it's been a long time since i rock and rolled.

The party last night was a lot of fun. I definitely downed that bottle of wine a bit too early, but after drunkenly stuffing my face with a South Beach Diet pizza, I felt much better. It turned out to be a small crowd, but a good time was had. We jammed and swam until 3am and drank until past 4. I passed out on my couch around 4:30am, after giving a drunk William dibs on my bed.

I woke up way, way too early and expected to sleep for the majority of the day. I went out with my mom and grandmother and did a little bit of shopping, then the bro called and said that Brady had some free tickets to Sea World and wanted us to go. And we did. And it was really fun. I got a good amount of sun (which I'm pleased to say is bringing some of my freckles back) and a lot of exercise. We rode the rollercoasters (I started to black out on one of them, I think from the combination of the heat and the lack of food), saw the animals, and just putzed around.

I ate meat today for the first time in a long while. My grandma found some grass-fed, 100% organic beef at HEB and I decided that it was suitable to eat based upon my moral values and qualms towards the industrial food chain. It was delicious and tender and wonderful. I don't plan on eating meat often, but if I do it's definitely got to be grass-fed. It tastes much better, anyways.

This upcoming week may involve trips to the Kerrville Folk Festival and possibly Austin. Summer is wonderful.

P.S. - The Spurs' season is officially over, and I am disappointed.

baby, i'm long gone.

I didn't sleep very well last night. I crawled into bed before 11pm with a mild headache and had a hard time drifting off to sleep. I guess I finally did, but then was woken at around 1am by a phone call. After that I don't think I fell into a deep sleep until about 6am.

I finished Michael Pollan's "The Omnivore's Dilemma" yesterday. It was really good and made me think about everything I'm putting into my body. One fact that really disturbed me was that, in the world today, there are more people suffering from overnutrition than malnutrition. That's pretty fucked up, huh? Overall, the book was entertaining and interesting and really forces you to take a good look at the industrial food chain here in our country. I think that I'm going to read Jack Kerouac's "On the Road" next.

I worked out for the first time in god knows how long yesterday. It felt good. I'm going to keep it up.

midnight nooses from boxcar cadavers.

So grades are up. I didn't do as terribly as I thought I had. I got an A- in both Animal Behavior and Framing Youth Culture and I got a B- in Evolution and Chemistry (which is way better than I expected in both). I'm fairly pleased, I had a 3.17 for the semester and a 3.11 overall, now. Not too shabby, considering I definitely don't try as hard as I should.

The Spurs' loss last night was infuriating. That SOB referee, Joe Crawford, should NOT have been allowed to ref another one of our games. We were down by seven at the beginning of the fourth, and with about 50 seconds left we came back to just being down by two. With two seconds left on the clock, the ball was ours. Of course, they gave it to Barry, hoping for a three. And he tried, and would have made it if he wasn't so blatantly fouled. I can't believe they didn't call a foul. We could have easily come back and taken the game. We were robbed. I think this next game in L.A. may end the Spurs' season, unfortunately.

it's a luscious mix of words and tricks.

Today has been good. I went to the old H.S. to see a few old teachers and catch up with them. Later, William and I came back to my house and jammed with my brother for about two hours straight. It was sick. My fingers are bruised from playing the djembe. We recorded some really cool things. We had the drum set, the djembes, and at one point, William was playing the didgerido. I'm making it a point to learn how to play that thing before I go to Australia.

I just had a delicious Boca burger and now I'm gonna crack open a bottle of wine, pour myself a glass, have a cigarette, and wait for the Spurs game, which will start at 8pm.

what better place than here, what better time than now?

Come on, Spurs. You need to get back in this thing. Tonight's loss was... painful to watch. Down by 30 at the end of the game. D'oh. Hopefully the coming home games and some rest will pep them up to come back and take the series.

uh uh uh, you didn't say the magic word.

YES. Jurassic Park is on. I have been craving this movie for weeks. Amazing.

now we sleep crooked if we sleep at all.

Oof. Slightly hungover. I drank ten beers last night without even realizing it. Or maybe everyone was lying to me and I really didn't have that many. That is doubtful, though. I watched the Spurs game in good company last night, though we lost (by FOUR points, I might add. Very disapppointing).

I also got my tattoo finished yesterday, as planned. It went really well. I really liked Gabriel a lot. He did a good job of talking to me to keep my mind off the pain. It wasn't that painful for the first half, but when he switched to shading the larger areas he used a different, more intense needle. But I survived and now I've got a badass yellow submarine that is finally yellow.

i promise this is the last post for today.

I have three things to say. First of all, I got a splinter in my foot and it hurts. I just attacked it with tweezers. Second, I am getting very strange tan lines from alternating between normal bikinis and my bandeau bikini. And last, but definitely not least:

Go Spurs go.

lost and naked in the city again.

Oh, Texas. I love you. It's time to jump in the pool.

slam your fist on the table and make your demands.

I'm finally easing into a state of relaxation and get a good night's sleep.

