Last Summer on Earth Bucket List Video Project

We all know the world is ending on December 21, 2012 – at least, according to the Mayans – so this is our last summer on Earth. Ever. And “ever” is a long, long time. Before this planet is simultaneously destroyed by an asteroid, swallowed by the ocean itself, invaded by an extraterrestrial civilization or whatever Hollywood has cooked up this summer, I'd like to do a couple things, which is why I've compiled this bucket list of fun activities.

Despite being my last chance to do any of this stuff, I'm not going to stress myself out if not every single one of these is accomplished. This is not about work, this is about fun and enjoying one final summer with people I love. Furthermore, I retain the right to alter, change, add, or interpret this list as I see fit.

If you'd like to assist me and my close friends with completing this list, you are more than welcomed. I will try my best to accommodate you and include you in my plans.



Last Summer on Earth Bucket List

1. Ride a roller coaster
   
2. Go to New York City
   
3. Go to Penn's Cave
   
4. Trash the Dress Photo Shoot
   
5. Open a lemonade stand
   
6. Inner tube in Penn's Creek
   
7. See The Dark Knight Rises in IMAX.
   
8. Suit UP and go out
   
9. Watch the sunrise/sunset
   
10. Rent a Limo
    
11. Shave my head bald
    
12. Be a redneck
    
13. Start a Podcast
    
14. Go to Chuckie Cheese
    
15. Climb a tree
    
16. SLIP AND SLIDE!
    
17. Swing at dusk
    
18. Have a slumber party
    
19. Picnic in the park
    
20. Donate blood
    
21. Do something I've never done before
    
22. Make homemade ice cream
    
23. Dance (like nobody's watching, in the rain, spontaneously)
    
24. Drink too much and film myself
    
25. Beach Weekend
    
26. Go cloud watching
    
27. Write a letter to a stranger
    
28. Make homemade popsicle
    
29. Make a chemical explosion
    
30. Sidewalk chalk
    
31. Host a BBQ
    
32. Watch fireworks
    
33. Donate clothing to charity
    
34. Not speak for a full day
    
35. Hitchhike
    
36. Get a tattoo
    
37. Bungee jump
    
38. Go camping
    
39. Say YES
    
40. Shoot a gun
    
41. Buy $5 in lottery cards. Play until you lose.
    
42. Blow some money at a casino
    
43. Go kayaking
    
44. Go with the flow.
    
45. Go to a movie, film a review.
    
46. Go geochaching
    
47. Eat something I've never eaten before.
48. Give up meat for an extended period of time.
49. Water park
50. Hershey Chocolate World
    
51. Go to a rodeo
    
52. Get muddy
    
53. Catch fireflies in jars
    
54. Tour the Yuengling Brewing Factory
    
55. Go to Ricket's Glen
    
56. The Great Secret Goat Project
    
57. Hug Leslie
    
58. Porch party
    
59. Buy comics from Midtown Comics
    
60. Movie marathon
    
61. Look a dangerous animal in the face and live to tell the tale
    
62. Self publish a book of poetry
    
63. Jump
    
64. Ride in a hot air balloon
    
65. Ride a mechanical bull
    
66. Go go-cart racing
    
67. Trash the Dress Photo Shoot for Guys
    
68. Pool side with beer.
    
69. Clean up litter
    
70. Night at the Drive-Ins
    
71. Dig for fossils
    
72. Make s'mores
    
73. Spend an afternoon taking photos
    
74. Laser tag
    
75. Keep a record of the summer bucket list with photographs and video
    

"Let's Kill Hitler"

WARNING! SPOILERS! DON'T READ IF YOU PLAN TO WATCH DOCTOR WHO!

Two things I would have rather seen in the 6.08 episode of Doctor Who entitled "Let's Kill Hitler."

-While I was completely caught off guard by Melz being Melody/River, I think it would have been more satisfying to meet Melz before, maybe just a passing mention if not a full-fledged story. This has been one of the only times where I felt like Moffat didn't have a long, elaborate plan. Melz's back story felt like it was thrown in for the convenience of plot.
- The rehabilitation of Evil River seemed too quick. Maybe I just wanted to see more Badass Nazi River, but what if she had been the Big Bad for a couple episodes, hunting down the Doctor and setting traps for him, until she eventually kept experiencing his compassion for her, thus leading to her inevitable change?

The Kind of Poet I Am

I'm not the kind of poet that slams.
Don't get me wrong, I love the style
I just don't quite get the rhythm
But I admire – no, I want – nay, I need
The type of passion I've seen
Associated with those powerful, spoken words.

You see, I'm the kind of poet
Who likes to rhyme
Who can hear a word or a phrase a thousand times
Without thinking, without blinking
Until that unspecified muse consumes my mind.
You want a confession? Here goes:
I get obsessive, and often no one knows.

It's words like “lips” and “lies”
and “smolder” and “sweep”
And “irresponsibly”
That tip-toe meaningless toward my pen
Until I hear them in the right context.
Even now, the word “patiently”
Has been slowly seducing me.
And I want nothing more
To hold it close and take it home.

Come on now, I'm the kind of poet
Who pretends to fall in love so he can write again.
The kind of poet who hears about a girl
With eyes that change color with the weather
Then loses sleep until I run out of ink.
She gets lines like, “She is of lighting and gentle thunder,
Of summer storms and falling rain."
I'm the kind of poet who realizes eyes of blue exist
But I won't notice until the right shade notices back.
At which time I call them “crystal” and write,
“I'll count each time she decides to blink.”

