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!

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 28th-Day 28

Today was a great day to relax but still get stuff done. I still worked out, and I even wrote some poetry for fun. I can't say I ever have done that before. I practiced my card tricks and wrote with my right hand. I also played around with some music for the first time in a while which was a lot of fun. Today I'm writing about my wonderful mom, Virginia Luft. It is her birthday and I felt like I should give her some web-based spotlight. I can't imagine growing up with anyone else as a mother and I have no idea how she is able to handle all of us kids (there are six of us). Especially when neither Lindsay nor I could drive and help her out. My mom is gorgeous,  can laugh at a good joke, and loves us no matter what. I love her so much and she deserves to hear it everyday. She has done a tremendous job raising my siblings and I and I'll always be indebted to her because she has done so much for me. So Mom, thank you so much for all that you do and I love you so much. Until tomorrow, here's to life