Things to work on this week....
-Work out 3-4 times. I ran a mile and a half tonight. Kempo in the morning.
-Not chew my fingernails.
-Get through some new music including Mutemath, Motion City Soundtrack and Friendly Fires.
-Wash my car.
-Nail down my plans for the weekend.
-Finish cleaning my "Man Cave"
-Finish reading "The Last Lecture"
I'm re-reading The Last Lecture for the second time. It's a very powerful book and I started making the parts that I thought were most important. Randy Pausch gives great advice to the reader and it's very inspiring. Try reading it sometime.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
My Perfect Woman
My attempt in this blog is to try and write an entry every day or at least every other day. I know there will be times that I fail to keep up when my life gets buys, so just on the weekends. However, during the week I am usually free. Tonight I decided to pick a topic that takes some thought and I'm not sure where I got this topic from but it has been rattling in my brain for a week or so. I wanted to try and answer what my perfect woman would be like. I will attempt to answer this question as best that I can. Here we go....
I must start with the things in my life that mean the most to me. One thing that didn't work out in my favor in my last relationship was our differing views on music. This didn't seem like a huge deal but I found out that it is a huge deal. The spectrum of music that I enjoy is about as wide as anyone that I know. I listen to everything and have certain mood music that I just have to listen to sometimes. I need a gal who can listen to many different genres of music and who loves to go to concerts, both big and small. I would prefer someone who is into more alternative and indie music because most of the time that's what I listen to. Country is fine, pop is fine, rock is fine. Rap, eh. Maybe. I enjoy to dance and sing. I would love to date a woman who is the same way!
Many of you may have noticed, but I can be very introverted at times. I do love going out with friends and going out on the town to the movies or shopping. It's always a fun thing to do. However, I love to be alone and read, write, listen to music, nap, just chill sometimes. Finding an independent woman is pretty important to me. Someone who is logical and loves to read and write. If I can sit in a room and read and have a woman who can be in the same room reading would be awesome!
Sports are another thing that I love. I follow sports as closely as I follow music. It's just a part of my life. I don't need to be with someone who is a sports junkie by any means. If a woman can sit down and watch sports every once in awhile that is great. If they don't like sports as much as I do that is quite all right. We don't need to be playing on softball teams together, but going to sporting events is a fun thing to do every once in awhile.
I've gone through my life without a direction as far as what I wanted to do for the rest of life and most of you know that. As I start having a better grasp on that I can understand how not knowing what you want to do can strain a relationship. So knowing that, a woman who is passionate about whatever it is she wants to do is a must. I don't care about how much money she makes or the hours she keeps. As long as she is happy doing it then that's great. Sometimes the jobs that pay the least are the most satisfying.
Other than the things listed above there's not a definite yay or ney that I find a must. Of course finding someone you are attracted to is usually how things go. The more common things you have is usually better, but I also love to have someone who is interested in the things I'm not because it's fun to get into new things. I'm definitely not picky when it comes to hair, although I've always dated brunettes. That's just how the dice have landed so far. Oh and one last semi-important thing: if a woman can play with my hair I am sold. Or play the guitar.
I must start with the things in my life that mean the most to me. One thing that didn't work out in my favor in my last relationship was our differing views on music. This didn't seem like a huge deal but I found out that it is a huge deal. The spectrum of music that I enjoy is about as wide as anyone that I know. I listen to everything and have certain mood music that I just have to listen to sometimes. I need a gal who can listen to many different genres of music and who loves to go to concerts, both big and small. I would prefer someone who is into more alternative and indie music because most of the time that's what I listen to. Country is fine, pop is fine, rock is fine. Rap, eh. Maybe. I enjoy to dance and sing. I would love to date a woman who is the same way!
Many of you may have noticed, but I can be very introverted at times. I do love going out with friends and going out on the town to the movies or shopping. It's always a fun thing to do. However, I love to be alone and read, write, listen to music, nap, just chill sometimes. Finding an independent woman is pretty important to me. Someone who is logical and loves to read and write. If I can sit in a room and read and have a woman who can be in the same room reading would be awesome!
Sports are another thing that I love. I follow sports as closely as I follow music. It's just a part of my life. I don't need to be with someone who is a sports junkie by any means. If a woman can sit down and watch sports every once in awhile that is great. If they don't like sports as much as I do that is quite all right. We don't need to be playing on softball teams together, but going to sporting events is a fun thing to do every once in awhile.
I've gone through my life without a direction as far as what I wanted to do for the rest of life and most of you know that. As I start having a better grasp on that I can understand how not knowing what you want to do can strain a relationship. So knowing that, a woman who is passionate about whatever it is she wants to do is a must. I don't care about how much money she makes or the hours she keeps. As long as she is happy doing it then that's great. Sometimes the jobs that pay the least are the most satisfying.