It's like this: I'm not the kind of poet to tell you a story
Who connects consonants and vowels and apostrophes
To construct some kind of artistic prose.
No, I'm the sort that leaves you hanging.
Always writing on the edge of not enough.
It's between the unanswered questions and unrequited details
That one can find my emotions, naked and weeping.
The quicker the rhyme, the quicker the release.
I'm just afraid that slam and the spoken word
Won't satisfy my need for absolution.

It's just that, I can't slam worth a damn,
But that won't stop me from trying.
That's the kind of poet I am.
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This is my first attempt at the slam/spoken word style poetry that Amanda writes and performs. I realize this is likely crap, so I'm open to tips and pointers. I've always envied Amanda's style and passion, but I've never been able to catch it myself. After watching her and George Watsky perform live at Vidcon (and also Melza on her poetry channel), I want to be a part of this live, spoken word poetry movement. Look for this on my channel soon.

Love Poem to a Dead Girl

I often thought I couldn't live without you, but obviously I can.

I just changed the definition of what it meant to live.

Because if the World After is void of everything you are

Why would anyone want to dwell in that sort of life

A crude, bastard sketch of what reality could be?

A simple look destroyed me, and left me wanting.

The grievous blinks came in distant intervals of relief

But you still ignited my love, you painted my heart

With the brushstrokes of your very existence.

You were

Beautifully flawed, imperfectly pure

The whole of Heaven and Hell.

An angel with painful eyes

A femme fatale with sunset smiles

A contradiction and cliché.

Just like me.

I often claim to love you in past, present and future, but how,

When I am selfish, desperate, pitiful in my need for you?

I cannot release my anger in the way you were released.

I've not forgiven you for causing pain, Before and After

I've not forgotten you hurt me, and I hurt you back.

What kind of thing is this then, that I hate as much as I love?

I never told you what I meant to say, but I hoped you guessed.

Today, I placed dandelions upon your grave and didn't leave my name.

But you knew who they was from.

Slow Burn

I remember a time when my heart was set on fire

And singed anyone who came within my arms,

Smoking, fuming, stinging with every golden coal

But it was the good kind of hurt, the type of pain

A person desperately wishes would flicker forever

Because quenching the flames would mean the end

The inescapable, unavoidable, unsavory cessation

And inevitable conclusion of all I have come to love.

Stop.

Pause, pause, for the love of God, pause!

What must I do to perpetually keep you close to me?

I promise this time I won't edit out any of the details

I swear I won't char the edges of these memories.

I want you to stay, to remain, to lag quietly in my life

Because the flames are swiftly turning to shadows of ash

And the scorching tears won't evaporate away this time.

I remember a dream I had in which we were together again

And when I woke up, my soul ignited with desire:

I want to burn in your eyes of everything.

For all of you.

BEDJ 20: Which Way Did He Go?

Oh hey, look at that, I haven't blogged since Saturday. It completely slipped my mind since then. And seeing as to how no one really noticed (or at least didn't say anything), I supposed it's not that big of a deal.

I'm a little over a third of the way through #VEDJ. I don't like it. I really, really don't. Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed Subway's Veggie Subs and I really don't mind Veggie Stir Fry with Rice, but I just want to enjoy chicken. I'm just getting so frustrated with this challenge that I've almost just quit several times. For example, yesterday, it was like Wendy's was out to get me. I stopped for some quick food, and they accidentally put a juicy hamburger  in my to-go back. I ended up throwing it out the window of my car, because I wanted to stick my face in it.

#EEDJ has also slowed down. Not because I don't want to do it, but because my knees have started to hurt me. I think it started after I did that trike ride last week, which was the most uncomfortable, awkward riding contraption ever. I'm still taking it the #EEDJ, it's just been slower and less. I think I may be able to pick it up back up tonight.

Also, I might see HP and the Deathly Hallows Part Two in Imax Friday.

VACATION in FOUR DAYS!

BEDJ 16: "Do You Want to Drop Some Lemons?"

I really, really wanted to talk about how frustrated I am with how last night ended, but I feel like that's not an appropriate story to throw out there all willy-nilly.

I'm just either the worst Mack Attacker in the history of the universe, or girls around here just aren't interested.

If you really want to know the story, you're welcome to talk to me on skype about it.

-------------------------
EEDJ: There will be none today.
VEDJ: Rice and veggies
         : fruit mix
         : Coke! (dun dun dun)

BEDJ 15: Hogwarts Will Always be There to Welcome You Home

WARNING. CONTAINS MAJOR DEATHLY HALLOWS SPOILERS. IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THE BOOKS (what the hell are you waiting for, serious, it’s been out for years?!?!) OR WATCHED THE FINAL MOVIE, THEN DO. NOT. GO. ANY. FURTHER.

After nearly 12 hours after I watched Deathly Hallows Part Two, I'm still looking back and remembering all the cheer-worthy and tear-inducing scenes with fondness. I said it last night on Twitter and on the BEDpost, and I'll say it again: it was such a “wow” movie. This is how you adapt a Harry Potter novel. The movie benefited tremendously by being split into two parts. You can say it was a money move all you want, but I don't care. It was worth it. If they want to make an extra $300 million dollars so I can get a worthy adaptation, they could have split it into seven parts if they so desired.

