Every once in a while, I am blessed to bear witness to the new and wildly unusual. Perhaps this is due to life's tendency to go on auto-pilot. Days come and go, but nothing really seems to stand out in any way. So without ever actually being aware of it, life gets boring and monotonous.

Oh sure, it never seems that way. That is, until you find yourself in the midst of something that can only be described as bizarre. Indeed, I found myself in such a position yesterday.

Yesterday, I happened to be out shopping for shorts and some new shirts, and I happened to overhear a cell phone conversation from a man nearby. This is nothing unusual, as I've gotten used to the whole cell phone thing by now. I still get annoyed when people yak so loud that anyone within a 20-foot radius can hear them, but I digress.

What made this whole situation strange was not that it took place, but where it took place. I happened to be at J.C. Penny. In the fitting room. You read correctly, the cell phone conversation I was subjected to took place in the fitting rooms. To be precise, in the room right next to mine.

Most times, if I don't want to listen to people yak on their cell phones, I can just walk away. As you can imagine, I wasn't exactly in any position to do so at the time.

The following is only a mere part of the conversation that took place (my thoughts/responses are in italics):

Man: Hi...well, I'm in the fitting room at the moment.
Do tell.
Man: Why would I want to do that? That makes me mad just thinking about it.
Uh oh, here it comes.
Man: Well, you just tell him that that's not something we can think about right now...of course I'm upset! But I don't want to talk about it.
Good, good. Now hang up the damn phone.
Man: What?!! He thinks he can move and I won't have an opinion about it? No. No.

Though I don't make a habit of eavesdropping, I plead innocence in this case, as I was not offered an opportunity otherwise. So while I didn't read into the conversation too much, I'm only human, and my mind sought out possible reasons for said conversation: moving out, a pregnant girlfriend, and parole violation, to name a few.

I still remain somewhat perplexed about the whole ordeal. I will wrap up by leaving you with a lovely piece of advice:

If you're looking for a nice private spot for a cell phone conversation, please, please do not have it in the fitting rooms. Ever.

One of the greatest things about summer is that, no matter how much responsibility might actually exist in your life, none of it seems to be all that pressing. What I mean is that summer has this fascinating quality that seems to bring out the joys in life.

As an adult, I can say that most times I don't mind bearing responsibility. In fact, the independent side of me revels in it. Still, though, I love to kick back and shoot the shit, so to speak. You know, take life one day at a time, and enjoy the heck out of every passing minute. Summer seems to be the one time of year during which this is not only possible, but it is expected.

Long days filled with sunshine, evenings demanding that you watch the sunset, and nights that invariably merit star-gazing. Summer is about taking a step back and really enjoying life instead of letting it pass you by.

Sure, there are those out there who would disagree, and insist that responsibility still takes precedence over enjoying life for a change. What makes summer even more perfect is that it allows opportunity to handle the business, responsibility, and the various other mundane: blustery days and the occasional excruciatingly hot day. I would include rainy days, but those are always fun to go out and about, and to spend money saved for just such a day.

At least half the meals you eat throughout the summer should be outside. Picnics are good, barbecues are mandatory. If you eat at a restaurant, do be sure to eat on the patio, assuming, of course, that it has one.

Perhaps, at this point, you might be wondering why it is that I suddenly decided to write a post like this. Suffice it to say that this is exactly how my summer has been going thus far, and it has been nothing short of wonderful. Only I'm a little behind on getting a whole bunch of stuff done, and so am stuck having to do it on a beautiful day.

And so I will grumble, but I am inspired to get it done quickly, so as not to have broken too many of the rules of summer.

The following is a creative writing piece, compliments go to Rod for the great idea. This week's topic is "Spice Rack," and what you read below is my own creative writing piece inspired by the topic. I opted for some freestyle fiction today, so I hope you enjoy.

Maria paced the kitchen floor, lost in thought. What to eat, what to eat. Her stomach burned with hunger, and yet, a sense of bittersweet remained in her mind. How could she have been so blind? Regardless of how she tried, she could not, would not let go. It was too late.

She opened the pantry and stared inside. Everything was organized immaculately. Her eyes scanned the shelves, and she willed the food to jump off the shelf at her, so as to be spared from making the decision herself. Her eyes glazed over as memories flooded through her, and as her head lowered in defeat, she had a fleeting glimpse of light reflecting off glass.

She blinked, then turned her head. There to her left was her spice rack. A spice for every memory. She read over a few labels. Cayenne Pepper, Cumin, Thyme. As if she was not overwhelmed by her thoughts already, whole new memories and feelings coursed through her. The pain of a lifetime could be found within those spices. Maria had, in the past, cooked with her feelings, matching them with spices.

She knew it was futile. It always was. Her thoughts raced uncontrollably, until at last her mind stopped, settling on a single, novel idea. Her mouth twitched, almost into a grin. It was time. No more could she hold on to the past, no more could she dwell on what was beyond her control. Carefully, she removed the rack from its place, careful to balance the weight of all the little glasses so as not to drop any of them.

Maria quietly walked through her house, and out the front door. She was sure others might stare in awe as she carried her spice rack with her, but she did not care. She continued walking, until at last she arrived at her destination. It was an abandoned warehouse. Littered with broken beer bottles, the warehouse knew secrets of dozens of frustrated lives.

As she stared into the setting sun, Maria's resolve become overpowering. She flung the spice rack with all her might. As it soared into the air, a few of the spice glasses fell out and began to tumble to earth. the rack hit the wall with a resounding thud, then fell to the concrete below. Maria closed her eyes and listened as the sound of glass breaking filled her ears.

She opened her eyes and watched as spices filled the air, a jumble of scents and color. Glass lay strewn about on the ground, and spices dusted the ground in a whirlwind of color. As she gazed, transfixed, Maria felt that at last it was over. What she saw before her and what se felt inside could only be one thing: freedom.

As dusk settled more fully along the horizon, Maria turned and began her slow walk home.

Today I awoke to find this piece of good news. This past week has been full of news and blogs related to the Federal Marriage Amendment, better known as the "constitutional ban of gay marriage." I posted a message to my Yahoo! Group that was my own personal take on the matter. After emailing it also to a few friends, their response was that it needed to be more widely published on the internet. I don't usually do this, but I have decided to go ahead and post it here on my blog. It reads as follows:

This week, the Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA) is being put before the United States government. As is expected, the conservative right is pushing heavily for this amendment, in the name of "protecting marriage."

However, I do not want to focus on ideas of marriage at this time. Rather, I wanted to share something more personal, that expresses my views as a person. I am doing this not so much because I want to ignore the marriage issue itself, but because I feel that many people fail to take into account the fact that the amendment is going to affect people. People: brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, nephews, parents, children, friends, neighbors. People.

My experiences thus far can only be described as trying, exciting, but most of all, challenging. I have been a long time coming in accepting a part of me that has always been so, despite my not allowing it to be. Youthful bliss gave way to fear. Fear of the unkown. Fear of the feelings coursing through my soul. Fear of being the person I am inside. Fear of what others would think of me once they discovered this part of me, as I knew they inevitably would. I was, and to some degree still am, afraid of myself.

I cannot count the hours I spent wishing it were not so, trying with all my might to not let that be me. I remember sitting down at one point, lost in a sea of thought, and suddenly one question popped into my head: Why me? Why should I be so lucky?

What was a question of despair turned out to be a turning point for me. Lucky. I could not fathom it. But when I thought about the concept of what it means to be lucky, I suddenly started questioning why the sorrow, why the despair. Indeed, I am lucky. I am alive. Every day I get to see the shining sun, and each night I can look to the moon and the stars in wonder. Life is all around me. I have family. I have friends.

