Day 102

Alas! The cold is gone. No tissues ruined, no coughing up crud, no soar body. I'm cured. This has been the weakest yet longest cold I've had.

It was still so cold outside, I did not want to leave the confines of my warm bed. Com 101's attendance policy says otherwise, so out the door I went to a short, hour long class. Then back home, where I disrobed myself, got back in bed, and played Batman. Nerdom wins again!

From 2-6 I worked today, and it was the busiest shift yet....from 5-6:30 I was on my feet, flinging papers, pens, food, and dealing with a line of clients that almost went out the door. The playroom was also packed to the brim, with seven to eight kids in there, so much that my boss had to go back there and also help control the crowd. I managed this frustration, but the people just kept coming. It was a constant battle to simply "keep my cool".

After work, my good friend Mike came in and picked me up for a movie. He brought me my Christmas present, which is, another Batman game. Oh boy. My contributions to society will soon hit an all time low. Now I have to Batman games to devour my time. We went to see "The Rum Diary" but thirty minutes into the movie, I was falling asleep, and Mike was bored. The film wasn't necesarrily bad, but my sleep habits have been terrible lately. I'm constantly tired when it gets dark; though I'm not at the Heath Ledger stage.... yet. We then went to Bran's and met up with Mike's work friend and had some drinks, well, I had one. I ordered a honey Jack Daniels Pepsi. Wow. Three liquids I love.

Went home and here I sit, ready to play the new Batman game Mike bought me. Thanks Mike. : D
You've made me a fan.

Ahh, and skype with Ty!

- The Batman -

Day 101

This Monday marks my last full week of classes at GVSU. I smile widely.

Went into work at 10:00, and served my four hour shift loyally, before returning home to change and then leave early for school. To my dismay, when I got home, I realized I had until 9:00 to do the video, so I hit the cyber Monday markets of some retail sites, as well as eBay. Gosh I'm such a nerd. :/

GVSU time came, and for my debate class, we had the Kent County defense attorney come in and speak. It was a very engaging and interesting conversation. Here is a lady who is paid to defend criminals, or as she put it, "her job is to simply ensure we protect the Constitutional right that everyone deserves a fair trial". I asked her if she thinks the justice system is too nice, since I've discovered in my own findings that everyone that gets arrested has a multiple list of priors. She said she works with a lot of dumb people, and dumb people pay the bills. She also mentioned she had a client who had 127 priors on his record.... to that, I thought my own negative thoughts on our courts system. I mean, after the 50th offense, you think that'd be a sign to lock him up for life, but..... we are in America. Corruption is not just found on Wall Street....

Spanish class is winding down, and after it, I shot my video and then hit the dark night road. I headed over to Melissa's house for a small birthday gathering. Kaleigh, Alex, Cody and Kelsey, and Victoria were all there, as well as Melissa's family. It was good to see many old faces I have not seen in awhile. The pie was amazing, as well as the ice cream. The ladder of the evening was spent with Melissa and Kaleigh, watching YouTube videos.....

- 2 Beautiful Best Friends -

Day 100

100 Days!!! I'm almost a third of the way there! Thanks again Ty.

The cold virus update.... 93% gone... just coughing here and there.

Current gas price $ 3.09 gallon

This morning was nothing special, considering I worked from 10-5. The day as usual went by very fast, so I must be doing something right. After work I went home where a great meal awaited me, compliments of my mother. Ate with the whole family, and then devoted some serious time into decorating and putting up the Christmas tree (or holiday trees as the government has deemed them), and put up other Christmas ornaments. Dad also started cleaning out the storage room, and wow, it looks different, and of course, better.

Later on, in the cozy confines of my living room, Caleb came over and we watched Dexter. Another great episode, with more twists and shocks, and I'm reminded why I love this show. After the show, Caleb departed, and I skyped with Melissa for a brief period, before heading to bed.

On an opposite note, a moment of reflection: 100 days. It's been a journey so far. This is for you, my readers. Some of you I know, some of you I know not. Blogger has an A-Check in the technology used for tracking views, traffic, hits, and referrals. Heck, I've gotten multiple hits from Russia and Germany. I don't know what country you (the reader) are from, but thank you for reading. To the Russians and Germans reading this... you may never meet me. Chances are you will probably forget about this blog in only two years. I hope you are well. Our governments are not so different. In America, we are facing a corrupt government that is simply printing money out of air, destroying the value of the dollar and of gold. We are trying to be formed into a more and more socialist economy, despite what critics say, its true. Republican, Democrat, and Unitarian, they all agree.... we now have too much government. Our president is trying to solidify a unanimous health care plan, (and if you Russians and Germans aren't aware, every other government run program is near bankruptcy, including our postal/mail service, social security service, and other smaller divisions) bailing out corrupt businesses, and punishing us, the people of the U.S.A. The other truth is, that even if a new president is elected, they can only prolong what is to come. A Republican is NOT our messiah. In this lifetime, I fear America will undergo it's 2nd depression. We will crash. I know in history, your citizens (Russia and Germany) have faced many difficult times like this. I hope you prevail, and continue to love those who need love. Ultimately, your life is what you make it, despite the cards you are dealt in life. Someday I hope to visit your countries, and stay active in adding new pages to the story of my life.

