Oh, Hi Mark

I finally got around to watching "The Room" and Jesus Christ, my world has changed. If you ever have the opportunity to treat yourself to this fine piece of cinema, please do it. Trust me. Here's what I'm talking about.

I couldn't do it

I told myself I had to stop spending so much time on the computer. Honestly, I thought I could do it. I vowed to shut down at 9pm and not look at the screen for the rest of the night. Last night, I shut the cover and went to bed at 11:30. Splendid. Tonight, I managed to go from 6pm to 8:30 pm before I cracked. I have been here since.

That being said, I did something productive in that time, so I am also proud of myself. I've been writing 2 stories for Name Your Tale every day possible. I slacked a bit this weekend, but my folks were in town so I didn't have much time in front of the keys.

I feel my writing is improving, and I accredit that to writing consistently. I've also been reading more, which feels really good. I picked up a book called And Here's the Kicker, which interviews some of the top humor writers out there. It's very entertaining and insightful, and has some great tips for getting into the industry. There may be hope for me yet.

I also got Patton Oswalt's My Weakness is Strong, which I love a lot. I like that dude, and I like what he's done for talented people I know (aka Ted Hobgood).

Also played music with Meg tonight, and was really satisfied with myself and how I was able to collaborate with music. I swear I don't have a musical bone in my body, but I sometimes really surprise myself.

Lastly, I think it is important to note that starting next Monday, I'll be taking a class over at ComedyWorx. I'm itching for improv. Wish me luck.

*Sniffle* Crack Pop

I feel like hell, but I've taken enough meds today to kill a horse. Hopefully that horse is the illness brooding inside me. This weekend was a lot of fun. I had a date with a very nice girl, and went to see Heather's band, Mount Moriah, open at the Midtown Dickens show. The place was packed, and I had a bit of anxiety and therefore had to stand outside in the rain for part of it so I wouldn't freak out. It is very strange dealing with this new feeling within large crowds. I never felt that way growing up, and honestly enjoy being around a lot of people. There is just something very uncomfortable when I am wedged in with so many folks. Nonetheless, the show was fun, and Ryan and I noticed how friendly everyone was. It was very atypical of hipsters, but I think the overall mood of the place was very positive. People were just there to have a good time, and not to show off for one another.

Tonight I went to Best Buy to get CF a webcam so we can chat online while she is far away in corn country, and while I was in Best Buy at Southpoint, I looked for Patton's new DVD/CD, My Weakness is Strong. They didn't have it, nor did they carry it. I have to say that that particular Best Buy is a shit show, and doesn't have many redeeming qualities. Boo for you, BB. Boo.

Speaking of establishments that fail to deliver, RS and I ate at Durham's new Cuban Revolution last night and Scott, you were right. Not only was the food just "meh," the service was horrid. Now, I have been a waiter aplenty, so I know if you only have one table, you definitely have time to wait on them. The dude didn't even bring out our appetizer himself. Pathetic. I am going to scour them on Yelp. (Which is too bad because I WANTED it to be good, but I won't be back.)

Lastly, today's weather made me really happy. I don't know if it was a combination of the rain and coolness outside and being in B&N, but I certainly felt the nudges of autumn smiling at me. I can't wait for October to get here. Anyway, the weather in tandem with being in B&N certainly respawned feelings in me that I haven't felt since last year in November for NaNoWriMo. I'm really looking forward to it again. This year, I want to write the book I want to write, and not just "experiemnt" like I did last year. It is still a little ways off, but nonetheless, it is exciting to think about.

We Need to Talk

First off, I'd like to say that if you get the chance, please treat yourself to seeing Inglourious Basterds in the theater. I think it was Tarantino's best work since Pulp Fiction. The film was calculated, violent, touching, and hilarious. I didn't want it to end.

In other news, it seems that I might have been too presumptuous in my hopes of finding someone with whom I'd like to start a relationship. Long story short, there was definitely something there, but she is recently out of a relationship, and isn't ready for a new one. I feel a little rejected, but deep down, I now it isn't anything I could have controlled. As the French say, though "So it goes." After the conversation we had I got very introspective and I felt pangs I haven't felt in a while, and I was worried for a moment I might slip back into what I went through the past year. But then I wised up and talked about it with the roomies and realized that the situation sucks, but there is not much I can do about it. Nevertheless, I had a great conversation with this girl in the car today, and I maintain that she is one of the most interesting people I have met in a while.

