Life Update

So, I know this is long over due......

Over this past year, I started looking at homes, for a variety of reason. The $8,000 government tax credit was a good incentive. I figured I was going to be staying in Rochester for a few more years. But mainly because I was bored and lonely while my roommate took a week long trip to Guatemala was why I started in the first place.

It was an off and on thing. I was would really excited about looking at houses, then it felt like a chore. Nothing really struck out at me.

Then I round one that I really like. Put in an offer, and after a few weeks of back and forth, we finally agreed upon it. Start getting the ball in motion to ultimately own the house. Had two months to close, plenty of time.

Then it starts to get crazy. Inspection comes and goes; 2 weeks gone by. Appraisal comes back a little lower. Go back to home owner to reach an agreement. Well, that process took 1 month. I could say the details, but lets just say the other realtor cannot follow the flow of money (i.e. in her counter offers, she kept losing $3000 somewhere and could not grasp the concept that I would have to make that money up myself.....I even made a powerpoint for her, but still, over her head). Finally we get that settled, but at this point, I only have 10 days till my original closing.

Well, I put it in overdrive and pretty much get all of the stuff done on my side, including lining up moving help. However, I get an email last friday saying that home homeowner can no longer close on monday! Why you ask? Cause as Power of Attorney for her husband (who is currently in Iraq, which is very respectful), she did not have the proper documents to allow her to close on her end. In other words, you the piece of paper she was suppose to keep? Yeah that went to Iraq with him. And now we have to wait till it gets in the mail.

You would think as a professional realtor who would have to deal with this situation at least occasionally would make sure that all the proper documents were there. My realtor is just as frustrated as I am at this point......

At least I got the OK to move my stuff into the new place. I can't officially live there, but at least I am out of the way at my old place.

Hopefully by friday we will have this all figured out.....if not, I get to live in a house that is not legally mine yet.....

Minor update: No spoilers

Big things have been happening in my life. Will share more details later.

Just enjoy my twitter posts on the side to enjoy what I have been doing till a real update comes.

Montana and my T-Shirt

Funny story. Back when I was in college, I my parents bought a ranch. Then a few years later I bought a T-shirt that said "Montana: Yes we do have electricity"

Turns out that shirt was only partially right.

It seems through out my stay here this week, the power has been on and off multiple time. It seemed to focus around two days after some pretty decent storms. First day the power went out about 8 times, mostly just on, off stuff (the type that starts to annoy you as you need to turn things back on such as the DVD player or Computer). The longest it was off that day was about 2 hours.

Then yesterday it started doing the same thing. Except this time around 1500, it just went out. And stayed out. The power didn't come back on until sometime late in the night, so at least a good 8-10 hrs of no power. Thus no shower, no bathroom.

Man, I didn't think I would be roughing it out here this much....

Life Update

I am alive.

Contrary to my lack of blog postings......

Transparency and why I am so happy all the time.....

So, I told myself this year, I was going to attempt to me more transparent with my feelings, etc with people. I am a pretty reserved guy for the most part, I think this might help. Plus, it has a bit of awesomeness in it.

So, here you go for a new post:

My sophomore year of college, I think I hit rock bottom. Depression runs pretty deep in my family, and I am not immune. It was a real rough year for me.

I can thank a single person for person for allowing me to come out of that year alive. No kidding. He knows who he is and I really appreciate his friendship at that point in my life.

So, I did a bunch of writing, etc, and out of it came this awesome poem. I have been wanting to share it with everyone, but I felt pretty ashamed about the topic. But here it is:


--------------------------
Shell

You may think it is rage or hate
but it is passion that drives the gun
a passion burning so deep it ignites
and sends its messenger on the run

A gun is just another tool
simple yet ingenious in design
A barrel, hammer, pin and trigger
with a bullet do the motives align

In my hand I hold an empty shell
never loaded or is it already spent
I cannot tell by the case
I don’t know the extent of its torment

I sit here staring at it
its shiny metal skin
I don’t know if I should laugh or cry
if I should run away or grin

I stand here waiting
trying to figure out its meaning
either way my life is spent
my soul is always weaning

Is my soul dead
or am I in a rude awake
is it an inevitable fate
or something that I can try to shake

The shell is like my life
either never begun or already gone
both are useless to me now
the message hit dead on.

