I feel like it's been a year since I last wrote

And it has. Get it? I'll give you a moment to recover from that gut-buster... alright. Hey everyone, happy 2005! I thought taking a break from writing would allow me the opportunity to collect my thoughts and attack my blog with newfound enthusiasm, cunning and insight. Instead, I forget how I ever wrote anything of remote interest whatsoever. So...what did you do for New Years? Um...(swallow) any cool Christmas presents or holiday gifts or whatever? (Is it hot in here or what?) What else, what else?

Cabo San Lucas gets dos thumbs up. We stayed in this incredible 7 bedroom house on a hill in the "Beverly Hills" of Cabo. If you saw this house on an episode of Cribs you would be impressed. Mountains on one-side, Marina straight ahead, expansive multi-level tile-deck, two pools, hot-tub, elevator. Needless to say it made my crawlspace of a bedroom seem particularly unspectacular upon my return home.

We caught a 120 pound Marlin one day. He put up a valiant fight as five of us took turns reeling him in. But our decided advantage in the battle became overwhelming when we got him boat-side and our two boat guides pulled him out of the water and repeatedly clubbed him over the head with a small metal bat. That hardly seemed fair. It felt reminiscent of the bull fight I witnessed in Seville, Spain when my friend and I suggested that the bull, who fights with everything he's got for rounds and rounds, must be exasperated when the guys with short swords sprint into the ring from behind and give him a run-by stabbing. Both the Bull and the Marlin must be thinking "give me a fucking break here, huh? Where the hell does one get those weapons? I have no weapon to use let alone opposable thumbs/limbs with which to operate any such weapon should I be provided with one. This is bullshit." All they're asking for is a level playing field. Guilty as I felt, that Marlin sushi we ate that night sure tasted delicious.

On the vacation overall I gained the following:

A greater appreciation for Alison's family (I couldn't have felt more welcome)

Confidence in my Spanish speaking ability (es como una bicicleta)

Five pounds from the continuous consumption of chips, guacamole and Pacifico cervezas

19 hard fought yards on four carries

Advice to everyone: You're supposed to complement people's tans not question their lack thereof. Tanning isn't rocket science. I think I did it right, but for some reason I look ghost-like next to my bronzed girlfriend. Stop asking me why I'm not tan. I don't know. I gave it a shot, that's all I can ask of myself.

Is it bad when in a given ten day period the most positive contribution you make to society is ripping apart several plastic six-pack holders so that no sea-life is harmed should that garbage find its way into an Ocean?

Speaking of Oceans and harm, I just saw W speaking at a press conference with his daddy and Clinton. They're heading some private funding for victims of the Tsunami. Oddly enough W's address didn't include the word Tsunami. Apparently he can't quite wrap his head around the whole silent T concept. I also saw footage of Elephants in Indonesia being used to sort through the wreckage because they have not yet been able to get machinery out there. I bet NHL officials took note thinking that if the lockout ends but the Zamboni operators stay on strike, elephants might be the answer.

I think the concept of photogenia is hogwash. Unphotogenic you say? I bet she's also "really nice."

I hope everyone has at least a couple of resolutions left that they haven't already broken. Welcome back.