Tis' the Season... right?

In no particular order, I am going to share recent events/thoughts with you.

The day after Thanksgiving, my parents brought home a new dog named Casey. He his a 4yr old Rottweiler. He was going to be put down had my parents not picked him up. I wasn't sure how to handle it... but he is one of the best dogs I have ever known. He doesn't have to be on a leash or in a fenced in yard. He comes when he is called and doesn't beg... too much :)
An interesting thing to note, I decided his middle name to be Jones since i couldn't give him a new first name. It turns out that the last name of the family who had him before us was Jones. I was kinda freaked out, but it made me feel that much better about having a new dog.

Onward we go...
I have just recently finished Christmas Shopping for everyone, but for awhile, I wasn't sure if I could figure out what to get people. I always put stress on myself (more than needed) when it comes to doing something for someone else. I don't wanna disappoint anyone. I think I got stuff that everyone will like. Last night I wrapped up all of the Gifts (I was in the mood, so I decided to just get it all done) and I took a picture of Alix's gifts and sent the picture of them all pilled up.
she replied back with one of the cutest things I had ever heard "Why'd you do that?" and the way she said it made me laugh a whole bunch, which triggered her to laugh and giggle, it was great! :]

with life, comes death... and many other things

As I have talked about recently, my dog had to be put to sleep.
For the first time in my life, death didn't seem quite so strange and difficult to really grasp.
the later parts of my dogs life I could look into his eyes and see true emotion.
It is almost as if I could see his soul and understand him for the first time ever.
I could just see the pain and sadness in his eyes. he layed around a lot due to the arthritis he developed and I think it bothered him in a psychological way.
having experienced this... I feel all living things have a soul and a state of consciousness.
which I also think explains why there are so many different types of people and species on this Earth. we are all mean't to work together toward something greater than ourselves and this place we all call Earth. I don't know what it is, but I know that someday we will all get there.

seriously?

the past week and a half has been so crazy for me. Last weekend I went down to Chicago to visit Alix and it was a great time! from shopping for bathroom items, to the adventure of finding our way to the tattoo shop. it was all really great! she even made me dinner the last night :) so yummy!

I returned home Tuesday to go to work and then found out we have to put my dog of 13yrs down. I knew we were going to have to... just didn't think it would be that soon. Thursday I said my goodbyes and then went to work, while my dad took him in to be put down. I kept crying at work... it was one of the toughest days of my life. I also found out that we are going to have a new boss at work, which was really shocking and also, a lady I work with was let go. so things have been quite crazy at work... I don't know what will happen next. Hopefully things get better and more stable at the workplace!

what HAVE I been up to?

As of recently I realized I really need to start getting to the gym more. I work and occasionally go ride some single track trails on my bike but otherwise, I haven't been working out too much. I am really serious this time, I miss the feeling of being in better shape and the high I get from working out and I feel much more accomplished with myself after a good work out. Consider this my promise to myself to get to the gym more and start taking better care of myself.


OH! how could I forget to mention that today I had to go pay Grand Traverse County 25 dollars and show them that I DO have car insurance. Monday night, I was stopped for just barely running a red light and i was given a warning on the light (fair enough). When giving Officer Bates my license and registration, I couldn't seem to find my up to date proof of insurance! so today, to prevent having to pay 165 dollars, I drove an hour to the Grand Traverse District Court building to show my proof of insurance and pay the 25 dollars so I wouldn't have my license suspended. I may sound a bit ridiculous, but I really don't understand having to pay the government money for simply not having a piece of paper with me. I have insurance and if they want me to come show them proof, okay. I just don't see the need for them to take money from you for what reasoning? just to make a quick 25 off of people who already a set amount of money to drive on the roads they fund with their tax dollars already! ( thank you for listening to my rant)

This weekend I am going to be headed back to Chicago which should certainly be a good time. Spending time with Alix is my favorite thing to do, and hopefully soon enough, i will get to a lot more often. I will be sure to keep this blog updated and not wait so long next time! :)

Oh what a city!

I don't really know why it has been so long since I have posted a new blog... but please forgive me :)

well, as I had talked about, I went to Chicago back in mid October and it was the most fun I have had since... well I can't even remember! I arrived on the 17th and spent the entire weekend with my girlfriend Alix. We hung out, got pizza and then met up with friends of hers to play Whirlyball which might be my new favorite sport! I'd describe it as bumper cars, Lacrosse and basketball all mixed in to one! the next day we did touristy type things as well as Sunday. Monday I drove her to work and then left for home.

(for pictures, check out my myspace!)

GT Cycle and all things life like...

Today, I went to Traverse City with my dad so he could get a book he's been wanting. well, the book doesn't come out until tomorrow little did he know. So, from there we went to GT cycle so I could get a chainstay protector. I went up to the counter to purchase the chainstay protector and I was asking the owner if he knew where i could buy Jamis shirts, jerseys etc... and he told me there really isn't anywhere to get that, but he might be able to order something for me. Next thing I know, he walks to the back and brings out a Jamis hat for me and he gave it to me for free. I was shocked, what kind of bike shop just gives people things? GT cycle, that is who! they treat you more like a friend than just another customer.

After I got home from TC, I decided to take a ride up to the gym and work out. I figured out that going up the big hill to the gym, the hill is a mile and a half! that was a good work out on its own. but I found the extra energy to work out a little bit. I rode home and showered and got all fresh again after sweating like crazy haha. hopefully the rest of my night will be relaxing and/or fun filled!

I think I'm going to leave on Thursday for Chicago and check into possible jobs and see my friend Alix. it should be a great weekend! :)
I'll be sure to update soon.

Biking and Bedding

Today was a great day of fun. I woke up and got ready to go to TC with my dad to go ride the VASA trail. this was the first time I've ridden that trail and it was a blast! My dad had been gone for a couple weeks so it was good to spend time with him again doing something we both enjoy. After riding for awhile, we went shopping for some bedding. it sounds a bit funny to me, but I really wanted to get a new comforter and sheets. I ended up getting a down comforter, sheets and some feather pillows.... they are so comfortable! As soon as I got home, I ripped the old bedding from my bed and put on the new stuff, it looks as good as it feels! :D
Oh! and we went to Qdoba for lunch which was amazing as always. I even saw my friend rachel there which I haven't seen in a couple years! I was surprised to see her and didn't even recognize her at first.

Sorry this wasn't very long... but I am gonna try to post more....possibly daily if I remember to.