No one writes on this anymore.

It’s sad really.  What happened?  Not even with Cos’s wedding coming up soon.  It’s a sad story.

The other week, I was out on a date.  This was our first time out, and after our dinner, she wanted to go see a movie.  What movie?  Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.  What words can describe that other than Awesome.  I loved going to see a Matthew McConaughey movie.  It was so incredibly unique and entertaining.  Unlike any of his other movies, in this one, he played a ‘bad boy’, ‘player’ type of character.  It truly was amazing.  Needless to say, she and I did not go out again.

For those who still haven’t picked up on my sarcasm from above, those movies known as ‘Chick Flicks’ truly suck (for guys at least).  Aside from lacking entertainment value, the sappiness only serves to make us real (as opposed to fictional characters) guys look unromantic, un-loving, and lame in comparison.  Someone needs to do something about this. 

While I certainly can’t fix the situation, at the very least, I can lend my advice on gender-safe movies to watch.  The following movies are movies that I would classify as Chick Flicks, but at the same time, I honestly enjoyed watching.  Use these with your dates or with your spouses, whatever situation fits you best.

First up, the classic that everyone here already knows.  Love Actually.  A clever movie, put together unlike most other movies.  The web of stories seem for the most part realistic.  Comedy sprinkled throughout makes it a winner for all.  This one has been peer reviewed by several men, and there seems to be  consensus that this is an acceptable movie to watch.

Several of the men who saw Love Actually also recommend the next one: Definitely Maybe.  While Ryan Reynolds may be digging himself into a niche film market much like Matthew McConaughey, I still like the guy.  He proved himself comical in Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place.  Definitely Maybe is another movie that has taken on a format not typically seen in sappy love stories.  Again, it’s one that is relate-able and that shows failures as well as successes in Love.  The male-friendly cast is also pretty good, at least if you ask me.

Ryan Reynolds also did a pretty good job in Chaos Theory.  This one probably gets pretty close to leaving the land of man-acceptable, but I didn’t fall asleep during it and actually found it entertaining.  This one explores the darker side of love and human reactions to pain.  There’s no perfect plan, no sappy romance to win over the lady, and no ‘I’m going to change him from a player to a nice guy’ unrealistic story.

Next up, we change a bit to the fantasy genre.  Don’t worry, no goblins or dwarfs.  Stardust is a slightly sappy story, but one that reaches to some common ground.  Claire Danes is gorgeous in this one, and Robert De Niro steps out of his typical role.  I hear the books are pretty spectacular as well, though I’ve not read anything from Neil Gaiman (I think that’s the author? yet.  If you haven’t seen it, you probably should.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.  It’s just good.  It provokes a little thought and has the story about a relationship that will reach out to you both.

I know I’ve ripped on Matthew McConaughey earlier on, but truth be told, I did actually enjoy How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.  Consider it a lesson in things to not do.  While any guy would be super annoyed by Kate Hudson’s character, in the end, her character is someone I think all guys wish they could end up with. 

Girls, if you need to watch a chick flick with your man, choose one of these.  Fellas, if you need to satisfy your lady’s craving for sap, push one of the above movies.  It will turn a failure of an evening into a not-failure.

In the event your thinking ‘is this movie guy safe?’ here are some movies that you as women should save for your female friends in all cases.  You’ve Got Mail, The Notebook, Pretty Woman, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, Message In a Bottle, City of Angels, Sex and the City, and Titanic.  There are others, but hopefully you get the point.

Anyway, use this information wisely.  Also, write on here sometime.

Hello?

Just checking to see if anyone still looks at this.  Anything cool happening to anyone?  Anyone else getting married?

Nothing much going on out here.  Just wanted to see about everyone else.

A Wedding!

Jen’s wedding is coming right up and I hear most of you are able to be there! What are people’s travel plans? Some of us are shacking up at Kate’s aunt’s house and I know anyone else would be welcome there too. Can’t wait for the reunion!

I’m back

Hello friends! I’m back from the three-week learning tour to Kenya and Tanzania. I just posted photos on facebook, so you can check them out there.

We got the chance to visit a lot of HIV/AIDS programs and projects. Some of the main things we did were to meet with support groups of people living with HIV and to go along on home based care visits for people enrolled in MCC programs. It was humbling to see the work that is being done – the progress that’s been made and the hope that people have, but also the reality of how serious of a problem this truly is.

It was a great experience, but it’s good to be home, too.

I was also very happy to hear about Marcos and Jess getting engaged while I was gone – yay!!