Every book-to-movie project has changes that can't live up to the novels, but an overwhelming amount of the differences on screen last night were greeted by me with acceptance and understanding. The biggest change, of course, was the Final Showdown between Harry Potter and Voldemort. I anticipated the cut of the lengthy conversation and one-spell battle between them from the books, mainly because such a scene just wouldn't work in a movie like this, but I didn't anticipate to like it as much as I did. I was surprised by how well it worked for me, especially since I think I was one of the few that loved how it went down in the novel. Dare I say that I'm wishing that's how the book version would have transpired?

The biggest thing I appreciated about the film was the use of dialogue taken straight from the novels. Normally, fans are lucky to get those one or two lines they recognize, but this movie was just overfilling with it. By doing so, I feel like the movie makers acknowledged that JK Rowling's written words were already a masterpiece that didn't need enhancement. From the conversations with Griphook and Ollivander in the beginning to Snape's memories to the Forest Again, I smiled every time the words were spoken.

I cried. Not as much as I did when I first read the book though. I remember reading through the night and into the next day, and sobbing when Dobby died, when Fred died, when Harry walked through the forest, to the point where my mother was worried about me. The feelings were still there last night, like a wave of emotion that poured over my body during those scenes, but not with the same intensity.

I'm left with a heavy heart knowing there are no more movies to wait for. I won't have the much-discussed post-Potter depression, but I will long for more. As many have said, this is the end of an era - the swan song of the series - but at the same time, I agree with others who said the end came a long time ago. The end came when I wiped my last tear away and sighed with the book closed on my chest. The end came when I turned the final page, knowing that 19 years after the Battle of Hogwarts, all was well. The movies were just a way to prolong that ending, to make the wound of missing a wonderful series less severe, and to allow that injury to heal with the ointment of the films.

And just because it ended, that doesn't mean I can't go back.

Things that didn't work for me:

• My biggest gripe was King's Cross. For a casual viewer who might not have read the books, it was not adequately explained why Harry Potter had the ability to return from the dead. Especially since this was something most fans of the books didn't really understand in the first place.
• There were some awkward moments that distracted from the experience. Voldemort giggling. Not having both Crabbe and Goyle in the Room of Requirement. Voldemort giving Draco an uncomfortable hug. Dumbledore's words of wisdom at the end felt off. That Harry/Voldemort apparating as one entity through the Hogwarts grounds. The CGI-aged actors in the epilogue.
• I would have liked to see Fred's death on screen. And although we didn't get to see it in the books, I would have liked to see Lupin and Tonks' deaths as well. And a return from Kreacher leading the House Elves into battle would have been awesome to see.

Thinks I loved:

• The Forest Again. When Harry used the Resurrection Stone on the way to his death, I cried. It was beautifully executed and handled with the respect and care I so desperately wanted.
• The Prince's Tale. I was pleased (especially after OOTP botched “Snape's Worst Memory”) to find that Snape's memories of Lily and the events of Dumbledore's death were also handled with the care they deserved. And the added line in the boathouse “You have your mother's eyes” gave me chills.
• Neville Longbottom and Professor McGonnagal. Kicked. So. Much. Ass.
• Molly Weasley and the line you were waiting for.
• Ginny Weasley. Although she didn't have much screen time, every time she was there made me happy, especially since every scene with her was fueled with noticeable passion. Her reaction when Harry came back to Hogwarts. When she was the first to step in front of Harry when Slytherin wanted to turn Harry over to Voldemort. When she completely lost it when she thought Harry was dead.
•  Most of the changes worked on so many levels. We got to see Ron and Hermione destroy the Horcrux instead of hearing about it, and I liked their kiss. I was pleased to see the addition of the final Harry/Ginny kiss. The added battle with Nagini also added more action and suspense.
• The actress who played the young Lily Evans was adorable. As was the actor who played Albus Severus Potter.
• I've always said that Draco was more of less assisting the rebellion by default, so it was nice to have my theory vindicated when Harry asked him in the Room of Requirement why he didn't rat the Golden Trio out at Malfoy Manor.
  
  
  Those are my thoughts. Do you agree? What did you think?

BEDJ 14

Wow. Just Wow.

That is how you adapt a Harry Potter novel.

BEDJ 13: A. Potter in a Snake’s World

WARNING. CONTAINS MAJOR DEATHLY HALLOWS SPOILERS. IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THE BOOKS (what the hell are you waiting for, serious, it’s been out for years?!?!), THEN DO. NOT. GO. ANY. FURTHER.

In the epilogue of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, JK Rowling offers us a foggy glimpse of the Wizarding World 19 years after The Boy Who Lived defeated Lord Voldemort. At Kings Cross, Harry and Ginny are taking Albus Potter, their second child, to board the train for his first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. While we get various cameos by Draco Malfoy and his family, hear about Neville Longbottom’s job, and witness the love affair between Teddy Lupin and Victoire Weasley, the most important thing we’re shown is the apprehension Albus is feeling about being possibly being sorted into Slytherin instead of Gryffindor.

There has been intense speculation about which House the 11-year-old would eventually be Sorted into. I realize the discussion is frivolous because it’s fiction, and usually fictional worlds can only exist within the pages of the book, but JK Rowling is a creator of a different breed. Even after her series ended, she revealed revelation after revelation about our favorite characters. Hence, discussions like “Which House will Albus be Sorted Into” exist, even more so because she probably knows.

