January 2007- Week One: I started the new year off by getting my
ACL reconstructed on my right knee. I'd have to say that this is some of the most pain I've ever been in.
Not that I'm whining or being a wuss (it wouldn't be me if I wasn't in some sort of pain!); I'm just hoping those of you reading this never have to go through
this experience. Besides, that's nothing compared to the pain of knowing I won't be able to ski this year !! Now I'm movin' around on crutches and have started physical therapy.
I have a machine that goes from my foot to my hip that slowly bends my leg up and down as I sleep.
I'm told when all
is done, this knee will be even stronger than before. I'm out of work for a month,
so apart from not having to shave, I'm using this "down time" to get more organized, read more, and do more meditating.
You can only watch so much Youtube, afterall.
Hey, maybe I can use this time to catch up on my sleep. Yeah...like that's going to happen...
I think I'll dust off my guitar and bass, and enhance my mastery of the Spanish language.
Seriously, it's been touching just how many people have called, emailed, texted, and/or stopped by to see me.
It's times like this that you truly see who your real friends are. I can't
possibly say enough thank you's to Margaret for being there for me through all this. Not only did she drive me
to and from the surgery (and then around town for my errands in the days following),
she let me stay at her place for a little over 4 days,
and has been taking me to physical therapy (since I can't drive yet). She even cooked for me.
She made this situation
significantly more bearable.
Props also to Ashley D. for checking up on me every single day, taking me to Target and to get groceries,
and to my physical therapy as well.
And thanks to Vanne for her scooping me up regularly and getting me out of the house
so I don't get "cabin fever".
In all my downtime, I've been doing lots of thinking and in particular,
have been pondering the butterfly effect,
(which at the most simple example is where the beating of a butterfly's wing could potentially
set in motion events causing a tornado), and how it could apply to my own life. Then, randomly,
I saw Run Lola, Run again, and that had those elements in it too.
Saw the opera Diefledermaus (great job Jenn!)
Saw the Red Hot Chili Peppers (my 5th time).
Went back down to Atlanta for a couple days (happy 3rd birthday Alexa!).
February 2007-
I'm back to work now. The first two weeks kind of felt like a much needed vacation (even
if I couldn't go somewhere cool). After about the third week point, it just started feeling weird.
My whole sense of what day it was left me, and I found it harder to actually get out of bed each day, as motivation started to ebb.
I went through every room, cabinet, closet, and drawer and organized and cleaned this place like it's never been done before.
I threw so much unneccesary stuff away - it was very freeing. Less is more. I hate clutter.
The thing is though, due to my knee healing, I haven't been able to workout and be active like before.
I looked in the mirror and I'm wasting away before my very eyes. That's okay though, because when this knee is completely healed, I have an agenda.
However, somewhere along the four and a half week point, I was feeling a bit energetic one night and did some light shadow boxing to test my muscle memory.
Even though I was going far slower than normal, I felt something pull in the back of my knee in an excruciatingly painful way.
I set my recovery time back, and have learned a valuable and very painful lesson. I HATE this! It's like being trapped in someone else's body.
I had another birthday. Thank you to all who called and sent cards, and thank you to those who brought me cake.
I've taken advantage of my "down time" to read a book. This
is notable since I haven't had time to read anything other than computer software books in many many years, with the exception of Anthony Keidis'
autobigraphy a couple years ago. The book I'm reading is called Life of Pi.
It's about a kid from India who's stranded on a lifeboat with a 450 pound Bengal Tiger, and how his life growing up as a zoo keeper's son helps him survive.
I've seen
it's recognizable cover on many a nightstand or coffee table for years, and now I'm finally reading it myself.
Here's my Myspace link, if you're interested. I have blogs posted there as well.
I would just like to point out that I'm better looking with a shaved head than Britney Spears.
How cool is this?
On the Cartoon Network website, Andre 3000 has a place (Funk Box) where you can compose your own songs.
I hope to one day finally understand this! Those of you who know me well understand what I'm talking about.
March 2007-
So, like I said, I've been riding the exercise bike nearly everyday.
I've discovered that it takes about a half hour to burn 100 fat calories. Who knew? Speaking of bikes, I rode my real
bicycle to the garage to collect my vehicle upon completion of it's repairs. "Who cares?"
