General Motors has started a new ad campaign with a delightful old man walking around factories and showroom floors talking about how GM makes the best cars.

It didn't take me half the commercial to realize he wasn't saying anything factual or objective, it was just salesman spin.

"When compared to the competition, we win. Simple as that."

Is it really that simple? Really?

I must admit I just bought a Honda Civic, because its in the top 10 of cars as far as fuel efficiency (I just went an entire week for $15 of gas, and I have a 30 minute commute everyday to work and school, plus I drive 15-25 minutes to friends houses regularly, I could just list the MPG, 36 highway, 25 city, but this gets the point across more effectively. PATHOS to your face!) and I considered getting the Honda Fit (2nd overall in fuel efficiency behind Prius), but decided against it partially because of size, and partially because my mom would have none of that.

"YOUR CAR WILL GET SQUISHED! YOU'LL SLIDE IN THE SNOW!"

"Thanks mom."

Where was I? Oh right, GM.

But I fail to see why I should have bought an Aveo or Cobalt (similar millage) when Honda's cars seem to last longer, have less problems than an American counterpart.

Or maybe I just love those Japanese.

Note to GM, when making an ad, you might want to state some actual facts.

I had to brush the dust off of this thing before I used it. Clearly it's been a while since I've blogged.

I do miss a lot of the people I only know through Xanga and have no other contact info for. Thankfully I've made a few friends here that I have phone numbers or AIM / E-mail info for or I would have been sad. (Take this as a cue to hit me with that information)

Now, that the PSA is over with, let me get to the business of this post.

I have been busy as fuck. (busy as fucking?)

I have been writing professionally for this site and earning a pathetic salary, but the part that matters is that I'm an editorial supervisor who has to

1) Hire staff
2) Manage content
3) Lead a team
4) Write columns

If nothing else, I have the ultimate journalism resume builder for that sort of thing in the future. While I obviously wouldn't be hired as an ESUP write away, it still is nice that an employer may see that I have successfully done it before.

Unfortunately, this saps most of my creative energy, and both my blog and my novel have suffered. I've only written one chapter in the last month. (*sigh*)

The second part of me being busy comes down to classwork.

I have been bogged down in classwork for the few weeks I've been in class, and I've actually been a good student and done it all, in it's entirety, with no shortcuts. Now perhaps the gravity of that situation doesn't hit you, but this is coming from someone who more or less failed out of school, and has a pathetic work ethic when it comes to studying. However, I have maintained a 3.0 (or close) for 2 years now, and I suppose it was only natural that eventually something in my subconscious would decide that bad study habits needed to be put to rest.

However, with good study habits comes not much time for anything else.

Thirdly, I have been busy because my friends decided not to suck.

Protected posts would reveal, and possibly even blogs in plain sight, that I have been irritated at friends for being flaky and disappointing. There are still friends that seem to only talk to me when they are either A) Bored, B) Need something, C) Want to complain about something. I suppose C is the same as B, but not visa versa. In any case, I had one of my closest friends come home from Cincinnati and she is finally the type of friend I've wanted for a while. One who you can call randomly and ask to hangout and she will say yes and make it happen.

No process to check calendar that suspiciously takes 2 or 3 days, no need to check if it's ok, no need to flake out. Why? Because she genuinely wants to spend time with me, unconditionally.

That is an awesome friend, and I'm ashamed to admit I let her get out of touch.

Those of you who I missed know who you are (or at least I hope so, if you have some doubt, feel free to post a comment and I will reassure you I love you.)

I want to especially thank some of you who made me realize those who have kept me down in my life, and perhaps didn't care about me as much as I wanted them to. Sometimes, good can arise from the times I cry myself to sleep at night.

Much love, Xanga.

I was watching this movie the other day, and was reminded as to why Sean Connery is Sean Connery.