Day 36

Today, as usual, I woke up, with is essential to live life.... waking up.

I had donuts and sushi with my grandparents and parents this morning, which is a normal Saturday morning routine. It's expected. We talked for a bit, and then I left for Mike's house where we talked, and I played "Braid", a Tim Burton esque game that depresses you while you play it, yet makes you think like a physics scholar. We snagged Melissa so she could get her car which was at Mike's.

I went into work, where a good portion of the day I worked on photoshop renderings for my boss on new club looks. A lot of them look sweet. Some are meh. I also signed a person today, so I was happy.

After work, I went over to Mike's where we grabbed Wendy's and then did something fun. We did what Richard Dreyfuss and Emilio Estevez did in their film. Of course our version sucked horribly. We were no where near the target, My frosty was melting all over the place, so I had to pour it outside my window, and the blazers we were wearing just made us look like lost Gap salesman. And considering we were almost caught not once, but twice (one victim was inches away from us), we had our hearts pumping.

The end of the night I went home, but was thinking just about evil. Not evil I have, but evil in the world. It's funny, when you don't care about your life's course, and do whatever you want, sometimes, you practice or do evil things. You do bad stuff. You sin. Then, like me and Mike, after months of re-focusing on becoming better men, and cleaning up our lives, and going to God for answers, evil realizes it has lost some of it's players. We aren't on evil's side anymore. And when you turn sides, the side you left comes after you. This last week has been no exception. Mike and I have endured some of the most difficult choices, emotions, and witnessed what a fallen human race looks like, and this is just in our tiny county of Kent. Overseas, I can't even begin to think of all the people that do bad things.

There's good people, and there's bad people. We're the good guys. I've always liked a fight. Bring on the bad.

- Rendering of a room I did today -

Day 35

Another Friday. Friday's are good.

Woke up to a another transparently beautiful fall morning, with the leaves slowly blending into the winter's poison. It's sunny, the grass is wet, and the sky is solid blue.

I had a work meeting with my boss, which went awesome. I'm working on renderings and images of what the club would look like with new paint, walls, and cosmetics. I also expressed concerns for various things around the place, and we took care of them. After the meeting, I did a great 45 minute work out, mainly working on my sides and ribs.

After the workout, I drove to Mike's house and then Mike drove us to Woodland Mall, where we had some lunch, (I did Sensational Salad, and it was a protein-vitamin goldmine). We walked around the mall, looked in some stores, even checked out a Halloween City, trying to determine what costumes we would don this year, but returned to his house empty-handed.

I headed home and hung out at my house for a couple hours, before Mike and Tanya came over and we made popcorn and watched a movie. Noah and Alana stopped by, and then Mike and Tanya left. I didn't want to be home on such a night as this, so I went with Alana and Noah to the Hookah Lounge with a scout of other people. Some smoke rings and yesterdogs later, we moved the bandwagon back to Noah's house, where myself, Mike, Noah, Alana, and Melissa hung out until four something A.M.
I'm sorry for another stock photo, but I used this one because it was taken outside the hookah Lounge, and the guy standing there not only is wearing exactly what I was wearing last night, but was also on his phone like I was..... this is the closest representation of what I did. (I get to name it, yay for art)

- The Lonely Hookah Man -

Day 34

"Do or do not. There is no try" - Jedi Master Yoda

Today was a disappointing day, not because of evil attacking me, or a worthless lottery ticket, or stressful homework, but a day where in life we have to make decisions that hurt people.

The boss firing an employee, the son signing a draft form, heck, our own President makes a decision and half the nation hates the man. It's no easy cake to eat. Nonetheless, life must be lived, and that's that.

After school, I met with my best friend Melissa for coffee. We discussed a slew of things, but the thing that stands out was that, as predicted, she didn't finish her coffee cake. It's my fault, I know better. I should have gotten her coffee pie. She hates cake. Next time....
Shortly after I drove straight from there to meet my dad at Akita buffet, a Chinese buffet that has taken over a Chinese palace in Grandville. I'm pretty sure this is there 4th "new management" ploy, but its good mushroom chicken. After catching up with my dad, who I respect greatly, I went home where I played with my dog and my sisters dog, and secretly enjoyed watching them fight and bark at each other. (My dog is a queen). Shelby, my sister cut my hair about an inch and a half shorter, and I look my age again.

Met with my friend mike for dinner at Panera Bread before heading into work. Panera raised their prices, and I felt like a doofus for stating that when I was ordering (That places hates me, I know it).
Went into work, did my thing, took care of business, then ended the night at Peppino's with my work friend April. We splashed some drinks back and talked about life, the future, and the cracks in between.

And the planet keeps spinning...

- This clip from "Trainspotting" has been in my head today -

Day 33

Today was an average day, with work in the morning, school in the afternoon, and relaxing at night. Rather than going through all of the accounts in the day, I wanted to pay homage to one of my friends who gave me the idea to start this blog, after all..... it's been over a month now and I haven't gotten bored yet.

Ty Jansma. Ty and I knew each other in the 3rd grade. I had just moved the year before, and me and my sister attended Grandville Elementary School (South Elementary to be exact). Me and Ty had class together that year, but a few years after, we casually hung out every now and again, back in the day when pokemon cards were equal to cash, the sega genesis was a relic to be played, and transportation involved roller blades or the classic bicycle. Time went on and years later (2005), we ended up applying, interviewing and both getting the same job at Atlanta Bread Company. We spent countless hours slaving for piss-poor wages but any first job is like that.

