At least I won. (Giants over Titans) You see, a month ago I bought a plane ticket for my sister's college graduation. Unfortunately, her college graduation is actually a week later than I thought it was. So, I bought a ticket for which I had no need (Yes, I rewrote that so it wouldn't end with a preposition). It was nonrefundable and the change fee basically knocked out its value. Thus, Chris the Unemployed is out $200. But that's okay. Its not like I have some sort of negative cash flow thing going on. So here's to driving to Jersey! I saw that Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme are leaving the West Wing. I've been watching my Sports Night DVDs in mourning. There will be more bitterness on that later.

Quite often, when I am alone for periods of time, I start to get the feeling that not only am I alone physically, but I am alone on a far greater scale. I am alone spiritually and the void will never be filled. That there is no one in this world who will ever understand me... with whom I can connect. I can honestly say that I never felt this so strongly as I did this evening, when God called me up collect and said, "Chris -- You're alone in this world." and then hung up. Well, at least he got my name right this time.

1. Spanish Prisoner -- A spectactular David Mamet mystery/thriller. I love Mamet (i.e. Glengarry Glen Ross, The Edge, The Heist), and he gets it done here by creating a twisting movie like The Usual Suspects - except this one actually makes sense the second time around.
2. Kingpin -- Bill Murray and the worst hairdo of all time in a bowling movie. Not much more is needed.
3. Hart's War -- Alright, well it wasn't a perfect evening, but it was in high definition and I hadn't seen it. It was passable.

The worst part was that I had rented Auto Focus earlier in the morning expecting a bad run. At least it was a free rental. Now I have to watch it tomorrow while also heading to the track to bet on a Kentucky derby simulcast. It's a busy life, and I'm just the man to do it.

I decided to celebrate my new financial freedom the old fashioned way - I got sick. It started as a bit of a runny nose, then progressed rather quickly to a nasal infection/post-nasal drip (which of course led to an extremely sore throat). Now, I seem to have kicked the most of it, but am still fighting off the remnants of the evil. The side effects have been that I have napped a lot and now have no sort of sleep/wake schedule. For instance, it is now after 4 AM and I have been awake since 10 PM. I realize that it is time for sleep, but I feel bad because I have accomplished very little for the day. I basically last remember Monday night - since then everything has been just a blur of sweaty naps and uncomfortable viewings of bad movies on Showtime. Also, I smell great.

Some wonderful news in the "Is Chris Boylan Going to Be Broke?" Department. Yesterday evening, I sold my condo. Come June 30th, I will no longer be held under the oppressive fist of the Countrywide Home Loan Corporation. In addition, it's a pay week from the Bureau of Workers Unemployment Compensation -- so it is all good times here in Michigan. The weather is beautiful (late April/early May is the good weather period of Michigan. I will also give an encouraging nod to late September/early October) and I am apparently sick. Apparently, there is a water making gland in the back of my nose, and when I lean over, it leaks out like a drippy faucet. The more disturbing part is that this outcome is preferable, considering the alternative means it rolls down your throat. I'm gonna go lay down.