The answer to the question then? My money is on Slytherin.

First of all, we all know how Rowling likes to give clues about character’s secrets, such as Sirious being named after the dog star and Remus being named after the boy raised by wolves in Roman mythology. Therefore, with Severus in the name, that’s clue one. Clue two comes in Albus’s initials: ASP, which is a type of snake.

We’re also shown that Albus is most like Harry, who has some prominent Slytherin traits. While Harry had some of those traits (such as talking to snakes) due to Voldemort, he also had cunningness, resourcefulness, determination, and ambition. These are the qualities that truly make a Slytherin a Slytherin. And if Albus is like Harry in personality as much as he is in appearance, it makes sense. (I think I should note that while I think Harry would have been great in Slytherin, I think his Gryffindor qualities were more prominent.)

Thirdly, Harry calms Albus’s worries by telling him that Severus was a Slytherin and he was “probably the bravest man” he ever knew. When Albus protests again, Harry assures him that if gets into Slytherin, the House will have gained an excellent student. After nearly two decades, the dark reputation, while still there, would have at least faded. I’d like to think that Harry realized that Hogwarts can’t have the division of the rest of the Houses versus Slytherin, because that kind of animosity breeds negativity. We’re shown again and again in the series that it doesn’t matter what House you’re in, a true judgment of character relies solely on your actions.

From a story-telling perspective, Sorting him into Gryffindor after such a poignant moment between father and son just seems like a waste of time. And why focus the epilogue on Albus? Why not James, the firstborn? Why not Lily, the lastborn? It would have been a better ending anyhow if we’re shown Harry’s last child heading off to Hogwarts. But Rowling chose Albus, who she said in an interview that his story is the most interesting of the new generation. What would be interesting about a Potter child entering Gryffindor? We’ve seen that before, there’s nothing new and different about it.

So until Rowling writes his story and tells me different, Albus Severus Potter will be Sorted into Slytherin in my world.
----------------------------
VEDJ: meatless ravioli
         : juice
         : A poptart
         : two slices of pizza and cheesy bread
EEDJ: Three miles (jogged 6/10th of a mile of that)

Tomorrow, I'll be posting my thoughts as I prepare to watch the last Harry Potter film at midnight.

BEDJ 12: Those Cunning Folk Use Any Means to Achieve Their Ends

Surprisingly, I haven't put much thought into which house at Hogwarts I would be sorted into. When I first read the books, I assumed I find myself in Gryffindor, and didn't really think twice about it. I didn't actually have any reasons, I didn't spend hours analyzing my own personality, I just thought that's where I'd like to be. When I discovered the world of fanfiction and started writing my own, I became to slowly grow an appreciation for the Slytherin House, until I ultimately decided, if given a choice by the Sorting Hat, I would chose Slytherin.

Which has caused quite the uproar among my online friends. “No, Justin,” they say with confidence, “you would be in Hufflepuff.” (Which, according to several online Hogwarts tests, is true. I suppose I'll only know this for sure when Pottermore arrives on scene, and JK Rowling's sorting test takes me where I'm supposed to go.)

One might say I don't have the classic Slytherin traits of a pompous and self-important attitude, manipulation, and evilness, but that's exactly the the presumption of the House of the Snake that leads to such a negative outlook toward Slytherin. Those are not the qualities that Slytherin possesses no more than Gryffindor possesses dimwits, Ravenclaw possesses lack of common sense, and Hufflepuff possesses the socially inept.

The real qualities of the Slytherin House - cunning, ambition and resourcefulness - are easily turned towards ill purposes, but are not inherently negative. These qualities attract an array of students who are susceptible to a destructive life. Obviously, in the Wizarding World, the majority of dark wizards come from Slytherin, but saying all Slytherin are evil is like saying all black people go to jail. Possessing ambition as a core quality results in a disproportionate amount of competitive, sometimes self-important, students.

Furthermore, the qualities in each of the Hogwarts Houses can lead a student down a negative path as well. The daring of the Gryffindor House can easily lead to recklessness and arrogance. The intelligence of the Ravenclaw House can easily lead to egoism and close-mindness; and the loyalty of the Hufflepuff House can create blind and irresponsible devotion.

I realize that what I'm about to say is Hufflepuff through and through, but I would chose Slytherin because I want to change the way Slytherins are viewed. We love this story about Harry Potter, and for seven books, we are taught that it shouldn't matter whether you're Muggle-born of Pureblood. How can a prejudice as big as magical blood be expected to change if one as small as which Hogwarts house you're in can't do the same?


If it's always the rest of Hogwarts versus Slytherin, that's what helps facilitate darkness.


What House do you think I'd be in and why? What House do you think you'd be in and why?
--------------------------
#EEDJ: I missed yesterday because my day literally just consisted of me buying a new car, working, and making my dinner before I went to bed. Today, I jogged a full half mile without stopping, so I was proud of myself for this.
          : 2 miles (.5 mile jog, 1.5 mile walk)
#VEDJ: granola bar
           : Meatless ravioli
           : Pierogi with ketchup
           : a glass of orange juice
           : two bottles of water, three glasses and counting
-------------------------
This will likely be the first of several #BEDposts in which I talk about Harry Potter this week. Prepare for "Why I think Albus Severus Potter Will Be Sorted Into Slytherin" tomorrow.

Also, this is my new car. She doesn't have a name yet though.

Sexy

BEDJ 11: Hakuna Matata

"It means no worries, for the rest of your days."