Anyway, I am planning on joining the Y in the very near future, because after I read through this blog the other day, I realize that I have been doing a lot of talking about getting in shape for a long long time, but in reality, I've not done anything. I have pictures to prove it. I am not setting any hard goals yet, because I think that my goals will be accomplished when I see what I want to see. Maybe that is a dangerous way to think, but then, I am one dangerous fella.

Wish me luck.

Here's What's Up

So, as I noted in my previous post, I have a few updates since I last blogged. In fact, a lot has changed, but I am only going to recap the more recent events. However, I will say that the past year feels like I was sleepwalking. I don't know that I've ever been so down and out in my life as I was from 08.08 - 06.09. You might know my tendency for being a bit over dramatic at times, but honestly, there was a lot of crap going on that forced me to change. I was resistant at first, but I now realize those changes have ultimately been the best thing for me. Anyway, here are some things that have happened recently:

• I officially broke off my involvement with DSI. I wish I could say there are no hard feelings, but honestly, there are. I feel like I might have lost friends as a result of this, but there are a few whom I'd like to maintain a friendship with. This break was quite significant because improv and comedy have been a huge part of my life for the past decade, and now that I am not spending my time doing it, I feel like I have time to do some of the other things I want to. My plan is to work on doing more stand up and comedic writing to fill the void, as my creative process has become more of an individual endeavor. And maybe that comes from not feeling like I can trust others to support me in what I do. One door closes, another opens, yes?
• My job is awesome, and is taking up a lot of my time. I found myself checking and responding to emails at the bar last night. That's dedication, friends. Things are busy right now, but that's awesome.
• I am now a Durhamite. I moved in with my friend Ryan, whom I've known since college. We lived together before in 2000, and things have changed / not changed. I also have another roommate named Cameron, and he is good people, too. Our place is amazing. Loads of square footage and space, and I've even taken steps to make this place really feel like more of a home than a house. So far, so good. Oh, and the 4th roommate is an old friend, too. His name is Zen / Brandon / Jessica, and he's a cat.
• I bought a brand new car. Yes, it was expensive and a quick decision, but it was necessary as the old one was on his way out, and I needed to think fast. Unfortunately, it didn't qualify as a "clunker" though. Meh, oh well.
• My folks finally got out of Florida, and they seem to be very happy. My sister got engaged to a guy she really loves, so I am happy for her. It looks like the Griffins have made it through a dark spot over the past year+, but things are looking up, and that makes me happy, too.
• Lastly, I've been doing some online dating, and it has been a great experience. I've been out with several girls, some of whom I had good chemistry with, others I didn't, and others still that there was interest, but not worth maintaining. HOWEVER, I did find someone I really like. She is a musician, a writer, and a genius. All that and stunning. I think she might like me, too, which makes it even better. I'll expand more on this in the future.

That's it for now, I suppose. Ryan and I are going to see Inglorious Basterds, which I've heard was great. We'll see. Expect a review soon. Cheers
-JSG

A History of Relapse

Well, it has been over a year since I "closed" this blog, but I have decided to open it back up to get back in the habit of blogging for myself. I'd like to say that I'll be doing it daily, or even consistently, but I am not going to set myself up for disaster by promising that to myself or you. I'll do it when I can, but honestly, I do plenty of writing on a daily basis, so I don't feel bad about not writing here every day. Plus I have another blog, if you didn't already know, and that will remain in tact, but this one will serve as a personal journal, and that one will serve up plenty of very funny and amazing pictures, videos and the like.

So, a quick recap of the day while I'm at it. Work felt lighter today than usual, and even though it has been busy, I enjoy what I do very much. I like the people I work with, and feel like I am doing good work. It's exhilarating.

Went to Durham Be Easy tonight, and got there just in time to see The Mountain Goats. Wow. Every time I see John Darnielle, I like him even more. His music is great, and I like his rapport and honesty with the audience.

RS and I went to Bull McCabe's downtown, where we ran into HM. It was her gf's b-day, and it was nice to say hi. They left pretty quickly, but understandably, as the bar was sort of wretched.

Met up with CT and his friend at Satisfaction, and I actually drank a Jagerbomb. Possibly one of the reasons I have the energy to write this now. I also armwrestled both CT and his friend. I lost terribly both times. It reminded me of what lousy shape I'm in.

I've got some other news to update, but for now, this is going to have to do. I'm probably going to do some updating to the design of this site, and my other sites too, but I'm not going to rush it.

Deal with it, bitches.