Day 16

On the 7th day, God rested.

I followed suite.

Rest. Relax. Leisure.

After leaving the last summer service at Calvary Church, me and my mom, sister and grandma got Sunday lunch at Arnie's which is some of the best lunch in Grand Rapids. I had a something something warm bacon salad and a cuban panini, and it was so filling. In the world of unfair ratios of cost to quantity of food, this made it fair. This made it a steal.

Went home and relaxed. Stayed in my house for hours, yes hours. Read news, played games, caught up with my friend Corbin on the phone,  just remained dormant. This stayed idle until I left for an hour at 10:00 to meet my friend Chad at Steak n Shake for a late night talk/meal. I can't convey how much I loved the weather last night. I pulled out my jacket for the first time in a long time. Reunited and it feels so good.

Ended the night and started watching the thriller Se7en. I'm half way through it. I can tell it's good. Excited to finish this.

Now I sleep. Open the window, cold breeze invades my space. Breathe. Doze. Repoze. Siesta.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.........................................

- Me sleeping -

Day 15

Saturday morning was the conclusion of a mind-shifting revelation I've been having thanks to my new, or old devotional book that's been sitting in my closet for close to six years. I should be finished with it by the 3rd week in September, I'll need to get others. Just like this one.

Worked for six hours, caught up with Larry David, and did the riff-raff on my job. When I came home my grandma Judy was here. She is my mom's mom, and lives over on the east side of the state, in Monroe. She brought with her Monroe originals, which are these award winning hot dogs that they sell at a drive in restaurant similar to Dog N Suds. On top of that, she brought us over their homemade root-beer, which is the best root-beer ever. No, I'm not just saying that. I've yet to taste root-beer that has topped Monroe Original's recipe. Star Wars was on the tely so it was a perfect late night dinner drink and movie pairing.

Ended the night by meeting up with my buddy Dana and meeting my old managers Vanessa and Kelsey downtown. We barhopped at a couple bars, Gardella's, MyBar, and EVE at the B.O.B. It was great to catch up with my old friends, and just hang out and enjoy the nightlife that thrives in Grand Rapids. I haven't had a high energetic night out downtown in a while, so it was a good night to do so. Thank God the humidity dropped.

- Me, Kelsey, Vanessa, Dana @ Gardella's -

Day 14

T.G.I.F.

Not the tacky restaurant, but the expression of relief. No school, cooler weather approaching, extended weekend, yes. I do believe in a good T.G.I.F.

Woke up to replenished groceries around the house. Peaches, apples, melons, bacon, all new expansions to the quotidian kitchen equipping. Thanks mother. Life cereal, muskmelon, and juice were my breakfast this morning. Refreshing, it reminded me of Mexico. (I guess any fruit with breakfast remind me of that.)

My devotional this morning was written for me. I was in awe. I can't wait to finish typing this so I can finish reading the piece. Everything that I battle with, that I hide, and that I live with is being dangled in front of me on a stick with this book; it knows me. God's timing is sublime. His adept way of knowing that this book would sit in my closet for five years, and after finally resurrecting it from a dusty shelf, I would need it today. No pressure, just the God of the world focusing on me, reminding me "this is your moment." Add a workout after this and it was sunken in. The cold, heavy metal weighing me down, it was in sync with my new understanding, God was weighing this on me. It is. It's my time. I know what need's to be done.

Cavorting over my four-hour work day, I went out to eat, followed by a Target traipse, and then heading over to see the new Shepard dog, (who hasn't been named yet). He's a puppy. It's guaranteed I have to like him because of that reason, no matter the dog. Chad met up with us and another long merriment of Mario Party was played. Morgan joined in too. I came in 3rd.

- The new Shepard puppy -

Day 13

Last morning of a brisk school day on a morning that would soon develop into a humid, hot, entrance to September, the transitional month.

GVSU is becoming more and more genial, and I'm thankful. The campus keeps burgeoning into grounds that I can look at and confidently leave footprints. Getting involved and exertion are guaranteed to follow. Whether on the radio, broadcasting, theater, arts, speeches, or the simple task of engaging new people, I'm there. I'll give it by Thanksgiving, and I'll be sporting some new friends to defray time with.

Went to work today and did a cosmetic amend to the place. I'll be finished with it by tomorrow, and speaking of finished, I'll be done watching "The Green Mile" tomorrow. Two contrivances I can check off my charge catalog. (that's alot of C's, I'm feeling English mode coming out tonight.)

Split out of work in a swift manner to head to my first GVSU football game with Chad and Melissa. It's amazing to see how large this school is. I know not even half of the students were at this game, and it floods the mind with a realization that I am immersed in a place where I will meet and form new relationships with people that may last for the rest of my life. The opportunity inexhaustibly repleting around me. Sadly, we departed after the first hour, mainly due to the hot humid weather that was hiding for this first day of the month. I'll return one of these nights with a hoodie and hot chocolate, a perfect fall romp night. College. Took me three years to become a "college student".

