N as in "knife"

Friday
At work, well the whole week at work was pretty chaotic, but even more so today. No one really wanted to be there. Students were anxious for the one week break and I’d like to say the teachers felt the same, if not more so. Luckily my Friday schedule is a dream so it made it much more easy to get through the day.

After work I went to a local bar and grill to get some food with coworkers. Kind of a blast off party to kick off the spring break. My main entertainment for the night was invading the jukebox. My coworkers and I played DJ for quite awhile. Pop hits from Drake and Kanye back to some classic hits like Ginuwine and the Quad City DJ’s. I ended my night watching the Bulls game and my friend Geno’s.

Saturday
Late start! I was able to sleep in for a bit and then eventually start my day. Did some minor cleaning around the house and then went on with my day.

1st event was to watch Casa De Mi Padre, with my good friend Nereida. I haven’t been to the theaters in a good while so I maxed out with a large popcorn and drink. The theater was hooked up with some sweet drink machines. It had a touch screen interface and was stocked with numerous coke product drinks. It was a soda lovers dream come true. I was thoroughly impressed and even overwhelmed. After deep thought I went with the root beer. I could of even flavored it with vanilla, but I kept it simple. The movie itself had its moments. Not bust your balls funny, but good enough to not have wasted my time. Super cheesy, purposely filmed bad and a lot of great musical numbers. Also…Will Ferrell speaking Spanish the whole movie made it worth my time. The movie is definitely worth a rental. A $12 buck theater ticket was asking a bit much.

Then we were off to the rest of our night! We met up for a friends bday. More delicious food options! I had a Cashew Butter and fig sandwich accompanied by mac and cheese and chips. The sandwich itself was fried and delicious. It had just the right amount of the cashew butter to fig consistency (haha)! The mac and cheese was pretty bland. The strongest flavor it had was of garlic and it was topped off by bread crumbs. Lastly the chips were home made and had a nice spice laid on them. We hung out, the setting was getting scale and we couldn’t hear the music. So, after all the expected people came we moved to the next venue.

I would of never thought my night would of ended with karaoke. Just to keep a them to the weekend I reverted back to Ginuwine- My pony. A crowd pleaser to say the least. Not too much longer after that we went on our merry ways home.

Sunday!
Went to service on a beautiful morning. Afterwards went home to get prepped for the day. Watched the Bulls V OKC game (we got murdered!) then chilled to play some basketball of my own. With the lack of sleep and the lack of food I ate by the time I got to the gym I felt like a rock, but I played as best as I could. My whole game was off. Slow cuts, late picks and a whole bunch of other things I need help with. Hopefully over time I can get a bit more aggressive. Only highlights were a few mid range buckets and a steal, but just a few accomplishments after 3-4 games. Better luck next time!

I eventually made my way back home, I ate like a king, showered and fell asleep. Good times!

Monday

My first day on spring break and of course I wake up at 5am. I got to talk to my special little lady, watch a movie with her and overall just spend quality time with her.

We watched The Sitter and it was pretty hilarious! A good date movie I’d say. Definitely worth watching it!

Now I’m just waiting to go to my chiropractor and crossing my fingers that I get to go to the Bulls game tonight!

Lets hope for a productive and entertaining break!

I’m laying down before work typing all this. I don’t want to get out of bed because my room is the perfect temperature. My window is cracked, a little breeze is sneaking its way into my room and the sun is barely up. My bed is just the right warmth giving me the option of using my blanket. I wish I could just lay here for a few more hours, but responsibilities are awaiting me.

I do wish my special somebody was here with me though. To share this, what I think in my mind, is the perfect setting haha.

Today is going to be okay…I hope. After work I have my chiropractor visit and hopefully will be able to watch the Bulls game.

I’m currently at the barber shop patiently waiting for my haircut. The news is on the tv, the staple magazines laying around to read, a pair of impatient teens (probably going to get identical cuts) and I walk in on a grown man getting his haircut.

Nothing out of the ordinary until the barber asks what length he would like his beard to be trimmed. This man then looks over to his wife and asks how SHE would like it done!?

….HOLD UP! I understand making your spouse/significant other happy, but this is a bit too far. It’s YOUR hair! You’re going to be the one looking at yourself everyday. Wear it the way you want too. Sure you can ask for tips or suggestions, but why let someone completely decide how you look? Grow up and get a mind that can make its own decisions.

Looking back at this gentleman on the barber’s chair he is probably the same type of person who can’t pick out his own outfit. He has his Gf/wife layout his clothes in the morning …sigh!

Overall, guys! Wear what you want, look how you want and be comfortable with it. Don’t let anyone cramp your style. It’s what makes you…you. DO IT!

I had my usual doctors checkup today. Nothing out of the ordinary. It was just the usual poking and prodding.

They tested my blood sugar (poke)
They checked my blood pressure (wrapped my arm and squeezed) gave me the flu shot (poked) and then drew my blood (more pokes) I looked like I was battle ravaged. Band Aids all over my arms.

In fact my shoulder where I took the flu shot is a bit sore. Hooray for modern medicine!

