There are nights that I get lots of sleep, then there are others that I get just enough to be able to function the next day. I may be somewhat unique, but I typically dream on a nightly basis. I don't remember half of the dreams that occur, but do remember that I did dream about some event. I have had dreams that have been in sequence, then I have had some that have been so off-the-wall that I begin to question what I ate before going to bed. I believe that there are meanings behind dreams, but as to what the meaning is can be somewhat unknown.
What has led me to discuss this topic is the video below. The song is called "Fireflies" by Owl City. The chorus of the song is really what has me thinking: "I'd like to make myself believe that planet Earth turns slowly; it's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep; 'cause everything is never as it seems." I feel there is a lot of meaning behind this chorus. There are times where I wish time would slow down so that I can get more accomplished, or to be able to spend more time with everyone I consider family. However, there are moments when time is going so slow that I'd do anything to turn a dial to "warp speed" just to get past the occurrence at hand. Sometimes when dreaming, I wake up wishing that the dream was reality.
As I get ready for bed tonight, I wonder if if the "fireflies" will show up...until then, just be.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
No...I didn't fall of the face of the earth....
Okay....so I looked at the last time I blogged...June 22, 2009....over three months...guess that means that I need to share with everyone what's happened since my last blog. Now, before I post this blog, I have to preface that you may want to make sure you don't have much to do, as you will be reading a "novel" and may get lost in it. There's been so much occur...so I better start sharing, or you will lose interest.
June 22 was the day that I got my health kick back, and I am glad I did!! From June through September, I lost the 25 pounds I gain, along with losing about 15 more pounds. Now over the past 6 weeks, I have gained a little back, but I have a good reason for that and I will share that soon.
Vacation time was great this past summer. I took an extended weekend to Chicago at the beginning of August, and 2 weeks later, I went to St. Louis. I had a great time. The Chicago trip was one where I was glad to have great friends spending time together. I even took a risk with one of my fears...heights. I went on the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier...now, I did not look down and at one point, I thought they stopped us at the top of the ferris wheel, but it was just move very slow. However, I can now say that I rode the ferris wheel and can check that off of my list! The trip to St. Louis was very nice. Spent the weekend getting to know someone. We haven't talked much since. I am hoping it's because of our busy lives. I have tried calling, but only got voicemail.
So in my previous post, I mentioned how there were some other things that could be coming down the pipeline and would share when the time was right. Well, now is a better time than any. When I submitted my previous post, I had just mailed off application materials for a job in the St. Louis area. Late July, I received notification that I was selected for a phone interview. The phone interview must have went well because I was offered an on-campus interview. In early August, I drove to my alma mater, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and interviewed for the Coordinator of Advising position for the College of Arts & Sciences. On August 24th, I received a phone call from the search chair. I was informed I had been selected by the search committee to become the Coordinator of Advising. I verbally accepted and within 24 hours, I had submitted my resignation letter to my supervisor at the University of Southern Indiana. My last month at USI went by very quickly and the next thing I knew, I was moving out of my apartment in Evansville and moving into my new apartment in Edwardsville. I've started the new job and am learning a lot. I also am taking time to reconnect with people on campus that knew me from my undergrad days. I also am reconnecting with friends in the area, but I miss all of my friends in Evansville and hope that they come visit soon...or I could go visit them (which I will be back in Evansville over Thanksgiving weekend).
I hope that I will be able to find time to blog more, but with it taking over 3 months to blog until now, it makes me realize that I need to just devote time to doing this. In case I don't blog for another month, some things coming up for me are spending time with family, taking a trip to Chicago for Halloween, and many social events around the St. Louis area.
New adventures are definitely here and the best way to approach them is to just be!!
June 22 was the day that I got my health kick back, and I am glad I did!! From June through September, I lost the 25 pounds I gain, along with losing about 15 more pounds. Now over the past 6 weeks, I have gained a little back, but I have a good reason for that and I will share that soon.
Vacation time was great this past summer. I took an extended weekend to Chicago at the beginning of August, and 2 weeks later, I went to St. Louis. I had a great time. The Chicago trip was one where I was glad to have great friends spending time together. I even took a risk with one of my fears...heights. I went on the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier...now, I did not look down and at one point, I thought they stopped us at the top of the ferris wheel, but it was just move very slow. However, I can now say that I rode the ferris wheel and can check that off of my list! The trip to St. Louis was very nice. Spent the weekend getting to know someone. We haven't talked much since. I am hoping it's because of our busy lives. I have tried calling, but only got voicemail.
