterpe35.livejournal.com]

Melissa and the Ring:
Buy the rock. get the rock set later.

You will be giving her an engagment rock. :-)

Put it in a solitaire if you want so she can wear it until you decide on the setting.

[inevitability.livejournal.com]

I'll figure something out.

But an engagement rock sounds like an agate. ;)

[hemperz.livejournal.com]

"For you, my love, I searched all the playground gravel in this town to find the perfect agate. With all my heart."

[rasputin.livejournal.com]

Sing "Without You" by Motley Crue on Rock Band 2 to her.

That's an engagement ROCK! \m/

[inevitability.livejournal.com]

And it's significantly more on point that "The Kill" by 30 Seconds to Mars or "White Wedding" by Billy Idol.

Incidently, one of the weirdest things I've discovered from Rock Band.... I can't sing unless it's rap or emo. Wtf is with that?

[rasputin.livejournal.com]

That at heart you're a street kid from the Bronx who likes to cry a lot?

[quipper.livejournal.com]

Argh! I made a huge mistake here and bagged on Ike in a way that Cecily really hates. I wasn't thinking because I was just in "hacking on friends" mode like we always used to do. Unfortunately my thoughtlessness has upset Cecily, and rightfully so. No one should have their loved ones demeaned. I feel terrible right now and just want everyone to know that nothing I said was meant to be hurtful. I was just being juvenile and I regret it sincerely.

[inevitability.livejournal.com]

Offensive portions taken care of. Hopefully, this wont turn into some kind of flame war on my LJ.

So everyone chill. No one is serious when the trash friends... except for Belgians. Something is wrong with those people. ;)

Hey Tina, I never congratulated you for successfully turning Luke away from his homosexual lifestyle.

[quipper.livejournal.com]

No flame wars here. I was just showing her that I am trying to make amends.

And, alas, I haven't really turned him away from that lifestyle. ;)

[trilliumgrl.livejournal.com]

Hehehe everyone will be married before me! My plan is succeeding.

Good luck finding a shiny.

[inevitability.livejournal.com]

You know about that? We had been trying to keep it a secret that there is a global conspiracy of marriage.

[dana-pants.livejournal.com]

as a woman with a sterling silver and CZ ring... it gets JUST as many compliments as other, more expensive rings. and CZ has more sparkle than diamond. and less blood.

you'll find something, i'm sure you will. =)

and you're SO right about them being like vultures. i walked into friedlander's a week before halloween, and seriously it was like throwing fresh meat into a shark tank. i walked in planning to "look," and walked out $400 poorer. (but, owning a BEAUTIFUL pearl ring, and freshwater pearls for the wedding - so not entirely an unnecessary purchase, right? right.)

[inevitability.livejournal.com]

Damn dirty jewelers!

[twirlingtulip.livejournal.com]

Congrats and good luck with the RING!

[inevitability.livejournal.com]

Onion ring.

[syrensix.livejournal.com]

Certain people are very very serious about "real" mac and cheese around here. I have never made it. Can you reccomend a recipie?

Chris really enjoyed seeing you too. I'm glad you guys had a chance to meet up.

Have you checked out antique shops and the like for a ring? A lot of folks look for jewlery that way here, and you could always get it sized if you found something great.

[inevitability.livejournal.com]

Antiquing is actually the next step. :)

As for the recipe, I'll have to give it to you later. I'm at work and can't recreate it at the moment.

[syrensix.livejournal.com]

Recipe = Yay! When-ever. Thanks.

I have no tips for Antiquing. I think it works a little differently here. You could always come out here, and hit Antwerp. I hear they are all full of rad with rocks. ;P

[euphoricone.livejournal.com]

LOVE DEXTER :) :)

Jimmy Smits is so dead though.

Congrats on the almost engagement btw!