I Can’t Believe I’m Doing This February 27, 2009
Posted by wes285 in Uncategorized.Tags: Mindless Things
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I usually don’t do these because I answer enough questions on a daily basis from the women in my family. But I’m bored and I need something mindless to do. Also, this is way easier than that “25 Things” facebook meme because I don’t have to pick out 25 random things. I just answer the questions. Mindless.
I’m supposed to tag other people, but none of my friends blog anymore and I don’t have any faceless blogger friends, sooooooooo here we go.
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? John and Charles Wesley. John founded the Methodist Church and Charles wrote half of the hymns they sing. Also, I think my parents just like giving their kids names that make them sound like wealthy Brits. Wesley. Bradford. Allison. After all, my dad is King.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? I think after my grandfather died. I did tear up a little during The Family Stone because its an eerily similar story to me and mom, minus the death part.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? I’m indifferent. It’s not great. It’s not horrible. Although, I did get an N (needs improvement) one semester in 4th grade for handwriting.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Does chicken salad count? If not, corned beef.
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? No.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Of course. In certain situations, I can make you look comparatively less assholish and cynical.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM? Well, only once in a blue moon. Stupid question.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? I have a slight aversion to heights. But, that just makes going on roller coasters more fun. So, yeah.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Crispix.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Only my dress shoes. But, that’s only because you can’t get the shoe trees in them otherwise.
12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Breyer’s Coffee. Edy’s Cookies and Cream.
13. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? When speaking to me, if they look me in the eye. If not, whether their pants are the right length. Is it really that difficult to go to a tailor?
14. RED OR PINK? Red.
15. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? At times I can come off as a bit aloof, which, I suppose is because sometimes I am a bit aloof. Don’t take it personally. If I really don’t like you, you’ll know.
16. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My grandfather.
17. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO COMPLETE THIS LIST? Uh, was this question just thrown in so someone could call this “40 Questions” instead of “39 Questions”?
18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Gray sweatpants. No shoes.
19. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Radiohead – Idioteque.
20. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Navy?
21. FAVORITE SMELLS? The smell of an ice rink. There’s no way I could describe what that smells like, but it is a distinctly enjoyable smell. Like the smell of a new car.
22. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My dad.
23. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Another stupid question. No one sent this to me, so I guess I sent this to myself? So, yeah.
24. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Ice Hockey.
25. HAIR COLOR? Black.
26. EYE COLOR? Brown.
27. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No.
28. FAVORITE FOOD? Jameson. A properly cooked medium rare ribeye. My last meal would be a ribeye with a side of asparagus with a glass of Jameson to finish it off.
29. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Scary movies bore me.
30. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Pineapple Express. By myself. You really shouldn’t watch funny movies by yourself.
31. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter.
32. HUGS OR KISSES? Kisses.
33. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Eh, I’m not tagging anyone.
34. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Eh, I’m not tagging anyone.
35. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. Outliers was decidedly better.
36. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I don’t have a mousepad.
37. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Maryland-Duke game.
38. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? The Rolling Stones.
39. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? China.
40. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Sibley Memorial Hospital. Washington, D.C.
What Kind of Month Has It Been February 17, 2009
Posted by wes285 in Uncategorized.add a comment
I usually have no problem expressing myself through writing when I am in a place like this. It’s when everything is going well that I don’t have much to write about. But for some reason, I cannot put into words how I feel. I have sat down to write every evening for the last four days, but nothing has come. I don’t know what it is about this particular death that is different than the others. I don’t know how to deal with any of this. What usually happens is that some days I feel better, some days I feel worse. But eventually I get through it. I know it’s only been about three weeks, but it’s not getting better. I don’t think I’m mourning any more or differently this time around. Perhaps it’s just the sheer number that has me. Four in twelve months.
Last Sunday I perched myself on the couch in front of the TV for the better part of the late afternoon and evening. With a glass in hand, a bottle of Jameson and plenty of ice I sat there in my temporary escape trying to figure out how to deal. Truth is, you never really escape. I sat there with my mind swirling, trying to make sense of it all. Four deaths in twelve months. There had to be some lesson to be learned. Some insightful moment that would help make things better. Of course there wasn’t. I picked myself up off the couch and went to bed drunk, disappointed and even more confused.
The next morning I ambled out of bed around 9. I got to work an hour late, but it didn’t really matter. My bosses were all at a conference in California and I had very little work to do. I sat at my desk still in a bit of a daze. Then I read this from another blogger:
Then again, I think the biggest mark of maturity is no longer waiting around for a soul-scorching insight. I don’t seek out those tiny moments where everything makes sense, because I know now that it’s a process that will likely never end. And I’d be bored out of my mind if it ever did.