I didn't intend to actually buy a new car today. I initially wanted to look around all week and find something I really liked by Friday and then make a decision, but I found a vehicle I fell in love with and was able to get a monthly payment plan I was comfortable enough paying.

So I'm the proud owner of a black 2005 Nissan Altima. It was a little more than I hoped to spend, but there didn't seem to be any point buying anything older and more used. This baby has less than 40,000 miles on it. And it has air conditioner (a feature that was disabled in my Kia because it would have cost $1,000 to fix). And it has all those fancy gadgets like an automatic locker for my keychain, power windows, a CD player, and even a place to store my sunglasses. This is the nicest car I've ever owned.

and I think I deserve it.

It took me a few minutes into driving to determine what song would be the first to grace my ears as I made my maiden voyage. I finally settled on "Hakuna Matata," which seemed appropriate (especially if the problem-free philosophy continues to hold true to my car situation), and then proceeded to listen to a variety of other kid songs (including more Disney, the Muppets, and Veggietales).

I still need a name for her, too. Any suggestions?

As I drove away from the lot, I gave my old car the finger and swore quite profusely at her.
------------------------------------
VEDJ: Salad
         : Poptart
         : Two bottles of water
         : MORE TBA
EEDJ: TBA (if there's time today)

BEDJ 10: Let's Blog about my Car Problems

This is turning into a "let's blog about my car problems" blog. For that, I'm sorry.

I got my car fixed... again... $150 for the part, and my dad and brother-in-law put it in. Although it's back, this will hopefully be the last week I will spend with that car. I want a new one before the weekend. I originally thought I wouldn't be able to afford more than $110 car payments (as I was doing with the old one before I paid it off), but I realized that with the amount of money I was putting into repairing the hunk of junk, I was probably putting on average $300 a month into my car.

So I think I'm going to look for a new car. Like, new new. Because the fat cash I'll be saving with not fixing a vehicle would now go to my car payments for five years. I don't like having a loan, but I don't really have a choice, and it's the smartest option.

Unless you want to buy me a new car. That would be nice of you.
----------------------------
VEDJ: Vegetarian Hibachi
         : a cornucopia of fruit
         : a couple fries, onion rings, a small slice of pizza
         : a side salad
         : a bowl of cereal
         : some OJ, some fruit juice
         : two bottles of water maybe
EEDJ: two hours of outdoor activities including Frisbee and boccie ball (which was really just me walking around and picking up my balls while everyone else scored points. Yes, I suck.)

BEDJ 9: Taking It to the EEDJ

*Ahem* my legs could NEVER do that.

My friend Emily made this comic of me. First of all, I always get extremely excited whenever she chooses to animate me in her work. Second all, I appreciate all the support she's been given me this past week. She sends me recipes (which I haven't made yet, but I want to), she sends me tips, and now she does this for me. I love her to pieces.

Also, a really big thank you goes to Kylee, who has helped me tremendously so far this month. She is also doing EEDJ with me and we've been tweeting each other every day, asking what the other has done to exercise, updating each other on how we planned "to take it to the #EEDJ," and just overall been encouraging each other. Just knowing I have someone doing the same thing as me and being my accountability partner is the best part of this. I can't do this stuff without another person helping me. I just can't. I look forward to those moments I can tweet at her. Take a look at several of my tweets today.

@SDKG two miles, half hour! Imma kick #EEEJ ass today! #gaaaaaarrrr!

@SDKG four miles in 80 minutes! Time for a cooldown mile. #EEDJ#GAHRRRRR

@sdkg 90 minutes and five miles. Im wiped. But I TOOK IT TO THE#EEDJ!!!!

That's right. I went five miles today. I still can't jog. I tried, and only made it 4/10th of a mile. My goal is be able to at least do a mile by the end of the month. I also really haven't set a weight loss goal. I just want to shrink myself a little bit.

 I'm proud of myself though, even though I skipped out Friday because I was really bumming about my car and financial situation. I just came home and laid down on the couch and went to sleep. No, I'm proud of myself, because this is the most I've exercised within an 8-day stretch since 2009 (the time I lost 40plus pounds). I want to continue this into August, but I don't want to think about that right now. Let's just take it one month at a time.

 Okay. That's enough for now. I'm going to go back to Twitter and continue to argue about Hogwarts Houses. You know, as you do on a Saturday night right before midnight.


-----------------------------------
EEDJ: Five miles at the park
         :25 laps in the pool
VEDJ: Grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup
         : applesauce
         : granola bar
         : Pickles
         : couple bottles of water, I really don't remember
         : A big glass of soda from Sheetz (I know,  I know, why do you think I exercised so much today?_

BEDJ 8: In Need of a Vacation

Fortune Cookie: "Take a vacation, you will have unexpected gains."

Thank you, little treat of goodness, for telling me exactly what I need right now. It's true. I need a vacation. I think I say this about once a month, but it still doesn't make it false. I haven't had a real vacation since Creation 2010. And I mean one where I can leave for a week and not have to worry about anything. I took a four day vacation to Nashville, but there was so much to do in those four days in preparation for a wedding that it didn't feel like a vacation.

Fortunately, in 16 days, I will hop on a plane with Cody and Ev and fly to California for a full week. There, we will spend two days with Peter and Sharayah. After which time, more and more friends will show up until we all are attended Vidcon 2011. Seeing as these are the people I have grown extremely close with since I started this whole YouTube thing, it will be a nice and wonderful vacation.

