Phone turned off. Pounding candy. Getting "tan."

Today, I am unemployed.

I finished my year of AmeriCorps. It’s a bitter sweet feeling really. I miss the fellows dearly.

I’ll give you some bulletin points of some highlights, thoughts, lessons, and interesting characters I’ve encountered throughout the past month(s):

·         Man on the commuter rail most defiantly in the “dog house.” Gripping a bundle of arranged flowers in one hand while furiously texting and wiping away sweat with the other. I hope everything worked out okay buddy.

·         That awkward moment when you see someone you know and you try to become invisible, or beg for Alex Mack powers so you can turn into a puddle - happened twice last month.

·         I was asked to talk at my graduation for AmeriCorps….what an absolute honor. A speech, a lot different from a story and I tried my best. I naturally quoted a Fat Boy Slim song, Lauryn Hill and of course MLK.

·         My best friend had an accident and it reminded me again how precious life is and how vulnerable all of us are. Remember to appreciate the joys everyone. Dwell on the good and tell your friends how much you love them.

·         I’m 100% itching for an adventure. I’m broke and unemployed…so I have been just “running” I put that in quotations because sometimes when I’m “running” I turn into Phoebe from Friends. You know the episode where she just starts flailing her arms around. That happens sometimes.

·         For other exercise I have been walking the railroad tracks. I think that helps right?

·         It’s hard not to be reflective while I am going through another transition in my life.  I’m continuously “changing” since I opened that flood gate in Colorado. It’s funny once you are forced to embrace change how much you can get addicted to it. (Does that make sense to anyone?) I’m ready.

·         I really miss living with a house full of my beautiful Fort Collins ladies and gents. Life felt so free there. I crave that feeling a lot still.

·         I love the USA Women’s National Soccer Team. Mostly because of these players. They are my idols.:

·         I was able to recite the entire Baywatch Barbie commercial last night at dinner, cousins, why do we know this?:

·         Count down to my favorite week of the year, 7 days until I’m here.....

(Phone turned off. Pounding candy. Getting "tan.")

·         I saw a man on the commuter rail yesterday that I wanted to learn more about. He was in his late 60’s (I’d say) and was wearing a U.S Postal Services uniform and was reading a novel from the Boston Public Library. He was one of those people who naturally looked kind. He laughed a few hearty chuckles to himself about whatever the book was about and smiled the whole ride. I really enjoyed his presence.

·         Besides Tom, whom I am going to name the nice man I described above….everyone else was legit robots on the commuter rail last night. Everyone was texting, sleeping, playing games, typing on laptops. It was so quiet too. A toddler kicked his shoe and it made a loud noise and I saw a man dressed in fancy business clothes mouth the words “Shut the F*** up.” What has our world come to? Dude, he’s like 3, give him a break – it only happened once. 

·         The T should have music on and there should be a mandatory dance party.

·         It’s been way too hot outside. I know, I shouldn’t complain, because winter will be here soon, I know, settle down. It has to do with the humidity for me, personally (I’m a severe asthmatic if you didn’t know), because when the air is this thick I have no choice but to sit in my room in the A/C and watch re-runs of Felicity. Which I don’t mind. But I really should out in the world running like Phoebe or walking the tracks or straight up “Gump’in it” around town, ya know.

·         I’ve created an office on my porch. I get extension cords and get my laptop set up on a glass table with books propped up under so I don’t have to hunch over to the computer. I have been applying to jobs like it’s my job. I have crowned my mom my “boss” mostly because she has been home sick and she’s been one of the only humans I’ve been able to interact with. Why you ask? Because I’m broke, unemployed and well, my car, Billy, yeah, he’s not goin too far. (If you want to learn more about this, scroll down for more detail.)

·       I got lost going to a BBQ. I went to the wrong address. There was an old man on his porch and he was really wanting to help me figure out where I went wrong. The BBQ Party I was headed to was called the "I will never die party" because in case you didn't know, I am never going to die. Anyways, I asked him if it was the right place.....Nope. He seemed like a nice old man, so I figured I would let him try to help. You know how older people sometimes really want to help. He didn't realize that I could literally just call someone on my cell phone, get the address and then I'd be on my way.... , He REALLY wanted to help. He said he had heard of another street like his but with an "ave" instead of "street." So he wanted me to come into his home while he dug through his mail. Which I did. Looking back - I know, I know, I should not have entered this strangers house. But live and learn.... I walk in and there is a lady with bright blue hair sitting in the living room petting a cat WAY TO HARD. The finger lines from each stroke could be seen from where I was standing, in the doorway. I took this as my "get out of here" sign. I said thank you to the nice old man and quietly slipped out the door.

·         Also, I just bought some new deodorant which is the second most scandalous thing I’ve bought ...besides 50 Shades of Grey, it’s called “Sexy Intrigue.”