So life is pretty good right now. I’m having a great time seeing my Texas friends every day and my life is so stress-free right now. Tomorrow I have to go to crew at 9am, which sucks, but so what. Also, I’m pretty sure that Katie is blowing me off but that’s life. If I’m lucky I’ll find a girlfriend before the end of March. I know, woe is me blah blah blah.

So the Super Bowl this Sunday! Go Patriots! We should be going to Katherine’s house and making fun of Jernigan and Colin all night. It’ll be fun.

Do you know what sucks? Not being able to drive.

First I have to give a shout out (how ghetto of me) to Jessica…I was talking with her online and our conversation inspired me to rant a bit tonight. Ahem….All of my friends can drive (Kelli, you’re the only exception) but I can’t. I know how to drive perfectly…I can even drive a standard in Belgium, which is a terrible place to learn; people cut you off and speed like no other. Anyway, my parents never decided to get me a permit to learn to drive. Unfortunately in the great state of Texas you must have your permit for at least six months to get your license if you are under 18. This leaves me groveling for rides every day until March 26th. Luckily my friends have been really nice, but I still hate burdening them. Also, trying to go on a date where the girl (who is younger than me) has to drive is just plain embarrassing.

My parents better make up for two years of no car in a big way. I’m talking “spoiled little Friendswood kid” here. I want a car, and not a crappy used one. That’s right. I’ve saved them 2 years of insurance and gas. Pay up.

Four words: Return of the King!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Watched the Golden Globes tonight and they were awesome!! I got so excited when RotK won…I was such a geek. Also, I won the “game” we were all playing by choosing the most winners correctly. My picks were pretty much exactly the same as before, except I chose Bill Murray instead of Johnny Depp because I knew he would be the winner. Also, after watching the Globes, I really want to see the series Angels in America! It won every single award it was up for and looks absolutely amazing.

Really looking forward to the Academy Awards now! If RotK doesn’t win I’m gonna kill someone…most likely the first person to say something like “well, it never had a chance anyway”. On a side note, I really want to see RotK in theatres again soon.

January 24, 2004:
Boredom has struck me. For the first time since I got back I had absolutely nothing to do today. Katie, Kelli and Lisa were gone at TETA and Veronica, Melissa and Kira were gone for Speech. Jernigan couldn’t drive, Sammie was gone and I couldn’t get ahold of Steph all day. Anyway, someone please rescue me tomorrow or I am going to kill someone. And Belgians…write me damnit. I’m talking to you Geoff, Alex, Grody and Lauren.

So the Golden Globes are tomorrow and I thought I’d give my picks:

Picture – Drama: Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Picture – Musical or Comedy: Lost in Translation
Actor – Drama: Sean Penn in Mystic River
Actor – Musical or Comedy: Johnny Depp in Pirates Of the Caribbean: The Curse Of the Black Pearl
Actress – Drama: I haven’t seen any of them, but it will probably be Charlize Theron in Monster
Actress – Musical or Comedy: Scarlett Johansson in Lost In Translation
Actor in a Supporting Role: Tim Robbins in Mystic River
Actress in a Supporting Role: Once again, haven’t seen ‘em…will probable be Renée Zellweger in Cold Mountain
Director: Peter Jackson for The Lord Of the Rings: The Return Of the King
Screenplay: Lost In Translation, Sofia Coppola
Original Score: The Lord Of the Rings: The Return Of the King, Howard Shore
Original Song: “Into the West” From The Lord Of the Rings: The Return Of the King
Music and Lyric by Annie Lennox, Howard Shore, Frances Walsh

I don’t care enough about the TV awards so I’m gonna skip the. Oh, and in case you couldn’t tell, I think RotK should win every award it is up for. It is the greatest movie ever made.

So people should call me tomorrow and we should watch the Golden Globes. Sounds good.

So I had to cut off my Pukkelpop band today after five months of wearing it. It was hard to part with, but I got paint all over it from doing crew work and the paint smelled like ass so I decided it was time to go. I’ll have a memorial page for it sometime soon. Also, when I find a new digital camera I will show you my amazing new desk that I love. It’s really not that great, it just took me so long to put together and no one would help me that it’s kinda like my baby.

Also, I was wondering, why do Europeans clap after a plane lands? “Yes, we’re alive!” How insecure about air travel are these people? When they’re on an American Airlines flight and are one of four people doing it you just want to go over to them, smack them in the face and tell them to look around. Americans don’t clap on airplanes. Instead, we courteously thank the cabin and crew (including the pilots if they are there) on our way out. They did their jobs…nothing more, nothing less. So please, don’t clap for them…it’s so….white trash….or something.

So I’m back in Texas…today was my first day of school. Well at least my classes are easy. I really don’t like the school, but I’m sure it will get better. Currently, I just feel awkward in class and can’t wait for the day to end. I know a grand total of about 10 people and everyone else just keeps giving me weird looks in the halls. Maybe I’m just paranoid. Anyway, I have to go to crew now…nothing like spending more time at a school I don’t like!!