Much of the sorrow I felt inside not only lay in those feelings from which I tried so hard to escape, but also on what they meant for someone who wanted to make a difference in the world. For a long time, I believed that others would not accept what it was I had to offer if they knew the real me. Thankfully, I was wrong. The result of this belief was a number of superficial friendships, kept so by the guy who was afraid to even get to know himself: me.

While the idea of regret has crossed my mind, I refuse to believe that the path I have walked is in any way wrong. Unless, that is, wrong means learning how to let go, to look inside myself and at last see something good, all in my own time. To be at peace with what I feel inside, and to suddenly find joy in a life that was quickly losing it.

I have learned to trust myself. I have learned that people see only what they want to see, having done so to myself for far too long. I realized, when I opened my eyes, that I was so much more than what I saw in myself. And that maybe, just maybe, others might see that as well. As I've grown and made new friends, I've discovered the true depths at which friendship runs. I've discovered that integrity counts for something, and I've discovered that hiding myself away to shelter others benefits no one.

I never imagined I would say it, but the truth is I am thankful to be the man I am today. I have come full circle. Whereas before I saw my homosexuality as a source of sadness, frustration, and shame, I now recognize that it is none of these things. I have been blessed with a unique gift: to see the world from another perspective.

I may not always be happy about it, and yes, there are still times when I lose sight of the good, but having recognized its presence, I know that it is only a matter of time before it fully becomes a part of me. It is all part of growing and living, and I would have it no other way.

Dorid has a fun Mr. Picasso Head challenge up. The piece you see above was the result of hours of arduous labor in my special lab. Of course, I couldn't resist also writing in my two cents on the subject. Just remember that when you laugh, try not to do so while holding your paint brush, as paint has a tendency to splatter. and I just mopped the floor.

Greetings. My name is Phil Picasso, and I will be teaching you the art of art today. No questions need be asked, I will tell you all you need to know. You in the back, I trust you'll find what I have to say far more interesting than that silly book. Give it to me, now.

The first thing you need to know about art is that I am the best. You will find no better artist than me, so don't bother looking. My class will make you all stunningly amazing painters. Remember that, it just might be on the quiz.

Art is comprised of three letters. They mean nothing by themselves. That's why we put them together to say "art," so that they have real meaning. Get the picture?

Now, what is art? Art is beauty. Art is life. Art is love. Art is soul. If you want it put in the simplest terms, I say: "art is." That's really all you need to know. If you say it's art, then it's art. And if anyone questions you about your art, you may hereby glare at said person, squint, remove your beret and firmly slap them across the face. You can then hurl wild accusations at them about their mother.

Okay, enough lecture. Now, let's get painting, shall we?

Though I am the first to admit that I'm not in the least bit conceited, thanks to Mame, I came across an amazing website. Indeed, it's the Advertising Slogan Generator! After seeing some of the slogans this astounding generator created, I decided to do a post about various ways to sell myself. And since I'm not exactly the cleverest of advertisers (especially when I have to sell myself--let's just say resumes aren't exactly my forte), I let the generator do all the work.

That's right, what follows is a series of ads aimed at selling one product: me. Well, at least my blog. Okay, here goes: 25 ads a la me. Sloganize!

1. See the Phil, Feel the Shine.

This one seems sensible. It caters to my charming personality and contagious sense of humor and wonder. Yeah, right.

2. A Different Kind Of Company. A Different Kind Of All Things Phil.

Sometimes the best advertising slogans are the most obvious ones. I always like to do new things on my blog, it's just what I do.

3. Wear All Things Phil.

Well, I had never considered a clothing line. If I turned my wardrobe into a clothing store, I bet the only person who would shop there is me.

4. Nobody Does It Like All Things Phil.

Truer words were never spoken. Sure, I suppose a part of me would be flattered if someone was to copy my style, but I'm way too competitive to let anyone actually get away with it. Consider yourself warned.

5. Top Breeders Recommend All Things Phil.

I'm not exactly sure why breeders would be recommending me, but there's nothing wrong with another endorsement. I won't complain.

6. Don't Be Vague. Ask for All Things Phil.

This is not only a good slogan, it's wonderful advice. I suggest making it words to live by. You'll never go wrong.

7. If You Can't Beat All Things Phil, Join All Things Phil.

I must admit I really like this business philosophy. It caters to my competitive nature, but also to my more amiable side. It's like the best of both worlds.

8. You Like All Things Phil. All Things Phil Likes You.

It's a win-win situation. Need I say more?

9. Grab Life by the All Things Phil.

This one's for those of you sports fans out there. See? I appeal to a wide variety of people.

10. The Lion Goes from All Things Phil to All Things Phil.

I'm not entirely sure what this one means, exactly. But the lion starts and ends with me, so I'm fairly certain that's a good thing. Right?

11. Four out of Five Dentists Recommend All Things Phil.

Considering I'm neither toothpaste, toothbrush, or mouthwash, I'll take this one as a compliment. I'm fairly certain five out five dentists recommend me, but in the world of advertising, the only way to beat the competition is to appear humble. I think it works.

12. What's In Your All Things Phil?

A worthy question, to be sure. And something that I'd actually be curious enough to wonder about.

13. All Things Phil Tested, Mother Approved.

That right there should immediately make you cast away all doubts and throw inhibition to the wind. You know you want to.

14. I'm a Secret All Things Phil Drinker.

This one is obviously for my line of beverages, of which there is of course both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. I keep everyone's best interests at heart.

15. An All Things Phil A Day Helps You Work, Rest and Play.

It's clinically proven, too. Trust me.

16. The Too Good to Hurry All Things Phil.

By nature, I'm very laid-back, easy-going, and all-around chill. Turns out the same goes for my blog entries. So sit back, sip your ice-cold beverage on a hot summer day, and enjoy reading All Things Phil.

17. Things Go Better with All Things Phil.

I think this one might become the eighth wonder of the world.

18. Turn Loose the All Things Phil.

I'm not quite sure to whom this one is directed, but I think it's pretty darn good anyway.

19. Better Living Through All Things Phil.

I like this one because it is so full of hope. Heck, it even makes me feel good.

20. See the Face You Love Light Up With All Things Phil.

It really helps that I tend to have some form of grin on my face all the time. Smile!

21. It Could Be All Things Phil.

I assume this one refers to some level of nirvana, or something.

22. All Things Phil - It Does a Body Good.

Of course I have to endorse drinking milk, not only for stronger bones, but also to help fight osteoporosis. The yellower your bones, the healthier (that's a true scientific fact, by the way).

23. The All Things Phil Of Paradise.

There really isn't any other kind, to be honest.

24. You've Got Questions. We've Got Yo Phil.

That's right, never forget your one-stop destination for advice on practically anything and everything.

And finally...

25. When You've Got All Things Phil, Flaunt It.

A particularly good piece of advice. Be proud!

In this day and age of continually recycled movies and convoluted sequels and/or prequels, we are periodically blessed with a film that actually promises a small specter of originality.

If you have seen X-Men 3: The Last Stand, you'll know that I'm talking about the funniest preview played, none other than Snakes on a Plane! The story involves snakes on board in airplane, believe it or not. Though no one working on the film will ever publicly admit it, I suspect that the following were among the ideas before finally settling on snakes:

• Gophers on a Tractor
• Squirrels on a City Bus
• Lemmings on a Cruise Ship
• Collies on a Commuter Train

Probably what happened was they looked at the five possibilities, realized that the snakes would eat the other four in the group (including the collies), and realized that they were therefore the most menacing. And thus a movie was born.