Today started off good. I was able to talk with my little lady, had breakfast, went to church, did my offering and went out to lunch afterwards to jimmy johns.

Then I was off to my super bowl Sunday at the shop. However before I was able to leave I was told I had to stay with my niece while my folks went pickup done things at home depot and target.

…as usual, last minute, not considering my plans and blind sided by the info. Sure, I was initially upset, but I wasn’t rude. I simply stated, ” I wish you could of told me this earlier.” I was home for almost an hour before i left and no mention of their need to do errands. I submitted and offered to stay with my niece or drive my mom to get the things she needed.

After I mentioned that my dad just blew up. Telling me that I always have something “important” to do. Even after I offered to do what they wanted. I accommodated and still wasn’t good enough.

Long story short he remained upset, blamed me unnecessarily even though I already gave in to his demands. This really put a damper on the rest of my day. After watching the super bowl, playing a few games and eating a dinner I was still emotionally down about what just happened.

Unfair, doesn’t make sense and altogether crappy.

Awesome! ….sigh.

So, lots of new and great things have been happening, but along with the good also comes the bad so here’s just a list of positives and negatives that have been happening in my life.

These are in no particular order

+’s
* Back to college! It’s been 3 years since I’ve been away and I came back big. I’m attending a local university to tie up the loose ends. So, if I play all my cards right I should be finished in 3 years. Crossin’ my fingers

* I’ve met someone and she makes me SUPER happy. I hate to be sappy, but its true! From school, work, everyday events and my general outlook on life everything has been more positive. Probably because I have something, well more particular, someone to look forward to at the end of the day.

* I’m almost done paying for my vehicle!

* I hope this isn’t a sign of my age. I’m just going to blame pure laziness, but my household is now wifi enabled! haha, all my electronic devices are happier and more useful now.

* I have met lots of new people stepping into this new year. Some that will be good friends, some that might eventually become enemies, who knows? However, its nice to put a little extension on my social circle.

* Despite the blizzard on my birthday I was still able to have a great time. Hung out with my friends and instead of complaining about the crappy situation I just made the most out of it. If someone give you lemons, make some lemonade. So, went on a really fun sledding trip. Even cooler, no broken bones! knock on wood!

* not like I was an addict or anything, but I am completely free of substances. Not only have I been feeling better, but I’ve also been saving a ton of cash. Not saying that I’m straight edge, but I have finally found the self control I needed. No one is perfect, but i’ll try my best to moderate everything. That means food, drinks, clothes, work, play, exercise, spending and much more.

* Yoga is still playing a strong role in my life. Not as often as I like, but I’m still dedicated. I use it as a reset button during the week. I get to focus on myself completely, see growth physically, mentally and spiritually. I hope to be that dude doing yoga until he’s old and wrinkly, haha.

-’s

* not in immediate action, but my work may go on strike. Worst case scenario is not working/being paid for 2 weeks. I do have time to prepare for it though. Time to be frugal!

* Back on the topic of social circles. Work continues to add drama. Not to my life personally, but this time to the people I actually care about. Same people causing the same grief. Same people being victimized or targeted. Not necessarily bullying, but just a lack of growing up. My friend said it best, “just because you work in a high school doesn’t mean you have to act like you’re in high school”

* MUSIC! I’ve been slacking on my writing and composing! Music is what gets me through the day. Hopefully my work band practices will stir my urge to work on it again.

….ha, now that I think of it not too many negatives after all. I mean I know there are problems in my life, but I overlook them because they’re petty compared to all the good things I have going on and because I have so much to look forward to in the future. A better me…an upgrade I guess, haha. It’s going to take time, but I know I’ll achieve it.

I really don’t shop all that much, but when I do it’s well worth it. The items I have bought today will be used for years and will definitely add more flair to my wardrobe.

I didn’t expect to do so much self gifting today. The original plan was doing errands with my mom. We both had off today and we brought my brother along as well. The original plan consisted of lunch, jewel and a local department store. In a matter of minutes we just etched in more details and my day turned out to be a lot more like this…

We traveled to Schaumburg to check out Woodfield Mall. First objective was lunch. I suggested Rainforest Cafe because I haven’t been there for years and neither has my family. We get there in a jiffy, walk towards the restaurant only to find out there was a 25 minute waiting period. I refused to wait that long and convinced my mom to eat elsewhere. After scoping out the mall directory we decided to hit up Ruby Tuesday. My mom and I are dorks and ordered the same thing, a seafood trio deal. We closed out our meal with a red velvet and carrot cake cupcake.

Then started my shopping extravaganza. Went to a lot of stores, saw a lot of things and bought to my hearts desire. Here are the items I walked away with today

-dress shoes
-pumas
-2 dress shirts
-3 bow ties and a regular necktie.

After that we drove back home to Jewel Osco to get some groceries for the house. We had to visit 2 locations and Target. Even after all the traveling we still didn’t have everything we needed.

Went home to put all our stuff away and here I am typing before I forget, haha.

Some little tidbits about today
-I still need a new dress belt, sports watch and cologne.
-I was able to talk to my friend. She’s been having a rough time and I did all I could to console and instill positivity