Day 256

Today was a very long day.

I woke up at 4:00AM to open the gym, which I don't mind on occasion. It leaves me with the rest of my dad to do whatever I can! Upon completing my shift, I worked out, than ran some errands with my girlfriend, complete with a quick lunch and kiss.

I returned to work to do another workout with my boss and his wife, called "Insanity". I have never worked so much cardio in my life. My heart began to just stop beating, and it felt like I was in hyper-active breath mode, where I couldn't get winded. I was very sore.

After the workout, and some milling around my house, I returned to my girlfriends house where I enjoyed a great roast beef dinner, her family, and talking and hanging out with her.

We also went to Target, and I was ever more tempted to drop $$ in that riddle red store.

I succeeded in resisting temptation.

- Insanity - 

Day 176

I am failing horribly at this thing. I just can't find the time to take 5-10 minutes and upload a picture, write about my day, etc.

Yesterday I watched Lost. Then I went to work. Then my boss sent me to Sam's Club. Then I worked again.  Then I worked out. Then I went and saw "Midnight in Paris" with Melissa.

There's my day.

Wow, this blog makes me feel like poop.

- Midnight in Paris -

Day 175

I needed sleep. The nights of going to bed at 3 and 4 are brutally draining me.

I slept in and skipped my morning class, which is no big deal, considering it's a cakewalk. I went nad had lunch with my dad today at Little Mexico cafe. I ordered the steak fajita, and man was it good. We stayed there a good hour, talked, and caught up. Shortly after, I returned to his office, read up on some work, and then left for school.

Classes were good. Did all of them, watched a film on body language, and then went to Spanish. After Spanish, I had time to go home and watch more "Lost", then got ready and went to the midnight showing of Star Wars the Phantom Menace in 3D!!! Yay for nerds. The 3D was okay, but my personal beef was the volume. Come on Celebration! Where's the sound?!

- Nerds -

Day 174

I'd like to choose to not remember this day, because I got drank too much and made a fool of myself, got in a verbal fight, meh. Wasn't good.

Although as I type this amends have been made, I am choosing to steer clear of certain people and similar events that would make this happen again.

Life eh?

Day 173

AT the 1/3 mark with GVSU, this semester is flying!

My first class was great, but I failed to mute my screen when I secretly turned on skype with my manager. The entire class heard her.... oops.... thankfully I have the coolest prof. who does not care.

I had lunch with my friend Michelle and some of her friends in a restaurant I cant even remember, but it's hidden on the back of campus. Not bad food. Michelle picked up my tab since she has an abundance of food points on her student card.

Then at 2:30, my long test that took literally all 70 minutes to complete. It was 4 questions, but all essay: hand-written. My hand was shaking and sore when I left that room. My other class was cancelled, so I had some pizza with my grandpa, and then returned at 6 for some espanol.

After Spanish, went downtown to meet my friends Aly and Angie for some drinks at Peppino's, and then went back to Aly's apartment to watch "Contagion". I will never cough in public again.... that stuff could happen!

- Lunch gang -

Day 172

Kevin Striegle. A great guy I never see. I got to hang with him briefly today.... we went and saw the movie, "Chronicle", which I loved. Probably go on my top 10 for 2012.

After the movie I returned home for a brief while and finally got to return to my old stomping grounds on COD with Mike over the internet. Bullets and time flew, and then I went into work, to complete my 5 hours of a shift that flew. Got a family of 5 to sign, so I was happy. : D

 - Chronicle -

Day 171

Here's the spoiler for today: Giants win the Superbowl.

This morning was spent going to church. We had a guest speaker, so I sometimes get skeptical, but meh, it was good. Good message. After the service I went with Melissa's family to Q'doba, where of course a giant burrito was purchased.

After the dinner I went home and checked out the new Twisted Metal demo, which I love. The game comes out on Valentines Day, so I know what I'm buying this year for the hearty holiday. After the game and some "Lost", I went up to Calvary to meet Chad as we said goodbye to Toran, Brenda, as well as Jordan. Three people that have literally watched me go through maturity and puberty, and have known me for literally half my life. The place was packed.. catered B-Dubs, tons of snacks and drinks, and old faces that I hadn't seen in years. Shane and Kim, Dan, ahhh... too many to name or remember for when I read this later (guess that beats the point). Toran has been there for me since 2001, when he started the same time I did in the middle school. He watched me grow in more than just the physical obvious. I had him as well in high school, and still stayed close with him after. The last time I talked with him was after my first relationship ended, and I value our talk and how he encouraged me. They will all be missed. I regret not getting a picture of us for this post.

After the open house, I went and met up with my friend Aly and Dana, and the three of us drove over to J.T.'s house where some safe and friendly beer pong and Superbowl was done. The halftime show was ok...... I've still seen better... I don't get American's fascination with pop icons coming out on stage for 60 seconds to dance.

