Day 44

Woke up at Mike's house, only to find his room was freezing. Mike and I like sleeping with the windows open, and even thought we closed it midway into the night, that was no help. The room was so cold in the morning my nipples could have torn through the blanket I had over me. It's a flaw in science that I couldn't see my breath.

We went to church and sat in our usual stoop in the balcony, accompanied by Chad and Tanya and Melissa drizzling in. After the service Melissa went home with her family and the rest of us went to Ming Ten, my favorite Chinese buffet in Grand Rapids. I had four plates, so the lunch was much merit to my body.

Afterwords me and Mike returned to his house and played Black Ops for about thirty minutes, then I ran some errands to prep for my party I was having that night. The party was for Dexter. If you've never seen the show, its a must. Winner of 2 Golden Globes, several emmys, and over 100 nominations, it's a genius blend of writing and drama, mixed with the subject of a lovable serial killer. Mike and I, with Tanya's help, turned the entire basement into a kill room. Plastic sheeting, fake blood, table, pictures of the notorious villains, everything. Then came time for the premiere. The first episode was really well done. Excited for the new season, and it runs through January 8. After everyone left, myself, Lauren, Chad and Sam all went to Applebee's to enjoy some extended conversations and friendship.

Ahh yes, finished Hithcock's "Rear Window" when I got home. A truly genius thriller, with the entire film shot out of a man's apartment window, looking through other windows, that tells a story of a man who killed his wife and a wheelchair bound photographer who must prove he's guilty. 

- My homemade killroom, Dexter Premiere -

Day 43

Due to a late night the previous night, I woke up at noon today, thus driving my Saturday morning into the bed, literally. I had to be at work in two hours, so I did what I could, and ate an omelet and went to work.

I started reading the book Child 44, which is excellent. It's well written and the pacing and visuals are deft. Mike let me borrow the book, and I'm glad he did. It's cool, because two people can read the same book, and they envision the characters, the setting, and the environment completely different. It's how our minds shape the book's atmosphere.

After work I met up with Tanya and Mike and we went to Gun Lake Casino, where Mike's parent's were also at. Tonight was good, we spent about an hour and 15 minutes there, and I killed it on my first slot machine. It's a winning to bid game, and its stacked with mini games on it as well. I did really well, I started with $5.00 and had that up to $60, but then that came back down to $40. I walked away with the 35 dollar gain. Later on, I played a few more games, and earned another $40.00, although I had still lost some. At the end of the night, I left the casino with a net gain of $35. 94. I'll take it.

Went back to Mike's house where I stayed the night. Good Saturday.

- I started watching Rear Window today, another movie I need to x off the Top 100 list -

Day 42

Friday morning means no school, but it does mean I work meeting. No worries, I planned this one myself.

Went into work and discussed work related issues. I'm excited to find out that the club is getting a huge make over, complete with tanning beds, new floors, and equipment. I've been waiting for this for awhile.
After the meeting I began a workout for a bit, trying to stay healthy (I put this here because, as you'll see, I will fail at eating healthy in the next paragraph or two.)

After work I ran to Meijer and bought a protein shake (still eating healthy), complete with vitamins and other replenishment elites that I could put into my body. I then went home and played some COD, cleaned my room, and sold some clothes at Plato's closet today before heading into work. Then the unhealthy storm came.

I stopped at Mcdonalds again tonight to play that infernal Monopoly game they have going. I ordered a Big Mac, large fry, medium coke. This was at 6:00PM. After a successful night at work and signing another 5 members, I met up with Melissa and we got Mcdonalds again. They accidentally gave me someones meal, so the simple fry I ordered turned into ANOTHER big mac, large fry, and Melissa's drink....

As I type this, I have a giant container of pure tangerine juice, hoping to clear out my soggy veins.

- Melissa's picture she took of my sin -

Day 41

Early morning for a Com 101 class today.

Found out that I need to have a speech ready to present by next Tuesday. I have no idea what I'm going to talk on yet, though my friend Google will probably help me. Informative speeches aren't the hardest thing, but I would prefer a persuasive speech any day.

Left school and ran around town looking for materials I needed to put together a very special gift for someone. After I had found what I needed, I met Mike at Costco and we got lunch and talked. I then went home and stayed at my house while Shelby moved more belongings back in and the dogs fought.

Tonight at work was great. I've never worked a more busy shift. I ended up signing 5 people, touring a family, jumping a man's car due to a dead battery, and performed other avid tasks.

I'm sure the biggest highlight today, if not of my more recent months, was after work I took that "special gift" over to Melissa's house and asked if she'd be my girlfriend. A brief history on that: We've known each other for over 4 years. Her dad was my teacher, and through the grapevine of friends of friends of friends, we became myspace friends and began hanging out. Cornerstone University, Fall of 2007, a much interested me became drafted out of her mind, and she began a relationship with someone else. A year later I moved to California. I never thought I would see her again, and many many other people. God had different plans. Three years later, I got blessed. I'm excited for the future, I have my best friend now at my side to help me get through it. The gift I gave her was a home-made replica of the Beauty and the Beast glass rose. There was a tie in to all this from past memories, so the glass dome and flower were the streaks and smears into the painted canvas we have now of a relationship.