While the title itself is reason enough to see this film, there are other perks that will undoubtedly merit hitting the theater on opening day:

1. It stars Samuel L. Jackson, who wowed the world with performances in movies such as Pulp Fiction and The Negotiator.
2. It's rated R. An R rating generally means "this movie is incredible." In this case, the violence and action only earned a PG-13 rating, so filmmakers decided to up the ante with dialogue. Instead of having Jackson say "I want these snakes off this plane!", they have chosen to challenge our minds with the new and breathtaking lines, "I want these motherfucking snakes off this motherfucking plane!" That line gives me chills just reading it.
3. It involves snakes. On a plane. Regardless of the rest of the plot, especially whether said plot can even be called interesting, this fact alone makes the film worth viewing. At least twice.

So go ahead. Clear your calendar on August 18, because this is one blockbuster hit you will not want to miss.

One thing that has been consuming exorbitant amounts of my time recently has been--dare I say it--cleaning. One thing about school is that it has a strange way of taking priority over various other important aspects of life, such as in terms of responsibility (I exclude taxes from this statement).

With the close of the semester, I worked hard to play catch-up on so much I'd put by the wayside, and am now more or less in the clear. And then it was time. Yes, time to start the dreaded spring cleaning. Sure, it's pretty late in the game if you're thinking in terms of the whole "spring" thing. Regardless, I've had to actually clean.

Cleaning itself is nothing new to me, at least in terms of the idea. I'm referring less to vacuuming, dusting, and all that, as I'm (gasp!) fairly good about that part. I mean cleaning in terms of sifting through the odds and ends I manage to collect over time.

Now, the Phil of the past, as it turns out, was extremely talented when it came to this whole sifting and cleaning process. Only it was not exactly cleaning, per se. It was more of a process of pulling all my junk, staring at it, sorting through it, and then reorganizing it and putting it all back. What really astounds me, looking back on it, is how I somehow managed to keep half the stuff and yet still make it all look nice and neat. It's astounding.

This time around, I had a new plan of attack, aiming to actually get rid of stuff this time. Thus far, I have emerged victorious. There is still more to come, but I feel I've made incredible progress.

One thing I find incredibly puzzling is exactly why I kept some of the things I did. Sure, there's a part of me that suffers from sentimentality, but some of it is extreme. I realized, this time around, that memories remain with or without some of the little reminders. And for much of the stuff I had accumulated, there are people out there who can actually use and enjoy the things that have been collecting dust. It's nice to reminisce, but I think it's even nicer to be able to brighten another's day.

As I continue to clean, I feel better all the time. I feel good knowing that some of my old stuff can be used again, though this time not by me. And as an added bonus, the space that's being freed up is most welcome. Ah, I could get used to this.

The following is a creative writing piece, compliments go to Rod for the great idea. The topic is "Out the Window," and what you read below is my own creative writing piece inspired by the topic. I hope you enjoy.

Stare out the window. Lose yourself in thought. Perhaps if you sit and think long enough about everything, your worries will suddenly go away, and your fears will be unfounded. Yes, that would be nice, wouldn't it. Just let everything fall by the wayside, and perhaps you could rest easy.

Stare out the window. See trees, birds, signs of life. The variety and majesty trumps all. Look to the horizon, see endless possibilities and gaze, awestruck, at what no man could ever create.

Stare out the window. Focus on nothing, allow your thoughts to flow as they may. Close your eyes, allow your conscience to clear. Let yourself be enveloped in peace. Let it consume you.

Stare out the window. Your eyes glaze over as you stare, transfixed, at nothing in particular. No matter how much you want to, you cannot control the thoughts rushing through your head. Feelings intrude on your senses, and you feel things you do not consciously permit yourself to feel or think.

Stare out the window. The window stares back. Only it's you that stares back. You, a reflection of a rational mind. You, who always was, who always is, and who always will be. You cannot change you. You are you.

Stare out the window.

Driving is ever the eventful experience. No matter how much experience you acquire, there's always more to learn. And, as I was humbly reminded the other day, there are certain things that you simply cannot control when you are driving.

This past Tuesday, I was driving along, minding my own business, frustrated with traffic but still my usual car-dancing/singing self. I'm driving along with the flow of traffic, which was moving 30 mph in a 40 mph zone. At that groundbreaking speed, I was not worried about too much.

That is, until I look up ahead to my right and see a projectile flying toward me. Indeed, a rock suddenly flew into the air and made a perfect arc...right toward me. It was one of those moments in which time suddenly slows down when the rock arced at its peak, and then instantly time goes back to normal and the rocks comes barreling forward, the laws of physics demanding that gravity act upon it immediately.

Gravity was clearly not working in my favor that day, as I happened to be driving exactly in the rock's path of return to earth. Two words escaped my mouth before the inevitable collision of the rock on my windshield:

"Oh shit."

Despite the fact that I watched the thing, I flinched/jumped when it made contact with the windshield with a resounding crack. When I came to a stop a little farther down the road, I looked at my poor windshield to see what damage had been done, and sure enough, the glass maintained a large chunk missing and a crack that I knew would spider.

Thankfully, the rock was not terribly large, but it was large enough to put a good dent in the windshield, though at the time I was just thankful that it hit the glass and not, say, me. No doubt that would sting.

The good news, though, is that I took it to the glass place yesterday, and, though the crack was almost beyond what they could repair, the guy gave it a shot anyway. He filled it in very nicely, and my windshield is in good shape once again.

Whew.

So it would seem I've been tagged by Jim for a fun 4 meme game. I've actually done one of these before, though this one is somewhat different. If you're interested, you can read the other one here. And since I have had no time to put together a decent blog these last few days, I'll play along, though I'm changing some of the questions so that they're new and fun.

Name four things you always carry with you

1. Money - It's just one of those things that's generally useful to have around. Granted, I don't usually have much, but enough to get by.

2. Sunglasses - I always have to have my sunglasses with me, even if I don't actually wear them (i.e. I'm indoors). My eyes are pretty sensitive to light, so they're always useful to keep with me.

3. Cell phone - I don't tend to talk much on the phone, but it's pretty handy to have around.

4. Pen - I always have a pen (I only use blue ballpoint pens) on hand in my pocket. I've found it's one of the single most useful things to carry around. I can use it instead of those "Stay-Put Pens" (like at the bank). I don't care about the germ factor, per se, but I hate the little metal thing dangling from the pen because it always gets in the way when I'm trying to write with those things. My own pen saves me from this annoyance. Plus, having a pen of my own means that, should I wind up stuck in a waiting room of some sort, I can amuse myself by doodling on random paper, picking up a crossword, or maybe a sudoku puzzle. If there's nothing to write, then I have something I can fidget with. No matter what it is, the pen can keep me amused.

Name four of your favorite types of cookies

As a rule, I prefer all cookies I eat to be homemade (yes, I even bake them myself). They're so much better that way.

1. Chocolate Chip - You can never go wrong with a classic. There's just something about those little chocolate chips in a cookie that is mouth-watering good.

2. Snickerdoodle - A sugar cookie with lots of cinammon, and they're best when they're warm and soft, straight out of the oven. These cookies rule.

3. Biscochito - I'm a native New Mexican, and these cookies are always good. I love anise, it adds such good flavor. If you're unfamiliar with anise, it's the flavor used in black licorice (not the twizzler variety, I'm talking the real thing -- black twizzlers are something other than licorice, though I'm not sure exactly what).

4. Chocolate Crinkle - A fantastic all-chocolate cookie that looks just you'd picture it, as having "crinkles" in it. Sprinkle on powered sugar to make it look cool, and this cookie is downright amazing.

Name four of the best roller coasters you've ever ridden

Sadly, I have not visited as many amusement parks as I would like, but I've been to a few, at least enough to answer this question.

1. Superman Krypton Coaster - Fiesta Texas in San Antonio features this incredible roller coaster that takes you up 100 ft and sends you at over 100 mph down a hill and through one of the biggest loop-the-loops I've ever seen. It's a pummeling ride, and time spent upside down and barrel-rolling along leaves you gasping for breath and ready for more.

