keep it like a secret

Ah, it's been a while. A lot has happened in the last few weeks. I'll skip over the fun/not quite life-changing stuff for the sake of time. It's new years eve. Alright, my grandma McLain passed away on Christmas Eve. I'm sure I'll get really down about it at some different points in life but right now it's hard to be too sad b/c it's all that she's wanted since grandad died. And it's really cool just to think about how cool the timing is and that she was w/ grandad and god for christmas. I'm not that big on religion or anything, but it's so amazing to see how things work out in death. It just seems like the time in someone's life where you can truly get a glimpse of his plan and how everything happens for a reason and all that...but I've talked about this enough the past week so let's move on. Family is what it's all about. I've started a new job at a local t-shirt shop: the t-shirt construction co. It's a gay name but...

Alright, I need a job. I need a goal/purpose when I wake up each morning. Lately my purpose has been to spend as little money as possible. This valet thing is pretty cool, just need more hours and more tips. I am getting to drive some nice ass cars, getting my stick confidence back, and was able to 'sneak' into the aquarium last night and walk around for like forty minutes. The lights in the tanks were off but you could still see inside them. The animals were just like chilling, I guess they had a big day. Oh, and Michael Vick was at the aquarium last night while I was working, I didn't see him but he was there w/ his wife and kid. That's cool. Anyway, at this point I'm thinking either: 1-get a 'real job', 2-become a firefighter [badass], 3-join the peace corps [cool as hell but no pay], 4-go back to school [bama would be awesome], 5-work as many cool part-time/freelance jobs as I can [variety abounds], 6-become a substitute teacher [good benefits].....

The 'real job' search continues. I've been doing some freelance stuff for ibalz, so that'll be some nice supplemental income. It's forced me to actually learn flash finally. I've been applying for all kinds of different full-time, part-time, and freelance jobs so we'll see what happens w/ that. It'd be cool to live in Nashville or Memphis. A guy from Jackson, TN called yesterday to talk to me about an id job. It didn't sound too bad but I think I'd go on a shooting spree if I had to live in a place like that. I've also been thinking about the peace corps. I've been thinking about it for over a year, now I have the opportunity to check it out. It would be a great experience. I'm almost finished w/ my application. I'll be valeting tonight and tomorrow night at two different private parties. Making money is a good thing and it will be cool to drive nice cars and run around and stuff. I'll be working w/ James both nights so th...

Wow, what a difference a week makes. . . My favorite holiday of the year was great. Great food, great family, and a surprisingly large amount of time w/ the wartown crew. The Sunday after Thanksgiving brought a nine hour drive down to southern Florida w/ Stewart for work. It sucked of course. Working like a construction worker for twelve hours a day too far away from my friends and family is not the life for me. The only thing that made it halfway bearable was running a few miles each afternoon/night on the beach and just listening to some death cab and watching the waves and thinking about a lot of stuff. I let David know how I felt Wednesday night and now it's time to find a new job(s). Hitched a ride w/ Stewart to WR Thursday, to Athens w/ Jennifer Friday, to Atlanta w/ Courtney today, and w/ Jessica to get my truck from Peachtree City just a little while ago. I'll be doing flash ad design for Josh and GL at IBalz Marketing freelance, so that's something I've got go...

Not a bad week, actually got to spend it all in Atlanta working, finishing my past due cd reviews, taking care of some stuff for the FARM team, celebrating Katy's b-day w/ everyone at Rusans, etc. Friday night was Butch Walker at Earthlink w/ Joe, Britney, and others [including her mom...that's just sad]. I was hoping for more M3 stuff but it was cool. Yesterday was spend watching Bama do their best to ruin the entire season and Tech playing over their heads and actually holding on for the win at no. 3 Miami. Last night was everyone hanging out at my house w/ plenty of wine, beer, music, and 'firewood'. The smores were a nice touch. It's always so weird to me how things change so much, seemingly for no reason at all. Watching friendships change, grow, and die always makes me very introspective. I guess things just happen that way, doesn't seem like you can control very much so there's probably no real point in worrying about it anymore than you have to. Some...

Man, what a week... We threw one hell of a party at my house last Friday night, I'm pretty sure everyone had a blast. Then my boss calls me Sunday afternoon and lets me know that we'll be in Durham all week...that was a good experience I guess but it pretty much sucked overall for a few key reasons. I'm not going into it all here, a few people that talk to me already know all about it. So needless to say, I think I'm a freelance/multiple job kind of guy, but we'll see what I do about that. So I get back to Atlanta this morning at 130a and get up to head to the Bama/LSU game at 630a. What a great atmosphere, LSU has some really cool fans, hard-fought old school SEC game...but we got beat: goodbye SEC Championship, goodbye any chance of a national title shot. One loss and they're gone just like that. - damn - Oh, and today [it's 330a on Sunday morning, I just got back from Tuscaloosa b/c I had to take my crackhead dad to the emergency room in Birmingham...