I hear you saying, but considering what I've been through with this knee, that's a milestone event - riding my bike through traffic.
Normally this is the month I go skiing. Insert long sad sigh here...
Good luck to Chris who moved to New Orleans, and good luck to Earl who moved to San Francisco. I will miss you both.
As you know, it's been unseasonably warm lately.
I'm torn about the whole global warming thing. I'm like a reptile - I love it hot and don't care much for the cold.
However, I'm aware that this planet will have massive flooding within the next few decades as a result.
Click here to sign the petition to get rid of our current income tax,
and replace it with the "fair tax". There's power in numbers, but don't take my word for it,
check it out and decide for yourself: http://fairtax.org/
I made a list of things to do, accomplish and buy in 2007.
One of the things on that list is to cook a lot more (even though it usually only gets eaten by me).
For instance, last week I made a meatloaf (with mashed potatoes[not instant]). As I go, I find I slowly
have to add to my kitchen inventory. I now have my own baster.
Because I oftentimes talk on the phone as I cook,
it became necessary to acquire a Bluetooth hands free phone device to end the
kink in my neck. This was also on my 2007 list.
But I won't be that guy wearing it while out at a restaurant, I assure you.
Since the weather has been so nice, I went hiking at Crowder's Mountain. Good times.
And no, no knee problems from doing that.
The amount of pollen is crazy!
Why do I even bother washing my car? The next day it's yellow again.
Went to a Bobcats game.
April 2007-
Got my first session of laser tattoo removal done.
Gave blood for the first time. Neither was anywhere near as bad as I thought it might be.
STILL waiting for this knee to be well enough to go back to class.
I'm lifting weights again, and once a week I run up and down a ten story parking deck uptown, but until it doesn't hurt to run down the
street at a fast pace, I'm patiently holding back from martial arts. (And it's killing me!!)
May 2007-
I haven't written here in a while
because I've been posting all my blogs and updates on my MySpace page (I know - I'm delving into the Matrix). I'm a bit surprised
to find that people have commented that this page hasn't been updated, which means people still actually read this page.
I went to the beach with Margaret.
Thanks to her brother and sister in law and niece and nephew for their hospitality.
We stopped in Wilmington for just a few hours to see her sister, and I randomly met up with Vanne on the beach.
Although I burned the hell out of my back, I didn't burn my head this time, so there's that.
June 2007-
Margaret left for her cross country
road trip. We communicate almost every day in some way, and I look on Google Earth to
zoom in on her current location. I love technology.
I'm finally back in class and it feels great!
I went to see Tool in Greenville, SC. A bit frustrating as there was no moshing allowed.
Bryan came to visit and we saw Rush (my 6th time). When I saw them before,
they had clothes dryers up on stage. This time, there were three large
chicken rotisseries up on stage with 36 chickens in them.
I was only able to see pops in the park once this June,
but at least it was the one with The Imperial March. Actually, I went to another one, but as soon as I arrived,
the sky broke open with a torrential downpour. Vanne and I set out to go one evening,
only to realize that there were no more pops dates this season, so we had a picnic instead.
July 2007-
I went to a 3 hour take down workshop.
I got my annual thumb burn from lighting fireworks on Independence Day.
Thanks Vanne for the invite to your cookout on your cool new roof top patio.
Still trying to bulk up, but I need heavier weights.
Congrats to Liz and Kevin on their new little bundle Mave.
I went to Ocean City New Jersey for a few days to hang with Margaret and her family, and then
soon after she was back here for a week and a half. We saw Widespread Panic,
and the show was stopped for about 70 minutes due to a sudden severe thunderstorm that was
prefaced by skies that you'd see in a Biblical Charleton Heston type movie.
All in all, a very surreal experience.
Went to see the Body Worlds exhibit at Discovery Place. It really reminded
me not only how limited and defined we are by the particular body we live in, but also just
how much we can affect it positively and negatively by our choices in life.
I left there with a significantly enhanced sense of health awareness. And ever since,
I've been looking at people around me differently too.
Smokers, overweight people, and hard drinkers should really see this exhibit.
August 2007-
As some of you know, I've been slowly putting together a pack of supplies that will last me
(and another person) a week or so should something happen such as another terrorist attack or
another hurricane like Katrina, etc. Obviously, I hope I never have to grab this and need it,
but it's comforting to know it's there. I've been adding about $10 worth of stuff each week, and it's slowly
becoming a legitimate survival pack. I strongly suggest you do the same. Yes, YOU.
