Have you ever had one of those nights when you woke up in the morning and you were in Las Vegas?

Actually, this trip wasn't quite *that* impromptu... but it wouldn't surprise me if one of those were coming up in the near future.

My little sister has been living out here for a few years, so it was time to come out and visit. We did a lot of catching up, and I managed to slip out and do some things and make a list of other things to do.

I see someone here at the airport has an iPhone... very cool, I'll have to go and talk to her when I finish this post.

I didn't get around to as much as I would have liked... I didn't get to eat at Coney Island at New York, New York, I didn't get to catch the Sirens show at Treasure Island, I didn't make it to Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, nor to the shopping I'd intended to do.

I did manage to pick up a six-pack of Tab to stow in my checked luggage. =^)

Anyway, some of the events I took in while in Vegas: I caught The Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian, the fountain show at the Bellagio, and hung out at the exclusive Moon nightclub at the top of the Palms for a fun night.

I met a lovely Irish lass there, and hung out by the window looking out over the city... in addition to looking at the open sky overhead.

It was a very cool club, with real hot women, a real DJ, and it was a blast! There was also a Jersey girl named Brit, but you know what they say... what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

What i'm listening to:

Don't Stop the Music
Rihanna
Good Girl Gone Bad

Another work week is sliding to an end. I, for one, could not be happier!

Of course, I still have plenty to do after I leave the office, but the rest of the weekend should be great!

Today, I've discovered Diet Canada Dry... which is really quite tasty. Usually I prefer the Splenda® sweetened beverages.

Not too much has been happening since last time, I opted to stay home last evening and do some house work, some cleaning, and I put a friend's MacBook back together.

I have an old white iBook G3, which I love, but it is very, very hard to work on. In Apple's continued efforts to keep end users out of their computers, they also make it quite difficult for the technical masters.

In contrast, I had to change out the hard drive in the MacBook. It took three days for the hard drive to be delivered, and less than one minute to have it installed and the MacBook powered up.

And, a nice bonus was to discover that OS X was already installed... I was prepared to go through another hour or so installing from the discs and running update. I was tickled to discover I didn't have to waste my time.

So, I was able to devote that time to more important things. Like house work, and cleaning.

I suppose I could have gone out, but last night I opted to stay in.

Have I mentioned that I discovered Diet Canada Dry? ;^)

Ok, clearly it is one of those days I have nothing to say... so we'll just see what the weekend has to offer.

What i'm listening to:

The Sun Always Shines on TV
a-ha
Hunting High and Low

Last night, I started out at the usual club. I ordered a drink, posted up at a table, and hung out.

It was a good night at the club, about four girls for every guy... but not such a good night to be there alone. I did have some successful openers, but it's hard to look like you're having a good time when you are sitting alone.

Groups of girls didn't hang out for long periods, because it was pretty slow... they were looking for more action.

There was someone I recognized from a history class last fall, a rather hot someone. After talking with her for a while, I decided I was lucky that I didn't have the nerve to approach her back in the class. She wasn't terribly fun. Odd, because she didn't seem to be enjoying her group of friends, and wasn't included in much of the conversation... plus she kept glancing my way, even tracking me when I'd change position.

But, she wasn't interested. C'est la vie.

So, I decided to hang out with a buddy of mine. We ended up at a new bar in town, where the ratios weren't quite as advantageous, but there were plenty of hot women there anyway. For the first time in many moons, his game was solid. We went to a different bar, immediately started talking to a couple of gorgeous women. I was amazed at how his game being on fed me... my game was solid as well!

I was actually amazed at how quickly "Bonnie" started touch escalating, and drink sharing.

After chatting with a couple of different tables of women, we went back to the new bar. He was scoring points with someone we both know, and he was playing it very well. She had never really warmed up to me, but last night we actually talked a LOT. Too much, but the only reason I say that is because he got lucky, and I didn't meet my "lucky."

However, I did have a good night, and each one is better. Hey, if baby steps is what it will take, then so be it.

