Car Troubles. Loan Troubles. Crew Troubles

Check Engine. Check Engine. Check Engine.
My check engine light began furiously blinking yesterday during my drive to work. This identifies engine misfiring, according to the manual. What the hell.. so now I have to watch the temp and wonder just what is causing the misfiring and if I should worry about fires starting?? Getting it checked tomorrow.

WTH is going on with the Crew.
We are off to the worst start for a defending champion in MLS history. Massive?? More like a massive meltdown. I agree with mostly everything I read over at Crewture(http://crewonespot.blogspot.com). The boys seem to have no heart and while I know were struggling with injuries and the most national team call-ups of any MLS club, do they forget the potential they have? They need us supporters now more than ever.. just 5 months after winning the Cup, were already further behind than we have been in years. I want to make it down for the Colorado game..but with the car and money being tight, I might not. Marshall's hurt, Frankie's hurt, Robbie's hurt, Moffat's not back yet. Moreno's been overused. Who's next, Guillermo?? RW needs to find a solution. Good coaches find ways to overcome.. ways to pull off a shocker or upset. And if we do not beat Colorado at home, any W for us might become a shocker.

$tudent loan$
Damn them.

Day off = Job searching! Crew on ESPN2 @ 9PM!

This lovely Thursday is now my only day off this week! I picked up some hours on Fri, although not many.. 5-8, and then traded off 2 hrs on Saturday night. So now I will be getting off around 10..which means..yes =) Anyways.. the following are planned for my free day:

*Job hunting - I plan on going to Findlay first and browsing around some hotels, maybe even the Cinema there if the hotels go that bad. I also need to grab a new wallet from the mall or somewhere.

*Crew VS Real Salt Lake! 9PM on ESPN2. As of now I am meeting up with Mummert and were either watching the game at Thirsty's, or getting a pizza and watching it on the big screen at his place! After a 1-1 draw vs Houston in the season opener, and a 1-1 draw vs Toronto in the home opener, we are overdue for a W. But definately will not be an easy win at Rio Tinto today, especially with Robbie Rogers questionable, our Season/Cup MVP Guillermo not feeling so well.. and with Moreno & Frankie Hejduk playing in World Cup qualifiers on Wednesday night, I expect four of our starters could not be playing... could be a rough game.

OK! Back in Ohio: People. Weather. Money.

Back in O.H.I.O. now.. hearing that chant 2,000,000 times an hour while you're in Florida gets a little old. Weather here sucks. Atleast it's not snowing.

Money. While opening my giant stack of mail.. I came across what I had expected/dreaded to find: a Sallie Mae envelope. After opening, I discovered my student loan monthly payment will be $142 more than what I had expected... I have no idea how I am going to pay this, my car payment, insurance, phone and computer payment, each month. So today later today I think I am heading to Findlay to apply at some hotels hopefully. (Fingers crossed.)

People. I think it is extremely humorous how some people operate. For example, certain people who I do not think really know how to keep friends; or believe in the concept of them. People who invite friends over but have no means of entertaining them, and then have the audacity to suggest that your guests created an awkward situation. Real classy.

Spring Break 09 Notes & Memories! Part 2!

Tuesday, March 24 - Meeting people.. Shuckums.. Jet Ski Dolphin Tour
So I believe it was this day that Cody and I took the dolphin jet ski trip out to St. Andrew's State Park/Shell Island. The guide said this would be one of the "roughest excursions we've had in some time." The wind was high, and the waves were enough to scare me to death as I rode on the back of Cody and I's waverunner. We were a decent distance out into the Gulf, away from the Bay and Channel. During these massive waves I was the first out of 3 in our 12 person group to get thrown off, and I definately made it count. Took what seemed like forever to swim back to Cody and climb back on...but probably my favorite part of the trip! Even better than seeing the four dolphins jumping and playing in the waves with us. Back at the hotel we met some more people, dined once more at Shuckums, and Cody and I walked the beach until we got tired and turned in.