And now I have two empty shells
resting in my open palm
my mind becomes opened and clear
and I am lost in the present calm

--------------------------

So, after that horrible year, capped off by a pretty significant moment in my life, I decided that I was sick of living like that. So I decided that I was going to be happy. And I have found that attitude can get a person pretty far in life. So, that is why I am always smiling and saying hi to people. Because such a simple thing can change a person's life. (plus it doesn't hurt finding a few good friends who rock your world).

And I am not here to say that attitude can get you through anything, and that it has made my life perfect. My life still sucks at times, but I find it easier to get through. No more pity parties for me.

So, thanks friend. I really do love you much and have much to thank you for. The last 5 years have been awesome.

So, how is that for transparency?

And disclaimer: if you are thinking about hurting yourself, etc, please please talk to someone about it. People will listen.

Blog vs Twitter

Or this should be titled "Why I enjoy Twitter more than my actual blog."

Twitter is just so simple. 140 Characters. It really makes you condense all your thoughts and actions. Never having to formulate long articles on what I did. Micro-blogging can be done in almost an instant, and that is what I make Twitter to be for me. My Micro-blog. When I write in my blog I feel almost required to write down all my thought processes (which if you know me, you don't know half the stuff that goes through my brain.)

Updating my twitter several times a day is almost more convenient than logging into blogger and doing the exact same thing.

Also, it allows me to get reduced to what I do best: make up short, clever, and witty remarks and statements.

Short. Sweet. Simple. I love it. You should check it out. Then follow me. @iamdorg

Change

When people think of change, they think of something immediate. That is what change is right? Going from one thing to another? The biggest changes should be those that you notice instantly, right? Sure, that can be change, but I think there is much more to it.

I think the biggest changes are those that you can't really see until you step back and look at the much larger picture. Instead of looking from minute to minute, day to day, we need to look month to month, year to year. It is amazing how the little changes in my life are magnified when looking through this lens. And it is all those little changes that have brought me to where I am today.

Change should be a constant aspect of one's life. We should always be trying to shape and mold our existence into something that is better than our current selves, and it is not easy. If it was, then wouldn't everyone have already done it? It is a feeling of conviction that should be the driving force.

Right now, my heart is heavy with the many things that I need to do to make myself that better person. I need to be more conscious of my actions, more aware of my presence, more mindful of those around me. I need to do so much more. But I know that change is coming my way because these things are on my heart. And I am not going to change overnight.

Like I said, a few years from now, I will be there. Just got to let the change happen in me.

Something I like about politics

So this pretty much makes my day.

High Speed Railway corridors across America.

I can hardly wait.....



And my family was afraid Obama was going to destroy America.....

Full Article

Weekend Fun

So for Easter Weekend, I made my way up to my sister's place. And just cause I never do this, I am putting up some pictures just for her:

Getting ready to use the Zip Line


Right before the jump


Playing dead (well, actually I was a bit exhausted


Just wrestling with Grace


Going really fast with Adie


Lydia just being adorable


So I had fun time. Made some really good food, impressed a bunch of people, and just generally showed off my skills. So a typical weekend.

Not Helpful

So, since about friday of last week, I am been kind of a hinderance to my roommate.

And it is not anything intentional at all. First it all started when I tried to move her computer a bit and dropped her external hard drive on the table. And guess what? It doesn't work anymore at all. So, we had to send it out to get the information off the disk. And apparently there is 164 Gigs on it, so it is quite a bit of info that I may have lost for her. I felt so bad.