2. The Poltergeist - Aptly named, imagine a sixty-second ride on a giant piece of metal that's bent and twisted to the point that, as an observer, you can't even follow the path of the tracks. Not to mention the fact that this thing has no hill to climb, but rather some pretty huge magnets pull you forward and rush you up a steep incline. Through this ride, you have no idea which direction is up or out, and your eyes can't even register what you're seeing because it's just too fast. It's amazing. Oh yeah, it's also at Fiesta Texas.

3. The Texas Giant - At Six Flags over Texas (near Dallas), this towering wooden roller coaster is nothing short of sheer beast. Labeled the number one wooden roller coaster in the world, and rightly so, prepare yourself for a fast ride that does not want to seem to end, no matter how much you want it to.

4. The Great White - Oddly enough, San Antonio's Sea World houses this coaster. The track is above you, so prepare yourself for a wild ride, all the while your feet will be dangling below you. It's a fun ride.

Name four of your favorite comedians

1. Eddie Izzard - What's not to love about a British transvestite? His humor is poignant, witty, and covers a wide variety of topics. His transitions between topic tend to be choppy, but it's more like a trademark than anything.

2. Bill Cosby - Only one of the best and funniest comedians to ever walk the earth, and he can deliver a punch line in his sleep. And if you don't laugh at his dentist routine, I worry about you.

3. George Carlin - Despite the fact that the man has virtually no boundaries, I really like him. Perhaps it's for the reason that, according to him, he likes to go places others are afraid to go, and in that sense challenge his own audience. I'll go along with that, because he's usually so funny anyway.

4. Robin Williams - Though his latest acting choices have not been all that great (RV, are you kidding?), I enjoy most of his standup work. Probably what I like most is the voices he does, it amazes me at how well he does accents and can change his voice. It's astounding.

Name four random things about yourself

1. When I eat a sack lunch, or on a picnic, I eat everything in a specific order: first the fruit, then the sandwich, then the chips. There's no compulsion to it, it's just a habit I developed that, for some reason, I still hold.

2. No matter how hot it is outside, I don't usually like to drive with the a/c on. I'd rather open the window. The only exception I make is if it's extremely windy outside.

3. I love to fall asleep while watching a movie or reading a book. There's really no better way to relax, and I generally find that, especially when life gets hectic or you have a lot on your mind, it's a great way to give your mind a rest, and you'll sleep more soundly.

4. I possess a single copy of FHM magazine (For Him Magazine). Obviously, that magazine is not targeted for a guy like me, but it had a great article about Monty Python, so I had to get it.

I won't tag anyone, but should you happen to want to play along, leave me a comment saying so and I'll be sure to read it.

A few weeks ago, I was having lunch on campus with a couple of friends, and a bizarre thing happened. We were sitting outside, basking in the shade of one of those tables with an umbrella on it, when we watched a series of fascinating events unfold.

One thing about being on a college campus is that there's always something interesting to see. This day was no exception, and we found ourselves people watching while chatting amiably. Nearby, there was a planter with grass and a tree planted in it, and we spied a man and woman there.

We paid them no mind, as there was plenty more going on, and quite frankly, they really weren't all that interesting. Things got a little out of the ordinary after a while, though, and suddenly we found ourselves distracted by the peculiar events unfolding between said man and woman.

Suddenly, the woman was screaming at the man, in what was quite obviously one of those "lover's spat" things. I found myself particularly amused when the woman said the following:

"You never spend any time with me! And the only reason you ever come over is to pick up your fucking iPod!!"

I found this amusing for the following reasons:

1. That's one peculiar thing about which to be yelling.
2. Who leaves their iPod at their girlfriend's place, presumably all the time?
3. Who talks like that?

Anyway, we sort of watched what was going on, paying only a little bit of attention to it. The conversation shifted, as they have a strange tendency to do, and we found ourselves talking about the pleasant couple before us. Were they really that melodramatic? After some discussion, we figured they must be rehearsing for a play or something, because it just felt completely unnatural.

The spat continued for another ten minutes or so, and then the guy took off. Within two minutes, our table was suddenly swarmed by six people, two of whom were (you guessed it!) the happy couple. While recording with a video camera, they posed either the most intriguing or the most rhetorical question ever:

"We noticed you guys staring at us as we were fighting (apparently we were quite obvious). Why didn't you try to intervene?"

Aha, so it turns out we were part of a some social experiment on violence, and were being tested to see if we were very human when it came to violence, or if we left people's business to themselves. We explained our discussion, and then they wound up asking for pointers about it. Made for a fun little chat, I suppose.

They thanked us for our time, then continued on their merry way, off to go try the experiment out on somewhat less savvy people. The moved a ways away from us, but where we could still see them. It seemed our tips were pretty helpful, because two lady cops were wandering the area, and they ended up approaching the pair and looked pretty serious. When they found out what was really going on, they broke into grins of relief, and were also recorded.

So in the end, I'm rather curious what they discovered (I probably will never know). But for me, here's the possibilities of what could have happened:

1. I retain my usual feelings that I don't meddle with anyone unless true physical violence breaks out.

2. I try to interfere where possible.

I'd have to say that, this time around, my non-meddling theory was reinforced because my feelings that it was just an act were proven correct, and thus served to reinforce this idea. Oh well.

Interview time! The lovely Lia" has bestowed upon me a number (five, to be precise) of questions she wanted to have answered. She delved deep into my blog past and has come up with a variety of questions about things I have written. If you find yourself curious about what inspired the questions or you just want a taste of how crazy/quirky/weird/cool (pick your adjective) I am, I have linked to the particular blog entries which were referenced. Ok, Lia, here goes.

1. You've mentioned the positive power of smiles. Describe in detail an incident in which you believe your smile may have altered someone else's life, and one in which someone's smile changed yours.

When I think about it, I often walk around with something of a goofy grin plastered on my face. Most times, I have a really hard time keeping a straight face, though I've found I can use a straight face best when it involves humor and/or sarcasm.

There are times when I encounter people and smile at them, and receive bizarre responses, such as sneers. Most times, that reaction comes from guys, who are probably mad at the world for one reason or another, and don't take kindly to another guy smiling at them. Lucky for me, I just don't care.

I'm trying to think of a time when my smiling at someone made a huge difference for someone, but none is coming to mind. There is, however a time when a scowl on my face directed at another made absolutely no impact, and because that's what I remember right now, that's what I'll tell you about.

It happened this past Monday (yesterday), when I went to the neighborhood grocery. I parked the car, easily fitting into the space. As I turned to get out of the car, a Psycho Mom in a Minivan (that's a technical term) came barreling around behind me, and luckily I noticed her before opening my door, as she came screeching to a halt next to me. She jumped out, slammed the door and clicked the alarm, and stared at me blankly as I glared daggers at her for nearly wrecking my car with me in it.

I think that's enough for question one. On to question two.

2. You once waxed poetic about potato chips. If a potato chip was created that possessed the essence of you, what flavor would it be, and what would the brand name be? Why?

This is a tough one. A potato chip that possesses the essence of Phil...hmmm... First, it'd have to be a made from real potatoes, as there's nothing artificial about me. I can't have just salt as a flavor, but I'd love something with garlic and onion, as well as a variety of other spices, to show the many aspects of my charming personality (it's not vain if it's the truth, right? okay, fine, to also showcase my sarcasm).

And of course, a hint of cheese flavor is a must, because I love cheese. I think it'd have to be parmesan. This many-seasoning plus parmesan flavored chip would have to be called "Philguins" (for Phil, and penguins, because I like them and their name sounds cool), and of course would be heavily advertised by none other than Yo Phil himself. Get a taste of vague and semi-uplifting pseudo-philosophy with your snack. Nothing is more satisfying!

