Sucksess

A year ago I used to be logged into blogger for long periods of time pondering what I would write about because I never did anything except sit in my bedroom. Now I'm sitting and pondering what I'm going to write because I've done so many exciting things recently. That makes me happy.

I'm choosing to tell stories through pictures today. Enjoy.

Since purchasing a Hi-definition videocamera with graduation money, I've really been into making short documentaries. I've made three so far, and I plan on many more. The first is called "Ladies of South Congress" and follows me and lovely female friends as we shop in a funky part of Austin. The second is "A Day in Denton" and follows my friend Jessi and I as we hang out in the park, play with our boss's dog, visit town square, etc. And the final is called "Snow Day" and was shot two days ago when we had a freak snowfall out of nowhere.

Ladies of South Congress:
http://www.vimeo.com/718724

A Day in Denton:
http://www.vimeo.com/750936

Snow Day:
http://www.vimeo.com/761987

My first night during a visit to Austin. On our way to 6th Street.


This warms my cold, black heart.


Cops on horses.


South Congress street.


Antique shopping at Uncommon Objects.


Emily on the street.


Shoes


Stopping for a snack.


Ladies of South Congress.


After agreeing on a place for dinner, the girls threw their hands in for a cheer.


Cupcake stand in an Airstream.


Dancing at Beauty Bar!


Had some co-workers over for Chinese.


Valentine's Day at I Heart Sushi.


This carnival comes through every once in a while and parks in our mall's parking lot. I had a hankering for some cheap, dangerous carnival rides...so we went. These are some photos Jessi took with the slow-shutter speed.



House party thrown by a co-worker.


Easter shit at Wal-Mart.


Where I work.


My best class of the semester: TV-production. AKA screwing around in a tv-studio with our laid-back teacher.


Taping of Extreme Paper-Rock-Scissors for our game shows.


In da control room.


Our boss's amazing dog, Parker Posey.


Denton Courthouse


If you're ever in Denton, visit Recycled...great books, DVDs, music. And it totally smells like my grandma's attic.


At a park


Sky


Colors


My boss's cat.


Birthday day at work.


One weekend I'm in shorts and a t-shirt at a park...and the next I'm covered in snow. In March!


Everyone came out to play.


Cheering after sledding.


Snow




It snowed on Jessi's birthday and the only place open was Chili's. At least she got a few drinks in her!


I look like a giant.


Wal-Mart parking lot after snowfall.


Laters for now!

Denton Rock City

Joshua Cairn: I'll give you five dollars if you let me throw a rock at you.

- Joshua (2007)

To briefly update my last post:

The day following my blog post I checked my facebook to find a response from gym guy. He was flattered by my message but was curious as to how I knew his name. I attempted to truthfully explain how I essentially stalked him. The response was funny and self-depricating and I was sure I was on the right track to a date. The following day his facebook status read: "gym guy wants you to take him out to coffee...yes you." Absolutely positive he was referring to me, I waited anxiously for a response to my message. And then I waited longer. And then I waited longer. And then I realized his facebook status was meant to be a general invitation to any of his facebook friends.

I fail at life.

A few days later I am at the rec center once again hopping about on an elliptical. Not five minutes into my exercise routine, gym guy passes in front of me and I immediately tense up. I can tell by his body language that he's well aware of my presence and we both try our hardest not to make eye contact. He hops onto the elliptical right in front of me as I text to Jessi: "God damnit, he's here." For some reason I cannot stop laughing. As I put my phone back into the holder, my hand knocks the cap to my waterbottle off, sending it to the floor. I watch in slow motion as it rolls directly underneath gym guy's elliptical machine. God is mocking me.

I left the gym that night without gym guy's phone number, without a cap to my water bottle, and without my dignity. Fuck my life.
____________________________________________________________

In between stalking people at the rec center, I managed to secure an on-campus job in which I call UNT alumni and persuade them to donate money to the school. Sounds incredibly dull, I know. But the people are great, the hours are perfect and my boss is one of the more fascinating people I've met in a very long time. I am absolutely loving it. More on that in a later post.

