New friends from all over the place

So in a half hearted attempt to kill some time, I've decided to describe some of the new characters I've encountered over roughly the last week. Bear in mind that my descriptions might be kind of biased. But, it's kind of okay.

TJ: A guy from Baker. Dark haired and relatively funny. Went to school with Tyson, and works at a coal plant.
Beau: Funny coal miner from Wyo.
Karl: Worker for the census and apparent part hippie. Relatively funny. He too has a passion for Kerouac. He seems to be a recovering hipster. Lived in Washington (me thinks) and has friends that visit from France. He seems kind of neat.

Nothing too terribly new has happened. I've gotten to help people move, managed to adopt a roommate, and apply for both a grown up job and a grad program. While I have not heard back from either (yet), I am anticipating an acceptance letter from Missoula any time this month. (My self- faith is limited... this might not be a good first step.) I'm sure something good is bound to happen. Or so I keep telling myself.

There has also been some progress on my fundraiser. A date has been set, though I still need to hear back from the caterer and find a speaker. And some entertainment. And a band, and get some donations. The gathering donations part should be easy- Everet left a good plan laid out. I kind of like going to bother people, as well. It's a nice feeling, I guess, making new friends in the community. Despite the fact that I'm regularly confused for a young man, Montana is growing on me.

Two posts, one week. Impressive? Maybe. I've finally gotten my applications in, and I am waiting for a rebirth of wonder.... No, I'm waiting for word to start coming back about where I am going to be next year. At this point, it's more of a "Hey, I did what I could, and now it's a waiting game."

This, however, makes me impatient. So, things besides the applying for crap stuff is going relatively smoothly. Tyson is still amazing, and unfortunately, the baby's still sick. Hopefully, she'll recover quickly. Surprisingly, I miss her.

Also, I'd like to suggest that you check out this poem: I am Waiting by L. Ferlinghetti.

This is the new year?

So, small town life is really eating on me. The uncertainties that lie ahead are equally as wearing. While I recognize that the possibilities are endless, I feel as though the number of possibilities keep decreasing on a daily basis. Mostly because I a) don't think I'm good enough or b) don't feel up to writing a thousand essays. Also, c) I'm really hoping the grad school thing will work out, though I'm not entirely confident it will. I hate my lack of confidence. Any pointers on how to recover this?

At any rate, work goes. I'm doing what I can, but I can't wait to move forward. I know that I need to focus on this stage, and get stuff done (which I will), but I also feel like I'm ready to move on. There are several things I can do, but the key is bullshitting. Or something.

While I recognize that I posted two days ago... I still felt moved by the spirit to go on a quick... rant, if you will. So, this whole winter business is getting old. I hate the fact that my car has huge, gross looking chunks of ice frozen to it. I hate the fact that I can't ride my bike to work, and use tons of gas that costs an arm and a leg most of the time. I hate the fact that there's ice on the outside of my door. I hate waking up, and going to start my car, only to realize that it's quite cold and to remain warm, five shirts are usually required. There's no one outside. I can't wander around on the dikes (paths by the river, not the lesbians.) I miss Fort Keough adventures. I miss random hikes at Strawberry Hill. I miss taking road trips and not having to worry about the interstate being covered with ice. I miss warmth.

At any rate, besides getting sick of the winter, nothing too terribly new is happening. I've been working a lot, sleeping, and throwing people at judo. I've been watching movies. And having great conversations. And missing Wisconsin friends.

So I'm beginning to find my place in the world. Or at least, my place in Miles City. I'm kind of... bummed that it took me so long to do this, and I've only got a little time left. While I'm in the process of making life changes, more hurdles keep popping up in my face, making things even more challenging. But this is what happens, right? As we get older, things begin to get more complicated. It's becoming more of a "This is quite serious" and less of a "I'm living for me", which sounds... like a place that I didn't expect to be any time soon. I love how this works. Love? That's a big word. Speaking of words, I got into a conversation with Tyson last night about words. It surprised me that, to some people, words are just that- words. Meaningless symbols that we use for nothing more than communication. As an English major, I recognize that, but I feel like without words, there would be nothing. No real way to develop individuality or express things that seem to be a bit beyond us (ex. spiritual stuff, deeper feeling, ect.). Things would be stuck, and remain the same forever. But, that's just my two cents. Take it as you will.

At any rate, Tyson is back from Utah, judo's going well, and I'm still lacking in the desire to go home again department. While I've grown a lot as a person here (or so I like to think), there are also a lot of changes happening at home, I'm sure. I have fond memories of what it means to be "home", and upon leaving for an extended period of time, and revisiting home, things always seem quite different. And sometimes pretty awkward. This is how life is. But that doesn't mean I have to like it.

Shaun White won another gold. Be excited. Or... I don't know what will happen. Maybe there will be flying llamas. Or your mom might start to smell like elderberries. No more bad Monty Python jokes, promise. Well, at least for today.

Speaking of Monty Python, I introduced Tyson to The Holy Grail, and he didn't seem amused. Bummer. I guess Monty Python's one of those things you either love or don't get and therefore dislike. Anyway, The Knights of Ni demand a shrubbery!

Hope you're all doing well!

Herm... This time of year?

So, I realize it's been a while. And once again, there's nothing too terribly new or too terribly exciting going on. I went on an adventure to Billings last night, which proved to be quite fun and full of good conversation. I'm beginning to get applications together for cool stuff to do next year if the University of Montana stuff doesn't work out... which is proving to be relatively stressful. I'm feeling quite unmotivated to do anything besides sit around in the office, hang with the friends and do judo... Any pointers?

trainings and more cold

So, once upon a time there was a kid who seemed relatively happy. Said kid wound up growing up, going to college and moving away from their family because they were bored and wanted to see and do new things. So, kid left and found themselves in a completely different world. But, they lived contently for a year, then realized that they again wanted something new and different....

A Quick Update:

1. I'm considering options for the rest of my life if the U-MT thing doesn't work out. This is proving to be a difficult task.
   
2. Once again, it is cold in Montana. But, at least my car's starting
3. I'm going to Helena again! Next week! Whooooo civilization. It's always nice.
   

That's really all I've got.