Dearest Russia and Germany, and whoever else is reading this..... we are still alive. All I can leave with is one truth. Follow the Light.

- I'm going to get s*** for this, but hey, I get s*** everyday for just being....me -

Day 99

I told myself I'd spend a day devoted to figuring out my life. Looking at schools, different cities, and jobs. Well that failed..... at least today.

I did enjoy the sleep I obtained. Had a bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats, and grape juice for breakfast. I also took time to read my Bible this morning, something I've been needing to do. I then spent the early Saturday with Batman, eBay browsing, and cleaning and fixing up my car. Shortly after lunch, Jordan came over and brought me a latte. We talked with my parents and she helped my clean out stuff to sell. I'm embarrassed at all the Simpsons loot I've acquired over the years. I spent a good $200.00 my senior year of high school on memorabilia from the series, and it's been sitting in a box ever since. Oh what we pay for.... stuff. Collecting is a dangerous sport.

Jordan and I ran to grab some food and then she departed, which then followed Melissa coming over. We're friends... darn good ones. I don't know sometimes to feel guilty or innocent for acting so normal considering the mind/emotional funk that preceded our relationship. Nonetheless, we watched the film "One Day", and she brought me my favorite tea. After the film, Caleb came over and the three of us went to Bagger Dave's, a new restaurant in the Ada / GR area where my friend Mike is a waiter. The food was great, and the price ran circles around other restaurants.

After dinner we drove home, and then played never have I ever. I didn't lose, but I didn't win. You can figure out how I placed. Never have I ever.... interesting game. It's a game that, unknowingly, showcases exactly just how bad or adventurous one is. It ties in great to my point on the previous blog.... morals. People give them up, lose them. I feel so sequestered and disconnected, feeling like I'm the only one who will do this and not do this. In the past it always results in the same. Losing friends, losing status, and oddly gaining friends, and gaining status. I find that the things lost are truly not needed, and the things gained are duly needed. I've watched friends, loved ones, and even family members fall away..... and sadly, I'm not a lifeguard. I can't save them. I think alot about the Bert Royal's stage play, "Dog sees God", which is the Peanuts gang grown up into teenagers. The play is brutal. Charlie Brown and his friends have all succumbed to the worldly pleasures of dregs, suicide, depression, sex, and a decaying lifestyle, all while in high school. As time presses on, we either grow stronger and cleaner, or decay and die.

- Car ride home from Bagger Dave's -

Day 98

Black Friday. The mega retail rampage. And for the first time in a long time,the day I slept in.

I awoke first, just in time to say goodbye to my uncle, who was heading to work. From there I goofed around on my tablet, watched some youtube videos, played spider solitaire, and waited for Cameron to wake up. From there, we went to Franklin Park Mall, a giant mall in Toledo, OH that was still an active hive for hungry shoppers. We went into several stores, but I just wasn't finding anything that was me. Don't get me wrong, the deals were great.... heck, I tried on a $50 jacket for $15 and a $15 sweater at H&M, but it wasn't me. I don't know if I've grown out of it, if I have a new style, I don't know exactly.... but I couldn't do it. Last year, I'd be wearing it right now as I type, but different stores had my sights. Banana Republic, J Crew, and Gap were some. I ended up leaving the mall with nothing....

Cameron and I met up with my aunt, my mother, and grandma, and the five us ate lunch at Applebees, which is still what you would expect at Applebees. After lunch, Cameron and I got in my car and set off for home. The first part of the trip flew by, and then around 5 ish, we landed at Tanger Outlets, where I could get a 2nd chance to hit the stores I was unusually attracted to (except J Crew, I love that store). I found my blue oxford. Our friends at Gap can get the credit for that. Fit's great, looks great, and feels great. Cheaper than J Crew, so I bought it. Left Tanger with a very big smile as well as a very big vitamin water. An hour and a half later, we arrived back into the hometown. As I was bringing Cameron home, another deer, who clearly must have seen my 2nd comic I posted on here, struck back again. As I was literally saying to my cousin "well, there are no deer out here...." the mother of Bambi lept in front of me as I screamed a not so nice word and hit a not so nice animal. At this point I was mad. Is God trying to kill me? Do deer have it in for me? Are hunters failing? New hunting rule. If it has 4 legs, shoot it. My car can't take it anymore.

