I am on a quest.

As most everyone knows these days, I have been, well, a bit disgruntled you might say. Restless. And just a few weeks ago my life sort of switched gears a little (see previous post). And by a little I mean alot.

And by restless I mean anxious. And by anxious I mean ready for something. What? I'm not sure. I nice ice cream cone perhaps. A walk. The new Nickel Creek Album. More likely though, I am ready for a change.

You see, I fear change. I dare say most people in my family aren't too keen on it, and I am a wonderful example of that lack of keenness. In fact, I might have the opposite of keenness for it. I'm not sure quite what that is, but I think I have it. A type of anti-keenness born of a whole bunch of change thrown at me like a wet blanket when I wasn't looking.

Change #1: I am considering a break from school. At least, my current program. Not a permanent thing, mind you, and not until this time next year, but a change. I have been in school for 19 straight years now. What's next, you might ask? Not sure. I'll be applying for the Rhodes (again) and a Fulbright fellowship. Maybe I can be a roadie on the next Nickel Creek tour. Maybe I'll go to more school, just for something else. Like Medical School. Why, Joe? You might ask. Well, this is because of change #2: Grandpa's death. I went to Grad School to help people with strokes. Through an unfortunate and unforseeable sequence of events, I haven't done that for the last two years. And it looks like where I am now is not the best place for it. And my sudden enthusiasm for personal challenge sprouts partly from change #3: Jenn's breaking up with me. To be completely honest, I was forming the next few years around being able to be with her, and being able to follow her. Since this no longer applies (see previous post), I am more gung-ho about getting out there and doing something else. "Out there" could be many places. "Something else" could be alot of things.

But anyway, back to the quest: All of this has inspired in me a sort of want-to-be smarty-pants-ness such as I haven't had since attending my dear old Alma Mater. There I began a classic, liberal arts education. The problem is, I don't think I finshed it. So my quest is to at least continue it by reading. I am (no joke) currently working my way through Einstein's Relativity and need more once I finish. I am thinking things like Cicero, Augustine, Virgil, general histories of things (like presidents) and the like. You know, things I probably have no business reading. Any suggestions are most welcome, about any of this. Let old Joe know.

I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
Joe

Its very odd what things can bring consolation in bad times. The other night Nick and I went to Buffet City, a resturant of epic portions. You see, my brother Peeg was the Mayor of Buffet City when he was here in T-town; naturally Nick and I had to go and attempt to make at least councliman. I think we succeeded. And during the process I felt ok about things for a few minutes, other than the growing lump of delicious fullness developing in my stomach.
Felt ok about what? you may be asking. Well, I have posted some pretty personal things here, as my readership is mostly if not all family and friends. So if you are neither, than you might find the following neither amusing nor particularly happy. I'd find another blog to read.
On saturday after my cousin Danni's baby shower, Jenn called from Colorado and broke up with me. Yep. I wish I had more to write about it, but I'm still, well, I don't know. Thats just the point. For a person who loves to talk and can usually comment on anything, I can't find words for this. I am, well... these are bad times.
I've kept up with work, though not too effectively. If anyone has any sage advice for me, I welcome it. Take note that there was no animosity between us, that she is one of the best friends I have ever had, and that my feelings for her have not changed. Her feelings for me changed, though. And this is the result.

I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
Joe

My very good friend David came to visit last week. We did many fun things, including my first viewing of Napoleon Dynamite, and my introduction to one of the most rediculously entertaining flash cartoons ever. Be warned: you may never get this out of your head.

Ever.

That said, Go Here.

We had an excellent time. As a reference to the above link, David would intermittently pet Julie (a cat) while softly singing, "Its peanut butter kitty time" to himself.

A good time.

I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
Joe