polomex

Wednesday was a historic day in civil rights. President Barack Obama announced his support for gay marriage, becoming the first sitting U.S. President to do so.

"I've always been adamant that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally, and I was sensitive to the fact that for a lot of people, the word 'marriage' was something that evokes very powerful traditions, religious beliefs, and so forth," Obama said in an interview. "At a certain point, I've just concluded that for me, personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married."

The Obama administration has always supported the advancement of gay rights, made obvious via its policies, but the President has never spelled out his support of gay marriage. (Not while as President, anyway.)

So yeah, it's a big friggin' deal.

But he's not the first President who was privately okay with the gays. In 2004, George W Bush said in an interview that he was in favor of civil unions for same-sex couples, "if that's what a state chooses to do so." He made sure to note that he was against gay marriage, but he believed "states ought to have the right to pass laws that enable people to have rights like others."

(Related tangent: The current Republican nominee is against even that much. Mitt Romney: "I'm in favor of traditional marriage between a man and a woman, and I don't favor civil union or gay marriage.")

And while Dubya was calling on Congress to change the U.S. Constitution "to define and protect marriage as a union of a man and a woman," the Bush Administration wanted to make it clear to the media that, on a personal level, Dubya was totally cool with gay people.

"[President Bush's] more moderate supporters... worried that he might look like a gay basher. Mr Bush's friends say that is hardly the case and that the President is quite comfortable with gays. Laura Bush, when asked in a recent interview by the New York Times if she and her husband had gay friends, easily replied: 'Sure, of course. Everyone does.'"

So even though Dubya was using his Presidential power to hold gay people back from equality, gay people were told that they shouldn't take it personally because, as the old saying goes, even some of his friends were gay.

President Ronald Reagan did nothing in regards to the emerging AIDS epidemic and did not even publicly address the issue until late in his second term, after tens of thousands of people had already died from the disease. But his daughter, in a 2003 Time article, wants to assure us that he was fine with gay people on a personal level, that his "compassion for other people is deep and earnest":

"[I remember] the clear, smooth, non-judgmental way in which I was told [that some people are gay]. My father gently explained that Mr. [Rock] Hudson didn't really have a lot of experience kissing women; in fact, he would much prefer to be kissing a man. This was said in the same tone that would be used if he had been telling me about people with different colored eyes, and I accepted without question that this whole kissing thing wasn't reserved just for men and women."

See? He has no problem with all those dying gays. Don't you feel better now?

Bill Clinton used the "It's not personal" shield as well. We were all told that he had pro-gay intentions, but his administration is responsible for the Defense of Marriage Act and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

So what role should a President's personal feelings play when it comes to policy? Does it matter at all?

That, obviously, is debatable. What is undeniably important though is how a politician helps or hurts people while doing his or her job.

And Obama has been very busy on the job. He's expanded the hate crime law to include sexual orientation. He extended benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. He has appointed more openly gay officials than any other President in history. He repealed the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. He signed a directive that gives same-sex couples hospital visitation rights. He lifted the travel and immigration ban for people living with HIV. He directed the Census Bureau to allow same-sex couples to be counted as such. He has directed U.S. agencies to address gay and lesbian rights when working with other countries.

The President's personal views are interesting magazine fodder, but at the end of the day, it's his political power we should be interested in. And his political agenda has been clear for a long time now. His affirmation is just icing on the cake.

Today was a perfect example of what I hate about online chatting. People fail at basic conversation skills. "Hi" "Sup" "Nothing" "Cool" Someone I hadn't talked to in at least 6 months messaged me, so I asked him how he was and what he'd been up to. "Nothing." Anything new in life? "Nope. Nothing." Seriously? You can't find ANYTHING interesting to talk about from the past six months?

I replied: In the past six months, you can say you haven't done the laundry, stubbed your toe, gone to a bar, gone to a restaurant you liked, saw something funny/stupid on the train, ate something amazing, ate something disgusting, watched your favorite TV show, read an interesting book or article, played a game, went for a walk, or ANYTHING. Any one of those things may not seem extraordinary, but it's a lot more interesting than "nothing."

I'm don't know why I didn't mention this sooner. Three weeks ago, Nick and I met my parents for brunch to celebrate my father's birthday. The topic of marriage came up in conversation, and my parents said they were curious how we would change our names, if at all, if/when we got married. They wanted to know if Nick would take my name, if I would take his name, or if we would change to a new name altogether.