- Me in a car... what a stupid picture for today... out of everything I could have got. -

Day 170

Here's what today looked like. For some odd reason, I slept in until like 11:00. That gave me little time for my usual routine, because I had to be at work at 2.

I worked from 2-8, and it flew by. Fastest Saturday I've ever worked. There is not much more to say about my work shift.

After work I went to Melissa's with my high school video tapes, camera, and mac, and with the help of her camera, we watched old films we had shot or made from back in the day. We only got about halfway through this, so more will have to occur.

- Film nerds -

Day 169

This sunny weather has me thinking that
A.) Meteorologists suck, and will never trump mother nature.
B.) Al Gore is right.
C.) Groundhog day is a scam.

I won't complain though, having 40 degree and no snow weather for almost two weeks is awesome.

This morning I had to skype a work meeting, followed by putting things up for sale on eBay. I also cleaned my room, and did what tasks I needed for the day. The bulk of the day was spent watching more "Lost" on Netflix, something that over the last two weeks, I've begun to really dig. Around 4:30, I left for the movies to meet my friend and a fellow film fanatic Stephen. We saw the film "Shame", which is a rough, gritty, NC-17 ride through a sexual addict's life. It was very well done, and a good film, just hard and awkward to watch.

After the film I picked up some Quiznos, stopped into work, ate my Quizno's, brought Melissa some chili, then left for my assistant manager's house. Ashley had some of her friends over as well as her husband's, and we played poker. I lost horribly, but it was pocket change. Only two dollars. I need to know how to play better.....

Finally, the night wouldn't be complete without stopping off downtown at Jill's apartment, to meet my friends Mike and Gideon in her 5th story loft apartment. We played a game called "Quelf", which is a great  game, might have to buy this...

- Quelf!-

Day 168

An insanely busy day.

I had school all day. No going around that. I took my lunch break with Chad at Akita Buffet ( a new blog favorite as well as with the friends). We talked, ate, and I spilled lobster butter on my new shirt, but keep reading... this is cured later in the night.

After lunch, I went back to school and did test review for my first test in Vision and Culture. Debated in my next class over ethical global business practices, and then went to the Spanish Lab, to put in some last minute homework. Then came Spanish class, followed by more new words and indirect and direct object parings. Ella me los habla.

After class I went over to my friend Michelle's dorm and met some of her friends, and played the classic game where you have to velcro mits and you catch a ball, but it was a sticky ball and the mitts were a hard plastic. Brought back some youth. She also saved my shirt (told you it comes back) with the help of her Tide to-go White Pen!

Left her pad, went to my grandparents, showered there (no shampoo = sticky hair), and went downtown to see some old A&F friends, and meet some new ones. Had some drinks, did some dancing, and got to experience McFaddens for the first time.

- McFaddens! -

Day 167

Olivia, your texts inspired this. Let's hope this inspiration makes it another 180+ days.
And hey, no one knows this is up andt running, which might serve better. Enough time has passed.... many readers may think this is dead. Days 150 something through 166 will ever remain in the dark, but that's fine with me.

Yesterday I worked in the AM. usual shift, not too much excitement. After work I played racquetball with my buddy Walt. He clobbered me for most of the match, but my legs are sore as I write this, so an effective workout indeed. After the racquetball match, I lifted some more with my friend Dana, who helped me bench my highest number yet. A sore chest also reminds me of the success.

After work I went home, and the time seemed to fly. KFC for dinner, dinking around in my room, and then hanging out with Caleb for a bit, talking and catching up. After he left, I departed for Panera, but realizing how truly short my time was, I went to Jordan's. It's Always Sunny, a bottle of pinot grigio, and a beer later, I was tired, drained, and am still continuing my pursuit for something new. I haven't found it yet, but I will. I have to.

- si bi!!!!!!!!!! -

This is the end......

I just can't do this anymore. It was a good run.

Thank you for all of your time in reading this. I'll have 5 months to look back on and remember the people, the memories, and the pictures.

I've already found inspiration and more...

maybe I'll update this from time to time with something exciting. Yes... rather than do every boring day, maybe an extra special day...

Thanks to you readers! Much love in the future. Feel free to check back for updates!

Day 154

Melissa is back from Ireland! Well, she got back last night, but family and rest needed her first..

Another really busy school day, complete with a lunch break at my grandma's, where I enjoyed some amazing chili. Hung out with my grandparents and mom for a bit, then went back to school, for more classes on vision and culture, globalization, and another hour dinner break, which left me ample time to move my car on the other side of campus, and get some McDonalds.