Okay, next question.

3. You're an admitted "car-dancer". What are some of your classic moves, and what are some of your all-time favorite dancin' tunes?

Ah yes, I do love music. I have a number of patented moves for dancing in the car, not the least of which include drumming on the steering wheel and dash, as well as the arm rest. I also play a mean air guitar. Dance move-wise, I've been known to head-bang, though my hair isn't long enough to make it look cool. And sometimes the only way to feel the beat is with your shoulders and upper body really getting down. The only drawback to this last move is that sometimes the seat belt locks, and that can be painful.

Here's a few of my favorite CD's I've been jamming to lately:

1. Matisyahu - Live at Stubbs
Reggae and rap, Hasidic Jew style! This CD, recorded in Austin, is one of the greatest live CDs I own. Matisyahu rules!

2. Dragonforce - Sonic Firestorm
The kings of so-called "speed metal," this heavy metal group from England has catchy tunes and each and every band member is practically virtuoso. I really want to see them in concert, they have killer "stage moves," which consist of them running around stage and doing weird jumps, all while managing to totally rock. It's pretty amazing.

3. Swingin' Utters - Swingin' Utters
A street punk band out of San Francisco, California, these guys mix punk rock and folk rock like nobody's business. It's virtually impossible not to sing along and really get into it.

There is of course a whole bunch more that I listen to, but these are a few of my current favs. And for the sake of keeping this reasonably short, I think three's a nice little list. And on we go.

4. You once wrote at some length about houses. If you could have your dream home, where would it be, and what would it be like?

I've actually not given this one all that much thought in the past, which makes this an interesting question.

I think someday I'd love to have waterfront property, be it on a lake or the ocean. I love the outdoors, and especially love to be away from the city life because it's so relaxing. Don't get me wrong, I love the city, but it's fun to "get away from it all," so to speak.

A simple cabin would suit me just fine. One of my favorite houses I've ever been to was actually quite small, and its quaint size was fantastic. Not one part of the house went unused, so it felt like it was truly a home. I've seen other houses that are like museums, they're so huge, and quite often it's too much space for the number of people living there. Or at least too much space if it was me living there.

My cabin would have a nice living room, an open kitchen, and maybe two bedrooms. Of course, a deck is a must. And, lest I forget, I'd also need the wood-burning stove.

Someday, at the very least, I'd love this for a weekend or vacation place. And now, moving onward to the final question.

5. You are known for espousing your own wonderful PHILosophies, and for writing in an introspective, thought-provoking manner. Is there a certain philosopher--classical or otherwise--who inspires you? If so, who is it, and which of that person's ideas interest you most?

I suppose I find myself fascinated by all sorts of things in life, and everything that happens to me or that I encounter becomes an opportunity for me to learn. To me, life is full of wonder, and there's no way to experience and learn everything there is to learn. But that's not going to stop me from trying.

Much of my own personal philosophy is, I think, a result of the experiences I've had, mistakes I've made, and my life as a whole. When I write something thought-provoking, it is not only so for the reader, but also for me. I'll illustrate with an example:

I made a comment on this blog that was something I had thought about a lot, but never put in words. Regarding the comment about experiences, I had been wrestling with a series of what at the time I had considered unfortunate (read: poor) decisions and the experiences that resulted were not altogether happy. As I played the events out in my head, I realized after a while that, sure enough, there was something positive to take away from said fiascos, and that when I thought about things in a different light, it wasn't so bad.

Through my discovery of a sense of humor and a serious streak of sarcasm, I discovered when joking around with people that there were certain ideas that were actually quite amazing to think about.

As far as philosophy itself, I enjoy just about all of it. I like the Classical stuff plenty, and often find myself amazed that the same things said so long ago manage to hold true to this very day. I find philosophy in many unlikely places, and bits of wisdom come from all over.

To round out that vague answer, I would like to leave you with my all-time favorite quote, not just any old tip, but something to live by, from none other than one of my all-time favorite authors:

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."
-Dr. Seuss

Thank you.

Despite the fact that I recently emerged victorious of yet another semester of school, my life remains rather hectic. I admit that a part of me enjoys having all sorts of things to do, but at the same time, I really do wish time could just pause for a little while so I could "catch my breath," so to speak.

Why do I say this, you ask? I'll tell you. During the semester, I had a variety of extra things to do, all of which I was able to successfully procrastinate (without guilt, mind you) because I had more pressing things to attend to.

Now that my semester is over, however, I have no such excuses, and a million unfinished projects/responsibilities have reared their ugly heads, and I'm stuck with a mountain of things to do. I tell you, it puts a serious damper on the r&r I want so badly.

Fortunately for me, I have something of a lazy streak, and I've managed to do right by myself by pacing myself so that I gradually get to everything. It does feel finish those things I started but hadn't yet completed, but I only want to feel so good a little at a time.

That said, I guess I'd best get some of that stuff done. It never ends, does it?

Below You'll find an entry to a part blog. Much fun was had, many comments were left, but I have chosen not to archive them. Rather, I'm leaving the permanent link to the original blog entry. If you want to check it out, please do.

Blog Party!

The time has come, put on your party gear! That's right, school is officially done for two of your 360 colleague college students! One is yours truly, the other is the charming, witty, funny, smart, and stunningly beautiful chica Dani! We've put in our time, and now, with huge sighs of relief, we're done!!!!

Roll out the fancy carpet, park the limo, and let's get this party rolling. For your fun and enjoyment today, everything is in black and white as we honor black socks for our old school sock hop! The band is here, all nine members on stage, horns at the ready. Prepare yourself for big band!! No ballads for this one, folks, we've got mambos, cha-chas, and everything swing!

So what are you waiting for? Let's get this show on the road! Oh, and before I forget:

1. I'm expecting each and every one of you to dance with me, as is Dani.

2. Price of admission: there is none, just be sure to wear your black socks (no shoes on the dance floor, please), and when you get here, sign the guestbook for me and Dani, and do be sure to tell us how much we rock (we can take it).

That is all. Commence party!!!

Among the plethora of things I have to do these days, I have a few blog entries in the works that I know people are waiting to see. Thom's waiting to see about the black socks, and Lia's got a bunch of fantastic interview questions for me. I have yet to get to these, as much of my time has been eaten up by those little things called "responsibilities." Damn them.

I would post about one of those aforementioned things today, but I like to put a decent amount of thought into things, and so will postpone them for a day or two. Instead, I was presented with an opportunity for a blog entry that I simply could not pass up.

This morning I had the misfortune of having to wake up at the butt-crack of dawn. I'm talking 5:45, a time largely considered nothing short of inhumane for anyone to actually have to crack one's eyelids. Say all you want to the contrary, but I will refute you mercilessly. It's just plain wrong.

Regardless, I managed to drag my sorry butt out of bed. I consider this to be nothing short of miraculous, given my severe aversion to those dreaded things called "mornings." Of course, my body fought me every step of the way, doing its best to drag me down and generally slow down the morning rituals of brushing my teeth, showering, and eating a bowl of cereal.

But I emerged victorious. After my delicious and nutritious meal of Golden Crisp cereal, I (to my subconscious's dismay) was actually feeling rather energetic and upbeat. I got to watch the sun rise, and for the most part, things were really pleasant.

That is, until I hit the road to school, and found myself playing with early morning traffic. Talk about adventure. Me playing music and singing and dancing with no shame, and everyone else on the road with coffee mugs in hand and scowls on their faces. I never realized it, but road rage is at its worst in that 6:30-7am traffic, with everyone scowling and weaving in and out of lanes.

And then there's me, totally out of character for the time of day but in my usual chipper driving state. Go figure. What a day.

