Swartz _

Labor Day

2010-09-08T22:31:00.005-04:00

Pine Cliff Recreation Area, Croatan National Forest, Havelock, NC. Beautiful day; beautiful place. Best Labor Day ever!

Katherine Ayden Swartz

2010-07-06T00:26:00.003-04:00

She was born at 2:53 p.m. (pacific), and weighted in at 7 pounds, 11 ounces. Kate's 18.5 inches long -- a petite little thing, just like her mommy.

39 weeks!

2010-07-02T02:26:00.005-04:00

These photos were taken by John at Limantour Beach in the Point Reyes National Seashore during my 39th week! I am feeling great -- a little too great to have a baby just yet. No action as of Thursday. I begin my 40th week on Friday. I am due on July 4 but it looks like our little lady will not arrive in time to celebrate our nation's birthday. Here's hoping she makes her appearance soon thereafter!

John returns from NC for the birth!

2010-06-28T03:10:00.004-04:00

John and Paul arrive at SFO. John's been gone 26 days. It's good to see you, baby!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwPDJTqfoEI

38 weeks -- We're waiting for Daddy

2010-06-20T23:34:00.005-04:00

She is still cooking! Stay put, Lil Swiz, there's no rush — Daddy will be home Saturday!

37 weeks, y'all!

2010-06-10T23:46:00.013-04:00

The baby is term! In theory, Little Swizzle could come at any time but we are not expecting her before her July 4th due date. Still hoping to make her our little patriot — with fireworks just for her!

John's First Day

2010-06-07T15:03:00.029-04:00

June 7 was John's first day on the job as Interactive Content Manager at WCTI-TV, the ABC/Fox affiliate in New Bern, NC.

"New job rocks so far," he said. "Sweet desk, sweet computer, great people."

Our new home in Greenville, NC!

2010-06-06T14:43:00.004-04:00

After combing the Internet from 3,000 miles away, making countless phone calls to property management companies and losing two properties to the competition, John landed us the perfect house on a beautiful tree-lined street near a dog park, a walking path and the lovely Tar River!

This awesome house, spotted by John's mom as the two cruised the streets of Greenville on June 5, is a three-bedroom, two-bath brick ranch with a laundry room, two fireplaces, a cool den, a big fenced back yard with lots of trees and a large storage shed on a concrete slab. Perfect!

A cookout and bonfire at Point Reyes

2010-04-22T01:00:00.000-04:00

We spent a Saturday afternoon and evening at North Beach at Point Reyes Station. There was plenty of driftwood to keep the fire going right through sunset.

Seven months!

2010-04-22T00:48:00.006-04:00

Claymation baby! 20 weeks old.

2010-04-22T00:37:00.001-04:00

A day at Pier 39

2010-04-16T22:55:00.005-04:00

Despite being a Thursday -- right in the middle of work hours -- Pier 39 in San Francisco was still packed!

The Newest Swizzle

2009-12-26T02:01:00.007-05:00

The newest Swizzle will arrive July 4. It's a girl!

Online Wedding Album

2009-10-25T23:42:00.001-04:00

The photos from our wedding are in! Our friend, photographer Alan Dep, thoughtfully chronicled our rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, ceremony and reception. We thought we would share his beautiful work with you.

To view our wedding album, go to: http://aland.zenfolio.com/jenandjohn

The password is neworleans (the honeymoon destination! it's all lower case).

Thanks to you all for your touching thoughts. We're both still savoring the moment as we start this new chapter in our lives together. To those who attended, thank you for making Oct. 3 such a perfect day.

The Roadtrip

2009-09-20T17:47:00.008-04:00

Front Page in the house

2009-09-03T18:46:00.002-04:00

Big day in our house: I've got a story on A1, and a column on the sports front:

A1 Main story

My Column

Also, Jen's got a story about a certain Giant Rat:

Giant Rat
-- it's all the way to No. 2 on "most read" on marinij.com

Road Trip! Heading to Oregon

2009-08-28T06:27:00.004-04:00

There's a wedding in my West Coast family, and we're all packing up to head north to Oregon for the weekend ... sleeping in a cabin and going to a mountaintop wedding.

Well, per the usual, it's 3:30 a.m. local time, and I'm not packed yet. Of course, I only just got home from work 2 hours ago, and the clothes I'm taking are in the dryer. I probably won't get much, if any, sleep tonight. But that's OK, as there's a 10-hour car ride to sleep during. Jen's dad is driving.