For 10+ years, I've considered changing my surname, but I was always afraid of the insult my parents might feel. Now that they have initiated the conversation, I find myself kicking around the thought again...

In an effort to save some money, we're re-prioritizing and looking over our expenses. We realized we could reduce our cable bill by half if we switched to a cheaper plan. We'd have to sacrifice some channels, but most of them we never watch. For the few that we do, there is an abundance of TV content available online.

Today, we called the cable company:

*ring*ring*
Hello, Cable Company? Yes, I'd like to downgrade my current plan. It includes a phone line that I never use.
"Well, if we remove your phone service, your bill will be more expensive."
Wait... what?
"Yes, it's part of your current package. Ordering the TV and Internet services a la carte will cost more."
So, the whole is less than the sum of its parts. Fun. Well, I'd also like to switch to Cheapo Fewer Channels Package.
"Where did you see this Cheapo Fewer Channels Package?"
Online.
"Well, it's not here on my computer, so it's not an option for you."
Huh?
"Did you talk to someone online about this package?"
No, I saw it advertised on your website.
"Well I don't see it here."
Okay, well, I'll just go talk to someone online. What did you say your Rep ID was?
"Oh look here. You must mean the Cheapo Fewer Channels Fun Time Package. I found it."
MMhmmmm. Yeah, okay. Anyway, that's what I want.
"Great! I'll have to charge you an early cancellation fee."
What? So I'm being penalized for wanting to pay less?
"There's a fee for downgrading to another plan within a year of signing up with us."
So, that's a Yes, then. I'm sure there'd be no fee if I wanted to Upgrade.
"No, there isn't. Would you like to upgrade?"
UGH. No.

We roamed from coast to coast
with thanks to many a host.
And now we're home,
A pause in our roam.
For now, we've found our post.

Our home is still quite bare:
a couch, a TV, a chair.
But with you here,
snoring in my ear,
Want more, I would not dare.

Dream on, gentle titan,
of road trips, jackpot wins,
and birthday cake.
I'll be awake;
My arms, 'round you, tighten.

My LiveJournal is showing its age. Last Tuesday marked its eleventh anniversary. Eleven years! I can't say this is my oldest online presence, as a couple of rarely used profiles pre-date it. But I never could have guessed that when I started this journal rather randomly that I would still be keeping it up to this day. Nor could I have foretold the adventures that awaited.

And like me, my LJ doesn't move as fast and isn't as loud as it was 11 years ago. But hopefully, it still has something to say.

Things I've Learned in the Past Year

• I love Chicago, but there's a travel bug in me craving to see and experience new things.
• People always have motive; it's just not always the motive I think it is.
• As long as I stay on the ball, I can make a darn good travel planner.
• OCD has its sacrifices and its benefits.

Significant Stuff

• We spent most of 2011 on the road, visiting Las Vegas, Long Beach, Laughlin, Atlanta, D.C., Philadelphia, Boston, Niagara Falls, and everywhere in between.
• In September, we returned home to Chicago, moving into the Pilsen neighborhood. I think I've lived on all three "sides" of the city now.

Things I Need to Work On

• I should give people a chance to explain themselves.
• Some Chicagoans never knew we left. Some Chicagoans didn't know we were back. I need to spend more face time with local friends.

2011, you were a rough one. We spent most of it jobless and homeless. But we refused to be beaten down and went on an unforgettable adventure. Even when the chips were down, we had amazing friends to help us carry on. 2011, you were a bitch. But we made you OUR bitch. We slapped your ass and learned to never take anything for granted: not our home, not our friends, and definitely not each other. The year ended on a high note, as we found our way back to Chicago. But don't fret; I have a feeling we haven't said good-bye to the road just yet. And so, 2012, I welcome you with open arms and wonder what mysteries and misadventures you hold for me. Because after this past year, I know we have the strength to get through anything.

Credit goes to Time Magazine, where I collected most of the information.