So in my previous post, I mentioned how there were some other things that could be coming down the pipeline and would share when the time was right. Well, now is a better time than any. When I submitted my previous post, I had just mailed off application materials for a job in the St. Louis area. Late July, I received notification that I was selected for a phone interview. The phone interview must have went well because I was offered an on-campus interview. In early August, I drove to my alma mater, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and interviewed for the Coordinator of Advising position for the College of Arts & Sciences. On August 24th, I received a phone call from the search chair. I was informed I had been selected by the search committee to become the Coordinator of Advising. I verbally accepted and within 24 hours, I had submitted my resignation letter to my supervisor at the University of Southern Indiana. My last month at USI went by very quickly and the next thing I knew, I was moving out of my apartment in Evansville and moving into my new apartment in Edwardsville. I've started the new job and am learning a lot. I also am taking time to reconnect with people on campus that knew me from my undergrad days. I also am reconnecting with friends in the area, but I miss all of my friends in Evansville and hope that they come visit soon...or I could go visit them (which I will be back in Evansville over Thanksgiving weekend).
I hope that I will be able to find time to blog more, but with it taking over 3 months to blog until now, it makes me realize that I need to just devote time to doing this. In case I don't blog for another month, some things coming up for me are spending time with family, taking a trip to Chicago for Halloween, and many social events around the St. Louis area.
New adventures are definitely here and the best way to approach them is to just be!!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Life in the current moment...
Okay...so it has been a while since I have blogged. I have let life get in the way of being able to collect my thoughts. I should take the advice that was given to me and just jot down my thoughts and schedule posts. But until then, let me update you on life...
I have been on a rollercoaster for the past few months...actually, since November. Healthwise, I have been slacking. I gained about 25 pounds between November and now. Instead of looking at it as a bad thing, I have to keep reminding myself, "Brian, you are 25 pounds less than you were a year ago." This is a huge accomplishment!! I went to the doctor on Friday and after discussing things, I am now on a prescription appetite suppressent. Today was my first dose and I am really feeling the side effects, but it is doing its job. Because I am on this, I figured it was time to get back into the workout routine. I will be going to the gym after work to begin the slim down again. I just hope that I don't lose the weight as fast as I did previously, because I don't want to gain it like I did during the winter. I will keep up with motivation techniques to keep me going.
I have enjoyed 2 weekend trips so far this summer. My first trip was to the Kansas City area in May to see my friend Steve. We had an amazing time going to a musical, having dinner at the Plaza, and experiencing a Saturday morning at the Farmer's Market. My second trip was just this past weekend the Louisville area to see my friend Audrey. She just bought a house (and it's mighty nice if I say so myself)! We went to a few garage sales looking for a bike, enjoyed some of Louisville's festivities, and saw Tiffany (the singer..."I Think We're Alone Now") in concert.
I have been talking to someone over the past couple months. We met through match.com. We have talked nearly every night since we exchanged e-mails and phone numbers. I haven't had this feeling of "romantic connection" for quite some time. If distance wasn't a factor, I think we'd see each other on a weekly basis, if not more. We will see each other sometime this summer.
There could be some other life changes coming up. However, I will disclose more information as time goes on.
So there is life in a nutshell for me...until I post again, remember to just be!
I have been on a rollercoaster for the past few months...actually, since November. Healthwise, I have been slacking. I gained about 25 pounds between November and now. Instead of looking at it as a bad thing, I have to keep reminding myself, "Brian, you are 25 pounds less than you were a year ago." This is a huge accomplishment!! I went to the doctor on Friday and after discussing things, I am now on a prescription appetite suppressent. Today was my first dose and I am really feeling the side effects, but it is doing its job. Because I am on this, I figured it was time to get back into the workout routine. I will be going to the gym after work to begin the slim down again. I just hope that I don't lose the weight as fast as I did previously, because I don't want to gain it like I did during the winter. I will keep up with motivation techniques to keep me going.
