Just so I don’t wake up tomorrow and think I was dreaming:

Tonight Amanda and I were walking home through the apartments of Irvine. I thought I saw a cat lurking through some bushes, so we went over to pet it. As we approached, it noticed us and shrank somewhat. Then I noticed something: it was spotted. Like a leopard or something.

And then I realized I was this close to petting a baby bobcat.

We didn’t know whether to run or just walk really fast.

Yes, I faced death in the eyes, tonight.

Tom’s First Law of Christmas: If you work retail, Christmas doesn’t exist for you, but some alternate, twisted hell-iday.

Although I’m sure someone already beat me to this law.

I’ve been working non-stop since I got home from England. It was home one day, work at 9:00 the next. Quite brutal. The days were long, too, but no complaints, because I can use the money.

I had yesterday off, and I have today and tomorrow off too. I’m looking forward to lounging about, playing some World of Warcraft (it’s been two weeks!) and getting stuff done around the house.

Katrina is in Colorado visiting her family. I wish I could be there as I haven’t seen them in a long time and they’re a nice family, but I have obligations to work and my own family. Maybe after Christmas when retail is marginally less hectic I’ll be able to visit them. Colorado is nice in the winter, especially for a California boy who never grew up with snow. (Except for that one time in fourth grade. I think Fallbrook lifers will know what I’m talking about.)

Please remind me to pick up my dry cleaning on Friday.

Things I need to remember to buy in England:

1. Thirteen Senses CD “The Invitation” for Rob
2. Absinthe for Katrina… or at least the bottle. Since they don’t sell empty bottles, that’s a lot of absinthe for one man to drink by himself in a few days.
3. Tobacco for my manager. He hasn’t let me know which variety to get yet, so this is still up in the air.

It feels like there is something missing here. If there’s anything you guys need, leave a comment.

After an initial bout of frustration, I’ve now got WordPress set up so that it automatically updates my LiveJournal for me.

LiveJournal, of course, is for savages. But since some people still read it, I suppose I have no choice. Although tomdale.net is so much cooler.

I write this post from on-board a KLM Boeing 747. Of course, I lack an Internet connection, but I will be saving this for later.

We are currently en route to Manchester via Amsterdam, where we will have an 3 hour layover. This time I am determined to get some absinthe, and maybe a pipe too. Amsterdam is always fun, although this will be my third time there and I’m getting a little tired of seeing just Schiphol airport—I want to venture out into the real city! Especially the red-light district, oh yeah. Which, coincidentally, the Holland Herald (the KLM inflight magazine) informed me of the etymology. Apparently the term comes from the US, where brothels would put red lights in their windows to let the clientele know what’s up. Now you know. I just feel sorry for any old ladies who may have purchased a red light and put it in their living room just because they liked the aesthetics.

The flight itself is absolutely brutal. The seats are cramped and you completely lack anything to do. You feel like sardines packed in a can, and everyone is irritable and rude. I enjoy flying when it is a domestic flight, but 9 hours to Amsterdam and then a 3 hour layover and then another hour and a half to Manchester is just more than one can stand.

I am however looking forward to seeing my relatives, as it makes me seem more cultured by association. I don’t know what it is about the English accent, but even Cockney sounds more civilized than when your average American speaks.

…time passes…

And now I am in Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. I’ve just been cockblocked by my mom, who will not let me buy absinthe nor a smoking pipe. Despite it being completely and utterly legal, I have been foiled again. My only recourse is to find a liquor store in the UK and find it there. Unfortunately, as I will not be able to drive, this could be quite difficult.