Wednesday, March 25 - Hanging Around the Pool, Who was Jesus?, Huge Party at our Room
Today we spent some time out on the sun deck. All started with me wanting some time in the hammock, but when I got down a couple had already taken it..so I sat on a deck chair with some girls to the right, closed my eyes, and enjoyed the sun. THEN IT HAPPENED.. as I opened my eyes again, 2 guys sat to my left right next to me.. and I happened to notice the one was wearing the shirt of a "christian band." I thought to myself 'god damn it.. I almost made it through the week....' Started off with some icebreaker questions to me, "So where ya from man?" "Play any sports? Yeah I was big into Ultimate back in college" "Nice day huh? Kinda makes you wanna crack open a Bud and watch the girls on the beach, right?" At this point I'm thinking 'you son of a bitch..' then it comes... "So what do you know about our God?" Lucky for me, Cody and Eug soon arrived.. all three of us just LOVE to have this kind of talk... but the guys seemed nice, and not as stuck up as other wannabe martyrs, so I let it go. ANYWAYS... later that night we had a HUGE party in the room with people from all over the hotel that we had met at the pool that day after we left the Jesus Junkies. Eugene had a contender for Quote of the Trip: "Yeah, I was interested in organized religions... then I was distracted by life."

The Rest of the Week (Thurs-Sat)
Thurs I got back into Harpoon's, Friday we had another party. and Saturday we hit up Margaritaville before we departed around 2:30. Each day (Thurs, Fri, and Sat..) it was dark, stormy, and cold. Rain, thunder, lightning ruled each night. And there was no sun. But Margaritaville was definately a great way to end the trip! Our waitress let me drink with no I.D. after hearing my story, we got to hear the music that takes the worries away and let us think that it was really sunny outside, and it was just a brilliant way to end the trip in the spirit that it should have been. Got back to Cbus around 7, home around 9. The End!

Spring Break 09..PCB. Notes & Memories - Part 1 (3/21-3/23)

Spring Break 09. Panama City Beach.
Ultimately, I lived it up during this one. There isn't much that I can say I did not accomplish.

Kicked out of a club? Check.

Kicked out of two clubs? Check.

Wake up in a different hotel miles from mine? Check.

Drunk dial family and friends? Check.

Lose my sandals? Check.

AND.... broke my sunglasses, lost shirts, fell asleep out in the sun by the pool while completely gone, through a giant hotel party in the room, had cops taking pictures of the $350 worth of alcohol in our windows, befriended a flock of seagulls while living in the Escape at the back of a Wal-Mart parking lot.

Saturday, 3/21 - 2:15 PM - Beaches, Spinnaker, and O.A.R.

We arrive in Panama City, and cross over the bridge into Panama City Beach. First thing we do is drive and find a public beach to stop at. Spend some time out in the sun, and when the sun goes down.. we go back to the Wal-Mart parking lot and lock up the Escape, then set out for Spinnaker to do some partying and watch the band Ocean Street. On the way to Spinnaker, we run into a group of girls: Katy, Anna-Marie, Allie, Brittany, and and Alexia. They go to Spinnaker with us, but aren't very festive. We all drink free beer and do shots together to celebrate Katy and I's birthdays. Then we jam out to Ocean Street, there was NO ONE on the floor but us at first.. which you will see when my video gets posted at http://www.youtube.com/garlock1304. Then two sets later the place is packed out. Cody and Eug wanted to get out and try to find the girls, since they all got kicked out for underage... =) . So my drunk ass finally agrees to leave, then I hear the opening guitar of Crazy Game of Poker (O.A.R.) and I go CRAZY and run back to the pit to sing along. Cody and Eug ran into trouble with a bouncer, or so I thought, as they waited for me. This caused me to shove and cuss out the bouncer who laughed me off as Cody pulled me down the ramp. This thus ended night one, after Cody walked back with Nicole (New Jersey girl) and Eugene and I waited at the Escape for him. End of Day 1.