And much needed.

You see, I had a blog last week in which I explained my bad day in Philadelphia and I concluded by saying my car was fixed with only $50 ($40 for part, $10 for labor - thank you, brother-in-law). Well, just as I was planning an hour drive to see my friend Thad, my car decided to overheat again. And all my radiator fluid that I poured into it is now leaking all over Sunbury Street in Shamokin. I don't know if I'll make it home from work today.

It's obvious that it's time to find a new car, but it's even more obvious that I need a vacation. California or bust.

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VEDJ/EEDJ TBA

BEDJ 7: A Blog Inspired by George Roberts

It seems my Thursdays are all kinda bad, aren't they?

For those of you who don't know, I am a newspaper reporter, and I cover a whole variety of stories from human interest pieces to school board meetings to tragic accidents and events. Today, my job centered around one of those tragic accident and events.

Yesterday, a six-year-old boy from Wilkes-Barre was swimming at a local amusement park, sank beneath the water, and drown. I didn't do the initial story about George Samuel Roberts III, but I picked up where we left off today. I also didn't talk to the family (that was left up to another reporter), but I was involved in the story enough to be affected by it.

George, as described by his parents, was "an amazing child... He always had a crooked smile on his face. He was always ready with a hug ready in his heart and arms. He truly wanted everybody to like him and be his friend."

It's stories like these that really get to me, and I leave work with a sense of sadness and emptiness. I've done these before. There was 17-year-old Britney Tongel, who took her life when the bullying of her peers became too much to handle. There was Charlie Gasperetti, a Philadelphia Phillies fan who died because of diabetes. And there's been others, and there will be more, and more after that.

I realize in the news business, we have to try our damnedest to separate ourselves from the story, to develop a sort of cynicism and cold look at the world, otherwise we're going to kill ourselves with the grief, but it's not always as easy as declaring it. I don't think I ever really want to lose that emotional part of my life. Or maybe I should. I don't really know.

What I do know, is that I think this will ultimately be the reason I get out of the news business when I do.

Here is the story:  http://newsitem.com/news/georgie-was-an-amazing-child-parents-share-memories-of-boy-who-died-in-pool-accident-1.1172581#axzz1RW1NSSN5

In other unrelated news, this text message exchange made me smile.

Me: Text to say hello and to tell you that I think you're the best.
Her: Thanks, Justin. I really appreciate that. :) You're the best as well.
Me: You're the best though. We can't have two bests.
Her: Of course we can!!!
Me: But you're the best because of that nice smile!
Her: Haha. But you're the best because you know how to make it happen. :)
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In #VEDJ news, I accidentally ate meat last night when I ordered French Onion soup at Applebees. Apparently, they make this with beef broth. I don't consider this a fail though, because 1. I didn't know, so I didn't break my rules on purpose. and 2. It's all part of the experiment. Now I know to be more careful.

VEDJ: Yogurt Parfait
         : a poptart
         : four slices of pizza
         : a salad (with fruits and almonds)
         : Corn
         : four bottles of water, three glasses of water
EEDJ: 15 minute walk to pick up my lunch
         : 45 minute walk to pick up supper

I think I sorta failed today, since I walked to both my meals. It kinda canceled each other out. Tomorrow, I might try veggie wings. Wish me luck.

BEDJ 6: Fake News In Brief

Residents of uptown Chicago are warned not be fooled by the telephone scam that seems to be tricking many people. The caller asks the residents for all their credit card numbers, bank account numbers, social security number, date of birth, full name, mother's maiden name, driver's licence information, passwords for every social network, and permission to steal their identity. The caller does not identify themselves to the victim nor the companies they are associated with.

New reports shows that following the liberation of Iraq, former President George W. Bush had tentative plans to invade Iran, Korea, Kuwait, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom. The newly released documents reveal that Bush  planned to invade London because a monarchy presented a clear and present danger to the United States. Plus, you know, tea.

Furthermore, the new reports from Washington reveal there may not have been a dictatorship in Iraq, but rather a Disney Land-like atmosphere. Also, Saddam Hussein was not really in charge and it's quite possible Iraq never existed in the first place.

Two men from Afghanistan are still in critical condition due to stab wounds following an attack from United Airline passengers trying to stop them from hijacking the plane. According to the pilot, authorities are confused since the men both checked the 'no' box in the "Are You a Terrorist" form. The two would-be terrorists plan to sue the passengers and the airlines for physical, emotional, and religious damages.
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VEDJ: pasta with butter
         : apple juice and orange juice
         : slice of pizza
         : granola bar
         : French Onion soup
         : Caesar salad
EEDJ: 25 laps
         : two hours of exercise and activity (jogging, walking, Frisbee, bocce ball)

BEDJ 5: Smart Enough to be an American?

Yesterday, my local paper (The Daily Item, my sworn enemy, so don't tell anyone I'm reading them) published 100 questions immigrants seeking citizenship to the United States must be able to answer, asking: "Are you smart enough to be an American?"

Here are the questions and my answers. The 16 questions highlighted in bold are the questions I got wrong and the correct answer and my response to the correct answer is italicized. There were several questions I misunderstood or seemed too broad to accomplish a correct answer. There are really only a handful of questions I'm disappointed in not knowing. Otherwise, I'm satisfied with my results.

