Putz

I think it's finally time to write a post, totally dedicated to you! Here's to a 15 year friendship and to the highlights during that time period:

* Thinking I was a 'rich Arab wench!' :@
* Yelling at me every time I used a 'bad word'
* Rushing to my rescue with Sudafed! :)
* Correcting my English, even though it was proper British English
* Me correcting your spelling!
* Scooter.. bad hand/eye/brain coordination.. corn field! Nuff said!
* Saving me and my car during the snow
* Breaking your roommate's bed by BOUNCING on it!
* frosted cookies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yum
* Thinking I don't know that you've been reading my blog! :) (Thank you SBC)
* Purdue/Michigan State game, 50 yard line, freezing cold, Purdue down by 11 with 2 mins left, yet coming back to win it
* "I'm a Basketball God!!" "White men can't jump!!"
* Diving in the dumpster, head first, to save my magazines (which you threw in there to begin with!)
* Green Jello and Chocolate Milk!
* "I'll graduate first" "Yeah but I'll make more money than you!"
* "Send $$"
* Basement.. Pin Ball Machine.. Drum set.. Huge Screen TV!
* The best Christmas and Birthday presents I've ever gotten
* Friday nights sitting under the stairs in the dorms, waiting for the drunks to come "rolling" in
* Breaking the news to me in Mar/Apr 1999, thinking I'd be disappointed. Whereas the truth is, I'm very proud of you for making the toughest decision in your life. You owned up to it, regardless of the consequences!
* A freakishly loud camera during your wedding!
* CALCULUS!

The list goes on and on. I can never do 15 years justice in one post. One thing I do know is, family isn't just those who share our DNA. Although we don't communicate that often, I am thankful for having you in my life. You've been a great brother.

Here We Are Again

Here we are again, at the end of the year.. and as always, it's reflection time. I remember last year this time when I adamantly said to my friends that 2007 will hold a lot of changes for me and will be a good year.

Overall, it definitely was. A lot has happened that I can look back positively on. As for 'bad' things, there are only two main events that I can think of. One was something 'normal' that I'd encountered before. The second was a major blow to me and my system. Luckily, that passed and things got sorted out a few months later.

Things I knew and relearned this year: Life goes on.. no matter what happens. How we react to things is what makes the difference in our life and the lives of those around us. It's also best to clarify matters and ask questions, rather than make assumptions - no matter how 'clear cut' the situation seems. Oh, and that there are a lot of psychos out there! :)

My advice: don't be negative! The more positive we are, the higher the likelihood of us seeing the opportunities that lay in front of our eyes!

May 2008 be a great one for all!

Long Lost, Not Forgotten

There are certain events in life that totally shift our direction and change us deep within. You go about life, with your set of beliefs and morals. Then something happens to challenge all of that.

You’re suddenly faced with the difficult decision of continuing with the old or taking a risk and jumping on with the new… knowing, that your life may never be the same again. That one decision, that one moment in time, can never be taken back once that choice has been made.

Some people play a big role during these pivotal times. They help facilitate and sometimes expedite the transition. One person who played a huge role in my transformation just contacted me out of the blue today.

It was great hearing the updates and knowing, that while it’s been 16 years since we first met, and probably a good 12 since our last encounter, that the memories are still alive.

Please?

Wanted: Remote white beached palm treed island
Location: Doesn't matter
Population: 1 (me!)
When: Immediately
Price: Free!

Those Were the Days..

Over the past month, people from my past have suddenly resurfaced, thanks to technology. I've come into contact with people who graduated with me from high-school and it's been GREAT catching up with them. It's interesting because when you meet people from your life back then, it forces you to think back and remember what you were like.

I'm such a different person now. Some people I was friends with then, I would never be friends with today. People I never gave a chance in high-school, I'd love the opportunity to get to know them better now.

This forced look at the past makes us realize how what we've gone through in life has shaped us into the person we are. Had we not made those mistakes along the way, we would not be the person we are now. Our life, our personality, our outlook is nothing more than the sum of all we've gone through up until this moment.

So much has changed.. and so much more will. I wonder what I will say one day when I look back at the MSB I am today!

Don't Look Back

There are times where deep down inside we refuse to give up on that one thing.. Refuse to walk away from that one person. We know it'll never work out but a part of us keeps messing up our rationality meter, distorting its equilibrium.

A part of us refuses to give up hope even though on the outside we make even ourselves believe we're long past that something. I realized last night that a part of me was holding on to a past that's best left there. I realized that while it was more part of my subconscious, it was still pulling me back to an extent and a weight I didn't need to carry.

So instead of me giving you advice to break free from it all, I'm going to do that myself. Here's to leaving the past, in the past!