No, this isn't a commentary on synonyms, although an association for ketchup will be referenced later.

Wow…. I haven't written a blog since March.  I hadn't really realized it was that long ago.  And a lot has happened since then.  Most of it has been, admittedly, very personal and, as a result, boring for everyone else.

But I'll catch you up a bit.  And, again, this will be boring for most.  It's just catchup.

The major change in my life has been Amanda.  Yes, most of you know about her, she's the new girlfriend.  If you've been reading any of my recent blogs, you know about her already.  She's the blonde in the Callisto outfit.  Yes, we've become an "item".  We've become a "couple".  And any guy who has been in a relationship understands how important it really is when you find yourself putting quotation marks around you relationship status.

Amanda moved out to Los Angeles back in May.  Or was it April?  No, no, it was April.  Yes.  (Another indication that we are a "couple" is the fact that I've already started forgetting important relationship dates, a necessary component for the male counterpart in these things).  That move entailed me flying out to Indiana and the two of us driving back across country to Los Angeles.  It was a great trip and I might just post some photos of it one day (Amanda already has photos of it on her myspace).  It took around four or five days and we also took the opportunity to stop and visit with Kevin and Rebecca at Chez Anderson' in Colorado.  We also stopped in Las Vegas. long enough for me to throw a couple of hundred dollars into the street (if you don't win, that's the feeling you have… I didn't win… that's the feeling).  We arrived in Los Angeles after that (and getting stuck on the freeway in the desert at midnight during a sandstorm) and she settled in.

Let's acknowledge what you are all thinking right now.  If you've read my blogs, you'll know that Amanda and I only met in January.  Aren't things happening a bit too quickly?  Wasn't I being just a bit impulsive or too wrapped in what I wanted and willing to see it despite my common sense?  Isn't she a bit young for you?  Well… yes, it's been a disaster.  What a mistake.  I was just blind, a little to close to things, and wasn't really looking at what I wanted as clearly as I thought.  People make mistakes and I'm no different.  And what's worse, she's now here!  What do I do with her?

Okay, got that out of your system?  Good.  Because that's not the case.  Well, I will admit to things moving quicker than I expected.  But those who know me personally know that I don't do anything without having my feet planted firmly on the ground and without backups in case things go wrong.  I won't go into the details (boring!) but believe me, I was being careful.  Amanda had already planned to make a move whether she met me or not.  Selfishly, that worked to my advantage.  She's great.  She's wonderful.  I'm lucky. 

So the truth is that she and I are quite happy.  Yes, and even as I say that, I want to add "for the time being" (such is my cautious nature).  We enjoy each others company on a day to day basis, we agree on most things (and, certainly, the dealbreakers) and, even better, we DON'T always agree.  Not that I want to spend my life bickering with someone, but if you don't have at least some conflict in a relationship to some degree, one of you isn't being quite as real as he/she should be.

Although her fetish for lizards, Kuromi, Teddy Bears, anime, boba and most things pink is taking some getting used to.  But since none of those are dealbreakers (the jury's still out on the Kuromi, though) we should be fine.  She also loves the photography; to photograph and be photographed.  She's a great model and any of you who have also friended her on myspace have seen it and her photos.

Also, I went to London!  Woo hoo!  Well, most of you already know that as it was part of the Xena convention that was held in London.  We had a great time.  Never been there before and can't wait to go back.  For more information on that, you can visit these pages:

Amanda and Steve about London

London Xena Photo Page

So that's the major happenings in my personal life.  Well, there are a few other things, but I don't think you want to hear about me chopping wood, clearing the yard, cleaning out my garage or trying to make closet space.