And the word is... Blank

DISCLAIMER: I wrote this blog forever ago and apparently never hit the "publish" button. It isn't exactly applicable now, but if I took the time to type it out, I should still post it... even if it is almost a year later.

UGH!!!! I hate when this happens. My mind just goes blank on what to blog. Blogger's Blank Syndrome.

I mean, there is so much to talk about, but really nothing to talk about. You know? I think part of it is that I am so busy these days.

Take tomorrow, for example. I have an Abnormal Psych exam at 9:30am. Happy, Happy. Joy, Joy. It only covers Chapters 1-4, which isn't bad at all.... unless your financial aide check never showed up, meaning you didn't get the book until last week. That means I have to read four chapters, watch two movies, and review my notes from every class period tonight. Can I get some positive, please? OH! I take really great notes! :D

Well, after that exam, I have 15 minutes to make it to my Social Psych class. Wonderful class. No, I am not bing sarcastic this time! I love Social Psych. It's even better when your proffessor is a tall, lanky Japanese man who fills his slideshows with pictures of fat, latino-ish frat guys drinking beer in a hot tub. I really love the class so far. It really integrates sociology and psychology.. the two subjects I like best.

When that class ends, I have a couple of hours to finish cramming for my second exam of the day: Psych Data and Analysis 1. That would be Psychology 3005.... also known as a fancy way to trick people into taking statistics. EGH! It's called "Research Data and Analysis", but should just be called "UGH" for short. I hate that class and even after a study group last night, I have my doubts about this exam.

At least after the exam I am free! Well... then I have to start looking for sources about my debate next week. I am arguing that 'Cohabitation does NOT reduces the odds of a person's future marital status.' Which, now that I look at this again, it makes no sense. How can it reduce the odds of a future marital status. A marital status simply means "single" "married" etc etc. How can something reduce that? It cannot because we are all destined to have one label or another. Hm... just one more tricky, slippery question from a biased and close-minded professor basing our grades on his opinions. Hmmm.. I think I feel a rant blog coming up soon.

Wow! looky there! I started with no blog and ended... exactly the same.

And the word is... Groupthink

DISCLAIMER: Apparently I composed this blog in May and never quite finished... Oh well. Here's what I had done and never posted:

Somehow, even after we learned in Social Psych that groups were not always beneficial, me and my study buddies decided to get together to study for our Final exam [which went swimmingly]. Well, we started out with the best of intenetions, but... well, let's just say we bonded more than studied.

Also, since you all know I love photography and I haven't shared any of my work in quite some time, I thought you may be interested. Here are a few snapshots of what was supposed to be a Social Psych study session, but turned into a studyshoot....

By far nothing stellar and they are all a little more processed than my usual, but how can you complain when you're using a Blackberry to shoot?



I think this pic is going to reappear soon in a future blog...





And the word is... cycle

Not a unicycle, bicycle, tricycle, motorcycle, life cycle, or popcycle [yes- I am aware that is not the way we spell that, just humor me, okay?]. Nope. I'm talking menstrual cycle. Now before you gag, throw up, run away, and/or block my blog, you should know I don't plan on talking about it foreal... so chill out.

No. The topic of this short, scattered plot of thought is more "male menstruation". "What? Men don't go through that," you say? I'm calling "bull" on that one. Why? Because that's the whole reason you are reading this thing. Granted, men don't go through the same things that women do [oh thank you, Lawd!], no doubt, but we do PMS.... again no doubt.

Like I said, I am not claiming men understand what women go through. [Gosh... do you see how scared I am some chick is going to blow up on me???] All I know is this: Just before I went to bed last night, I felt it coming on. This morning, I woke up, not happy it was July 4th, not happy to have a Monday off work, not happy the sun was out, and not happy for the events of the day which included a cookout and fireworks. Nope. I woke up irritable, upset, and impatient, just to name a few things. Things only got worse after the cookout was cut short because of stuff happening, and now as I write this, I do so to the sound of pouring rain, crashing thunder, and the strobes of lightning. Joy. Anyway, in addition to my not-so-me mood, I can barely think about eating because I have no appetite... and I'm not kidding, feel a bit bloated? Yet, I find that I have now eaten and entire bag of Skittles. If anything should work, it would be that! Nothing. So you think I am overreacting? That this isn't real? Well, if it isn't real, then it isn't real on multiple occassions. It may not happen to most guys on the regular or at regular intervals [although for me it is pretty dern close. Too much? Yeah, proabably. Sorry about that], but it is still PMSing. The mood swings, irritability, no appetite... it has got to be those three little letters: P, M, and S.

