Men are like diamonds

For me, selecting a new calendar is a roundabout way of showing what interest I deem will be appropriate for the next year of my life. Growing up it was always Winnie the Pooh or Tigger. Later on I had Lance Bass/'N Sync, after that I think I had Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Mutts, Clay Aiken, Sex and the City, Justin Timberlake -- You get the picture. I've had a lot of different calendars throughout my lifetime, but there is one series I have grown very fond of that involves scantily-clad men and ironic slogans. That's right, I'm talking about the "Men are like... " calendars. My favorite from last year is, "Men are like fairy tales... They seem to make more sense when you're young." Jaded? A bit. Sarcastic? You bet. Funny? To me, absolutely. Some people find it offensive, and by some people I mean my friend David. I couldn't tell if he was serious or if he just liked to argue with me, so for Christmas last year I got him a "Women are like... " one. He later told me he didn't even open it, so maybe he wasn't kidding. Waste of money, anyone?

I get a kick out of these things. I sent one to Renee as a gag gift when I was going to school in Pullman, and I liked it so much that I had to get one for myself the next year. And the next. And the next. I didn't buy one this year because I was hoping my mom would give it to me for Christmas, and now that I know she hasn't, I should be able to easily go out and get it. Right? Sure, except the only one I've seen was at Washington Square. Do I want to drive all that way for one measly item when I have a Barnes and Noble (gift card alert) right by my house? I guess not. I guess I'm too lazy to risk wasting my time and gas for something that may already be sold out, since I bought my 2009 calendar earlier tonight.

So what will be gracing my walls for the next 12 months? "Skylines of the World, Past and Present," which contrasts photos of what notable cities used to look like with what they look like now. It's kind of cool. Plus, this was literally the only decent one left at B&N. Well, there was a Family Guy one that was funny, but Renee and I agreed that it "just wasn't me." Maybe this is just my year to become a more mature individual. Goodbye poster men and man-bashing humor... I will remember you fondly.