I've taken up meditating more and I can't suggest it enough.
Got my ticket to see the Cure next month. It will be my third time.
I added 50 more pounds to my weight set. Let the muscle gain commence!
September 2007-
The Cure show was rescheduled for June. Been away from
here for a bit. Mostly adjusting to my new work schedule and working at getting really good at
Final Cut Pro (video editing software), Cinema 4D (high end 3D computer animation), and guitar.
Congrats to my bud William for winning an Emmy award.
Went to Carowinds again. I lost my disposable camera on the Assimilator. I called and
they said found it, so I went back a week later to retrieve it.
I got it developed...and, it totally wasn't my camera! It was photos of a baby and of some
kids on the rides. Gone are my Carowinds pictures, as well as the photo of the over
turned pick up truck on Randolph Rd., and the pictures of me in the blue mechanic
jumpsuit working under my Blazer changing the brakes and oil (thanks again for the assistance Chris!).
From here on out, I will write my name and contact info on all disposable cameras.
October 2007-
Got my passport renewed. Finding whatever time I can to meditate and also to obtain six pack abs.
Got my tickets to see The Police (oh yeah), and also my beloved Ani DiFranco, both next month.
I'm very happy about the new Target that opened minutes from my house and work (finally).
I was there during the soft opening, and I was one of only about 10 customers in the place.
I was grinning like a silly person. I'm grinning now just thinking about it.
It's the random things that make me the most happy.
Saw The Nightmare Before Christmas on the big screen in 3D. It had been a long time
since I could see and hear it in that form, and it literally gave me goose bumps when it started.
Like I said, the random things...
Went to the annual pumpin carving party at Shannon's.
As many of you know, my good friend Margaret moved to China.
Here are the envelopes I made so far for the letters I've sent.
November 2007-
Once again I enjoyed Thanksgiving with William and his family.
I went to Asheville to see Ani DiFranco for my 6th time. I got up close and took some photos.
I went to New York for my cousin Angela's wedding and got to see a lot of my large family
(meaning there are a lot of them, not that they are large people). I had a blast.
There was a fireworks show during the reception.
December 2007-
Drove down to Atlanta to
spend Christmas with Bryan and his family. That was the best food I've had in a long time! Two days in the gym with Bryan
and I'm still sore days later.
click here for 2008.
click here for 2006.
click here for 2005.
click here for 2004.
click here for 2003.
click here for 2002.
Seriously, it's been touching just how many people have called, emailed, texted, and/or stopped by to see me. It's times like this that you truly see who your real friends are. I can't possibly say enough thank you's to Margaret for being there for me through all this. Not only did she drive me to and from the surgery (and then around town for my errands in the days following), she let me stay at her place for a little over 4 days, and has been taking me to physical therapy (since I can't drive yet). She even cooked for me. She made this situation significantly more bearable.
Props also to Ashley D. for checking up on me every single day, taking me to Target and to get groceries, and to my physical therapy as well.
And thanks to Vanne for her scooping me up regularly and getting me out of the house so I don't get "cabin fever".
In all my downtime, I've been doing lots of thinking and in particular, have been pondering the butterfly effect, (which at the most simple example is where the beating of a butterfly's wing could potentially set in motion events causing a tornado), and how it could apply to my own life. Then, randomly, I saw Run Lola, Run again, and that had those elements in it too.
Saw the opera Diefledermaus (great job Jenn!)
Saw the Red Hot Chili Peppers (my 5th time).
Went back down to Atlanta for a couple days (happy 3rd birthday Alexa!).
February 2007-
I'm back to work now. The first two weeks kind of felt like a much needed vacation (even
if I couldn't go somewhere cool). After about the third week point, it just started feeling weird.
My whole sense of what day it was left me, and I found it harder to actually get out of bed each day, as motivation started to ebb.
I went through every room, cabinet, closet, and drawer and organized and cleaned this place like it's never been done before.
I threw so much unneccesary stuff away - it was very freeing. Less is more. I hate clutter.