Say what you will, believe what you may, and crack all the jokes you want because we are all entitled, but just know the truth: guys PMS too. Period.

And the word is... entourage

So this entry is short and sweet, but absolutely necessary. Why? Because it has been like frikkin forever since I have blogged!! I miss you guys and can't believe I've fallen so behind! Y'all gotta keep me on track! Sheesh!

So tonight at dinner, we were all given a random question. Mine was this: "If you could have a celebrity entourage of three celebrities, who would they be?" So here we go... in no particular order, my tri-entourage would consist of:

Michael Buble

So he may not be the most famous or attractive musician out there, but boy got some pipes! I think I could seriously listen to Michael Buble sing for ages. As much as I hate being exploited as of late to be people's personal siren, I will absolutely admit to being a hypocrite and say how much I would love for Michael to be waiting for me, after a long hard day, just to sing for me. Seriously. Sing to me as I cook, while I eat, while I bathe (but from outside the frikkin door, ya frikkin nasty!), while I drift to sleep, then start up again first thing as I wake up. Yeah? Yeah. So that's Ellioentourage Member 1.

Lady Gaga

So I really hate to stack my entourage with another musician, but c'mon! It's frikkin Lady Gaga! Plus, she is so much more than a musician. Please, don't get me started on her! You know what I am talking about. With her in my entourage, I would never be looking for something different to wear because I could literally wear anything. I would never have to do my hair because homegurl got so wigs! She knows how to party and have a good time, no matter where she is or who she's with. She can make a scene for sure...





The Queen



Now, when Mother Monster makes a little too much of a scene, we'll need a proper ol' bat to reel us back in. That's where the Queen of England comes in. Seriously, can you think of a more proper woman in the world? Need to know which fork to use? She got you. Need a fleet of fur hat-wearing, red-jacketed guards? She got you. Need a royal title in front of your name? She got you. Need a few jewels to sparkle up that look? Guuurrrrrrlll!! Do you not see that picture up there?? She DEFINITELY got you!

So there you have it. My Celebrity Entourage. You know you're jealous. Oh... what? You think you have a better one? Prove it. Show me what you got....

And the word is... Blegh

Let me talk to you a minute... or two... or more.

So I get back to Chesapeake around 3:30 on Thursday afternoon, and decide to run in Ross just to see if I would like it as much as I used to. Well, it sucked. And I had to report some punks stealing pants, which really ticked me off. After I was done, I took me almost an hour to get home. For anyone who isn't me and wouldn't know, the trip from this particular Ross back to my parents house should take 10-15 minutes. Thanks, Hampton Roads traffic.

I finally get home and immediately start working on yard sale stuff. It took me almost 5 hours of sorting and going through boxes of donations before I could finally walk in my room. I don't even have a bed! Why? Because I have all of my things I just moved back from Cville plus half a room of boxes, floor to ceiling, for my yard sale. Well after all of that, I was dead tired. Talked to Mom for a bit and then conked out on the tiny, little loveseat in the living room.

Fast forward to 2am. I wake up to Mom watching Millionaire and I'm just so cranky and starved. So what to do? Eat rocky road ice cream. Seriously, a huge bowl. I fall back asleep and proceed to have terrible dreams. I won't go into too much detail since this is more so a rant of random happenings over the past day or two. So interesting I know. Anyways, these dreams had to do with, like, every single person that means anything to me, betraying me, lying to me, hurting me, or talking smack. I woke up at 8am in the worst mood in a long, long time.

I then proceed to obtain a credit report. Well, attempt to do so. I try the first service, and they say my information doesn't match so I will have to send an application via snail mail. Sorry, but future landlady needs it this weekend. So I try the next service only to find out they don't offer online results. Third time is the charm, right? Well as I begin to put in my info, the Mac starts to die. Frantically, I'm searching the house all over for the charger. It was nowhere to be found, so I try to hurry through... only to have the computer die as soon as I complete the form. So then I have to pull out my laptop, turn it on, and wait seventeen and half years for it to boot up. Get on, fill out the jank, and finish.... with an actual credit report! Hallelujah! Now off to print!

Then I get to the printer, full of joy, only to realize I don't have to software to connect my computer and the printer. No big deal, I hear you can go online and download the stuff! So, what to do? I get online, find the stuff, and go to upload it, only to have it lock up my computer. Yay. Time to reboot. After my computer restarts, I finally print my report... until the printer runs out of frikkin paper!!! I am not kidding. I was getting SO tired of it. Then, as I celebrate my completed, printed credit report, I glance down and notice it is 11:40am. Awesome I think. Nope! Because then I realize that I have a dentist appointment at 12:15... somewhere that is about 20-25 minutes away (if one is driving the speed limit). No big deal except... I'm still in pajamas, haven't brushed my teeth, hadn't eaten anything... nothing. Straight out of bed and totally grumpy.