It's going to be a fun weekend, but I've got to take some work along. I've got a big story due Monday. I'm sure in the 20 hours in the car, I'll have a chance to pull out the laptop and crank it out. If not, then there's always the all-nighter I could pull Sunday night ... just like college.

Speaking of work. Some of you may not know that I've switched papers. Now I'm working at the same paper as Jen. It's the one that's just down the road where I live ... 2-minute commute. It's the same company that owns the Vallejo paper, so it was just a transfer. Oh, and for the past three weeks I've gone back to Vallejo a few days a week to help out while they train the new hires (there was another guy to leave at the same time I did). So, while that's meant a few extra bucks, working six or seven days a week has gotten old pretty quickly. This weekend is the first time I've had more than one day off in a week all month. But once the school sports season starts up, I'll be able to settle into a schedule, and I'll be able to get a day or two off every now and then.

I never thought the school sports season would actually mean a LESS hectic time for me. Go figure!

Homeward Ho!

2009-02-14T13:00:00.003-05:00

Jen again: Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! We woke up in Lone Pine, Calif., just outside of Death Valley, to a clear, cool, gorgeous morning. Our rustic mountain motel is ringed by towering craggy peaks covered in snow! We had a hot breakfast in the lobby and are preparing for the last leg of the trip through Yosemite National Park. This is the second time we've been through the park in as many months, but as John rightly put it: "I haven't been there this year!" Tonight, we'll sleep at home in Marin. Thanks to all who followed our trip on this blog -- hope you enjoyed the show!

Goin' Back to Cali

2009-02-13T23:12:00.002-05:00

Jen this time: We've arrived in Lone Pine, Calif. For me, it's good to be home. For John, it's a rite of passage. Rolling over the Nevada/California state line in Death Valley was a big moment; John arrived in California for the first time as a resident. Sweet. Tomorrow, Yosemite and then ... Home. Together. Finally.

Check it out

2009-02-12T20:58:00.001-05:00

At 6:51 p.m. mountain time, we crossed the 3,000-mile point in our trip. We're just outside of Phoenix. This number is significant to us becuase it represents the distance between us all these months.

The loooong star state

2009-02-11T17:51:00.000-05:00

John here (via mobile): It's been three days without internet access, but we're hopeful for Las Cruces, N.M. We stayed in a real hole in San Antonio. To top that, we went on a beer run around 11 p.m., just after getting a bite to eat. Well, we were in the River Walk area of the city, and there were plenty of little trendy, pay-8-bucks-for-a-beer little bars. But all we wanted was a 6-pack to take back to the room. Well, there wasn't a single gas station or any type of store in the area. It's not that there wasn't one open ... there WASN'T one. Lame! Anyway, we're in west Texas now driving through the desert. Keeping score? We've traveled 2,222 miles at the time of this post.

Leavin' for the Lone Star

2009-02-10T15:40:00.000-05:00

Juppy's wearing cowboy hats and swiggin' sweet tea by the quart. We're headin' Texas' way!

Time to dine

2009-02-09T22:45:00.001-05:00

John here (via mobile): We had a wonderful dining experience at Mulate's in downtown NOLA. We had a sampling of basically everything, which included frog legs, crab claws, oysters, catfish, gator tail, crawfish tail and many shrimp. The place was wonderful; it had river-style music and when you were in there you could imagine New Orleans as it was before the storm came through.

Big Easy ahoy!

2009-02-09T13:22:00.001-05:00

John here (via mobile): We're on the way to NOLA! We had a night in Birmingham, Ala., with Riley -- a bloke I knew from my ECU days. In New Orleans, we'll stay in a hotel just off the French Quarter. It's about a six-block walk to Bourbon Street. At the time of this post, we have about 6 miles left in Alabama. We'll slice off a corner of Mississippi, and then straight into the Big Easy. For those of you counting, we've driven 1,170 miles.

A new first

2009-02-08T00:11:00.001-05:00

John here (via mobile): This is the Jup-star after her first blog post!

Charleston, SC-Bryson City, NC

2009-02-07T23:58:00.003-05:00

Jen here: Friday night we spend the evening in the company of the delightful Maureen Hartshorn, my friend and former Marin IJ page designer who now works for the Post and Courier in Charleston. Pizza, beer, beer, uhh... beer. Oh, yeah, and Alka-Seltzer on Saturday morning after chowing down at the Cracker Barrel! South Carolina is not much to look at from I-26, which cuts through the state from the coast to the capital, Columbia, and threads north through the Blue Ridge foothills and into North Carolina's Great Smoky mountains. John's paternal grandparents, Wanda and Ken Swartz, who live in a cabin Ken built in Bryson City, fed us a delicious meal and visited with us Saturday night. Tomorrow: Birmingham!

