Yes indeed, this is my way of getting the word "log" into a headline and chronicling my stay at home for half of the month of December 2003 & January 2004. I hope you enjoy it, even if it' turn out to be rarely updated. I'll put the most recent entries at the top, so if you happen to return you can know what happened last fastest. Again, enjoy, and remember, I'm still here!

December 31, 2003
It’s been ten long days since you’ve gotten your Break Log Update, and here it is: In the past ten days I haven’t been busier than the first two weeks of my break. I’ve actually been working on transferring the site over to the real domain and stuff, but that was more correspondence, not work. I have been up to a few things though. I climbed under my house and checked for leaks which weren’t there. While under there I took pictures to share with my visitors and also to show my disbelieving mother that there were no leaks. She hired a plumber who got paid $85 an hour to tell her the same. Immediately afterwards I headed to a wig store and didn’t get half as many stories I’d hoped I would. Still, the wig store was in the Shore Mall, the shopping pit of South Jersey, and I found a new store called As Seen on TV, which sells all sorts of crap that you see on TV. My sister tells me that it’s a front for a drug market, but I think she’s wrong. There was a mother and two little kids working, which would be a brilliant front, but not entirely smart enough for this area. I also got an MRI at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and as many of you are realizing, I’m surely not the size of a child. I got my MRI on a kids machine anyway, which wasn’t comfortable or fun. Imagine a big person being jammed into a little hole for X-rays, again it reflected one more facet of my life that shows how out of place I can always look. In the medical world I also got great marks at the dentist who gave me yet another new toothbrush and floss... damn floss to hell. I also took to watching my morning Matlock at 11:00 AM on that bitchin’ TV channel WGTW, Burlington. Lastly, I cracked up for a bit while I watched David Cross’ latest DVD, Let America Laugh (Christmas present). It’s definitely worth checking out everybody, and it’s pretty cheap. I even saw most of the bits from the tour that the DVD was made from, but it was still one of the better laughing episodes I’ve had in a while. I think that’s it for the interesting stuff. Karen currently has my mind running, which is normal, but this time it’s about what I could’ve possibly gotten for Christmas from her… I miss her. Only 12 days or something.

December 21, 2003
Yesterday I watched the Shawshank Redemption in its entirety. It was good. That Roger Deakins knows what a pretty picture is, I'll tell you that much. Also, it reminded me a bit of being home, "Prison life consists of routine, and then more routine." I got Karen a Christmas present. I don't know if she'll love it, but she's getting it. I don't have a good feeling about it, which is not to say that I do have a bad feeling, but I'm sure she'll like it. If you're reading this and thinking, "Pete's really holding back, he's got to be up to more than this," then you're wrong. Sorry to say so. Anyway though, you take care, I hope you're having fun wherever you are, whatever you're doing. You can benefit from my monotony though, you got four new articles in four days! We haven't averaged this well since June or July! I hope you enjoy them all, I don't get much feedback at home, so hit up the guestbook. Thanks.

December 19, 2003
As I sit and drown my sorrows in a pile of cookies and a glass of milk, I thank God for Canadians. Kids in the Hall is the only thing that will make me laugh away the reality that I just spent three hours roaming through the mall, and if I didn't let my hunger stop me, I would probably still be there. "Why would you spend three hours roaming around in a mall Pete?" Because I'm a damn caring boyfriend, that's why. Now I left empty-handed because I'm stupid. I didn't realize how outward my sadness in finding nothing was until a trio of Sears' women's department employees commented, "Guys look so sad shopping today." This was when I concluded my excursion in exchange for incessant whining to my dog about how I don't know what to buy. She didn't care. While shopping I also had the pleasure of running into Mike & Sara Shannon shopping for the family. They tried their best to assist, but it was futile. Suggestions are welcome, but hopefully I'll have something before anyone takes initiative. You'll get a key report ASAP. Keep checking back at the Break Log... heheh, log... does that EVER get old? 
Later that day: The depression of home sets in. Loneliness sucks. I'm lonely.

December 17, 2003
Ah yes, two more days down-- I've gotten more Christmas presents, so my mom & sister are done. Karen also got one present today, but I can't tell you what it is for fear that she may stop by the site and read it. I haven't minded the holiday season shopping troubles. In reality, I've been more than lucky enough to go to the Hamilton Mall about four times already without seeing anyone I know. I woke up @ 10:40 AM today--that's pretty fun, but ya know what's not fun? No money. So if you know anyone who would like to invest in Ken Griffey Jr. or Shaquille O'Neal rookie cards, let me know. I went to the local card and hobby store and they didn't want anything. They're only buying new cards, which seems odd, what with the fact that they're a sports card store and all... they sell the new cards--in essence, they have a collapsible universe of paradoxical business right there in the Shore Mall. That's about it for me kiddies. If it sounds like my break is boring that's pretty much because, it is. I'm trying to have fun, but with limited funds it's gotten too impossible. Perhaps I'll take Marla's advice and rob a bank--that would give me something to prepare for, something to do, then more to do afterwards as I run away from the police, all the way to Jim Thorpe, PA! Nah, I'd probably hole up in Luksic. Let the cops put a few holes in that joint. Anyway though, you take care and come save me.

December 15, 2003

Yet another out of the ordinary Pete Phillips fashion investment

Those of you who know me well enough to hear my bitching first-hand know that I've been seeking a new hat to cover my head in light of my new haircut. The haircut provides a significant amount of skin shown on my head, so the hat is a requirement for long walks to Turkey Hill for some late-night snacks, corn mazes with Karen, or coping with broken heat at any random time. So yes, the end of my day included buying a hat; that was after I sold some CDs at the ol' used CD place, then bought some Christmas cards. I broke even there. My sister is also allowing me the usage of her digital camera to bring you the best and brightest photos from my life, so stay tuned for some dramatic fun from New Jersey... or not. Also today I continued the cleaning of the great mess, my room. I'm giving stuff I don't use to poor people and cleaning up my life at the same time, let's hear it for me, eh? In cleaning I'm finding all sorts of fun stuff. For one, I found a Phillips Family Reunion shirt from this year (I think) and it's only a large, so I figure I'll pass that on. Also found is that clickety-clackity thing pictured to the right--it's sooooo annoying. I can't imagine who would've come up with this thing. Regardless, I've mastered it and I know how to annoy you a zillion times over. Watch your back kids-- I have more toys! I also talked to Karen, who is greatly missed, and you guys will be glad to know that Chip is still living through month FOUR! Way to be Chip--we're proud!

December 14, 2003