I jump in the shower, do what I gotta do, and get out. I run to my truck, speed awa...err... I mean responsibly drive toward the dentist office and just as I get to the exWHAAACK! A frikkin rock smashes into my windshield. It seriously looks like I was shot at. I have a nice, half-dollar size chunk taken out of my windshield. Glorious. On the plus side, I have no cavities... oh, but wait. Apparently, I grind my teeth and therefore have jagged front teeth, flat canines, and flat molars. Great, huh?

I did get to spend 4 hours at Starbucks with my BFF2 and then came home to get down again, then up when my sister and her family came in from Michigan for this crazy family reunion this weekend.

I think it boils down to this: I miss Charlottesville, my special people there, my independence, and my responsibility. Just as I begin to get close to people in Cville, I have to leave for the summer. Bleh. Being back home is nice, but I like being on my own. And the biggest thing, I can't take doing nothing. It's nice for a few days, maybe a week or two, but this is crazy... it drive me crazy. So, I am looking forward to a job this summer back in Cville, making some money -because I also realized this week I have...none? - and getting my own place.

Here's to hoping I get over this bad day[s] thing. In the meantime:

And the word is... Creep

So sit back for a moment and let me tell you a little story...

Tonight, I went out for dinner at a Mexican store. I know what you're thinking, "Oh... he means 'restaurant', right?" No. I mean store. It is seriously a little hole in the wall Mexican grocery store with a small eatery in the back. Delicioso! However good it was though, that isn't what my story is about...

After I left dinner, I decided to go to the mall. Granted, good ol' Fashion Square mall in Charlottesville, Virginia would never be my first choice, but I had to hang around the area and had a gift card. DUH! After I get some things in JCP, I decided to walk around for the last 15 minutes the mall was open. As I'm walking along, I look up to see this creepy, middle-age, ball cap wearing, mustache sporting, ginger smirking as he walked towards me. Just as we got about 5 or 6 feet from each other, he says "Oh hello..." Not wanting to be rude, I replied "Hello" with a polite smile as I continued by. Unfortunately, I was so concerned with being polite that I didn't give him the chance to finish. So, as I said my "Hello", I grimaced as he finished his thought "..., Handsome."

WHAAAT???? I almost fell over. I couldn't even turn around to shoot him a look or scoff at him. My brain froze and my feet kept walking... quicker.

Whew! I'm glad that is over. Unfortunately, that nasty baseball jersey, mom-jeans wearing, pale as baby powder ginger timed it just right and as I made my way back around the corner to leave - 15 minutes later mind you - he was also returning. Wonderful.

So as he walks past and undresses me with those beady little eyes, he chimes up. "So, what do you have going on?" I turn around, "I'm sorry?" After he repeats it, I told him I was just killing some time and hoped he had a good night. As I backed away (mind you we were about 8-10 feet apart) he says he couldn't hear me... AND STARTS TO MOVE CLOSER TO ME!!! I just calmly began to walk backwards as I repeated myself. He sped up. So did I. Then the question... the question. "So you wanna do something?" I couldn't help it... I caved... and by caved I mean I burst out laughing "Excuse me??" "You wanna do something?" I took so much pleasure in answering, "Nah, man. Nah." "You sure?" "*chuckles* Yyyeah man. Definitely not. Good luck with that though." "Aw are you s..." "Yeah. I'm sure". *End Scene*

I mean really??? Do people actually answer "Yes' to something like that?? I mean, to each his own, but that's just a bit much. I ain't easy, I ain't sleazy, and I sure as heck ain't going to say yes to a nasty, shady, baseball jersey, mom-jeans wearing, mustache sporting, pale as baby powder, smirking ginger in the mall asking me if I want to do something. Yes! I actually I DO want to do something... I want to run away from you as fast as I can!

Ew!

Since the video isn't working, I encourage you to click here for a great song, that is rather fitting!

Disclaimer: I have absolutely nothing against pale people, gingers, those who choose to wear mom jeans and/or baseball jerseys, middle-aged individuals, men, mustaches, beady eyes, or smirking. The problem comes when these things are all combined into one lump of nastiness looking to "do something".

