It was only a few short years ago when all I knew was having a great time and just living it up with friends. Now that philosophy still resides with me but it is not as prevailing as some of the other thoughts in my head. I think I've been building up this over the past couple of months but didn't realize it until talking to a friend at work. On a side note, I think most of my realizations come as I'm talking to friends. Anyway, this is a friend of mine who I don't often see so when we do work together, I catch him up on all the happenings over the past 4 or 5 months. After I finished with all of my stories, he told me that I was different. I was different than how he remembered me only from back in December. He said I was calmer and more at ease. Also, I wasn't as crude. Always a plus.
To summarize the lengthy stories I told him, I was looking to essentially settle down with things and stop the craziness. I'm totally down for having more seriousness in my life. I'm ready to be on my own and do my own thing. I feel like I've exhausted this part of my life and am ready to take the step full force.
Two nights later I was enjoying a drink with Jimmy, my new boss, and I was asking him about his current girlfriend. He was telling me how he's in flux between that bachelor stage and the settling stage. He wants to settle down because he loves his girlfriend but he also enjoys the bachelor times with his old crew from Belmar. He's not sure what he wants right now. Then he asked me what I'm looking for. I told him I'm down for the seriousness. My friends will always be there and we always have good times, but we can't do those crazy things forever.
Now anyone who knows my close friends, knows that they can make for wild times. The stories of those times are still hilarious and I will never forget, but getting into new ones do not have the same appeal that they once did. I feel like I've gotten all that out of my system. It's funny that I write this now because my closest friend Anthony always said that I would be the first to settle down and I always joked back that it wouldn't happen. Right now I think he's right. I'm not nearly close to settling down but I'm certainly the first one showing the signs of being in that stage.
This is definitely an interesting point in life and I'm anxious to see where it goes.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Not What I Had Imagined
So my last entry was about how everyone is really setting off in their own directions. I'm finally starting to do the same. I always had goals, ambition, drive and all those other good things but during the college days I was still preoccupied with the hijinks that come with being 21 and having as wild friends as I do. Now though, it's time to step up and start planning things out. Unfortunately, the means in which I have to do aren't what I had envisioned only a few shorts month ago.
Last fall, I thought my world of opportunity would begin as soon as I finished school, but I awoke up to a stark reality. The economy was tanking and jobs were scarce. I was fortunate to have a decent enough job with the company that I had been with for the previous four years, but I still wanted more for myself. I wanted to get involved in the marketing or advertising field. That's why I made the switch during the college from computer science. I wanted to enjoy my career for the rest of my life and not just chase the money. It's not about the money, it's always been about being content with how things play themselves out. However, I don't think anyone can fully reach their goals without some money. It's sad, but it drives the world.
Moving on, I think my time at my current company is coming to a close and I'm going to move to a new opportunity that will offer a chance to have the things I want. I only wish I could be in my field instead. However, if I handle my finances wisely with this new job I could reach the goals I want. Ideally I would love to pay off my debts and own a home within a few short years. Once I get myself settled, I think I will definitely be able to pursue my dream job and in an ideal world everything will work out. Time will tell.
I have the idea stuck in my head now and knowing me, I will make this happen.
Last fall, I thought my world of opportunity would begin as soon as I finished school, but I awoke up to a stark reality. The economy was tanking and jobs were scarce. I was fortunate to have a decent enough job with the company that I had been with for the previous four years, but I still wanted more for myself. I wanted to get involved in the marketing or advertising field. That's why I made the switch during the college from computer science. I wanted to enjoy my career for the rest of my life and not just chase the money. It's not about the money, it's always been about being content with how things play themselves out. However, I don't think anyone can fully reach their goals without some money. It's sad, but it drives the world.
Moving on, I think my time at my current company is coming to a close and I'm going to move to a new opportunity that will offer a chance to have the things I want. I only wish I could be in my field instead. However, if I handle my finances wisely with this new job I could reach the goals I want. Ideally I would love to pay off my debts and own a home within a few short years. Once I get myself settled, I think I will definitely be able to pursue my dream job and in an ideal world everything will work out. Time will tell.
I have the idea stuck in my head now and knowing me, I will make this happen.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
The Times Are A'Changin
The other night I was driving my friend Abraham home and while talking to him I came to a stark realization. Now before I continue with that realization, mind you, Abraham is often the person that seeks out the simplest means of living and is generally ok with that. I'm not saying Abe is without ambition or anything like that, but all of his close friends can agree that Abe that doesn't require much to be happy. Anyway, on to the matter at hand.