At one point in the night, he confessed to me that the reason he was so confident is because he was on something. Now, I'm not going to judge someone based on what they do for recreation... never would, but I firmly believe that my road involves learning how to break my state of mind when I go out without any chemical influence, alcohol or otherwise.

And even after his successes last night, I'll stand by that... but I'll keep observing the way he is when he's influenced. After all, I have a better chance of learning what he's doing than he does, because his memory will undoubtedly be impaired.

I will learn how to break state. Then, the world is my oyster and I will feel like a million dollars!

What i'm listening to:

Black No. 1 (Little Miss...
Type O Negative
Bloody Kisses

Just smile a little smile and say, 'I never did mind about the little things.'

Today, I finally heard from the insurance company regarding the accident last month. Once those wheels get moving, it's pretty impressive, they called me at 8 this morning, the adjuster called at 11, looked at the car at 2, and said I should hear from them in a couple of days and get the check shortly thereafter.

He told me what they would do to repair my car, which is what they would put in the estimate, minus replacing the clear coat (because my clear coat has been shot for years).

Working on both bumpers, the check might look pretty good! =^)

My Vegas trip is coming up faster than I'm prepared for... but I'm excited about going! I don't even plan on setting one foot in the casinos, but I do plan on hitting clubs and throwing game. It should be a good time!

Last night, I had a discussion with a friend of me who's has some nutrition and fitness background, and he made some suggestions to help me sleep. I'll keep you posted on how that works out.

It's possible I have what they call 'delayed sleep phase disorder,' which makes an insane amount of sense. However, I don't want to be one of those WebMD hypochondriacs, so I'll get tested before I make any sort of formal declaration.

Plus, I found some possible treatments I can use (no, no drugs, just vitamins and lights) to help me with getting up in the morning.

Some of his suggestions also explained my shortage of motivation and drive during workouts... which will lead to a rearranging of my activities on workout days.

Last night, I also got a call I hadn't really been expecting. There's a place in town that provides dance lessons, and I'm on a waiting list. In August, that wait is over. Yay! Something else to cross off of my list!

I really want to learn to tango. One of my goals for next winter is to take a short sabbatical and spend it with my aunt in Argentina. I plan to do down there and learn to tango with Argentine women, among other adventures!

Ideally, I'd take a month, but I'm afraid my boss would never go for it.

Another sign it's time to find something else to do? Perhaps...

What i'm listening to:

Feelings of Forever
Tiffany
Tiffany

Ok, so I ended up spending this weekend in seclusion. I needed to regroup after Friday night.

There are moments when I really hate my problem with "analysis paralysis." Is it possible to learn to step out of one's mind? To just go with it? To not overanalyze the situation? To not over think what to do or say?

Is this a character flaw I can overcome?

I'm determined to, but I don't know where to begin.

Friday night, I attended the fiesta with my neighbor. He bought the beer, and I provided some conversation. Anyway, I thought I had made some progress towards becoming more social. Towards meeting people, chatting with people, meeting women.

That night, I was schooled... and discovered that my neighbor is a natural pick-up artist. For the first time, I think I truly understand what happened last spring!

My middle-aged, unattractive (by his own admission) neighbor met, opened, and made out with a 22-year-old in less than five minutes.

Within another five, he was having no difficulty rounding the bases... and she was loving it!

And all I could do was stare.

She was with a group of girls, all determined not to let her stay... and he smoothed it over. During the trouble stirred up by the sisterhood, she and I chatted a little. She told me she'd never done anything like this before, and really had no idea what hit her.

I didn't doubt it. I've studied pick-up enough to know that's how it works.

But, I'm no natural.

I make up for it with my charisma... but it doesn't come easy.

Anyway, after pulling a late night including a joyride, a lost debit card, and pool tables at the sports bar, I just went home... and to sleep.

Saturday, I decided to stay in. Just didn't even feel like sorting out a new plan. I think what I've been working on is still going in the right direction, I just need more practice so these things just "come out."

Nope, I ended up spending Saturday reading the new Harry Potter book. I did slip out to the fiesta a couple of times for food/drink runs, but spent most of the day reading the book. Finished it early Sunday morning.