The votes are in, and it's time now for the conglomerate post of posts. I might end up planning a whole post dedicated to The Da Vinci Code, because this one turned out rather funky. Despite its oddness, I hope you like it.

Apparently, the worlds of fiction and reality are no longer seen as distinct entities by an alarming number of people. By definition, the very idea of fiction is that it is not real. Conversely, reality is real, as evidenced by the fact that the word reality contains the letters R, E, A, and L in that order, oddly enough.

Most of us have no problem distinguishing between fact and fiction. This is not so true, though, of a large portion of the Catholic population, as well as a certain author by the name of Dan Brown. Enter Brown's explosively popular novel The Da Vinci Code.

I have read this particular novel, and despite the author's disclaimer at the beginning, I enjoyed the story for what it was: a semi-decent [fiction] story. I naively assumed that when Brown claimed that all the elements of the book were true except for the characters themselves, he was doing so for the sake of making his story more believable. I was quite mistaken, however. The man was serious. He actually believes everything he's written!

As the sand runs out of the hourglass before the movie version of The Da Vinci Code is released, religious groups (Christian and Catholic groups, largely) have stood in opposition of the film, calling for boycotts. Hollywood has no need to spend millions on advertising, they've got the best advertising they could ask for, free of charge.

To say the least, it is amusing that a fiction story could create such waves, especially considering the fact that the book was published over three years ago and the religious fanatics are just now waking up to its presence. Commence speculation.

Interestingly enough, the book is the second in what was intended to be a series of Robert Langdon (the main character) stories. The first book, Angels & Demons, also involves the Vatican, albeit more directly. If you have read this first book, you might have found that The Da Vinci Code had essentially the same plot with a few new characters thrown in to replace the old ones. Original.

In a related story, CIA Chief Porter Goss suddenly declared his resignation. When asked why, Goss cryptically stated that "it's one of those mysteries." Conspiracy theorists and the media have jumped to wild conclusions, all of which involve money and bribery, much like how Liberty Mutual (the insurance company) used kickbacks to lift sales.

Should one look closer, however, the money and security issues surrounding Goss are mere veils. Each story is intended to cover up the next. As it turns out, the gross amount of news coverage for The Da Vinci Code is a cover for Goss's real reason for suddenly resigning. Goss is not actually resigning, other than for the papers, because he's going underground for Operation Jack.

That's right, "Jack" is the name of the game. Enter two stories, both involving something Jack-related. In Jacksonville, some fool decided to put a flashing blue light on his car and parade around town as a cop. He even went so far as to pull a woman over. Second, Michael Jackson is suing GQ magazine for using a 'poser' for a story about him. He claims that they used a look-a-like for the photo-op, and is morally outraged that anyone other than the tabloids would stoop so low as to use a 'poser.'

Operation Jack is extremely covert, so remember to keep your eyes peeled for any story pertaining to Jack. On the surface, such stories seem unrelated, but reading between the lines, as the Da Vinci Code teaches, makes things much clearer.

So be in the lookout for strange things on the horizon, and by that I don't mean anything like the rock fin growing on Mt. St. Helens. Although that is beyond cool.

As perhaps many of you have noticed, I have been mysteriously absent from the 360sphere for the past week. I've been extremely busy, and as it's the end of the semester, things are a little hectic, to say the least. Let's just say I've been lacking both on time and brainpower to write. Today, I remain pretty frazzled, so I'm going to keep this short, and let you get involved.

That's right, it's time once again for Friends' Choice! Below, you'll find a fantastic poll. Place your vote for what you would like me to write about, and I'll write mainly about the two most popular items on the poll. As always, I'll try to include elements of all the items I list, just for fun.

Even if you don't like the options you see, vote anyway and leave me a comment about whatever it is you had in mind that you wanted to see. I can't promise to include it, but I'll give it a shot.

It's news time. Now go forth and vote.

What should Phil write about? (results, as always, in parentheses)

1. The mystery behind CIA Chief Porter Goss's sudden resignation (8)

2. Michael Jackson's recent attack at GQ for using a 'poser' (4)

3. Real complaints about the fiction story The Da Vinci Code (19)

4. Liberty Mutual being sued over alleged kickbacks (2)

5. The guy in Jacksonville who impersonated a cop (7)

Last Thursday, I was given a blog assignment by Witch. She presented me with the letter C, and I have to post ten things that start with it. If you want to play too, here are the rules: leave me a comment here and I'll give you a letter. Then you'll post the results (and these instructions) in your blog.

1. Copernicus - Nicolaus Copernicus, the man who recognized that the geeocentric (earth-centered) model of the solar system was wrong, and in fact it was heliocentric (sun-centered). Though it wasn't his original idea, he was the guy who helped make it official.

2. Chopsticks - That's right, the utensil of choice throughout East Asia. I happen to be extremely uncoordinated when it comes to using them, and therefore I use them as much as possible. You'd think it'd help me, all the practice, but really it just drags the meal out longer.

3. Chopin - Frédéric François Chopin, one of the greatest composers for piano of all time. Virtuoso does not even begin to describe the guy, he's really something else. Though I don't play piano, if I could, I'd love to learn how to play this guy's music.

4. Camus - Albert Camus, an incredible author of whom I only recently learned, but whose work I enjoy immensely.

5. Chile - I'm a native New Mexican, and green chile is only the greatest food on the planet. I eat it with practically everything. You should too.

6. Chagrin - One of my favorite words simply because I love the sound of it. And it also sounds perfect for what it means, "disquietude or distress of mind caused by humiliation, disappointment, or failure" (thanks go to Merriam Webster for the definition).

7. Cows - The subject of incredible books and also providers of food and nutrition for all of us. Two words: bovine rule.

8. Cactus - I live in the middle of the desert, and no desert could be considered as such without having those lovable plants with spikes. They rule.

9. Confucius - The man, the myth, the legend, and also the starter of many a fortune (of the fortune cookie variety). He remains influential on modern philosophy, as evidenced by the philosophical practice of Confucianism. You know me and how I enjoy philosophy. Good stuff.

10. Coheed and Cambria - A band I have recently really gotten into, known for their variety of musical styles. They're considered progressive rock, but have influences including everything from punk rock to indie to heavy metal. Each successive album they release is an extension of the story of the one before it, so it's pretty complicated stuff. But holy cow, they rock. Check them out by going here.

Today, Friday, the last day of the work week, one of the best days of the week, is also coincidentally the day that I post this, the ninth chapter of "Once Upon a Time." These progressive stories are bravely run by Scooter, whose ingenuity and creativity knows no bounds.

If you have not read each of the preceding chapters, here's a quick synopsis:

A King and a Queen have a daughter (who's a princess, if you can believe that!). Their daughter is, to use modern terminology, a total bitch. They have to do something about her.

Needless to say, this story is phenomenal, and you should most definitely read all the preceding chapters to the story. For your convenience, I have placed the links to each of the chapters below. So without further adieu, I present to you Chapter 9 of Once Upon a Time. Enjoy.

Chapter 1 - In Which We Are Introduced to Our Little Darling
by Scooter

Chapter 2 - A Royal Proclamation
by Marcia

Chapter 3 - A Possible Solution is Undertaken
by Steve

Chapter 4 - Men In Black
by Trinny

Chapter 5 - Cat Fight
by Lia

Chapter 6 - A Worrisome Stranger
by Pickled Pink

Chapter 7 - Slapped Down
by Diane

Chapter 8 - The Trial
by Santulan

Horror enveloped her as for the first time in her life, Princess Darling had absolutely no idea what was in store for her. She felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness, beginning in the pit of her stomach and then rising torturously slowly into the rest of her being.