To this day we still keep in contact, and a month and a half ago, I met him him and he gave me the idea for the blog. He currently updates his facebook with a "My Life in Pictures Album", which he does similar, only through facebook. He's a great guy, and we've had several consistencies with our faith, girls we've dated, and outlook on life. He's got a solid head on his shoulders; I wish him the best in the sunny state of Florida.

Thanks for the ideas man!
.......... No, I'm not gay.

- Ty's picture from his facebook, FL -

Day 32

After watching a research presentation in the library about using references, books, and Google, I had to check out. No pun intended.

Today was a mini-holiday. My time away to clear my head, laugh, etc. I checked out out G.R. Needed to leave. At about noon, me and my friend Mike hopped in my dad's car  (traded vehicles so my dad could inspect mine), and we drove for Lansing. Our first stop came to the Tanger outlets, where we hit a couple stores, but my tightly conservative wallet didn't buy anything there. Retail therapy works, but it will bring out another disease.... lack-of-funds virus. Shortly after we left and went into Lansing, where we stopped at a Plato's Closet, center of college town. First off, I was blown away at how many college aged people like myself live here. I didn't see a single elderly, older, or toddler shaped body anywhere. College kids run this town. It was like "Lord of the Flies" except they actually turned out good and created a society, and the fat kid named Piggy never got crushed by a rock here. Drove by the Capitol buildings, got lost a few times, and grabbed lunch at Q'doba, which of course was also college run. If anyone wants to escape to a place where parents are only a photograph, go to W. Lansing.

We drove all the way back on W. River Drive due to some spotty GPS tracking, but realized you can take W. River Drive all the way from Ada straight to Lansing. I dropped Mike off and then went home to pop my pill and rest. After laying on my bed for only thirty minutes, I wanted more. My holiday wasn't ready to come to an end. I called my dad and we went and saw "Drive", an arthouse action film that blends a gentle heart of man into ultra-dark violence and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack. Wasn't bad, new style of cinema for sure.

- Lansing -

Day 31

Today's good news came in a phone call. Mononucleosis was negative. No traces found anywhere. I celebrated this with a measly cluster of eggs breakfast and a pure blend of several juices.

For the earlier part of the day I sat around and killed time before school started. At about 2:00, I left and stopped at Target and a couple other stores before school, mainly looking for a few items I've been needing. Nothing came of it, and I couldn't find anything good.

Once at school, I was given the assignment of making a fake mugshot or picture and giving it a caption, very similar to what politicians do, particularly Nixon in the era of the Kennedy wars with the picture of his opponent and the slogan, "Would you buy a car from this man?". I feel I may have crossed a line, when my partner and I, printed a picture of a Catholic priest and labeled it "Would you let this man lead your cub scouts?". That got audible groans of shock from the class.

Today was a warfare. Spiritual and emotional. People and ideas from my past and possibly future came full force at me. The "drama" that is so easily exploited lingered on the edge. Messages, conversations, and even a devotional were all part in what really shook me up. Thankfully, I feel I claimed this one. No blood of mine on the battlefield today. The past was stomped, the future was stored, and my enemies deemed worthless.

All this weight meant a good night out with Mike at Graydon's Crossing. I told him what was going on with me today and all the "Attackers", and he shared about his life. We got some Dragon's Milk, Summer Shandy, and Frog Legs, and played three games of darts. I only won one game..... Nonetheless, good Monday.

- Graydon's Dart Boards -

Day 30

The anti-biotics have been doing wonders, and even waking up after clocking in a mere six hour sleep session, I still felt fine. Not good, but not bad. Say goodbye to my grandmother, have a bantam breakfast, and then scurry out the door to open at work.

I stayed at work for a good portion of the day. I was the only one there, so I was responsible for opening and closing. It was good. No complaints today. Changing out feminine hygiene product containers was an experience, but it was all good. I also ate macaroni & cheese at work, which all I have to say is, they put way, way, way too much cheese powder in those packets.Yes, I'm paying homage to Kraft Mac & Cheese. The one and only. The legend. The cheese my sister sabotaged a fellow camper's suitcase with on my senior retreat. That kind of cheese.

Went home and rested, looked briefly at the advertisements in the paper, and started watching Spider-Man. I also sat in the shower for another twenty minutes and just sweat. It feels so good to do that when I'm sick. Sweat out all the micro-toxins in the blood through my pores, cleansing the veins and body. Need to find a steam room.

Ended the night with a guys night, courtesy of Mike Wensel. Mike, Noah, & I all went over to Chad's and got some drinks and food, and just hung out, watched Hey Arnold, Kung Pow, Robot Chicken, and avoided waking up Dee, Chad's tenant that lives below him. I'm surprised she didn't wake up, considering the laughing, yelling, computer speakers, and singing, that were aimed directly towards her master air vent. I'm sure our faces being inches away from it didn't help. When Mike lept out of the chair and slammed his shoe-clad feet against the floor and the entire house shook, I'm quite confident she slept through that too.

Ahh... came home to a puddle of pee, courtesy of my dumb dog.

- The boys -