It wasn't bad, although I thought the final epilogue was a bit cheesy... probably left to leave the door open for a spin-off series.

I did like the way Ginny Weasley "gave it up" to Harry as a birthday present, 'cos she couldn't figure out what to give him, even if her brother Ron (date rapist, hypocrite, general idiot, etc.) interrupts before they really get going.

But, I'm not going to leave (anymore) spoilers, there are plenty other places on the internets to find those. If you're interested, a fabulous spoiler-filled color-commentary lives here.

What i'm listening to:

Never
Heart
Heart

I've been reading a lot of articles and books lately on improving life and getting what I want out of it.

One essential part of the fitness articles I keep reading is getting a good night's sleep.

So, how does one go about getting a good night's sleep? The articles define a good night's sleep as waking up in the morning fully rested and without the aid of an alarm.

Fair enough, but what is someone like myself to do? I've slept through complete days before. Seriously, one time when I was living in Phoenix, I went to bed on Monday night and woke up on Wednesday morning... thinking it was Tuesday all day.

My rhythms don't seem to have any. I'll get through a couple of days where I bounce out of bed at 6 a.m. and then that third day I'll sleep in and find I'm in desperate need of a nap all day. Even if I go to bed at the same time each evening and exert myself in similar ways each day.

What is the best way to fight off the irresistable allure of that powernap. For years and years now, I've slept better in a ten-minute mid-afternoon powernap than eight hours of sleep at night.

Also, my mind works best during that period from right after sundown to right before sunup. How do I get that focus transferred to the daylight hours when I can actually put that resource to good use? And how do I shut that down so my racing mind doesn't keep me awake for hours on end?

There is just so much to getting that "good night's sleep," but there doesn't seem to be a lot of advice out there.

I suppose there are some things I may not be able to figure out on my own. It seems like when I'm on the verge of figuring it out, continuing to do the same thing begins to fail.

Do other people have problems with this? How do they overcome them? Certainly there must be a way!

What i'm listening to:

Open Your Arms
Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie
Good Deeds and Dirty Rags

Last night, I attended a lecture at the university. A couple of highly motivated college students with an entrepreneurial mindset spoke, and shared their stories of success and failure.

I was able to pick out a couple of main points in their message that will help me to keep following and eventually achieve my dreams.

One important point is to find something you are passionate about. The key is to find something you want so badly you'll do whatever it takes to obtain it. It is this passion that will motivate you and drive you.

It's also important to hold onto it, no matter what your life throws your way. They pointed out how easy it is to get into a comfortable routine that slowly suffocates us, and eventually snuffs out our dream. We get trapped in our popularity, our schoolwork, and our jobs, and we aren't willing to step outside of our comfort zone and take whatever step is necessary to keep the dream alive.

The second part of the lecture that really spoke to me was this. One needs to identify that obstacle that prevents her or him from reaching, or even progressing towards, his or her goals.

Why did that affect me? Because we all have something that prevents us from following our dreams. So, what is it that prevents me from leaving the rat race and pursuing a life of travel and Argentine women?

I'll get back to you on that. Whether it is fear or money or laziness or a lack of motivation, I'll have to isolate the obstacles one at a time to eliminate them.

I'm confident I'll get there.

One passion I've had in my life is photography. I love taking pictures. I love looking at others' pictures. There is just something about capturing a thing of beauty and freezing it in that one perfect moment in time.

It wasn't terribly long ago that I enjoyed shooting senior portraits, weddings, landscapes, and even candids. However, since my move from the great white north and out of my familiar surroundings, I've let my shyness become an obstacle in continuing to pursue that dream.

Back in the day, there was always a friend close by I could grab for an impromptu photo shoot, or to accompany me on the scenic drive up the mountain.

Now that I've got a couple of awesome cameras, I'm very interested in picking this up again, but finding my confidence and figuring out how to secure subjects isn't something I've done yet.

The obstacle has been identified, so now it's time to write it down and begin researching what I need to do to tear it down.

