Let me tell you: I’m super-excited right now. I feel like things are about to explode in a good way and I can hardly wait.
Also, I’m ready for Christmas.

On the personal front, I’ve shared openly this week with two groups of people about my alcoholism and how I have been saved by God’s grace. It was hard to say at times. We’re talking heart-pounding, hands-shaking-and-sweating, staring-at-the-floor hard to say. It’s opened up conversations, one of which really horrified me. Basically, kids around twelve, thirteen, fourteen, etc. are regularly getting drunk and high. I expected high school kids to be doing it, but twelve-year-olds…? And their parents are giving them the stuff. That’s what’s really messed up. Geez.
Also, I’m so tired of hearing about people smoking weed that I could claw my eyes out and shove them in my ears to block it all out. I’m tired of people coming to work high or sharing stoned stories. I’m tired of that glazed-over, red-eyed look I get when I try to have a conversation with someone. I’m tired of second-guessing everything everyone says because I’m not sure if he even means it or if he’ll remember it tomorrow. Seriously. Can you tell I’m tired of it?
I am.

Now on to happier things, and tons of links for your Friday afternoon restless pleasure:

Regular Email Lists That Are Actually Worth Subscribing To:
Very Short List: Basically random coolness, consisting of books, movies, websites, and other various things you should check out. This is the equivalent of browsing the eBay bizarre category, only simplified and condensed. For example, today’s feature is about “Nightmare Playgrounds”–horrifying and otherwise disturbing playground equipment and sculptures, including a giant crocodile that’s been staked and stabbed with a variety of cutlery, a giant doctor about to stab someone with a syringe, a woman sculpture with only bloody holes in place of her eyes (maybe she’s tired of weed-talk also), and a giant bouncy elephant tunnel where children can come crawling out of its sphincter. Think I’m kidding? See for yourself. (The previous link had to be opened in Safari because my Firefox kept freezing on it.) So anyway, sign up for Very Short List.
Air1 Verse of the Day: When I signed up to be an Air1 Insider, I unknowingly signed myself up for the verse of the day. At first, it annoyed me–weird, right? Now, however, I look forward to it. It’s refreshing and encouraging and sometimes emotional.
Brevity Daily Comic: I’ve tooted the Brevity horn many times in the past few years, but I can’t say enough about it. It makes me laugh out loud, first thing in the morning. Between this and the Verse of the Day and ridiculous amounts of coffee (I’m on my third cup so far), there’s no better way to start the day.

Things About Music And Musicians And Musical…uh…ness:
Black Cab Sessions: Thanks to VSL (above), I now know about the wonder that is Black Cab Sessions–a serious of videos of fantastic musicians playing in the backseat of a taxicab. These aren’t just any musicians. We’re talking Spoon, Stephen Fretwell, Okkervill River (kerbey, did you show me them?), Cold War Kids, The National, The New Pornographers, Daniel Johnston (well, he’s different, but still worth watching–he’s reading the lyrics!), and many more. Sold yet? I thought so.
Jeffrey Foucault: Ol’ Jeff’s the epitome of everything good in the world, except the price of CDs. As much as I love his voice, lyrics, and general music-making abilities, I can’t seem to justify spending even $10 a CD and I can’t find a good torrent file, so I’ve been going without. Does that make me cheap or responsible? Yes.
Joe Purdy: Kerbey just introduced the Joe-Man to me last night. So far, so good, I say. I like him because he looks like a leprechaun.

The Good Link Mecca:
The Webby Awards: I look forward to them just so I can find the best of the best on the interweb.

Things Filed Under “Awesomeness,” i.e. Places To Waste Obscene Amounts Of Time Doing Nothing:
Paper Critters: I wanted to do a seven-part deadly sin series, but got distracted halfway through Envy. Still, a great place to waste time and see how tree branches make good blushing cheek veins. Also, “seven-part deadly sin series” sounds really cool.
Daily Makeover: Yeah, I scanned in my picture. Yeah, I look great with Eva Longoria’s hairstyle, green eyeshadow, and $500 sunglasses. I never would’ve known these things if it wasn’t for Daily Makeover. Thank you, Daily Makeover.
Passive-Aggressive Notes: You’ve probably seen this one before. It makes me cringe inside and fuels my nightmares.
Odd Things I’ve Seen: Personal blog about various sites worth checking out, for one twisted reason of another. I’d love to have this guy’s life.

Bad Gift Emporium: This one’s on the line between “Things Filed Under ‘Awesomeness’” and “Things That Make Me Want To Cry.” Frankly, I just don’t understand it.

Things That Make Me Want To Cry:
Apostrophe Abuse: I wanted to cry and wail and tear my hair out until I got to “Lets’” and then I just laughed out loud. Fig’ed, even.
The Comic Sans Pool: Pool of photos on flickr that prove the world has gone mad. I hate Comic Sans almost as much as I hate hearing people talk about smoking weed. Yes, it’s that’s bad, but fascinating like a train wreck. I specifically like the comments on this one. Desdemona for the win!

That’s all for now. Time to run.
Peace, love, and links.