A few things...

Clouds. Rain, dark. For the first time in a few months I had to turn the light on while eating breakfast in the kitchen because I couldn’t tell whether or not my 5 day old left over Denny’s breakfast had any mold on it. I don’t think it did. I still haven’t contracted any sort of stomach flu or food poisoning, as if these are things that one could contract. Anyway, I hope we’re not on the road down to dreary Seattle weather. For almost all of June this year it rained. I couldn’t believe it. May showed signs of promise promptly followed up by June which bitch slapped all the believers of the Seattle summers, which I’ve come to believe are some of the best…anywhere. But then again, if you’re not from Seattle, disregard everything I’ve said, and please, please don’t come here. Our traffic can’t handle you.

So, the reason that this post is so aptly titled is because I wanted to go over a few things. First, George Bush. I wish people would just stop ranking on him. A lot of people in Washington, specifically Seattle are just non-stop about their hatred. But, really, what has he done to them? For a while, I thought, “Oh my gosh…Bush is such an idiot”. But then, I realized, “Ok, he’s an idiot, but how is that affecting my life?” It’s really not. Sure, I see his face on TV almost every other day, but I don’t mind. In a few years he will be gone, and I’m sure people will still be complaining…about nothing. Just like they always do. I mean really, have you ever met him? Would you say those hurtful things to him? I’d be glad to shake his hand, and 20 years down the road tell my children that I shook the president’s hand. If you’re going to hate on him, at least make it funny. This weekend at Oktoberfest, I saw a shirt that said, “Good Bush/Bad Bush”. And the “Good Bush” was a picture of a woman’s lower half. That was excellent. This is a good way to make a statement, yet at the same time be a comedian, be jovial, get a response other than anger. And I also wonder, if Kerry wins this election, are things different right now? No, probably not. But, people around me whine less, so maybe that’s why I’d enjoy if we had a democrat running the show. Whatever.

The only thing I care about politically is I-901. This is the initiative in Washington to ban indoor smoking, just like they have in California. This is a great idea. Imagine going out to the clubs, the casino, or bowling, and not having to come home and take a shower because you smell like ash tray! This is my dream. I would join a freaking bowling league if this initiative passes. I am not registered to vote, but will register just to vote for this initiative. Can I do that? Can I just vote for one initiative? I wonder. I also plan on volunteering for the cause this coming month as the election is coming up in November. Please go here: http://www.healthyindoorairwa.org/ to do likewise. Oh, and for those wondering, yes, I do like bowling, but this is more from the casino aspect, where a LOT of people smoke indoors. My lungs and skin have suffered enough from playing poker in these smaller dive casinos and also at the large tribal ones, where at least 1 out of every 4 people smoke and fill the air with their carcinogenic crap. If you’re registered to vote, please vote YES on Initiative 901 for no smoking indoors!

Next topic: Post college depression. I didn’t think it would happen to me. Depression? Me? Never. At first, it started as missing college. As a recent graduate, I still have friends/relatives/sister attending my higher education of choice. It was hard for me. Just working. Work is different from school. All throughout school I heard people lament about their work load, the different finals coming up, how large the paper that was due tomorrow, and how tough the grading was. Rarely, was I like that. Once I got in to business school, I was the kid that I think a lot of people disliked. Because I skated through. I used to laugh about how low my grades were, and would shrug my shoulders when I didn’t do too well on tests and assignments. Was I lazy? Sure, at times. But I just didn’t get what everyone was working towards. I always though, a degree is a degree. But, I guess not. People did really well, got good internships, got extra scholarships for further education, landed high paying jobs with company cars and 6 weeks of vacation a year…blah blah blah etc. Me? I get two weeks of vacation, crappy benefits, and will be CLOSE to making $40K this year (from the job alone). Am I where I should be financially? Absolutely. I’m already above the median for Washington state (at a healthy $35K a year) and it can only go up from here.

But the thing is, the college to work transition is tough. Well, let me rephrase that, it was tough for me. School is something that I’ve always had. A place where I can goof around with kids my age. A place where I can drool over cute girls and act stupid in class and give the best presentations a class and teacher have seen. College to me was drinking every night one December. Driving down to the Intramural Activities building to play basketball until I got blisters. It was meeting people on the bus. Going out to lunch on the Ave. Leaving to play poker in Shoreline at midnight on a Tuesday. What am I really getting at? FREEDOM. This is definitely something I experienced a lot less of once I got in to my cubicle here…9 to 5:30 every morning. Clutch, shift, gas, break, clutch shift. Clutch, shift, gas, break, clutch, shift. I mean, I guess it would be better if I didn’t have almost a 2 hour commute total everyday, since I used to be able to almost walk to school…but still. Being forced to be here for 8 and a half hours a day is tough work. I have to admit though, I get paid a ridiculous amount for the 2 hours I actually work everyday, so that makes me happy. Exactly what I always wanted. To get paid for doing almost nothing. I’m constantly on the prowl for a new job though, and hopefully will be getting back to school once my new house/marriage get settled in though. I am unsure if I’m going to go straight for my basic MBA, or the new technology one in Kirkland. Either way, I know for sure the best way to get ahead is to have education and qualifications over the other guy. That way I can catch up to all the academic all-stars I met while at Ballmer high school. I give you all the updates later on, I am sure. Either way, everyone enjoy their weekends.

Want to know the weirdest thing about buying an engagement ring? I am buying the ring from my future wife’s father. I just spoke to him about when we could meet (in private so she doesn’t know) so we can go over a few stones and pick the one I want and the pricing. However, with the weird comes the “hook-up”. I am going to be getting more than half-off on this ring, and knowing that, I am stoked. And yes, I am one of those people that still say stoked. I still can’t really put together this great idea in my head of how I’m going to do it…but John Mayer, if you’re reading…do you think you’d be willing to hold a private performance? I’m pretty sure I could put together a nice little coffee shop crowd for you…and we’ll gather up the money to make sure you’re compensated well for your time...*sigh* I wish.