2009-02-06T14:51:00.001-05:00

John here (via mobile phone): We're on the road, heading into South Carolina. We've just stopped at a Bojangles, and Jen is having her first-ever taste. Watch this space for her thoughts on this Southern fried yummy.

Our Trip

2009-02-05T23:07:00.006-05:00

John here: Well, I suppose this is technically Day 1 of our travels. We had a great good-bye party with my friends last night and people kept asking when we were leaving. Of course, when we'd say "the next day," there were a few surprised looks. They were thinking how ridiculous it would be to start a long road trip the day after ... well ... such an event as Wednesday night. There was, however, more understanding when I'd mention that the first leg of the trip was only 78 miles. The traveling really starts tomorrow. We're heading the way of Charleston, S.C., to see a friend of Jen's. In all there are quite a few stops along the way that include New Orleans, San Antonio and Phoenix. Below is our tentative trip plotted out.

View Larger Map

The one

2009-01-08T19:05:00.003-05:00

This post has been a long time coming, as the event in question happened a week ago today. There's no other way than to just come out and say it ... I'm getting married. No date's been set yet, but the ring's on her finger and it's all official as far as that goes.

Oh, I haven't even told you about the girl yet, have I? Well, here's a picture ...

... That's us on a wine tasting adventure through northern California. Her name's Jennifer, but I call her Jen when I even use a name. Of course, we're one of "those couples" have have pet names for each other. I won't put it in writing, don't worry.

She's a fellow journalist, working for the Marin (MAH-rin) Independent Journal, or just the IJ for short. We met at a work conference at Poynter in Florida last year; we were both learning video. Right away I could tell she was the right fit. Jen's got the biggest heart I think I've ever seen, and she cares deeply for whatever her heart tells her to. Luckily for me, I'm one of those things. She's got the amazing ability to do the cutest things and not even know they're cute. Just recently, I had flown across country and my sinuses were acting up. We were sleeping on an air mattress in Oakhurst, Ca., and I was snoring. She had to wake me up several times, and in doing that she gave me a light shake and said, "Baby, too much snoring." I can't think of any cuter way of being woken up.

You've seen the photo, so I don't even need to go into how beautiful she is, although I'd be remiss not to at least mention it. From the picture, you can probably see her blue eyes, depending on how good your monitor is. I didn't know it until I finally put 2 and 2 together, but they're the same color as the Pacific Ocean at sunset. Until I'd met Jennifer, I'd neither seen that color nor the Pacific. Seriously, go back and look at the picture of us, then look at this one I took of the sun setting over a mountain and the ocean ...

... See what I mean!

One word my mother often uses to describe me is tenacious. That adjective fits Jen as well. She's a newswriter in a field that is still quite dominated by men. She has to deal with cops and firefighters all day, not to mention the many city officials. She's rock solid all day and as fierce as any and then, at the end of the day, she'll come home and just melt in my arms. She'll let me carry her to the couch, lay her down, get her a beer and let her unwind. It's like she waits all day for my arms to take her, and then she can finally let go. I haven't gotten to do that much, as we're still too far apart, but I'm looking forward to doing it for years to come. And she'll even do it for me, though there's less carrying and more leading. I came home from a long day, and I was so tired she had to put me to bed. It's comforting knowing there is someone there who'll care for you when you need it.

I love this one, and there's no way I'm letting her get away.

Camping

2008-11-19T12:52:00.004-05:00

Mmmm, beer

2008-06-06T22:27:00.003-04:00

Life after college agreeable

2008-05-19T21:50:00.004-04:00

I've got to say, life after college has agreed with me so far. My days off from work are just that, days off. I don't have to wait for a work day off to coincide with a school day off to be able to schedule something out of town or simply lay around the apartment and not do a damn thing. On my last two days off, see picture below, I went to Clayton and hung out with my dad. We even checked out most of a concert ... before the rain made it too damp to enjoy.

Oh, and staying up until 4 a.m. -- which, admittedly, I've got to eventually stop doing -- isn't followed by that sense of guilt knowing that my time would be much better served either sleeping or studying. Especially considering my staying up until 4 in the morning involves one of (or a combination of) three things -- drinking, watching TV or playing games (video or card/drinking games).

