September 30th-Day 30 & Final Recap

1. Talk to a stranger everyday
2. Read two or more chapters of a book each day
3. By the end of the month, 50 consecutive push-ups
4. Take a picture each day
5. Write in a journal everyday
6. Get rid of one thing each day
7. Make someone feel good everyday
8. Learn how to draw a face
9. Master 5 card tricks
10. Practice a random skill each day (e.g. juggling, coin tricks, pen tricks, etc.)

It is officially the last day of September so it is time to look back at my progress over the course of this month. Goal 1: Talk to a stranger every day...this was the hardest goal for me since my friends would consider me socially awkward with first encounters. I didn't do this everyday like I hoped I would, but I have been doing more as the month progressed and am getting more comfortable doing so. Goal 2: Read two or more chapters of a book each day...this was one of my favorite goals because I love to read. I finished two novels, read numerous short stories, and a bunch of articles online. Goal 3: 50 consecutive push-ups...this is something that I have always wanted to be able to do and I finally did it today. Right when I woke up I knocked them all out and felt a surge of energy once I completed them. I am proud of myself for being able to do this for the first time in my life. Goal 4: Take a picture each day...this was one of the easier goals that I set for myself and usually was able to do it. What I would like to improve on is taking more diverse pictures instead of waiting until the day is nearly over to do it. Goal 5: Write in a journal everyday...I enjoyed doing this because I will be able to look back and see how I was feeling throughout the month. Also I can use the journal to work out any ideas that may be in my head. I have started to expand on this by carrying a marble notebook with me to write down things at random points during the day. Goal 6: Get rid of one thing each day...this was easier at first because I was able to discard things which I didn't use/need. But towards the end of the month it became more difficult because I had less things to choose from. I saved the biggest for last and am getting rid of my printer which doesn't work anymore (it stopped working this past week) and is just taking up space. Goal 7: Make someone feel good everyday...this was my favorite goal. I loved to write about my friends and felt even better when I saw a reply of gratitude. It is an incredible feeling that I want to continually experience. Goal 8: Learn how to draw a face...this was challenging for me. I never really saw myself as an artist but I got better the more I practiced. The picture above is something I drew this morning and was based off a picture of myself...lets just say I still have room for improvement. I am happy that my ability has gotten much better than it originally was. Goal 9: Master five card tricks...this ended up being one of the easier goals on the list and I plan to continue practicing and learning more in the future. I think it is neat to be able to find a person's card in a deck of 52. Goal 10: Practice a random skill each day...over the course of this month I have been able to learn a bunch of cool tricks. I know some simple coin magic, I taught myself a simple cup and balls routine, I can juggle three balls with two hands or two balls with one hand, and finally my penmanship with my right hand has improved since I started practicing. I also wrote a poem. I never thought I would do that when it isn't a class assignment. So that has been the month of September and tomorrow brings a new month and new challenges. So for a final time this month, here's to life!

September 27th-Days 24, 25, 26, and 27

http://photoblog.nbcnews.com/_news/2011/08/24/7455589-libyan-rebel-pledges-to-give-gadhafi-hat-to-his-father

I want to make sure people know that I did not take this epic picture which is one of my new favorite photographs of all time, thus becoming my wallpaper. But its been a few days since I last posted anything here but I've had good reasons...Monday night I was playing soccer and had an essay to write, and the other days I was just kind of lazy...at least I am back tonight. I've talked to more strangers in these past few days than I have probably in this entire month. I complimented random people, went to an business seminar type thing, and just asked questions of people. It is interesting to hear what people have to say. I started to read The Time Machine by H. G. Wells and it is fascinating. I like it more than both The Sun Also Rises and  Hard Times. Unfortunately I am going to have to take a break from it and start looking over Hard Times again for class...but thats what I have to do to succeed. I keep exercising with my 50 push-up goal in mind and I will do it on Sunday. My writing ability with my right hand is improving and I keep practicing simple coin tricks and a cup and balls trick. I can now say I have mastered five different card tricks with some other fun things with cards as well. My drawings of faces are getting better, I just need to practice shading in order to create depth and shapes of the nose, eyes, and jaw. Today I am going to write about James Hawkins, a man who helped me make one of the best decisions of my life. When I was only a freshman in high school, I wasn't sure whether or not I was going to try out for Tour Choir (Northport's select choir) because I was in Boy Scouts at the time. During the annual choir walk-around, I was sitting around people listening to them since I was shy and didn't say much. When I was asked whether or not I would try out I replied "I wasn't sure" and James told me that it is worth it. And boy was he right. He took me under his wing and helped me throughout the year, and was also influential in getting me to try out for Les Miserables. He is deeply passionate about what he does and will never give up on his team (Proof-->he is a Mets fan). My favorite memory that I have with him is during one of the show rehearsals, we ripped the brim off one of my hats and the next day James gave me his Houston Astros hat, which I still wear on occasion. I don't know what my life would be like if he hadn't been there to convince me to try out for Tour Choir and it was one of the best influenced decisions I have ever made. Until tomorrow, here's to life

