Joliet, Illinois

I’ve often thought that if a person looks at himself in a certain way, for a certain length of time—in a playful, meaningful manner—that person might become something wonderful and grand. Some people dream for greatness all their lives and never really accomplish anything. I’m certain I’ll be one of those people.

I sit here in darkness, writing something no one will ever read. I might read it back to myself one or two times, before saving it to a file I’ll never finish. I suppose I could write it off as an exercise. Practice makes perfect.

This motel room is really dark and seedy and it doesn’t smell so good. I’ve got dryer sheets hanging from the air conditioner in order to curb the stench that envelope this dreary four-walled enclosure. There’s a small desk with a mirror over it and a window to the side in the bottom, left hand corner of the room. The full-sized bed has a stiff mattress and a comforter that belongs in the trash. There’s a bedside table where I keep my pocket things and mobile phone. The motel phone is in the top, left hand corner—under the outdated television set—on the floor. It costs five cents a minute, and you have to put down a deposit in order to use it. By the bedside table sits my overnight bag—it sits in front of an adjoining door, leading to my next door neighbor. Today, or yesterday—I can’t quite remember—he left in an ambulance. Couldn’t tell you why, but at least he doesn’t beat on the wall anymore because the television’s blaring in his opinion. He works nights. I wonder if he’s coming back. Then there’s the bathroom. The toilet has black streaks flowing from the rim into the bowl and the mold in the bathtub could easily be hazardous. I have a laundry basket in the open closet, and for some reason, the bottom is constantly wet, even though the floor is carpeted. Perhaps there’s some leak I don’t know about just yet. This is home.

The Windy City

You guessed it: I took the position in Chicago; which is why the delay in blogging. I'm sitting here in a Panera Bread taking advantage of free wi-fi and chugging totally over-priced frozen Mochas; relaxing after having my ass kicked with work. I sold my first appointment and one of my partners about flipped the hell out (she forgot, this is why she wanted me here! *wink*). The other appointments will either be sold soon or got rained out (it hasn't rained here since April, apparently!). In between appointments, I've been preparing for my stay here. Right now I'm in a five star roach motel, but I've managed to stay away from it as much as possible. I bought myself a 1998 Ford F150 to work out of and a groovy mobile office! So yeah, that's what I've been doing. I have some pictures to share, but I may wait until I've located and installed some sort of FTP program so that I can host them.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Okay. I haven't even wanted to attempt writing a post for quite a few days now. I'm back in Texas and have been extremely busy doing all sorts of things that are non-work related. Yes, I've been goofing off. Maybe I'll talk about that more later (or--as you've seen I'm prone to--maybe not).

I just finished watching Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, starring Jim Carry and Kate Winslet. This film is about a year and a half old (I wish I'd seen it sooner!). If you haven't seen it, go see it now. Immediately. Why are you still reading this? Go to frickin' Blockbuster and rent the damn thing!

This film was ridiculously enticing, utterly imaginative, and goddamned refreshing cinema with regards to what's playing on that big screen downtown these days. I was completely entranced throughout the entire film. The entire film! There was not one dull moment and I feel as if I must watch it again and again so as to ensure I gather every tidbit of information available. Look people, if you haven't already had the pleasure of seeing this: don't read the back of the box, don't read any reviews, don't think about it for one more minute--just go see the damn thing! It is so totally worth it.

And a penny for my thoughts... If you're in a relationship--a crazy mixed up, twisted chatoic situation that's so seemingly doomed--with someone you're mad about (someone who--no matter how hard you try--you just can't seem to erase from your memory); and you're thinking, "Oh my god! This is going nowhere!" And you're wrought with uncertainty as to where it's all ultimately going? [Is this familiar people?] Don't give it up. Don't let her go, man (I suppose you shouldn't be letting him go either). Grab on to her, or him, so freaking tight and don't ever let go. Remember Good Will Hunting? It's the small infractions that we remember, man; it's those queer little details that we chuckle about years after.

For me, it's her stupid obessession with the color pink. Or those bandanas. Or maybe it's the cute way that she walked with those huge purses that looked so ridiculously heavy and uncomfortable. But it's also that tiny bit of queso on her mouth every single time! It's her nerves as I'm driving too fast, as I hear her short breaths...

I could do this all day, and about all of my exes, I'm sure. But it's too late for me. They've moved on. I've moved on--I think. I'm grown up now. We're no longer alike. We're so far apart. But I'll always have these memories. They can never take that away from me, I assure you.

So go grab that nutcase of a significant other you've got and sit him or her down on a couch and pop this movie in the DVD player. You won't be disappointed; and be sure to bring an umbrella.

Back in the Lonestar State

Okay, so I'm back in Texas. I'm currently living in Arlington--right by UTA--and have been basically goofing off the last day or two. I was offered a position in Chicago and had almost decided against it when I was offered another position just now, still in Chicago, which would be far more promising. So now I have to think about that for a bit. I watched War of the Worlds last night and may, or may not, have a review on that later. I went swimming earlier today and am very worn out right now. I'll be going to my parents soon to mooch laundry facilities. I also watched the original Superman cartoons from 1941 last night. They were totally cool.