my way

I do my worst thinking at 5am with no sleep.

When I was going to Kearney, I lived in a basement apartment of a house with my housemate Nate and Brian crashed there too.  Above us, there lived a rotating group of guys that liked to throw parties and secure their amateur status as drummers.  I also had a job for a while that started at 5 am.  Needless to say, there two parts did not mix well.  As I would lay awake at night, I would think of wondrous things like power outages, fires or better parties that could possibly end the night or at least get the stereo to stop.  I recalled those nights last night.

My new thing was going to Burger King off Hawthorne and MLK...at 5 am...with Dean.  Before 5am, DJ Herbal Tea played "The Last Dance" but I knew it wasn't going to be literal.  Afterwards, he played the Star Wars disco version and I had enough.  Our walls and my door is not that thick and my patience was that thin.  Instead of running into the garage and flipping the breakers, I grabbed Dean and left the house.  My lack of sleep had depleted my energy and I needed more food.  Our house was dry of food and I didn't want to be around anyone anyway so I left.

Contrary to how I may sound, I do like parties.  I like parties that I can leave when I'm ready to go (or just choose not to attend in the first place).  Parties at our house don't allow me to do so, not if I want to go anywhere where I can sleep.

I did realize that my emotions were running high and I wasn't thinking rationally though so I avoided everyone until I got some sleep and even then I kept my distance until I could get home (from food donations), walk Dean, clean my tub and take an aromatherapy-salts bath while reading a Buffy comic book anthology and listen to some Bonobo.  That's how I like to party. :)

the capicorn party

I wish I knew more about music but all I can say is that I'm learning.

Today, at the Victory, Wendy and M2's Capicorn birthday party, I DJ'ed in the living room (for the first time).  I did the early set so I could get away from people when they got too drunk and I got tired of it all.  I figured out that, with my new DJ program, it counts the beats per minute which helps a lot when trying to mix them up.  I need to start recording my sessions because I had some real great transitions.  The problem is that I got busy talking to people and missed a few as well.

Someone did chat up me about Bonobo though.  I don't DJ lounge or ambient music.  I do mostly electronic dance and retro stuff but maybe I should expand my horizons.  I like Lemon Jelly, Thievery Corporation and Niyaz but I don't have a lot of chill music.  However, I totally lover Bonobo now and maybe I'll have to find more of him and like him.

I also did my best singing in Kareoke at the house and maybe ever.  I've had some fun performances but the songs are never that challenging.  I actually credit Wii Rock Band for helping me stretch out my vocal chords.  I believe that I pulled out a damn good-for-me Tiny Dancer last night with Ashes.  It was probably one of the best times I've had singing in recent memory.

And finally Dean attended his first concert that I can remember.  The Eclectic Bastards held their reunion in our garage.  It was a fabulous night for music...although the music may have played on too long...

anew

I woke up after roughly six hours of sleep to a sunny morning and an eager-to-walk dog.  I took Dean to Reed so he could run around (and roll in wet shit in the meantime) and I could try out their new pull up bars just off the sports field.  What a nice way to start the new year and the new decade.

I know it was almost a third of my life (so it stands that it would be momentous) but it was especially critical.  I got a dog, went vegetarian, moved, came out, found some amazing friends, discovered my vocational calling, got laser eye surgery, tried a helluva lot of new things (some stuck and some didn't) and started school again.  It's crazy how much my life and I have changed.  In 2000, I was living on my own in a small apartment in the Midwest by myself, working at Hastings Book, Music and Video and was generally lost and confused.  I didn't know what to do but I knew I wasn't happy.

I'm not sure if it is become I'm older and wiser or if it's because I'm actually in a better space.  I'd think that it's the latter because I can be incredibly immature and not too wise.  It's a good time to reflect and I'm happy to report that I'm happy.  I am definitely not where I planned to be ten years ago but I don't think that I could have foreseen this.  I'm glad it's gotten me to here and now though.

What else?
We sat inside most of the day, recovering from last night and resting up for tomorrow's party.  We watched a marathon of Three's Company.  Jack Tripper condones rape, neighbor Larry is a pimp and Janet wears pantyhouse with short shorts when she exercises.  Say what you want about the 2000s but it doesn't compare to the tragedy of the late seventies and early eighties.

