9. As we wind on down the road

Well it's been pretty close to the first month since this whole "new beginnings" idea I contrived with this new blog came along, and I guess this would be one of many key points to see if the changes I planned to make have started to show themselves in any way. Self reflection.

In retrospect of the last month, I think I have seen a few changes.

First and foremost would defintely be my urge to get a little more active in the social aspect. I've been asking myself for some time why I really spend all of my time sitting around in my room playing video games every single day after looking over course material for my classes. I've always found video games and movies to be a way to just unwind after a long day of work, school, etc. It isn't about an appeal to the supernatural or the unrealistic. I'm definitely not going to say something stupid like hand eye coordination. That's just plain dumb. I can always make my time for that during the weekend or something, but there's definitely time during the week for school clubs or just hanging out with people. I know because this is the kind of stuff I've been doing.

Second, I took the initiative to get into shape. I've gotten a group of some new friends who are actually big on going to the gym, and my friend Lydia has also suggested yoga classes, which although it seems strange I am actually a little excited about it. It is all things that can make me feel a lot better than I definitely did before. I've been dying to do something that will put me back into shape the way I used to be when I ran cross country and track my first two years of high school. I felt great, strong and healthy and especially considering all of my medical conditions it could only do me good.

Third, school has once again become a bigger priority in my life. I make sure things get done when they need to be done. If I can keep this up, I can get back to the academic situation that allowed me to get into this school in the first place. My possibilities as far as school goes will definitely branch out from there, giving me new ideas about moving out and moving abroad.

Fourth, I'm in the market for another job, although this idea is very new (as of yesterday). I was offered a job doing visits to clients in hotels regarding IT solutions and satellite/DVR connections. Its a much better pay and it is a job that basically works with you. You work when you want to work, whether its full time or part time. I should be making a day to make visits with a current employee I'm familiar with to see how the job works and if its for me. Again. New positions, new experiences, new job opportunities.

Looking back on all of this that I wrote, I think I actually have progressed some. I guess it can only be credited to the will to actually move along with the standards I set for myself last month, and the fact that the idea is still fresh in my mind from when it was first concieved. I can only hope that my motives and drive will continue.

8. On family

Definitely was today one of those days that kinda made me glad to be home, especially considering the fact that I've had a pretty classy weekend all around. I'm surprised I'm not exhausted, especially considering that I got home at about 5 in the morning and didn't sleep until about a half hour later.

Fast forward about 10 hours and a trip to Best Buy later and my dad is saying he wants to watch movies with the whole family and cook dinner. My dad, although a drunk, can actually be kinda funny and interesting to hang around. He wanted me and my brother to go buy metal BBs for this gun my brother got from my mom's uncle.

He's got his days I suppose.

7. Following the trend of "On..." topics: On Relationships

So I can only assume that there is always a point where one must move a few steps backward in their plans to make the next few steps further, if not so much for a reminder that we should not be a certain way, but a reminder that we need to try and maintain our old characteristics that really make us who we are. No one can truly make the change to become a completely different person. It would be too difficult to change your mindset and never feel the urge to return to your old ways, as ridiculous and childish (or better) they may have been. I've been accustomed to taking those few steps back on occasions that all for some reason seem to come back to me being single.

Ever since I was in my last true relationship just after leaving high school I don't seem to be able to find what it is exactly that made me so happy back then. I've been told multiple reasons as to why it could be that I still stay in this partial state of emotional pain, if you will. One being the fact that I am still looking for something good to come along, and while that may be true, I also think that one really can't spend so much time waiting for something that they're not even sure they are waiting for. How can one simply make a choice and be happy for the rest of their life? This can't be just a spur of the moment kind of thing. Marriages don't happen because of a random meeting and it was love at first sight. Romeo and Juliet and other magical fairy tales have no place in the situations of real life. No one hears of a story where Snow White divorced the dashing prince because they finally realized that they don't really agree on much of anything.

The other reason I've heard is that I've tried too hard when it comes to actualy meeting someone I'm interested in. Again, I think it's just how you interpret it. The actions you do are correct by your standards so they are once again some of the things that can make others look incorrect. I just feel that what you do should not have any conditions and go out to see who is available, interesting, and someone you can show your unconditional care for.

Good luck to that, future lovers.

...shit, I sure would like to not be friggin' single anymore.

6. Responsibility

I've felt the need to take it upon myself to once again give myself that kick that will push me into the right direction. I've decided to speak to my boss about managing a new server that was set up here in the office by one of my co-workers who is coincidentally leaving today. He's actually taught me quite a bit and has helped all of us here at my job on a great level so it is sad to see him go.