The thing is though, due to my knee healing, I haven't been able to workout and be active like before. I looked in the mirror and I'm wasting away before my very eyes. That's okay though, because when this knee is completely healed, I have an agenda. However, somewhere along the four and a half week point, I was feeling a bit energetic one night and did some light shadow boxing to test my muscle memory. Even though I was going far slower than normal, I felt something pull in the back of my knee in an excruciatingly painful way. I set my recovery time back, and have learned a valuable and very painful lesson. I HATE this! It's like being trapped in someone else's body.
I had another birthday. Thank you to all who called and sent cards, and thank you to those who brought me cake.
I've taken advantage of my "down time" to read a book. This is notable since I haven't had time to read anything other than computer software books in many many years, with the exception of Anthony Keidis' autobigraphy a couple years ago. The book I'm reading is called Life of Pi. It's about a kid from India who's stranded on a lifeboat with a 450 pound Bengal Tiger, and how his life growing up as a zoo keeper's son helps him survive. I've seen it's recognizable cover on many a nightstand or coffee table for years, and now I'm finally reading it myself.
Here's my Myspace link, if you're interested. I have blogs posted there as well.
I would just like to point out that I'm better looking with a shaved head than Britney Spears.
How cool is this? On the Cartoon Network website, Andre 3000 has a place (Funk Box) where you can compose your own songs.
I hope to one day finally understand this! Those of you who know me well understand what I'm talking about.
March 2007-
So, like I said, I've been riding the exercise bike nearly everyday.
I've discovered that it takes about a half hour to burn 100 fat calories. Who knew? Speaking of bikes, I rode my real
bicycle to the garage to collect my vehicle upon completion of it's repairs. "Who cares?"
I hear you saying, but considering what I've been through with this knee, that's a milestone event - riding my bike through traffic.
Normally this is the month I go skiing. Insert long sad sigh here...
Good luck to Chris who moved to New Orleans, and good luck to Earl who moved to San Francisco. I will miss you both.
As you know, it's been unseasonably warm lately. I'm torn about the whole global warming thing. I'm like a reptile - I love it hot and don't care much for the cold. However, I'm aware that this planet will have massive flooding within the next few decades as a result.
Click here to sign the petition to get rid of our current income tax, and replace it with the "fair tax". There's power in numbers, but don't take my word for it, check it out and decide for yourself: http://fairtax.org/
I made a list of things to do, accomplish and buy in 2007. One of the things on that list is to cook a lot more (even though it usually only gets eaten by me). For instance, last week I made a meatloaf (with mashed potatoes[not instant]). As I go, I find I slowly have to add to my kitchen inventory. I now have my own baster.
Because I oftentimes talk on the phone as I cook, it became necessary to acquire a Bluetooth hands free phone device to end the kink in my neck. This was also on my 2007 list. But I won't be that guy wearing it while out at a restaurant, I assure you.
Since the weather has been so nice, I went hiking at Crowder's Mountain. Good times. And no, no knee problems from doing that.
The amount of pollen is crazy! Why do I even bother washing my car? The next day it's yellow again.
Went to a Bobcats game.
April 2007-
Got my first session of laser tattoo removal done.
Gave blood for the first time. Neither was anywhere near as bad as I thought it might be.
STILL waiting for this knee to be well enough to go back to class. I'm lifting weights again, and once a week I run up and down a ten story parking deck uptown, but until it doesn't hurt to run down the street at a fast pace, I'm patiently holding back from martial arts. (And it's killing me!!)
May 2007-
I haven't written here in a while
because I've been posting all my blogs and updates on my MySpace page (I know - I'm delving into the Matrix). I'm a bit surprised
to find that people have commented that this page hasn't been updated, which means people still actually read this page.
I went to the beach with Margaret. Thanks to her brother and sister in law and niece and nephew for their hospitality. We stopped in Wilmington for just a few hours to see her sister, and I randomly met up with Vanne on the beach. Although I burned the hell out of my back, I didn't burn my head this time, so there's that.
June 2007-
Margaret left for her cross country
road trip. We communicate almost every day in some way, and I look on Google Earth to
zoom in on her current location. I love technology.
I'm finally back in class and it feels great!
I went to see Tool in Greenville, SC. A bit frustrating as there was no moshing allowed.
Bryan came to visit and we saw Rush (my 6th time). When I saw them before, they had clothes dryers up on stage. This time, there were three large chicken rotisseries up on stage with 36 chickens in them.