Other than the things listed above there's not a definite yay or ney that I find a must. Of course finding someone you are attracted to is usually how things go. The more common things you have is usually better, but I also love to have someone who is interested in the things I'm not because it's fun to get into new things. I'm definitely not picky when it comes to hair, although I've always dated brunettes. That's just how the dice have landed so far. Oh and one last semi-important thing: if a woman can play with my hair I am sold. Or play the guitar.
Monday, January 11, 2010
2010 and Beyond
So every year people make resolutions, a list of things they want to change about themselves. On paper that seems like a wonderful idea full of promise. However, people rarely hold themselves to the changes they want to make. The reasons for this are simple. We are creatures of habit and there is usually no one to hold us to our "resolutions." It's just too hard to simply tell yourself you will change and have it actually happen. We all fail at this so don't feel too bad about yourself and your will power when you don't actually uphold the changes you want to make.
The other weekend I saw one of my favorite bands, Abandon Kansas play a show down in Wichita and at this show their singer Jeremy Spring talked a little about resolutions and how people fail at them. He told the audience that they shouldn't be afraid to fail because they will. No one is perfect. The key is in how you attempt the changes you want to make. Trying to wake up one day and be a changed person won't work. However, if you wake up each day and tel yourself "Today I won't......" then you are more likely to make changes slowly. And when you fail one day you can start over the next day.
The ideas Jeremy talked about stuck with me and so each day I wake up with something that I want to work on. So far I have succeeded in most things I've tried to work on. There are some things that I want to work on this year and so I will list them off, in no particular order of course.
-Blog on a more regular basis
-Spend more time around my family when I'm at home
-Read more books. Specifically books that challenge the way I think
-Watch less television
-Chew my fingernails less. It's nasty, I know
-Spend less money
-Write letters to people
-Go on a date with Cassadee Pope from Hey Monday
-Play music more
-Make it to the mountains at least twice
-Curse less. This isn't a problem until I get around the guys and/or play xbox
-Go back to school
Most of these things aren't big things but it would be nice to try and work them into my daily routine. I didn't put down that I want to work out more because, let's be honest, who doesn't want or need to? All of them except the date with Cassadee Pope are pretty realistic and aren't drastic changes by any means but they are things that would make things a little more enjoyable I think. Oh and except for going back to school. That's pretty big. It will happen this fall and I am very ready for it.
The other weekend I saw one of my favorite bands, Abandon Kansas play a show down in Wichita and at this show their singer Jeremy Spring talked a little about resolutions and how people fail at them. He told the audience that they shouldn't be afraid to fail because they will. No one is perfect. The key is in how you attempt the changes you want to make. Trying to wake up one day and be a changed person won't work. However, if you wake up each day and tel yourself "Today I won't......" then you are more likely to make changes slowly. And when you fail one day you can start over the next day.
The ideas Jeremy talked about stuck with me and so each day I wake up with something that I want to work on. So far I have succeeded in most things I've tried to work on. There are some things that I want to work on this year and so I will list them off, in no particular order of course.
-Blog on a more regular basis
-Spend more time around my family when I'm at home
-Read more books. Specifically books that challenge the way I think
-Watch less television
-Chew my fingernails less. It's nasty, I know
-Spend less money
-Write letters to people
-Go on a date with Cassadee Pope from Hey Monday
-Play music more
-Make it to the mountains at least twice
-Curse less. This isn't a problem until I get around the guys and/or play xbox
-Go back to school
Most of these things aren't big things but it would be nice to try and work them into my daily routine. I didn't put down that I want to work out more because, let's be honest, who doesn't want or need to? All of them except the date with Cassadee Pope are pretty realistic and aren't drastic changes by any means but they are things that would make things a little more enjoyable I think. Oh and except for going back to school. That's pretty big. It will happen this fall and I am very ready for it.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
A Decade Under the Influence
2009, as a year, was a turning point in my life. I started over with my life in hopes that I would find my way and become happier in general. Today I was driving back from Lawrence with a lot on my mind and started to wonder whether or not I could consider 2009 a successful year. I had a lot I wanted to accomplish as a person and some I reached some of those goals. Some of them I am still struggling with today.
I moved back home in pretty rough shape and I was determined to make last year a year in which I would start to grow and define myself. I think I accomplished this. I am a better friend today than I was at the start of last year. That's not to say I don't have plenty of room to grow, because I never want to stop trying to be a better friend. It took the broken friendship of one of my closest friends to help me see friends through a different prism.
I also became friends with new people in my life and my life will probably never be the same for it. Brock, Christy, Dane and everyone else in Clay Center have helped me grow as a person and consider my life in broader terms than I had before. For that I am eternally grateful. All my friends and I have had our struggles this year and I'm sure that trend will never go away but I am confident in our abilities to cope with those struggles better than we had before.