See, it's simple!

Never again will I let a dream wither up and die.

What i'm listening to:

Sleep Together
Garbage
Version 2.0

The past couple of weekends I've been running game, to some degree of success.

I'm not quite to the point where I'm sexing young ladies in the club bathroom... not yet.

Baby steps.

I'm still working on the inner game, and the confidence. Confidence doesn't seem to be a big problem for me, however, I do have difficulty keeping the conversation going.

After all, haven't I lived? Of course, I have. Plus, I've read tips on getting her to continue talking... but my mind still tends to go through periods between lost focus and totally blank. Neither of which benefit my game.

Last Saturday night, I met a young blonde at the bar. Actually, she came up to me. She was alone, waiting for a friend who would never show up. We talked most of the night, clinked glasses a few times, shared stories and high fives. I definitely had game that night.

Everytime she left to use the restroom, I figured she was gone. Sure enough, I'd glance across the room and see some guy talking to her... but then after a few minutes, she would magically reappear.

So, why didn't I close the deal? I am still trying to figure that out!

Fast forward to Thursday night, I ended up caught between a married blonde and a single brunette on the light box on the dance floor, each taking turns grinding her ass into my groin.

When the bar closed, the brunette gave me a huge hug... then kept holding me after commenting how I smelled. Still didn't close... is anyone sensing a trend?

I feel I'm close to being ready to close a deal... just a couple more baby steps.

These two ladies were definitely interested, and yet I passed on (missed?) the opportunity. Perhaps, I'm just not yet sure?

What do I have to lose, right?

Sunday night, I took the next step, and managed to get a phone number from another lovely brunette. What I found interesting about getting her number, is that while she wrote her number down she told me that she didn't think her boyfriend would like it, and that he might be the one to answer the phone when I call.

She definitely didn't seem excited about having a boyfriend, which if she hadn't projected that, I could have ascertained by her giving me her number.

Ok, so maybe I've blown two out of three deals in the last ten days... but that really doesn't bother me. Why?

Because, there are so many wonderful women out there... there will still be plenty when I'm finally able to run game to close.

Also, while it isn't likely, it is still possible that I'll be able to run game on these ladies in the future.

Besides, I'm learning plenty from the experiences, and I'm having fun... which is the important thing, right?

Absolutely!

What i'm listening to:

Your Woman
White Town
Women in Technology

My senior year of high school, I was determined to outrun one of my classmates in gym class. I should have conceded, because he was faster. Instead, I blew a knee.

Ok, maybe I didn't blow it, but I do remember hearing a loud snap that slowed me down. The adrenaline rush I was feeling from almost overtaking him enabled me to finish, and I did manage to keep up with him, but when the race was over, it couldn't hold my weight anymore.

In fact, it couldn't hold my weight for a couple of months without a brace. I probably should have seen a doctor, had it examined, undergone therapy, and had it "fixed right."

I didn't, and ever since I've had bad knees. My right knee became weaker during that time, and now they each have their own slightly different barometric qualities. One let's me know when it's going to be cold, the other when it's going to precipitate.

Since the before time, I've been working hard to get into shape. That's been fabulous, because my knees don't hurt anymore, and neither does my bad shoulder. I imagine it is the weight loss that helps the knees the most.

However, they are still pretty susceptible to "tweaks." Right now, I'm having to walk gingerly, because over the weekend I managed to tweak them both. All it seems to take is a bad turn, or stepping over something and not planting my foot correctly.

Whatever, it should make the workout interesting tonight. I'll have to be careful.

Yesterday, I was reading about a diet in a muscle building magazine that might be worth going on for a spell. I've still been maintaining my weight, which seems amazing at times, because I'm eating so much these days. However, I still haven't seen as much progress as I'd like around my middle.

I've never been this close. I want the six pack.

We'll see what happens. This week I'm monitoring just how much carbohydrate vs. protein vs. fat I eat in a regular week... especially during lunch, when I'm most likely to splurge.

What i'm listening to:

Go Your Own Way
Fleetwood Mac
Rumours