Wow

Good Lord, what a crazy few weeks! Thank God for a few weeks off, even though I only had a total of maybe two or three for relaxation. Started December with the Bud Light Port Paradise cruise, Florida to the Bahamas. Nothing like cruising quickly along on a real party cruise, wild dance parties on the main deck and thumping music echoing across the waves until past 1AM (after that started the after parties in the Crypt).

The Bahamas was a lot of fun, plenty to do in Nassau, to say nothing of Atlantis. Even brought back a string of pearls for a certain somebody special. Went from Nassau to a private island for a concert with the Silversun Pickups, the Dan Band (the one from the end of 'The Hangover," HILARIOUS!) and Nelly. Got back to even more parties all night, some dancing until exhaustion settled in sometime around 4, and then sleep, and back to Florida, for a trip down to Lauderdale again. Would have stayed an extra day, but somebody wanted me home earlier, and I'm not the type to argue with that!

It's been wild around Columbia, and Charlotte, and Charleston and everywhere else I've been since then. Prepping for my sommelier certification exam with all this stuff from the Guild of Sommeliers, playing around with my new camera, and even getting back to some of my writing. The writing especially pleases me, but getting some pictures taken, what with the 2X snow in less than three weeks, has been gratifying too.

I've been surprised by how many graduate schools are still trying to recruit me away from USC. I'm starting to wonder if I may have underestimated the value of getting into every program you apply for (and apparently some I didn't, like Notre Dame, among others...) But nonetheless, best I can do is just appreciate the treatment.

This years is going to be a big and busy one, no doubt, if only to keep upping the stakes from last year. More trips to more places, more to learn, and more to do. My resolution for 2011, I think, was to keep going at an ever faster pace, and focus more on treating my friends and loved one right. That and knocking off most if not all of what's left of my first-tier bucket list. So far, so good!

Anyway, I've got to get back to the Court of Master Sommeliers' guidebook. I'll be trying to update more often! As always, loyal R&C, don't do anything I'd do!