Gotta say that this is something I’ve never said in my 27 years of life, but I woke up today proud be an American. It’s not even a tangible thing you can hold on to and examine it’s intricacies, it’s merely a vague and powerful feeling that seems to overtake you.
As I sat watching the news reports come in last night, I still doubted what I was seeing as the night wore on. The jaded, cynical side of me was convinced that what was transpiring was something so fragile that at any moment could be taken away. When it was called, when it was announced that he had won the critical states he needed to win, I was in shock. I was far too happy to express anything.
This is a wonderful day. We can all be proud of Barack Obama for achieving what he did, but that is not what I am feeling here. I proud of my fellow citizens today. I am proud of Virginia. I am proud of Florida. Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio and equally as importany, every last voter that allowed this to happen. I am so filled with hope and pride for the future, for the first time in my life and I wish us all the greatest of successes in the years and generations to come. In his acceptance speech, Barack told the story of the 106 year old voter who had seen so much struggle and greatness in her long and wonderful life. Knowing that we are living in a moment when history is being made by our hands and our voices, that is the root of this powerful feeling. We can all look back on this in the years to come and say that we were here and we made this happen, and no one can take that away from us.
(Allow me this moment, I bet you my next post will be filled with awesome referecences to boners and lightning bolts and high fives.)
Before the rumor mill even gets started I thought I’d let you all know the official side of the news.
Yesterday I told my band mates that I would in fact be leaving I am the Heat. I’ve been with them for nearly two years now, and it’s been a fun ride, but sadly one that was always destined to end for me. Getting up on stage with them as well as writing all the great music was some of the best times since I have been in NYC. Due to a number of personal reasons, we have decided to part ways. The main reason of course was me feeling like I was at this great point in my life where I can really make something of myself with my job as a graphic designer, and feeling that the band was taking up too much of my free time, and often even a bit too much of my work time. I can now go on to become an even better artist with more time to focus on that which I love, and the band can go on to really taking this thing seriously and putting the time into it that I never could.
We have ended things on good terms with no bad blood, and the few remaining shows over this next month that we had booked will be played. I have also given the band my blessing to go and be the band they dream of being without me. Moral of the story, life is still awesome for all parties involved.
Today was day one of my new running regime. I can’t say my body feels completely epic right now. That’s actually a gigantic understatement. My body wants to put my brain in a headlock I bet. What used to be a rather common part of my daily life, ten years ago, is now a painful chore. In high school I ran cross country and track, and I’m not gonna lie: I was rather good at it. Like super-fast-good. Then I discovered the magical world of partying, drugs, alcohol and girls. Running 8 miles a day and competing at that point just didn’t compare.
Over the years I rediscovered my love for biking, and that has been my main outlet for exercise. Wait, by that I actually mean I’ve been riding my bike to work, which is FAR from a workout. Now as my body has aged with me, I found that I can no longer enjoy a delicious box of cookies without facing the consequences. This is completely bullshit, because milk and cookies are actually totally amazing. Sadly, my beer gut is saying a different thing.
A bikers body is a mysterious place. From the waist down, I’m totally radical. I like to think that I can probably kick through steel or something epic like that. My arms are kinda normal looking. Then if I take my shirt off, there is actually a nice layer of fat over my whole torso. CUH-RAZY!
So with a recent boredom that I feel with riding my bike, and a desire to get rid of this damn beer belly once and for all, I have decided to start running again. *SPOILER ALERT* biker legs are a lot bigger than runner legs, and I do in fact have some awesome chafe marks on my inner thighs to prove it. Gross out. I’m not gonna complain though, I certainly miss the pain that comes with a good workout.
This fall, hopefully you can say hello to lightning bolt body.
Recently, I was speaking with one of my co-workers in the office (who shall remain nameless, because I’m a gentleman) about his upcoming vacation, to which he referred to as a “stay-cation”. When you live in a place like New York, you find that when you get a few days off, just having the free time to do all the things you have been meaning to do is waaaaaaaaaaaay better than going to Bali, or Alabama. Hence, the “stay-cation”.
Here’s where my mind wandered as he said those words: a STEAK-cation. Think of it, taking a week or so off to enjoy the greatest thing created by the hand of man: steak. Every night you are to indulge in a new and exciting style of steak. Monday can be Porterhouse, Tuesday can be Butter Pan Fried, Wednesday can be BBQ Rib Eye. Etc. Etc. I really think I am on to something here.
Here’s the best part of my little plan. You get to be totally classy! Is anyone going to argue that eating a steak is NOT the pinnacle of civilization? It totally is and I will fight you IRL is you don’t feel the same. In a perfect world, a steak would come with a bow tie and a top hat to wear, just to seal the whole classy vibe.
p.s. If you couldn’t tell, I totally love steak. If I had to choose between a steak, and the opportunity to have Jesus come down from heaven and give me the world greatest high five… it’d be a tough choice. (Cause I also love high fives!)