I've felt like a train wreck this weekend... so exhausted.  It is one of the few weekends that all I have wanted to do is sleep, and I've done lots of it.  I really over did it at the gym yesterday, from there, I made an appearance at a friend's child's birthday, and from there it was home to SLEEP.  But I find it difficult to sleep during the day, so it was like on and off.  Last night was supposed to be the newly started practice of classic-movie night at Lynne's.  (Well, classic-movie night was supposed to be on Friday because it is scheduled for the third Friday of the month, but complications forced postponement.)  Ok, I shouldn't say supposed to be because it was.  We watch Breakfast at Tiffany's--one of my all-time favourites.  Problem:  we all fell asleep during the movie.  It think it had been a hell of a day for all of us, and settling down for the film (which has a great story but is not flashy or as fast paced as films are today) triggered sleep for each of us.  (I propose we more the time of our movie nights forward.)

I stayed the night at Lynne's but set off before 6:30 to try and get a good run in this morning.  I should've listened to my body and taken a day off.  I had to quit after about 5km.  I was just too tired.  My body had not recovered from Friday's run nor Saturday's gym workout.  I was totally pooped.  I went home and decided to watch 7 Pounds.  (I have it on my laptop even though it was just released.  It's actually a really clear bootleg.  I know, bootleg:  bad, but my access to good films, legitimately shown in a theatre, is very limited.  Believe me, I much prefer seeing films at the cinema rather than watching them on my laptop.  I do what I can.)  It was ok.  Will Smith has really grown as an actor and was fantastic.  I know the role took a lot out of him; it could not have been an easy one to play.  I think Rosario Dawson is just amazing.  The camera loves this woman and she just brings a touch magic to the screen.  She has that it quality.  But I just felt no chemistry between Smith and Dawson.  Two beautiful people on the screen, and... nothing.  I just didn't feel it.  Perhaps it was the darkness and depressing nature of the film that overshadowed everything else.  I do think the film is worth seeing, as is this photo (neither dark nor depressing) of Rosario from a recent awards ceremony (I think.  Ok, I know the photos is from January, but I'm not sure which function she was attending.)

Who's my second-favourite Rosario?

Need you have even asked?

Sign O' the Times

So you know how I'm into Drew.  And I must say she was a vision in tulle a the Golden Globe awards... 

I concede that the hair was a brave choice--a bit high, perhaps channelling a hair hopper--but Drew has a way of rocking it, keeping it fun.  What I do find disturbing are the wrinkles around her eyes.  Those are more than smile creases.  Come on!  She's only 33.  So.  Am.  I.  After seeing this photo, I had to run to the mirror in the bathroom to check and make sure I was not in an equal situation.  Still safe. 

(Even with the wrinkles, she is still beautiful.  Look at that smile.)

In the end, it could be worse.

You could run, but judging from her track suit, she'd probably run after you, and with those legs, she'd catch up.

For the Record

I'm not happy I missed the airing of Britney: For the Record, Britney's documentary, on MNET. It was repeated tonight, having premiered on 23rd December. Where has my mind been? I should've picked up on the show's airing long before it ever took place. Man, I'm slipping.

Quotes (via SMS) from a friend watching it tonight:

• She is very endearing... and funny.
• She also comes off quite smart and "real", whatever that is.
  

For the record: I'm a Circus fan. Favourite track: Trouble.

For the record: I'm ready for another vacations after only two days back at work.

You're not quite there; you're not on my level. Trust me, for you I'm TROUBLE.

So Much Better

Yesterday, I was in a funk. I referred to myself as the melancholy boy. I went to the gym for a two-hour work out with my trainer, Jeff. The release of endorphines is usually enough to snap me out of any semi-sadness. Didn't work. Thank goodness I have fabulous friends. They were having none of my attitude. I love them for it.

This morning, taking a page from Barbarah, Goddess of Gorgeous, I organised a 2-hour birthday run with friends followed by breakfast. The run was so fantastic. I love Kampala on Sunday mornings when people are still sleeping or have gone to church. There is little-to-no traffic to watch out for and I can just enjoy the city. I'd not done a Sunday run with a companion in quite a long time. Running is so much better when there are others around. We began in Bugolobi, went over Mbuya Hill, crossed Jinja Road and went up to Ntinda. From Ntinda, we went over to Bukoto, then down Lugogo Bypass, ran up Jinja Road and branched at Nakawa. We made the loop back to Bugolobi. Completing the run felt so great.

Sheila, Dan, Leo and I had my birthday breakfast at Café Ballet on Kyadondo Road, Nakasero. I've had lunch there a couple of times; they make great soups and salads, and the cappuccino is not bad either. Well, the breakfast did not disappoint. The four of us got number 3 on the breakfast menu, the one with beef fillet. The size of the portions were more than enough, plus they make fantastic home fries. The coffee and juice that are included with the breakfast were also excellent. It was an almost perfect meal. The beef fillet was a bit rare instead of medium as ordered, but I forgive them for that. The wait staff were adaquately attentive and friendly. (For a more in depth review of Café Ballet check out The Eye.) Sheila treated us to a bottle of bubbly, and Mphanga made a surprise stop by. I love her. I was so great seeing her after her holiday in Zambia; she was absolutely radiant.


Changing topic, I blogged a few months ago about seeing Mamma Mia in Boston with my friend, Beth. Yes, I enjoyed the film. I even sent the DVD to my sister's family as a Christmas gift. (Isn't Amanda Seyfriend, surprisingly, quite a good singer?) As I perused last week's issue of Time Magazine today, I learned that Mamma Mia has bumped the 1997 smash, Titanic, out of the spot of top grossing movie int he UK. The Brits love themselves some ABBA. The film has been in theatrical release there for more than 23 weeks. The DVD also sold some 1.7 million copies on its first day of release in the UK.

It won't be long...

I'm one of the most indecisive people I know, and I guess that is one of my attributes that make me a walking contradiction because I'm also a person who makes decisions and gets things done. However, getting anything done is never a simple task for me and even the simplest decisions receive a thorough debate inside my head. I'm a dweller and I over-analyse. Perhaps that's why I find it difficult to relax; there are always a million things racing around inside my brain. My own version of quality-control, I guess.

Right now, I have some important decisions to make:

• To renew or not to renew my contract. If I don't, then what?
• Well, if I don't renew my contract, shouldn't I begin applying for jobs now so I'll have a job lined up for August/September 2009?
• Do I really want to stay on this career path, or should I leap in another direction?
• Is it time for my return to the US?
• Screw the job, should I just go back to school?

I just wish I could be certain as to what the future holds and which decisions will work out best for me. I know it's time for a change. I've been fighting this feeling for a year now, but for what? Yes, I think I'll get the application sent today. I updated and tweaked my resume last week, near perfection. We'll just have to see what happens.


One day, I'm hopping that elevated train and I riding away...

Anxiety

Ridden

I quote Natalie from Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, the amazing 1985 dance musical starring a young Sarah Jessica Parker, Helen Hunt, and Shannen Doherty:

Decisions are the worst.

But they are not going to make themselves...
...now are they?



Happy New Year.