Day 129

With little snow on the ground, one could say the usual floor beneath us looks the same. In a matter of an hour, our living room floor was covered in shredded paper, tape, tags, and boxes.

Christmas morning has been so sought after and wished for by young ages, and even some old. For me, this year, I just  still couldn't believe how fast the years have gone. I mean, so fast. It was like yesterday. And now there's a solid 364 days until the next Christmas, and that will come in what will feel like 160 days.

Christmas morning, I was the first to awake, which is the first time ever that's happened. I actually woke up before my siblings. 8:30AM. I couldn't believe it. I had the duty of waking everyone up. I went into my brother's room and started jumping on his bed singing a Sesame Street song that he loathes to death, and his rage of fury was enough to wake him up. My sister has a dog on cocaine, so once the dog was awake, so was she.

Gifts were great, my mother's cinnamon rolls were par over Captain Crunch. I played some COD for the sake of owing newbs on Christmas, and then my grandparents and aunt came over. Hanging out, talking, talking, and then I drove to Melissa's for a brief hour where I had dinner with her family, then came back home and had dinner with mine. Dad make steak, mom made lobster bisque, and so many other good foods and wines. Blessed day. At night, cousins and their significant others came over, and we all played Modnation Racing on my PS3, as well as sat around and just hung out.

In the latter of the evening, I went to Noah's to say hi to him briefly, but was ambushed by all of my friends returning the favor to him as well. I stayed and caught up with Mike, Jordan, Alana, and Tanya, as well as Noah's family and Alana's cousins. Add Dexter with my aunt and grandma again, as well as seeing my friends and its a good night...

- My View of X-mas Morning -

Day 128

Christmas Eve!

The whole morning I caught up with COD, Batman, and just dwelt in my room on the boob tube. After a couple hours, I got dressed, took some pics, and then left to stop at the mall, and met my family at my grandparents for our traditional Christmas Eve get together.

We got there at 3:00. We ate a delicious dinner, including one of my rare favorites, lamb with mint jelly. After dinner, Shelby (my sister) arrived just in time... she had to stay late at work because of some rude clients that came in  ten minutes before she closed, and demanded the works. Shelby and her employees told them that they were closing so they could be with their families, but the clients pulled the "race" card and demanded they get a free service on top of making the girls stay late. If it wasn't Christmas Eve, I'd be ranting.... and speaking my mind on these "clients". Shelb eats, then we left for a Christmas Eve service at my Grandma's church, which I enjoyed quite greatly, though was tired the first half hour due to my father pouring me a strong drink as well as the eggnog and rum my grandpa made me.

After the service, we returned to the house and did presents, which the highlight of gifts was the Star Wars Saga on glorious blu-ray high def. Truly a monumental film collection to add to my other puny movies. I got my grandparents a gift this year too, and couldn't help but laugh at a few fake presents under the tree, that were placed there to "beef up the tree". I love my family.

Had some dessert, then watched some Dexter with my mom, aunt, and grandma. Left from there and returned home, to check out what exactly a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away looks like in high def. Also got to play the classic Star Wars Battlefront game on the original X-Box with my brother Ethan tonight. What a good Christmas Eve. It kind of depresses me, I get older, time flies, and the magical feeling of building up towards Christmas has left me. It's just a holiday now, where I give and receive. Tonight was the first night no toys were present, which meant no plastic wires were present, which means to pocket knife was used, etc... everyone is growing up. Soon, my usual Christmas Eve routine will change.... but that is not a thought for this writer's current happy state of mood.

Currently listening to my police scanner.... a home break in, but the pus bucket was caught, and I hope he rots..... the audacity to break into someone's house on Christmas Eve. Rot I say! Also a domestic dispute..... loud fighting, the officer cant even get through to the phone..... uh oh.... the wonderful world of the droid apps and the death of privacy. Wait! Update! The father is beating his daughter, and he locked the rest of the family up in the closet. Wow... all on Christmas Eve. It's time's like these I'm all for police brutality. 

- Drool -

Day 127

Well, A whole day off, which means time to fill it to the brim.

Great start to a morning with breakfast at Red Geranium with my friend Mike. We were there a good hour, before we left and I had to meet up with a guy that I was selling an iPhone to. The eggs and toast at breakfast had given me good energy for the day. From there, we hit some final stores in the last minute spree to Christmas shop, followed by hundreds of angry shoppers.

Right around noon, we invested a well-worth ticket to go see "girl with the dragon tattoo" which is such a good movie... It did for me what Shutter Island did last year. I love mystery thrillers, and add David Fincher directing and NIN doing the soundtrack and you have a good film. After the movie, I went home cleaned my room, the right way. Put new sheets on the bed, which are so much softer and sleeker than the old nasty ones. I had tacos for dinner, then later on in the evening, went over to my grandma's house to spend time with my aunt. We watched 3 episodes of Dexter. Watching the adult-themed show with my grandmother and aunt, priceless...