Yesterday I decided to get my yellow submarine tattoo finished. I called Sin Tattoos and made an appointment. I figured they were a good choice because I got my cartilage pierced and my first tattoo done there. So I made an appointment for 9pm. When the time rolled around, I showed up and the artist asked to see the tattoo. He took one look at it and gave me an estimate of $250! Way, way overpriced. I said no thanks and left. Mike suggested we go to Rings of Fire to get an estimate, too. I figured it wouldn't hurt so we headed over towards Ingram. Only two artists were working there and both were busy when we arrived, so we sat around and watched the Spurs game. When one of the artists, Gabriel, was finally free, he asked to see the tattoo and then asked if I could pull a picture up of the submarine online. He told me he'd color it in and add the periscopes for $100. Sweet. He was going to do it last night but then he had to go buy diapers for his daughter. I have an appointment for 2pm tomorrow to get it done. I'm excited and very nervous. The outline was pretty painful and I'm sure this will be no different. It's going to be so worth it, though. Pictures to come of the final product.

Now I'm going to catch up on my episodes of House, which I have been severely behind on for a while. Hugh Laurie... mmm.

there will be teeth in the grass.

Phwew. I am thoroughly exhausted. Let me recap the past two days, for those that are interested.

Saturday night I saw Josh, William, and Jaik. I met Josh at O.P. Schnabel, a city park in my area. We hucked around a disc for a little while and then retired to sit in the pavilion, me smoking my cigarettes and attempting to blow smoke O's, waiting for the others. When they finally arrived, we briefly caught each other up on our lives and then decided to go somewhere else, seeing as the park was closing at 11pm. We went to this little restaurant/hookah bar on De Zavala and smoked hookah and chatted for a while. It's always nice to see them. One thing I always notice is that it never seems like we left. We can immediately pick up where we left off. The end of this night marked the end of my first weekend in San Antonio(Sunday doesn't count in my book because drinking is usually not implied on Sundays) and I made it through sober. It doesn't seem like a huge deal, but it's quite a feat in my life.

Today I went tubing with the boys. It was so, so nice. I missed the Texas heat. My back and shoulders are rosy and the sun really wore me out. We floated around for a few hours and then, at the end of the river, we caught the bus back to the tube rental store and sat around on a picnic bench on the river front for another hour and a half. Afterwards, we went back to Drew's apartment, played a few rounds of Guitar Hero, and then I proceeded home to satiate my hunger with a South Beach Diet Four Cheese Pizza on Harvest Wheat Crust (delicious!). I kicked back two St. Pauli Girl dark German beers (equally delicious!) and hung out with the brother and a few of his friends. A couple of them were tripping on salvia. I don't think that I have ever heard my brother giggle like that before. It was interesting to watch them trip out, but I must say, I'm glad I did not partake.

Those two beers made me sleepy. I feel good. My detox has been going well. I've been able to drink very lightly (only two beers, one glass of wine, etc) and feel good about it. I've been eating ridiculously healthy and am already feeling less bloated than when I left school. And now that I am showered, clean and river water free, it's time for me to pass out.

I have a feeling the tag 'sunburns' will be showing up more and more often in the coming weeks.

guitar on the dead boy's chest, devil's granting a last request.

After about seven hours straight (plus probably about 5 hours yesterday), all my stuff is finally unpacked and my room is decorated and feels like home again. My stomach is cramping up because I didn't even take a break to eat anything. I should probably do that. Now, I'm basking in the glory of my beautiful room, smoking a cigarette and enjoying my quiet Friday night. Here are a few low quality, webcam pictures:

I tried to swim today but the water was really cold from the rain. I could only bear it for about 30 seconds, then I got out and got some sun. The rain at night has been really strange - it will be really nice during the day and then at around 3am really bad thunderstorms will show up. The lightning was intense last night. Cookie (my dog) was scared so she came on the bed and cuddled with my mom and I.

My detox is going well. I drank on Tuesday night when I got in and hung out with my brother and a couple of his friends. Since then, I have not drank (aside from a small glass of wine on Wednesday night before I went to sleep). I have, however, been smoking a ridiculous amount of cigarettes. I'm enjoying the low prices here. It's nice to not pay almost seven dollars for a pack, though I do miss the buy-two-get-one-free Parliament deal that was at Tailgate.

I have still yet to start any of my summer reading, but that's okay. I've got a stack of books lined up and there is plenty of time. Last night I caught up on the new season of the Real World. Five episodes = about four hours straight, I think. I'm embarrassed, but it's my guilty pleasure so, alas, there is nothing I can do.

Yesterday I went out to lunch with Mike and Ray. First, I went with Nick, Morgan, and Mike to get Mike a new cell phone. We went to this little Mexican fruit cup place by the phone store and I got a delicious watermelon/pineapple fruit cup. Then we went to Chili's. Tomorrow I will go out to dinner and a movie with Josh, William, and Jaik probably and then sunday I am going tubing with Roland, John, Drew, etc.

