Day 137

Breakfast this morning turned into a lunch with my friend Mike, but not before I was able to shoot off some bullets on COD.

Mike and I had lunch at Costco, which thankfully can still house delicious, cheap food. We stayed there and then went to the mall, only to end up seeing a movie. We saw "The Descendants". I really liked it, just what I expected... Oscar worthy story with the indie-feel. After the film, I was in desperate need of jeans, so I went into Express and bought a pair, thanks to some gift cards.

We went back to my house, and I picked up a pizza for myself and brother. Mike went home, and I stayed at home for some dinner and whatever else a guy can do to kill some time. Later on, Tanya, Melissa, and Jordan, all went over to Mike's for game night. Jordan is back from Texas now... for good.
All of us played some Egyptian Rat Screw, Uno, and Taboo. Fun game night.

I love days off.

- Far Side -

Day 136

Well I had to work on the first day of the year, but that doesn't stop this guy.

A new year, a new page, a new start. I know in reality, it's simply a date stamp and numbers that makes the difference, but I've committed to a new lifestyle. I tried watching the sermon at work, but the sermon must have been at the very front of the service, because all I could watch was singing.

Stayed at work for most of the day, toughing out my cold and working on projects throughout. When I left work, I went to Melissa's to enjoy some of her mother's chicken chili. Yum. Good medicine for a cold. I hung out there for a while and was instructed on how to play Euchre. I did okay, and no, I won't look for this in a casino now.

After her house we faced icy and windy roads and returned to mine, where we hung out, drank tea, and watched Charlie Chaplin's "City Lights". Gold movie on a golden day of a hopefully golden new year!

- Melissa playing the piano as I drift into sick sleep -

Day 135

The last day of the year, and what a year it's been. I admit, I've been drained since the spring. Following a break up that I took so personally and chose to not let go of, a storm cloud brewing with close ones I love, good friends departing from my life, and a new school and future that I am uncertain of, it's been rough. Yet, after tonight, it all changes. It starts over, and I will make the most of it.

I slept in, and have caught another cold again. Ironically, I catch it literally two days after my vitamins run out. Hmmm..... could it be? Gavin came over at 1:00, and he wanted to expand his already stunning portfolio, as well as add some pictures of himself to the mix. We shot around my yard for a good hour and a half, taking some new and cool shots. He let me shoot him, which is something I've never done, but I do have an eye for angles, and he liked a handful of shots I took. We grabbed some soup at Byron's China Kitchen, before he returned home, and I had to race home to beat Melissa there, who I would surprise with a nice dinner. That dinner turned out to be Akita Buffet, where I finally got a refill, and the buffet prices were very reasonable. Good food.

Went to Mike's and then Mike drove us to Nate's party, where a neon-glowstick infestation of kids awaited. It was nice seeing some old high school pals I haven't seen in forever, as well as confirming that they haven't died. Caught up with some people, danced a little, just enjoyed the company in the glowing garage. After that, we went to Meijer, I bought wine, then went to Chad's, were we just made it with 15 minutes to watch the ball drop. And that rang it in. A new year. My list of resolutions and commitments will not fault this time. I'm locked in and ready. The party ended early due to a wall cracking because I leaned on it. La Casa de Chadwick was closed down for the night, with a not so happy host and some not so happy attendees.

- New Years -

Day 134

I shouldn't have stayed out so late the night before, mainly due to this morning's early awakening.

My dad sold his truck to my grandpa in Monroe, so another two weeks after Christmas there, I took his car and followed him out on the I-96 stretch, again. He got me breakfast and I had some tea so I was really ready for the haul ahead. We got to my grandma's and were only able to stay for 20 minutes, mainly because of an existing appointment my father had. It was weird, traveling 2.5 hours to a place where I normally stay at least over night, but instead, we returned only after twenty minutes. Thanks Grandma for the truffles.