I have enjoyed 2 weekend trips so far this summer. My first trip was to the Kansas City area in May to see my friend Steve. We had an amazing time going to a musical, having dinner at the Plaza, and experiencing a Saturday morning at the Farmer's Market. My second trip was just this past weekend the Louisville area to see my friend Audrey. She just bought a house (and it's mighty nice if I say so myself)! We went to a few garage sales looking for a bike, enjoyed some of Louisville's festivities, and saw Tiffany (the singer..."I Think We're Alone Now") in concert.
I have been talking to someone over the past couple months. We met through match.com. We have talked nearly every night since we exchanged e-mails and phone numbers. I haven't had this feeling of "romantic connection" for quite some time. If distance wasn't a factor, I think we'd see each other on a weekly basis, if not more. We will see each other sometime this summer.
There could be some other life changes coming up. However, I will disclose more information as time goes on.
So there is life in a nutshell for me...until I post again, remember to just be!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Friends...Chapter 3 - Steve
Friends provide lots of emotions...happiness, peace, tranquility, harmony, love....but they also can provide a sense of sadness, loneliness, and state of confusion. Before I explain this, let me tell you about my friend Steve.
Steve came into my life not even a year ago. I met him through my friend Eddie (See Chapter 2). It was July 2008 and we were at a "White Party." Something told me that I really needed to get to know him. Steve and I began to correspond over MySpace, and finally we were able to get together on Halloween night for dinner. We were talking and found out we had many commonalities. One of the strongest connections was that we both were avid Brothers & Sisters fans. He asked me about getting together on Sunday evenings so we could watch it and discuss what was going on.
Steve has helped me with my spiritual side over the past few months has well. He introduced me to Neale Donald Walsch and Eckhart Tolle. He has enlightened me in a new perspective of looking at events and things that go on in life. He also knew me like a book. He knew when I was not "myself" and could sense something wasn't right...and he was usually right about this.
I know there was a reason Steve was put into my life. For New Year's, Steve, Eddie and I went to Chicago. It was on this trip that I realized that I had a deep emotion for them. No....nothing romantic....unless you want to call it a Bromance. I truly believe that Steve was put into my life to be my "big brother." Now, I do have actual blood related older brothers, however, Steve has done more for me since I have met him than my biological brothers have combined over my lifetime. I am able to talk with Steve about anything....and yes, I mean ANYTHING. Just a couple weeks ago, we made a trip to Louisville to go to a club. I had never been, and he had only been once or twice. I am very glad we got to spend this bonding time together.
This leads me into what I was writing about at the beginning of this blog. I am full of mixed emotions right now. As I am typing this blog, Steve is having his things packed in his apartment and is moving away from Evansville. He is moving to take a job in Kansas City. The sense of sadness and loneliness is there because I know I won't be able to jump in my car and drive over to his place on Sunday nights for Brothers & Sisters and enjoy Marble Slab....uh, I mean Coldstone Creamery. We won't be able to get together for dinner at Rafferty's (one of his favorite places) for a Backyard BBQ Burger. If I forget to DVR American Idol, I won't be able to catch up on it by seeing it on his DVR the weekend.
However I do have a strong sense of happiness at the same time. He is off to do much better things in his job. We still have Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, texting, and phone calls to keep us connected. When either I go to visit, or he comes back to visit, it will be even more special to spend time with my big brother.
I truly value the friendship I have with Steve.
It does pull at the heart strings when you can't see your friends, but they are still there with you no matter the distance. Until my next blog, continue to just be!
Steve came into my life not even a year ago. I met him through my friend Eddie (See Chapter 2). It was July 2008 and we were at a "White Party." Something told me that I really needed to get to know him. Steve and I began to correspond over MySpace, and finally we were able to get together on Halloween night for dinner. We were talking and found out we had many commonalities. One of the strongest connections was that we both were avid Brothers & Sisters fans. He asked me about getting together on Sunday evenings so we could watch it and discuss what was going on.
Steve has helped me with my spiritual side over the past few months has well. He introduced me to Neale Donald Walsch and Eckhart Tolle. He has enlightened me in a new perspective of looking at events and things that go on in life. He also knew me like a book. He knew when I was not "myself" and could sense something wasn't right...and he was usually right about this.