I changed the blog template. Whaddya think?

to a better decade

I toasted to a new year tonight with a new pink champagne, old acquaintances and new acquaintances.  I think that I've only been to a bar a small handful of times on New Years Eve.  Going to a friend's house with a number of other friends is much more desirable to me than heading out to a bar on amateur drunk night.

I heard more and more people say that 2009 has been the worse year they've ever experienced.  The recession, excessive job loss and swine flu were just a number of potential different causes. For me though, it was a pretty good year, although it definetly had it's low points.  My grandma dying was difficult.  It was especially noticeable during Christmas.

However, I also made a lot of personal progress this year.  Getting into grad school and finishing my first quarter with a B+ and an A were proud moments.  I had a fabulous bike summer and I particularly enjoyed the Michael Jackson Tribute ride and the World Naked Bike Ride.  Country Fair was pretty damn awesome.  The John Day Fossil Beds campout was great.  I wish I had gotten out of town more often though.

For this next year, I don't know if I'm making any unusual resolutions.  I am planning on going somewhere on a sunny, nice vacation at some point during a school break, either Spring or Summer.  I would like to take a train ride too.  I resolve to not get too stressed out with work and school.  I'm going to push myself but I'm going to pull back from work more if it gets to be to hard.  I also plan on getting rid of my car completely.  Those are my few goals which are probably attainable.  Anyway, I just hope it'll be another good year.

What else?
My friends' friend's friend Rianna taught me how to pop Snaps (those lil wrapped up fireworks) with my bare fingers.  Whoo.

a debt-free man

As of today, I don't owe anyone a damn thing. :)

Today I paid off my student loans from my undergrad schooling and my bill for my laser eye surgery.  It feels good to be free.

snowpocolypse 09

What a difference a few hours makes...

I was real close to riding my bike to work this morning but it took me a little longer than I had anticipated to get ready so fortunately, I left it at home.

Hours before the end of my work shift, it started snowing.  However, this was an entirely different snow than the one I had just experienced in Nebraska.  This was a nice heavy snowfall with hardly any wind.  It snowed around 4 or 5 inches (I guess) in a matter of hours and then was done.  It didn't last for days.  It didn't kill people.  It was just pretty and fun.

I took Dean and Raven to the park to run around for a bit.  To my recollection, I haven't walked them both to the park to play in the snow before.  Anyway, it seemed new but the world always seems anew after a fresh snow.

quite resortful

In 1987, I went back to see my childhood friend that I had moved away from the year before.  He had just gotten an original Nintendo and he was playing the water level of Super Mario Brothers.  I was floored and thought that it was way beyond me.  It was also something I wanted.  Eventually, my family got one and every Christmas for the rest of my youth became about getting the newest game.

This Christmas was a throwback to the days of yesteryear as I got Wii Sports Resort.  Today, I tried it out and it was quite addictive.  I took Dean for a walk first so I wouldn't feel guilty when I began throwing a virtual frisbee to a virtual dog.  My favorite games on it were the Frisbee dog, wake-boarding and the 3 point shot competition which was the most exhausting and hazardous to our ceiling.  It was nice to take some time to just have fun before school starts but, when the time comes, I'll have to get all serious and study again.  Childish things and all that.

What else?
I loved being back with my family and getting snowed in together but it was absolutely delightful walking around Portland without a jacket.  While on store visit downtown, I went to buy my books for next quarter and took a nice walk in the sun to do so. 

yee-haw i'm in houston

Of all of the times I've flown back to Nebraska, I've only not transferred planes in Denver once. I stopped in Seattle that time. Today I transferred planes in Houston and I'm surprisingly happy about it.

I obviously didn't really examine the flight plans or times when I booked this trip. I think I was primarily concerned with the price. Flying down here to Houston made my trip twice as long but they said that it's the journey that's important & not the destination so here I am.

I've only flown out of Texas one other time from the Indymedia gathering & I had an emotional breakdown that lasted two days. I'm hoping this will be a lot better since I'm more well traveled.

