Wakey Wakey...

Rando...Redonc....Absurd....

Real.

I'm now convinced that the strongest relationships are built upon those things, events, conversations, stories, and "one-liners" that we can't just recreate for anyone. It has to be for those friends, those best and closest to us. Those who know us and can relate. The relationships we build with those people, they last and last beyond all others. I know this because it is easy to return to those moments and easier still to make sure that those moments carry on in our lives. The fun, the total lack of control while laughing, the love that comes as a result of keeping it alive in our memories is the best of results.

Family and friends: Thank you for keeping my love alive with yours. I hope that we can share more and more of the same in this new year!

Ciao!

The Dawn of 2009...

Too long has it been since I've posted.  The new year has come and it started off with a bang!  (Literally)  Being sick for the last couple of days hasn't helped, but my spirits are high and the first couple of days during 2009 have been enjoyable thus far.  The skies have been filled with sunshine and clear blue and the snow only started falling this morning.  My work at the club is taking a new direction and the arts program is going to soar above the rest.  I can't wait to dig in and get the ball rolling on the new and improved arts dept. at our humble little club.  I just want a picture of all the smiles in the next couple of months as it is going to be incredible!

The New Year's celebration at the arts center was a success thanks to an incredible effort of hard work (as well as a labor of love) from two of the best guys I know.  My deepest gratitude and many thanks go out to them for putting so much of themselves into the theater and the organization.  The new year promises great things for the Arts Center as well as our 'theatre'.

As I watch the snow fall gently this morning I'm reminded that there is a time to slow down and take a short break from all the chaos of life.  For me that time is today.  I think I'll read for a while, and then maybe a nice long movie at home.

I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year's and that you are all well!

Ciao!

Upgrading From Cloud Seven...

Saturday...definitely one of the best days of my life!  It has been a great Christmas holiday thus far and Friday was excellent.  I spent the day with my parents, lounging around, hanging out, enjoying some time in town searching for a phone.  I ended up replacing my old one with a new one.  It's the same model and everything, just a little newer.  I like the fact that I can see the screen and it's not all whacked out like the old one was.  It was definitely getting a little aggravating, not being able to read the texts and see who was calling.

I had dinner Friday night with someone very cool, very cute, and very amazing.  Needless to say we're hitting it off very well and I'm very happy with the way things are going.  It's going to be interesting to see where this goes.

Today was even more incredible, spending time with said "cute and amazing".  Hanging out, having coffee, walking through a few thrift stores, and then shopping at a scrap booking place.  It was fun, simple, nice, and extremely real.  Something about this day has been very different, and I like the way it feels.  Being on cloud nine is a nice change from the everyday cloud seven...ha ha ha.

Ciao!

Looking Forward...

Christmas was awesome.  Need I say more?  The Christmas holiday is always memorable here at home with family.  I spent the early portion of the day finishing up my gift wrapping and worrying about the snow fall and accumulation in Durango.  I finally worked up enough nerve to drive out of Durango (which was a small miracle in and of itself) and made my way home for the day.  The gifts were plentiful the the family was together.  We are truly fortunate to have each other, to be together during the holidays and to have so much in our lives.  I know that things could be different.  They are for quite a number of families in the world.  I did indeed count my blessings instead of sheep on Christmas Eve.

With my family in good health and everyone making their way through the aftermath of the holiday, the new year approaches.  I can't wait to spend it with my friends and welcome it with high hopes and a smile on my face.  Living for today is a great way move through life, to work and make progress on a daily basis.  (And looking forward to the bright future ahead is always fun and uplifting.)

I can't wait to spend some time with my BAMF.  She's played such an incredible role in my life, my growth, and my idea of friendship has changed and made progress because of her.

Here's to the new year and knowing that, come what may, life will indeed be wonderful!

Ciao!

And To All A Goodnight....

"Twas the night before Thursday, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except a certain family who like to give one person crap, all the time!  The stockings were hung by the fire with care, and her socks were in her bag, her feet weren't bare...ya, so it started to snow and the roads turned to ice, and another day passed and everything was nice.  Back to Durango for another weekend of fun, some new toys to play with and DVD's to run.  Much love to my BAMF and I hope she's OK, and that her lip heals up quick, because I know she wants to play!!!"

