Oh-Mah-Gah

Folks! I was all set to blog yesterday about my plans for resolution number I-forget, which was to find a little more religion in my life. And I will address that issue. But while I was twiddling my thumbs at work, I was called to talk to one of our higher-ups here. Turns out, there's some opportunities to leave the organization within the next 12 months and I won't have to worry about breaking my contract.
Hallelujah!!!!
That being said, there's some incentive if I can get my shit together and leave by October 1st - and of course, I have to commit to this by the end of the month. Otherwise, I'll be obligated to leave by February 1st of next year. So I'm starting to actively work some contacts, push out my resume, and see how warm the waters are for an October departure. Fortunately, I don't have a family to consider, so I just have to worry about getting my own ass in gear. I've also got Wednesday and Thursday off, so I'll be getting a lot of research, planning, and applications work accomplished. I'm honestly not leaning any one way right now, so this may be a difficult decision (timing, that is, not leaving).

On a different note, before this whole work thing came up, I was starting to plan my whole religion agenda: i.e. Lent. It's that time of year folks. And, like the truly lapsed Catholic I am, it's actually been awhile since I've even attempted to follow the rules. So I've made plans to get my heathen arse to mass on Wednesday and abstain from meat on the requisite days. While I recognize I'm also supposed to fast, I can tell you that just is not going to happen. Then there's the other abstenance part ... you know, everyone always asks what you're giving up for Lent. To be honest, I can't really remember the actual rules and rationale behind this (if, in fact, there are any), but I can give up some stuff for 40 days. It'll do me some good in the long run, and it'll definitely help some of my other resolutions from January (which, I'm ashamed to say, I've done completely awful at keeping). So, beginning tomorrow, I'll be giving up alcohol (ALL booze), cigarettes (yes, I've been a habitual smoker on and off for years now. shaddup), and take-out food. Why the take-out food you ask? Well, in my high-rise apartment living, there are many a service that will schlepp to local restaurants and deliver you delishis fare of noms so you don't have to eat in a restaurant all by yourself. And I'm really lazy when I get home from work. So there you go. This will definitely help same a ton of money and really help me break ground on my neverending quest to lose weight.

But, you know, there's going to be a nice little farewell party for my three amigos when I get off work tonight. You can count on it.

Timekilling

It's been awhile since I've posted - much of that has been due to my new job. Which I love, by the way. I've been on almost four weeks on night shift now, which isn't unusual for my line of work. Details aside, the biggest issue is finding out what to do on your nights off. I'm single, so I can keep whatever schedule I want, I don't have to deal with kids or anything else. For me, the key is to keep the same hours, even if I'm not working. So, I've been up since about 2pm (which is actually early). You have to really find ways to occupy those night hours, since you wouldn't really be running errands or anything, as you would during the day.
Thankfully, iTunes lets you rent movies. There have been a number of recent releases that I wanted to see, but didn't feel like buying. So, tonight, I'm catching up on my arts and entertainment. Here are my thoughts:

1. 127 Hours -- Meh. Decent flick. Good for rental and all, but I don't see the big deal. Also not suitable for the faint of heart as this is the story of a guy who had to amputate his own arm. Thankfully I was working on something while watching, so I had an excuse to miss some of the more gory parts. But I don't see the big deal about James Franco, and while I'm glad I saw it, I'm doubly glad I just rented and did not buy.

2. Winter's Bone -- I dug it. It's gritty and not a lot of action, but pretty spellbinding. Jennifer Lawrence was amazing, and I can't wait to see what she does in the future. But again, glad I rented.

3. Love and Other Drugs -- I have to say, very pleasantly surprised. Anne Hathaway deserved a nomination for this one. It's funny yet poignant, and makes me forget that Anne and Jake Gyllenhall were also a couple in the crapfest Brokeback Mountain. I will probably buy this one.

Next up? Guilty pleasure time: Burlesque. It'll probably be another Showgirls, but - at this point - I'm tipsy enough not to care.

Cheers!