Fifteen Minutes of Fame: Kris Humphries (Kim Kardashian's temporary husband). Marni Kotak (gave birth inside Brooklyn's Microscope Gallery as "performance art"). Sarah Lane (Natalie Portman's under-credited body double in Black Swan.) Cheryl Cole (former judge of UK's X Factor; inexplicably, judge of only one episode of US's X Factor). Rebecca Black ("Which seat can I take?"). Esperanza Spalding (won Grammy for Best New Artist and was virtually attacked by Bieber fans). Ted Williams (homeless man in Ohio with a "golden voice"). Mark Block (Herman Cain's cigarette-puffing chief of staff in campaign video). Bree Olson (one of Charlie Sheen's "goddesses").

The Long Goodbye: On Dec. 31, the U.S. will formally withdraw the last of its 40,000 remaining troops in Iraq, effectively bringing to an end a war that started in March 2003.

Void Where Prohibited: In April, a new reality TV show called Extreme Couponing debuted on TLC. The series followed people who clipped hundreds of coupons for hours on end, saving them upwards of 80% on grocery bills. These extreme clippers became symbols of our current economic malaise.

@ReallyVirtual: "Uh oh, now I’m the guy who liveblogged the Osama raid without knowing it." –Sohaib Athar, an IT consultant, who Tweeted about the sounds of helicopters and blasts from his home in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

Walk Like an Egyptian: Though the pro-democracy revolutions in the Middle East started in Tunisia, the world gave its full attention once Egyptians massed in Tahrir Square. Their success then became inspiration for other protesters from Syria to Yemen to those "occupying" cities around the world.

"It's been a really tough weekend." – Harold Camping, doomsday prophet and retired president of Family Radio, two days after the Rapture failed to occur on May 21; Camping's other prediction on Oct. 21 did not pan out either.

When the S—t hit the Debt-Ceiling Fan: The summer stalemate over the U.S. debt ceiling seemed to exemplify everything that is wrong with Beltway politics. Over the decades, the U.S. debt has ballooned, and without fuss, Congress has raised the legal cap 72 times. But when the Republicans saw an opportunity to push for dramatic spending cuts, they pulled the political card and held the American economy hostage. A last-minute backroom deal was reached just before the country defaulted on its massive national debt... but days later, credit agency Standard & Poor downgraded the U.S. credit rating, a dramatic blow for the world's largest economy.

Financial Crime Scene: Anti-G-20 activists played dead to make a statement against globalization during the annual summit of finance ministers and central bank governors in November.

@RealGilbert: "I just split up with my girlfriend, but like the Japanese say, 'They'll be another one floating by any minute now.'" – comedian and actor Gilbert Gottfried found himself fired by Aflac after his series of jokes about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

I'm Sorry: The News of the World CEO and chairman Rupert Murdoch ran a full-page apology in July after it was revealed that the British tabloid's reporters and editors had been involved in hacking phone messages over several years—most notably, deleting voicemails meant for a missing teenager. "I messed up," wrote Netflix CEO Reed Hastings in September, nearly two months after the company announced it would raise prices and split its live-streaming and DVD services. JetBlue chief operating officer Rob Maruster released a YouTube video in October apologizing for the company's failure in deplaning passengers during that snowy weekend, when six flights were stranded for seven hours at Hartford's Bradley International Airport. In October, Pope Benedict apologized for Christians' use of violence throughout history in growing their faith, including holy wars, inquisitions, and crusades.

"I'm hopping mad about it." – Ray LaHood, U.S. Transportation Secretary, referring to a series of incidents in which air-traffic controllers were found sleeping on the job or otherwise unresponsive.

But Mom! Everybody's Doing It: People from all over the nation held up detailed signs that explained why they felt slighted by the 1%, rallying support for the Occupy Wall Street movement. Emerging from the Australian "Lying Down Game," planking became the bandwagon of choice as kids lied face down, arms to the side, feet straight out. Denver Bronco Tim Tebow's habit of dropping to one knee and bowing his head in prayer after a successful play became the subject of an Internet fad: Tebowing. Hipster Ariel took Tumblr by storm; she lived under the sea before it was cool in a place you've never heard of. PaulaDeenRidingThings.com.

She Wore What?: Princess Beatrice's headpiece made history at the royal wedding; it also made tens of thousands of pounds in an online auction. Kim Kardashian wore three tacky wedding gowns, all designed by Vera Wang, for her event... and then filed for divorce 72 days later. Christina Aguilera wore a too-tight nude-and-black mermaid dress to the Golden Globes that must have been inspired by Burlesque, for which she was nominated.

