messages from 10-hour study hall

the day after boxing day is always depressing, isn't it...? wanted to call in sick today but i think i needed to get out.

it is a veritable ghost town at work today. i knew it would be, but this is just silly. the local morning news show talked about how most people are on holiday this week, so they don't have to worry about commuting in the bitter cold: it didn't help motivate me to walk out the door today.

my newly inked arm is still throbbing and swollen this mourning. (though it's gotten better.) it's not even the "fun" pain i was expecting/anticipating. it feels like i've been stung by a swarm of bees. i look forward to being able to move my arm again. i like how it looks, though...

i'm already designing my next tattoo. i wasn't planning on getting another one for a while but now my right arm looks naked and incomplete. i'm going to try to collaborate with the tattoo artist to come up with a design that "bridges" two of the other tattoos on my right arm. and then i need to find another "bookmark date" to get it done. and then i'm going to join the circus freakshow. (or maybe i can join the new guns n' roses.)

like ben affleck, i've managed to survive christmas. many thanks to the family who adopted me for the day. it may not have been "the worst christmas ever", but it certainly was emotionally debilitating. made me realize that new year's eve might actually be a lot harder than i expected. puts an even bigger spotlight on being alone, especially if you're at a big party... or a small party...

i finally told my father about my situation. in an email. on christmas eve. hey, i never said i was a good son.

if anybody wants to hang out with me this week (and it's no use denying that you all do!), i'll be on a strict diet of cigarettes and booze...