The great Michael Chang retired today. And that makes me sad. What little I knew of tennis in the 80’s & 90’s centered on him. He was an inspiration to me, as he was the lone successful Asian in a “white man’s tennis world.” He was a forthright Christian, who always gave glory to God after his victories—to the ongoing dismay of critics. I always rooted for Michael, like I root for most underdogs, no matter whom he was playing—be it Agassi or Sampras (who, incidentally, also retired today with much greater fanfare). I root for Michael, because it’s like rooting for myself. And rooting for my own success in an impossible world.

I met my friends Freddy and Jason in Fairfax today for lunch. We ate at Fairfax Towne Center and, being the cheapskates that they are, I ended up paying the bill. There weren’t a lot of people out at the time. Maybe it was the 95-degree weather, or maybe—at 11:10 AM—it was still a little early for people to be bustling on the street.

Jason was his usual quiet self. He didn’t say much at the table. He just kept poking at his food with his knife and staring down the waitresses. I think he has slight intimacy issues. I asked him once if he liked girls, and he punched a hole in the wall. I should introduce him to some of my girl friends. I empathize with his loneliness, because we have a lot in common. But unlike him, I’m at least open to talking about it.

Freddy, on the other hand, was all over the place today. He’s definitely a talker, and damn if I don’t find him funny. He makes the most wonderful jokes; I sometimes wonder why he isn’t in show business. He’d be a great comedian. He needs a little help with his wardrobe, though. He seems to think it’s Christmas all year round. He’s the way with red and green, as I am with black. And that hat and glove…it’s so 80’s Michael Jackson-ish. I’d like to introduce Freddy to the latest issue of Esquire.

After our usual jovial banter and guffawing, we got up and said our goodbyes. They were both going out of town for the weekend, so we weren’t going to see each other tonight after work (it’s Friday, after all). Freddy wanted to catch up on some sleep, while Jason was heading off to camp. I swear—it’s hard to see your friends go off and do fun things for the weekend, while you have nothing better to do than hang out in your house. But I’m sure I’ll find something to occupy my time. Maybe I’ll clean the house. Maybe I’ll go out and run some errands. Maybe I’ll go watch a movie.

After a hard two months of procrastination, I finally put my Bowflex together last night. It was so easy. I don’t know why I delayed. I have to say that using the Bowflex is a breeze. The bendable “weight” bars and the smooth pulley system make working out incredibly smooth and easy. There is no jarring, clanging weights that smash together with wincing force. There is no hassle of putting on and taking off weights with a free weight system. And most importantly, it takes up next to no room, when not in use. I love my Bowflex. I’m going to use it all the time.

Because I’m so broke, I decided to buy a $360 Casio Exilim digital camera from Ritz. It’s the smallest digital camera out there today. It basically replaces all of the disposable cameras I’ve been using for events, parties, etc. Now, I’m completely digital with my photography. I have this small point-and-shoot Casio, and I have my big, professional Nikon. I just need to put them to good use.

I got the complete Kolchack: The Night Stalker television series on DVD through eBay this week. I’ve started watching them, and I just love the comedy/horror aspect of the show. And the main star, Darren McGavin, is wonderful. (I swear, the guy that plays Trip in Enterprise looks exactly like him!)

I’m really diggin’ horror right now. I have to say this to everyone who reads my journal… Go rent or buy Return of the Living Dead! That movie will make you laugh and laugh. Prior to getting the DVD last week, I had only seen the movie as a kid, and I thought it was really scary. I wasn’t old enough to appreciate the humor of the script, dialog and acting. So, go get it now, and you’ll laugh your rotting flesh off!

I’m also loving Steve Nile’s writing. He’s a horror comic book writer, who recently released the smash 30 Days of Night series. He’s actually from Washington, D.C., so it’s good to see a local boy make good, and it’s good to have a hometown hero to look up to. Basically, I want his job. He gets to go bar hopping and clubbing in the evenings and stay home and write about it (with horrific twists) during the day. I want to be him.

I’m so naughty—I know… I went to Best Buy yesterday and used up the rest of my allotted cash (until the 15th) by buying the new Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Xbox game. It’s an amazing game (said to be the “game of the year” for sure). It’s a role-playing video game with an old-school Final Fantasy-esque turn-based fighting system. All with characters from the Star Wars universe residing on 6 different worlds. Oooooh, yeah. Video games are great if you want to save money. Instead of going out to dinner, movies, bars, etc., you stay at home in your room for days and days getting immersed in a game. $50 for weeks of entertainment is certainly worth it—considering I can sometimes spend $50 in one night at one bar (not to mention the hooker afterwards).

And that’s my life for now. I’m getting used to my new budget. It’ll take some time, seeing as how I have no money to spend on food or gas for the next 7 days. But I will get there. And my credit cards will be damned to hell.

Saw Chris Isaak a week or two ago (who knows at this point?). Instead of going to the show alone—again—my ex-gal pal Siobhan went with me. Boy, was it a hoot and a holler to hang out with her again! As soon as I picked her up, we went at it non-stop with the jokes and the inane dialog. It was like old times. Very good times. I sure missed Siobhan. She’s a whole lot of fun wrapped up into one.

Siobhan wasn’t a big fan of Chris before coming to Wolf Trap with me, but she loved the show. Lisa Marie Presley opened (though we weren’t impressed with her weak songs & stage presence).

I told Siobhan that Chris was one of my idols (along with Bruce Campbell, Johnny Cash, Elvis, J. Scott Campbell, et al.). I told her how I went backstage and met him last year in Maryland. She said I was his stalker. After the show, when it was my turn to get Chris’ autograph, Siobhan asked me if I was having trouble breathing. I told her, no, I was just hot. And she laughed and laughed.

I got my picture taken with each of the band members. Unlike last time, they all came out and talked with the fans. There were no special backstage passes—just very long lines. Siobhan kept laughing at me, as she took pictures of the band members and me. She didn’t even say anything to them. I would shake their hands and tell them they were awesome on stage—they would thank me, then look to her for some feedback. She would just laugh and call me a stalker.

We left, and on the ride home, I regretted not getting someone to take a picture of Siobhan and I. I dropped her off somewhere between late and later, and I went home for some much needed sleep.

The Chris Isaak show was great, but the company I kept was greater. Last year, I went alone. This year, I went with my ex. Wonder who’ll go with me to next year’s Chris Isaak show?

I’m swearing off women. At this time in my life, I don’t have the time or the money to spend meeting women, chasing them or dating them. I’m too much in the hole financially, and I’m much too backed up creatively to spend my free time doing anything else but writing, reading or designing. I have inspiration constipation, and I’ve got to spend hours and hours in front of a word processor to coax the thoughts and ideas out of my naughty little brain. I’ve got a new website to get up in two seconds flat. And I’ve got my body to sculpt—with only a year left before my high school reunion.

I’m booked, as they say. And barricaded in my single-room world. There’s something brewing in my mind, and I can’t conceive of what it is.