Rapists Are Responsible for Rape: Thousands of provocatively dressed protesters took part in SlutWalks across the world this year, campaigning against the notion that a woman's appearance can excuse sexual attacks. A woman never "has it coming."

"Greece is bust, essentially." – Gabriel Stein, an economist with Lombard Street Research in London, speaking in April about the likelihood that Greece would default on its sovereign debt; Greece named a new Prime Minister in November as it finalized a $177 billion debt deal to avoid complete government collapse.

Human Cloning!: Okay, not quite, but it's close. Researchers reported using a variation of somatic cell nuclear transfer on human cells. In October, scientists combined the DNA of an adult human cell with the genetic material of an egg, rather than replacing the egg's DNA. This facilitated cell division and allowed the generation of (imperfect) stem cells. This process could one day, potentially, create stem cells that not only match their donor but also prevent the need for an embryo.

@BillGates: "For those of us lucky enough to get to work with Steve, it's been an insanely great honor. I will miss Steve immensely." Despite a tumultuous relationship, Gates was nothing but gracious after learning of his rival's death in early October.

Don't Call It a Comeback: Gabby Giffords. NKOTBSB (New Kids on the Block & Back Street Boys). Newt Gingrich. Britney Spears (#1 album, #1 single, worldwide tour). David Beckham. Melissa McCarthy. J.R. Martinez. Beavis & Butthead. Jessica Simpson (made $270M in fashion design).

"They love me ... They will die to protect me, my people." – Muammar Gaddafi, in March, denying any resistance against his 42-year rule of Libya, just seven months before he was captured and killed in his hometown.

Your Number's Up: Seven billion people populate the world, as of October 31. Four out of ten U.S. millionaires say they don't feel rich. Twenty million tons of debris are floating in the Pacific Ocean from Japan's tsunami. Only two people in Mexico speak the indigenous Ayapaneco; sadly, they don't speak to each other. It's been five years since Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas asked a question during oral arguments.

Airlines Can't Make Money: Six of the country's largest airlines raised fares nine times this year. In the first nine months of 2011, airline revenue rose 12.7%. But expenses for those airlines increased 16.1%, thanks to a spike in jet-fuel prices and rising labor costs. Even though planes are flying at record capacity, they can't make a profit.

"We got him." – President Obama, in the White House Situation Room, after learning that SEAL Team 6 had located and killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan on May 1.

Who Killed MJ?: Dr. Conrad Murray was accused of causing Michael Jackson's death in 2009 and was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in November. The infamy will last longer than the sentence: a possible four years in prison.

Occupy the World: On Sept. 17, a couple hundred protesters demonstrating against the excesses of corporate executives and the pervasive influence of high finance in U.S. politics set up camp in Lower Manhattan's Zuccotti Park and refused to leave. It was an unlikely occupation, one without leaders, agendas, or even a clear sense of goals, but it soon was echoed in myriad cities across the U.S. and the world.

@R_Mendenhall: "What kind of person celebrates death? It's amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We've only heard one side..." – Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall, who doesn't believe hijacked airplanes were the cause of the World Trade Center collapse, was dropped by athletic-apparel company Champion after his bizarre conspiracy declarations.

"My friends and I have been coddled long enough by a billionaire-friendly Congress." – Warren Buffett, investor and world's third richest person, proposing a higher tax rate for the super-rich.

Word for Word: Occupy. Winning. Planking. Carmageddon. Super PAC. Cone of uncertainty. Haboob. Arab Spring. Mankini, manscaping, manbag. Hactivist. Leading from behind.

@Ghonim: "Mission accomplished. Thanks to all the brave young Egyptians." Wael Ghonim, Google executive who facilitated a peaceful revolution over Facebook and Twitter.

Scott Walker Eats Puppies: Protesters in Wisconsin occupied the state capitol for weeks and then slept outside when police forced them from the building. Governor Scott Walker was pushing a bill that would restrict collective-bargaining rights for many workers, in an attempt to address budget woes. It was eventually signed into law.

The Utoya Massacre: On July 22, Norway experienced its worst single spasm of violence since World War II. In Oslo, a car bomb detonated near a set of prominent government buildings, killing eight people. At a youth summer camp, a gunman had mowed down 69 people.

