Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thank You, Thank You

In the spirit of the holiday, I suppose I should make a list of... 50 things for which I am Thankful. This can include people, things, or events.

1. My faith--Relient K sums it up best with "For the Moments I Feel Faint."
2. Cream Soda--As much as you should "never underestimate my Jesus", also never underestimate the power of your favorite beverage after a long day.
3. My parents--Dad is a crime-fighter and Mom saves little kids, even if just for a little bit during their school week.
4. Michaela--I love that girl more than anyone can know.
5. Caleb--even though he hates me.
6. The Mississippi River--my soul and my car keys are there.
7. The jobs I've had--from Whitey's to Kenwood to PacSun to The Cage, I've yet to have a bad job or a bad boss.
8. Bathrooms--I can't help it, but I just love bathrooms. It's the one place where, even in public, you are offered a good amount of privacy.
9. "All These Things that I've Done" by The Killers--nothing like dancing anywhere anyhow and singing along with nearly anyone.
10. Cheeseburgers--best food ever. Medium well with either American, Swiss, Provolone, or Cheddar cheeses, ketchup, mustard, and (maybe) three pickle chips.
11. Chips and Cheesy Salsa--I love this shit.
12. Miss Mittens--We've been together for nearly 15 years, and she has yet to fail me or fight me.
13. My pets-Ariel and Jack, I love you.
14. My new tattoo.
15. Talking on AIM every day with Nathaniel.
16. Talking to Cody at least 2 times a week in the film offices.
17. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring--BEST MOVIE EVER. No argument.
18. Zoolander and Tropic Thunder--Ben Stiller, keep doing what you do.
19. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Toulane--great book.
20. Summertime bike rides along the bike path with a camera.
21. Swing sets.
22. Chick flicks that film kids make fun of me for.
23. My hooker boots.
24. Revelations that tell me to start a cultural revolution. Yeah, it's true. I'm the new Ginsberg, and I've already picked my Kerouac. Auditions for Cassady and Burroughs begin tomorrow.
25. Hair dye and hair cuts and change.
26. The guys on the 20th floor of 2 East 8th--while some of you will be getting a sub-category, all of you together (Andy, Mike, Connor, Justin, and Austin), you all fill this collective need in my life for friends and neighbors and a safe space when bad things happen and I'm in crummy Chicago.
27. Andy Hannon--You are a great friend who reminds me of what I am capable. I only hope you can see it in yourself and realize that you are one of the coolest fuckers on this planet. I cannot believe I just wrote that word--and I did it for you Hannon--something that rare means you must be special.
28. Mike Altstadt--sorry if I treat you like my kid at times, I know I'm not your mom, but you never fail at brightening my day with Castle Crashers, Oreos, or just a hug.
29. Justin Spilker--I cannot wait to call you when I meet celebrities. I'll miss you a lot.
30. Christine Fiedler--Girl, you're my only female friend, and you have no idea what that means to me. You're also the greatest at saving my ass in a problem spot.
31. Wrigleyville.
32. Michaela's Nintendo Wii.
33. French horn music at Christmastime.
34. Midge the 1996 Deep Plum Honda Odyssey minivan that I love.
35. TAing with Riley on Tuesdays.
36. Sabrina Drobnich--best roommate I could have gotten.
37. Amtrak Trains--sans terrorists with meat tenderizers and potato mashers.
38. Watching movies in the theater--It never gets old. Milk reminded me of this recently when everyone still managed to leave smiling after an assassination.
39. Michael Bay movies, Vin Diesel movies, and other guilty pleasure films and friends like Jim who tolerate them because of either good scores or complete badasserie. Jim, I'm also supremely thankful for you, and I think you're as awesome as a Bay film.
40. Saturdays in The Cage--Nick is terrible and mean, Dan is hilarious and my greatest superior, Mac is probably drunk off of panc-juice or in need of panc-porn, Jon is geeking out over something Star Wars or Batman related, and everyone else is just in and out, except JJ who is napping.
41. Smoking Hookah-it's delicious and relaxing.
42. Having friends in my gen. ed. classes--Holden Wilson and Stefan Morrison are lifesavers.
43. Daniel Plainview being created and perfected in There Will Be Blood.
44. Matchbox Twenty--yes, they're my favorite band and I'm finally comfortable admitting it.
45. Whitey's Ice Cream and Oreos--together, they are perfection.
46. My mom's tacos.
47. Pink and Green Chuck Taylors--the only kind of Chucks for me are the ones that are pink and green.
48. Reading new books with friends--1984 anyone? Me and Jordan loved it, and so will you.
49. Watching a country on the brink of change--and no, B-Rock isn't that change. WE are. S0 perhaps what I am thankful for in this slot is the recent surge of power that I feel as an individual part of the collective consciousness.
50. Troy Polamalu on the Pittsburgh Steelers--He can jump over men and tackle other men and be an icon all while being so precious and softspoken.