On the way back, we got Chinese food at a really tiny Chinese restaurant in Novi. The kitchen staff sounded like they were going to kill each other. There was so much yelling, I was waiting for a Samurai to walk out and stab someone. Nonetheless, the food was good, and the hot and sour soup cooled off my itchy throat..... itchy throat... uh oh... not again.

Stopped at Tanger Outlets on the way home, but found nothing worth buying, or just shirts out of my size. Made it home barely in time for my dad to make his meeting. He met my mom halfway to ensure he would get there in time, and then I went home, only to rest briefly before having to work at 6:00. After my work shift, I went with Melissa, Chad, and Ryan to Gun Lake Casino. We stayed a good hour and a half, and were freaked out by a security guard... I wonder why........ I could finally exhale when I got home and went to bed. Safe.....

- Ryan playing the Dark Knight Jackpot game -

Day 133

Still now snow, slightly warmer temperatures with a chilly wind here and there...... maybe Al Gore wasn't that far off at all...

I made another really good breakfast today, (forgot to mention that yesterday). I grilled some steak and ham and onions over a pan today, added with a protein shake and orange juice. I've come to notice everything tastes better in a pan.

I really hung around my house..... until I had to be at work at 6. I did manage to watch the first half of "Batman Returns" with my brother, and I also turned on my PS3. But at 6, work came, signed up my mother, put down new rubber floor in spots, signed another gal, it was a good night. More par than the usual Thursday night.

After the shift, I went with Melissa to Chad's house where Sam, Tanya, and Mike were waiting for us. I picked up some Dragon's Milk and bought Melissa another unique beer, and we all ordered pizza and watched Home Alone 2. We finally finished the film series..... no, we'll pass on Home Alone 3.

- Home alone 2 -

Day 132

A lazy post today..... here's what went down.

Woke up, did nothing, went to work, worked, worked out when I was done, had a great dinner with my friend Mike...

wait, Mike... that's right, we had a two hour dinner. I vented, I was honest, and the feeling of humility and friendship was reciprocated. I truly feel after digesting the enormous burrito I had (Q'doba, that I am really in the right direction now. I just broke myself down and realized everything I still hide, that I'm scared of, but why.... why am I telling you..... the reader. Hmmm, enjoy the appetizer, you'll never know the meal. I will say this.... for the longest time, I've been taking things so personal. Bad life choices, friends who do things I disagree with, ex girlfriends, old habits, etc... I take it personally, and feel the need to disconnect... whoops... you're eating part of the meal now.

After the great dinner and re-bonding I had, we set forth to enjoy the rest of the night. We saw Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows, which truly surpasses the first film, and is going down as one of the top ten movies I've seen this year. If I was gay I'd be all over Robert Downey Jr.

Just a good night.

- Sherlock: The Forest Bullet Storm: one of the coolest scenes ever in a film -

Day 131

Aside from waking up today with no breakfast and playing COD with my brother Ethan, I felt today was a good day to celebrate a day off, and to get Melissa a Christmas present / birthday present since she got me one over a month ago.

So, after Melissa's shift at work, she came over, and I took her to Michigan City. The drive never feels like two hours, always like an hour. We got to the outlets and did some shopping. The wind was so strong that when I went into J. Crew, my ears were in pain from the pressure the wind created. It took some ear blowing and about 15 minutes before my head resumed normal pressure. I got some chinos and a shirt, and I bought Melissa a really nice chambray shirt, plus the trip and lunch and the wimpy dinner we would have at Burger King.

After the outlets, we cruised across the street to the giant median-income sucking casion, Blue Chip. It's a giant, multi-story casino and hotel that really stands out in the tiny city around it, mainly the run down houses on the west side of it. We stayed there for a good hour..... Melissa... she should have walked away... even if she was only a few dollars up.

Drove home, got home, stayed home, watched a movie, and played Modnation. Ahh, and add a Heinken.

- Blue Chip Casino -