"I'm just going through and doing them all."

Thanks kindly commenteers for all your... encouragement. Like the Mouseketeers you have stirred me into action. Albeit a slightly different kind of action, with fewer embarrassing aspirations... Here's the stock-standard silly excuse for not posting:
"I was really waiting until my last post had 10 interesting comments but I figure Luke's one makes up for at least three. :P
And Luke's imagining of my day was actually eerily close to the truth. Except for the part about Brenton and I looking for defenseless animals to beat up. Although we did see a cat with a tumor whose appearance was kind of comical. But I didn't laugh. I was too focussed on how I was going to win our race.

Okay, I guess I should explain that one. It was late, we'd been eating Party Mix, and were feeling particularly spritely. One thing led to another and the outcome was a 100m dash at the park right near his house. Had I been wearing the right footwear and concentrated on my technique I would have won. Or alternatively, if Brenton hadn't had a ginormous head-start I would have won also. :P

So what have I been doing? A lot of small-ish things really. Aside from still working at McDonalds (which goes 24 hours this week. Interestingly I think I've finally earned enough respect not to be given the more unfavourable shifts, so that's good.) and being completely head over heels I have...

Ice skated at NewQuay (the Docklands), which was really fun. It was my first time and I didn't fall over!! There's even video footage of my grace and poise and general goodness at being a pro ice-skater. [Thank you to all my friends who had countless birthday parties at Rollerama in Primary School. :)] I want to go again soon. I think there's an ice-rink in Oakleigh? Anyway, that was part of a spectacular evening involving impressive attire, revisited beginnings, fine food, a flower, a note, and unbeatable company.

Been doing the 1000 steps about two times a week, and playing tennis with my brother (I'm up 2-1, suck on it Mark :P), as well as with Brenton, and Ian & Luke R. Sorry for the name dropping Paul. It's in my nature. *helpless shrug* And that sums up my physical activity of late. The steps are really good. I'd recommend them to anyone, at any level of fitness. Hmm, who would I have in mind when I say that? :P (have you all thinking now don't I? haha).

I've been reading. Robin Hobb primarily, and the enthralling "The Last Man" graphic novels that Luke has been lending me. I'm hooked-er than a fish that's addicted to fishing hooks. And Robin seems like a good writer too...

I've been to Gold Class to see Juno where I enjoyed playing with the electric button reclining chairs a little too much. I ate with chopsticks, somewhat proficiently. :P I've jointly procured an investment property. I'm not saying where or what, but it's in the "pipe"-line *overthetop wink*.

I received a somewhat inspiring message from a girl from school, Sam, just yesterday. I hadn't heard from her for a long, long time - probably over a year - so it made the message all the more... significant/meaningful. We had English and Methods together at school, and she became school captain (whereas I was just a lowly prefect :P). Anyway, this is what she said:

"I know I'm slow to catch onto things, but I only just found out u swapped from commerce to writing and i am SO PROUD of u for doing so. I actually shed some tears of joy. I can't wait to read something by dale stephens, you're going to be great xox."

So yeah, that was strangely motivating and... just nice. Kind of reaffirmed some self-belief in my writing abilities that may have been lacking recently. Thanks, Sam, your chance to read something by Dale Stephens could come sooner than you think. [I might tell her about this blog :P].

That's all for now, Paul's gonna be here any second, and I've still got to admire Luke's latest text message to me for another 45 minutes, as well as scout for poor anim... I mean, scout for talent... -ed authors to read. :)

Thanks again for the comments,

Dale.