Then on sunday night, our internet stopped working. Well, not the whole thing but our Router was being dumb. We could get internet when we hooked directly up to the modem, so we tried to call in support. Which does not exist because we were off warranty by 4 months. So I came home from yesterday to find a desktop spread out all over the living room with a new wireless router. And Heather was just starting to install the system into her computer. Well, it was not a real simple procedure as it takes about 25 minutes to do. And when we were at about minute number 23, I bumped the power cord and cause power to stop flowing. So, start over number one. And next time when we were at minute 20, I did again.

It was actually kind of funny because it was completely unintentional. We joked about how I have been a major hinderance to her when all I have been trying to do is help her. So, I sat in our chair laughing. Then she asked how long I thought it was going to take her to finish the install. I guessed 17 minutes from that point, so she put me in a "time out" and I was not allowed to leave the chair. So, I was not able to "help".

Man, I feel like such a little child right now......but I am kind of enjoying it......

Michigan and Beyond

So, a finish to my trip over to Ann Arbor.

Toronto was a blast. Downtown was a cool experience, but I really enjoyed the whole public transit that we used. I think it would be cool to live in a city where you are required to use the subway. It is just very convenient; something I wish could be in MSP, but probably never will......

The CN Tower was also really cool. We kind of touristy, but it still was fun. Tyler had too much fun watching planes land in the near by airport...... Definitely recommend going to see it if you have the chance.

Once Toronto was done, we made our way to Niagara Falls. For some strange reason, someone once told me that the American side is cooler than the Canadian side. So, we went to Goat Island in New York (the island between a few of the falls. And it was cool, but most things were closed due to the season. There still was a bunch of snow around so we were unable to make it down underneath the falls....bummer

Then we went over to the Canadian side. And wow.....very breath taking. With all the snow that was piled up and carved by the mist, it was very beautiful.

Then we made our way back to Detroit. And got stopped by border patrol. For some strange reason, they did not understand that we only need to stay in Canada for 28 hours.......apparently we are drug smugglers or something. So they searched our car and we very close to being detained. It was exciting.

And back to Ann Arbor. Nice tour of the campus thanks to Tyler. We also hit up the museum on campus and saw a really cool exhibit on architecture. And I got to meet a few more of this friends.

Also, I don't think I have played that much Scrabble in my life....

All in all, I really did not want to come back to work. Was very tempted to call in sick......

Weekend Trip part 1

So I got a few minutes here while my friend is busy doing something....

So, I decided a few weeks ago to visit one of my good college friends for the weekend plus. Not that I wasn't expecting it to be, but I have had a blast.

I just love Tyler. A really great guy, and he knows how to have a good time.

I flew to Ann Arbor MI late friday night, and stayed up late (gasp...I know). I got to meet a few of his friends, but the funnest friend that I met of his was Josh. I am hoping that even though I only knew him for a few days, that I am able to be a friend of his as well.

Anyways, but we spent the day saturday touring Ann Arbor. It is a beautiful city.

Then we went to Canada. It was a blast. I was mostly expecting it to be lame (not really), but it was a cool. We spent Sunday night walking around Downtown Toronoto. The subway was a fun experience as well....

Anyways, I have to jet out to eat, so the rest of the trip will be described in detail in posts to come......this is not even half the trip....

Wait to hear about Customs!

Contradiction

So, I basically suck that this whole blogging thing, as evidenced by the lack of posts. The idea is to be transparent and ramble etc., but that is not me at all.

I am envious of those who can be blunt and open with their lives. I wish I could be like them in some ways, but fundamentally I am reserved and self-aware of the things I let others know. I censor myself to not allow anyone to get a grasp on who or what I am, which is the antithesis of the whole blogging community.

In nerddom, I would be known as a "lurker." I actively pursue the details of everyone's lives and opinions while I myself sit in relative anonymity.

I am a voyeur who lives behind his own curtains.

What makes The Amazing Race amazing?

I just watched one of the promos for the new season of The Amazing Race, and I think it perfectly exemplifies why this show is so great.

It isn't the thousands of miles travelled.

Or the exotic countries you visit.

It isn't the exhaustion or the exhilaration.

It's not the unexpected turns in the road.

