chris is going to build me a computer so that he can claim my laptop. he's like a mad scientist, purchasing various parts and promising me that, after he is done, i will have a new computer to rival the ones they use at nasa, or at least the public library. we went to fry's yesterday to pick up all sorts of devices, and i realized the extent of what a simpleton i am. he's throwing motherboards and graphic cards and drives into the cart, and i'm in the next aisle trying to decide what mouse pad i want. should i get the enrique iglesias or celine dion mousepad as to be ironic and funny? what about the water drops or the american flag design, or the one that states, "i love golfing" in big yellow letters? he's talking chips and processors, i'm asking, "what color keyboard should i pick?"

we also picked up a copy of "super smash brothers," just for the hell of it. there's one part of the game that they call "home run contest," and it's basically the character of your choice kicking the crap out of what appears to be half a tube sock. in the background is the kind of crowd that only the chicago cubs in game seven of the world series could possibly draw. who are these audience members? how much did they pay to get in? aren't they a little disappointed by this event?

new year's eve was fun despite the fact that i was stricken with a semi-deadly bout of a mild cold. it was a laid-back evening with good friends. my sister called me at about one in the morning, drunk out of her mind at some bar in lincoln park. "what are you doing?" she slurred, the sound of somebody getting naked in the background. "playing operation," i replied. she thought this was the funniest thing in the world, and perhaps it was. either way, getting back to basics was a nice way to ring in 2005, which i understand is slated to be the most evil year yet. just read the news, man.

today i have a full schedule of blowing my nose and nagging the cheese to get the rest of my computer parts. in one week's time: super computer 5000. imagine how much more blogging i'll be able to do.