Dropped Cameron off, then went to Chad's where I got to see my friends plus Jordan, who was back from Texas. We spent a good portion of the night there, watching Star Wars on T.V. and playing battle of the sexes. After Chad's I went back to Jordan's where her and I got to catch up, and just talk about life.... until 3:00AM. Jordan's a great friend..... I have high respect for her. Yet, I feel disconnected....again... another person. The talk made me realize a lot about myself. This world has so much evil..... and it's.... well.... actually.. I'll save this for the next blog. It won't make sense until I act upon what I have learned. Part II will be on Saturday's.

- The anti-racism shirt I did NOT buy -

Day 97

Thanksgiving. The holiday that for some reason will never vary the food choice. Turkey, cranberry, stuffing, potatoes, and beans.... Why not orange chicken? Pastas? Artichokes? And a berry bowl?

I woke up at my grandma's and for the most part hung around her house for a few hours. I was playing with the new tablet for awhile (Acer..... it's no iPad, but it's Google's tab... like a giant android phone). Ruby, Shelby's defiant and stubborn dog ran away and me and my cousins walked up and down streets trying to find the bitch. My uncle and Cameron found her, way down at the end of the street.

Cameron, Kelsey and I then ran to downtown Monroe to a CVS pharamcy to grab some drinks and medicines (odd combo). Then we dressed up, and I packed up, and we went to Toledo to my Uncle Mike's house for a very large Thanksgiving meal. Beer, Turkey, Cranberry Sauces, Stuffing, Red wine, (why are all these in caps?), guacamole, smoked salmon, trail mix, pretzels, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, cheesy potatoes, and other dishes were served. (There Lauren... there's my meal run down).
One thing great about Toledo is the fuel. Gas is under $3.00 here! Yes, I filled up my car to the brim. Later on in the evening, I followed my cousin Jason over to his house he bought, with Cameron riding with me. Jay's a cook. He's gone to culinary school for two years now, and is loving it. He's trying to get on a cruise line and serve food. He cooks at some restaurant in Novi, I forgot the name, but it's a non-national chain. His house was beautiful, it reminded me of a Heritage Hill house in G.R. Hardwood cherry floors, upstairs, and heck, he even built his own recording studio in the top floor, complete with soundproofing the entire room with carpet. Made me want to move out.... in fact, it made me want everything I questioned the night before. I mean, how fun would it be to buy an old house, fix it up, paint it with your wife, take a break from painting and make love on the paint sheets. That sounds swell.

But of course, I am not married, I am not a home owner, but I am a determined gent. The entire ride back I thought about the image of love. Even to the point of not fooling around with other women. To be honest, this is what I'm thankful for. Love, and what little I know if it, is powerful. So strong that it can forgive someone's past and fill that dark past and even the future with love. I don't believe love operates on a linear time table. It's a beauty of a thing. I feel, not even biblically speaking, but secular speaking, abstinence is important because it preserves that love. As my aunt put it, "Derek, every time you get physical with a girl, you're doing that with someone's wife". It's true. The last image I want is to look in my wife's eyes and become reminded or see something that would cause pain. That is your woman/man. You want them to be as pure as can be. But, even if they have had a past, that love, it has to be so strong, that it will wipe that clean.... that's what love should look like. This is why I'm not going to so much as even kiss another girl unless I'm in a relationship with her. I don't know a lot about real love, but it sounds amazing, and I'll do everything I can to have it.

Ended the night with watching Seinfeld with my cousin and uncle. We spent the night at his house in Toledo, preparing for the busy day to follow at Westfield Mall. Two letters... H & M.

- Thanksgiving Table -

Day 96

The first day of the break. What better way to spend this than relaxing around my house, doing nothing better than silly Batman. Nothing eventful really happened today, except for simply enjoying the relaxation part around my house.

Around 5:00 I went into work for just an hour. I told a girl who took my shift I'd fill in for her while she could go get dinner. While I was there I made sure the pool was par with standards, since I'm pool manager now. It's the biggest body of water that has the biggest body of neglect. I'm and old gay man's dream... I'm a pool boy.

After work I went to my church for a special Thanksgiving Eve service they were doing. The hour was spent with an open mic time in which members could simply stand up and say what they were thankful for, and share amazing stories that displayed that there is in fact, a God. I debated standing up multiple times, but decided against it, rather wanting to hear others. Afterward I talked with my pastor and a friend for a bit, and then went into the gymnasium to grab some apple pie.

With it being about 8:20, I had my car packed with clothes, pillow, and sleeping back, which meant road trip. I set out for Monroe where I would join my family for Thanksgiving on the day to follow. The drive was beautiful.... probably because Coldplay's new album was flooding my car all the way. it game me time to think.... I wonder if I'd want a girlfriend ever. Made me think about traveling when I'm done with school. Go to Europe, Netherlands, Japan. Made me think about the people I hurt. Made me think about the people that hurt me.

It was a beautiful drive.

- Night Drive -