I am blessed

- Peppino's: blurry picture, clear individuals -

Day 40

For some odd reason, I can't remember if I did anything before lunch yesterday....

I guess not. Peculiar.

In the afternoon, it came time for school, so I headed out to Allendale but when I got there, I parked my car and realized I wanted a different parking spot. I went to start my car , only to find a forbaded finish. My battery was dead. I gave a glance at my "learn self control" card and calmly made some calls, still went to class, but missed my spanish class at night so I could fix my car. My uncle Jim came and we jumped the battery, and realized that my car battery was dead. I drove to his house, and then took their vehicle to Auto Zone where I bough a new battery.

Some dirty hands and cold breaths later, the battery was in, and my car starts like it's a brand new Motor City baby.  Detroit would be proud. (I have a Saturn.... GM). I took my car home and then went to Noah's for a small get together. Mike, Alana, and Melissa were with us, and we drove out to the New Salem Corn Maze, which was 1.) not open to the public and 2.) after hours. We decided it would fun and scary to walk the corn maze, which Noah insisted he knew like the back of his hand...
...apparently Noah is an amputee.

A little over an hour and soggy, soaking wet shoes later, we found our way out. We then ventured into the haunted citadel and woods, where we walked through incredibly well decorated houses, insane asylums, and general stores, all with some of the most realistically looking props and dead people that even Guillermo Del Toro would be impressed. The asylum has crazy people locked in these rooms that you can look through and they're chained to the bed, or some are missing legs. It's very well done. No, this won't make it to art prize, but the amount of work and money spent on making this spectacle look legit and scary is grade A.

- Me in the Funeral Home with a dummy (not that scare) -

Day 39

Class was canceled this morning!

I'm in a good mood because of this. No trip out to Allendale. No breaking bills and using meters. I woke up and played COD for a little bit and then went over to Mike's to hang out with him before we both met up with our good friend Ethan at Ming Ten.

Ethan has been one of my friends for 4-5 years now. We did several outings in my high school youth group, as well as retreats and even shared the same leader. He's a funny guy, never has to try to make me laugh, he's just funny, which I like. Ethan moved to Chicago a few years back where he has been living ever since. Every time I'm out there I'll usually stop by this place. He lived 5 minutes off of the Magnificent Mile, so when I say he lived in Chicago, he was truly in Chicago.

We ate sushi, seaweed salads, soups, honey chicken, mushrooms, coconut egg-whites, and so much more, and then left and went over to Meijer. Melissa had gotten out of class so she met us there. We bought juices and then made off to Robinette's. At Robinette's, I tried all of their donuts. We just hung out and talked and then Ethan drove us to his house, a huge nest egg of a home tucked away in the forests of Ada's lower pant leg. We then explored this old house that had to have been at least 100 years old and was falling apart as we spoke. It looked like an old colony home. It made me think of what poor slave family or farmer family lived there. I love old architecture like that. The house was so small, with an upstairs that would have served as one bedroom. Wish I could go back and time and see it lived in, of course, I would love to go back in time for anything. I'd want to travel back in time to 20 B.C. and stand where my house is right now and just see what the landscape looked like, and just walk around.... walk to where the mall is, Costco... it would all just be grass... or rock. I don't know. Dangit I need a Delorean.

Came back from my Holland class which I really like, after tapping into more of my creative side in my brain I met my sister and Jeff, Melissa, Mike, Tanya, Chad, and Sam at Buffalo Wild Wings where I spent time with my friends. I love when I get to do this. Everyone is so busy all the time, so when we get together it's a treat. Went over to Shelby's apartment after and hung out for awhile, played with her animal farm, and then went home to find my own animal farm... farm mess actually. Carmen peed in my room on a pile of clothes.

I hate spanking my dog.

- Robinette's -

Day 38

This morning I was bound to make a new week. To evoke change and a new attitude in my life. God and people helped me with that.

I went over to Melissa's house where we briefly got to catch up, and unfog the windows that were locked inside our heads. After the clean air was able to oxidize in, we both left, her for school, and I for a workout, to really help clean out my head. I worked out for about 45 minutes, and felt great. Downed two protein shakes and went home and had some chicken and pasta.

Afternoon comes school, so I went to my debate class, watched the O.J. Simpson closing arguments, and later on took a Spanish test, that I'm confident I finished with a B+ or an A-.

I came home after work where a hot kettle of soup and bagels were waiting for me, as well as my aunt Colleen. This is a lady I really look up to. I trust her with a lot, and she's one of the wisest ladies I know. Even when the truth hurts and it's not what I want to hear, I know she's lived it, she believes it, & she knows it. I'm glad I have her in my life. Aunt Colleen, if you ever see this, don't be mad, but I have this picture from Mexico and you look fine. You look like a boss.... and that's what you are. Like a boss! seriously, your hot.

- My Aunt -