Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today...

In reference to a previous post, I have come to realize that Philadelphia is "cool, but not for me."  Instead, New York City has so thoroughly blown my mind that I cannot wait to pack up and move.

 Thanks to those who helped me fully encounter the East:

• Landi: rep that MSU hoodie till death...thanks to you and Maryann for the hospitality.
• Firm: I think I have your watch. Thanks for sharing your sister's massive West Village pad. I owe you for coat checks and cab rides.
• Mr. Simmerman: your Wikipedia knowledge is vast and your future in NYC bus tours is bright. Keep spreading the love. See you in Feb.
• AJ: Thanks to you and your family for that pizza dinner...next year we will be dinning at Ray's.
• Sheets: Tell Mama Carroll thanks again for the chow and the toddy!
• The Philly R5 Conductor: Without that free ride that got me home, I may have been slain on the streets of Phila.
• France: The Statue of Liberty. It's real, and I thank you.

You'll Be the Death of Me...

I gotta watch my shows.

And as if I didn't have too many to follow as it is, True Blood is my new pick thanks to the glories of On-Demand television. Although initially I couldn't wrap my mind around why anyone would choose to waste 52 minutes of their lives every Sunday watching a series about mythical creatures, I have since come to appreciate the raw thought and creativity that go into each episode. Yes, it's raw. Nudity, graphic language, and adult content.  But that's life and by golly, I'm an adult. Delving into issues of racial discrimination, substance addiction,  and relationship problems, True Blood doesn't fall short of providing real life application AND sheer entertainment.

Looks like I'll be wasting 624 minutes of my Christmas Vacation catching up on the Golden Globe nominated first season.

Thou shalt not crave thy neighbor. 

(note: my last post was very emo)

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This is what I know...

Things are rough.

Life is hard.

A good song is a good friend.

Thanksgiving Day BROS...

In the past four years, never have I been home for Turkey Day. And while at times I wish this could be different, the day on which we give thanks has--in the past--produced some pretty unforgettable times.

2005: Heen and Tooth flung their bodies down to LA for some wild times in the back of Steve. LAPD, Captain Mo, and some $100 seatbelt tickets--not to mention the waitress at the hookah bar.

2006: Another interesting Holiday spent away from the family...this time, about 6,000 miles away (obviously a rough--and uneducated--estimate). While studying abroad, me and a few friends decided to trek up north for the long weekend; Norway our destination of choice. We hung at the Olympic Village, played some Hearts, and feasted on rice cakes and peanut butter for a memorable Thanksgiving meal.

2007: As a more traditional Thanksgiving, I met my Mom, Dad, and brother in San Diego to share the day together. We ended up having dinner at Jesse's girlfriend's sister's house. Nothing wild. Drinks. Board games. Surf. 

2008 (tomorrow): The bros are coming! The bros are coming!

Tooth, Heen, Soj (in spirit) and Pulse be coming to Malibu to celebrate the festivities...

Still, as a time to reflect on the things we are thankful for, the majority of us say that our friends and family are what we cherish most. This being the case, I cannot begin to express how grateful I am for the times spent (both at home and abroad) with my bros and the fam...the people that keep me going.

Happy Turkey Day.

Eat. Drink. Be Merry. Give Thanks.

Don't fear your best friends...

I recently took a battery of psychological tests for my Testing and Assessment course, and although they indicated that I don't have any serious psychopathological disorders (yet), I did take from them some pretty meaningful insights about who I am. One theme that permeated each of the four tests administered was my appreciation for close, personal relationships. And while this isn't something that really surprises me, I think that I've recently taken for granted those whose friendship and daily interactions directly effect who I claim to be as a human.

As of Friday afternoon, I had:

1. No working vehicle--Steve broke down on my way to class earlier that morning and I had to abandon him on PCH. He remains in a coma.
2. No wallet--it has been missing since last Saturday.
3. No money/cash, except for the $37 in my checking account.
4. A check waiting to be picked up at work in the Palisades (with no way of getting there--see #1)
5. $150 of dues to pay by the end of the day.
6. People ready to help and make my day a little better.

In the wise words of Michael Franti:

"Don't fear your best friends, because a best friend would never try to do you wrong..."

Thanks Carpet Hole.

It's Never Too Late...

"Of course, now I'm too old to be much of a fisherman, and now of course I usually fish the big waters alone, although some friends think I shouldn't. Like many fly fisherman in Western Montana, where the summer days are almost Arctic in length, I often do not start fishing until the cool of the evening. Then in the Arctic half-light of the canyon, all existence fades to a being with my soul-- and memories and the sounds of the Big Blackfoot River and a four-count rhythm and the hope that a fish will rise."

I really need to learn how to fish.

Got Beef?...

This is Lauren Hall:

Lauren Hall is a hater. Yes, I have a blog. And no, people don't read it. But at least I don't look like this.