Hope things are going well for the rest of you and that you’re enjoying the start of summer :)

About time I post something…

Well it’s been a long time since I’ve written anything.  I’m assuming some people are checking this time to time…

Summer is almost here which means a time for change, and this is my week for that!  I’m done with my job at the restaurant this Saturday and am looking for another restaurant job where I can work only 4 shifts and still make the same amount (apparently quite easy to do everywhere except my restaurant!)  This scares me a little bit because I sort of feel like my only good friends so far work with me, so hopefully I can continue those friendships outside of the workplace.  I’d keep working there until I can quit all together and freelance my time since I love the atmosphere so much, but alas, I have to work there 6-9 shifts to survive, so it’s time to move on!  So another step forward.  Then maybe I’ll take another step forward down the road and only get a part-time serving job….and then maybe one where I just work 2 days…and then finally I’ll be a freelance actor/artist!  That’s the dream:)

A while ago, I auditioned for and got into the Stella Adler Studio of Acting (they have a nice website if you want to check it out)’s Chekhov Intensive program.  It’s five weeks, 30 hours a week, and starts in July.  I’m very excited about it–hopefully I’ll be able to make some connections and I’m looking forward to meeting more people.  I’ll have four different classes I think: Scene Study, Voice, and two different movement classes.

I’m also ‘illustrating’ a children’s book.  I put that in quotes because….well….it’s a nonpaying gig I found through craigslist, and since it’s non-paying and there isn’t a deadline….let’s just say I’ve done one illustration in almost a month and a half.  There’s not too much motivation happening.  But I’ll get them done soon, and I’ve been getting a lot of various art project ideas that I want to start going–I haven’t really done art outside of a classroom setting and I feel like it’s time to try my hand at it!  So yeah, a lot of things are starting up for me and it’s quite an exciting time, I can feel it:)

How is everyone else?  I feel like a lot of people I know are also going through exciting times.  Let’s reiterate them here:

 Marcos, congratulations on getting engaged!  Jen, can’t wait to hear more about your trip to Africa!  Allison, you’re going to Malaysia soon!  Kate and Al, you’re coming to see me soon-ish!  Matt, you’re doing cool things in Fort Wayne!! Doug–how’s the new apartment?  Drew, how’s your idyllic life in Pennysylvania–birdwatching, upcoming vacations??  See?  You’re all fantastic!  I don’t mean to leave the others out, but um….they’ve never written on here….so….:) 

I’m hoping to make some trips in the next coming months (well probably more like August/September after my school)–I want to go to Denver, visit G-town, Chicago, make a little pitstop in Madison to visit a friend…there’s also this bus that goes from NYC to places like D.C., Philadelphia and Boston and apparently it only costs a few dollars if you book it enough in advance.  Or only $15 if you book it close to the time.  So I think a few weekend trips are in store for me as well.  Florida is also in my horizon as my brother has gotten an internship for a year with a landscape design firm in St. Petersburg and Cassie Greer is moving down there in August to get her MFA in Acting from Florida Atlantic University.  Man.  I love summer.  And remember, if you ever need to/are planning a trip east, I have a sofabed and you’re all more than welcome to stay with me at any time!  I love showing people the city. 

Getting ready for summer

Hello everyone!

I guess it’s about time for me to post something fun again and, since exams start this week, I am much more focused on procrastinating than usual.  :)  It sounds like everyone is having a good time and enjoying their various pursuits.  I don’t have any exotic travels tales or any fun stock charts to illustrate my feelings about law school, but I’m excited that summer is coming soon!  Exams last 2 weeks and start tomorrow (boo).  But after that, I’ll have 2 weeks off to get my ducks in a row.  

 

I’m essentially moving twice after exams.  On May 3, I’m moving my stuff into my friend’s house in Toledo (where I’ll be living next year).  Then, the following weekend, I’ll be moving to Fort Wayne.  I’m living on the West side of town in Pointe Inverness apartments (it’s near Jefferson Pointe Mall and close to where 33 and 69 intersect).  At least one of the other summer associates at Baker & Daniels is living there, so I’ll have some company.  Last week, I got my itinerary of summer social activities and it looks like they’ll keep us pretty busy.  But I should have some free weekends and plan to get together with those of you in Northern Indiana.  

 

That’s all that’s going on with me.  I suppose I should stop procrastinating.  :P

 

Matt

 

Something Clever

Hi friends. So, it’s been a while. How’s everyone’s lives? CO ‘09…can’t wait!

So, I enjoyed my spring break in New York City last week. I visited Nicole and had the greatest time ever. Seriously. We saw the sights (Statue of Liberty, Times Square at Night, Tabla [Nic's restaurant]), but also had time to just walk around and catch up with each other. You can see pictures on facebook. If you don’t have it, you’re probably not reading this blog either, let’s be honest.

Now it’s just back to school. Only 6 more weeks until summer break! I’m coaching track, which has just been a riot so far. We had our first meet this week. It was chaos, but so much fun. 

I’m not sure what I’m doing this summer. Hopefully finding some sort of job and hopefully traveling to Malaysia with my cousin to visit our aunt, uncle, and new baby cousin who live there. But it’s all still up in the air.