Another thing I'm enjoying is the sudden absence of required reading. Not that I hate reading, quite the opposite, actually. But now I get to read simply for pleasure and only books of my choosing. I've just finished Bill Buford's Among the Thugs -- a look into the world of Great Britain's football hooligans. I actually got the book with about two weeks left in the final semester, and I'll admit I had a struggle of a time putting off really getting into it. I had quite a bit of academic reading I had to get through first.

---

In an unrelated topic, I'll take this time to put into writing my current wish list. I've recently used my extra free time to broaden my sport fandom, and I have recently included soccer to the list of sports I follow. Growing up, I played the beautiful game, and made some of my fondest sports memories while on the pitch. I'll never forget the sweet one-touch goal in what turned out to be a 5-1 losing effort. I made a side-by-side charge with a teammate with one defender and the keeper to beat. The back stepped in the direction of my teammate who had the ball. After the pass was sent my direction, the keeper charged in to attempt the save. The ball was fed into space, right between the keeper and me. I had to slide in with my left foot extended to make sure I got to the ball first, and I sent a slow roller just inside the left post with the keeper looking helplessly back. I had a decent basketball career, and even nailed a few big-time shots from 3-point land. I scored a game-winning touchdown once while playing football (I even received a 15-yard penalty for spiking the ball after the score). But I've never felt the rush of excitement equal to that which hit me when I scored that goal on the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base soccer field.

Getting back to my, I guess you'd call it, re-interest in soccer (or football as it's called when talking about my Premiership team Everton), I'd like to build a diverse collection of jerseys to go along with my fandom. I really like soccer jerseys. They're not as bulky and baggy as football jerseys. And unlike basketball jerseys, they actually have sleeves. Hockey jerseys are OK, but they're more like wearing sweaters, and it's just too hot in North Carolina to get much use out of them. I'll include here my top-5 wish list for soccer jerseys. I've already procured enough Everton FC jerseys to satisfy my needs for that team. I would, however, like to get a few player-specific jerseys from that club. Without further adu, the list (player, league, team, kit):

1. David Beckham, MLS, L.A. Galaxy, long-sleeve home white
2. Landon Donovan, international, U.S. National Team, short-sleeve away Navy
3. Benjani, EPL, Manchester City FC, home blue
4. Joleon Lescott, EPL, Everton FC, long-sleeve home blue
5. Clyde Simms, MLS, D.C. United, short-sleeve black home

Camping

2008-04-10T17:34:00.003-04:00

Conspiracy Theory

2008-03-08T00:23:00.004-05:00

Has anyone ever seen South Lenoir basketball coach Jimmy Smith, left, and former MadTV castmember Will Sasso, right, in the same place at the same time?

I didn't think so.

Somebody should look into this!

Phoenix's new back yard

2008-02-01T12:57:00.000-05:00

Phoenix and the Referee

2007-12-31T02:57:00.000-05:00

Phoenix

2007-11-04T00:00:00.019-04:00

Phoenix came to me in the fall of 2007, Nov. 4 to be exact. I went to the Humane Society of Eastern Carolina with my friend Jimmy Ryals, originally looking at a bulldog whose picture I'd already seen. But I wanted to see all the animals, and there were so many there I wanted to take home! But Phoenix jumped up on his cage when I walked by, and didn't bark. He just looked at me, turned dowm his high, pointed ears and started sniffing. He was the only one I took out on a leash. We seemed like a match right from the start.

His HSEC profile page read like it was written about me. "He looks a bit intense in his photos," it read, "but he's a total cuddle bug." Sure, sometimes people tell me I look a little mean and put-offish in my photos, but I too am a real softy on the inside.

It took a little while for Phoenix and I to get used to each other. I didn't know it at the time, but he'd been a shelter dog for over a year. He wasn't right away used to his new surroundings. He returned to the bed I'd made for him in my room often, and he'd spend a lot of time there chewing on whatever bones or toys I brought him. And suddenly, about a week later, he realized he was finally home ... for good! Phoenix took over the whole house! I have couches that reasonably seat five people, and he's god first dibs on four of the spots. He sure likes leaning up against those arm rests.

