October 27th

It is the end of another week in October and it seems as though time is flying by. This semester is about halfway done, I've applied for transfers, and I'm excited to see what the future holds. I haven't been keeping up with my challenges this much over the past week. It was ambitious to put so many down goals and it isn't much fun to think about not completing what I set out to do. It is time to start setting longer-term goals for the future. Next week I do plan on judging myself on how well I did over this past month. Until then, here's to life!

Saturday October 20th

It is the end of the week so it is time to write a post. Life has been throwing me some challenges and it is hard to figure them out. There are so many different things that I want to do and experience but do not know how. I have so many thoughts yet I don't know how they should be organized. I have been keeping up with my exercise and am working to better myself. I worked some more on some mash ups which are coming along well. Not much else to report so until next time, here's to life

September 16th-Week 3

Yes, I know I haven't been posting and I should be getting back to it. I was sick, Allie came home, and I was a little lazy. So here is what has been going on...I've been trying to keep up with all of my goals and it has been tough. It isn't easy to keep up with everything and it has gotten mundane writing every night. I feel like I am writing the same thing over and over except for when I write about someone new.So from this point on I will be writing every Saturday night to recap my week and maybe a few posts during the week. Today I'm writing about my friend Chris McBride, who is one of the best soccer players that I know. I have played with him since we were both in seventh grade and I have always admired his natural talent and speed which makes him a lethal player. He is playing now at SUNY Cortland and I love when I get the chance to play with him again. Chris is extremely passionate in everything he does and I know this will help him do well in life. We have been able to have a lot of fun in each others company over the years from soccer tournaments, to pasta parties, to house parties. Chris is a fun person to be around and I cannot wait until we can play soccer together again. Until next time, here's to life!

I'm keeping the same quote from 50 Cent because I haven't memorized it yet.
"Sleep? Sleep is for those people who are broke. I don't sleep because I have an opportunity to make my dream into a reality"

Its Been A Few Days...

Sorry about my temporary hiatus from writing, this past week has been full of surprises from being sick to a wonderful surprise visit from my amazing girlfriend. I have been trying to keep up with all my goals but it is harder when I'm feeling sick. I'll write a long post tonight or tomorrow (Allie isn't leaving until tomorrow morning so I'll be with her as long as I can tonight) trying to recap what has happened since last Tuesday. Until then, here's to life

September 9th-Days 8 & 9

This is why I didn't post last night, a nice long essay that had to be written. In the end I was able to finish and it wasn't quite as difficult as I had anticipated. I keep working towards my goals and practice my skills. As I've been on this journey over the past couple of months I have been doing a lot of reading about making the best life for yourself and I wanted to share something that has helped me a lot. I have created two checklists: one for the morning when I wake up and another for right before I go to bed. These lists have helped me make sure I do everything I need each day and make my life easier because I know I will have everything ready for the next day. I highly suggest this to everyone. Today I am writing about Jen Zacher, one of the most fashionable people I know. She is currently studying to become a fashion marketer and we always have fun times hanging out. Jen has a place in many of my fondest memories ranging from after-prom adventures, to playing Cards Against Humanity. I know that if I ever have a question regarding fashion I can go to her for advice and know I am in good hands. My quote this week is from 50 Cent, "Sleep? Sleep is for those people who are broke. I don't sleep because I have an opportunity to make my dream a reality." You need to get up and get going to get ahead. Until tomorrow, here's to life!

September 7th-Days 6 & 7

It is the beautiful inside of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs parish where my family and I go to church. The biggest thing that I have done the past two days was work on some mash-ups of songs. I finished one and started on another and it is coming along really well. I've kept up my workouts and am practicing my skills. I still haven't bitten my nails which I am proud of. I'm glad I am able to get rid of this habit. Today I am writing about Sam Kessler, one of the most intelligent people I know. He is attending Georgia Tech studying aeronautical engineering (too much math for most people I think) and has been a great friend. I always enjoy catching up with him at the high school concerts. Sam is also a gifted musician who plays the sax and has done some composing as well. One of my fondest memories together was building a pyramid with Gatorade cups at our senior sunrise of band camp. We planned on building an even bigger one at some point but never got around to it...maybe this winter? It is always a pleasure to talk with Sam I'm excited to see him again when he comes home this winter. Until tomorrow, here's to life!

"You build walls and boundaries when you give into your mind. Fear nothing and take control of who you are and who you are meant to be" -Joel Brown

October 5th-Day 5

TGIF! What a great way to end the school week with a relaxing, fun day. Friday is my day to relax, but still get things done. I did some writing for fun which is becoming a habit of mine. I was able to get up early and work out still as I plan to do everyday. No days off in that department. I practiced my moonwalk a lot today as well and it is coming along nicely. I finished Drew Brees' memoir and it is a great inspirational read, I highly recommend it to everyone. I'm excited to get back into the grind tomorrow and work hard on as much as I can. Today I am writing about my good friend Mike Bloom. We have known each other since elementary school and we have made a lot of great memories together over the years. The best ones revolve around the auditorium at the high school. Mike is incredibly talented as he worked on the tech crew all four years of high school and could be counted on to do anything. He is also great with Mac computers (he won't have anything to do with a PC). If I ever end up with a Mac (it would only be for music) then I know he's the guy to go to when I have a problem. Until tomorrow, here's to life!

