Case in Point...

[08:55] Mike Johns: what are you doing tonight
[09:00] Mike Johns: and are those your faggy bath salts
[09:01] Morello172: no, not my salts
[09:02] Mike Johns: haha.....steve is so gay
[09:02] Morello172: yeah, what a faggot
......PAUSE......
[09:03] Mike Johns: is that sarcasm i sense?
[09:03] Morello172: haha
[09:03] Morello172: anyway
[09:03] Morello172: going to dekalb for a show

<3Noon<3

[15:28] njklug20: this is noonan
[15:28] njklug20: i was looking through my aim names
[15:28] njklug20: and klug left his password saved
[15:28] njklug20: on my laptop
njklug20: hey cider its noonan
njklug20: I pwn aim sn's as well as wallters
njklug20: wallets*
njklug20: but not spelling bees
[15:30] Morello172: hahahahahaha
[15:30] Morello172: that's good
[15:30] Morello172: but i was thinking just something black mail worthy
[15:30] njklug20: ok
[15:30] njklug20: umm
[15:30] Morello172: haha
[15:30] Morello172: don't fail me noonie
[15:31] njklug20: you have until 5 pm saturday to deliver 5,000 aborted baby fetuses and 25 dollars in unmarked 1 dollar bills to me or all the girls on your buddy list will find out that your gay
[15:31] Morello172: hahahaha
[15:32] njklug20: im gonna get off this
[15:32] njklug20: i dont want people thinking im klug anymore
[15:32] njklug20: that makes me boring

Notes to Self...

*Don't have ridiculous immersing dreams during the waking up process in the morning that cause you to be 30 minutes late to work.

*Don't not shower and have hair sticking up as you hurry to work.

*Don't do any of the above on the morning two new techs start.

Who's Up For Some Memories?

“Grab Max”

Here’s to the “we should do this more often”s,
The “why haven’t we thought of this before”s,
And the “this is so much fun”s
Here’s to all the moments spent,
memories faded but bonds strengthened
Here’s to what we lose in the blink of an eye yet gain in a single beat of the heart
To the days we’ve spent planning, wishing and dreaming
And to the nights spent hoping tomorrow would last a lifetime

Down and to the Left...*

So it's a new year. What does everyone have to say to that? These are quite LITERALLY once a year happenings. No seriously, wrap your mind around that. *sarcasm*
So what does 2008 and the prospect of a new year mean to everyone? Is it...encouraging? Discouraging? Hopeful? Full of Regret? Fearful of? Brimming with nothing but Joy? There is not even a remote chance of me being able to describe and encapsulate the range of emotions that one can associate with such an event. It's beyond me and I'm content with that. It's the 2nd day of the month AND year already. 1st day back at work and the 8,108th day of my life. Life certainly allows itself to be numbered. I appreciate that on a certain level but feel that it takes away a certain level of zeal from the process we so humbly refer to as Living.

So happy new year everyone. What chances are you going to take to turn your life into something worth shouting about? Sometimes the most exciting form of living is just doing ANYTHING different. Turn the ordinary into extraordinary and drink deeply of life. The beauty, the passion and the complexity. It's all important so don't forget a thing.

*Dedicated to Ms. Lauren Albracht

I'll Make My Stand

Tragedies aside, there is one main component of the formula to appreciating and cherishing life that I know of. And that ladies and gentlemen is living it. Through the pain and the sorrow, the joy and the bliss; life is bigger than it all and slows for no one.

After something as tragic as Bianca's passing happens, it's hard to talk about other "less important" things. Do you know what I mean? I basically feel guilty for caring about things in my life that in the light of the tragic circumstances, seem trivial and unimportant. I think that's one of the hardest obstacles to overcome in the pursuit to cherishing and appreciating life. I guess too often death can overwhelm and hinder it's antithesis and cure; Life.

I just returned from California where I was visiting for my cousin's wedding. My dad's family are all in California, in the Los Angeles area so it was great seeing most of them. I haven't seen anyone on that side of the family in almost 8 years, since my grandmother's funeral. My half brother Sammy who I used to be fairly close to when I was younger, lives out there now too. He does architectural work for a construction company during the week and tattoos at my cousin Peter's shop on the weekend. Seeing him and visiting Peter at his shop was awesome.
My cousin Ann got married to her fiance Stephen. (Ann * lawyer) + (Stephen * IT director at the top school district in California) = a rich set of newlyweds. The wedding was really nice and just an amazing experience all in all. Between the beautiful and wonderfully short ceremony to the reception at the incredible Empress Harbor Seafood Restaurant with the 10 course meal and me dancing in front of about 300 Chinese guests like an idiot (BY MYSELF!), the trip was a success. A few hiccups here and there but simply put, I'd pick California over the Midwest any day. Pictures from the trip and the wedding are forthcoming.

Add a piece of lost luggage to my car being in the shop and having to get a rental to my Macbook going missing at the hands of the Hy-Vee customer service department and you have the recipe for a hectic rest of the week.

For a Reason...

Far too much to write about in one post in one sitting so I suppose I'll pick and choose as I attempt to inspire myself to transpose my thoughts onto the internet.

Most important on my mind, Bianca Vocke passed away this last Tuesday night due to complications from a car accident she was involved in occurring the week previous. I have never met Bianca and unfortunately, can only now make her acquaintance in heaven but I am friends with her sister Celeste. My heart breaks for Celeste and her family. There aren't many words that I can write that haven't been repeated over and over in the last couple days. Repeated to the point of dull indifference, where the words lose their meaning and become routine more than anything. I never want to feel that way. To any who read this that believe in the beauty and power of prayer, please pray for Celeste, her family and everyone affected by this tragedy. Remember the fragility of life and the sacred value that we must place on it, each and every day. Celeste, you promised to introduce me to Bianca after all of this was over and I'm holding you to it. One day, I'll see your face light up in it's beautiful and proud glow as you introduce me to her and her to me.

Here We Come...

Okay fine, depending on when you read this, I'm not leaving until Thursday but the point is? As much as I can, I love this state.

All vague posts aside, I'm flying to LA in the company of my girlfriend and my father to attend my cousin's (my father's niece) wedding in Santa Anita. Due to some last minute preparations (not on my part mind you), I'll be flying out of Rockford while my girlfriend and father will be flying out of Moline. Both flights are at 6AM and are to Denver where we'll actually all three get on the same flight to Burbank. Repeat for the way back.

Sounds like quite the Asian wedding to be had. The reception? No Big Deal.

Coupled with finally seeing my family out there? I'm quite excited. My brother Sam is an architect in LA and also tattoos on the weekends at my cousin Peter's shop in Pasadena. Peter just messaged me via Myspace out of absolutely nowhere to say hi and to tell me he's excited to see me this weekend. That was a good feeling. Haven't seen Peter in a good 7 years or so. I wonder what kind of deal Resurrection Tattoo can cut a little Eurasian cousin like me?

More after the break...