I know there was a reason Steve was put into my life. For New Year's, Steve, Eddie and I went to Chicago. It was on this trip that I realized that I had a deep emotion for them. No....nothing romantic....unless you want to call it a Bromance. I truly believe that Steve was put into my life to be my "big brother." Now, I do have actual blood related older brothers, however, Steve has done more for me since I have met him than my biological brothers have combined over my lifetime. I am able to talk with Steve about anything....and yes, I mean ANYTHING. Just a couple weeks ago, we made a trip to Louisville to go to a club. I had never been, and he had only been once or twice. I am very glad we got to spend this bonding time together.
This leads me into what I was writing about at the beginning of this blog. I am full of mixed emotions right now. As I am typing this blog, Steve is having his things packed in his apartment and is moving away from Evansville. He is moving to take a job in Kansas City. The sense of sadness and loneliness is there because I know I won't be able to jump in my car and drive over to his place on Sunday nights for Brothers & Sisters and enjoy Marble Slab....uh, I mean Coldstone Creamery. We won't be able to get together for dinner at Rafferty's (one of his favorite places) for a Backyard BBQ Burger. If I forget to DVR American Idol, I won't be able to catch up on it by seeing it on his DVR the weekend.
However I do have a strong sense of happiness at the same time. He is off to do much better things in his job. We still have Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, texting, and phone calls to keep us connected. When either I go to visit, or he comes back to visit, it will be even more special to spend time with my big brother.
I truly value the friendship I have with Steve.
It does pull at the heart strings when you can't see your friends, but they are still there with you no matter the distance. Until my next blog, continue to just be!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Friends...Chapter 2 - Eddie
Friends can be such a gift, therefore I would like to express how much my friend Eddie means to me. I met Eddie in February 2008 at a Tri-State Alliance newsletter folding. Eddie appears to be a somewhat quiet and reserved person at first. However, once you get to know him, you learn about his alterego, Miss Edna, that just radiates through! LOL
Eddie has a humor about him like none other. He says the most random things that get you to laugh. We have only been on one major "roadtrip" together...that was to Chicago with our friend Steve (who I will highlight in a future chapter). Eddie was like a kid in a candystore when we were in Chicago...he was just eating it up...the city life, that is. I consider Eddie a big brother, or as he puts it, big sister...LOL!
Eddie has one of the biggest, caring hearts I know. He would do anything for a friend...well, not ANYTHING, but anything...if that makes sense to ya. I value Eddie's friendship and look forward to future roadtrips and mischievious fun that we will encounter!
Until my next post, continue to enjoy the time with your friends....and just be!
Eddie has a humor about him like none other. He says the most random things that get you to laugh. We have only been on one major "roadtrip" together...that was to Chicago with our friend Steve (who I will highlight in a future chapter). Eddie was like a kid in a candystore when we were in Chicago...he was just eating it up...the city life, that is. I consider Eddie a big brother, or as he puts it, big sister...LOL!
Eddie has one of the biggest, caring hearts I know. He would do anything for a friend...well, not ANYTHING, but anything...if that makes sense to ya. I value Eddie's friendship and look forward to future roadtrips and mischievious fun that we will encounter!
Until my next post, continue to enjoy the time with your friends....and just be!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Friends...Chapter 1 - Audrey
As I mentioned in my previous blog, I said that I wanted to focus on something that means a lot to me. Many times, we all take our friends for granted. We are truly glad they happen to be a part of our lives, but how often do we really tribute our friends. Over the next couple week I plan on telling you about my friends that mean the world to me.
For this first blog about my friends, I want to tell you about my friend Audrey. Audrey and I met in September 1999 at a student organization meeting at SIU Edwardsville. Audrey was in her first year of pursuing her Masters of Speech Communication degree and I had just transferred to SIUE after getting my Associate degree. About a week after the student organization meeting, I ran into her at St. Clair Square mall in Fairview Heights, IL. I asked her if she remembered me without telling her my name. She told me later that I freaked her out when I did this.
Audrey and I had some good times while at SIUE. If memory serves me right, we had went to Audrey's parents' house on a Friday evening so we could go to the town-wide garage sale on Saturday morning. We spent all morning together and got back to SIUE around 4:00 PM. She dropped me off at my dorm and then went to her place. By 4:30 PM, we both decided we didn't want to stay where we were, so we decided to make a spontaneous roadtrip to go visit her sister in Decatur, IL.
After graduating SIUE, I had gotten accepted to go to grad school at Grand Valley State in Michigan. Audrey and I decided to make a trip up in May 2002 so we could explore the campus more. The roadtrip to Michigan was so fun...including the random stop at the outlet mall in Holland, and to go see Lake Michigan.
