After a few years of hard work and finally getting my site around where I want it to be, I think I am hanging up my, umm, laptop. After I am finished working on two current projects, I am going to stop doing freelance. It's just gotten to a point where it's not worth my time and effort.

It's nice to make some extra cash but I always end up agreeing to big discounts and working tons of unpaid extra hours and I don't have the free time to dedicate to endless changes and people changing their mind or wanting something different at the last minute. That probably sounds bitter but it's not. It's natural for people to change their minds and want the most for their money. They should be happy with the product they get and I respect that fact. I'm just not capable of doing it anymore. I'm too burnt out and there are too many other things going on in my life that need my attention... unless, of course, the money is too hard to turn away. You can never say never.

I am incredibly thankful for the clients I've had and for the wonderful people who have recommended them to me. In the last 3 years, I've done over 20 freelance projects. I've learned a ton from them and each one was really unique and really exciting in its own ways. It's strange. Every project becomes your child and you become attached to it. This is why it is easy to work many extra hours.

Now, I only wish that Lily was tired so I could celebrate this decision with a nap.

No need for much of an intro. This entry should be pretty self-explanatory.

• Carrie and Liliana
• Our families
• My job and coworkers
• Jeff Carter, Simon Gagne, Luca Sbisa
• Christian, Bob, Nicky
• Yos, Anne, Christine, Scott, and the rest of my iFriends
• World. Fucking. Champions.
• My new baby, an '08 Altima 3.5 SL
• Bill Meltzer and Tim Panaccio
• Septoplasty and prescription percocet
• Facebook and how it's reconnected me with friends and family
• NHL 09
• Moore Brothers and collecting wine
• 30 Rock
• Dexter
• PHP.net, David Walsh and Antonio Lupetti
• The Mars Rovers
• Banana Republic
• Outlet Stores
• Dr. Anil Rustgi
• Hangover Hockey League
• iPhone 3G and bluetooth connectivity
• The Baders, Deislers, and other friends with kids
• The Schulz, Richards, Baders and other families who have hooked us up a ton with baby stuff
• Sarah Palin and the economic crisis for ensuring an Obama victory
• Twitter
• Aaron Byles and all the wonderful work he's put into trying to sell our place

Vote for the NHL All Stars Here are my votes:

1. Blake Schwarzenbach has a new band
2. Lily is sitting up, standing while leaning, and I'm pretty sure she's crawling every time I turn away
3. The Flyers have actually gotten their season on track (3-0-1 in their last 4 games, 7-3-3 in their last 13)
4. I'm nearing the end of a tedious freelance project, have another project waiting in the wings, and the prospect of two more not far off
5. We went to the Marabella's reunion and had an absolute blast
6. We went to the cemetery this weekend. It's been way too long but it was incredibly nice to get to spend some time there and just think about my mom
7. I'm nearing the end of an incredibly long project at work. It'll be nice to start the next project
8. It may be the middle of November but the Phillies are still World. Fucking. Champions.
9. I just got a free cupcake
10. Lily has started sleeping until about 7:45
11. Carrie has a light schedule this week and I'll actually get to hang out with her
12. Finally, I think my Xbox will be back from repair

From @MarsPhoenix
[From Phoenix mission ops: Phoenix is no longer communicating with Earth. We'll continue to listen, but it's likely its mission has ended.]

...
[Phoenix mission ops: We bid our good friend a fond farewell. Phoenix did us proud: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/video/index.cfm ]

There was a point in time when I was worried that the people of this country would suddenly forget about the last eight years and McCain would steal this election. Homeland Security has been a pressing issue throughout most of this decade and the Republican party is amazing at capitalizing fear mongering. It's a volatile combination that unfortunately results in people overlooking the wrongdoings and poor choices of our elected officials.

McCain has a military background and that supersedes intellect, ability, age, and even the piss-poor choice of Sarah Palin as a running mate to some people. Even in the face of what appears to me as one of the most crystal clear choice in the history of presidential elections, McCain still stands a shot.

One monumental hurdle stands between McCain and the presidency, though: the current financial crisis. As far as I can tell, the bailout may end up being the turning point of this election. The bailout turned a giant mirror on our nation and exposed all of its flaws. As difficult as it was to see our money stolen from us and given to companies who spent it on golden parachutes, bonuses, lavish retreats, etc., it may have been a necessary vehicle for change.

Suddenly, people began realizing just how bad a shape our country really is in and that we need to get ourselves on steady ground rather than waste time being fearful of the imaginary monsters under the bed. (Eh, it's a bad metaphor but you get the point.)

So, who knows how this election will end? I think and hope it will be Obama but I think it will come down to fear and finances.