Oh man, you don't even know. Joe and I have been getting things ready for the party tomorrow night, it should be awesome. Hanging out w/ my friends is always awesome, but it's going to be even better w/ a keg of sweetwater 420, meat, liquor, cookies, my music, quates [sp?], a fire, a big-ass backyard, a perfect fall evening, darts, tents, and plenty of seating. It's fun to plan something like this. We're def. going overboard compared to the kind of parties that my friends usually throw but it's fun. It'll be cool to meet a lot more of joe's friends also. Hopefully none of the neighbors will complain about parking, noise, the fire, etc. The neighbors are invited too, that'd be cool. Oh, I took off tomorrow as well so I have all day to get things set up, go run [in the daylight no less], and chill. We're kicking things off around seven for the few people that will be here then to eat fresh. We have folks coming in from all around georgia and po...

Oh man, work is weird. David is down in Florida checking out a new job at a beach-front restaurant near Kennedy Space Center. I'm the only one here, Stewart and Valery are sick. David just had me call a client and tell them that he's sick. He keeps pushing our install date back on them...she's very pissed, understandably. I shouldn't've been the one to call her, I'm not sure how things are going to work out if they keep going like this. We'll find out soon. So today I'm pretty much just chilling and listening to live365. I'll probably just sketch and answer phones and stuff. I do have a few more things that I have to do today. I've been hearing a song by Low Millions called 'eleanor' the last few days, pretty cool. Obviously the lyrics are very real to me. Not in a 'can't move on' kind of way, just a 'that's how it is' way. Jaime and Katy cooked dinner and let me eat w/ them last night. Very good. Our ...

Man, what a weekend. Halloween is so much fun. I was a lady at Joe's party Friday night: it was fun, chill. Nice to hang out and catch up w/ everyone. Nice to see what everyone wore. Last night I was a hoochie [thanks to Sam's excellent makeup work]: Very fun time at Pete's. Just a great college party. Got my butt kicked in beer pong, played some drinking games with the old crew, pretty much just had fun and acted stupid. My costume was pretty ridiculous and very funny. Everyone wore some great stuff. I love how on halloween, guys dress stupid and girls dress hot. That sounds about right. Today was a wasted day spent recovering from last night, I'm recouped and ready to go now...and it's pitch black at six o'clock. I can't stand this time change thing, it makes me just want to eat and snuggle. Alright, I've gotta run. I'll add more later, but right now we're trying to get a game of football together for tonight.

Good day. Amelia has tons of potential but it seems like we're still sort of spinning our wheels. David's really gotta make something happen w/n the next few weeks. It could still go either way: a total bust or a huge success. Saw the 'motor home massacre' premiere tonight. Just a cheesy b horror movie done by a bunch of locals. About what you'd expect: gratuitous breasts and teenagers making stupid decisions. It was fun. Should be a big weekend, I've got my whole costume and stuff together, just need to find some nipples...Joe's party tomorrow night and then probably going out, hopefully the tech game and dcfc concert Saturday w/ Pete and them's party that night. Oh, I called about the dog that I took to the vet and they said that he was doing well but that they had sent him to the pound where they were going to euthanize him. Luckily, they brought him back to the vet when they found that out. I told them to give me a call if it gets to that point again...

I'm listening to antony & the johnsons. They won the Mercury this year. Pretty good stuff, very heartfelt and emotional. Sounds like Billie Holiday or something. Jazzy/lounge kind of feel to it. Yeah...the go! team is cool too. Variety, baby. Alright, yesterday I saw a chow get hit [he got up and ran off thankfully] and today I found a dog that had gotten hit by a car outside of work and I picked it up and took it to the vet. So apparently being in my vicinity has a distinct effect on dogs health. Eh, but if you do get hit around me I'll help you out if you need it. This weather sucks, it was summer last week and it's winter this week. And don't even get me started on this early darkness stuff... Oh, I saw Andre 3000 at Eats last night. One of the coolest things ever. Now I have something to tell my grandkids. He is the man, he eats at Eats!

Good weekend. Bama got the win...the game absolutely wore me out, physically and mentally. Definitely the best finish I've seen in Tuscaloosa; or the best finish that we won I guess. It's nice that the weather's finally getting cooler. I need to go get some good cold weather food. Volunteered at the little five points halloween festival Friday night, it was really cool. I love the variety of people all getting along and having fun together. It's what living in the city is all about. From bums to punks to yuppies w/ kids to old people, everyone was having a great time. Entertainment variety as well. There are just so many cool things to experience in the city, I don't understand most of my friends, but we've been through that before. I'd like to go to Jacksonville this weekend to party and to see Brian and Katie. I'd just like to find someone to share the ride and crash for free at my brother's place. It really shouldn't be that hard to...

