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 -

Day 9

After awakening from a mere three hour sleep, wait. Start over. This is highly innaccurate.
After suffering from the aftermath of waking up from a three hour nap, I got ready for work.

Typical day at work, minus catching two people "making love" on the job, and yes, I use the phrase making love because that was their excuse. They were in love. Therefore, they make love. Logically I guess that sounds...... factual. Meh, its not my life.

Left work and picked up Melissa and we drove over to Noah's, where we hung out briefly, and for some odd and unknown reason (as always), I plastered electrical tape over my face and then removed it, leaving behind a sticky debt of debris all over my face. Melissa got a flat tire, me and my dad helped her change it. Then we left and decided to get together for my last night before my school year starts. We went to 25 Kitchen and Bar. They have a vast selection of beers on tap, all independent casks from breweries all over the world. Add a goat cheese Mexican styled pizza and it was good. Fine dinner, fine girl, fine city, fine night, fine summer.

On a more sad note, my cousin and second brother Cameron moved into Michigan State University. It's his freshmen year, and it doesn't seem plausible that he is graduated high school and moved to college. The memories of us playing star wars and doing Jedi (wow, apparently Jedi is an actual word now, and its supposed to be capitalized... spell check recognized that. Way to go George Lucas.)..... Jedi training on the playground, going on trips, Cedar Point, Mexico, Winter Lodge, it's been great. Every time I doubt people on earth and fear that human decency is draining to its dry, Cameron reminds me that there are still great guys out there. Sorry ladies, he's taken. Have fun at State Cameron, get that futon ready.

- Me and my cousin Cameron. Taken in Mexico July 28, 2010. -

Day 8

Saturday. And I don't work. That is enough motivation to get me out of my bed and dance. Truth be told, there was no dancing though. I'll repeat that. I did NOT dance. Spent some time around the house, skyped with my good friend Pat who is living in the motherland, and was able to give in to nerdom and play Call of Duty.

The afternoon was a delight. Mowed the backyard, and then departed for one last final visit to the beaches of Grand Haven, accompanied by Melissa, her friend Olivia (who is Hungarian), and Melissa's brother Michael. The waves were behemothic, which I crave for our tiny state to have. It reminded me of California.... being able to dive into a wall of water that is pushing you in a similar liquid form to two sparring football players on the field. Took a walk out on the pier and was even more agape by the prodigious pounding of 15-20 foot waves. Absolute awe. The entire time there I spent thinking how we as humans are still at the mercy of the earth. The water, the seas, and the oceans are always retaining power over us. NYC is about to experience this truth with Irene swiftly approaching. Even when I was lying on the beach, the winds were so wild, that the tiny grains of sand that were flying fortuitously threw the air, gently piercing your skin in thousands of spots reminded me that this is not our home. This is Earth, and she still runs the show.

Ended the night with a end of the summer bonfire at my good friend Noah's house, which is a regular haven for bonfires in general. Lauren, Chad, Alena, Melissa, and Heather were all present, and we just sat around a fire, drank (I topped off the bottle of Lucky Duck wine. Thank you, thank you), and just had fun. Simple night. So thankful for my friends..... so thankful. Whatever the future brings, your friends need to be brought along with it.

- The bonfire gang. thank you all for your friendship. Sincerely -