September 23rd-Day 23

I finished The Sun Also Rises today and even though it took a little bit to grasp the Hemingway's idea, I enjoyed it a lot. He really illustrated the plight of the "lost generation" and how they struggled to find a purpose in life. There have been times that I've felt "lost" but I find a way and get back on track. Then again, I don't think there is necessarily a track that one is supposed to stay on. Each person is different and goes through different experiences to become who they are. I did my push-ups for the day, I still wonder whether or not I'll be able to do 50 at the end of the month. I practiced my magic some more today and also began learning a new card trick which is coming along well. I never write about writing in my journal, but I have been fairly consistent with that in case you were wondering. Today I'm going to write about James Renna. In all honesty, I don't know him very well but what I do know is that he is comfortable with who he is. He has created a persona for himself which he owns and I admire him for doing that, especially since some people don't like him for it. He is who he is and that is something everyone should strive to achieve. James is also passionate about music and is following his passion to become a DJ which is something I would love to do. Well that is all for today so here's to life

September 19th-Day 19

This picture is of the vision board that I have been working on. On it are physical things I want to have, people who inspire me, and my bucket list. This past month has changed my life and I want to inspire others to change for the better. I know it sounds crazy but it is all in the attitude. I never thought I could just be more of a positive person, but here I am and it feels great. Today I'm writing about someone who I didn't know particularly well in high school, but I admire him all the same. Nick Bruno is the most talented photographer I have ever met or seen pictures from. And what is amazing is that he isn't just great at photography. He is a truly skilled sculptor and artist in every sense of the word. He has found his niche and I am always astounded when I look at what he has done. Here is a link to his website and I highly recommend checking out some of his work: Nicolas Bruno Photography. Today school resumed and classes were enjoyable and made me think about free speech (more on that will come in my other blog). For my random skill today, I choose to practice a new coin trick as well as practicing writing with my right hand. Tomorrow it will be time to learn a new card trick to add to my growing collection which is better than I thought it would be. Instead of drawing a face today, I practiced drawing random items around the house trying to get better at making things look realistic. Today was fantastic and I hope everyone has a great day tomorrow. So until then, here's to life

September 4th-Day 4

Today started out rainy but I kept positive and the day turned out all right. I enjoyed all three of my classes and got all my homework for tomorrow done. I read a bit more of Hard Times again today and am understanding more of the themes that Dickens is presenting to the reader. I started to practice a new card trick which is coming along well and I practiced some slight of hand tricks with coins as well. I went on the chat site Omegle to talk to a random person because I am still nervous about approaching a random stranger and starting a conversation. I ended up talking to a man who is about to finish up his time serving in the US Army. We talked about how very few people make the sacrifice to serve this great country and fight for all we live for. It reminded me of all the times I sang patriotic songs at the VA and how honored I felt to do this for the veterans. I am forever thankful to all those who serve in the armed forces of the USA and protect what we as a nation believe in. Today the random person I came up with is Lars Farber. He and I have had some great times over the past years from playing volleyball in middle school to after-prom of my senior year. He is now a freshman at James Madison University and I wish him the best of luck in his endeavors. I'll never forget the adventures of after-prom and all the laughs we have shared. Until tomorrow, here's to life

September 3rd-Day 3

Day three of my 30 day challenge went pretty well. I continued to practice the "Jack the Bounty Hunter" card trick and have just about mastered it. I read more of Hard Times, and I am starting to see the deeper meaning behind Dicken's work. I cleaned out some boxes that were simply taking up space in my room so now I have a cleaner, more organized room. It is nice having a clean room especially while trying to do work because I cannot procrastinate by cleaning. My drawings of eyes have gotten more realistic so I plan to work on lips soon. I have just about mastered flipping a coin across the knuckles of my fingers, a trick I've been wanting to master for a while. Today the random friend which I will write about is my oldest friend, Rick Peteka. I have had so many incredible memories with him, starting with him being my first friend when I moved to New York from Texas in 1999. We have spent so much time together over the years at each other's houses playing soccer, video games, watching movies, doing all the usual best friend things. One of my favorite memories with him is when we went with his family to see a soccer match at the old Giants Stadium between AC Milan and Juventus and the game went into penalty kicks. Rich is hysterical, smart, and a loyal friend and I am honored to have known him for so long. Unfortunately school continues tomorrow so I have to be up early for that and go through a day of classes. Until tomorrow, here's to life