Running On Fumes

Lately I've been so busy and stressed that I have done all of the following in the past week:

• Stayed up for more than 48 hours continuously while editing and burning projects to DVD's.
• Found out that my DVD burner and or DVD program is on the fritz.
• Nearly pulled out all my hair trying to figure out where all the memory on my MacBook Pro keeps going. It's only 150GB hard drive but I'm very organized and it seems that it's constantly full and I'm not sure why.
• Had my time and effort volunteered to help out with editing a video project I didn't shoot that nearly ended in disaster due to the aforementioned computer problems.

And all of this while working a 45 hour week at my regular job and being constantly attacked by a bombardment of seasonal allergies.

Aside from being stressed and running on fumes, this last weekend I went with Kendra and two of my good friends Mike and Fletcher to Blair Lake and camped overnight. Needless to say, a case of assorted micro brews and a midnight trip to a nearby natural hot spring is exactly what I needed to recharge for the rest of the week I have ahead of me.

Blair Lake at dawn.

Fletcher pumping Mike full of Giardia.

A peek over the edge of Hell Hole. 200ft straight down.

Our hike out from Hell Hole, we stumbled upon a scene from Lord of the Rings.

Mike decorating the forest.

Couch Surfing In Oregon

It’s my day off and I was really hoping for another hot and beautiful day outside. Apparently every weather man and woman in the east bay thought so too. It’s 3:38 pm and it’s supposed to be 81 degrees today in the east bay. Alas, it’s but only just broke the 60 degree mark and I figured that I should just chill at the apartment and write a blog instead of ride my bike or long board around Berkeley. Ugh.

Well it’s not all bad. With writing this, I can tell everyone the good... slash... not so good... slash... I’m really effing stoked... slash... kinda sad about... news. Now if that made any sense at all, I guess I shouldn’t be wasting your time anymore.

It has come to my attention that I am unable to find a decently paying job here in the bay area and heard that an old employer of mine needs some serious help back in Eugene. And since I am sick and tired of not being able to contribute to my relationship with Kendra monetarily, I’ve decided (after a few phone calls) to head back up north to make some money.

This might raise a few questions and I’m going to do my best as to answer them right now. One question that I got from one of the few that I have told this news to personally was, “Are you and your girlfriend okay?” My answer to this in all honesty, “Never better.” She is an amazing woman and I am so blessed to have her in my life. I made some sacrifices to move down here to be with her and it just isn’t really working out right now so I’ve made the choice to go where the money is. I’m used to working 40-60 hours a week between 2 to 3 jobs. It’s a bit of a financial shock when you go from 2 to 3 pay checks down to one tiny, minimum wage job with only 30 hours a week.

And, I thought this whole “Sugar Momma” thing was gonna be easy. Damn it.

Another question that was asked was, “Where the heck are you going to stay?” I’ll be hijacking Ken’s couch... well, one of his couches. Word on the street is that there is a enough couches in this house to facilitate a mexican family. Also, for those of you that don’t know Ken very well, he is one of my old house mates and good friend.
Shown here is the only picture that I have of my dear Kenneth that is neither

A) Not incriminating
B) Not nude, and
C) Does not question either of our sexual orientation.

Now whether or not B or C have anything to do with each other and the fact that he is planting a wet on me... well, let’s just say that living together with the same guy for nearly 3 years in a small house brings out the best in friends.

*ahem* Back to the questions. “Hey Jesse, when do you actually plan on being back?” To put it simply, I just put my two weeks notice in on Friday the 15th. So my last day will be the 29th and I’ll be there more than likely in the evening of the following Sunday the 31st.

Like I said before, I’m in a state of feeling happy/sad and excited/bummed. I feel like this is a good thing and quite honestly, the only option I have right now due to the lack of jobs around here. It’s definitely hard having these contrasting feelings about something in your life. I seriously recommend that you avoid feeling like this at all costs.

However, I am confident that this is going to work out and I thank all of those that have offered up your extra beds, couches, and back yards to pitch a tent in. It’ll be good to be near the family but you can bet money that I’ll be back to visit my girl as often as I can.

I’ll do my best to bring back some of the Californian sunshine with me. Now if I could get an answer from you guys that’d be great. How the hell did Zach’s mom find out about this before I even told my own parents? I only told Ken and Kolby and planned on telling others soon after, but somehow, Kellie Chambers got ahold of the news. Not that I mind but I swear that woman has got some kind of mental telepathy and mind raped me before I even knew what hit me.

I plan on keeping up on this blog, but I think it’ll be mostly for my bay area friends now. Or at least, until I’m back.

P.S.
Don't forget to click on my meaningless ads on the right. I'm almost a ten dollaraire thanks to Google.

The First 27 Days Of Being 27

Looking back, it seems that the last entry was on my birthday. Nearly a whole month has gone by without updating this little window into my life. My sincere apologies to all of you back home who tell me every time I see you that you check it almost every day. I suppose I could touch on a few things to update you on how the birthday weekend went.

