Friday, August 29, 2008

Buzzing Around

Wind scrapes the air
Dense as it as cool
You hair distorts it
Doesn't matter anyway

Biting glare
The glow stares down
Nights like these
Cool as we want them to be

Would you follow me down?
Into the water?
Follow me down
And just let it wash over
'Cause I promise you this
One day you'll remember
The night you went down
Into the water

When Willow Trees become
Dancing silhouettes
The darker that is gets
The more your smile brightens

The cliffs can't swallow
What we've made
I'd never trade these times
When the breeze takes over


Would you follow me down?
Into the water?
Follow me down
And just let it wash over
'Cause I promise you this
One day you'll remember
The night you went down
Into the water


The summer fades to fall
And just like that these times begin to whisper away...
Let's promise to remember
And make new things in their place

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Awake and Unafraid

Yesterday was my orientation for my new job. What a day it was. I cannot explain how excited I am for this position. Not only are all the benefits great, but they are pretty much willing to supply anything I need for the design position. Also, not that I needed any convincing, but they told me they would prefer to buy me a work laptop instead of using mine for the position. So I guess a MacBook Pro it is. Awesome. Also, they gave me my own office. In fact, I'm the only one in the building to have my own space. The offices are large and are made for two people, but do to the nature of what I do they felt that I needed a secluded space all to myself. I won't argue. I made the rounds, meeting all the people who work there. They already have quite a list of projects for me which I'm eager to get started on. I feel so blessed to be working for this company. It's funny because I really feel like God broke me down all summer long, to the point where I relied soley on Him, and then He said, "Okay Garrett, here's what I've been saving for you."

So what a great week it has been. I was able to spend an entire week down in Tidewater. Hung out with Kristin, Brandon, Allison. It was fantastic. And on top if it, this time I came home employed. I still had to get my wisdom teeth removed today. Yuck. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought and although I am starving, thanks to the meds there is virtually no pain. Oh, and to add to the starving part, today is my mom's birthday. And my dad grilled out steaks for her. Yeah. All I have to look forward to is jello, applesauce and pudding. Thanks mom for being born.

So hopefully even after I start this job I'll be sure to update my blog on a regular basis. Writing here has definitely been something that I not only look forward to, but something that helps me relieve the stresses of the day. It's a great place to get things off my chest and review what's been going on. I am definitely blessed. I hope I never take that for granted.

Garrett out.

Monday, August 18, 2008

So Good

Another day, another dollar. Well, not really, because I haven't started my job yet and also making a single dollar for a day's work is slightly ridiculous. But that's the saying, so I'll stick with it. I also realized today how much I miss riding my bike. Mind you, I haven't really ridden a bike since early High School. Today I decided to change that. Since I'm back in the old neighborhood I grew up, what better place to start riding a bike once more? What a good time it was. Also, I must be grossly out of shape, because the same paths I use to take two or three times on a daily basis drained me of all the energy in my body. Blah... But I suppose that's motivation to continue riding. It was nice to go past all the familiar places. I saw my old house, went past the homes of old friends, traveled down to the pond, just really reminisced about how things used to be. It was simpler then wasn't it? Life I mean. There were never as many pressures or worries. For some reason, all those worries once again drifted away as I rode down the sidewalk today. I'm being rather nostalgic, aren't I?

Well, really the point is that I am so glad to be back. I know I won't be in this neighborhood long, but I know wherever I move in the area, it's going to be home. And that excites me. I'm glad I took the chance and tried to move down here. It's something that I wanted for a long time and it's finally happening.

Garrett out.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Adventures

So this week has been quite the turn in my life. In fact, I've been so busy that I haven't added a single decent length entry the whole time. Time to change that.

This weekend in particular has been a lot of fun. I am guessing it has been about four years since I swam in the ocean. Not anymore. I spent the better part of five hours on Friday swimming to my heart's content. I forgot how awesome salt water tastes in your mouth (not really) and how much the waves sweep you down towards the other side of the beach. It was great. Not only that, but the weather was absolutely gorgeous for the whole day. Of course, it did rain that night, but all was well. I was able to see another old friend too. Brandon and I went to Anthony's (well, his girlfriend's) for a cookout that evening. Anthony was smart enough (haha) to decide to move the grill into the garage at which point the rain was no longer an issue...but the smoke was. So after filling the garage with smoke, we were able to enjoy some delicious hot dogs. And I'm sure you already know but a day spent swimming in the ocean can make you mighty hungry. All in all, a fantastic day. Then yesterday we were all able to go see Tropic Thunder (go see it!) which was a good time. It was interesting because Ms.Powell tagged along and I was almost certain she'd be offended (I had already seen it earlier in the week). There were a few scenes I think she was surprised by, but overall the vulgarity didn't offend her. Who woulda guessed? The rest of the day was spent at the Polynesian Festival at the beach. It was a good time, though as someone said, "You see one person shake their hips, you've seen them all." This proved to be true about 3 hours into the show.

