Insane Asylum

It's been a month already since I moved, and I gotta say it's been quite tranquil. However, I'm starting to see how much I miss my "insane asylum" commonly known to many as my friends. Why an insane asylum? Because my friends and I drive each other insane with all the crap going on in our lives. But I wouldn't have it any other way. I liked the insanity.

If only things could always be this crazy!

Heck, I imagined us one halloween going around in straight jackets just to prove how insane we were. Then again, I got used to this level of insanity mostly because of them. Ace and Johnny were always going about with relationship dramas in their own lives, which made me realize I had some pretty crazy friends to begin with. Then again, that's just the surface.

To keep things even more insane, my relationship with Amy can be described as something bizarre. Especially considering we are way better now than when we were dating. Strange, but a little insane too. It's not too common to see, outside of a TV sitcom at least. But trouble follows us too, so it's interesting enough to not stay bored.

And then there's my other friends, whose combined levels of insanity make me think I'm sometimes in a strange cartoon or something. The one who knows it all, the hopeless romantic, the leader of a zombie apocalypse, the storyteller, and a few others are just what I deal with most of the time. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

And now that I've spent this time away from them, I have grown to miss them more than I thought I was going to (did that just make me sound like a prick? I dunno...). And even though I know I will see them again, it feels strange to be apart from my insane asylum.

I need some wacky friends here.

The 3 Character Phases

Last night I was having a conversation with my best friend JC regarding how we change in life, but we did it with analogies from How I Met Your Mother. And then we realized that in life, we go through our phases which are represented by various characters. Well, at least in our dating life.

We obviously start with the first phase, Barney.

We start looking for a quick "hookup" and are always just chasing something superficial. We try to live it on the wild side and think we can conquer everyone. But all the while, we eventually realize what it is we really want. And thus, it leads to the second phase...

Ted

We become a hopeless romantic, often wondering when fate is going to intervine and present our other half. We start thinking about destiny and somehow become dreamers. We begin to see things differently than before, slowing down our pace and focusing more on a long-term deal. All this, so we can reach the final phase.

Marshall

That's right, the big goof himself. By now, we found our ideal person and feel more complete. Both of you become like a two-headed being, inseparable. Your friends look at what you have and realize they want something similar, but you don't miss the previous phases. By now, you're such a goof, that your other half wouldn't imagine you another way.

Overall, these are the kind of silly philosophical things my buddy and I come up with at the late hours of the night. It's always good to have a friend who can follow your strange way of thinking, no matter how far they might be.

Airplane

Airport blogging time! I don't know what it is about me and airline travel that I tend to over prepare for what seems a simple flight. I would have a 3 hour flight and bring videogames, my kindle, a fully charged iPod with movies, and my computer full of episodes to watch. And what happens once the plane sets off into the sky? I go to sleep, actually find the in-flight movie watchable, or end up not deciding what to do and once I decide, it's too late to begin.

Today was the same. I got one more flight to go (done with the first one) on my way to Jersey, and while I was planning to read a good book on the way, I dozed off and had a nap. Hopefully, it won't happen a second time for the next flight. I wanna get some reading done.

But one thing I find funny about airplanes is the first class curtain. We know you are there, so why use such a crappy curtain to cover it up? At least use a solid curtain and not a fishing net! I'm staring to think that if you mess with the first class curtain, it's going to magically put you back in your seat. Honestly, there has to be a reason for that curtain. Otherwise, just get rid of it. We can see you from coach.

And yet, I find airline connections to be quite annoying. Get on one plane and then get on another in what can be solved as a simple straight flight (no straight flights from Pittsburgh to Newark), but it's never around when it's my turn. But no worries, it's always a good reason to explore.

Something about being in other airports is that it feels like a different world when you enter. Something about it just brings out a level of both curiosity and frustration. Once you find your gate, it's all good. But before that, you feel like Indiana Jones going through a temple. It's both fun and scary at the same time.

I dunno. I'm just rambling on about traveling. I'm a few minutes away from my next flight, and then I get to meet some old friends. Let's hope I don't fall asleep and get some reading done.

The Awkward Trip

During my travels to nearby places where I was likely to both socialize with people who share similar interests and possibly make a friend, I ventured to a shop where they participated in one of my hobbies. I was happy, especially since my card games didn't have to go uninterrupted and it was going to be a great way to meet new friends. But then again, not everything goes according to plan.