There it was. The “insight” that I was looking for. There rarely are any “soul-scorching insights” to be made. You’re not going to be able to make sense out of every situation. Sometimes that’s just the way life goes. It didn’t make me feel any better. I’m still trying to figure out how to deal. But I’m no longer wasting my time trying to understand everything that has gone on. Maybe that’s a start.
Gone to Touch the Face of God February 4, 2009
Posted by wes285 in Uncategorized.Tags: Astronaut, Death, Space
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In the past year, I’ve had three friends pass away. Today makes four. All through tragic circumstances. I suppose passing away in your early twenties is tragic enough on its own. But one suicide, two illnesses and getting hit by a drunk driver are all tragic regardless of age. People keep telling me that everything happens for a reason. I don’t accept that. What possible reason is there for someone being so emotionally beaten and battered that the only way to stop the pain is to swallow a whole bottle of pills? What possible reason is there for a perfectly healthy 22 year old to come down with leukemia, fight for his life smiling the whole way, only to succumb because the research hasn’t caught up to the disease yet? Somebody tell me please.
My friend Stefan wanted to be an astronaut. I don’t mean he dreamed about walking on the moon when he was four years old. I mean he dreamed about walking on the moon when he was twenty-four years old. As I understand it, there are two ways to get into space: 1) become a military test fighter pilot like John Glenn and Neil Armstrong or 2) become a mission specialist, the rocket scientists and space walkers. Stefan wanted to join the Air Force to become a fighter pilot. When he was told he couldn’t do that because his eyesight wasn’t good enough, he decided to study jet engine propulsion. He was a rocket scientist and got a job with NASA. He didn’t get selected into the astronaut training program. It’s damn near impossible. Something like 4000 people apply for 20 spots every two years. But, he figured, if he couldn’t get into space, the next best thing would be to work on something that would make it to space.
Three days ago, he was hit by a drunk driver at 3 in the afternoon.
Stef, you didn’t make it to space in this lifetime, but with your outstretched arm, you’ve slipped the surly bonds of earth and gone to touch the face of God.
Two Down, Eight To Go February 4, 2009
Posted by wes285 in Uncategorized.Tags: Boston, D.C., Law School, Living, New York City, Undershirts
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I got rejected from a law school last week. I got into a law school last week. They are the first two schools I’ve heard back from. Neither of them were my top choice. Or my second or third or even fourth choice. But it’s nice to know that I’ve gotten in somewhere. Relieves some of the wondering. Eight more schools to hear from. I’ve been sitting around merely existing for the last year and a half or so since I finished college. Lost touch with a bunch of friends from school. Made a handful of new friends. Had a string of first dates. A few second dates. And even a couple girls who put up with me for a month or two. I’d even go as far as to say I actually liked them. But in the back of my mind, knowing that I might be gone from D.C., I never let them go anywhere.
My dating life has pretty much been a microcosm of my time in D.C. I haven’t let myself get attached to anyone or anything here because I don’t want to have to leave anything important behind. Much of this is because I hope that I’ll be in law school in New York City. Maybe Boston. Just not D.C. This makes me a little sad. Maybe sad isn’t the right word. Being sad in this case entails some sort of regret. I don’t regret any of my time in D.C. I’ve had a blast here living in a house with some of my closest friends and hanging out with others along the way. Yet, for lack of a better word, I feel a bit sad. What if I do end up back here in D.C. Other than growing up in the area, I have no real connection to the place. It’ll basically be like starting over with new. A new place to live. New people to meet. Maybe I do have a regret or two.
Eight more schools to hear from. Hopefully one of them will be my ticket out of here for a fresh and real new start. To living rather than just existing.
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This has nothing to do with anything other than just being a pet peeve. But for chrissakes, can people please learn to wear a proper undershirt? I’m not talking about going out on the weekend wearing a collared shirt without an undershirt. I certainly do this with polos in the summer when it’s way too hot to be wearing more than one shirt. I’m talking about in the workplace. I work in a law firm where the dress code is business casual. Basically, slacks and a collared shirt and no tie. Why do people insist on wearing a colored t-shirt under their button down? The workplace isn’t about matching your undershirt to your dress shirt. You look like an unprofessional fool who hasn’t mentally moved himself past college. And the absolute worst is a t-shirt under a white dress shirt. Everyone in the office can see that you went to MTV’s Cancun Spring Break at Señor Frog’s and took too many shots with some random girl from Wichita State. I’m pretty sure your partner isn’t looking too kindly on that. Go to Macy’s and buy yourself two threepacks of undershirts. It’ll last you a week and a day. It shouldn’t cost you more than $30. Am I the only person who feels this way?