Before she knew what was happening, a man grabbed her roughly from behind and began taking her away. Her feeble attempts at protest were useless, as she could not even muster enough air in her lungs to speak. All that exited her lips was a slight sigh. Her head sank. Tears welled in her eyes, and she tried to blink them away. Her efforts were futile, however, and the tears streamed mercilessly down her cheeks.

A loud plop echoed suddenly. Surprised, Princess Darling shook her head. Gradually, her eyes came into focus, and she realized that the ground was covered in water. "Strange," thought Princess Darling, whose latest preference was to be called Darly. "What's with all this water?"

It was then that the man escorting her spoke. Darly jumped. "Okay, this is where you leave, Barley--"

"Darly."

"Whatever."

"Look, knave--"

"That's Captain Knave to you."

"Yeah, yeah, Captain Kna--"

"Captain Crunch, lass, and don't you forget it. Now shuddup. You're on your own from here." Captain Crunch suddenly pulled out his sword and pointed it at Darly. "Now, walk the plank, m'dear!" he bellowed.

Darly stared at the man, bewildered. Only then did she realize that she was on board a colossal ship. Darly's breath caught in her throat as she backed up on the plank. The ship's name, painted in dazzling red letters, became visible: The Crunch Berry. Taking a deep breath, Darly managed to swallow her pride and choke back her fear. "All right, Captain Crunch. But rest assured that as soon as I see you again, you will pay dearly for your cruel treatment of me."

"Hah! That's a laugh if I ever heard one. Gimme a break, Miz Barley. And do yourself a favor, don't talk. Where you're going, you'll be needing all the breath you can get."

Darly fumed. She had had all she could take from people ordering her around. That was her job, dammit, and she was determined to get out of this situation. Her mind raced, trying to put together a devious plan as quickly as it could. Before she could pin any thoughts down, however, her thoughts were interrupted by Captain Crunch's raspy voice.

"So Barley, tell me true. If you were to find yourself suddenly stuck in the middle of a desert, what would you do?"

Darly snorted, feeling her confidence return upon hearing such a bizarre question. "What do you care? And what makes you think that I'll end up in a desert, huh? You know what? I think this is all some made-up hippie bullshit, and I'm going to get to the bottom of this!"

Captain Crunch guffawed. "You know, Darly, I like you. I had no idea you had such a great sense of humor. And take my word for it, you will get to the bottom of this." With that, Captain Crunch stomped a foot on the plank, causing Darly to lose her balance and teeter backwards.

The last words Darly heard was Captain Crunch's "Cheers, mate!" from deck. She felt herself falling, and for a split second time seemed to stop. The feeling passed, and a moment later, she was plummeting at great speed toward the water below. Expecting to hit the water with a smack, Darly was surprised that she did not, in fact, hear anything.

She realized great pressure surrounded her, and the air around her felt surreal. Suddenly, a blinding light flashed, and Darly slammed her eyelids shut. As quickly as it had come, the brilliant light faded, and Darly opened her eyes.

Her jaw dropped as she stared around her. Sure enough, she was smack dab in the middle of a desert. Up ahead, she could make out a strange creature stooped over a box that read "ACME," and farther ahead in the distance she saw a speeding something-or-other with a large cloud of dust trailing behind it.

Darly rolled her eyes. Surely she did not deserve this! But there was nothing she could do about it now except move onward. As she began her trek to a place she knew not, Darly had the slightest hint of a grin on her face, hidden beneath the scowl. This bizarre experience seemed somehow to be affecting the young lady. Shading her face with her hand, Darly started walking.

Given that today is Wednesday, it could not be a more appropriate day for advice. That's right, dear reader, it is time once again for the infamous Yo Phil column!

Today's query comes from Kat, the lovely blogress now residing quite happily in the grand state of Virginia. She writes:

Yo Phil,

What is the secret to staying young?

Kat,

Your question is an intriguing one, and poses many possibilities. Perhaps the most obvious and cynical answer to your question is this: simple, don't grow old.

If you feel this is insensitive and rude, you read right. But you read wrong. Allow me to explain. The word 'old' has a bajillion definitions, though in this case most people think of 'adding on years to age.'

However, who ever said you have to consider yourself old just because you happen to have more experience under your belt in life? Old is relative, and it's all in how you look at things. For instance, there's times I've felt that I'm older than my years, and yet there's other times I feel so young at heart. The reality is that there's benefits to both being old and being young, and each of us has the power to make the most of both.

One of the perks of old age is wisdom, which only comes from experiencing life to its fullest. By the same token, feeling young allows us to be intrepid and take challenges. But really, it's all in your head. Perhaps you might find yourself at times feeling carefree, feeling that life is good and fun, and you're just plain happy. This can make you feel young at heart.

One thing I can assure you is this: looking back on your years will only ever make you feel 'old' in the counting years sense. If, however, you take each new day as a gift, and make the most of every single moment in that day, you'll discover that age is not an issue at all. Consider any pets you have. Notice that they live, day in and day out, literally for the moment. They rarely look back, and only look forward enough to stay alive. Do you know of any animal that counts its age and considers time as an important part of life? The answer is no. Only we humans seem to find a concept of time important, and rather than live our lives, sometimes we watch the clock tick steadily by instead.

If you feel bound by time, I would recommend that you go a whole day without ever looking at a watch or clock. Do everything you normally do, only pay no mind to time that seems to be passing. You'll find that you don't worry about the pressure of trying to fit everything in, but rather just do what you can while you can do it, and then you move on.

It is in this sense that you will realize that staying young is no concept, but that really you just need to live. You did it while you were 'young,' and you do it now.

Also, remember the stories of men of old (the past, that is), who searched far and wide for a fountain of youth, only to discover that there was no such thing. Some spent perhaps their entire lives searching, losing sight of the life they could have actually been living.

So with each new day, take a deep breath and enjoy the day for what it's worth. And trust me, each day you'll feel brilliantly alive, and also quite young.

-Phil

*If you wish to ask Yo Phil a question, simply leave a comment or send him a message (be sure to write "Yo Phil" in the message). Yo Phil is a registered trademark of Phil's Blog, "All Things Phil," 2005-2006.

I'm not going to pretend that this is somehow a new revelation about myself, but it doesn't make the following statement any less true:

I am my own worst enemy.

Indeed, I proved this decisively to myself yesterday morning. I was at school and went to my swimming class in the gym. Yesterday, my teacher planned on not swimming, but having a day of aerobic exercise and stretching. So we all showed up, but when we did, our "substitute" teacher told us to sign the attendance sheet and then set us free to do whatever we wanted, meaning we could either hit the treadmills or take off.

I opted for the latter, as did most of the rest of the class. As we were heading back, I got to talking with a few of the guys, and we ended up deciding to shoot some hoops. So we got a basketball and headed for the court. I hadn't played in a while, so was enjoying myself.

After "warming up" for a bit, we started a game of 21. If you're not familiar with the game, it's a basketball game that can be played with any number of people, but it's literally every man for himself.

Anyway, while we were playing, I found myself at one point in a perfect position to rebound a shot. I jumped up to grab the ball, and as luck would have it, the ball came right toward me. Of course, its trajectory was somewhat off (damn physics), and rather than meeting the palm of my hand, it met my ring finger dead on.

The ball bounced away unharmed, but my finger did not escape unscathed. In fact, it was downright butchered, so to speak. In the heat of the moment, I shook out my hand and, in an effort to make sure it wasn't broken, I did my best to pull it and try to get it back in place. I managed to right it, and it started to feel better, so I continued playing.

Fortunately, the rest of the game went smoothly, no more injuries for me. This could have been due in part to me being rather cautious considering what I had already done, but who knows.

Though it still hurt, the color was fine, so I continued on to my next class. Over the course of this next class, my finger started to gradually change color. Where class began and it was its usual color, by the time I left it was turning a rather dark shade of blue. I got some ice for it, and that helped out a lot.