I thought about all the students there while riding back to Chad's. We all are on a self-destructive path, some more dangerous and messy than others. I looked around at the game and saw faces, each one with a story. Stories to share and tell, yet, nowadays it seems like the only pages that need to be filled are tainted with sex, lies, and amusement. I trust the fact there's someone domiciled for me, but I feel I'm forced to accept a dark past and forgive no matter how disheveled their darkness or past was. I'm sorry God.... I can't trust anyone yet. My mask stays on. My heart stays numb. My emotional survival depends on this....

Ended the night by going to B-Dubs, got the new Captain Morgan wings (not bad, considering they gave me five free wings), but I wouldn't get that flavor again. The manager was gracious enough to let me sample two new flavors that won't be unveiled until next week. Chad, Melissa and I spent time talking about "anatomy". This led to returning to Chad's house to pursue additional knowledge of anatomy. It was a wide discussion.

- GVSU Lubbers Stadium, Game Night! -

Day 12

The last day of August.

I look back at my summer, it's been a ride. A roller coaster of irresolute. Nonetheless, everything that has come at me has made me stronger. A better man. Innovation cannot be halted. I'm moving forward. Creating my new future. Until I die.

I started watching "The Green Mile" again, trying to get through it. As of this point in time I only have an hour left. I spent my early day around the house, cooking for myself, making new foods, and enjoying more down time, something that the future wife, job, and kids will sever from my schedule.

Went back to school, spent more time in my argument class learning how to argue, watching the infamous Westboro Baptist videos, and ended the class day with spanish. Clase de Espanol es muy bien. Tambien, Mi libro es muy muy expensivo. Meh, I'm learning.

Ended the night by grabbing Q'doba (No correlation between my spanish class and the food, honest) with Melissa and then headed over to Chad Vanderband the man's house and relived the venerable video game years of the N64, particularly Mario Party, which is actually really fun. I wouldn't mind doing another round of that. In fact, ending my Wednesday nights like that every week would be awesome, considering me and Chad are both out of our night classes at the same time....

- N64 Nerds -

Day 11

An early morning brings wet lawn, rising dawn, dew on grass, communication class. (had to go into rhyme mode).


I went out to GVSU for my only morning class, Tuesday and Thursday mornings for only 65-70 minutes. I love it. My entire day is unbound, and I am a free spirit to do whatever during that day. I always have work off on Tuesdays, so my personal days needed to travel, road trip, hang out, explore, etc, will now land on Tuesday's lap. Went home after my class and floated around the house. I was able to work out, something I haven't done in almost two weeks, and I'm taking a hit for it. I've lost 5 lbs, my body is deflating. In addition to working out, trying to ensure the pounds remain, I ate about 5 meals today. Every other hour I kept eating. Burgers. Salads. Ice Cream. Protein Shakes. Water... lots of water. Cheese. Bacon Sandwich. Cereal. Pure Cherry Juice. I was full.

At night I went out to Holland for my night class tonight, very interesting class. Its a 300 level liberal art class that expresses creativity. We aren't painting or drawing, it's not an art class, but just a class where we tap into the creative spot in our minds. My professor is great, she doesn't believe in grades, attendance, she is there to help us drill into our cerebral nerves and spark creativity and innovation. I'm going to like this class. It meets every other week, so six more times in Holland, getting creative.

Ended the night with a movie. I haven't had a personal movie night in awhile. When I refer to movie night, I mean the whole experience. Surround sound, leather chair, pop corn machine turned on, butter, flavor, and of course a good movie. I started watching "The Green Mile", and I'm only a 3rd of the way through it, but it's so good. So sad. So dark. Will continue that tonight...

- Popcorn setup for movie -

Day 10

First day of school! Sorry, had to spit that out, rewind....

Morning was good. I slept in. Then I woke up and realized I had the house to myself all day. This means I can be as loud as I want, crazy as I want, blast music as loud as I want, yah.. I fullfilled the Verizon motto. I "ruled the air".

We got a new kitten. My dads friend found it under an overpass. it's cute. I was under the impression it was a girl, but I was wrong. I guess it's a boy. Looks like my sister and Melissa get to name it. I do like Ash for a name.

So GVSU, I'm excited, classes are great, the campus is beautiful, I'm really going to like it. I was able to get another huge salad for dinner, and I just sat by myself in the basement area of the dining room, just eating and reading the news. Life was good. True, I'm shelling out serious coin this time around, but wisdom is worth it. I believe it, wisdom and knowledge. Pursue them hard. Good first day of school.

- Me and the new Kiten -