And the word is... Mess

A few months back, I heard a song that was perfect for what I felt. Granted, the song is old and I had heard it once or twice before, but I had never listened to it. The lyrics are so strong on their own, but when coupled with my emotions and current state of pushing through and beating the negative in my life, they become indescribable. Instead of trying to describe the song, I thought you may prefer to listen to it....

So while this song is obviously about a break up, being replaced, and feeling slighted, I also like to apply the message to life in general. Yeah, we can all be that bitter, hurting person over a break up, but is that the only mess in life? What about when our car breaks down? When someone dies? The rent is here, but the money isn’t? We get sick? When the grocery store is out of 2% milk? You get the picture.

In life, there are so so many messes we have to deal with. It seems like there isn't a broom or vacuum large enough to clean it all away, to make it all disappear. Well, who says it has to? Why not... make something beautiful out of it?

Over the past several months, I have realized that through the messes in life, can come the most beautiful things. You see, we do not go through the hard times in life to be beaten down and crushed, to give up, or be defeated. No, the trials in life are not the end, but merely the beginning. Let me speak personally for a moment.

For me, the past few months of what I thought was the worst course of events, the burst blood vessels in my face and eyes from weeping, the weight lose from not eating, the shattered heart from losses of every kind, the low grades that I thought for sure would forever change my future... all these things and so many more "messes" have proven to be the most beautiful, beneficial thing to every happen to me. Sure, at the time I didn't know if I would live through it, but now my life is most amazing because of it. I have a deeper appreciation for my life, the lives of others, my love, the love from others, the sunny days and the pouring rains. I may have been at the lowest point in my life, but using that moment as a springboard, I have soared to a metaphorical high I have never known. It is only, though, because of that rock bottom springboard that I am where I am now. Figuratively, my life was a mess, now I am able to smile because of it, quite literally.

Just to give a visual representation of more of what I mean, I got some pictures of beautiful art work. This isn't just any art though. No, these expressions of beauty are made from trash, garbage... mess. So whether it be a home, a sculpture, photo, or dress, true beauty can, and does come from mess.

Your life shattering? Quick! Take a picture!

You're never to messy to praise...

Who knew M&M wrappers could be so beautiful?

Extra! Extra! There's beauty awaiting...

Even crushed cans can be used to build the walls of safety and joy

Pretty cool, huh? Who knew that trash and messes could yield such beauty? Oh, that's right, I did. How? Because I had to go through it first. It was only after going through those messes that I learned to appreciate them.

So you see a big mess ahead? No biggy. Just remember that sometimes the biggest smiles come from the biggest messes.....


If these kids can do it, can't we?



And the word is... Edit

So I got a little bored the other night and picked a random picture to have fun with. I think I decided that a couple times a week, I'll pick a random photo and just edit and see what happens and comes of it.

Here is the first:

See what happens when you get bored? Don't let yourself get to that point.

And the word is... Impetigo

...well, at least it is according to the doctors at UVA Student Health.

So about 10 days ago, I got a small blemish on my cheek. Eh, no big deal, I thought to myself. Well, then it got a little bigger and nastier, then turned really red and dry looking. I wasn't sure what was going on, but decided it was probably a break out of eczema. I used to have terrible bouts of eczema when I was a kid, and even though I never had it on my face, and haven't anywhere in years, figured it could happen and decided just to let it resolve itself.

Then, over the next couple of days, another spot came up and they started to grow. Here's a picture of what my face looked like a week ago (5-4-11):

As you may have guessed, I utilized a wonderful thing called make up to try to cover what I thought was just an irritated patch of dry skin. I also began using a daily moisturizer to help. Little did I know that was an awful thing to do.

It appears that as I spread the cream on my face, I was also spreading bacteria. So, you guessed it, more spots began to come up. It kept getting worse and worse. Today, I looked in the mirror and saw my face looking like this:

Pretty nasty, huh? I decided to go to Student Health and see if I could get an appointment to figure out why my face was melting off. The first med student to come in had no clue, so he grabbed the head RN. After her exam and a line of questions fit for a grand jury, she was also clueless. Off to get the head doctor. In just a few minutes I had two doctors standing there just looking at my face and shoulder, where another sore had developed. Now, I know, I know. I am so easy to look at, but it was still a bit weird to just sit there and be looked at so intensly.

They finally decided that I have Impetigo, a skin infection that is caused by either a staph or strep virus. Basically, somehow, somewhere, at sometime about 10-12 days ago, some viral critters found their way into a break in my skin and started to grow. Once the infection grew and spread, I looked like a leper, a zombie, a creature of death and melting faces, a nasty person. You get the picture (quite literally if you look above! BADUM PSSHHHH!!!!)

