My apologies

Ok, I'm sorry I haven't posted anything in 2 weeks. I didn't realize I had such an interested audience. Well, one person anyway. My friend Amy (pictured, right) gave me a good talking to last night about my lack of timely updates. So for that, she gets to see her picture posted here for the next couple weeks. :)

Last night was my friend Therese's birthday. Happy 29th (again) birthday Therese! It was a lot of fun. First we went to Izumi's for some sushi. It was my first time there. What a great place. We had the back room all to ourselves which was really neat. Their food was probably the best sushi I've had in Milwaukee. I found a new favorite, Yellowtail. Tasty treat.

After that, we went to the new Old German Beer Hall. Pretty cool place. It fell a little short of the "German feel" but it was a pretty fun place. Good beer and the "Shot Ski" was pretty cool. 5 double shots attached to a snow ski so 5 people have to drink them down simultaneously. Cool idea.

So now I'm caught up on some posting, Amy. I hope everyone has a great Christmas weekend! I am heading up to Green Bay tomorrow Kirsten-less since she has to work unfortunately. I'm looking forward to spending time with the family. And a special "Merry Christmas" to you, Katie. I'll be thinking of you and your family since your last Christmas in your parent's house isn't exactly going as planned. Take care everyone!

2005 Reading Material

So in 2005, I picked up a new hobby, reading. Below is a list of the books I've read this past year. Now you may say "Derek, big fricken deal. I can read that many books easily." Well you're right, it was pretty easy once I discovered I liked it. Before this year, I read a grand total of ONE book on my own, ever (outside of school of course). I just did not enjoy it. I tried a couple times before but I always found myself so bored, I could never get into it. Perhaps this is another one of those things that just come with getting older like drinking coffee (another new thing for me in '05). Who knows. Anyway, I'm proud of myself for plowing through this many books this year and I've enjoyed them all. On to the next one...

1. The Bourne Identity - Robert Ludlum
2. The Bourne Supremecy - Robert Ludlum
3. The Bourne Ultimatum - Robert Ludlum
4. The Insider - Stephen Frey
5. Sahara - Clive Cussler
6. Raise the Titanic! - Clive Cussler
7. Atlantis Found - Clive Cussler
8. Valhalla Rising - Clive Cussler
9. Pacific Vortex - Clive Cussler
10. London Bridges - James Patterson
11. Casino Royale - Ian Fleming
12. Moonraker - Ian Fleming
13. Hawke - Ted Bell
14. Assassin - Ted Bell
15. Witch Hunt - Ian Rankin
16. Melancholy Baby - Robert B. Parker
17. Sideways - Rex Pickett

Happy Blogiversary to Me

So today is the first "Blogiversary" for High Life Heaven. Life just keeps going by faster and faster. Just wanted to say a big "thanks" to those of you who stop by. It's fun to write, even though I don't have too many exciting things to write about usually. I'm working to try to be a better writer like some of you (Erin, Katie, Binsk, Big Lug, Leesa). The best part of this whole blogging thing is meeting some new blog-friends. You know who you are. It's neat that only through this, you feel like you know some people pretty well. I remember a short time ago, Kirsten and I were driving somewhere and she told me about someone that got engaged, and I replied "Oh, and Katie just got engaged too." She's like "who's Katie?" I said "Oh yea, you wouldn't know...one of my blogging friends!" Funny stuff. Anyway, thanks again and long live High Life Heaven!