Now I am going to take a much needed shower and get some sleep. Summer is off to a good start.

wake up, you've got a lot of things to do.

Things I hate about flying:

1) Usually the person that sits next to me. It really kills me when there are many open seats remaining and someone chooses to sit next to me. Not even in the aisle seat in my row, but NEXT to me in the middle seat. Double points if the person smells weird.
2) Two words: crying babies. As soon as we took off yesterday, one of these miniature demons started up, screaming at the top of its lungs. The announcement that it was "safe to use all approved portable electronic devices" saved my life and my headache.
3) Lavatories. I don't have much to say about these babies, because I don't use them unless I'm literally about to urinate all over myself, but I don't like the breeze that comes from the bowl.
4) Layovers. 'Nuff said.
5) Clogged ears. Specifically clogged ears when I forgot to purchase gum.
6) When SOMETHING in my checked bag decides to explode and get everywhere. Even when my toiletries are in a separate plastic bag it's still a bitch to clean up.

I'm pretty sure the list could go on for a while, but I'll stop there.

Things I like about flying:
1) The prospect of returning to a place and seeing loved ones again.

...Yep, that's about it.
It's good to be home.

you don't spread freedom with a barrel of a gun.

Our country is in such a sad state. We need change and that is why, although I am not republican, I support Ron Paul. No more bullshit. Something needs to happen.

trailer park jesus.

The lake house was the break that I needed. We barbecued veggie burgers and hot dogs and laid outside in the grass and drank cheap beer and red wine out of dixie cups. When the sun began to set, we moved to the back porch and played a lively game of king's cup. Afterwards, I sat on the bench on the lake front and stared up at the sky and thought about how small we really are. There was no worrying about what time it was or what work we had. While we were there we were just living, just enjoying each other's company and soaking up the gorgeous scenery and the quiet that can only be found in nature. And then it was back to the real world. Back to finals and papers and stress and worrying about time.

Apparently I leave on the 13th, not the 15th. I'm happy to be going home earlier than expected, but at the same time that leaves me with two fewer days to get everything done. Caroline and I studied for chemistry for five hours tonight, it was nice to be productive. I had the option to go out and drink but I made a responsible decision (for once) and am quite proud of myself for it.

The room is so blank and sad.

now it's a good time for a tasty glass of wine, let's not burden our minds with carbon dioxide.

We're off to Vermont to spend the day/night at Ryan's lakehouse to escape the hectic atmosphere that surrounds the campus during finals. Somehow I never add to the stress (maybe because I don't give a fuck about finals?). The next 36 hours will be filled with grilled veggie burgers, cigarettes, forties and red wine, laughter, some studying, and s'mores.

I got the most ridiculous fake nails last night. You know, the kind that you bought when you were in 6th grade that came with the glue and everything? I had them on for maybe 2 hours and then got really frustrated that I couldn't button or zip up my pants with ease. I ripped those bitches off quick.

Now I must finish packing and getting ready, though I am still slightly intoxicated from last night.
Let the fun begin.

outside, the daylight comes and daylight goes.

I am compiling a list of books that I want to read over the summer. So far this is what I have:

• "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu
• "Breakfast of Champions" by Kurt Vonnegut
• "Love is a Dog From Hell" by Charles Bukowski
• "The Once and Future King" by T.H. White
• "The Origin of Species" by Charles Darwin (NERD)
• "Tales of Ordinary Madness" by Charles bukowski
• "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan
• "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac
  

That's all that I can come up with right now. Any suggestions? This is my feeble attempt to make good use of my summer and avoid the constant drunken antics that usually prevail. I plan on spending my days lounging by the pool with a good book and a glass of iced tea.

the kids were making models of god out of paper mache.

I am officially done with classes for the semester. I got my animal behavior presentation grade back today - I pulled off an A-. I also got my research paper back - an A- as well. I'm very, very pleased with my grades, especially the research paper. I'm thinking that I'm going to get an A- in both those classes, a B in evolution (probably), and I'm just hoping for a C in chemistry. I'm going to have to work my ass off for the final to pull it off, but I think I can do it.

I had to say goodbye to Lee yesterday. I got back into my room and was hit with a wave of sadness. It's just the first of many. Eight months without the people I spend every single day with. It's going to be hard, but it will be really beneficial for me, I think.

The weekend was good, aside from some complete belligerence on Saturday night. One of Lee's friends ended up ripping two bulletin boards apart in a drunken stupor. I feel really bad about it. Katy and I tried to fix it as best we could in the morning. On Sunday, we went to a free show at UMass with the boys. Deer Tick was incredible. I bought his album on iTunes when I got back to school and have been listening to it ever since. Good stuff.

Ten days until my triumphant return. I can't wait to jump in the pool.

listen, jack, you're on the wrong side of the track. atleast now i don't have to walk it all alone.

one goodbye down, a long list of others awaits in the next week and a half.
i don't like this.