I spent some time in Atlanta and some time in Maryland. After that I’ve just been reviewing documents, making recommendations, and being involved in conference calls. Soon this will translate into actual software configuration and upgrade work after the conference calls are over.

I took a trip to Florida for Thanksgiving. I don’t mind an 8.5 hour drive (because apparently there is something wrong with me.. and I love pie). Here are some pics:

It’s always great to hang out with family. I went bowling with my Mom, Sister (and her BF), Brother (and his GF) and it was a bunch of fun.

The highlight of the past few months has been that I’ve seen Kevin Devine, Manchester Orchestra, Bayside, I Am The Avalanche, and Max Bemis of Say Anything. All of these were just amazing shows!

Sadly I’ve been going to these by myself, but I guess that’s really more my friends’ loss than anything else. They don’t know whats up.

Life is always full of new and interesting lessons that teach me more about myself. Mostly that I’m my own favorite company, and that if I’m going to hang out with more than 3 people at a time they need to be chosen carefully. I guess I can only handle so much “people time” all at once before I start to bug out.

Back in October I went to Matt and Candra’s wedding. I wore a kippah (yarmulka) and did a reading. I bumbled a bit of the reading, but didn’t do so bad for never having seen the passage before stepping up in front of a hundred people.

I also went to the Rally to Restore Sanity in DC in October with Munns, Ward, Will, and even visited Heather. This trip rocked! I had a blast with the guys tooling around DC. Munns and I explored after the rally. We got to hit the air and space museum and see our friend Julie who had a friend running the Marine Corps Marathon that same day. It was a whirlwind tour that included 4loko, crashing on Heather’s couch, losing my fleece, and revving the shit out of the Z going through a tunnel in downtown DC just to hear the sound of awesome.

Also – it was Halloween. A lot of shit went down this weekend – most of it tolerably awesome.

Here’s my motorcycle trip I took to Florida for Thanksgiving. See my bike in majestic, solitary splendor. I really enjoyed going on this trip by myself. There isn’t anything quite like the freedom you get on a Motorcycle. This thumbnail is me stopping at Tybee island near Savannah, GA. Unfortunately I forgot to take any pictures of the family Thanksgiving dinner. At least I have pics of the bike

After the motorcycle / Thanksgiving trip there was a short break for December where I didn’t take any pictures. I went house hunting, snow boarding, and worked my ass off.

Heather FINALLY finished school then came to visit me! We decided to celebrate by driving over shit in the mountains, and then pretending we were classy people. I even got my fleece back that I left when I crashed on her couch for the Rally in October.

It’s not often that I get to drive through the mountains with a beautiful girl, so I savored the opportunity while it lasted. It was also great to see Heather again. She’s been an online friend for so long I sort of forgot what it was like to hang out IRL. Hopefully the weekend provided a nice distraction for her.

Eventually she’ll find relationship bliss, but not with me, so quit asking. You know who you are, assholes (friends I mean).

Driving over shit in TN in the snow:

Visiting The Biltmore Estate (which involved wine tasting, lunch, and a private tour of the place).

Soon there will be a trip to Tahoe which should involve some more pictures. Maybe I’ll buy a place – that would lead to a flurry of downtown pictures. Who knows. I’m liable to do damn near anything at this point.

Here are the two potential downtown options:

West with a nice view of the city, a bit further North than I want to be, and a “for serious” locked parking garage. This place looks like it has great lighting, and sweet views, with the parking security an OCD car guy like me needs.

Palladium Plaza that has great location right on Moore’s SQ (could be a bit further North), a mediocre view of Lincoln Theater, and a back bedroom with a built in desk / office (but no windows). Also the parking here is only really half a parking garage – not that secure from the elements or punk ass kids. This place has location and is a great size.

When I think of girls that catch my interest I think of Say Anything lyrics:

Across the room
I hear ‘hey, hey hey hey, come polinate me.’

It really is like that on a non verbal subconscious level. It’s just something I can feel.

My complete and utter disregard for speed limits will most likely end with me in jail, dead, or worse. I’m not entirely sure how to temper my need for speed. Maybe I should spend some time at a race track so I’m slower on the street. Get the speed out. Maybe I should get a chauffeur like the guy with the Maserati that goes 185.

I find myself caring less and less about more and more. I’m hoping I’ll find something worth caring about. Selfish interests and indulgent pursuits have been my forte… I just don’t know how much longer that’s sustainable. There must be some purpose to work for besides the weekend?

Does anyone want to come see Menomena, The Thermals, Say Anything, Saves The Day, or Motion City Soundtrack? I’m planning on ditching any and all obligations so I can make those shows in NC.

I’m heading back to NY this weekend for Tiffanys wedding. I can’t get enough of solo road trips. I like my own company in the car apparently. Having music and time to think also helps.

Hope this has been random enough.

Brendan invited me down to the beach. I have pictures here:

Now back to work after the amazing weekend. So much fit into the weekend.

Junkyard hunting for Andy’s cruise control parts
Meeting a new roommate
Motorcycle Ride and BBQ #1 at Andrae’s
BBQ #2 at Samir’s
Beach Trip to Wilmington for BBQ #3 at Sundeep’s
Back home for BBQ #4 at Scott’s

Delicious, fun, exhausting. Also, downloading the day’s New York Times for 99 cents on the Kindle makes for a great way to kill the 2.5 hour car ride back from Wilmington.

I will write many books and essays.

I will refer to him as T. Paine in all literary works.

I will laugh hysterically.

That is all.

What has the new year brought? Realizations, random thoughts:

1. I’ve been drinking too much and would really love to stop waking up hungover.
2. I am not really that great of a person when drunk.
3. I’ve lived in a house for 4 years or more without making it my home.
4. When it’s cold outside and you have high performance summer tires you spin them often.
5. Changing disc brakes is ridiculously easy.
6. Nothing motivates a person quite like an internal aspiration made suddenly real by external scrutiny (or even the possibility of it).

So what does all of this really mean?

I changed the brakes on the Jeep, but before doing so I had to drive the Z around in the cold.

I’ve been drunk, and an asshole, a lot lately.

I’m buying a bedroom set and a new bed to make my room more livable and less like a college dorm room.

I’ve strongly considered finally hanging my degree on the wall and cleaning / organizing my room. What do you mean “separate piles” isn’t an organizational scheme?

How is it that 4 years or more go by and things have remained largely unchanged? The only things that have been new in my life are vehicles. We’ll see how the rest of the year goes. It promises to be eventful.

Not sure how to get it back, but it’s gone for now. Maybe this requires beer, and pizza, and probably something involving girls. We will see.

I’m not normally an exceptionally happy person. Starting last night though, around the time I went to watch Harry Potter, I was just happy.

I’m smiling for no reason.

I’m good at my job.

I want to say HI to people.

If this is what normal people feel like all the time, I don’t know how they stand it.

Maybe someone put something in my drink, or food. I’ve only felt this good once or twice before, and.. well.. that’s not an Internet story.

I will let you know how long it lasts. Wish me luck.

Enjoy.