"I'm on a drug. It's called Charlie Sheen. It's not available. If you try it once, you will die." – Charlie Sheen, in an interview with ABC News, insisting he was not on drugs or alcohol during his weeks-long public meltdown that cost him his job on the TV show Two and a Half Men.

@keithurbahn: "So I'm told by a reputable person they have killed Osama Bin Laden. Hot damn." – Keith Urbahn, chief of staff for former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld

Apologies: In February, Kenneth Cole was in hot water after Tweeting, "Millions are in uproar in #Cairo. Rumor is they heard our new spring collection is now available online..." In May, LeBron James apologized for his dramatic, showy departure (in a live ESPN program no less) from the Cleveland Cavaliers a year earlier. New York Congressman Anthony Weiner confessed to Tweeting a picture of his crotch and exchanging sexually explicit messages with various women in June. Tracy Morgan pushed the boundaries too far in June when he told an audience he'd "pull out a knife and stab" his son if he were gay; he released a statement apologizing for the joke.

"What happened here is going to affect the whole Arab world." – Zied Mhirsi, a Tunisian demonstrator, after the fall of President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali in January; Ben Ali had ruled Tunisia for 23 years.

You Know Someone Got Fired for That: In mid-April, Sony had to shut down its Playstation Network when it was attacked by notorious hacktivists LulzSec; the hackers were able to access account information and possibly the credit-card numbers of 100 million users. In June, HP began selling its TouchPad tablet, then pulled it six weeks later, then in September reversed the withdrawal. In late September, Bank of America announced a plan to charge customers $5 a month to use their debit cards; as many as 650,000 people switched to credit unions. In March, AT&T announced it would purchase rival T-Mobile; it will have to acquire bandwidth elsewhere because the FCC contested the $39 billion deal.

This Video Is Sick—Uh, I Mean, Viral: 1. Rebecca Black - Friday. 2. The Homeless Man with the Golden Voice. 3. Volkswagen's Darth Vader Commercial. 4. Michael Bolton, Lonely Island – "Jack Sparrow". 5. Father-Daughter Duet. 6. Webcam 101 for Seniors. 7. My Drunk Kitchen. 8. Anderson Cooper Cracks Up. 9. Dancing Thom Yorke. 10. Honey Badger.

@noaheverett: "Getting arrested... in the back of a cop car now: http://twitpic.com/5igfmy" –TwitPic founder Noah Everett used his own service in June to Tweet a photo from the back of a police car.

What's on Your Plate?: In June, the government replaced the well-recognized (but confusing) food pyramid with a colorful plate, quartered into sections: fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein.

@whitehouse: "@wiggsd Sorry to hear that. Fiscal policy is important, but can be dry sometimes. Here's something more fun: http://tinyurl.com/y8ufsnp #WHChat" -- That's right, ladies and gentlemen. The White House rickrolled someone. Seriously.

"They had to know." – Bernie Madoff, imprisoned Ponzi schemer, insisting that banks and hedge funds were "complicit" in his fraud, which cost investors some $50 billion.

What's That Smell?: Dogs have a sense of smell so sharp, it can detect the presence of cancer on a person's breath. German researchers trained dogs over nine months to distinguish between breath samples from lung cancer patients and healthy people. After training, the dogs were able to identify 71 out of 100 cancer samples accurately.

Will You Marry Me?: In June, New York became the sixth state to say "yes." Legislators voted to legalize same-sex marriage. Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law, making New York the largest state where gays and lesbians can now tie the knot.

Master Debaters: A question from a gay active-duty soldier was met with loud boos at a Republican primary debate in Orlando. In September, Michele Bachmann counted "mental retardation" among the "very dangerous consequences" of the HPV vaccine, a contention that has no basis in medical research. When Perry interrupted Romney during an October debate, the former Massachusetts governor laid a hand on his rival's shoulder, shouting over him, "Rick, I'm speaking. I'm speaking. I'm speaking;" Perry responded with an icy stare. Rick Perry failed to recall the third government department he aspired to eliminate in a November debate: "Oops."

@Rep_Giffords: "The #Capitol looks beautiful and I am honored to be at work tonight." – Gabrielle Giffords, Arizona Representative, seven months after being shot in the head during a meet and greet in Tucson.

