It's running late this year, but fret no more. The Year in Me has arrived. I know you've been sitting around waiting for it. Lonely. Despondent. Melancholy. Take a breath. Relax.
This Holiday Jam may seem useless now that I have the blog. I mean, I post almost daily. I think I may have only missed 20+ days of posting in '06. Still, I do it for the people. It's like watching a whole season of a show on DVD instead of coming back every week! So, strap in.
Game time.
As you may remember '05 ended on a sad note and I was unsure of the direction I was going to take. I was debating a move out west. Just not sure. Then, January hit and it was on! I continued bartending at the same joint. Still 5 blocks from the crib. Still good money. Still all good. They've been quite good to me and vice versa. Some ups and downs with other employees, but it all worked out in the end. Clearly, they know the place would absolutely shut down if I wasn't there. I mean, on my days off, no one ever comes. I don't know why they even open.
I was also involved as a "roving reporter" in a podcast on occasion during '05. What's that, little Suzy? You don't know what a podcast is? Well, it's kind of like an internet radio show. Anyone can do one. Doesn't mean they can do it well. The podcast in question is Comic News Insider. It's about the world of comic books and animation with a touch of sci-fi/fantasy and pop culture. I was supposed to co-host it with my good friend, Joe, back when he started it in April '05, but I was heavily involved with the sketch comedy group, Home Groan. Which, thanks for asking, is now defunct. We were brilliantly funny, but we decided to go out on top. On top of what, I'm not sure, but on top! Which means that we can't stand each other and had to break up before felony charges amassed.
In January, Joe and I talked about restarting the podcast full time. His other co-host did not want to continue and I had free time now that the sketch group was history. We decided that if we were going to do it, it would be weekly and we'd make a serious commitment to it. So, we did. And just in time too! February saw the first big NYC Comic-Con in years. Sure, they have small conventions here and there, but this was to be held at the Javits Convention Center. Not the back janitor closet of the Holiday Inn featuring special guest Joey Buttafucco. The Con was a blast and we had many a fun interview. With Episode 22, Comic News Insider (Here on in, to be known as CNI) was back with a vengeance. New co-host! New segments! New fun! Off to a good start!
In April, I made what is now an annual trip back to the home town of Jacksonville, Florida. One of my old theater students, and favorites of mine, was getting married. My little Megan was all growed up! She was marrying a guy that she met because of me! A former co-worker. That's right! I made it happen. Just call me Cupid! And you know what rhymes with Cupid? Do you? Seriously...what rhymes with that? For the wedding, I took an old girlfriend, Dionne, as my date. Yep, that's us over there. We're still hot after all of these years. I got to see a bunch of old friends and stayed with Moms. Jacksonville, as big as it has grown, is still pretty old school South though. Buckle of the Bible Belt? More like the noose.
At the end of April, I took a quick jaunt out to my friend's (Kristin) horse farm in Pennsylvania for a couple of days. And for the first time in my life...I rode a horse. That's right! I'm gonna star in Young Guns 7: Chavez's Revenge! I had been put on a horse when I was young, but never really rode. Kristin took me around the track and said I was a natural. Or maybe she said I was "au naturale". Maybe because I was naked. I probably shouldn't have read Equus the night before.
In May, I finally decided to put the story on paper. Well, on computer screen. What story? Well, the greatest story in the world! How I found my sister! Many of you know it and it's a great read. So, go back to the May 12th post. It's in 8 parts. Enjoy. This is the story that I will eventually rework and find an artist and turn into a graphic novel. You will hold it in your hands one day! Or I'll just keep telling you about it and draw stick figures.
June rolls around and it's time for Kristin's "Semi-Annual Could Be the Last Shindig" at her horse farm. As you may remember from last year, I had joined this fandom group called The Browncoats. Fans of Joss Whedon's TV show Firefly and subsequent movie, Serenity. This was the basis for her party. Though, with life moving on for all of us, the TV show and movie over, interest was waning among many. So, indeed, it would be the last big party. We were going to have an auction of sorts to help pay the cost of the bash. This time, some friends asked if the proceeds (after cost) could go to help a friend of theirs, Brighid, who was recently diagnosed with PXE, a connective tissue disorder. We agreed and I took over the auction procedures. Ever done that? Ran an auction? Not easy. I did the best I could and we ended up raising some good money for Brighid and the PXE organization. Not as much as I had hoped for, but it was something. Warm fuzzies all around to everyone involved!