This is also my 1st time flying Continental. So far it's been okay but I still prefer Frontier. Also they're gonna serve a meal which is great cuz all I've had since leaving Omaha is five cookies.

a vacation in two hours and forty-two minutes

Yesterday, I didn't leave my parent's house at all.  Today, I left reality for a few hours.

Cabin fever set in and none of us were going to be satisfied with playing board games any longer.  We checked the roads, figured out it was do-able and headed to Kearney where we went to a new theater.  It's a nice multiplex that wasn't there when I was in college.  And we went to see Avatar.

I've been wanting to see this movie for a while and I haven't seen a movie with most of my family in the theater for years.  My brother, dad and I liked it.  My niece didn't and my grandma got motion sickness from it.  It has a great message (although there is problems with about anything if you scrutinize it hard enough) and it's absolutely beautiful.  I can't wait to see it in 3-D when I get back to Portland.

What else?
My sister and youngest niece got to my parents' house today.  My littlest niece has long hair and loves dogs.  She's actually worn Oliver out.  I'm really grateful to be able to see them before I go home even if it's just for a little bit.

white xmas

Today, I didn't set foot outside.  Aside from it being Christmas without my sister (snowed-in in Kansas), that's my new thing.  Well that and taking melatonin to help me sleep. It was a nice holiday but it did feel awkward opening presents without Jackie.

family fun

Yes I'm a dork and I like board games.  I also like card games and I enjoy family time where the TV isn't invited along.

It's Christmas Eve and the weather is awful out.  Luckily, we don't have to go anywhere and we're well stocked up on food, booze and entertainment.  Unfortunately, my sister and youngest niece are in Kansas and it's too dangerous for them to make it up here.  They reported on the news tonight that there were over 100 cars in ditches on I-80 and so far there have been seven fatalities.

However, knowing that everyone I hold dear in the Midwest is safe is good.  Here in Gibbon, we played Monopoly (my dad won), pitch (I won one game and Eric won two), Life (I think Hayleigh or my mom won) and electronic Trivia for the first time (my mom and I won).  My mom made meat and cheese lasagna which was wonderful and Hayleigh made red velvet cookies with chocolate chips and a cream frosting.  As I've said before, presents are fun and all but this is what I like about holidays.  I feel all sappy inside.

the blizzard

I have been doing new things since I've gotten home but it's not too much to write about.  Yesterday, I went to my parents' friends' house which was big and lavish.  It has two spare bedrooms, an office, a den and an upstairs living room with brand new couches that nobody will probably sit in.  What recession?

Today's new thing was walking Oliver in the snow.  I don't think this dog has seen a lot of snow.  It's always fun to watch pets experience snow for one of the first times.  Oliver tried to walk without letting his back legs touch the ground and, then when he accepted that it was impossible, he dove in face first.

Also, a new thing today was mixing Bailey's Irish Creme and Buttershot Schnapps. :)  I love the snow.

and so this is gibbon

Between my last visit and this one, my parents moved again.  They moved from St Paul (population 2200) to Gibbon (population 1750).  They're not that far from each other and I could call them small towns but then again, I grew up in a town of 20 people and then a town of 305.

To the best of my knowledge, this is my first time in Gibbon.  I did go to some small town school for a career day to represent the Archway Monument years ago but this was the first time getting to see the town.  There's not a lot here.  The picture above is Gibbon's business district.  Still, it'll be a nice place to relax and we bought plenty of liquor to see us through the impending snow storm.

oliver hogsworth

I probably don't need to tell anyone that I am a dog person but more specifically, I'm a DOG person.  Growing up, I had Skip who was a big half border collie, half sheepdog.  Now I have a 90lb black lab.  I've always thought that small dogs were too close to cats.  If you're gonna get something that small, why not just get a cat?

Today, I met my brother's dog Oliver.  Oliver rode on my lap all the way home from Omaha (three-four hours).  I can easily understand small lap dogs now.  He is so sweet.  He's just what I needed after a long day of transportation.

What else?
I made all of my standby potentials and got to 'Braska just four hours late.  The flights were actually okay and I didn't have to pay any extra money.  I'm kind of sold on Frontier now.  The people I sat between from PDX to Denver were nice too and I was able just to sit there and finish the last Season of Dexter.  My vacation commenceth.