Or even the million dollar prize.

Its 2 ordinary people at a starting line with nothing but the whole world in front of them.



(and yes, I did just steal the transcript.....)

I am really pumped. You all should definitely watch in 3 weeks. Feb 15, 7:00 PM CST.

Diners, Drive-ins and Dives/The Killers

So last night, I got done with work and had a really fun night planned with a co-worker. We had previously bought tickets to The Killers concert at the Northrop Aud, so we decided to make an afternoon out of it.

Well, we had originally decided to this restaurant the was featured on the show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. We were uber excited and started to make our way there. Well, we get there and realize that it is closed. How bummed were we. Apparently it is not open on Mondays, something we had failed to find anywhere. So we started thinking about plan B for dinner with time running out due to use only planning an extra 2 hrs to eat before the concert.

Also on the same show, another place in MSP was shown, so we decided to hit that one up. Well it took us some time to find it, but once I got was able to determine out location, it was a simple breeze. Now this is 1.5 hr before the start. Well we drive up and see all the chairs on the tables. What the heck. Seriously, is nothing open on Monday? Apparently not as this diner too was closed on Mondays. So now we have a little over an hour to find a place and eat. Oh, Guy you have seriously lead us astray today.......

We decided to just drive down University and find something that would catch our eyes. We ended up finding this nice Neapolitan Pizza restaurant called Pizza Nea which turned out to be really good. I would highly recommend it if you are in Minneapolis just driving down University.

We finally got to the concert about 30 min late, and just missed some of the opening band, M85. The last few songs in the set I actually liked, so I may look into them a bit more.

But the highlight was definitely The Killers. Great concert. I had a blast, and their set list spanned all there albums, picking out not just the commercial popular songs, but also the song that enjoyed just from their albums.

This concert made me want to so see several other of my favorite bands live. So heres to looking online for tour dates.......

Lost Day

All this week, it feels in my body/brain as if I am supposed to be a day ahead in the week.

I got done with work on Tuesday all excited to think the Wednesday was done the weekend was near. Immediately I realized my folly and droned on about my added day to the week....

Well, It was not an isolated incident. Wednesday at work I thought it was Thursday for a period of about an hour, and once I was done with work on the real Thursday, I was happy that the weekend was already here. Heck, I almost started to watch TV waiting for my Friday show to come on.... All Thursday night I had to correct myself.

And even now, as it is Friday morning, I feel like it should be a Saturday.....a nice lazy Saturday morning. But alas, it is Friday and I go to work in about 4 hours......

I have been trying to figure out why my body/brain want themselves to be a day ahead. Maybe it is just preparation for something coming up......who knows with me and how everything functions.......

MIA and Home Alone

So, I have been MIA from my blog for nearly a month. And it has been kind of nice.....

Quick Updates:
Christmas came and went--it was great seeing family. I seemed to get a lot of food gifts; wonder if that is supposed to tell me something.

New Years: Went to some random person's house; it was a little awkward at first, but then was ok

I seem to never be working. Just had 5 days off in a row, and thought about going back to GF, but the possible snowstorm kept me down here.

Saw a friend on thursday night before she flew down to Miami friday morn for a cruise this week. A mutual friend then flew into Roch Friday night to hang out with me prior to his leaving for Miami to go on that said cruise.

Watched the movie WALL-E. Spoiler alert: I may or may not have cried.

I think that is it for the quick updates.

Heather has left for Guatemala/Columbia. I don't see her till the 17th, so we shall see what fun or lack there off I get into while she is gone. The house is kind of quiet and I don't think I like it. But I did fix the furnace, so at least the den is not cold anymore while I am sitting watching TV.

I have been bored, so I found a cool video promo for HaMerotz LaMillion which is the Israeli version of The Amazing Race. Makes me want to be on the show even more...



Other major updates, I still haven't decided for sure, but I think I may live in Rochester for an extended period of time. Mainly because I have started looking at more permanent living situations i.e. buying a house.

More to come in the future as I have a couple of ideas in the pipes......