First off I'd like to thank the ever-wonderful =inspiredimperfection for genereously providing me with a three-month subscription (hence the CSS ). Thanks, beautiful, you rule!
This also means I can now properly feature stuff in my journals, so look below for that.

Now, this being the last day of 2009, time to revisit the auld resolutions I made a year ago and see how I did. Please, feel free to

Resolutions for 2009:
- Stop procrastinating!! Nòw!!!
Well, I have -a bit. There's been a few setbacks, but I can't say I failed completely. So yay me for that!
- Send out those chistmas/new year cards & gifts!
Done. I even sent a few for thse holidays, though not all...
- Get a lot of work around the house done.
Not as much as I'd like, but did some.
- Brush up my French
Ah non, pas du tout! My girlfriend and I talk French from time to time when we discuss things the kids aren't supposed to hear, but it's AWFULL!! If the French found out, they'd wage war on us (again ).
- Learn more about mythology/ culture
I learn things, but I did not do much what you could call serious research. God, these resolutions are so vague and open for interpretation!
- Be more patient and relaxed.
Done.
- Hang out with friends more often
Oops... I'll put that on the new list, lads!
- Learn to give proper critique
I can't. I've tried, but I know nothing about the art of writing, nor the details of English grammar. Guess you'll be stuck with simple comments from me.
- Be more supportive
You tell me...
- Start working out
Ahh, nevermind!
- Bake stuff
Nevermind that one either!
- Write more
Nope.

New list of resolutions for 2010:
- procrastinate less
- do chores ASAP
- do not let my inbox pile up on me
- write more
- hang out with friends more often
- be more supportive

There you have 'em. Again, feel free to in about a year or so.
Best wishes for 2010, and take good care!
Alf

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So, the jollydays are almost over! Sure, we still have new year's eve but we usually sleep through that, and the family visiting the next day is traditionally pretty tame. Speaking of traditions: christmas has always been pretty dramatic in my family, but lately there seems to be a change of scenario: nowadays everybody starts getting themselves (and each other) all worked up as soon as december arrives, resulting in a rather peaceful and relaxed christmas day. I am, needless to, say, a rock of serenity amidst all this.

So christmas itself went rather well this year, but my birthday (dec. 27) was really one of the best! It started extra early because my girlfriend secretly invited my closest friends (including my sweet little godchild!! ) the evening before, which was supermegawesome (and a bit peculiar as the night ended with me owning a bigger -though different- collection of beers then when it started )

So, anyone have anything special planned for 2010?

Take care!
Alf

Check it out:
Heart of Persona contest: [link]
Fables and Child Book contest: [link]
The End of the World contest: [link]
The Lit List issue 52: [link]
Winter Is Magic contest: [link]
Epic Battle contest: [link]
Dream contest: [link]

why I log into dA a lot:

It's not Rune's best week I'm afraid. Not only did she need new tubes in her ears (her fourth hospitalization in five years), but yesterday school called to tell she had slipped during gym and fallen on the back of her head. She had a nasty cut and was bleeding quite a lot, but the doctor glued her back up (she didn't want to use stiches since she's so small). I guess the poor thing is injury-prone... must be her genes. I got six stiches in my forehead when I was five, and her grandfather from mother's side bleeds almost continuously (he once cut his hand on an axe hanging on the wall when he pulled the starter of his buzz-saw - why he's still allowed to have that I'll never understand).

We did get a bit of early christmas spirit this evening. As we were having dinner, the doorbell rang and, lo behold, there was a half-elf, half-student dressed in a santaesque suit offering us two heavy sacks of bevarages on behalf of Coca-Cola!

Have a happy weekend y'all!

Cheers!
Alf

Check it out:
Heart of Persona contest: [link]
Fables and Child Book contest: [link]
The End of the World contest: [link]
Fantasy Dream contest: [link]
The Lit List No 51: [link]
#Writers-Workshop Poetry on You workshop: [link]
Litmas 2009: Attitude is Gratitude: [link]

why I log into dA a lot:

You gotta love this month. Sure, there's the holidays, all hectic and with the annual family dramatics, but I had some days off from work left, and there's christmas and new year off... I'm going to hell.
Rune had to get new ear tubes yesterday, so we kept her home from school today and I took the day off. We're making christmas cards together, something she is better at than me (no surprise there). The procedure does not seem to have nay side-effects, although she did puzzle me when I called her at the hospital during my lunch break yesterday. Mommy put her on the phone and she started our conversation like this:
Rune: 'We caught a bat!'
Me: 'Come again?'
Rune: 'Under a towel and everybody was afraid but we gave it back to it's mommy!'
So there was a bat flying around the corridor and one of the nurses had caught it under a towel, but Cindy was the only one who dared to pick it up and throw it out. It's just a bit worrying to hear it from your little girl who's just been under anaesthetics.

The next few months are also looking up concertwise, I used to attend a lot of gigs in the past, but lately it's number decreased to two or three a year. However, next year will prove differently as there'll be the enchantment of The Gathering in february, Katatonia's nocturnes as well as the humpa and jigs of the Paganfest in march, and The Vision Bleak to haunt april. And to kick that off next sunday there's Pain Of Salvation, who I haven't seen live in six years! I'm so going to hell, aren't I?

And we had our first snow today!!

Check it out:
Heart of Persona contest: [link]
Fables and Child Book contest: [link]
The End of the World contest: [link]
Fantasy Dream contest: [link]
The Lit List No 51: [link]
#Writers-Workshop Poetry on You workshop: [link]
Litmas 2009: Attitude is Gratitude: [link]

Cheers!
Alf

why I log into dA a lot:

So...

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Cheers,
Alf

why I log into dA a lot: