Yeah, now I return to life as usual.  I was riding high on a wave of friends, outings, new experiences, and excess extrovertism.  I am weary.  Time to settle down and buckle up for the next couple months until summer.  Too much partying equals not enough money.

Tonight is my final night at Hollywood Pres.  It was a good run.  I was there for over six months.  I am going to miss everyone there.  I think I am going out to Las Vegas with them in May anyway but they will be missed.  They helped me get through this past turbulent 1/2 year.

Well, new things with me...I didn't get into American University in D.C. like I wanted, I did get into UNC Greensboro and UMASS Boston.  I decided that I want to go to UMASS Boston.  I deferred for one year though and I am moving to Boston to start living there for a year so I can cut 1/2 price off my bill for tuition.  I am going to miss California but it is time to start advancing my collegiate career.

I realize that my career is what I must think about now most often.  Everything else can fall at the wayside, well not really fall at the wayside but be incorporated into my life after my career is in order. 

I did so much in the past month and a 1/2 since I posted.  I finished reading East of Eden and it is now one of my favorite books.  I squashed the beginnings of love in my heart (I know, stupid and morbid).  I outed myself fully to almost everyone at work.  I got over the weed thing and then smoked it again...(Yeah, more stupidity!)  I've danced the night away with friends a few times.  I can run almost two miles now.  I am a beach volley ball pro (well maybe just a good amateur...okay, maybe I can get the ball over the net but it is still fun!).  I went camping around Lake Cuyamaca (name makes me think of a turd) but it was beautiful...we even hiked to one of the peaks and walked around in the clouds...Beautiful!  I found a great Jamaican restaurant in LA at the corner of La Tijera and La Cienaga called Derrick's...Good eats!  I applied for a position in the Respiratory/Medical ICU at Cedars Sinai Medical Center and got the job with really good pay and then rejected the offer so as to go to school in Boston and then subsequently lost my travel position at my other facility because I waited too long to re-up my contract.  Which leaves me where I am now...tired and doing my taxes!  I owe the State of California money but at least I get a federal return and one from North Carolina! 

Life for me has been no crystal stair over the past month but it has been a stair nonetheless.  A step bringing me closer to my goal of touching the stars with my life...or at least residing in the clouds.

I found a singer who I am in love with!!!  ESTELLE!  Yeah, she is from England (born from Senegalese and Grenadian parentage she is beautiful but more than that, her music is catchy.  Watch her videos! 

Hope she makes you feel as good as I do when I hear her.  Alright, I will have to post more often.  I think I will post some pics too.  Later...actually Sooner and much blessings to everyone on Xanga!  Peace!

Hey Xanga!  I don't know what to say.  I guess I will start by saying I am drunk.  I love it!

Okay, I am not a lush but being drunk feels so good.  I had forgot how good it felt to be intoxicated.  Not just drinking but can't walk straight type drinking.  It feels so good!  Hahahaha, I really love it.

Went out to a bar and played shuffle board.  First time playing the game.  It was a good time.  I like Pabst Blue Ribbon.  It was my first time having it but it was good.  I lost a shuffle board both times I played.  But it all became okay when "Sweet Caroline" came on.  How I came to know that song so well I will never know!

It is the day after the day after Valentine's and I got a gift certificate for cigars!  Yes!  I am so happy!  I could just about cry and laugh at the same time!  I can't wait to order some. 

I am going to Costa Rica in May or June of this year.  I am so excited.  I connected with an old best friend from Florida who lives there now.  It was so good to hear from him.  He is unemployed and made jokes about being a drunk which I don't think are that far off so I am a little concerned but I really want to see him. 

My other best friend who was supossed to be in the Atlanta area also called me and told me about her misfortunes.  Everything from domestic abuse to major surgery and moving back to Florida.  Damn!  I felt it for her so she is going to Costa Rica with me to see the third guy in our triad from Middle School!  One unemployed friend and one displaced friend.  We had so much fun together though and it will be good to see them.

I found tickets from $290 with taxes from Miami so it seems affordable.  Costa Rica is so beautiful too!  I can't wait to see the volcano and maybe a beach or two and learn some more Spanish.  I am overdue for some serious travel excursions.

I got invited to Vegas again this weekend by Pat, a friend from New Hampshire but I told him I couldn't come because that would require funds.  I am not poor but I need to be saving more.  His friend he is with is gay I think and just doesn't know it yet or something (no girlfriend+wonderously effeminate+kinda porky+possesive+no sports knowledge+most of his friends are girls=why I think so).  If you want justification or reasoning behind my equation on homosexuality just let me know.  All that is relevant because he doesn't like me.  People say he doesn't like anyone but I have seen him with Pat's other friends and he actually says rude shit to them...with me he gives me evil stares or just changes the convo...yeah, no likey me, he does.  Just because you don't like me is not reason to be gay but I think it is because he thinks something is going to happen between me and Pat, possibly taking away his friend (which I think he secretly loves, but that is just my opinion).  Damn, I can deduce a lot of bullshit on supposition, can't I?!  He doesn't know the nature of our relationship though.  Jealousy can be so annoying.  Well, I would have to ask him to verify but that would be akward and then he would deny it and I would feel that I am wrong when I know I am right and he would never tell me I am right after he searches his heart and finds out that I am right so I will just go with my assumption and not really get to know the guy unless fate leads me in that direction again (Why did I just spend all that time justifying myself and trying to bring clarity to this paragraph?!  Damn, alcohol!)...Okay, different shit!

Yeah!  Party bus time!  March 1st I am going on a party bus with my friend!  Good times!  Actually there are a bunch of us going.  We take this bus for 35 bucks (25 for ladies) up to Hollywood to Club Element and we don't have to wait in line and we get an open bar on the way.  Then they bring us back to Long Beach after we are done with the debauchery!  Good times!  I can't wait to dance! 

Work is good.  Last night was bad though because our hospital was absolutely full!  We had to shut down our Emergency Department.  This January all the hospitals and ERs have been really busy.  LA is frickin' sick now!  And not just regular ER crap but seriously sick people with Cardiac and Respiratory problems or people requiring surgeries.  Last night for example, two fractured arms-both requiring surgery...one we would not have caught except for the doctor called to say that it wasbroken after they had an X-ray and were in the waiting room (we were that busy-long story!), five suicidal patients (3 with unsafe beds-couldn't see them from the desk), two vented patients, and the list goes on and on.  I even personally have had three premature newborns with breathing tubes and respirators in the last two weeks (we are not a children's hospital!).  I am liking my work though and I can't complain but I get concerned about not giving out the best level of care because we lack resources.  It pisses me off!  But only so much you can do with what you have.

So I got to go to sleep because I have to help a friend move in the AM.  Helping them move and then volleyball at 1:00 pm.  Two fun things events in one day!  Should be a good day.  Later Xanga!

Peace

Joe C.