More travel time in July and it's time for the big San Diego Comic-Con. My now annual pilgrimage to Geek Heaven. Nerdgasm. Ridiculous fun. Go back to the July posts to read all about it. But, I got to meet/interview/hangout with the likes of Rosario Dawson, Joss Whedon, Sam Jones (Flash Gordon) and many comic book professionals! And, yes, there were some girls there. Geek girls are hot! I got to meet a bunch of the California Browncoats and made a whole slew of west coast friends. I donated a bunch of stuff for a charity auction they were having. This time, just donating. Not running! What's with all of the charity? Well, I started prostituting myself out for comic books and I shot a man just to watch him die (Hey...I should write a song). So, trying to even out the karma points!
I hit Baltimore and Philly for some cool comic-cons as well. Yes, world traveler indeed! Next big trip would be San Francisco at the end of September. I had never been and had some friends out there. It happened to coincide with this big thing called The Browncoat Ball. I suckered asked a girl, Melissa, I had met at San Diego Comic-Con to attend with me and she agreed! Sure, I got her all liquored up, hypnotized her and offered up my unborn children to Mephistopheles...but it worked! I hit some wine country, hung with friends and did the whole formal ball weekend. It was awesome and I'm definitely going back. Gonna have to do wine country for at least a month. You'll find me waist deep in grapes somewhere in Healdsburg. Or knee deep in Double Doubles somewhere at an In-N-Out. Or both.
October came in and having recently rediscovered my love for all things zombie, I ate some brains. No, I mean I dressed up as a zombie for Halloween. And then I ate some brains. Just like Sylar in my favorite new show, Heroes. Except I didn't get any powers. Just indigestion. Brain matter plays a wicked game with your digestive system. Enough hot sauce on anything and it will taste good! Just like Lindsay Lohan.
All this time, CNI was getting better and better. Great guests, segments and lots of fun! Then, Dynamic Forces (THE industries leader in comic book collectibles,etc.) agreed to sponsor us! I had met the president of DF and we had a mutual friend. Things are going swimmingly with the sponsorship and I'm sure more great stuff will happen. They got us Stan Lee for Pete's sake! We are currently at episode 69 and staying on the weekly schedule. The sponsorship has not spoiled us. Sure, we get flown first class everywhere now. Sure, I'm having dinners with Jessica Alba. Sure, I have an active imagination. What of it?
You all know the big birthday bash was recently on December 9th. And yes, you missed a phat party! How old? Shut it. As per usual, the birthday lasted most of December and will continue on as long as I can milk it out.
Christmas is the only accepted interruption of the birthday holiday each year. This year, I spent it with Marsha and she put out a feast fit for a King! Or a big brother. I didn't want to come back because I knew I'd be missing out on all of the delicious leftovers! Sis is doing great having just moved into a new house with her fiance'. And, yes, the big wedding will be in '07! I will be getting ordained and marrying them! That's right. My dreams of priesthood will now come to fruition.
I will start my own religion! JIMMYISM will sweep the world! I'll transform into an Angel of Bourbon! Drunkenly flying from city to city and getting them all liquored up in the name of Me. I'll laugh it up and make fun of Clarence. "Still don't have those wings yet, punk?!! Mwhahahaha!"
But, seriously folks! I will be getting ordained online and marrying them. As of now, it's a Hawaiian themed wedding. Loud shirts. Lei's. Maybe a surfboard podium. I'll wear my cursed Brady Bunch Tiki idol for good luck!
And not to be repetitive each year, but I love my peoples. That's you! I'm a difficult bastard to love back, but thanks for trying and hanging in there. Life is ridiculously awesome right now. I wake up every day just loving it! That's due to mostly having missed myself so much from sleeping. And you miss me too. To stay abreast of all things Jimmy, just visit the blog.
Have a happy and safe holiday season! I'll be partying right up to the end of '06 and beginning of '07. Pop the champagne and have one with me!
Still ghetto after all these years,
JIMMY AQUINO
A little listener feedback and the Top 3. 
I always wait until the last minute. But, this time...I REALLY waited until the last minute. I have to get my arse out of bed tomorrow morning to get my Xmas shopping done before work. Yeah, that last minute. 