The reason I moved home is a well told story to most of you. If it's not, let's sit down and talk about it sometime. I was a broken person. It took me a very long time to get past my personal struggles and realize how much better off I was because of the pain I went through. Heartbreak is not an easy thing to cope with, no matter how strong you are. It took me awhile to realize I am happy being independent because it had been so long since I had been without someone to worry about, to love, to hold. But in the end, I am stronger and happier.
I made a great effort to live my life to the fullest every day and I think that was quite obvious to most. I was always on the go, driving endlessly across the state of Kansas. I went to concerts, visited friends who have all gone separate ways and I spent time driving alone trying to collect my thoughts. It wasn't always a smart move (I did spend too much money) but I always had fun. I never want to regret missing out on something, some memory or time with my friends and I think I accomplished that. I look forward to making many more memories with my friends and driving way too much again this year.
Of course, the biggest event in my life in 2009 was my back surgery. I put off my back problems for many months (from February til June), until it finally had enough of my stubbornness. From June to August I was unable to enjoy my life as I once had and that was very hard on me. I tried to be as happy as I could and just told myself it was all happening for the best. That's a hard thing to go through at the ripe age of 24. I got through surgery and spent the last 4 months of the year recovering from that. I could never have done it without my family and friends. I know they are tired of my back and of me but they rarely let me know it.
2009 was a year I will never forget and after all the things that happened in those 365 days I can call it one of the best and most trying times of my short life. I have so many memories, good and bad, that I will never forget. LEGO consumes, Abandon Kansas, DCB, Green Day, Colorado, Mass Street, Macho Crown, Man Weekends, The Hangover, Fire pits, We The Kings.
It was a decade spent under the influence, to steal the phrase from Taking Back Sunday. I hope the next 10 years test me as much as the last 10 have. Thank you to everyone out there who had an influence on my year. Good or bad it had an impact in some way. Oh, Happiness!
I moved back home in pretty rough shape and I was determined to make last year a year in which I would start to grow and define myself. I think I accomplished this. I am a better friend today than I was at the start of last year. That's not to say I don't have plenty of room to grow, because I never want to stop trying to be a better friend. It took the broken friendship of one of my closest friends to help me see friends through a different prism.
I also became friends with new people in my life and my life will probably never be the same for it. Brock, Christy, Dane and everyone else in Clay Center have helped me grow as a person and consider my life in broader terms than I had before. For that I am eternally grateful. All my friends and I have had our struggles this year and I'm sure that trend will never go away but I am confident in our abilities to cope with those struggles better than we had before.
The reason I moved home is a well told story to most of you. If it's not, let's sit down and talk about it sometime. I was a broken person. It took me a very long time to get past my personal struggles and realize how much better off I was because of the pain I went through. Heartbreak is not an easy thing to cope with, no matter how strong you are. It took me awhile to realize I am happy being independent because it had been so long since I had been without someone to worry about, to love, to hold. But in the end, I am stronger and happier.
I made a great effort to live my life to the fullest every day and I think that was quite obvious to most. I was always on the go, driving endlessly across the state of Kansas. I went to concerts, visited friends who have all gone separate ways and I spent time driving alone trying to collect my thoughts. It wasn't always a smart move (I did spend too much money) but I always had fun. I never want to regret missing out on something, some memory or time with my friends and I think I accomplished that. I look forward to making many more memories with my friends and driving way too much again this year.
Of course, the biggest event in my life in 2009 was my back surgery. I put off my back problems for many months (from February til June), until it finally had enough of my stubbornness. From June to August I was unable to enjoy my life as I once had and that was very hard on me. I tried to be as happy as I could and just told myself it was all happening for the best. That's a hard thing to go through at the ripe age of 24. I got through surgery and spent the last 4 months of the year recovering from that. I could never have done it without my family and friends. I know they are tired of my back and of me but they rarely let me know it.
2009 was a year I will never forget and after all the things that happened in those 365 days I can call it one of the best and most trying times of my short life. I have so many memories, good and bad, that I will never forget. LEGO consumes, Abandon Kansas, DCB, Green Day, Colorado, Mass Street, Macho Crown, Man Weekends, The Hangover, Fire pits, We The Kings.
It was a decade spent under the influence, to steal the phrase from Taking Back Sunday. I hope the next 10 years test me as much as the last 10 have. Thank you to everyone out there who had an influence on my year. Good or bad it had an impact in some way. Oh, Happiness!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Top Songs of 2009
Retrograde by Cartel
We're All Going Somewhere by Abandon Kansas
Fin Del Mundo by Paper Mache
Sleepyhead by Passion Pit
Cemetery by Say Anything
A Dustland Fairytale by The Killers
I and Love and You by The Avett Brothers
The Gambler by Fun.
