sick and tired.

I woke up this morning and felt like death. Somehow, I had died in my sleep and woke up in the midst of being dead.

I hate being sick. More than anything else probably. Wait no, I hate yard work more. In my opinion pulling weeds from the garden violates our Human Rights and should be classified as Cruel and Unusual Punishment.. but that's a different blog for a different time...

So back to being sick, after I woke up I had the unfortunate displeasure of having a triple dose of discomfort:

1. I was very hungover

2. My throat and sinuses were gross and painful

3. I had to pee



I'll explain:



1. I stayed up late drinking and cruising the Internet with a good friend before going home to my roommate and his friends over. Naturally since they were drinking, I had to join them, according to my social etiquette handbook. Gin + Gin + Tonic + Gin = fun/headache

2. At some point yesterday I felt my left sinus dripping and running and I KNEW I was gonna be sick. No avoiding it. Like one of those amazing dogs that can sense a disaster before it happens, I can sense a cold coming miles away. And I don't even have paws...

3. Naturally, going to bed after drinking usually ends with waking up having to pee. I know, its crazy.. Well, for the first time in my life I'm living in a place that has only one bathroom. Never before had I realized how essential having two latrines could be until I woke up about to burst, found the bathroom was occupied, and had to retreat back to my bedroom still having to race like a piss horse.



I then went back to sleep, woke up 5 hours later, took a shower and ate some food. I'm feeling better now, but still not 100%. I realized it had been months since I was last sick, which got me thinking about my past colds, and I found a picture on my computer I took when I had one of the worst colds of my life. So bad I missed Christmas because of it. Enjoy:















SEXY!

bittersweets

So lots of people are leaving in the next few months and its been really wierd dealing with the emotions that go along with it.

Obviously I dont want people to leave and wish they could hang out forever, but just as obviously I understand people need change and to do the things they wish to do. So its a little hard being happy and sad at the same time for so many people simultaneously.

After having one of the best nights of my life at Andrea's going away party, which was amaazing, I discovered that overall I was much more happy for the people who were leaving than I was sad that they had to go.

Whether they come back or not, I am just honored to have been with them while they were here, and grateful that I can feel sad for someone thats leaving at all. Ive seen plenty of people leave without caring, and its bittersweet now to finally know what it means to say i'll miss someone. Thankyou to everyone that has helped build my experience with life, and good luck where you're headed.

pssst

so i found a cool new website, www.twitter.com, and its really cool. basically its like a mini blog where in 140 letters or less you answer the question "what are you doing?" and thats it. it sounds lame, but its actually really creative (watch the video)
only problem is that you need friends on it to really enjoy it, sooooooooooooooooooo, if any of you read this blog, you should cruise on over there and befriend me. search "thegrandlaborer"
macaroni.

little bits.

I've often heard that true friends are evident in times of great disaster, excitement, sorrow and joy, which is true, but I feel like that's almost too obvious. Anyone can use a situation of such elevated proportions to rise to the occasion and be there for someone whether in Good times or Bad. And not to say those times don't count, but personally I find that the true expression of friendship and love is apparent in the seemingly meaningless moments. When someone goes out of their way to help you out for no reason at all other than to respond to your invitation of need. Its these small moments that really show someones character. Asking a friend to cover your shift at work for nothing important other than just really needing a break, and having them do it, no questions asked. A "just because" present. A late night text message describing something amazing.
I think its too easy to overlook these little bits of grace, and only notice the earth-shaking moments. We CANNOT take for granted when other people are thinking about you, because it could very easily be otherwise. Nobody wants to be alone.
The next time someone calls you or mentions you in conversation, take a moment to appreciate that you've made even the smallest amount of influence on someone that you still have a place in their thoughts amongst the millions of other things they are distracted with daily.

Its the little bits that are precious.

doo rag

So after months of neglect, I decided about a week ago that I was in need of a fresh new DOO. Now, as I have in the past I could have done the usual thing and gone to Great Clips to order the #5 with fries and be on my way.

But not this time.

This time I decided I would be unique and let my friend Megan, an art major, do me up with whatever creative designs she could imagine. And she CAN imagine. She makes Fantasia look cliche and bland.

Armed with only a Norelco and scissors Megan went to town on my head in a fashion even Edward Scissorhands would appreciate.

And did it ever turn out wonderful.
It took a little getting used to, the reactions of other people being the hardest thing to deal with. My mom and a few of my friends would not look me in the eye, I guess that was there silent disapproval, very subtle...

Unfortunately, but inevitably, I had to shave it off to appease my mom and my boss Chad at Pro-Ex. So with my brother I went, where else, to Great Clips. I ordered the #2, no pickles and left bald and disappointed. No big deal though, I think a Mohawk is in order in a few months when my scalp stops itching and I have a happy forest of hair perched back up top where it belongs. Word.

greatest atist. ever.

brandon bird is my hero. check out his website.

"No one wants to play Sega with Harrison Ford"

sweet new ride...

Thieves thought they could ruin my life by taking my bike, but little did they know they would end up contributing more to it than they actually took.
There is a new member of my life now, yet to be named (that will come with time, as with any relationship) but for now we can just call her my Sweet New Ride:


She and I met on Friday at my favorite bike shop in the twin cities: Express Bike on Selby and Dunlap. Its a great little shop, non-profit, knowledgeable, and very well priced. I trust their work, and will continue to buy from them.
Because it is from a used shop, I only know as much about it as I can gather from the frame and bike itself. Its a Peugeot, pronounced PEW-JOE, which makes anyone sound cool. I don't know when its from, I'm guessing late 70's, or what model it is, although I'm pretty sure its part of their "Rad As Fuck" lineup from fall 78'. I guess it's kind of a rarity and you have to be one Bad-Ass-Motherfucker to get your hands on one. Turns out I'm a shoe-in...

So I took her on her inaugural ride, which was also my first ride on the Greenway, which ended with the two of us turning around at 36Th & Wooddale in St. Louis Park. All together we hung out for about 20 miles without any problems or disagreements.

I think we'll get along fine. And I think her name is Pigeon.

good times

I'm happy to report that right now, in this instant, i am entirely and utterly full of joy. of course that comes from being in this state for the last few days or so, but focusing on the moment i don't think i could be in a better place whatsoever. for the first time in awhile there is absolutely nothing in the back of my mind. i am perfectly content with who i am, and where i am.
and all of this i owe to you.
i love my friends and i love who i am because of them, even if i do smoke cigarettes again! i love chasing rabbits, being fascinated by blue whales, discovering new books and movies (don't get me started on Miranda July or Amelie,) and most of all LAUGHING! seriously, my cheeks hurt every night when i get home, like now as i lay in bed smiling while reflecting on tonight's list of hilarity's.
tomorrow I'll go to Kaplans and start a new great day with a new great espresso drink. Kristin says i should go with a machiatto and i think i will cause i trust her judgement "lol".....

good night, and good times!

nodding off

So I'm sitting at home in my new favorite couch, attempting to make some blog progress (bloggress?) but having no such luck. Its hard to write anything interesting or sensible when you can barely keep your eyes open.

Lets take it back a step.

I started my day at 5:50 in the A.M. after getting only 3 hou00000000000000000000000000000--00-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

oh god, i just fell asleep with my fingers on the keyboard still.

goodnight moon.