Once Spanish class finished, I drove home, and met Melissa at my house, where we hung out, watched "Lost" (not a bad show), and I was able to have one of my best friends back. : )

- Forgot to take a picture of us.... Far Side! lol )

Day 153

Today was crazy. Lots of people.

First was work..... good to be back after a five day vacation. It would have been shorter, but missing keys prohibit a man from going to work. When I got out of work, the fun began...

I finished my shift and first got to grab lunch with my friend Olivia, who I thought has been dead for a year (not really, I just haven't heard from her in forever). We caught up with lunch at Q'doba, then went back to her house and I hung out with her and her mother for a bit. Once I left there, I drove over to Plato's Closet to kill some time with Jordan just before my other dinner date with Steve and Marie. Once 5:30 hit, I met Steve and Marie and Marie's friend Danielle and we all enjoyed some Akita Chinese food.
Great time with good people.

After that I decided to return after the day away from my house. I saw War Horse. I made popcorn. And then I went and hung out with my friend Ashley, who I also thought was dead (I kid), and caught up with her. It was a day of seeing old friends!

- Forgot to take a picture.... again.... Far Side! -

Day 152

Ugh..... as if yesterday wasn't a battle enough, today would be more intense...

It was warm this morning... very warm, so I wore a light jacket and a sweater. That is all I needed. Absolutely great outside. By the time I got to school though, things had changed. The wind picked up, hail beads turned into freezing rain and sleet. I began to freeze. Walking to class hurt. My eyes wouldn't stay open.

After class I left for food, and went to the McDonalds on Baldwin, where I typed out the first part of my series. After my calorie infested lunch, I returned to GVSU, only to find more ice and snow. I stayed there the whole night. Com, Com, and Spanish. My vision and culture class was amazed at my memorization skills when I was shown an image for .5 seconds, and then was able to recall everything on the image. (I still can right now too). Shortly before Spanish, my toe began swelling and hurting, due to a tear near the corner of the nail slot. It hurt so bad I limped the rest of the night.

To add to this battle of a day, driving home, I began to slide on us, approaching an intersection, Filmore to be exact. "This is it", I thought. I wont die, but if someone hits me, its lights out. Hospital food will be on my menu this next week. In a panic, and due to oncoming traffic, I chose the ditch. Remarkably, as if guided or spun by some supernatural spiritual God-hand, my car hit the embankment, spun around, and stopped, not even going in the ditch. I sat there for about 30 seconds as cars passed me and stared at me, wondering if I was ok. I waited, exhaled for what felt like ten seconds, and then turned again on the road, counting my blessings.... I still don't know how I was able to drive back up on the road, and how I avoided three cars.... again, I count my blessings.

The night fiascos didn't end there. When I got home, our water pressure tank died. This resulted in no water. None. Nada. Our house is dry. I geared up again and went out to Meijer to buy several gallons of water to last until the plumbers can fix our machinery, which will take until tomorrow night....

Where's my bed.....

- Unneccessary graffiti in the mens stall at GVSU, Lake Superior Hall -

Day 151

The nightmare ends today...

I woke up and continued in what turned out to be a two-hour search not just for my keys, but my spare key. Closets, shelves, desks, furniture, and more was ransacked and over-turned as I desperately begged for a key to turn up.

Nothing.... I called the Todd Wenzel dealership, called my grandpa, had him pick me up, and took my title and set out for new keys. (I still wonder where they are.... because at this point in time, as I write this, they are still gone). Someone took them... or God did. One of the two. The snow even melted today, and I walked up and down my driveway, but still no sign. Farewell keys.... your lanyard said "Go State" but you clearly followed another order... "Go to Heaven". See you again someday...

So my grandpa drops me off at Jordan's house, where my car is still sitting. Jordan took me out to Todd Wenzel and I paid the small amount (33 dollars) for a new key, as well as an extra three bucks for a spare key. We stopped at Arby's on the way back and I bought her lunch, as a way to say "Hey, sorry I got you dragged into this... can you drive me everywhere today." After Arby's, I slid the new shiny metal into my keyhole and Bam! My car was resurrected from its cold, dead, stationary state.

I drove home and relaxed for a little bit, and even watched some Batman with my brother. Shortly after, I got in my car and drove out to visit my good friends Dan, Steve, and Silvia at their house. We hung out, ate some dinner, watched "Super 8" on the new 65 inch HDTV complemented with surround sound, and talked film business.... well, not just talked, planned, and started working again.

Drama Class has officially begun pre-production!

- Todd Wenzel must sell to the Secret Service -

Day 150

Today was such a busy day, by busy, I mean fun.

What started as a rocky start to my Sunday soon melted it's way as a great time of fellowship and well, goodness.

I drove myself to Church and sat next to Chad. After a great service about honesty, gossip, and my personal weakness, manipulation, Jordan, Chad and I went out to eat at Bagger Dave's. Mike was our waiter, and the three of us ordered custom burgers. I got three beef patties on mine, as well as the Artichoke Sauce and green olives.