He also quickly learned new activities to enjoy. He really likes going down to the dog park at my apartment complex, but I think his favorite place is the trails at H. Boyd Lee Park (that's where the high school cross country teams in Greenville run their home races). A close second has got to be the couch, though. He naps like a person ... with his head on a pillow! He's so smart, too. Not that he knows a lot of tricks, but he's the most leash-aware dog I've ever walked. He'll be on his leash, see a tree coming up that's going to come in between us and quickly dart to one side of the tree so that we both pass without the leash getting caught up. I've had dogs that would just stand on the other side of the tree and just wonder why their motion was being restricted. He also knows how to untangle his feet from the leash. See, he jumps a lot, and sometimes the leash gets between his legs. He usually knows which leg to pick up to get untangled.

He's so great to come home to. I'll open the door after working, and he jumps off the couch and runs right to the door and jumps up to give kisses. Then he'll bounce and bounce and bounce until I've put all my stuff down and can finally pet him. Sometimes, friends come over after work, and Phoenix really enjoys the company. His favorite thing to do is drag out all his toys and show off how he can throw them up into the air and chase them down. Just the other night, he threw one up in the air and it almost hit the fan! I got video of that one!

Phoenix has also been known to browse YouTube for video clips of other dogs. He especially likes the ones where dogs do a lot of barking. Of course, I have to help him because I'm the only one in the house with thumbs. Dog clips aren't the only thing he uses the Internet for. Phoenix has a Facebook/Dogbook page where friends can write him and virtually pet him ... though he prefers the real thing.

Phoenix has been a very welcome addition to my home, and even after just two months, I couldn't imagine him not waiting for me at home whenever I get in from work. Together we stay up late, sleep late, watch football on Saturdays and Sundays and make sure each other gets fed. And that's the way we like it.

Heaven became an even better place today

2006-09-29T02:36:00.000-04:00

There are many reasons for families to gather. There are holidays, weddings, birthdays and reunions. And there are also funerals.

The Swartz clan recently got together to bury a great man … our Pappy.

When I look around at my family, it’s easy to tell I belong. When family members look and act alike, they call it “passing down traits.” When I think of Pappy Garold, I remember how strong he was. He was a farmer in central Pennsylvania for as long as any of us can remember. He grew corn, fruit trees … raised cows and maintained a campground. All that dusk-til- dawn hard work made him as strong as an ox.

His strength was never more apparent than when he gave you a big hug. He hugged like a bear. Whenever I’d first walk into his house, he be there at the door waiting. He’s draw me in with his enormous hands, and wrap both arms around me. Then he’d give me a scruffy, day-old-beard kiss on the cheek.

It’s easy to tell we’re a family. Those are the exact same hugs I get from my grandpa Kenny, Gerald’s son. It’s so great to see this family trait passed on. I know my father will give the same hug to my sons, and I can’t wait until the day that I finally get to pass on this wonderful family trait to my grandsons.

This post in memory of Garold “Pappy” Swartz, July 6, 1915 - Sept. 25, 2006.

--- Archived Comments ---

Randy
Sep 30th, 2006 at 10:52 pm

John,

So sorry to hear about your loss. These are the things that make us think a whole lot about life. If you need anything, don’t sweat to ask…

Randy
Stacy
Oct 1st, 2006 at 12:15 pm

oh John, Im sorry to hear about your loss. But your story about him is marvelous. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Love you!
Stacy
Julianne
Oct 2nd, 2006 at 4:41 pm

hey John, I wish I would have read this sooner. I hardly check bulletins, but I am glad I clicked long enough to find this one. I want you to know that this entry is beautiful and heartfelt. I know he is proud of you and ya know what?? you already do give those hugs. (thanks)

Poetry

2006-04-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

-- Her last words --
All that time as a child running in grass so green
Bouncing, jumping, flipping on the trampoline
Every day together growing up back then
Those mid-summer days that never would end

As life took me in a different way
I've been gone for countless days
Got a job, a house, bills and a pet
It turns out she's not done with me yet

Back to that place, now, I have returned
To see the girl for whom I've always yearned
But as I arrive, I can't help but notice
It's not the place where I had so much bliss

Around the room, no posters or purple sheets
Just a tile floor that's cold on my feet
No pink curtains, books or magazines
Just gray walls and loud machines

There she sits, perched up on a pillow
The once-rosey cheeks now a shade of off-yellow
The heart-rate beeps and the bag drips
As the life from her limbs slowly slips

She turns to her mother, her father and me
Opens her mouth to talk over the beep
Don't you guys cry she managed to say
Before you know it, I'll be ...