I've started an oral antibiotic to combat the staph virus and an ointment to knock out the strep cells. Hopefully in 2-3 days, I will see an improvement in the symptoms and appearance. However, it will take 2-3 weeks to heal fully. Until then, I can't shave, can't go to Myrtle Beach as planned, can't really touch too many people, can't do nothin! However, I do have to wash all my linens, toss my razors, get rid of the make-up I used... it just isn't good.

As I have two Finals tomorrow, I don't really have the time to go into details about Impetigo. So, if you want to read up on it, click here or here.

All you really need to know is that before long, my beautiful face will be back to being just that, no blisters, no sores, no scars. Until then, don't touch my face or you too will suffer the fate of Impetigo.

And the word is... Firsts

You are in luck! Why? Because today you get to read a list of some "firsts" I've done this week! By far not the most interesting of blogs, but I'm sure you'll still enjoy something about it.

Here we go... five firsts from the week:




I came out... officially
Okay, so it may have been a little anticlimatic, but it finally made its way into my blog. Within 45 minutes of posting, I had gotten so so much feedback, some good, some bad, but mostly good. Posting that blog may have been one of the best things I have done in quite some time. I can't wait to share some of the reactions with you all soon!

Um, it's my face
So, for the first time in I have no idea how long, I shaved...legit. I mean, a razor, shaving cream, the whole works. Even used a beaver hair brush to lather it on. Then, just to solidify the above 'first', wore make-up for the first time. No worries... nothing too crazy, just enough to smooth it out and cover a few spots. Here! Take a peek:


This is the pic I sent my mom for Mother's Day. All together now: "AWWW"
[see? not too much?]



Sake Bomb!
So, I am not a big fan of drinking, but tried my first sake bomb this week. "Sake, sake, bomb!" Yeah... more of the drinks end up on the table than anywhere else. Definitely not something I long to do any time soon, but it was fun to try something new!

It's automatic, baby.
Today, I had my first lesson in how to drive a manual car! I once had a lesson way back in the day, but now starts the real lessons. I am going to learn to drive stick, and be good at it! I didn't even stall out today! ....I also never went over 15mph soooooooo we'll see. Bring on lesson #2!

Starbucks x3

Thanks to a small fortune in Starbucks gift cards, I have decided it's okay to go a lot. However, how often is too often? For the first time, I was embarrassed to go into Starbucks this evening. Why? Because it was my third trip. Yes... I went to Starbucks three times in one day. Don't hate.

So there you have it... five firsts from this week! Nothing special, nothing amazing, nothing but five firsts. Eh, what can I say? I was too tired to think, but too awake not to blog!

And the word is... returned

...because I have returned, baby!! I'm back and better tha... hm... well, I'm back.

If you've missed my happy, witty, intriguing blog posts [what??], I'd encourage you to stop reading and come back at a later date.


You're still reading? Are you sure? It's your last chance to click that little red X in the upper right hand corner (or for you Mac people... that little red circle in the upper left). No? Okay, but you have been warned.


I'm writing this blog, metaphorically screaming from one of the lowest places I have ever been in my life. The past few weeks have seriously taken me to a deep, dark place to where I wouldn't sentence even my worst enemy. It is a place where, even the sunniest, warmest of days are cold and dreary. A place where the people I love the most, only bring about a pain in my soul. A place where, no matter how hard I try, I understand nothing, accomplish nothing, and feel nothing. Nothing but...nothingness. This is a place where, I just can't care about being strong, seeing any positives, and certainly not trying to fake a smile anymore. This place is wet. Not from the April showers, but from the floods of tears that flow from my eyes daily, hourly, almost constantly. Any energy that I can gather does not go toward moving forward, but only holding on for dear life to the place where I am. Holding on to something, anything, that will keep me from being swept away.

What has gotten me to this point? What is keeping me from completely giving up? How am I going to escape? If I only knew. Maybe we can figure it out.


I am here, not because of one single event in the recent or distant past, but because of an entire time period of my life. This period began when I was still a teenager, not sure exactly what was happening inside, but knowing enough to be scared. Then, as high school ended, and college began, fear became more a reality. I would have to face something I had long prayed would go away. I was able to, well I had convinced myself I was able to, hide certain aspects of my life.

A private battle, a personal war.