"You build walls and boundaries when you give into your mind. Fear nothing and take control of who you are and who you are meant to be" - Joel Brown

October 4th-Day 4

Its Thursday so that means there is only one day left in the school/work week. You gotta push to the end everyday to be the best you can be. Today I started reading Drew Brees' memoir Coming Back Stronger. I usually don't like when people write an autobiography while they are young, but this book is incredible. Brees isn't just an incredible quarterback. He is a terrific man in every sense of the word. He works as hard as he can, he volunteers around New Orleans, he is a great father and husband, and is devoted to God. I highly recommend reading this book, it is an inspiration to anyone who picks it up. I was able to wake up early this morning to get my run in as I hoped. Hopefully I will keep being able to get up early and get a head start everyday. I practiced my handstand, moonwalk, some magic tricks and learned a new trick for winning a beer (even though I don't drink). My shading is improving and I will keep working at it as long as I can. I tried to start composing the song today, but I couldn't think of a good melody to start it off. I'm sure it will come to me I just have to keep at it. I am using my old Spanish textbook to refresh my memory of the language and it is helping me a lot. Today I'm writing about Taylor Cocciolone, who I got close to during my sophmore/his senior year of high school. We had a bunch of fun during Tour Choir in the bass section and during Les Miserables and Cabaret. I will always remember having the huge box of goldfish in the dressing room and when someone shouted when he did the Nazi salute during the show. Taylor was another who showed me the ropes of being an older guy in choir and the shows and it is great knowing him. Until tomorrow, here's to life!

"You build walls and boundaries when you give into your mind. Fear nothing and take control of who you are and who you are meant to be" -Joel Brown

Become Great

October 3rd-Days 2 & 3

That is what has been occupying my mind the past couple of days. Ancient symbols, mythologies, religions, you name it. All because of a book. I am so grateful that it is possible to have books so easily available to read. I like books even more than TV or movies because they exercise the imagination. You get to decide the exact setting, looks of the characters, and everything that happens. Granted the author leads you in a certain direction, a lot is left up to the reader. I have read four 300+ page books in the past four days. There is a fifth in the series which I need to acquire so I can read it...but that is a challenge for tomorrow. I left a note somewhere in my house for someone to find as a surprise. I worked out again today, but it wasn't when I wanted. I want to start waking up earlier and get more stuff done in the morning before school. I'm still practicing gliding/moonwalking and it is coming along nicely I think. I'm practicing a shading technique called hatching and cross-hatching for my artistic skill set which has gotten a lot better in the past month. I haven't bitten my nails yet, though I have caught myself about to do it. I know I can break the habit with practice. My party trick that I am practicing is learning about the symbols, signs, etc which permeate all aspects of life. I am practicing my languages and improving (I hope). Today I'm writing about Leo Scalisi. We became friends in middle school and have been friends ever since. He is dedicated to his music (he raps) and to his friends. I'll always remember the times we have had during choir joking around. Leo is an inspiration because he is following his dream and everyone should do the same. I've had too many great times with him to pick out my favorite. Leo dresses like the fly guy that he is and he gave me the sickest hat ever. Good luck to him and his art. Until tomorrow, here's to life

"You build walls and boundaries when you give into your mind. Fear nothing and take control of who you are and who you are meant to be." -Joel Brown

Here's a link to that poem I wrote:
Become Great

Hope you enjoy!

October 1st-Day 1

And October begins with a wonderful fall day! I hope everyone had an enjoyable Monday and is ready to take on the week. I haven't been able to hold a handstand since I was in sixth grade and that is one of the reasons it made it onto the list. I practiced today be doing one against a wall to get re-acclimated to the feelings. And I love to dance, hence why I want to learn how to moonwalk, one of the coolest illusions out there. I understand how it supposed to be done, I just need to make it look smooth as I do it. The physical challenges for this month are to increase both my strength and endurance to become healthier. I haven't tested myself with either of these exercises in a while so there is a chance that they will change soon. I've always been fascinated by languages and want to become fluent in as many as possible. I've been studying Spanish since seventh grade and want to maintain my abilities while I am studying the basics of Italian this semester. I met some new people as I played soccer tonight, where I took the picture above. I found a series of books that has captured my attention and I finished the first book today. It is The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel. This series is geared more toward a younger audience but still incorporates a lot of historical ideas and myths which is the main reason I like it so much. During one of my classes today, I left a note on the desk telling the reader to smile and enjoy the wonderful day. Today I'm going to write about Alex Kasznel, one of my friends from my brief stint at Dickinson College. We were roommates together for the month I was there and I couldn't have asked for a better person to live with. Alex is an extremely talented musician (he can play multiple instruments and is in a band) and is down-to-earth, which was hard to find while I was at Dickinson. Today is his 20th birthday and I hope he had a great day and has an amazing year to come. My quote for the week is “You build walls & boundaries when you give into your mind. Fear nothing & take control of who you are & who you are meant to be” by Joel Brown. Until tomorrow, here's to life