almost too much to write about. just got back from what seems to be a yearly exodus to hawaii yesterday. stops this year included oahu and maui again, with a bonus day in kauai. one of the best trips i've ever taken. 4 days alone in oahu combing the north shore and being ridiculed by 15-25 foot waves, soaked by tropical downpours waiting for the circle island bus, and humbled when pro-surfers like kelly slater and rochelle ballard walked right by me.

life just seems to crack a smile at you when getting back to the mainland includes having to ride on the Wiki-Wiki Bus at honolulu international airport.

say it with me, “wee kee wee kee.”

good stuff.

what i wanted to comment about awhile back was how cool my birthday turned out to be. even though i had gone to the vh1 awards, a way-too-posh-for-jonathan company party at the bel-air hotel, and a totally killer saatchi & saatchi company party, it all didn't compare to the nite a few of my close friends took me to my favorite restaurant. more than just the gesture and buying me my dinner; the fact they took an evening out of their lives to drive all the heck way out there just so i'd be happy was pretty cool. it was a good nite. i have thought about it many times since. friends can do that kind of thing.

my mom drove all the way down here to take me out to a birthday dinner a different nite. she even got me a gift i've been wanting, but couldn't bear to buy in the store (no, not the latest backstreet boys album, jenni already bought me that... we're talking some serious George Foreman appliances here...) how do mom's do that?? moms are cool. thanks mom.

and yet another mini-adventure ensues. beginning tomorrow, and maybe lasting the weekend, i'll be in big bear. celebrating a friends birthday, and enjoying the best snow man has to offer. i’ll do my best not to into a person wearing the “it’s-my-first-day-snowboarding-so-steer-clear” pendant. at full-speed, mind you. heh, now THERE’S a story everyone would to better not to hear...

for what it's worth, happy new year. enjoy yourselves, and cherish your friends. oh, and be That Guy and tell at least 5 people at whatever party/gathering you end up at that 2001 is the REAL beginning of the 21st century, as well as the new millenium. i almost got kicked out of the party i was at last year for doing just that...

at least i was right...