Rather than keep updating yesterday's post, I figured I'd just add new "appreciations" with a new post ...

BJ - Thanks for lunch. I hope you had a Happy Halloween

Mom & Tim - Thanks for the gifts, and even the surprise "video game chair" ... It kind of contradicts your constant nagging about me finishing school sometime this century thought though (I don't know why I'm addressing them directly since they don't read this, but I think it has a good effect)

Aunt Kathy - For single handedly ensuring that I won't finish the semester on a good note ... a gift certificate for More Better Purchase¹ which more than covers the cost of FIFA 2004, a DVD, and with a little bit of funds from my own personal "gift fund", the new Ryan Adams cd. The good thing is, all of these come out on Tuesday, the day all of my test taking will be finished until finals.

Andy & Renee - Sorry I couldn't talk longer, but thanks for the birthday greeting. Hope you guys had a wonderful evening.

And the winner of the "Best Birthday Greeting" award and recipient of the coveted Grand Prize if there were such a thing, JDawg, who while offering no more than anyone else in terms of his actual birthday greeting, performed said greeting from the balcony of my apartment upon my return from dinner ... unexpectedly and 400 miles away from his current place of residence in Buffalo, NY. Gotta be one of the all-time greatest birthday surprises ever. Thanks, JDawg.

¹ Name of popular retail chain changed to protect ... well I don't know, I just changed the name for fun.