Where in the World is Michael Staples?

I'm still here. However, since going F/T at work I've completly forgotten to update this page. My new job is almost as crappy as my P/T gig but with much more responsibility. There's life for ya. True, I finally have some health insurance again after not having anything since 2002. Hard to believe? It's true and not nearly as terrifying as I once thought it would be, though a bit inconvenient when you have to cart yourself in the early twilight hours to the free clinic or Cook County for services. No more of that.

So, in my new position, I'm an actual Acquisitions Editor. Whoo-Hoo! What's that? Oh, well, it basically means I worked my ass off for our crappy editors trying to "acquire" whatever and whomever they think is needed to pull any number of books together. I was doing this before but now I have to do budgets and schedules and all the other boring minutiae that comes with managing projects. Why am not a Project Manager like all those wanna-be "Trumps" on the Apprentice? Couldn't say but I like my title better.

Lately, I've been working on a book for making your own Living Will. Kind of morbid, I know, but necessary too. The gods know we don't all want to be tube fed or resuscitated a million times. I'm okay to go should I be in such a state. Anyway, I'm going to spend alittle time haunting all my friends and traveling. Speaking of haunting, I'm also working on our 2006 edition of Halloween Fun. Yes, well, this is one of the odd things about publishing an annual magazine on Halloween. You have to start long before the holiday. We actually just wrapped a book on Easter crafts. It's like the fashion industry, a season ahead.

Aside from work, I've been working out fairly often. Unfortunately, it hasn't done much to my physical appearance but I do feel pretty good. I've also joined a volleyball league through my club and have been playing the sport for almost 5 months. I'm almost at the point where my teammates don't scowl every time the ball comes my way. Just wait, next season I'll be really great.

Anyone seen Jarhead? What about The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe? Both great and recommended. However, skip Brokeback Mountain. Sorry friends but it's nothing like it claims to be. I was very disappointed in Ang. He did a better job on The Wedding Banquet.

Gods, look at the time! I gotta go! More later.

Happy Holidays!!