Who Even Gets That Anymore?

So it turns out that I have pneumonia. A not so quick trip to the hospital Sunday night helped answer that question. After taking X-Rays of my chest, it was revealed that my right lung is filled with fluids and is slightly swollen... what that basically means is that I cough up a lot of stuff and every time I cough or breathe or even move my right side it feels like a bunch of daggers are stabbing me. Oh, and I sweat a lot too! Awesome!

Welcome back! Ha!

I'm Sick...

...I'll be back home in Missouri this weekend. That's all for now.

Music & Age

Today I spent some time getting back some old music that I had lost to my old PC. I downloaded every album of Bad Relgion, a guilty pleasure of mine.

I have also recently discovered a new band (but not so new, they have been around since at least 2002) call The Devil Makes Three. They are very folky, they remind of a lot of The Shins.

I also had a few email conversations with Ms. Harrell and she, as always, warmed my heart. You see, I am concerned about doing opera this year just because I will be a week late to school AND we have a new opera director. The last thing I want is to make a bad impression on a new faculty member at MU. After expression my concern, Ms. Harrell replied with :

"I can grease the wheels with the new opera director, so will do that when I get the chance. You are just the kind of kid I like, so no worries about being silly or over analytical. Looking forward..."

That is awesome! It's good to know that I have people who support me in this life changing decision, especially people who will be giving me a grade.

Oh... and I turn 23 on Friday. I'm not really freaking out about it either. It's just 23, nothing to really get overly excited about. I'm not even certain what I am doing on my birthday, but I am sure I will let the blog know when the I figure it out.

Do I Always Need A Title?

Lately, I have found myself hanging out a really cool coffee shop located either in or very near what the Sacramento folk like to call "Lavender Heights". Those of you who are familiar with that color probably don't need an explanation. Those of you who still don't get it... sorry.

The coffee shop is called Butch -N- Nellies Coffee Co. (and if you still don't get it, you should probably stop reading).

Here is what the place looks like from the outside:

And here is a picture of their logo:



I've also made a friend there. Her name is Jordan and she reminds me a lot of my friend Amy, from my hometown.

Anyway, the people here are quite wonderful and the food/coffee is delicious. Plus, local artists get to hang up their art everywhere, so the place has a very laid back aura about it. It's also the only coffee shop that has provided consistency when it comes to wireless internet. So that worked out for the best.

Oh yeah and I have a new profile song. Check her out. Bonnie Somerville, she is good stuff.

No Way, I'm Updating?!

Wow, it sure has been a while. Well, let's jump right in, shall we?

I spent my last months in Columbia having the time of my life. I've come to learn that the relationships I made at MU are ones that I will keep for life. There are just so many amazing people, experiences, ect. that are there in that town and I will cherish all of those moments forever.

Oh, and did I mention that I graduated? Sweet deal, huh? A bachelor's in psychology... what to do with that? Well, well readers... you will find out soon enough...

The summer, while not over, went by. Some would say too quickly. I spent the month of June living with my buddy Craig Davis. Mr. Davis is quite an amazing roomie, I must say. And so is Zipper, his cute dog and my best friend for the duration of my stay.

I also spent the month of June fretting over Mark leaving. Let me tell you, I became a total crazy, even though a majority of the craziness was just inside my head. We had a wonderful time while he was there, doing silly things like bike rides, movie nights with good friends, catching up with "Weeds" and "Will and Grace", graduation parties, birthday parties, summer choir, Pirates of Penzance. They were amazing times.

By the time the middle of July rolled around and it was time for him to head off to Portland I was sad, bitter, angry and happy all at the same time. He is starting a new life without me and of course it hurt... some of me is still recovering. But as is life... one must not dwell in the past for too long. I can honestly say I am happy for Mark. He is a wonderful person and I am honored to have him in my life, even if it must be in significantly smaller portions now.

So what did I do? Two weeks after that, I spent some amazing times with my friends back home in Troy, my mother and father and some special people in the Columbia and KC regions... and then I hit the dusty trail myself, also heading out to the West coast. Why?

My cousin Julie (and 40 of my 52 cousins on the Jordan side... no lie) live out in California... so I packed up everything that would fit into my car (something I made fun of Mark for just weeks earlier) and road tripped it to Sacramento. I trekked it through the worst state in the US (suck it Kansas) and stopped in Colorado for the night with Amanda. The following day, I made a friendly visit with the Anderson's and all their glory in Utah. Following that, I arrived at about 4 in the afternoon at my cousin's doorstep in Sacramento. And boy, did I smell... and I was tired... and hungry...

She fixed those problems and I hit the town that night! Lovely town, might I add. Imagine Columbia, MO.. but bigger.. and with palm trees... and the Terminator as the Governor... exciting, I know.

So, what am I doing out here? Not working like I expected. Places aren't exactly handing out jobs at this delicate time in our economy, so right now... I am floating. However, I would say that worked out for the best.

I write the rest of this, knowing that almost no one reads this and hoping that those that do happen to stumble across this keep their mouths shut! :-)

I want to do what DJ wants to do. What makes me happy? That is the question Julie asked me. She said I just glazed over while we talked about business, but as soon as music was brought into the conversation I just lit up with excitement. What am I doing here on the West coast she bluntly asked...

I don't know.

So, I've made a decision. I need to make money so I can even make it back to CoMo... but rest assure... I am coming back. Those who know Dr. Crabb... well, I have had some secret email conversations with him and he is in full support of me coming back to MU to get a BA in Music. And I am totally stoked. It's what I truly want to do with my life. I feel like I left Columbia prematurely... perhaps for the wrong reasons...

I am excited to live it up here in Sacramento for the next few weeks/months... I plan on being back in CoMo no later than October... and I plan on starting school again in January. I also plan on keeping this blog updated more since a lot of my friends are now spread throughout the country.

And I plan on living life for DJ finally.