Today was a sad day, full of goodbyes. As bad as they are, these are the days you love and remember. They make you realize how amazing your life is and how many people care about you. Patricia, thank you so much for having that party. It meant more to me than you know…I really needed to see the old nonagon group one last time.

I can’t believe I’m leaving…it isn’t supposed to be this way. I’ve been in Belgium for one sixth of my life. I know it sounds cliche but this is quite possibly the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. How have I dealt with it? Denial. I’ve kept it all inside and I shouldn’t have. After the party tonight I went home and cried. I haven’t cried that much in two years, but no one knows about these emotions because I bottled them up. Anyway, I’m not getting much sleep tonight so I figured I should say my final goodbyes.

Guys:
Davide – It’s been great dude. You took me in and remained friends through it all. Even when your Dad hated me, you stuck by. I’m sorry we didn’t get to hang out more this year. It doesn’t matter though because you’re going to Trinity damnit and we’re gonna hang out on the weekends. Anyway, you’ve always been there for me. Long live the mother fucking Raiders.
G to the eoff – Even when I was a nerd in 10th grade you made me feel cool. Thanks for always being there. Now our midnight talks are going to take like five hours because they’ll have to be online! Sorry about leaving you with no guy friends…I’m always just a phone call away though.
Krif – Four years, loads of crap. Pretty much everything I’ve done in Belgium I did with you first. You got me to start going dt and always gave me a place to crash. It’s gonna be weird not coming over to our house for a while. Anyway, take care dude…don’t fucking smoke your lungs away. [vV] for life.
Medcalf – Scouts fucking sucked, dude. Good luck in your “endeavors”…make sure to keep me updated on the prestigious list of girls. We should have a movie marathon when I get back…we can even do that thing I promised you (it’s not what you’re thinking you sickos!)
Alex – Damnit, why couldn’t we have become friends back in 9th grade when we met!!! It’s been short-lived but awesome. It’s always great to meet your twin. Keep up the comic and movie collections. We’ll have our LotR marathon at grad!

My girls: Ya’ll are my best friends. I love you so much!
Patricia – my first friend. I owe so much to you. You are a truly amazing person and I love you to death. I can’t believe how much you’ve helped me change. You helped me open up to people and introduced me to pretty much every one of my best friends. When I’m old and senile I’ll still remember everything you’ve done for me.
Alexia – my second friend. In three and a half years we have really gone through a lot together. Star Wars, Chasing Amy…moments like those sum up our friendship. Though there may be lapses in time between our encounters in the future, they will always be the most memorable moments.
Rach – I have never felt unwelcome when you’re around. You make me so happy everyday, even though it is hard to tell. I’m gonna miss you so much…you have to come to Texas this summer!
Lauren – I hate you. Why did we become friends? Just kidding….or am I? You are my best friend and I love you so much! I can’t believe I’m leaving you, especially since you’re so close now. The last two years with you have been the happiest of my life and I will never forget them. I don’t really know what to say to you because you know everything already. I’m going to miss you most of all.

Well, its 4:17 and I should probably go to bed. I’m going to miss it here so much. Living here with ya’ll has changed me so much. I love who I am now. Thank you all so much. I hope the rest of the year is amazing…I’ll be thinking about ya’ll every day. Make sure to keep in touch.

Ryan.

You know you’re a good typist when you can type reasonably well drunk. I’d like to take the opportunity to apologize to anyone I may have talked to last night…I don’t remember what I said to any of you but hopefully it was nothing too stupid. I do, however, remember bending down and getting about an inch from the keys to try and find the right letters. Fun.

Anyway, I had fun last night so it’s ok. I went downtown with 5 euros and got very intoxicated on other people’s money. Another thank you goes out to anyone who bought me a drink last night. Now I must shower.

You know what I hate? Websites that are like all text. Yes, I know that my website has a grand total of like two pictures….I hate it. I wish I knew how to make websites look good. Everything is so boring when there aren’t any pictures. Maybe if I have lots of free time when I move back I’ll make it a bit more interesting. However, in the meantime, I’m sorry that the site looks like crap. If you know how to make it look better just tell me and I’ll probably listen (no guarantees though).

Also, I am Leahanne’s stalker! 3/3 on her mini quiz and the highest score on her stalker quiz! That’s right. Hey Leahanne, look our your window!

I didn’t see daylight today. I might as well be a freaking Vampire, I am living in darkness. I went to bed at 9:00 AM and woke up at 7:00 PM. It sucks because everyone is asleep and I want to hang out with someone. I also feel bad because Rachel wanted to hang out today but I was asleep…Oh well, it’s only a few more days until I’ll be on the same time as everyone else.