1. What are the colors of our flag? Red, white, and blue.
2. How many stars are on our flag? 50.
3. What do the stars on the flag represent? the 50 states.
4. What color are the stars on our flag? White.
5. How many stripes are on the flag? 13
6. What colors are the stripes? red and white.
7. What do the stripes of the flag represent? the 13 original colonies.
8. How many states are there in the Union? 50
9. What is the Fourth of July? When the colonists declared their independence
10. What is the date of Independence Day? July 4, 1776.
11. Independence from whom? England.
12. What country did we fight during the Revolutionary War? England.
13. Who was the first president of the United States? George Washington.
14. Who is the president of the United States today? Barrack Obama
15. Who is the vice president of the United States today? Joe Biden
16. Who elects the president of the United States? the people or the electorate college
17. Who becomes the president of the United States if the president should die? the vice president
18. For how long do we elect the president? four years.
19. What is the Constitution? a document of laws
20. Can the Constitution be changed? yes.
21. What do we call a change to the Constitution? an amendment.
22. How many changes or amendments are there to the Constitution? more than 20. (right answer: 27.)
23. How many branches are there in our government? three (technically four, the press is often considered the fourth branch of government AKA the "Watch Dogs.")
24. What are the three branches of our government? executive, legislative, judiciary
25. What is the legislative branch of our government? Congress
26. Who makes the laws in the United States? Congress. 
27. What is the Congress? the legislative branch or the lawmakers. (right answer: The Senate and the House of Representatives. Which I knew, I just misunderstood)
28. What are the duties of the Congress? to make the laws
29. Who elects the Congress? the people
30. How many senators are there in the Congress? 100
31. Can you name the two Senators from Pennsylvania? Spector and Casey (right answer: Casey and Toomey. I forgot that Spector got the boot)
32. For how long do we elect each senator? two years. (Right answer: six years)
33. How many representatives are there in Congress? no idea. (right answer: 435)
34. For how long do we elect the representatives? two years.
35. What is the executive branch of our government? the president (right answer: I should have also included the vice president, the Cabinet and departments under the cabinet members)
36. What is the judiciary branch of our government? the Supreme Court
37. What are the duties of the Supreme Court? to interpret the law 
38. What is the supreme court law of the US? the final authority... I'm not sure if I understand the question. (right answer: The Constitution)
39. What is the Bill of Rights? the first ten amendments of the Constitution
40. What is the Capital of Pennsylvania? Harrisburg
41. Who is the governor of Pennsylvania? Tom Corbett.
42. Who becomes president of the United States if the president and the vice-president should die? the secretary of state Hillary Clinton (right answer: the Speaker of the House of Representatives. I was actually surprised about this one. 
43. Who is the chief justice of the Supreme Court? Clarence Thomas (right answer: John Roberts)
44. Name the 13 original states. Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North and South Carolina, Georgia
45. Who said, "Give me liberty or give me death"? Patrick Henry
46. Which countries were our enemies during WWII? Germany and Japan and Russia (which eventually became our ally) (Right answer: Italy should have also been included there. They didn't say Russia though, so they're wrong, too.)
47. What are the 49th and 50th states of the Union? Alaska and Hawaii
48. How many terms can the president serve? two four year terms.
49. Who was Martin Luther King Jr.? a civil rights leader
50. Who is your congressman? Tom Marino.
51. According to the Constitution, a person must meet certain requirements in order to be eligible to become president. Name one. Natural-born citizen.
52. Why are there 100 senators in the Senate? two from every state.
53. Who selects the Supreme Court justice? the president
54. How many Supreme Court justice are there? 11 (right answer: nine)
55. Why did the Pilgrims come to America? escape from religious persucution.
56. What is the head executive of state government called? governor
57. What is the head executive of city government called? mayor
58. What holiday was celebrated for the first time by the American colonists? Thanksgiving.
59. Who was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence? Thomas Jefferson.
60. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? July 4, 1776.
61. What is the basic belief of the Declaration of Independence? that a government should be of, for, and by the people. All men are created equal with certain rights. declaring  independence from England. I'm not sure what this is looking for to be honest.
62. What is the national anthem of the United States? Star Spangled Banner
63. Who wrote the national anthem? Francis Scott Key.
64. Where does the freedom of speech come from? the first amendment of the Bill of Rights
65. What is the minimum voting age in the United States? 18.
66. Who signs bills into law? the executive of the governing body. the president for nation, the governor for state
67. What is the highest court in the United States? The Supreme Court.
68. Who was president during the Civil War? Abraham Lincoln.
69. What did the Emancipation Declaration do? freed all slaves in the south in order to cripple the rebellion
70. What special group advises the president? his cabinet
71. Which president is called the "Father of our Country"? George Washington
72. What Immigration and Naturalization Service form is used to apply to become a naturalized citizen? no idea (right answer: Form n-400, application to file petition for naturalization. Who would know this other than someone who needs to apply?)
73. Who helped the Pilgrims in American? The natives
74. What is the name of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America? Mayflower.
75. What are the 13 original states of the US called? I'm guessing you're looking for colonies.
76. Name three rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights? Speech etc, right to bear arms, right to not incriminate yourself (I plead the fifth)
77. Who was the power to declare war? Congress
78. What kind of government does the United States have? democracy
79. Which president freed the slaves? Abraham Lincoln
80. In what year was the Constitution written? 1788 (right answer: 1787. Oh, I was one year away. In terms of millions of years, that doesn't matter, right?)
81. What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called? The Bill of Rights.
82. Name one purpose of the United Nations? THIS is on an American citizenship test...? Wow. Okay. To regulate the use of nuclear weapons. (Right answer: for countries to discuss and try to resolve world problems, to provide economic aid to many countries)
83. Where does Congress meet? In the capitol building in DC
84. Whose rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights? Every American (right answer: everyone (citizens and non-citizens) living in the United States)
85. What is the introduction to the Constitution called? The preamble.
86. Name one benefit of being a citizen of the United States. Right to vote and right to think you're better than every one else in the world. (right answer: obtain federal government jobs, travel with U.S. passport, petition for close relatives to come to the U.S. to live. C'mon, this question was so broad.)
87. What is the most important right granted to U.S. Citizens? I feel like this is opinion and shouldn't be on a test to qualify to be American, but I'd probably say you're looking for right to vote.
88. What is the U.S. Capitol? the building where Congress meets in the Washington, DC
89. What is the White House? the building were each president lives during their term
90. Where is the White House located? 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, D.C.
91. What is the name of the president's official home? The White House.
92. Name the right guaranteed by the first amendment? freedom of speech, press, religion, petition, and peacefully assemble
93. Who is the commander in chief of the U.S. military? the president
94. Which president was the first commander in chief of the U.S. military? George Washington
95. In what month do we vote for the president? November
96. In what month is the new president inaugurated? January
97. How many times may a senator be re-elected? unlimited
98. How many times may a congressman be re-elected? unlimited
99. What are the two major political parties in the U.S. today? Republican and Democrat.
100. How many states are there in the United States today? 50.
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VEDJ: a granola bar
         : Snapple Apple
         : Spaghetti and tomato sauce
         : Corn
         : Ice cream
         : at least five bottles of water, and several glasses
EEDJ: two mile walk n read
         : walk to the local festival for supper

