After some quick negotiations, the sales guy and I agreed on a price, now he has to find me a car.   I am picky so it's not as easy as just going out back and finding one.   He assures me he has found one that will match my specs (Silver/Ebony/Tech) and will have it this week so by the end of the week, I will probably be a sport-ute driver.

Work has been crazy busy this month, we are progressing on our first full scale DotNet conversion effort on RightAngle.   I have been working for 2 or 3 years to prepare for this conversion and it's finally going to happen.   Needless to say, this first project isn't without it's little glitches.   Every week, my task list get's longer and longer with no end in sight.   It's the kind of challenge that makes me really like this job....I guess I am a masochist or something.

The last few Friday nights, my sister has been bringing a few of her friends over to the house.   We have had a fun time, shooting some pictures, listening to some music and enjoying some wine.     Ever since she was young, she was good at meeting interesting people and this ability has stayed with her into adulthood.   It's a skill that I'm afraid I don't have in such abundance.     One of the  byproducts of chatting with Jen, Judy and Megan this Friday is that they convinced me that 1) myspace is not so bad and 2) not all myspace pages have to be a horrendous mess.   So, I spent a few minutes this weekend to actually make a myspace page.  It's at www.myspace.com/jakewpratt   I have only two friends but I am off to a start.   They say it's a great way to meet people but I am guessing that it probably involves that outgoing personality that has alluded me so far, oh well, just something else to work on in the new year :)

After pondering it for another week, I have pretty much decided that I am going to go with a Silver/Ebony RDX with the Tech package.   After driving one last weekend and playing with the voice activated systems, I am completely sold on this fancy little SUV.  Luckily, Jen insists it's a station wagon so I think I will just call it that so I don't feel like I am driving a big ole Sport Ute.      I haven't ordered one yet but I expect I will any day now.

So, lately, I have been getting much more into listening to music.   Nothing new mind you but it occurred that with the ups and downs recently, I have been using music to regulate my moods.   If I am feeling a little down, I'll just pop in something depressing like Cowboy Junkies or Fischer Downers.   Time to feel in a good mood, I just throw in a solid upbeat anthem like Shania Twain's Up!.    I never realized how much I used music this way but now that I do, it's kind of fun to create little musical lineups that take me through a range of feelings as I drive to or from work each day.    I am kind of thinking it might be time to pick up one of those old musical instruments I used to play.

Boy am I getting to know my friendly neighborhood Mercedes service people. As my SLK enters it's third year with me, it's back to it's old tricks   It's going to the dealer yet again tomorrow.   This time to fix the stuff that they didn't fix last time and maybe fix a few of the new squeaks and rattles that have cropped up.    Since the SLK's days are numbered,  I went car shopping this weekend.    As much as I love (and hate) the SLK, it just doesn't cut it when it's time to go to Lowes or Home Depot.   As much as I hate to admit it,  after driving home a few times with the passenger seat crammed with brooms and boxes,  I am forced to concede the fact  that I need something with more utility than a tiny convertible can offer.    Since the lease is up on the MB at the end of this year, I think I am going to go ahead and get a sport-ute now and replace the SLK with something fun and cheap the summer after next.   So, lately  I have been pondering what combination of vehicles will work best without going over my auto budget.   Here are the options I considered...

• Old Honda CR-V and a new Audi TT.
• Used Lexus RX and a Nissan 350Z.
• Brand new CR-V and a Mini Cooper Convertible.

I liked all of these options as they meant that I would be able to have a pretty decent convertible while having the ability to get out in the snow when I needed to.   After pondering them all I think I have thrown out all of these options.   What caused it...well...a trip to the Acura dealer and sitting in the new RDX.   For the first time since the Infiniti FX I really like an SUV.   However unlike the FX, the RDX is small.  So small in fact that I don't feel like I am turning traitor by driving one.    So, I think I have decided on an 2007 Acura RDX with Tech Package.  That just leave me with a decidsion on what convertible to replace the SLK with.    You know, maybe I should get another Honda S2000, that car sure was a blast...and I get finally get back into auto crossing with it.    I have a while to decide.

I am back to doing themes for my Photo A Day project.   Last weeks theme was "Sense of Direction."   It was somewhat successful.   This time around, my themes are going to be somewhat less concrete.  The goal is to make myself tell stories in pictures but when I get busy, we will see how that goes.   I have a pile of themes saved up but I will wait to unveil them as they come.   So be sure to check out my photography section on Sundays to see each new theme.    

As far as I am concerned, there are only two sports in the world.   The Olympics which occur every two years and I Tivo every minute of and the Superbowl which marks the end of football and the return to regularly scheduled Sunday night TV.   It's exciting for me as it means that I will actually get whole episodes of the Simpsons taped instead of just the first 15 minutes.   The Superbowl is tomorrow and I am having a bunch of people over to enjoy the commercials and beer.   I suppose some of the people may be coming to watch the football game.   I believe the two competing teams are the Bears and the Colts.  I can't decide if I should pull for the Bears, since they are blue and orange, or the Colts since a horse can probably outrun a bear     I will probably wait and see which one annoys the most people.  It's kind of a trial run of having a party at the house, if it works out OK,  I may have do this more often.   I always resisted parties at the old house since it was pretty small and fragile.  The new house is much more conducive to entertaining so it should work out great.

Would you believe it...I am taking a vacation this summer.   In fact, we are taking a family vacation.   With the loss of dad, we all thought it was time to create some more memories.   So, Mom, Me and Jennifer's family are all going to load up and go to Disney World.    I haven't been there since Jennifer and I were kids.     I am sure this time, it will be a very different experience.  There will probably be just as much Space Mountain...just this time, we can add in some beer and stay up past 10.   Can't wait to say hi to Mickey..wish me luck.     Who knows, if I have fun, maybe I will find the time to go sit on a beach next winter and have some of those fancy fruit drinks like normal people do.