I haven't been around him or any of the guys as much because of my transfer to a new store and they all have been doing their own things lately. I try to make it a point to catch up on as much as possible when I do come back up for a day or two. While I was driving Abe home, he was telling me how he is aggressively pursuing his CDL and moving out away from his mother and the household that brings him nothing but depression. He was talking about how he would love to have a trucking job where he drove cross country and could just live on the road. Of course he started that conversation with a classic unusual Abe opening, "Shaun...you're not going to see me for awhile." Vintage Abe. All joking aside, hearing Abe talk about those things made me think about how all of us are really just beginning to do our own thing. Frankly, it's kind of scary.
I thought about the core group members and all of us are now just pursuing our own futures. In high school, we all were chasing graduation. In the college years, we were chasing that degree and/or having a good time. Our goals and the paths to those goals were always aligned. Lately though, we all have begun our own paths and while the group isn't disbanding, we are heading in different directions. We won't be seeing each other as much and will no longer be within a short reach. It's definitely a tough point as we all begin our own lives, but an inevitable step in life.
I don't know where all of my friends paths into the future will take them, but I'm hoping it's nothing but success and happiness all around. As for me, I'm finally beginning to see what kind of path I want to head towards.
I haven't been around him or any of the guys as much because of my transfer to a new store and they all have been doing their own things lately. I try to make it a point to catch up on as much as possible when I do come back up for a day or two. While I was driving Abe home, he was telling me how he is aggressively pursuing his CDL and moving out away from his mother and the household that brings him nothing but depression. He was talking about how he would love to have a trucking job where he drove cross country and could just live on the road. Of course he started that conversation with a classic unusual Abe opening, "Shaun...you're not going to see me for awhile." Vintage Abe. All joking aside, hearing Abe talk about those things made me think about how all of us are really just beginning to do our own thing. Frankly, it's kind of scary.
I thought about the core group members and all of us are now just pursuing our own futures. In high school, we all were chasing graduation. In the college years, we were chasing that degree and/or having a good time. Our goals and the paths to those goals were always aligned. Lately though, we all have begun our own paths and while the group isn't disbanding, we are heading in different directions. We won't be seeing each other as much and will no longer be within a short reach. It's definitely a tough point as we all begin our own lives, but an inevitable step in life.
I don't know where all of my friends paths into the future will take them, but I'm hoping it's nothing but success and happiness all around. As for me, I'm finally beginning to see what kind of path I want to head towards.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Good Friends Are Hard To Find
After a quick outing last night with a group of closest friends last night, I realized on the way home that they are some of the most important people in the world. These are the people who will be my biggest, and harshest critics, but yet be the most supportive people I know. They offer me the advice I need instead of telling me what I want to hear. I can truly say that it is very difficult for a lot of people to find true friends. I know many, many people who think they have good friends, but in turn, they really are not.
I feel that the biggest facet of any relationship is trust. It doesn't matter if it's romantic relationship, friendship, family relationship, or any other relationship that eludes me at the moment. I have a core group of friends that I can trust wholeheartedly. Granted, we may be different in many aspects of our personalities, but we still have common areas that allow us to be so close. I am very thankful to have them around and know that I can go to them with anything because they know me so well and will always have my back regardless of any outside interference.
I do feel that its unfortunate for those people out there who have their phony friends. The ones who judge you behind your back or are to afraid to call you out on something. Sadly, I have witnessed such situations firsthand and I feel bad for the victims who are none the wiser about it. I only hope that one day they realize to change up who they confide in.
I feel that the biggest facet of any relationship is trust. It doesn't matter if it's romantic relationship, friendship, family relationship, or any other relationship that eludes me at the moment. I have a core group of friends that I can trust wholeheartedly. Granted, we may be different in many aspects of our personalities, but we still have common areas that allow us to be so close. I am very thankful to have them around and know that I can go to them with anything because they know me so well and will always have my back regardless of any outside interference.
I do feel that its unfortunate for those people out there who have their phony friends. The ones who judge you behind your back or are to afraid to call you out on something. Sadly, I have witnessed such situations firsthand and I feel bad for the victims who are none the wiser about it. I only hope that one day they realize to change up who they confide in.
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