What a deal!

I changed my plans about driving across the country for the big move. I decided to fly instead. So what does this mean? Well, I save a ton of money. The car was gonna be around $600 and I'd have to pay for gas and snacks and hotels if I decided not to sleep in a parking lot one night. I got the plane ticket for only $287, which is a steal compared to the 500-600's I was seeing in previous searches. Flying there also means that I have to really minimize what I take with me when I move. I am going to pack two big suitcases and check those. I can also carry on a small suitcase. I will take clothes, but will have to get rid of a lot and will have to get rid of some shoes too. I also want to take my paintings and posters that hang on my wall. I will take pictures and some important books. I will not take kitchen stuff, bed stuff, or any furniture. Instead I have to buy all new stuff when I get down to SC. I guess we will have a yard sale to try to make some mulah off the stuff I have to get rid of. Gotta sell the futon, bookshelf, end tables, dresser, TV, and other stuff. I also found out that I can ship my bike in a bike box for about $80. That seems pretty good. I am really excited about the concept of moving so far away and not having to break my bank account to do it.

Memorial Day Borefest

This weekend was easily the most boring of my life. I honestly sat on my couch for like 10 hours per day. Everyone was out of town and I was without wheels so I chilled with my roommate's dog. I did mow the lawn, go bowling, and make some pretty good meals a couple times. But other than that, I watched Viva Hollywood and the Daily Show until my eyes popped out. Boo boring weekends!

My Mom's Car

So I went home this weekend and when I got to my parents's house my mom was standing on the front porch blowing bubbles. My mom really loves bubbles. She is kind of a quirky lady. The front door had also been COLORED ON. There was a big tulip and above that it said "Congrats Nayland!" What a welcome. I asked her what she was doing. She told me that she was getting ready to buy a car. I thought this was interesting since she has not had a running car for a few years now. Sure enough, though, a few minutes later her friend Marco drove up to the in a white 1977 Chrysler NewYorker Brougham Regis Coupe! I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Upon closer inspection I really became amused. The vinyl top is brand new. The chrome grill is brand new, and so is the chrome exhaust and the chrome rims. The interier is purple and green faux velvet. Everything works electronically including the locks, which by the way are chrome COBRA HEADS! The gas cap is found behind the back lisence plate. This car is actually cool. It is longer than my dad's company truck and is so loud when revved. My mom got this funny car for only $500! It was a really funny start to a pretty great weekend.

secret

I caucused for Barack Obama but I think that Hillary Clinton would be a better president than Barack Obama. I even like her view on health care more than his. I am inspired by Hillary Clinton about as much as I am by Barack (which is a lot).

I just think that she is so establishment, and I do not think that she can bring as much change as he can.

I really want to vote for a woman for president. Its just not gonna be Sen. Clinton this time. Hope she is in the Obama administration though.

Little Dogs

I really like dogs. I think that they have souls and we get to see them in the afterlife. I have owned a couple dogs and they make great friends. I had a collie/chow that was named Bandit. He was so great. I also had a border collie named Wally. He was a stray that my mom adopted and we really loved him too. So I got really excited when my roommate told me he was getting a dog. He went to the shelter and picked out this "cute" little pomeranian/papillon black thing that looks like a cat. He named it Diggy. As in Rev. Run's youngest son. I think my other roommate came up with his last name which is Jones. Don't get me wrong. I like Diggy Jones, heck I even got him a damned Christmas present, but he is REALLY annoying. When I wake up in the morning, it barks and growls at me and I get pissed because it KNOWS I live there! It is just being a little fucker. When you play fetch with him, he gets all jacked up and goes after the ball but then he will not give it back to you. He comes up to you with the ball and acts like he wants to give it to you but then he growls and snarls and gets all pissed. It also has "accidents" often in the house. Diggy has destroyed the blinds in the front room by biting them. He loves to knock over trash cans, and his favorite place to pee is on the carpet in my room, (which until this week didnt have a door that would close unless I jammed a sock in the door frame).

Overall the dog is not that bad, but sometimes I just wish he was a little smarter and a little nicer. When he is chillin out he is a really cool dog, but if more than two people are there he spazzes out and demands attention. In the grand scheme of things, I am glad that Chase has Diggy Jones. I am glad that Amy did not take him. He is a nice dog who is kinda smart and pretty funny with lots of personality. He is just SO ANNOYING.

He is pretty cute though.

Pilot Party

BriAnna, Snare, and I have been in school together since kindergarten, and have probably known each other longer. We all just graduated college together and we are now heading off on our seperate paths. This weekend we are having a party in our home town. A bunch of the pokey buds will be making the trip and many high school buddies should be in attendance as well. I am really excited. My mom is pretty stoked too... she offered to put up tents up for my friends and I to stay in the back yard. I thought that was pretty funny. She wants it to be like old days and be really special. We are renting the city park for the party and then probably taking over the bars "downtown". It is going to be the last hurrah for awhile where the three of us GFers get to party together because Bri is headed overseas to Nice, France for the summer, and I will be at grad school by the time she gets back. I am really excited about this weekend. I am very bummed that Stuart and Chayter cannot make it, but life goes on.

Graduating

It feels really good to graduate from college. I am the first person in my family to do it... many of us do not even graduate high school. So, in my family, it is a pretty good accomplishment. I was so excited that my dad and brother and grandma and best friend came out to wish me well and we had a great party with all the buds. I am proud of myself because it is really rare for a person who came from as low of a family income level as I did to exhibit as much upward mobility as I am going to. I have pretty much guaranteed that I will never be in poverty again. The thought of my kids not having to worry about most of the shit I had to worry about growing up is an exciting and very much welcome one for me. Overall I am feeling really proud of myself and I feel like others are pretty happy with what I have done. It's a great day!

SC before being there

I am stoked about going to South Carolina. Not quite sure what to expect when I get there but I have some optimistic assumptions that I hope are not out of the ballpark.

Expectations:
really good weather, really unhealthy food, really nice people, really tough academics, really chill outings, really memorable trips around the area

Leavin in a rental car...

So, I am in transition. I just graduated college and now I'm going to go to college somewhere else. I am really excited about the possibilities. I get pumped thinking about meeting new people, getting a new job and a new appartment, learning new things, growing, being challenged, and developing myself more and more in the man I'll be. I have to drive accross the country. Since the Grey Whale is beached, I will be renting a car. I think my friend Sarah will accompany me. I may end up doing it solo though. It's a 39 hour drive. I am bummin about leaving my great life behind. I have some pretty awesome friends. They are all so dynamic and unique, but we all fit together quite nicely. It will be difficult to say goodbye to many people because they have been in my life for substantial amounts of time and during goods and not-so-goods. I have learned a ton from each of them and its sad to leave the comfort of what I have. Nonetheless, I have to do it. I am so lucky to be dealing with what I am and that that is my biggest concern. So many people have it so much worse than I do. Life is good.