Then, just when you think you have a handle on life and its slippery trials, you get jerked back into reality. For me, that happened on Black Friday, 2009. More specifically, the following Monday when I was confronted, by a dear family member, about my private battle... which I had unknowingly made public. On that morning, my sister and older brother witnessed me kiss the man I had been secretly [maybe not-so-secretly] dating for about three months. No longer could I avoid the questions, suspicions, or assumptions, because they had been confirmed. I was not ready to confirm them, but as we all know, sometimes we don't get to make all of the decisions.

Unfortunately, the ripples this caused within my life are still affecting the glass pond I worked so hard to fabricate. For now, and the sake of this entry's length, I will not go into the details of the following reactions and more recent developments. Those are enough to warrant a separate entry. However, I will continue with the story of this time in my life...

Those specific months put such a strain on me mentally and physically that I began getting ill until I could no longer avoid the doctor. Yes.. I am a man... I avoid the doctor's office at all costs. I went for a visit because of intensifying health issues and after several tests and trips to specialists, the results were no good. Not only did they find that I had three blod-clotting disorders, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and two femoral arteries in one leg, but a small, minor issue... my organs were shutting down. It  had never dawned on me that the stress of coming out, paired with being a full-time honors student, working 20-30 hours a week, and being president of three student organizations, may not be so good for my health. It was not until my doctor looked me in the eye and said that without a break, I would not live to see UVA in the fall, that something clicked. WHAT? I am 20 years old, about to transfer to one of the best universities available, and you tell me I could die? Much to my chagrin, I was forced to lay low and allow my body to recover. In addition, I began seeing a counselor to help me with my inner, mental struggles. Again, not going into too many details [for now], I will fast forward a bit.

Then comes UVA. I made it. I was finally here! I had a great first semester. As you all know, I got into an amazing a cappella group, continued to serve with Circle K International, made a crap ton of new friends, and got to be a part of so many memories. Then, another battle. Can you think back a few months to a tribute blog of mine?

Just days before Christmas, my beloved Granny passed on. As much joy and peace as I have knowing she is finally happy, I still miss her. I always will. And with the beginning of a new semester, never fully completed my grieving process. Then comes the hardest academic semester yet. With the dreaded Psychology Data Analysis and Research Methods as a requirement to graduate, I had to suck it up. Let me sum up the class for you: Statistics. Let's just say the last time I took a stats class, I had to take it twice... and still barely managed a C. I have never been prouder.

I digress.

But this semester held more than just challenging classes. In mid-February, my partner (by that point of about 2 years) and I ended our relationship. Out of respect for him, myself, and the bond we shared, I will not go into details about the split. It was at times dramatic, and others decent. It was at times easy, and others hard. But in the end, it happened. It, along with other happenings surrounding the split, proved to be one of the most difficult times of my life. Now, I know... people always say that. It truly was. Never has my heart hurt the way it has in the past few weeks. In just two weeks, I lost 15 pounds and fell into the darkest hole I could ever imagine. But.... AHH!!! A "BUT"!!!!!!

But here is where the story gets better. Now, I have been working on this blog for a week or two. No lie. I sit and write a little, and then can't write anymore because it is just too much. So, I am here now... and as I wrap up this entry, I do so with a smile.

Wait. A smile?

In the past couple of weeks, I have been enveloped by a spirit of love like I have never known. I have learned to set my pride aside and be a normal human being. My life cannot, and no longer will, revolve around anyone and everyone who is not Jason Elliott. No. My life is now mine. I love you all, but you have your own lives. Why should you get mine as well? I only get one, so I am going to make the best of it that I can.

Hmm... I get the feeling you are probably wondering if this entry will ever end. Yes... it will. I honestly never intended for this to be so long. It just seems the more I type, the more I feel the need to explain and elaborate. Well, good thing for us is that I will be back to blogging regularly and will be sure to clear up any question marks soon.

With that, and as I feel inspired, I want to leave you with a video clip that one of my most special friends sent me on one of my worst days. I can't even say anything about how awesome this song and its message are. So please, enjoy, and remember that [in the words of some amazing guy's 'Word of the Day' on Facebook] -- You may feel like aluminum, but it is time to live your life like you're golden!!!

I can't thank you enough for reading this and still being here for me after months of being away. I have dearly missed blogging, both for you and myself, and cannot wait to get back to it! And now, everything is out there. No longer am I hiding me, my life. So with that, I send my love and appreciation and look forward to cranking out some blogs to make up for lost time! ....and I promise they will be much better than this one...

<3

And the word is... sabbatical

So if you've just added me on facebook (which I know you have because I am SO popular) you will just have to wait. Why? Because I am swearing off the social networking site until further notice. No, I'm not doing it for religious reasons. No, it isn't a political statement. It is just me.