First visit went well, getting to know some nice people and socialize a bit. However, there was a problem. It was too damn quiet. Yet, I ignored it and decided to return in the following weeks. It was, after all, a friday night. I figured the local geeks had to be elsewhere, perhaps. But then I returned. I don't know what it was, but I wanted to leave that place so badly. It was too dead, barely any conversations. I could hear my heart beating quite clearly. It was just that quiet.

I don't know what happened, but it seems that I have forgotten something quite important in my previous travels. Geeks in Puerto Rico are very different from geeks in America. We seemed quite versatile, but I get here and they seem like nerds. And even though I have the same interests and all, I'm a bit more social from the look of things. I don't know, it was all just very surreal.

Perhaps I'm used to the "jack of all trades" kind of geek, where we do more than just geeky stuff. I know they exist here too, but then again, it's a different culture so I'm not sure what to expect.

Perhaps I should keep looking in other areas. Maybe it's time I began the other social experiment. Time to meet random people on Facebook, maybe. Not sure yet.

The Annoying Brain

The friend-seeking process has been delayed, yet again. I don't know, but not having college anymore as a social factor is making it really hard to make a new friend without being so awkward. There's still the random encounters at malls where people socialize and it's a good place to make new friends. But still, that doesn't seem quite likely in the near future.

And with the recent stress of the job hunt, I have needed a friend more than ever. And while my friends back home have kept me quite busy, I need one to be here in person. Why? It leaves a lot of time for my brain to start plotting evil schemes to keep me awake at night and distract me with fictional problems during the day. It starts weaving a web of thoughts that just keep creating a hypothetical future, and it's very annoying since it keeps asking me things.

My brain has gotten to the point where I'm starting to suck at Mario Kart. I have gotten my ass kicked at so many races because instead of focusing on dodging that banana, it's focusing on how I'm going to make a friend and about my professional life. I think I'm gonna drown it out by watching a new series or something. I just wish my brain would come up with useful things instead of making me paranoid all the time. This is why people always need at least one friend, to keep their brains from driving them insane.

Stealing Tut (Short Film)

At last, my final movie project is out! This was a last ditch effort I made to get to film with my friends for one last hurrah before I moved out. Glad to say it went successfully, and now it's time to show it off.

Here it is, my latest (and final one until further notice) movie: Stealing Tut.

What happens when two thieves go after the same prize? Let's find out...

The Failed Experiment

Even though it's been about 2 weeks since I moved to PA, I somehow feel like it's been an eternity. How? Well, that can happen when one isn't doing much. However, a week of interviews and a bit more social interaction with people got me to hatch up a plan to try and make new friends here.

And even though I went to a comic book store last week and met people successfully, I somehow tried to get a friend through the strangest way ever...a social website. Big mistake, but I didn't realize it until a bit later. I was scrolling through my iPod in search of social apps when I ran across a specific app that says "meet people in your area." I figured it might be a waste of time, but I also realized there was nothing to lose by doing so either. And so, I created a profile and put up all my info, specifying I'm just looking to make friends.

As the day went by, my page was visited a few times. However, the visitors all disturbed me. Every visitor was either a creepy older dude, or a douche-looking dude looking for something (didn't wanna stick around to find out anyways). Needless to say, all the visitors made me want to quit the site and get out and meet people the way it's supposed to be. So I did what any sane person did. Erase the profile and go outside.

That's the last time I try to use social networking to make new friends. Well, maybe not the last time...

Snowstorm Drive

I don't know if I got some incredible timing or what. I get an interview for a very interesting job, but on the same day as an upcoming snowstorm (or at least very heavy snowfall). However, the drive over to Pittsburgh seemed quite relaxing. No signs of snowstorm at all. It seemed like it was going to be a nice day.

Once the interview was done and it was time to go home, I saw that it had begun to snow a bit. No problem, it didn't seem too serious. I wiped off the snow from the car as best as I could (my hands are still cold from it) and headed home. However, as I started to leave Pittsburgh I started to see something...

The snow was starting to catch up to me! And there was a problem. I was driving on the freeway with snow falling in the car, but I couldn't just use my wipers all the time. So I struggled against blurry bits of snowfall, strong winds, and ice as I headed home. It was the most intense drive of my life, so far.

