So, as you can see, yes, I did survive into the new year. Happy Twenty-Ten, everyone. :)

The two coolest things I did over my brother's winter break (the week before Christmas through last week) were:

1. Jumping back into WoW for the time, getting Jag his Tier 9 gear. Though the month of paid time doesn't end until the 19th, I'm already pretty much done with this little mini-tour. It really was a great idea to jump back in while he was home and I'd be more than likely to entertain the idea during his next extended holiday break. Will I ever jump back in to play as much as I did this time last year? I really, honestly hope not. There is so much more to life than spending countless hours playing a MMO and I know it sounds hypocritical of me to say that when Jag's got over 43 days of existence (read: playing time) under his belt, but that's just how I feel nearly every time I quit the game. I haven't mentioned them here on this site, but I've got significant plans for my life and WoW just about wrecks them all. Besides, if anything, Jag will live on through his story. Andy and I are picking up where we left off. I'm working on my chapter ten, while he's working on his ch9. We both have next to no time to write, as compared to how much available free time we had this time last year, but we're determined and committed. It is so much fun to collaborate with him over Skype, making revisions and brainstorming together for what might come next in either character's story. I have always loved creative writing, but never have I really undergone a project of this magnitude. There are fans and I've got a co-author of sorts who also turns out to be a really great friend. The story can only get better, and even without the game, I can always create new scenarios. The two of us can.
2. I finally saw Star Trek. Loved it. 'Nuff said. Best movie of last year, imo. Not that that means much, since I only saw two new movies last year and that was one of them, lol.
   

Besides that, my brother and I beat NSMBW shortly before the day he had to go back to school. We were on such a roll through the latter half of the game. That seventh world is genius (LOVED the black jelly level); the final level in World 8 was sick.