A holiday poem by Jared

It's Christmas time for me and I'm so ready for a wonderful holiday with my family.  I know that there are so many people out there who can't get home for the holidays or can't be with family.  I'm going to count my blessings instead of sheep tonight when I hit the hay.  I'm truly fortunate and I know this is the season for giving and receiving.  I'm going to open up my heart and my mind and share my love with everyone.  I hope that it's a wonderful holiday season for you and yours and that love and merriment are in the air this weekend!

Ciao!

Of Crazy Parties, Popcorn, and Snowfall...

As I watch the snow fall gently outside my bedroom window I think about how quiet the world is at this moment. (Well, at least the world outside my window...) It makes me stop and think, possibly ponder my own life at this point in time. Being up this early always scares me a little. Wondering whether or not I should be sleeping, taking this time to reflect on this past weekend, and then trying to live in the moment once more.

It seems that my holiday break has begun without me. I always run around the first few days wondering what I have to do, whether or not I should be at some rehearsal, why I feel so busy when clearly I haven't any schoolwork to which I should attend. Then the feeling sets in and I finally make the switch over to vacation mode. The days are extremely shorter and the nights, while they come earlier and earlier, seem to last forever. I remember commenting just this weekend that it seemed to "feel" like it was nine at night when it was in reality only six-thirty. I suppose that's another thing I still have yet to get adjust in my life. That whole time change thing still freaks me out...

Sunday was extremely relaxing. Enjoying a nice long day of lounging seemed to be just what I needed. Late in the afternoon I found my way upstairs to "begin the day". A quick shower and some clean clothes always makes me feel better. Then off to K's place to hang out with my BAMF. Life is always better, more focused, and safe when I'm with her. She centers me and makes me reassured that life is indeed a good thing! We ended up vegging out, in ever sense of the word. Movies and some empty calories were also what I needed. (Oh, and first time seeing "Lady in the Water"...awesome!)

Saturday morning was frantic, wrought with performances and rehearsals. Though, I do feel that it was more because of the night before and not because of the events of the morning. Bar tending has certainly proven to be much more of a challenge for the morning portion of my day. Getting in early, after tending late, and then getting up to get to a performance was rough! But, it felt good to get some playing time in and enjoy a last go 'round with Tim before he left for his break. I enjoyed a wonderful evening of Tarantino films with my sister and her husband as well as some friends of ours. Family, friends, popcorn, and bloody/puss popping zombies were definitely needed that night.

And now, as the snow falls gently outside my window, I realize that the universe had all of this planned from the get-go. A crazy Friday night, full of alcohol pouring, money flying, margarita drinking co-workers, to a peaceful early Monday morning with a soft and quiet time for personal thought and reflection.

Intense, yes...needed....more than I could have ever imagined.

Ciao!

Something To Fill The Space...

I guess I'm not quite sure about what to write...

It's Thursday, yesterday was Wednesday, the holiday season is here and for all the masses who celebrate Christmas, there's only a week left until the big day.  I guess it's kind of funny how we still, to this day, mark the calendar by big dates.  Regular days probably turned into those world changing moments, altering the lives of countless others and that's why they made the calendar and days like today might not.  (Guess I'll keep my fingers crossed for something incredible!)

Rehearsal yesterday went fairly well and it seems that most of the people in that ensemble rehearse and perform better in a very low pressure situation.  Our professor is definitely a great leader.  Inspiring others and acting as a shining example of how to approach this lifestyle we call "music" is what he does best.  I really look up to him and hope to someday approach the level he has attained.  If you ever get a chance to hang out with him, do it!  It's awesome and he's a great friend.

In other news, the club is holding our annual "Holiday Family Party".  A chance for the kids and their families to come to the club and enjoy some time together.  Games, food, music...you know...all the important stuff that we all should do everyday instead of this crazy bull-stuff that we call "work".  Were the world as great as it is inside our building, everything would solve itself and we'd all enjoy snack-time as an added bonus!

Looking forward to that day...

Ciao!