-- Beer (a sonnet) --
It's poetry class, don't use the word 'flow.'
Hell with that, it's the only way I know
to describe what my love does all night long,
A robust red or a super sweet blonde.

Only to brush against my lips, oh joy!
Under the influence, I am a toy.
Happiness is brought, freedom given, too.
Don't forget the courage will take you through.

Then to sleep, and you are late to awake
for that meeting you have, those notes to take.
The headache, it will come. And don't forget
that the blonde or redhead will leave a scent.

All will know that you were at it all night.
The flow, the beer, empty glasses -- just right.

--Peaceful Slumber--
I could watch you sleep all the night
just to make sure everything's all right
And protect you with all Zeus' might
Of Danger, you'd have no fright
If I must, for you I'd fight
To keep you safe until daylight

-- Good Morning --
I remember once, you said red was your color
When I saw you wear it, t'was like it's been on no other
I think I heard you like to sing
To me, your 'hello' is a wonderful ring
Late at night, with your head on your pillow
You're peaceful, laying there still so
In your dreams, visions adoring
I just can't wait to say 'good morning'

-- Broken -- (P1)
How many times have you had your heart broken?
For me, I can count, at least three.
That's why, in love, I am often soft spoken.
Hopefully, that's not the way I'll forever be.
I have a chance, now, I think to change.
I must move into a realm foreign and strange.
There is this one, you see, who may make my uneasiness go away.
I only need to courage to go to her and say...
To be continued...

-- Crudele Amore --
What is this thing called Love?
It is pure like the whitest dove
It strikes two people so close together
It makes every day seem like clear weather
It makes them want each other so deeply
For each other, it makes them needy
Love makes me yearn for you
Indeed, I love you through and through
But, it is love that plays a trick
It is love that makes me sick
It is love that acts so cruel
It is love that treats me like a fool
It is love that causes this blunder
It is love that tears my heart asunder
It is love that creates these tears,
When it is misaligned by five years.

-- Falling --
You can fall at first sight
Or in the midst of plight
You can fall with great doubt
You can even fall out
You can fall in forever
Or you can fall in never
You can fall for the one with whom you belong
That kind of love is customarily strong
There are many ways in which one can fall
I fear I do not know them all
I know the way I fell, I hate
For I fear I fell to damn late

-- Falling -- (reprise)
Falling doesn't always have to hurt
Or cover your pants in dirt
It doesn't always come with a bruise
But sometimes you fall and lose
There is one way to fall, the best I can think of
That's to be lucky enough to fall in love.

About me

1980-08-21T06:00:00.000-04:00

About me? Well, I work a lot, as a sportswriter, and usually during the best hours for most people's activities. Thus, my activities include football, basketball, baseball/softball, volleyball and soccer games ... mostly of the high school variety. I also get to a good bit of college athletics and some pro stuff ... mostly the NFL's Panthers. When I'm not working, I'll either indulge in this world or escape from it. My indulgences include going to parties with my friends (yes, I'm usually the oldest one there) or simply grabbing a stool at one of my usual drinking spots. To escape from the world, I enjoy losing myself in fiction -- reading or movies. I like almost any kind of movie ... as long as it's well made, I'll probably watch it. When it comes to books, I'm a little more selective. I like great stories with multi-dimensional characters. Often, I like to read an author who writes several, often unrelated, books about a single character(s). An example of this is John Sandford's Kidd novels. I'll also pick up a trilogy, or something of the like, from time to time. Though, when I do, I absolutely HAVE to make sure I get them all at once. One of my biggest fears, in this situation, is finishing the first two books of a trilogy and not being able to find the third ... and having to wait for a slow delivery or special order or something of the sort. I also really enjoy eating with close friends. Eating out or cooking in, it doesn't really matter to me. I do a killer curry chicken, but most of my best creations don't even have names ... they're just personal creations. I don't think I've ever had a dissatisfied “customer” ... though, I've thrown a few dishes out myself. They just weren't fit for friends. Of course, a bottle (or three) of wine accompanies each meal. I try to keep a stocked collection, but it's hard to keep more than a few bottle in stock. Other than that, all that eating and drinking forces me to the gym several times a week. I'm a former athlete, though, and probably the main reason I work out is to still have something involving activity to worry about. That, and I enjoy looking and feeling good.
Damn, who knew all my time could be reduced to a paragraph? There's not much more to know, I guess ... just more detail.

So, for that, you'll have to ask.