After dinner, I went back to Jordan's house, where her and I drove back to my house with her brother and the trailer and the quad. Yes, winter snow, means winter driving! Taking a 4 wheeler out into the ten acres that surrounds my house was a perfect way to add adrenaline my afternoon. Jordan and I rode around for a good thirty minutes, and then pulled Ethan behind us on a sled. We then went inside, had some hot chocolate, and then hung out in my room, until Mike, Chad, and Sam joined us. Then all of us suited up (some more suited then others, but thankfully we have ample space and extras in our closets) and we all went sledding and riding on the quad. I wanted to get some pictures, but the cold wind, snow and wet air flying into our frozen faces may have ruined my new phone, so I got a different picture instead.

Coldness won the better of our time, but not after plenty of sled wipe-outs and whiplashes (there were 3 sleds being towed). We went in and played monopoly before leaving for Applebees for some late night appetizers. After we left, my car, which was at Jordan's the whole day, needs keys. And after an hour of searching, my keys are gone. Yes, there is nothing more frustrating than having a 3,000 pound slab of metal be stuck because you are missing .3 oz of another slab of metal. I called my boss and informed him of my dilemma, but it's gone. My keys are gone. I will get up super early tomorrow and try to look again. Paying a dealership bundles of cash for a replacement key is not in the Derek-Budget right now. FML. Seriously.... FML. Those damn keys have evaporated.... I remember where I had them last, and put them in my pocket, but they are gone. The heavens have called them up.....

..... Seriously, I'm so frustrated......

- Monopoly in my room, after a cold outdoor adventure -

Day 149

Today is Saturday

We have been dumped on with still more snow.

I cleaned my room partially, but needed to still escape the feeling of being trapped behind snow.
So I went to Mike's. I brought my laptop, ordered Jimmy John's, and we did a research / hunt day. Jobs, sales, houses, news, anything that might add to our lives. We wouldn't mind finding another 2nd job, so we spent time on our laptops doing just that.

At 3:00, we left to go see the film "Take Shelter", which I give an A for acting but a C for a story. It was just a boring story. Film nuts would argue with me, but I did not care for it. Meh.

We returned to Mike's house, where some COD with him was done, but only for an hour.

Ended the night by hitting up the casino with Chad..... we both lost... Gun Lake is a scam. I was never even ahead at a point.... and I'm confident I saw an employee guarding a slot machine, only to offer it to a man, who then won 100 dollars.... something's up. I'm done. No more casino.... No more....

- Take Shelter -

Day 148

I have to admit the first week of school went by so fast, but that's probably because I only have classes on two days of the week.

The storm dumped a lot of snow around me, and I had to help move my sister's, boyfriend's car out of the ditch at our house. We have a notorious driveway that becomes more slippery than a politician. After some salt and some pushing, the car was out. I had to work today from 2-6, which went by fast as well. Had a meeting with my boss, and shared some new ideas for the club. I'm excited for what's down the road....

After work the fun began. I went home and played COD (sue me) for a little bit. After that, Ryan had a birthday, which me there was fun to behad. We all went to Jake's Hotel and had a ball. $1.00 miller lites, karaoke, pool, and a much more chill environment. Downtown GR has so many bars where it's a "sex in the city" esque joint; a place of my car is bigger than your car, or my wallet is bigger than yours.... Not every bar downtown is like that, but I feel some nights that crowd of "my dick is bigger than your dick" or "look at my Prada!!" seems to gather. Jake's was much more chill. I got to see several people I haven't seen in awhile from my high school years, plus meet up with Chad, Caleb, Jordan, Ryan, his girlfriend, Phil, and Pat. We had some drinks, talked, everyone kind of hung out, and my personal highlight of the night was Chad doing karaoke. He sang "Doing the mess around", an oldies song, probably heard in the film "planes, trains, and automobiles". He had some dancers join him, and that my friends is a good bar.

After wards a select few went back to my house, where more snow covered roads, late hours, and icy conditions put some of our casino plans on hold. Looks like Saturday night is the ticket!

- Chad doing karaoke -

Day 147

Not another school day.....

yes, this was an all day, 11:30AM until 7:40 ordeal. I took my lunch break at Mcdonalds, checked the news, ran to the mall to pick up a gift, ran back to school, did two more classes, ate dinner, and then went to Spanish.

I wish this was longer, but it twas a short day.

To top it, the roads were horrible due to our first winter storm, so it took me a solid 45 minutes to get home from GVSU. My film plans fell through with Dan & Steve, but that will happen next week. Made it home and.... I'd prefer not to say. It rhymes with sod.

- Winter Storm (not taken by me) -

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