For those of you that don’t know, I have the best friends and the most amazing girlfriend. The plan was for Kendra and me to make a trip to Mt. Diablo for some camping and rock climbing but unbeknownst to me, she had been planning a trip back up north with all of my friends and family. It just dawned on me that this is probably rather redundant for most of you due to the fact that I was the only person that didn’t know about it. So a huge thank you to all my friends and family that know how to keep secrets for all the right reasons and I had a ton of fun.

As you may all know, with birthdays come birthday presents and first of all thank you to Ian and all that pitched in and got me the sickest long board known to all mankind. It’s a Never Summer and it’s fast as hell. My parents supplied me with a new cooler for camping because I can’t seem to keep track of one or somehow it is melted by a huge bonfire, so thanks mom and dad.

Also, a huge thank you to Zachary for building me a new bike. I haven’t picked a name for her yet but but the names “Vivian” and “Esther” keep floating in my head. She is a vintage Trek frame, so I figured I should pick a vintage name. Another thank you to the rest of Zach’s family for having a sweet ass BBQ at their house. I had a blast and most definitely ate too much food.Other than a BBQ, we went and visited all our favorite bars and danced until we could dance no more... or at least until some of us were unable to stand up without assistance.

After Kendra and I got back to Berkeley, the weather decided to make our apartment so hot that we used that wonderful cooler my parents got me as a little indoor kiddie pool while we watched movies.

I’ve been working more here but the more I work at an “upscale” coffee shop the more I become bitter and annoyed with the sense of entitlement that these yuppy pricks think they have. But then I remember that I have friends who shave lines in the side of their head and rock that shit like Vanilla Ice just gave them a high five. Hell YEAH!

I’m sure I forgot something in this much needed update so you can more than likely expect an edit or two to this post or maybe a part two. Also, here are a few photos of the "pre-funk party" while we were up north for my birthday.
Zach, Jesse, and Ian. We're pretty funny actually.

Jane & Kendra. The lovely ladies that can tolerate Ian and me.

Ian & Kendra. Siblings... in case you didn't know.

Jane, Jesse, Zach, Ian, Bryan, & Tiffany. At least Ian looks cool... PSYCHE!

Zach, Jesse, Kendra, Jane, & Ian. Zach left the wifey and kids at home.

And since you are reading down this far, do me a favor and click on a few of the little ads on the right of this post. Try and make Google make me a ten dollaraire.

27 Is A Solid Number

Yep, there goes another year. Today is my birthday and I am now 27 years old. I can go on and on like some people I know about how “old” I’m getting and how life is just racing by me but I refuse to do that.

Did you know that, according to the World Health Organization and Wikipedia, that in the early 20th century, the life expectancy of an average human was 30-40 years? And now the current world average is 66.12... That means, if I were to die the second that I turn 66.12, I still wouldn’t even be half way dead right now... or half way done being alive... however you want to look at it.

So with these statistics on my side, I have no reason to think that I am on my way to being “old”. In fact, with the advances in medicine, I bet I can expect to live to 100... granted I don’t fall off of a mountain or get pushed into traffic. My mom’s life goal is to live to 100 and if you know anything about her, I’m sure she’ll have no problem at all doing that.

I guess what I’m trying to get at here is that I am still young and even though I haven’t accomplished.... well, anything that I’ve wanted to yet (very strong emphasis on “yet”), I am happy to be alive. And because it’s my birthday and I can do what I want on my birthday, I’m going to share with you all why I think I should be glad to be alive:

• First and foremost, I am still alive. I am in relatively good shape and health and have all my appendages, even after working as a cabinet maker for 5 years.
  

• I have the most amazing family in the world. My mom can literally kick the shit out any of your moms (refer to above picture) and she’s probably one of the smartest and bravest people in the world. My dad is a freaking rockstar and has been ever since I can remember. Always encouraging his kids to play music or be creative in some way and to follow their hearts. Not to mention he gives great hugs and can tell you stories for days. Then there is my younger brother and sister. Two of the most creative and sarcastic people I know and I’m happy to have them so well trained... ;)
  

• I have the greatest friends that anyone could ask for. One I’ve known for 17 years and counting and some only a couple years. However, these are the friends that I would do anything for and I know if it came down to it, they’d do anything for me. Being away from these people, that I’ve grown up with and grown so close to, really is hard but I know that we shall all be together once again. There’s no need to name names, you all know who you are.
  

• And speaking of friends, one of my very best friends is my amazingly beautiful and terribly supportive girlfriend. I can’t thank her enough for everything she’s done for me and all the wonderful things we’ve done together. I can’t wait to see what’s next in our lives.

These are just a few key reasons that I’m glad to be alive and kickin’. I hope this was slightly encouraging to you and makes you look at all the positive things in your life. Even though I miss all my friends and family, I think things are going to be going my way really soon here.