Big Thanks & Big News

Hello all!

Forgive me if I get a bit mushy for a moment, but I've lived a quarter of a century, and so y'all are youngins and I've earned it.

First of all, thanks to everyone for all the birthday wishes. You're all so kind to me...and I know I'm truly blessed to have such caring friends and family. Thank-you each from the bottom of my heart.

I've gotten lots of really great presents too. I got a great gift card to my favorite store on earth, Best Buy. I also got a really schwanky black zip hooide with the Zelda shield and swords crossed emblazoned on the front...very cool. I've also got Black Adder Goes Forth Series 4 which takes place during what must be WWI in 1917 on 'the western front'. Everyone is along for the ride including Lord Flasheart's decendant, and even Hugh Laurie (from Fox's House) is appearing again as "Lt. The Hon George Colthurst St. Barleigh". (Now that's a mouthful only Laurie could pull off) I also got several great bath items, and even got V for Vendetta! It's been really great! I've also received an awesome game for the PSP, Loco Roco. It's a great, addictive game that has incredibly simplistic controls letting anyone master it in a single playing session. I even got Season 8 of The Simpsons! So I've got nearly half of all the seasons that have aired! (Still missing season 7, and they're currently airing season 18) I even got a bunch of great birthday wishes from around the world and across the country on MySpace and through email...you guys and gals rock. (Love the sparkly cake, Kris!) I hope I've not forgotten anything...but needless to say each and every thing I got was absolutely fantastic and I'm loving them all.

We went out last night to see a movie which was really nice and a great way to unwind after what's been a pretty hectic few days. We say Jet Li's Fearless. If you like martial arts movies, this is a great one to see. Not only because of the fantastic fight scenes, but also because, if you're a Jet Li fan, this is claimed to be his last martial arts film. Even if "kung fu movies" are not generally your "thing", this movie appeals on other levels as well. It's actually got a great story to it. There's drama and romance to be found, and it's really a 'coming of age' tale in a way. We find our hero to be highly skilled but abbraisive and rash at the start of the film. Throughout the film we watch him go on a tragic journey of loss and pain in order to learn the error of his ways. A very good film. I'd give it a 4/5.

I want to thank everyone for a fantastic birthday, and most especially I'd like to thank Helen. With her, I've received the greatest gift of all in that I'm moving to England to be with her. This brings me to another point I'd like to bring up. I know most of you know this already, but the move is happening sooner than originally anticipated. Initially, I wasn't to move until 1 December. (Gotta learn to write in British style) The fact of the matter is that circumstances beyond my control or anyone else's for that matter have changed things and I will actually be moving within the next two weeks. I'm going through a thourough revamping of everything I own and repacking everything. I'm trying to get it done quickly because I will be gone by 15 October.

I know this may come as a shock to several of you. I know it will be difficult on some of my family and friends. We care for each other, and when someone we care for is leaving we feel it. Equally, as the person moving away I want you all to know that I feel it too. You know I love you all, but there are times in our lives sometimes that send us down a path we may never have seen coming, but we know them to be the right path. I would expect each of you to follow your hearts as well.

I guess the only way to explain it is love. If you find someone that you have fallen in love with, you are truly blessed. And if you love that person so deeply that you are incomplete without them at your side...that when you are kept from them you hurt inside...then you need to do what it takes to be with that person. Love is special...and something worth fighting for. Despite what any guy will tell any other guy for fear of sounding soft...we all want to find that special someone in our lives to share our lives with.

Maybe the love of your life will live down the street...maybe across town or maybe across the country. You don't choose love...it chooses you. In my case it called me from across the ocean and I'm responding because I recognize how amazing it is, and I don't have any intention of overlooking it and letting it pass me by. If I may quote The Princess Bride, as Westley says, "This is true love...do you think this happens every day?"

So my advice...for what it's worth...to each of you is to follow your hearts. Explore your loves...don't take them for granted. If you have someone special in your life...be thankful for them and love them and don't let a day pass that they don't know that they are the most important person in your life. Because as Mr Garth Brooks said (yes, I'm quoting country),

If tomorrow never comes, will she know how much I loved her?
Did I try in every way to show her every day that she's my only one?
If my time on Earth were through and she must face this world without me...
is the love I gave her in the past gonna be enough to last if tomorrow never comes?

Thanks again to everyone for a great birthday...it won't be forgotten.

Okay, I'm done being mushy, I promise. But as I said, I've lived a quarter century now and I feel I've earned it, you little whipper snappers. Now get off my lawn!