Dishwashing Mania

I want to fall into a mountain of freshly washed sheets.

I finally have an official, real job: washing dishes at Rey Azteca. Thanks to Alaina's dedicated mother, I feel like I joined the mafia. There's no turning back.

I actually like the job although it is pretty down and dirty, hard work. Driving around town, I now think of all the other teenagers and down-on-their-luck twenty somethings silently washing dishes in the small corners of kitchen restaurants. Maybe I'll start a club. These are the real champions of society.

Track has started and the countdown to summer has begun. One thing is blocking my way - Ayn Rand. A couple of months back during my scholarship craze, I decided to enter The Fountainhead Essay Contest. Might as well. I read the book and surprisingly enjoyed it. But I need to get this essay done. That's my goal for the week. And then I will be free baby.

Other than that, I need to start writing my summer lists. I have two of them - Things I Want to Do This Summer (like go camping and head to the drive-ins) and Things I Need to Learn in Order to Survive in College (like I'm embarrassed to admit I can't tie my ties very well... or at all).

How are all the other high school seniors feeling right now? I don't know if I'm ready to leave my life as I know it. But it's time. I've had a good year. Now, I just have to go out with a bang.

And oh. I spent part of my weekend making this video for one of my teachers, Miss Rice. She wants to win a trip to England. Watch and share if you haven't already!

Send Miss Rice to England!

Oh These Summer Nights...

Last night, after returning from the Catholic Men's Conference, I met up with my sweetheart Alaina (you'll meet her later) and my brother Ryan (you'll meet him later too). Together, we headed to Rey Azteca, the local Mexican restaurant where Alaina and her amazing mother are employed.

I tried the coffee for the first time. It was delicioso! Rey Azteca coffee is brewed with cinnamon, and I recommend it. We also feasted on chocolate chicken and discussed all of life's great difficulties. Throughout the night, I was playing with a small container of half-and-half. Right before leaving, I squeezed a bit too tightly. It exploded all over myself and the window.

After dropping Ryan off, I joined Alaina at her house. Sprawled out on her bed with her rowdy dog Hercules, we watched Adventureland on her two-inch television.

We loved Adventureland! It's helmed by the director of Superbad Greg Mottola. Except unlike Superbad, he actually wrote Adventureland. It's a sort of memoir of his teenage years. While Adventureland has its moments, it is not nearly as vulgar as Superbad. Instead, it's more sweet and real in an almost John Hughes sort of way. I boycott Twilight, but Kristen Stewart and all the other actors were awesome.

Not to mention, it takes place in the 80s, has a killer soundtrack, and involves Kristen Wiig (reason alone to see it).

After the movie, the night sort of turned reflective (and almost depressing). I guess that life is just strange, yet beautiful. Everyone makes mistakes. The key is to fix them - and then savor those truly special moments - even if they are as simple as a small TV, a boy, a girl, a movie, and a dog.

So, if you've been putting off seeing Adventureland (which has been out forever), change that. Until then, turn up your volume and jam.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpJUrt0O7uY