I iced it a few times yesterday, and it felt much better. I woke up this morning, and my finger feels great. Looking at it, however, is a different story. It is now quite purple. Some might point out that my hand looks grotesque this way, but personally, I think it looks pretty darn cool. I don't really care what it looks like right now. It's getting better, and that's all that matters.

The time has come. This is now the official 100th blog entry a la me. For a while, I knew I was getting close, but it snuck up on me pretty fast. Those of you who know me well know by now that I like to change things up and try new things, and no doubt some of you guessed that I wanted something of a bang for my 100th entry. What can I stay, I'm all about style and panache.

Well, maybe not, but I just like to say the word panache. Anyway, on with the explanation. I wracked my brain trying to think up something fun and different, and the only idea I came up with was rather cheesy, but at the same time sounded really fun in my head. So I'm going with it.

WARNING: The following is a shameless promotion of myself, not because I'm incredibly vain, but because it's a parody of a giant written informercial (from the newspaper). Given that infomercials are all about saying how wonderful [insert product name] is, so too is this entry in the same spirit. If you fancy yourself pretty savvy, I challenge you to figure out which advertisement I chose to parody. Good luck, and enjoy.

Start at All Things Phil

The Phil Story
The Phil story began nearly six months ago. Hundreds of blog readers were polled to find out what they liked and disliked about blogging, but regardless of their opinion(s) this blog was formed. Thanks to great response, popular demand, and the coolest people ever sticking around and reading this blog, All Things Phil remains (somehow) a popular blog site for countless readers. Here's just a taste of the love that goes into this blog:

Make Blog Reading Hassle-Free
Phil understands that life can be a pain in the butt, and so All Things Phil is here for you. If you find you need some comic relief, or perhaps are in need of vague and semi-uplifting pseudo-philosophy, you might just like what you find.

Blog About Anything and Everything, All In One Place
All Things Phil offers the largest variety anywhere when it comes to reading blogs. Bound by no topic in particular, Phil likes to keep things interesting and fun. Heck, if you're down on your luck and need quality advice, there's no need to look any further!

Stand Behind Every Blog Entry Written
Phil posts only those entries he deems decent and worthwhile reading. You need never fear reading anything dull or pointless on All Things Phil. Should you ever find yourself unsatisfied, chances are it's only a fluke, and you'll absolutely love the next thing you read.

Today, All Things Phil enjoys a quality following, and is now a Fortune-Blog 500 company. Reaching readers across the world, All Things Phil continues strong to this day. In fact, 9.3 out of every 10 readers recommend All Things Phil to a friend. Hopefully, you will too!

1. When you're looking for a good blog to read, peruse those blogs already posted. A good blog will show signs of variety, as well as a large quantity of original material. Never judge a blog by the number of comments it receives.

2. Take a look at how many posts a given blogger has written. Though this is not always the case, more posts indicates more experience, and also might indicate higher quality. However, remember that some bloggers post a baker's dozen entries in a single day, though only the most creative bloggers get away with this successfully.

3. Finding the right blog for you can take time. The only way to really find a good blog is to also be aware of those blogs that do not suit your tastes as much. Though the process is time-consuming and tedious, it is one of the most important aspects of blogging.

4. Before deciding to take the dive and become a regular reader of any one blog, be sure to "blog-stalk" it for a while. This allows you to make sure you really want to become a devout fan before taking that jump.

Following any of these brilliant tips will make your blogging experience a much happier one.

9.3 out of 10 All Things Phil readers would recommend All Things Phil to a friend!

Here's why:

"I couldn't be more pleased with All Things Phil. I get up every morning looking forward to reading Phil's new posts. Sometimes, I even have a hard time falling asleep at night because I'm so full of anticipation. On those days Phil doesn't post, I sometimes feel sad. But I feel much better knowing that he probably just didn't want to post something that wasn't worthwhile. I love All Things Phil!"
-Felicia
Merriam, KS

"My experience reading All Things Phil is one to remember. Phil is such a nice guy, and his posts are always such a joy to read! Boy howdy, I just can't get enough of this blog! Sometimes I read his posts several times over just to make sure I caught everything. It's nothing short of wonderful."
-Shana
Columbia, SC

"We started looking for a blog about six months ago, and after visiting practically every website in the entire universe, we came across a brand new blog called All Things Phil. We were instantly hooked. Now there's only one place we go for all our blogging needs. All Things Phil, you changed our lives, how can we ever thank you?"
-Patricia
Nocona, TX

"It is so comforting to know that there is a blogger out there who stands by what he believes, and actually cares about his readers. We know he doesn't post for anyone, but just writes whatever he likes, and we love him for it. All Things Phil is the best read on the web!"
-Cynthia
Alexandria, VA

"From the very beginning, reading All Things Phil has been an extremely positive experience. I've never been happier than when I'm reading All Things Phil."
-Lori
Carmichael, CA

"I believe that All Things Phil has a winning formula, where readers are not viewed as cattle, but as friends. Phil is hands down the nicest guy around. Plus he's wildly funny. Phil, you've changed my life. If I ever get the chance to, I'm going to buy you a drink."
-Paul
Memphis, TN

The older I get, the more I start to see mysterious workings of the world. Strike that, let's narrow it to people. I notice weird quirks that people have. I'm not talking just one person, but everyone.

By nature, we humans have this weird quality called "curiosity." For some bizarre reason unbeknownst to us, there's all sorts of stuff that piques our curiosity. Think about it. You see someone reading a magazine with a celebrity on the cover, and immediately you speculate as to what she's reading about. You see a guy who looks homeless at a bowling alley who's carrying on a conversation with thin air, and you wonder what on earth is going through the guy's head.

By now, perhaps you realize what I'm talking about. But at the same time, you're probably also wondering what inspired this most interesting and obviously factual idea. I'll tell you.

It started with a certain event to which I will be attending to in the near future. I'm talking to a friend, and she asks about something during that time. I say simply, "Oh, that's not going to work. I have something going on."

Notice I kept my answer good and vague. I did this for a reason: I did not want to share what was going on, only that I was busy. But, as I have already pointed out, curiosity always gets the best of us. My friend immediately asked,

"What will you be doing?"

And awkward silence ensues. Telling the person that I'm not comfortable talking about something would be considered offensive (given the "friend" status), continuing to be vague would be seen as dodging the question and also taken as offensive, but just saying what I had to do would be betraying whatever reason I had for not saying so in the first place.

In the interest of maintaining friendship and balance, maybe I should just take Adrian's cue and say "I like ice cream." That'll definitely take the conversation in a new and interesting direction, and hopefully I'll even be rescued from answering the other query. Decisions, decisions.

One of the most amusing things about the internet is the amazing variety of people you encounter. I was recently amused to get the following message from someone whom I had never before met:

Subject: how are you doing
Message:
hi are you you doing im doing okay what are you doing today

Let me tell you just how refreshing it is to get such a caring letter from a complete stranger. And what's even better is she turned out to be someone who thought I was clearly the single most attractive person on the planet. Talk about flattery.

A quick look at her blog shows that this lovely lady is a sweet and caring individual, who apparently also has the libido of seasoned baboon in the month of May. You know, sort of like those I described in my recent poem. And apparently, I'm her type.

Being the nice guy I am, I feel I have to respond:

Thank you for your kind message! Am I I doing? I'm actually not quite sure how to respond to that question. Let's skip that and go to the next one, cool? Ok. Oh, you're doing okay, glad to hear it. What am I doing today? I think I'm doing the same thing I do every day: living. Again, thank you so much, your note really made my day. I know this because I'm grinning from ear to ear. Don't be a stranger!
-Phil

Wow, talk about a tear-jerker. I'm left only with the immortal words of Louis Armstrong: "And I think to myself, what a wonderful world."