But wow, what a fun week it's been. I feel almost like I'm on a mini-vacation. And the best part is, I get to head down here next week to live. It's going to be a challenge at first, setting up my finances and looking for an apartment, but I'm so ready for it. I think that this job is going to be so exciting and the opportunity here outwieghs any of the other places I applied to work at. Basically, I'll be in charge of all the Graphic Design elements for the largest real estate company in the area. On top of that, they want (read: Expect) me to be the go-to guy for all things technology and marketing. I am gonna have to intertwine the two areas to help reach their customers. I go in Tuesday to pick out my office, set it up, get stuff for it, etc. Hopefully the dress code is laid back. I'm not really into wearing a tie to work everyday. From what I saw at the interview, though, I think I should be fine.

I just feel fortunate at this moment. I worked a long time with the goal in mind that I wanted to move back down near the beach. I couldn't tell you what it is that draws me here...maybe it's just where God wants me to be. Well, it has to be really, or I would never have gotten this job. Haha, on top of it, the Navy called me back and offered me their Graphic Design Position. And while flattering (they had many, many applicants) I had to turn it down. I know that these people are the ones I am supposed to be working with. I know that this isn't the last part of God's plan for my life. I just want to focus things back on Him. He brought me here, where will he take me next? My prayer has been that He search my heart. He knows what I desire, and He knows every thought I have. If He wants the same thing for me, then awesome. If not, well I am better off trusting Him.

Sometimes God has to break us down before He can use us to reach our full potential. I feel like that's what the past 5 months have been. A hard road, but one worth traveling. I look forward to what's next.

Also, I get my wisdom teeth out on Wednesday, so God, not cool.

Garrett out.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

How does it make sense?

So I got in my car today to go my other interview and my speedometer was working. It hasn't worked in a long time...

I figured it was a good sign.

Then I get back and the first place I interviewed at offered me a job. Full time. As a Graphic Designer.

It's funny how God can change your how outlook in one day.
So yeah, good day.

Garrett out.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

And the ground below grew colder

It has been a few days since my last post and although I should be in bed right now I have too many thoughts running through my mind and I know that they'll keep me up all night if I don't get them written down.

What drives us down the path we're on? Really? Why do we make the decisions we make, why are we in the places we are in life? For some reason I can't get this thought out of my head. Every person has a direction that he or she are headed in their life. Maybe it's less obvious as you get older. Perhaps the insanity of life keeps you too busy to think about it...but really, what are we all going towards? I am at a point now where i can take any direction I'm given. Yet I find myself longing to be back in the same place that I grew up. Is it nostalgia? Perhaps, but I never thought of myself as very nostalgic. I just feel...comfortable here. Back near the ocean, surrounded by familiar places.

So is life objective or subjective? Is there a goal that each human spirit has inherently bestowed upon him or her when we are created? I believe in God. I won't discuss theology here because that's not what I'm getting at. Maybe I use to believe that something different defined your worth. Now I'm just not sure what does. Argh. I'm really not making any sense at all.

I don't intend to sound bitter, I am a happy person. I know that I have been blessed to live a wonderful life. I realize that I have the support of tons of people. I just feel like there's something...I don't know. I can't put my hands on it. Well, it isn't a question I can easily answer tonight.

Today was a good day. I should just be content with that :)

Garrett out.

Friday, August 8, 2008

My top 5 films of all time...

Just because.

#5 - Princess Mononoke




Easily my favorite animated film of all time and for good reason. A movie with this sort of narrative comes along once every ten years or so. The fact that Miyazaki's imagery stuns the senses is also a plus. If you haven't seen it, what are you waiting for? If you're steering clear because it's animated, don't. Give it a chance, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

#4 - Memento



Maybe you know Christopher Nolan now, thanks to a certain 'Dark Knight' film, but back in 1999 he created what I consider his crown jewel. With an original story written by his brother and a backwards pace (Seriously, the movie takes place backwards), this film is begging to be dissected.

#3 - No Country For Old Men



Not even a year old and I had to put it on the list. Breathtaking performances, a beautiful story, and a fantastic ending (Yes, it is). McCarthy's novel on which the movie is based isn't short on ideas either. This film tackles things most others won't go near. And most importantly, it reminds us of the cruel state of the world we live in.

#2 - Seven Samurai



In my opinion, Akira Kurosawa is the greatest film maker of all time. In 1954 he made the film which would define his career. Seven Samurai is the reason we have Spaghetti Westerns, the reason our movies now contain epic battle sequences. On top of that, he created some of the most flawed, human, and memorable characters ever to grace the screen. See this movie!

#1 - Apocalypse Now (Redux)



Does it come as any surprise to those who know me? I hope not. Francis Ford Coppola's dark and disturbing masterpiece is like nothing I have ever seen. Based loosely on Joseph Conrad's 'Heart Of Darkness' this film shows the journey of a soldier into complete and utter madness. With Martin Sheen and Marlon Brando giving two of the best performances I have ever witnessed, this is a film that will sit with you for a long time. I cannot reccomend it enough.