Another week flies by, as we are now faced with December 1st! Amazing how this year has been set to cruise control at accelerated speeds. So much has changed in my life, both for the good and bad. However, that's another entry. That's the proverbial end of the year entry.

Tonight's entry is about the fact that I haven't visited this journal in almost a week. Thus, it's time to catch you up on what's been going on in my world. It's been a very playful week. Not much accomplished, but it was supposed to be more of a week of rest and relaxation. After all, it was a holiday weekend (for those of you that consider Thanksgiving a holiday). Since there have been so many days in between my last entry and this one, I suppose I'll break down the days and events into some quick recaps below.

Tuesday night was the Shakira She Wolf CD release party at a local club. I arrived at the club and met up with one of my friends. No, Shakira herself did not show up for the event. However, attendees were entertained by the "illusion" of Shakira--a drag queen by the name of Diamond Dallas who mimicked an earlier look of the Columbian singer (curly red hair and a sparking outfit). It was a great time, the DJ did an excellent job re-mixing some Shakira classics, and I managed to get home shortly after 3:30 in the morning. Yeah, good times. I have a few picture of the event located in my Phoenix Nights photo album on my Facebook network.

After sleeping in all of Wednesday morning, the remainder of the day was dedicated to a bit of research and scurrying around for the ingredients to a few side dishes I made for Thanksgiving at my brother and fiance's house. For the most part, the day was a waste! I suppose that's what happens when one stay out all night.

The last three Thanksgiving holidays were spent in this house with my ex, S. Both of our families would usually come over and it would be a house full of laughter. There was no way I was going to spend this past Thanksgiving in this very house. The memories still linger. Hence, I would make my way to by brother's house for this year's celebration.

I called a number of friends and family members that morning. We chatted the way friends do when they've been out of contact with one another for more than a few months. We were thankful to have each other in our lives, and the warmth of our friendly "I love yous" could be felt across the miles and through the receiver of the phone. The conversations were as memorable as the day would be.

After the side dishes were cooked, I made my way out to my brother's house (about a twenty-minute drive from where I live). Since I hadn't seen my brother, his fiance, and her kids in the past couple of months, I was elated when I walked into the door. It is these moments that family is all about--recognizing that face that you didn't realized you missed and greeting them with a strong embrace.

I ate an early afternoon dinner with my brother, his fiance, and her kids (which I consider my nieces and nephews). Afterward, we drove out to Mesa to go to my brother's fiance's sister's house (did that make sense?). Once there, the festivities were in full force. The proverbial Thanksgiving football games were blaring in the living room and the back patio became the hangout for the other half of the house (myself included) who were not too interested in the game. Eventually, the outside crew decided to get a game of "beer pong" in the works. Now, I've never played beer pong, so I was oblivious. But it didn't change the fact that I won my first three games. Because of my winning streak, I wasn't the one who had to drink all those damn plastic cups of beer! I'm chalking up the beer pong games to another experience I never thought I'd have. Thank you to my team mate, Olga! We rocked, girl!

Unfortunately, when a lot of alcohol is involved at any celebration, it can get crazy. By 7pm, the drama was beginning to fly. It was a perfect excuse to exit the party. Later that evening, I met a friend out for a few drinks and another night of good times.

That was my Thanksgiving day. As different as it had been from previous holiday celebrations, I still had a great time!

On Friday (or Black Friday as it is deemed), I did a bit of shopping, social networking, and research.

Since I had gone out a couple of times during the week, I kept myself on the DL from my local social life throughout the weekend. I got caught up on some house chores--laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping. I attended The Funky Werepig on Sunday evening, as I typically do. It's no surprise that it was another good show.

Which brings me to today.

I've been busy with more research for the new novel I'm writing, Flesh House (working title). I'm torn in between my main character having a certain trait that can either be that of a skin disease or an uncommon skin type. I have to be careful as to which route I go with this character, as he is crucial to the motivation of the adversary. I'm going back and forth with this one. It's like an internal struggle which cannot be won. I may have to play a few scenes out and see which is emotionally stronger. I guess you can say, I'm at a temporary standstill with the novel.

I received some passive aggressive news, via Facebook no less, that my ex is now officially in a relationship. Let me add that the other person is twenty years old. As I have already said, "Good luck with that!" I'm not sure of S.'s intentions, and I don't really care. If he is happy, then I'm happy for him. Still, there is a part of me that is irked by the way the Facebook scene played out. I'm sure S. knows that.

Tomorrow is World Aids Day. This particular day is near and dear to my heart. I have had a number of friends pass away from this tragic disease and have many more friends who are living with HIV. I will be proudly donning my red ribbon tomorrow to show my support and awareness.

Now, that's where I've been. Again, I hope to keep up with making daily entries. But in a life that is so busy with events, writing, and socializing, it's no wonder that the days and nights lapse in a blink of an eye.

'Daybreakers' is a Sci-Fi Cure For 'Twilight' Overload



Sam Neill and Ethan Hawke star in the upcoming vampire flick, "Daybreakers." Set in the future, it shows the human population almost completely turned to vampires by a plague. Advanced reviews are great so far for "Daybreakers" and it might be a welcome diversion from "Twilight" madness. Vampires who don't sparkle? How novel!




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Fitness buff Ben McKenzie shows off his super-fit physique as he takes a run around Miami Beach in a tank top on Monday afternoon (November 30) in South Florida.

The 31-year-old actor was later seen soaking in the sun, laying out in a lounge chair on the beach. Ben stayed hydrated with a bottle of Voss water.

Tonight, Mr. McKenzie is expected to attend the unveiling of the brand new Audi A8 housed in the Audi Pavilion.

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Elijah Wood and Dianna Agron share smiles during a tennis scene from The Romantics on Long Island, New York on Monday (November 30). Despite chilly weather and rain in New York, Dianna, 23, kept warm in a bathrobe until it was time to shoot - Elijah, 28, sported a puffy coat in between takes!

Dianna and Elijah’s Romantics costars joined in the fun during the shoot - Josh Duhamel was also spotted on the court, while Adam Brody was seen around the set with his arm wrapped around his mystery brunette.

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