Recently, in the past few weeks, my life has become a little more complicated, a little more confusing, and a lot more stressful. I used to be on facebook to look at all the good news in my "friend's" lives. I have since come to the realization that there is more negativity on my newsfeed than things I need in my life. Why put myself through that?

Additionally, if my parents' generation -- heck! even older members of my own -- could maintain friendships and a good life without facebook, why can't I? I spend hours upon hours mixed into the thousands of students at UVA, residents of Charlottesville, and people everywhere. Why does my field of contact have to be narrowed down to 1,200-something online profiles?

Not only that, but in the past few weeks, I have just plain been going through some changes. From outlooks, to introspections, food preferences, to healthiness, to clothing styles, to... well, now my online activity. Why shouldn't I take a break? I have enough on my plate as it is... so why stress over what pictures people are posting, the crazy comments on friends' profiles, or the latest surveys to be popular? It just isn't worth it right now.

For too long, too much of mine, my computer's, and my phone's battery has been dedicated to facebook. No more.

So for now, you will have to delve into the dark ages with me... relatively speaking. From here on until who knows when, it's my blog, email, and telephone.

Seriously, I think we could all use a breath of fresh, non-facebook air.

And the word is... Ticket

No. Not a concert ticket.
No. Not a plane ticket. No.
Not even a dry-cleaning ticket.

No. A parking ticket.


It may be a terrifyingly warm, sunny, beautiful February day, but some Charlottesville police officer wanted to make it a little less happy for me. How? By giving me a ticket. Now, everyone gets tickets in their life. Everyone also feels they are bogus in the first place. I know I do! But this, THIS, ticket is ridiculous.

Let me explain why:

Reason 1: It is a parking ticket and everyone knows parking tickets are lame. Really, unless you are parked in front of a fire station or the Emergency Room doors or the exit ramp of Interstate, you really can't hurt anyone. Sure, maybe your car will be damaged, but that's your own fault!

Reason 2: I was barely in a "No Parking" zone. By that, I mean about 24 inches. Think I am falling prey to exaggeration? Take a look at the picture below.



Reason 3: IT WAS IN FRONT OF MY OWN HOUSE!!!!!! With 6 drivers living in one home, there just isn’t enough room for everyone to park in one driveway. So, we utilize the street. No problem as long as you park in the designated area, just big enough for four cars to snuggle together. Seeing how parallel parking is a dying art form, it is not surprising that people are dumb and leave over 1 foot, sometimes 2, in between their cars. When this happens, the space that could easily hold four normal sized cars, and 5 if they are compact vehicles, is not conducive to holding four or five cars without the last one covering a few inches of our side driveway. When it comes to random people parking there, it can be an issue for whoever is parked in our driveway. However, housemates are fine because they live here, we know how to contact them, and it is no problem to have them move.




Maybe this diagram will help...?



I am also curious as to how I can get a ticket for blocking not even 12 inches of a driveway used to hold an illegal car. This car has expired tags, a city inspection from 2005, and a state inspection from 2008 and who gets the ticket??

Welcome, citizens, to a money-hungry municipality.

Well, if that wasn't enough for you... here's why I am even more angry.

As I began typing this blog, a young woman pulls up and parks where? In front of my house, where it is actually illegal to park. Well, I'm a nice guy... so I gave her about 30 minutes... before I called the police... at 3:04pm (EST). Twenty-three minutes later, at 3:27pm, a police officer was parked in my driveway inspecting the scene of "an illegally parked silver SUV at the intersection of Nalle Street and 7 1/2 Street SW" as reported by yours truly. Luckily, to prove my point of how inconvenient this parking job was, a school bus and two vehicles were at a gridlock and couldn't move, as both streets are single-lane, one-way streets. Welp, that's all the proof I needed! Write 'er up, officer! Hm! Silly me expecting a police officer to do his job. About ten minutes later, at 3:38pm, the young woman walks out to her car, not knowing it had been inspected by a police officer, and drives away. Drives away.... WITHOUT A TICKET! Yes, folks, you read that correctly. The police officer left and did not write her a ticket! The woman was parked in a clearly illegal manner and still he refused to ticket her. My theory is that he saw her bogus handicap sticker hanging in the mirror and assumed that the vehicle belonged to a handicapped person. Well, if stupidity and unfair luck are handicaps, she deserved that sticker. Take a look at the evidence I am taking with me tomorrow when I file a complaint with the city:

Here is the officer in my driveway, about to leave after inspecting the scene of the crime

This may look familiar. My jeep was parked behind that dark red car.