- Dex, one of the episodes we watched  -

Day 126

I shouldn't have waited this long to update this post, because, as usual, my brain has failed, and I can't remember anything about yesterday morning....

I do remember going to the mall for another attempt at finding my sister a Christmas gift. I failed, but I met Melissa for lunch at Costco, and then she came back to my house to watch Home Alone.... again. (again for me). After the film, we left for our work party.

Great gang of people. The jobs I've had in the past have never given me a Christmas bonus, and only one other job has given the employees a party. Tonight was great because I was blessed to receive all of that. My boss paid for all of us to go out to Bran's Steakhouse, where I enjoyed the usual Sizzler with the sweet potato and broccoli cheese soup. After dinner, we went across the way to Fairlanes for bowling. I did horrible, I mean terrible. It was bad. But we had fun, exchanged gifts, and had dollar beers. I like my work buddies. Good gang of rascals.

- Courtesy of Mitch, some work friends -

Day 125

More rain, which means still a warmer December than usual...


I woke up and wrapped Christmas presents, which was long overdue. I also listed an iPhone on craigslist, which I would soon be in for a swarm of emails and messages. I left my house around 1 and went to Best Buy, where Christmas shopping failed again, and instead I left with a movie for myself. (it was on sale... I'm sorry).

Went to work from 2-6, though no time for a work out before or after. After the game, I drove downtown to a Griffin's game with my mom and cousins. The Griffin's lost, which stinks because today was Charlie Sheen Wednesday, which means if they win, you get free tickets... It's possible to get free tickets for the entire season with this method. Winning! Winning!

Went home and watched Full Metal Jacket, then slept. The end!

- Griffins -

Day 124

Today was a very busy day:

I had to wake up and do an 8-12 playroom shift at work. No kids came in, but that didn't stop me from taking on other projects. I took all of the huge exercise balls and cleaned them and re-inflated them. Kicking around several of these things, was just fun. After work I met up with my mom at Costco for some lunch, and then stopped at my grandma's house to pick up a present.

After Grandma's, I drove out to the Woodland Mall area. I strolled about the frenzy of shoppers, running into Melissa and her sister and friend Terrel, as well as my ex girlfriend's mother. I got to catch up with her, which was great. I've always loved her parents.

After the mall I went back to work to do some of my own working out with my friend Dana. We did a good hour of lifting, and then after the workout, we played racquetball. That my friends, is an intense sport. I can see why goggles are recommended.

After the workout I punched in for a shift for closing the gym, and well, closed the gym. After work I went over to Chad's house, and myself and him as well as Sam watched the original Home Alone, in glorious high definition. Darn good film.

- Work out buddies -

Day 123

Perhaps its the current mood I'm in, but this post is different. It feels different.

This morning I woke up and was just able to relax. I was able to play Call of Duty after a good month lull. I was able to watch my brother play his games. I was able to eat soup and eBay. I was able to,.... I was able. That's just it. I was able. I had the ability, and I did. I was given a gift, I was given freedom to rest and enjoy myself. This is something I have forgotten how to do.

I worked tonight, though I stopped at Meijer to surprise my grandma and my Aunt Gail who is in from Texas. I got to see them for a little bit, and then grabbed a salad and sub and went to work.  At work, Caleb came in to visit me tonight.... I showed him around, chatted, and then I had to finish my work at hand. After work I went home.... I wanted to be by myself, but Caleb asked if he could stop over.

For an unknown reason, I gave up on Netflix and invited him over. So thankful I did. Tonight I was able to finally open up about myself, and it was only the beginning. He told me not to write everything on this blog, and I agree. This blog isn't for the gritty details about what truly scares me, saddens me, and what I secretly think. It's not the wikipedia of Derek Niemchick. It's not the scoop or gossip on me, it's just a recollection of the day's memorable events and happenings I encounter. Thats what this is for. It's for me. Caleb pointed this out, and he gave me some gifts, one being a very cool hardbound journal, that I can truly write in, and express myself, without censoring or playing to the reader. This journal is the key to my redemption. I plan on writing everything down in it, and then maybe the week after, praying over it or sharing it with whoever I feel led to.

I can say this though, that now, I am on the road to freedom. 2012 couldn't have come soon enough. I feel like I've only let the tip of the iceberg out. I trust Caleb a lot, and consider him a great friend. Thanks for the gifts. To my readers, and to myself, when I read this again, today is the day I  began to trust. 2012 I will let go. Above all of this, I'm thankful God hasn't given up on me yet. I've failed him to the dust this year, but not anymore.

- Rise -