I was only able to see pops in the park once this June, but at least it was the one with The Imperial March. Actually, I went to another one, but as soon as I arrived, the sky broke open with a torrential downpour. Vanne and I set out to go one evening, only to realize that there were no more pops dates this season, so we had a picnic instead.
July 2007-
I went to a 3 hour take down workshop.
I got my annual thumb burn from lighting fireworks on Independence Day.
Thanks Vanne for the invite to your cookout on your cool new roof top patio.
Still trying to bulk up, but I need heavier weights.
Congrats to Liz and Kevin on their new little bundle Mave.
I went to Ocean City New Jersey for a few days to hang with Margaret and her family, and then soon after she was back here for a week and a half. We saw Widespread Panic, and the show was stopped for about 70 minutes due to a sudden severe thunderstorm that was prefaced by skies that you'd see in a Biblical Charleton Heston type movie. All in all, a very surreal experience.
Went to see the Body Worlds exhibit at Discovery Place. It really reminded me not only how limited and defined we are by the particular body we live in, but also just how much we can affect it positively and negatively by our choices in life. I left there with a significantly enhanced sense of health awareness. And ever since, I've been looking at people around me differently too. Smokers, overweight people, and hard drinkers should really see this exhibit.
August 2007-
As some of you know, I've been slowly putting together a pack of supplies that will last me
(and another person) a week or so should something happen such as another terrorist attack or
another hurricane like Katrina, etc. Obviously, I hope I never have to grab this and need it,
but it's comforting to know it's there. I've been adding about $10 worth of stuff each week, and it's slowly
becoming a legitimate survival pack. I strongly suggest you do the same. Yes, YOU.
I've taken up meditating more and I can't suggest it enough.
Got my ticket to see the Cure next month. It will be my third time.
I added 50 more pounds to my weight set. Let the muscle gain commence!
September 2007-
The Cure show was rescheduled for June. Been away from
here for a bit. Mostly adjusting to my new work schedule and working at getting really good at
Final Cut Pro (video editing software), Cinema 4D (high end 3D computer animation), and guitar.
Congrats to my bud William for winning an Emmy award.
Went to Carowinds again. I lost my disposable camera on the Assimilator. I called and they said found it, so I went back a week later to retrieve it. I got it developed...and, it totally wasn't my camera! It was photos of a baby and of some kids on the rides. Gone are my Carowinds pictures, as well as the photo of the over turned pick up truck on Randolph Rd., and the pictures of me in the blue mechanic jumpsuit working under my Blazer changing the brakes and oil (thanks again for the assistance Chris!). From here on out, I will write my name and contact info on all disposable cameras.
October 2007-
Got my passport renewed. Finding whatever time I can to meditate and also to obtain six pack abs.
Got my tickets to see The Police (oh yeah), and also my beloved Ani DiFranco, both next month.
I'm very happy about the new Target that opened minutes from my house and work (finally). I was there during the soft opening, and I was one of only about 10 customers in the place. I was grinning like a silly person. I'm grinning now just thinking about it. It's the random things that make me the most happy.
Saw The Nightmare Before Christmas on the big screen in 3D. It had been a long time since I could see and hear it in that form, and it literally gave me goose bumps when it started. Like I said, the random things...
Went to the annual pumpin carving party at Shannon's.
As many of you know, my good friend Margaret moved to China. Here are the envelopes I made so far for the letters I've sent.
November 2007-
Once again I enjoyed Thanksgiving with William and his family.
I went to Asheville to see Ani DiFranco for my 6th time. I got up close and took some photos.
I went to New York for my cousin Angela's wedding and got to see a lot of my large family (meaning there are a lot of them, not that they are large people). I had a blast. There was a fireworks show during the reception.
December 2007-
Drove down to Atlanta to
spend Christmas with Bryan and his family. That was the best food I've had in a long time! Two days in the gym with Bryan
and I'm still sore days later.
click here for 2008.
click here for 2006.
click here for 2005.
click here for 2004.
click here for 2003.
click here for 2002.
carried over (again):
home defense! (because it's cool)
Stay tuned for even more excitement yet to come...
(Can you stand it?!)
Stay tuned for even more excitement yet to come...
(Can you stand it?!)
Go home 
Portfolio
Misc. Info..
Animations
Go home
Portfolio
Misc. Info..
Animations