Yes, my other driveway and the clear sign saying not to park there.



See that sign? It says "No Parking -->"



Hmmm it would seem as though she parked in between two "No Parking" signs, no?

Another angle



The woman pulling away... without a parking ticket



 

And the word is... Cookies

DING DONG!!!!!!!! 

Ohhhhh, that's right! It's GIRL SCOUT COOKIE TIME!!! Mmmm Mm MM! Now, I know that deciding which cookie can be very intimidating, but have no fear! I have the answer: buy one of every kind! Okay, I know that would be nice, but seriously, here are my picks...

Number 1: Samoas

I know there has been some debate over what to call these delicious little nuggets of cookie Heaven, but have no fear. If you simply tell your little lady saleswoman you want the best tasting cookie she sells, she will know you mean the ever-so-famous Samoas! To anyone who doesn't know what this cookie is, you may know it by its more politically-correct name of Caramel deLites. Eh, it may be PC, but does it really have the same ring to it? Who cares! Honestly, after your first taste of this sweet cookie covered in a special blend of toasted coconut and caramel drizzled with chocolate, you will understand why last year, I bought 8 extra boxes and put them in my freezer. Yes. I went out and found the last 8 boxes of Samoas in the 757 area and froze them. That way, I can have the best cookies at my birthday party. I can rub it in people's faces that I still have delicious Samoas to last me throughout the winter. Seriously, there is hardly anything better than a cup of extra hot chocolate with fluffy marshmallows and a plate of delicious, freshly unthawed Samoas on a snowy day! I mean, take a look and tell me this doesn't look amazing:

But it doesn't stop there. If you are anything like me, you love you some ice cream. Well, how can it get much better than Samoas Ice Cream?? Yeah... it can't.

I almost flipped out when I found this ice cream last year. Needless to say, I had a nice little stock pile going for a month or two after this jewel sold out.

When it comes to Girl Scout Cookies, when in doubt, buy the purple box!!

Number 2: Thin Mints

So technically, according to the nice people over at the Girl Scout's head office, Thin Mints are the most popular. For me, a mere second place. They are so absolutely delicious though that, like the Samoas, I like to stock up and keep a hefty supply ready. Who can resist a minty treat that isn't too sweet, yet is still good enough to make you feel a little guilty? Not me! This delectable mint chocolate cookie is smothered in a rich, dark chocolate coating that gives you the best of two worlds: Mint and Chocolate.

Looking for a new way to drink that hot chocolate? We've all tried dropping candy canes into the mix, but why settle for generic when you can have specialty? I guarantee you that next time you serve your guests a piping hot cup of Thin Mint Hot Chocolate, they won't soon forget. Just be prepared to be the permanent hot chocolateer.

We all live in a "Go Green" culture now, so why should it be any different when it comes to Girl Scout Cookies? Take the green initiative and grab the green box!

Number 3: Tagalongs

Not to be confused with the not-so-delicious Do-Si-Do's, the Tagalong cookie is a perfect choice for buyers of all types. Yes, all types. Even those of us with allergies to one of the key ingredients. Fellow sufferers of peanut allergies, I urge you to suck it up and eat some Tagalongs! Seriously, at least if you go, you'll die just having eaten the third best Girl Scout Cookie ever made. This cookie is layered with fluffy peanut butter and then covered in chocolate. Peanut Butter and Chocolate. Peanut Butter. Chocolate. Peanut Butter. Chocolate. Cookies!

Not a fan of eating these cookies by themselves? Then take a cue from some of the hundreds of recipes that call for Tagalongs! Cheesecakes, tortes, pies, Bundt cakes, cupcakes, brownies... pretty much any recipe that calls for peanut butter and chocolate can use a few Tagalongs! Why settle for normal, when you can Girl Scout-ize it!

The only time you should be seeing red is when you buy your red box of Tagalongs!

 ***

So, there they are. My top three picks when it comes to Girl Scout Cookies. But hey, why settle for one? Like I said, just go with all three! When you're helping such a noble cause, you can spend a little more and eat a little more, and still feel good about yourself. Go! Order your Girl Scout Cookies today before they are all sold out!!

And just a side note: I would like to remind you all that I am a broke, homesick, hungry University student. Should you feel the urge to love me, help me, or cheer me up, feel free to send me a box or two... or three... or a dozen! Seriously. You know what my three favorite flavors are now. You have no excuses not to send me some Girl Scout Cookies this year!

Please go to http://www.girlscoutcookies.org/ and order those cookies today!