Good night, went to loca luna w/ joe, katy, and daya [and even beth and them] for wednesday night drinking club...I could get used to this whole 'yuppie' thing, as cliche' as it is. It'd be cool to live in midtown, go to work, come home, work out, eat, go to a bar...and still be in bed around midnight. Eh, that's probably just the long island's and red wine talking, but it was a good night and there are so many good times out there. You've just gotta get out there and get them. It's not even about being drunk, we should all have like: bingo night, poker night, bowling night, chill night, trivia night, etc. Anyway: good friends, good night

Man, I hate it when people aren't cool. 'Just doing your job' isn't a legit excuse is it? I've gotta make sure Mike gets me on the lists for +1 every time. Daya couldn't make it in w/ me and now I don't know if I want to drive back over there to catch the show...the new pornographers are such an awesome band, especially live. I should be working on the frames review or the feature on mc chris or something, but I just want to go back to the playhouse and catch the np' set. It's such a nice night, even just to wander little five or east atlanta w/ someone. I should just get some things done around here, chill, and get in bed, but the rock keeps pulling me back...there's no telling

Pretty cool weekend. Bowling at Sugar Daddies with Courtney and her friends Friday night. Man I sucked, I'm not very good w/o my ball. I think the absinthe had something to do w/ that as well. Bama pulled it out Saturday then The Red Door w/ Eric, Jennifer, and Yeager last night. Tatum and Marty weren't w/ us long enough to count. The Falcons got a cheap win today, Mary Mac's was awesome as usual, playing baseball with all the guys was fun. I've been getting a bunch of good free food lately since my roommate and his girl always cook. I'm just the little college freeloader, but I'm alright w/ that role for the time being. When I get a girl, I'll cook a lot more, but I don't see that happening anytime soon. I have a hard time pulling the trigger on relationships. I'm just tired of things being so complicated, I think I bring a lot of that into it though [in my head at least]. It seems like I'm just into such a wide variety of things that...

Just got back from the Frames show...wow. Everything that I knew to expect from them and more. Such passion and intensity. I'll get the rest out in the review. Wish you were here. great night

Weird day/night. I went to Courtney's birthday party last night and stayed up way too late, still a pretty good day at work though. It was cool to see so many friends hanging out and having fun, such a variety of people. It seems like my friends never really do that kind of thing. It's like no one really cares enough to make the effort. It's weird how relationships continually change and evolve, some become stronger while others get weaker. It's like you have to pick and choose which ones to maintain b/c no one really gives enough effort or has enough time to do it all. It's going to be weird getting married, just to see how many relationships sort of fall by the wayside. It's totally worth it, just weird to think about how much the people that you associate with change. That's something that's been bothering me lately. I feel like I'm not making any huge progress in any particular relationship in my life. I hate that. Relationships [wheth...

Alright, just finished the walkmen review...I always wait til the last minute [or in this case, about an hour after the last minute]. Mike wants me to review three cds [one double cd] by the end of next week and a feature on MC Chris by the end of the next week. I think I'm being taken advantage of, I'm down with live reviews b/c you get a free show out of it and I guess a feature would be cool b/c it's a big deal and you get to interview a musician, but these cd reviews pretty much suck. They take forever b/c you have to listen to each one like three or four times to get a feel for it and they're nothing spectacular after you do get to know them. They're always from local bands so obscure that even I have never heard of them, if that tells you anything. But anyway, tonight I'm headed home for some grandma/family time, hopefully the fair if the rain doesn't kill it, and partying with what should be a pretty decent little crew for James' birthday. It...

Went to give blood tonight w/ Daya. It was pretty cool, about what I expected. She's one cool girl, even though she couldn't give blood b/c she had a phantom temperature from chewing gum [suuuurrre]. I am extremely friendly and inquisitive when I'm in that hospital kind of environment, not sure why that is, I hope I don't annoy them. I'm very polite though, so it should be cool. A lot of tech folks were giving platelets, that'd be something good to try next time. My blood sister and I will try it again in December. I'm going to be writing a feature on MC Chris for SEP...pretty cool and intimidating but I'm up for it b/c it's a good challenge and something new. I've been doing 350 word reviews, now I'm doing a 1500 word feature. I'm not too sure what I think of his music yet, but maybe that will make for a good angle or something. He's from adult swim, which all the kids seem to enjoy. Maybe I can get some free stuff or some cartoo...

Alright, I'm going to see how this goes. I'm going to do this to get some thoughts out and see what it looks like outside of my head. Life is going really well right now: cool job, cool things to do, cool house, cool friends...I guess everything's cool. It's just weird to be at the point in your life where things naturally start slowing down and falling into place. I feel like I'm forcing fun and enjoying being young as compared to most of my friends...maybe that's just the kind of person I am. It just seems like I'm catching slack for continuing to push forward w/ this great life that we've all been given instead of graduating college, getting a job, and beginning to die. I just don't see where it says that once you're out of school that you have to begin settling for less than you feel you deserve. Maybe it's just me. Anyway, I've gotta get a shower. I've got a 'date' with Courtney tonight, another girl that is cool as hell ...