Tickets and Passports by Holiday Parade
Summer, Man by Taking Back Sunday
I tried to pick songs from a variety of albums and genres. I could have picked so many songs that it was very hard to pick just 10. My taste in music has grown by leaps and bounds this year and I tried to reflect that in my picks. So everyone enjoy the music from the past year! I am looking forward to the next 365 days of new music.
We're All Going Somewhere by Abandon Kansas
Fin Del Mundo by Paper Mache
Sleepyhead by Passion Pit
Cemetery by Say Anything
A Dustland Fairytale by The Killers
I and Love and You by The Avett Brothers
The Gambler by Fun.
Tickets and Passports by Holiday Parade
Summer, Man by Taking Back Sunday
I tried to pick songs from a variety of albums and genres. I could have picked so many songs that it was very hard to pick just 10. My taste in music has grown by leaps and bounds this year and I tried to reflect that in my picks. So everyone enjoy the music from the past year! I am looking forward to the next 365 days of new music.
Top Albums of 2009
Owl City - Ocean Eyes
Favorite Songs: Vanilla Twilight, Tip of the Iceberg, Fireflies
Abandon Kansas - We're All Going Somewhere
Favorite Songs: Make Believe, Months and Years
Taking Back Sunday - New Again
Favorite Songs: Summer Man, Everything Must Go
All Time Low - Nothing Personal
Favorite Songs: Weightless, A Party Song (Walk of Shame)
Cartel - Cycles
Favorite Songs: Retrograde, Still Remains
The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You
Favorite Songs: I and Love and You, January Wedding
Seabird - 'Til We See the Shore
Favorite Songs: Rescue, 'Til We See the Shore
David Crowder Band - Church Music
Favorite Songs: Oh, Happiness, How He Loves
Fun. - Aim and Ignite
Favorite Songs: The Gambler, Barlights
The Killers - Live From Royal Albert Hall
Favorite Songs: The entire cd
We The Kings - Smile Kid
Favorite Songs: Anna Maria, We'll Be A Dream
Honorable Mention:
Mayday Parade - Anywhere But Here
The Stars of Track and Field - A Time For Lions
Holiday Parade - Tickets and Passports
John Mayer - Battle Studies
Passion Pit - Manners
Valencia - We All Need A Reason To Believe
The Best of the Rest:
The Swellers, Green Day, Muse, Phoenix, Brand New, The Academy Is..., Civil Twilight, Deas Vail, Phil Wickham, Relient K, Say Anything and 30 Seconds to Mars.
As with my favorite songs I tried to pick albums that represent a wide range of genres that I enjoyed this year. Some inspired me to change, some inspired me to dance but they all inspired me in some way the past 365 days. I hope everyone out there found great new music this year and I look forward to the next year of being inspired by great artists.
Favorite Songs: Vanilla Twilight, Tip of the Iceberg, Fireflies
Abandon Kansas - We're All Going Somewhere
Favorite Songs: Make Believe, Months and Years
Taking Back Sunday - New Again
Favorite Songs: Summer Man, Everything Must Go
All Time Low - Nothing Personal
Favorite Songs: Weightless, A Party Song (Walk of Shame)
Cartel - Cycles
Favorite Songs: Retrograde, Still Remains
The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You
Favorite Songs: I and Love and You, January Wedding
Seabird - 'Til We See the Shore
Favorite Songs: Rescue, 'Til We See the Shore
David Crowder Band - Church Music
Favorite Songs: Oh, Happiness, How He Loves
Fun. - Aim and Ignite
Favorite Songs: The Gambler, Barlights
The Killers - Live From Royal Albert Hall
Favorite Songs: The entire cd
We The Kings - Smile Kid
Favorite Songs: Anna Maria, We'll Be A Dream
Honorable Mention:
Mayday Parade - Anywhere But Here
The Stars of Track and Field - A Time For Lions
Holiday Parade - Tickets and Passports
John Mayer - Battle Studies
Passion Pit - Manners
Valencia - We All Need A Reason To Believe
The Best of the Rest:
The Swellers, Green Day, Muse, Phoenix, Brand New, The Academy Is..., Civil Twilight, Deas Vail, Phil Wickham, Relient K, Say Anything and 30 Seconds to Mars.
As with my favorite songs I tried to pick albums that represent a wide range of genres that I enjoyed this year. Some inspired me to change, some inspired me to dance but they all inspired me in some way the past 365 days. I hope everyone out there found great new music this year and I look forward to the next year of being inspired by great artists.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
I and Love and You
Tonight I was scanning through various websites that I enjoy looking at on a regular basis when I decided to go to one that I hadn't in awhile. I went to look through the t-shirts on To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOA) and ended up looking through their blog. I cam across an entry about The Avett Brothers, a band which I enjoy listening to regularly. I thought it was worth re-posting on here because it's a powerful message that most bands probably don't send along to the world with their music. This is their mission statement that accompanies their album "I and Love and You." Enjoy reading.
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