All that aside, I feel that I could very well do a lot of good for myself by working with this machine and I could take his place and do something great for my team. Let's hope that I am given that responsibility, regardless of whether I'm getting paid for it or not.

On another note, I need to definitely remind myself to never ever work for a state university again. Stupid audits, stupid rules, and most of all, stupid people.

Never have I been to a place where everyone believes that they always have all the right to do however they please to property that isn't theirs. Someone want to explain that to me?

5. Its official

It is now official! I am now out of my teenage years and I couldn't be happier. Seriously. What a way to kickstart my 21st year of life. I spent the entire weekend with my good friends in another city going to theme parks and having drinks only to come home and have a great big surprise from my parents waiting for me in the driveway.

A brand new car. I can't even believe it. I owe my parents a lot for all the trouble they went through to not only get me this car but to deal with all the issues my old car was having as well. Sadly the only downside to this weekend is that people are leaving again, particularly my good friend through all of my school days. It will be sad to once again not have my friends around all the time but it will not be for long as I will be trying to make the spring break trip to once again make my refreshing trip out of Miami.

So on that note, I return to real life and the working world, still trying to make sure I keep that fresh start an ongoing reality.

4. Taking the first step

So I took the jump and took my first step into having a fresh start. Although it might not have been successful (at least not entirely), it definitely is a good place to start I suppose. This whole weekend will only be a small part in the grand scheme of things as far as making a fresh start goes. This weekend will mark the actual climax of my teenage years and I hope it goes out with a bang.

As strange as it is to say, I feel like this really is a big turning point in my life. Almost as if it's a reality check in a sense. I'm only turning twenty. Should there really be a need to feel different? Time will tell I assume.

3. Just a little recommendation.

I was watching the DVD for an album by Beirut that is basically all of their songs recorded in or around the buildings in Brooklyn, New York. This is definitely something that I have never seen before, especially since the video and audio quality are just great. The actual idea and production value are enough make you want to see the videos. I've got a link here to a video for one of my personal favorite songs on the album/DVD. It's called In the Mausoleum.

I've also got the entire album here for you to listen to if you like what you see. Let me know if it goes down when you try to click it. I'll update the post with a new link.

2. What?

Anyone ever wonder why a class about Microsoft Word and Excel is called Introduction to Microcomputing? I seriously question the decisions of people who run colleges. I guess it really is just a means for someone to dignify taking a total bullshit class.

I never did get a little bit more into myself as far as my day to day activity goes. I work with the IT support group at my university and I am studying Information Technology at the same university. I get shit pay even though I like what I do and I like the people I work with. There's not much else to say about that, other than the people that I help on campus are stupid. Go figure.

Not much else to say right now actually. I have some pretty great stuff that will be happening within the next four days, my birthday being one of them and mass amounts of hilarity and madness will definitely ensue.

I'm just hoping its nowhere near how insane it got at the New Year's Eve party I had gone to this year. That would definitely not make this a "new beginning". Hahaha, no it would not.

1. New beginnings

Oh me and my willingness to succumb to peer pressure. Once again I am asked to start something at the request of a friend, but it's alright. I tend to find these blogs as a means of expression whenever I remember or something big comes to mind. Sadly the most of my posts will probably be composed at the time of creation. There's not a problem with that I would think. Some people are usually busy or they just never feel like posting or they never remember (myself being one of the forgetful types).

So who am I? I'm fresh out of my teenage years, starting yet another semester in college and trying to better myself. I tend to make rash decisions or slack which only brings me down, but as soon as I'm down I get all the more motivated to bring things back to normal again. I've always been considered to be way too nice and a pushover, but that makes me who I am and I'm proud of it.

I'm always a big fan of music, and you can ask any of the people I know. Not only do I enjoy listening to music, but I know how to play it as well. I play the guitar, and I used to play the trumpet and saxophone. I like to sing and play the guitar as well, though it would probably be more beneficial if I was creative enough to write songs instead of singing everyone else's. I've always been a big fan of my friends as well. Even though they all left home to go to school I still never lose contact with them and try to make the best out of the time they're here.

That's the point where I'm at right now. The end of the winter break is coming for them as well as another four months by myself (in a sense). Do I look forward to it? I don't think anyone ever would, but I just need to take my time working and concentrating on the things that matter while they're gone, namely school, work, and family.

School is definitely one of the areas I need to focus on as I tend to get sidetracked and my performance has suffered greatly because of it. So now is the time to take the measures that need to be taken and have the clean slate that inspires people to start anew. This will be the start of my new beginnings.

My name is Mike, and I'm ready to take the first step.