Day 139

I'm really trying to dodge the usual morning routine of a game and breakfast, followed by logging in hours trapped in my room.

Thankfully Jordan called me over today to make me some Reubens. I love a good Reuben sandwich, my favorite being at Rockwell's, though Cracker Barrel did bring some competition to that weeks ago. We hung out at her house and video-skyped Pat, who is still living the dream in the Netherlands. After her house, I met Melissa back at mine, and we hung out before leaving together for a work meeting.

The work meeting was good, and I passed my tour test. After work, I worked out with my buddy Dana. A good hour we put in; 15 minutes of that being fully devoted in the sauna. I've never sweat that much before. Had a protein bar, Melissa picked me up a protein shake, and then Melissa and I returned to my house, to have some spaghetti and watch old films, one being "Modern Times", and the other would have been "Rosemary's Baby" but a slow internet means no movie..... She leaves for Ireland tomorrow, she'll be gone two weeks.... so it was good to spend an eve with her.

And yes, a new phone.... an iPhone 4! I like Droid, I like Google, but the software glitches, bugs, crashes, and issues that happen on a weekly basis have made me go bananas. Another Apple product in the bag.

- Modern Times -

Day 138

I've come to enjoy sleeping in. It has been a huge aid in helping this cold deteriorate in me. It also gives me a morning to relax and enjoy the little things.

Having said that, after my own little morning of a break, I had lunch with my friend Jordan. We went up to Ming Ten for some Chinese, and stayed there a good hour. (I can never get sick of Chinese food). After the food spree, we went to Plato's Closet, in the hopes I could find one more pair of jeans. I did, but I didn't buy them yet. I'll wait to sell some clothes and then if they're still there, trade time.

Jordan then picked us up Starbucks, and we went back to her house, and just hung out and talked until I had to go to work. In her room, which is literally like a studio apartment and I'm jealous, is a giant Rorschach painting. I was amazed at how each person will see different things in the art. She and I saw completely different things, and it amazed me how even some are subject to different colors vs. other colors. Left her house, ran to Meijer to get some eggs for her dad's birthday cake, then went on my way to work. Got to work, worked, and was surprised by Melissa who brought me my favorite soup, complete with bread bowl and cilantro. I was very thankful and it made my night.

After work, I went to Mike's, where we played 3 hours of survival missions on COD. Yah....

- Rorschach Painting in Jordan's Room
* Top to bottom, going right, I see a Motorcycle Driver, Wasp, Lady Gaga, A Chinese Birthday Cake, Two Eskimos Racing on Small Horses, Two Unicorns having a bloody battle, 4 Guys wearing Gasmaks while playing Rock Em-Sock Em Robots, And a guy at the beach at night.

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 -