So, How About that Weather, Eh?: The weather that battered the U.S. in 2011 was nothing less than crazy. The east coast felt its first major earthquake in years. A deadly twister in Joplin, Missouri, wiped out the town in May. A monstrous wildfire swallowed six hundred square miles in Arizona in June. Hurricane Irene made deadly landfall in North Carolina.

Come Out Swingin': Charlie Sheen vs Chuck Lorre. Donald Trump vs President Obama. Roger Ebert vs Ryan Dunn supporters. Common vs Fox News. George Anthony vs Casey Anthony. Chilean miners vs government.

Japan's Triple Disaster: Measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale, the March 11 earthquake off the northeast coast of Japan was one of the worst natural disasters in modern history, knocking the whole planet off its axis by a foot. The cataclysmic tsunami it spawned decimated towns and cities along the northeastern Honshu coast. Finally, a major meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant caused months of frantic emergency efforts and fears of radioactive contamination.

*GASP*: In May, International Monetary Fund director Dominique Strauss-Kahn was charged with attempted rape of a hotel maid and spent six weeks in jail and under house arrest; eventually, prosecutors felt the maid lacked credibility and she was branded a prostitute and a liar by the tabloids. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger confessed that he'd had an affair with the family's housekeeper that had resulted in the birth of a son over a decade earlier. The Internet was full of theories in October about Beyonce's allegedly disappearing baby bump; a release of some beach photos helped calm the rumors. Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was indicted by a grand jury in November on 40 counts of sexually abusing and assaulting young boys; even more disturbing is what appears to be a cover-up by Penn State officials.

HIV Treatment as Prevention: Studies showed that the same drugs used to treat existing HIV infections can also help protect HIV-free people from becoming infected. Two trials showed that HIV-free people were significantly less likely to become infected with the virus if they took the antiretroviral drug Truvada.

Another new year approaches, and once again we see the same old promises:

"I'm going to spend less."
"I'm going to quit smoking."
"I'm going to lose weight."
"I'm going to drink less."
"I'm going to exercise more."
"I'm going to eat less crap."

It's no wonder we have such difficulty keeping our resolutions. We set ourselves up for failure. Because while all these promises are admirable and good for us, they're not very fun. They all sound so negative, full of discipline or sacrifice.

We should focus on the positive things in our lives, the things we like and want to continue or expand on.

So maybe you like McDonald's fries. Go ahead and eat them! Denying yourself one of the treats in your life isn't going to make you feel better, especially on those stressful days when you could use a pick-me-up. But maybe you can start walking to McDonald's instead of using the drive-thru.

I was never a heavy smoker, but a few years ago, I weaned myself down to only one a day. I did that not by constantly telling myself, "Don't smoke," but by focusing on the fact that I could have another one "in 2 hours," and after a few days "in 3 hours," and so on. This shift in focus helped me get to a point where I was having one every 24 hours, and sometimes I even skip that one.

As far as budgeting, keep that one day of the week or month where you still splurge a little bit and spoil yourself to something nice. Your job and your school give you vacation time, so too should your resolution. Give yourself something to look forward to. Just make sure that your splurges aren't so big that they counter all your previous work.

Last year, my resolution was to "dance more." I had hoped that, in addition to having fun, this would get me out with friends and keep me active. I didn't get to do this as often as I would've liked, since we were on the road for most of the year. The few times that I did go out dancing though were fun, even if they were a reminder that I'm not as young as I think I am. I used to dance for hours and hours; now, I'm good for about an hour before I need to sit and rest.

This coming year, my resolution is to spend more real-life time with friends. In these online-social-networking times, because we "see" each other every day online, it's too easy to let real face time fall by the wayside. While I do like the bars and clubs, I only visit them once every couple of months, and who I'm going to see there is left to chance. It's not uncommon for months (or years!) to go by without seeing friends who live in the same city. I don't think we should hang out every week, but a little more often than once a year would be good. So every two weeks, I will pick a local friend at "random" (weighted by when was the last time I physically saw them), and make an effort to meet him for coffee, a burger, or (if he's as broke as I usually am) just a couple hours on the couch being bums.

I'm hoping that, with the added benefit of seeing friends, this will keep me active and connected.