Sunday, March 22 - My Wallet is Stolen, MIZZOU gets me Drunk, Kicked out of Harpoon's

So after sobering up a little, we head down to Harpoon Harry's to get free drinks between 2-4. We met a bunch of cool people from Ohio. However, after going to the restroom, I came back to realize moments later that my wallet was gone. I had set it there with my keys and phone, because the swim shorts I had on had a smaller pocket. Cody even searched through portable bathrooms...yes... SEARCHED thru... (love that guy) to try and find it, not there either. So I am rather devastated. Only the second day.. and now I have no I.D. to get into clubs. I throw my keys down outside, cuss out some girls that were dancing on Cody (sorry bro), and word spreads around the club about my misfortune. Some students from the University of Missouri hear this, and decided to buy me a ton of drinks throughout the next hour/hour+half. This killed me. And led to me being kicked out of Harpoon's with a MAJOR black "X" on my hand, that lasted the rest of the week.

Monday, March 23 - Check into the Chateau, Setting up Party room 431

So we finally get checked in, I have cancelled all my cards and charge cards. We actually found out that someone had used by debit card around 8:22 pm at KFC later that night. Who the hell would use a stolen bank card at f'n KFC?? I just want to know what was going through the punk asse's mind as he swiped my card. Anyway, we get settled in and start to set up the alcohol in the window. The room is looking SWEET. We would later go to Lowe's and buy a sheet of ply wood which we had cut into our beerpong table. You can also see that in the video later on once I get Eugene's pictures! Tonight we decided to have a stay-in night. Just chill and walk around the hotel. This was also the first night we ate at Shuckum's. I was sick all day because of the last two days.. but Cody and I still found a party on the first floor to play pong at. And we stole the show!

Details and pics from the rest of the week coming soon =)

Tonights the night! Panama 09!

Although I am feeling rather VERY sick (sorethroat,ear ache,runny nose,cough,off/on voice) we are rolling out tonight!! Should reach our destination between 3-6 tomorrow night. Then either somewhere to watch the Crew opener in Houston or maybe out to Margaritaville for a little change of latitude ;) Then hopefully over to Spinnaker to check out what looks like a sweet band: Ocean Street.

Decided to not bring the laptop, so unless I throw some updates on here from codeman's laptop.. I'll be back with a full report next week!! Ciao =)

*EDIT* oh yeah.. today's my 23rd birthday! ... and the first day of spring!! and... we leave for FL! haha ok.. I must now be heading there to start stunning in my SWEET zac efron towel that someone got me for my bday.. what more could I ask for??? :)

both headlights burn out?? cleaning & weather

2 Silverstars put in by myself, oh, I'd say late 2007..already burned out each in their own way.
Left side?? The dims work, but no brights.
Right side?? The brights work, but no dims.
Strange, yet not surprisingly not surprising. So on Sunday the girl accompanied me to Findlay for some new bulbs, a few new shirts at the mall, some McD's, and then a walk around Riverside Park. Always seems to find a way to make me better every moment she's around.. crazy.

Well now it's Monday (actually it's Tues at 1:13am) and I've replaced both bulbs. Today had the Escape washed.. and plan on having it washed everytday till we leave. Hmm, I think I will spend my day off on Tues to clean the Escape out thoroughly, and of course wash it again! Maybe pack a few shorts and shirts, who knows. 3 days and we're gone. 4 days till arrival AND the opening day crushing of the Houston Dynamo by the Massive.

7/6, kid throws up, tonight

7 = days until Cody, Eugene and I pack up the Escape and escape Ohio!!
6 = days until PCB becomes the most fun it's been to anyone sense SB05!!

Today's notable happenings: Kid throws up 3 times at work, once in the entrance, and twice outside the entrance. This happened just after I clocked out around 12:15pm, so Jeffery and I ended up cleaning the entire walkway of the entrance and even some of the drivethru area. So thanks kid! That area would have probably gone another 20 yrs w/out being cleaned. BBM tonight at Thirsty's for St. Pattys day. and maybe hangin out with the girl and some friends inbetween?? Hmm.. what's that I smell.. smells like.. LUKE'S PIZZA. Later.