Ok, enough about me. 

big city, bigger failure

Isaiah was out here this past weekend, and we tried to take a terrific photo.  The blog here then defeated me from my post.  I tried again, and it once more defeated me.  I failed, and I concede victory.  I think it’s there now, but it doesn’t even matter.

 As some of you may be aware, my job has sucked as of late.  To illustrate my level of job satisfaction, I’ve linked a site with a graph. http://finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?s=RHD&t=2y

Now, some of you might say ‘But Doug, that’s a stock price chart’.  You would be correct.  There is a direct correlation between our company’s stock price, and the level of enjoyment we, the employees, derive from working there. 

It is important to note two things on this chart though.  At about May ‘07, you will notice the stock price turn downwards from an upward trend.  At the same time, Joe Combs began working for the company.  Next, around Feb ‘08, you will notice a very sharp drop.  That is when Seth Combs began working for the company.  Some call it coincidence and say that our branch is only responsible for 2% of the entire revenue, but I am not one of those people.  With some very scientific calculations, I have estimated that our company will go out of business on March 26.  We will see.

 In other happier news, I’m moving into a new apartment soon.  It’s a gorgeous little place, and it will be very nice to live alone.  I will live about 200 yards away from Drew H and Aaron Zimmerman (about 300 yards closer than I do now).  I also might start a job search in or around now.

 Gause leaves soon for a 3 month trip to India/Europe with Jesse Shoe.  When he gets back, he claims he’s going to live in a van down by the hospital.  Bet you thought I was going to say river.  No.  He’s pretty determined with this van idea so we’ll see what becomes of it.

 I have begun looking at which farmstead I am going to purchase for the Ceramics Farm/Day trading facility Drew and I are going to start.  Ceramics studio with lots of TVs for watching stocks.  What could be better?  However, first I need money.

That’s about it really. 

Singing bye, bye, my custodian pie

So I am soon quitting my job at Lancaster Mennonite and moving back to the awesome world of field jobs and early mornings of doing bird surveys in PA. But first things first, I am resigning right before my brother’s graduation, meaning that I can go out and see you guys that weekend. If anyone happens to be around. Let me know, k?

So I am doing the sweet bird survey job, as well as making an awesome garden with my awesome wife…can you tell I am excited? We are also hoping to do a little traveling to a National Park or two this summer, although we haven’t decided where.

Life is good these days, maybe gonna start doing a little fencing, not the white picket fencing kind, but more the helmet and pointy sword type. Should be an excellent workout.

Hoo-de-lalley

(cited from famous Disney movie, Robin Hood)

First, I’d like to thank Doug for his informative and exciting tale posted just previous. I always knew you were a creative soul. Second, I’d like to thank the neighbors for their free wireless. In repayment, I’m deciding to overlook the thumping bass from tonight’s St Patty’s day celebration.

Honestly, I simply can’t complain about life in Colorado. The sun shines, the rock aches to be climbed, the parades march, the friends laugh. I’m ready for winter to be about done here, and I think that the advent of the time change is helping that considerably. Being able to bike, take a walk, or rock climb after a normal day of work is exceedingly refreshing.

Work is going well. I have now been functioning in my new role for about two and a half months, and we’re staying very very busy. Part of my job includes the finding, interviewing, hiring, and training of Birthday Party Ambassadors, which has proven less than exciting… Let’s just say we’ve interviewed in three separate job postings, offered the job to 4 people in this time frame, and one has accepted. We still want one more. ugh. However, in other areas the Butterfly Pavilion is good. Here is a picture of one: It’s a Longwing, and another:, a Malachite. I’ve been booking birthday parties, field trips, teaching classes, doing outreach programs, an afterschool program with Middle Schoolers, and on and on. Spring is our busiest time, and it will be the same this year.

Life outside of work is good. As I mentioned, I am anticipating the coming of spring and summer a lot. Not only do I get to look forward to outdoor activities which I enjoy, Kate and Will are coming for a visit in May as well! We’re going to go ‘camping,’ (car) and do city things, to show them all the exciting stuff Colorado has to offer.

Jess and I are doing great. (See?) Although we’ve known each other for what seems like forever, it’s sometimes silly how little time it seems has passed since we’ve actually been dating. We’ve had lots of great adventures, have really been enjoying the other’s company, etc etc. Life moves on. We’re planning a trip to Glacier National Park end of June which we both are very excited about. We’re already scouting out hiking, site seeing, and all the other great stuff that area has to offer. Afterwards, we’ll go to a Stoltzfus Reunion right there in Montana as well. I believe my family will be visiting Denver afterwards.

I guess that’s good for now. I’d love for any of you to come and visit- Let me know what might work!

Here are some interesting websites to check out:

youtube: scroobius pip, “thou shalt not kill” (referenced from an NPR story)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoN6XfyQsr4

Flobots, Handlebars: (a denver band that’s pretty neat)
http://www.last.fm/music/Flobots/_/Handlebars

Also, a good vocab builder: www.freerice.com