For now, enjoy these pictures:

Jessi and I went on a Dallas date last weekend. CD store first, Urban Outfitters, Sushi, and then There Will Be Blood at the Angelika. Here she is at dinner as we eavesdrop on and silenty mock two girls behind us discussing work-out routines and dieting.


Starbucks.


Shana turns 22! I got her a 40th birthday card because I'm awesome.


I fucking love this cat.


It's a celebration, bitches!


Jessi and I visited her friend Allie at her new place. We both want to kick Allie out and move in. It looks rough, but its charm overwhelms you. Trust.



Hilarious flyer we saw on Fry street.


On the way to Jupiter House for java.


Laters for now!

You Don't Know Me But...

It was a biting thirty-something degrees and so windy I could hardly keep my balance. I had also conveniently forgotten my coat at the apartment and the only clothes I donned were a t-shirt and thin, breatheable gym pants. I was delighted about my trip back to the rec center that I had so carelessly avoided for many weeks.

The gym was crowded but I managed to find a vacant elliptical machine and began hopping to-and-fro while jamming to the new Radiohead album. I spotted a fellow on an exercise machine whom I had seen numerous times at the rec but paid no attention to previously. I guess I had seen him enough times to notice that his hair color was different. He had a thin, lanky frame and an attractive face that was covered slightly by his tousled hair. I watched him as he listened to his iPod and exercised furiously. I imagined him listening to some hip, indie English band. I watched him until he finally glanced over at me. (Why is it that every time you look at someone, they look back?) I immediately switched my eyes back to the television set as if he didn't just catch me staring. After a few seconds, I looked in his direction again and we met eyes another time. This happened about two more times.

Normally my gaydar is impeccable and I can tell if a guy is gay in about .02 seconds but for some reason it was having trouble processing this particular person. Surely a straight guy wouldn't return my curious glances more than twice, right? He eventually got off the machine and began walking on a treadmill. The rec had just intalled new treadmills that come equipped with individual televisions. He immediately tuned his to Project Runway which to me was an unmistakable indication of his sexuality. Elated, I hopped of my elliptical and made my way to the treadmill next to his and tuned my television to Project Runway as if to say, "Yeah, me too."

When he finished his running, he started to exercise on an abdominal contraption near the stairway. In order for me to leave I had to pass him one last time. I told myself that if he watched me pass by, then it's for sure I wasn't imagining the whole thing. And sure enough, he looked.

In true stalker fashion, I arrived at my house and did a search for every gay guy at the University of North Texas. I found him on the third page and called my friends to ask if I should send him a message or not. Brittany told me it was too early...so I sent it anyway. It read:

"Subject: You Don't Know Me

I normally don't do this, and I'm aware that it may seem a bit creepy but I saw you at the rec center tonight and wanted to tell you that you're very cute.

That is all.

- Patrick (not a weirdo)"

And tonight he responded back by saying, "I saw you too and the feelings are mutual. Coffee? Marriage? Kids?"

Unfortunately I made that last part up. He never responded. And now I'm terrified to return to the rec center for fear of running into the cute guy who now thinks I'm a creepy and obsessive facebook stalker. And I'm willing to admit that's not far from the truth. How embarrassing.

Here are some more pictures from the Christmas break:

Cat arm mustache


Tree in my front yard


Out in ATX for Emily's 22nd birthday. Beauty Bar is the best place ever. It's a club/bar themed like a vintage 60's hair salon. They play the best music.


Evan rocks out at PURE


New Year's Eve crew downtown Ft. Worth.


Parking lot outside our favorite San Antonio restaurant.


I hate bars. But they give me great opportunities to take pictures.



Drunk


Mary's working To-Go in the background. She offered to be out server as well. What a sweetheart.


Back in Denton.


Laters for now.