Something about driving in weather like this somehow forces one to really learn to drive. It's one against the elements. So perhaps it's a good way to improve one's driving skills. And still, I just wanted to get back as soon as possible. Minutes seemed like hours there, as the snow continued to get more intense.

But I managed to make it back early. I can't help but laugh now, as I look back at my driving and realized I looked like Mr. Magoo as I drove under all that snow. My friends already made fun of me for driving like an old man, but this time I think I took the cake. Then again, this time I was really glad to be a careful driver.

What a day it's been. Now it's time to sit back and watch as the snow covers everything around me.

Random Conversations #2: Trying to Sleep

I don't know why, but every time I go to bed when there's something on my mind it's always impossible to try and find a bit of sleep. It's always the same fight back and forth.

Me: Panda Time! (That's how I declare it time for bed, for those of you unfamiliar to it.)
Mind: Not so fast!
Me: What is it now?
Mind: Well, you didn't think of how it went at the job interview? You haven't shared your thoughts today.
Me: I'm trying to not think about it. Why not distract yourself while I'm trying to sleep?
Mind: Fine. I'm going to think about something else.
Me: Thanks.
Mind: Say, I bet you miss your ex. Don't you? I know you do!
Me: Damn it, brain, enough! Go think of something else while I try to sleep. Perhaps, count sheep!
Mind: Ever wonder how your life would be if you didn't move away?
Me: Yeah. Unemployed with a degree...
Mind: But surrounded with friends and you would still have her.
Me: Yeah. But then where would I be living if there's nowhere for me to go? I got no car, no job, nothing to call a home base. That's pretty much pointless. So there, I'm going to sleep now.
Mind: Fine. 

*Moments of silence* 

Mind: Say...
Me: What?
Mind: Did you remember to update your zombie survival strategy?
Me: It's 3am, I think that kind of stuff can wait.
Mind: Then what about your list of places to go if you could travel in time?
Me: Later
Mind: Fine, if you won't listen to me...there's a way for you to listen. I'm going to give you a very vivid dream and tap into your emotions.
Me: No you won't. 

*After a night of sleep, I wake up* 

Me: Damn it. Another one!
Mind: Booyah!

Random Conversations #1: Hospitalized

I just had the strangest conversation with a buddy of mine, so I felt I had to put it here. But to add some backstory, I find out my friend was in the hospital and I, like any good friend should do, asked what happened.

I should also add something before going on with the conversation. If a friend tells you they are in a hospital, don't ask them if they are okay. Because if they were okay, they wouldn't be in a hospital. Random thought of the day...

So anyway, here's the conversation:

Me: I see you have been blogging a lot. 

Friend: Yeah, I'm in a hospital. I got a lot of time to do so. 

Me: Holy crap! What happened? 

Friend: No biggie. Just got hit by a car. 

Me: What? How is that no biggie? How did it happen? 

Friend: Pushed a kid out of a moving car. Got hit in the process. Damn kid, but hey, I'm out tomorrow. 

Me: Are you sure that's what happened? You're not saying that because you wanna impress a lady? 

Friend: I totally wanna get into your pants, bro. You caught me. 

Me: Touche.

Friend jumping in front of a car to save a kid? It can actually happen in real life, so watch out ladies, it's no longer fiction if someone uses it. But if you suspect it, go check their hospital records! Anyways, it took a lot of balls to jump in front of a car to save a kid. So kudos to my friend for doing a noble deed...and getting trolled for it.

Transitions

Today, the feeling of being done with college actually sunk in. I dreamt that I had fallen behind on a biology course in college, and that my final project was somehow missing. Boy, was that a night. Needless to say, I woke up just laughing at it as I realized I was done with college.

There's no final project, I'm done with college!

However, that's when I got smacked in the face by my new reality. I was no longer in college, and now was the time to focus on a career. Even more, it was time to focus on the rest of my life. Now, there's something dangerous about the topic "rest of my life" and having a lot of free time.

You think. A LOT!

I drove myself in a spiral of thoughts down to how I was supposed to deal with the new life and all the stress. I had to slap myself in the face and remind myself that this new life has yet to start. I'm not even working yet and here I am already taking arrows to the knee.

So I did what anybody would do when they think too much. They start watching some TV to distract themselves. Success!

So now, there's just relaxation as I still make the transition between college student and whatever it is I'm becoming now. This is a slow process, but it's worth the wait.