While I was in Michigan, Audrey had an adventure of her own, as she moved to Pennsylvania to attend Penn State for her doctorate. I had the chance to visit her 3 times while she was at Penn State. She introduced me to the Penn State Creamery (fantastic!!), and to Meyer's Dairy. The "Dairy" actually had milk in glass bottles, which I had not seen ever.
Audrey and I now live in the same state. We both work for universities, but have not seen each other much over the past 2 years because of our schedules. However, we talk at least 2-3 times a week, or more. There are nights where we talk for so long that one of us ends up falling asleep while talking on the phone (This is typically me). Last night, she called me with some great news. Yesterday afternoon, she became a homeowner. It will be great to go visit her in her new digs, even though she has only visited me once and I have been to her place at least 3 times. :-) I actually prefer to drive over to see her because there's more to do than there is here in Evansville.
If you read this Audrey, I want to let you know that I value the advice you give me about financial stability, even though I haven't used all of your advice. You still keep me in check with reality and I truly am glad that you are someone I call a friend. I look forward to the many years of friendship we have ahead and the great times to come (which may include diet coke and vanilla rum)!!
Until I post Chapter 2, value the friendships you have and just be...
For this first blog about my friends, I want to tell you about my friend Audrey. Audrey and I met in September 1999 at a student organization meeting at SIU Edwardsville. Audrey was in her first year of pursuing her Masters of Speech Communication degree and I had just transferred to SIUE after getting my Associate degree. About a week after the student organization meeting, I ran into her at St. Clair Square mall in Fairview Heights, IL. I asked her if she remembered me without telling her my name. She told me later that I freaked her out when I did this.
Audrey and I had some good times while at SIUE. If memory serves me right, we had went to Audrey's parents' house on a Friday evening so we could go to the town-wide garage sale on Saturday morning. We spent all morning together and got back to SIUE around 4:00 PM. She dropped me off at my dorm and then went to her place. By 4:30 PM, we both decided we didn't want to stay where we were, so we decided to make a spontaneous roadtrip to go visit her sister in Decatur, IL.
After graduating SIUE, I had gotten accepted to go to grad school at Grand Valley State in Michigan. Audrey and I decided to make a trip up in May 2002 so we could explore the campus more. The roadtrip to Michigan was so fun...including the random stop at the outlet mall in Holland, and to go see Lake Michigan.
While I was in Michigan, Audrey had an adventure of her own, as she moved to Pennsylvania to attend Penn State for her doctorate. I had the chance to visit her 3 times while she was at Penn State. She introduced me to the Penn State Creamery (fantastic!!), and to Meyer's Dairy. The "Dairy" actually had milk in glass bottles, which I had not seen ever.
Audrey and I now live in the same state. We both work for universities, but have not seen each other much over the past 2 years because of our schedules. However, we talk at least 2-3 times a week, or more. There are nights where we talk for so long that one of us ends up falling asleep while talking on the phone (This is typically me). Last night, she called me with some great news. Yesterday afternoon, she became a homeowner. It will be great to go visit her in her new digs, even though she has only visited me once and I have been to her place at least 3 times. :-) I actually prefer to drive over to see her because there's more to do than there is here in Evansville.
If you read this Audrey, I want to let you know that I value the advice you give me about financial stability, even though I haven't used all of your advice. You still keep me in check with reality and I truly am glad that you are someone I call a friend. I look forward to the many years of friendship we have ahead and the great times to come (which may include diet coke and vanilla rum)!!
Until I post Chapter 2, value the friendships you have and just be...
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Quick note...
Wow...time really does fly by. I can not believe that it is now April. This month has not been a great start for me healthwise. I don't think I have been this sick in quite some time. This cold really has knocked my equilibrium out of sync. Over the next week, I am hoping that I can find the strength to overcome this nuisance and dismiss it once and for all. I really need to if I plan on going out of town this upcoming weekend.
Over the next month (or maybe longer), I am going to be putting forth a theme to my blog. I don't want to go into much detail right now, but I will be posting the first blog toward this new theme over the next few days. Until then, just be....
Over the next month (or maybe longer), I am going to be putting forth a theme to my blog. I don't want to go into much detail right now, but I will be posting the first blog toward this new theme over the next few days. Until then, just be....
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