1.30.2011

Man, what a month.. let's talk it

So after getting a concussion back on the 11th, I've rebounded to score 3 goals in my first two games back. Also notching 3 assists. Both teams looking much better in those games! The headaches and loss of vision prevented me from using the computer too much, but it's time to write a little.

Continuing to get to know someone has never been more fun. Atleast I can't remember when it would have been. Especially with someone where I'm not exactly sure how I even know them? I've done a lot since moving down here, but I feel more alive when they're around. I've come to appreciate knowing someone that is so similar to me, and apparently likes the same things. I'm enjoying how this is going!

Other than that, life's pretty much been the same. This weekend is going very slow.

I like it!

1.01.2011

My Top 10 of.. 2010

You could say 2010 has been one of my more eventful years to date. From moving to Columbus, to falling in a giant hole in Philly, to the Escape breaking down in North Carolina. Here is a little recap of my top ten greatest hits from 2010!

10) New Years Eve 2009 - Columbus
Does this count? I say it does. It started off by me buying some new white Nike Shox to combo with my suit to wear downtown. Little did I know where all those shoes would walk this year. I took a cab down to Lodge Bar and met up with Jake and Nikki and her friends. Later I got a cab back to Cody and Eugene's apartment to party with friends I hadn't seen in months. If this was the last I was to see of those faces, it was a hell of a way to end a crazy chapter. I then got a cab back to Lodge Bar to discover that Nikki had disappeared. I figured she'd return, so instead of aiding in the search I remained on the dance floor. The girl I was dancing with decide to jump the stage between band members and remove some clothing. Looking back, the night was more like a few hour preview of what 2010 would be like.

9) Creekside Jazz & Blues Fest - Gahanna, Ohio
I was introduced to Creekside by a girl named Katey whom I met while playing beerpong and darts at Ledo's on High St. I enjoyed a few weeks of her company before a conflicting incident one night but she left me with Creekside, which I have gone back to many, many times. One of those times was for the Jazz and Blues Festival. I was amazed at how many fair-ish rides were there, how many vendors, and all the stages. The bars were packed, the food was great, and the music was awesome.

8) Working in German Village - Columbus
While my overall experience at the downtown Comfort Inn was certainly anything but enjoyable, it will always be my first job in the city. Getting to drive downtown for work everyday is something I still miss, as are the quiet night shifts and mornings where I'd watch the sun rise on the city. I still consider the friendship I made out of it to be a good one. I'll never forget all the fun times Tarah and I had. Whether it be going to Arena, using our free tickets from the visitors bureau, or just hanging out. She's the first person I really became close to after moving and no matter how little we actually communicate, I'll always care about her.

7) ComFest - Columbus
I had heard a lot about ComFest, and that means a great variety of opinions on what it was about, who it was for, and who it wasn't for. I found myself there each day, and have to say it was definitely an experience that I will be returning to in years to come.

6) Cedar Point w/ my Fam - Sandusky
Not getting to see my family very much was kind of hard on both parties. But we made up for it with a weekend up at Cedar Point. I think when we are younger we tend to give family the run-around, tend to overlook so much. From our Cruise in 2007 to present day, I've come to more than enjoy who my family are and the minutes spent with them.

5) Getting back into outdoor soccer
Consider another goal of mine achieved. I had been wanting to join an outdoor league for years. With all the time I've spent around the Crew the past few years, I have learned so much more about the game. And getting back on the field was kind of a way for myself to confirm that I had learned some new tricks, and that I had become a better player than I was. I believe I recognized both of these, and I can't wait to continue with the new life that has been breathed into my game! Team-wise we got off to a rather rocky start, but turned things around with what I think was a five game win streak. We barely missed out on the semi-final by losing 1-0 if I remeber correctly. It was a great way to get back into the game in the way that I wanted to.

4) Visiting with old friends
Since moving, I have only been back to Bluffton five, maybe six times. There have been a number of people that have visited me while in Columbus. Showing Jeremy and Ashley around. Having Amber and her badass friends Jaydee and Derrick over. Seeing Kelsey, Kevin, and Kristyn just recently. And randomly running into numerous old Bluffton faces around the city on completely random nights. I'm very appreciative of these people that still value these friendships as much as I do and am happy that we both find the time to see each other. I don't see how some people cannot find the time for these relationships in their lives.

3) Moving to Columbus
After trying for over two years, I finally landed a hotel job. It wasn't the ideal one that I had sought after, but it was something. I was making the move. The first few months were definitely hard, money was low and space was limited in our two bedroom. Making friends and meeting new people was never a problem though, and over a period where I could've just sat and slept everyday away and did nothing with my life, I actually went out and made Columbus to be everything I wanted and expected it to be. Sometimes I wish I could say the same for others, but everyone has their own way about things and I'm finished trying to broaden their horizons.

2) Road Trip to the Beach - Myrtle Beach, SC
It was the Thursday before Labor Day weekend, and I had nothing to do. I was inbetween jobs with some rare extra cash and figured 'eh, maybe I'll leave for the beach tomorrow.' Trust me, it was that spontaneous and that simple. My rediscovered former classmate from college, Lindsay, decided to partner up with me for this trip and we left. No hotel, no idea if the weather would hold up in the wake of the hurricane, and no worries! We got to Myrtle around 11:30am and tore up some breakfast, then immediately sought out some hotels. We ended up with this crappy $49/night shack that happened to be just across the street from the beach and former home, the Landmark. We spent our three afternoons drinking and grabbing as much sunshine and ocean as we could. I talked Lindsay into her first ride on a rollercoaster, and we managed to get dinner at both Broadway at the Beach and down in Murrell's Inlet. We packed a lot into three days on a trip that was decided the day before we left. This trip will most likely always rank in the top 5 of my life. If not for the sheer adventure of it, then definitely for the girl I rediscovered while we were on the coast.

1) Road trip for Crew vs Union - Philadelphia, PA
This takes the top spot for many reasons. Obviously, this was my first Crew away trip. But it symbolized the reaching of a goal that I've had for three years now. The whole thought of moving to Columbus, becoming good friends with the other hooligans, and taking a road trip with them was something that I could only make a reality once moved here. I remember driving to Crew Stadium that morning, where I ended up leaving the windows down on my Escape while we were gone, haha. Our bus parking out in an abandoned school and shop area. My infamous fall into a bottomless hole as I tried to give Grant a target to hit, and the size to which my elbow grew after that fall. Then came the game, where we took care of business 2-1 against the Union. Afterwards we checked into the downtown Crowne Plaza, and made our way to Fado's. Soon after, I met up with my friend Meagan. Her and I took and unexpected dive into a famous Philly fountain when I realized how hot it was outside, and we were completely soaked. Ended up passing out at her apartment where she graciously called me a cab the next morning and had me back at the hotel just before the bus was to leave. As mentioned, my clothes had been soaked.. so I had borrowed some sweats and a t-shirt from her which got me some pretty hilarious looks once back on the bus. I know this was the first of many, many away trips for me.

So there you have it. My 2010 wrapped up in ten standout moments. Believe me, there are many, many more nights that vividly standout in my memory, but some of them are better not mentioned, haha. It really was an absolute wild and crazy, rockstar year for me, and I've enjoyed almost every minute of it. 2011 has some huge shoes to fill, but with the new job, a new Crew season, and new friends, we should give her a good run. Happy New Year.