Seabiscuit

Tonight, we watched Seabiscuit. I found myself comparing the Depression to the recession that we're in; yes, I know that they're aren't in the same league, but there's enough parallels for the movie to resonate. I love horses, and always root for the underdog too. Hmm. Now I want to ride again. Anyway, I highly recommend the movie if you haven't seen it already.

The last word

Rant on Swerve's journal about the commercialism of Christmas (12/25, 3:30 PM).

She's right, of course. I enjoyed the presents that I got, but also found that the gift-giving seemed a little hollow this year. Part of the reason is that I've reached a point in life in which if I want something, I usually get it (and if I can't afford it, my relatives probably can't afford it too). Part of the reason, though, is that the things that I really want no one else can give me.

I want my health to continue to hold up. My Chicago friend and I traditionally have a New Year's greeting in which we wish each other "light, love, and laughter". This year, he sent an e-card in which he added "health". He gets it (and there's a reason why he's a very good friend).

I want to gain back my swimming skills and improve upon them. I now can swim the crawl stroke across the entire pool, and I swear that no racer is as thrilled to touch the wall as I am.

I want to learn all sorts of things (obviously).

Some other things are going on that are too fragile to write about. I'm not sure what I want in that case. The right thing, whatever the right thing is.

I'd like to see a clear path to the future. It's muddied right now.

Anyway, the high point of the day probably was running around like a fool in the snow. (OK, standing around like a fool in the snow, hoping that my mom would take pictures quickly so that I could go back in the warm house.)