So there we are. Fifty things for which I am thankful. I could go on for 50 more, I'm sure.
Here's to chanting the beauty of the good.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

It's Been Awhile Since I've Fairytaled

It never ceases to amaze me how Life insists that I be wrong for thinking logically. Right now, the circumstances in my life are (vaguely, and I apologize) something like this:

I leave in 2 months for Los Angeles. TWO MONTHS.
Something new and exciting has just started here in Chicago.
In all likelihood, it will be impossible for said new and exciting thing to remain in my life in LA.

So there that is. And I am not stressed about it, and I don't think it's wrong, but I don't know what to do.

How is it that I am okay with this?

Now for dinner stories:

Aurelia arrived at City Hall just ten minutes early. City Hall in Hardenstall contained a ballroom which also doubled as a meeting hall, and, in this case, a banquet hall. There were about fifteen other people in the room when Aurelia walked in--city officials, servers, and two of the three dignitaries--and she remained mostly unnoticed. Prince Reginald, however, was just entering the room from a side door as discreetly as he could when he spotted Aurelia moving along the edge of the crowd. He ducked behind a small plant as she moved his direction. He did not want anyone to notice him so that he could speak to her.
As Aurelia walked the edge of the crowd, she passed close to the two Outsiders and wondered where the prince was. Then she caught a snippet of their conversation:
"I do hope that seamstress arrives soon."
"Do you think she is the one?"
"Yes. The Judge said she lives outside of town."
"That gives us ample opportunity to speak with her."
"Precisely. But there is something about her. She does not look like these people, and she certainly has a gift."
"You're right. She is the sorceress."
Aurelia hurried past them and stopped a moment. She stood directly in front of Prince Reginald, nearly in tears.
Prince Reginald had heard the conversation as well, being near enough and very good at reading lips. He reached out to Aurelia, who recoiled at his touch.
"It's just Prince Reginald."
She made a move to leave him.
"Please, I heard their conversation, and we are not here for you. At least, not to my knowledge."
"Please, Your Highness, tell me what's going on."
"Come outside with me, and I will fill you in."

The two left the way Prince Reginald entered the room, and both thought they went unnoticed.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Sealing My Fate

Today I turned in my application for my Semester(s) in LA. There is no turning back at this point--I'm ready to go. It's time, to lamely and nerdily quote Rob Dyrdek and Chris Boykin, to DO WORK.
Last night, I hung out with a large group of very good friends and watched The Office. It felt so good to be laughing and smiling. Not that I don't do that regularly, but it was different last night. There is a peace about the direction my life has taken in which I know who I am, I know my merits, and I can love everyone for theirs as well.
No fairy tale today. I have a screenplay to develop and a world to embrace.
Also, as a note, regardless of my political opinions and standings, which no one in my life can legitimately say they know but me, it was really cool to see so many people so happy about a political figure on Tuesday.