BEDJ: A Diet to Leave Me Jaded and Bored

At some point this month, I'd like to blog about my thoughts on the written word and my poetry, religion and why I believe what I believe, and homosexuality. I also feel like this blog project is becoming more and more about me saying what I want to blog about. Would that be funny or cruel if I just kept adding to the list and never actually wrote about anything?

#VEDJ and I are getting along rather well. I think I understand how ignorant I've been in the past when it comes to the more devoted vegetarians after a conversation with my mother.

Me: (cooking vegetables and rice)
Mom: "Here, you can add chicken broth, right?"
Me: "What? No, Mom."
Mom: "You need flavoring. Chicken broth is okay."
Me: "It's not! It's completely defeating the purpose."
Mom: "Okay, fine, your meal is going to be bland."

Today is the only day I've really had a meat craving, which was when I was cooking burgers for Thad and Ashley. I just wanted to throw my face into the grill and munch on a big, juicy slice of cow. Instead, as I pointed out above, I cooked my veggies and rice. Thad told me about his future sister-in-law (Missy) being a vegetarian and eating vegetarian wings. It's a strange concept, but he invited me down to Harrisburg to hang out with Ashley and Missy while eating this peculiar food. I have this Friday night off, so I might have to take him up on this offer.

Speaking of cravings, I know I'm going to have more and more if I keep eating veggies and rice. I went to the store several days ago, and I walked out with more fruit juices and healthy snacks than I did meals. I need to go back and get fresh fruit, some kind of milk substitute, and lettuce for salads. My current eating habits, while healthier, are going to leave me jaded and bored.

And that's not something I want to do.

------------------------
VEDJ: Veggies and rice
         : Potato wedges (baked not fried)
         : A glass of cherry pepsi and a cookie (c'mon, it's a holiday)
EEDJ: 20 laps in the pool. (I have tomorrow night off, so I expect to do more exercising then.)

OH! And happy Independence Day!

BEDJ 3: A Collection of Unrelated and Seemingly Random Thoughts

I bought my Harry Potter midnight showing ticket. I want to talk about Harry Potter and the series and the end of an era blah blah blah, but right now, I have a slight headache and I'd rather have full control of my thoughts before I write about something that means a lot to me.

I'm thinking this is going to be a collection of unrelated and seemingly random thoughts.

Super 8, which I saw earlier today, was a beautiful movie. Well worth the hype. I remember being a kid with my friends and family members and filming things ALL the time. 

I don't believe in ghosts. Don't get me wrong, I'm open to the idea, I just haven't seen anything in my life in the slightest to make me think spirits are roaming about. I would love to be proved wrong though.

I don't think I'll be in the vlogging mood for awhile. After all that shit with Philly, not to mention my viewership getting lower and lower, I think it's time for a break. Especially since the numbers are starting to bother me. Besides, I need to focus my free time on improving my health. When I start feeling the itch again for the right reasons, I'll pick up my old camera and we'll get to work again.

These are the days I really, really miss my friends who are married and moved away. I need to get on that whole hitched-and-home thing. What do you think about dating sites?

I will be in California in three weeks.

Would anyone buy a book of my poetry if I figured out how to get it all together?

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VEDJ: Vegetable stir fry

         : Hush puppies

         : A glass of orange juice

         : A cherry slushie

EEDJ: Maybe twenty laps around the pool today.

         : A half hour walking around the mall. 

(I would have done more EEDJ, but I had a headache when I came home, and watched the last 20 minutes of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One and Paranormal Activity 2.)