8, lady scams us 2wice, H see's A, BBM

Panama City FN Beach = 8 Days. How many? EIGHT. Virtually a week away, and I've been telling everyone that I'm not getting too excited about it yet, ha, yeah right =)

Notable events today: Let's see, at work some lady came in for the 2nd time in a week trying to claim she didn't receive the right food in order to get free food. Not sure if I should feel bad for her, or feel bad towards her. So hard to tell who is too tight on money and who is being a dumbass... then there's the fact she drove away in a Cadi today.. hmm.. Holly texted me to let me know she saw my other ex's sister Alyssa at Hane's Mall in Mocksville, NC. She said she had always wondered if she would ever run into one of them, and to some extent I did as well. We talked quite a bit the other day after I told her about my girl up here, it's good to talk to her. She'll be in NYC for a choir trip at the end of March and I'm excited for her, I'm glad she's getting these opportunities now.......

I expected Wed night to be me sitting at home, getting some rest.. instead I was with my fav person! And rested my mind by spending a few hours with her. I swear.. she must have some sand and saltwater in her somewhere, cuz she can keep me calm, drive me crazy ;), keepme warm, and make me happier than anything else. Wed night was great..but that shake was better! Okay definately joking right there.. but seriously, both were rather great =)

BBM this Saturday at Thirsty's.. I'm pretty sure I am going, I mean I know she has other plans so I know I'll be there for awhile, if not the whole night. I mean, I like supporting my friends, ya know? I would think that anyone with similiar interests such as music would support each other, unless something was so out-of-this-world important that the rest of the world ceased to matter. Wait, what am I talking about.. Yep, I'll be there fo sho.

12 Days till PCB! ..trust.

Only 12 days left until we depart for Florida on 3/20, aka my 23rd birthday AND the first day of spring. Rather impressive day, huh? =) So after spending nearly $180 on cups, beads, tickets, balls, a small grill thats more like a frying pan with a rack over it, some containers to haul our alcohol around in, etc, I believe I cannot wait another minute to get the hell out of Ohio. I swear, the minute we are out of Ohio the party can begin.

In 2006 Cody made the mistake of standing outside my sunroof while we were on I-75 just before hitting Lexington, KY, and lost his favorite black 'Superman' hat. Well, 3 years later his white 'Superman' hat has seen better days, so we will ceremonially toss the hat in approximately the same area. Which brings up another point, I want almost EVERY moment of this trip caught on video or by picture somehow.

A lot of people around here suck. I am very fortunate and grateful to still have our old crew still intact. Sure I've met alot of great people thru different ways in the last 2 years... but they could never hold a candle to these guys. Recently I have came to the conclusion they are the only ones I can trust (or depend on..) in the longrun, and am confident in saying I really don't need anyone else but them..really, I'm good.

Springbreak. KC09. Important stuff.

The odds seemed stacked up against this from the beginning, but why not give it a try..very nervous, and there are so many details that suggest it could be difficult in the long run..but as a friend told me "when you find yourself doing the things that YOU just DON'T do, when you're like, 'man this isn't me, how's she doing this,' that's when ya know man." I have no idea what that means..haha joking, but yeah I have been doing things that I just don't do, and feeling ways I just don't feel usually.

Codeman's coming up tonight from Columbus and we'll be heading out to Walmart after I get done at work. I believe our list of things to buy for spring break includes... Cups, ping pong balls, PINATA, disposable cameras, tickets (yes, tickets, like a big roll of them ;), Xmas lights, blacklights, speakers, beads, cards, blender, slushee machine (hmm..), table, keg, and then important things.. like a frisbee and a grill. So tonight we'll probably be picking up the balls, pinata, cups, maybe the grill. ONLY 16 DAYS!!!!

Since I am now a Crew season ticket holder, I get presales to other non-soccer events at the stadium, this includes Kenny Chesney's stop at Crew Stadium during his Sun City Carnival Tour on 5/23. So I was emailed a password from the Crew to use in the presale today, tried it out.. I believe I would have gotten some decent seats, however there was no seating chart?? But I can't go anyways, my bro's graduation is on that day so I'll definately be there. I'm still hoping there will be a Keg show or two, and I would die if there is one in Panama City Beach while we are there! Fingers X'ed.