I spent this past Wednesday through Saturday at San Luis Obispo with Martin and Dustin. Quite the adventure. Martin goes to CalPoly so we stayed at his place down there. He turned 21 on Saturday, and the plan was to hit the bars on Friday night at midnight. Ends up Martin and Dustin decided to drink every night we were there. I ended up driving them and Martin's friends around every night in Tin's car.
(FYI it's Martin with a Spanish accent over the i...so Marteen...we call him Teen sometimes, but its spelled Tin. Just wanted you to be able to read this right)
Anyhow, I volunteered to be the DD for a variety of reasons. First of all, while they assured me ways home would be found, I saw from the start that once people were drunk they insisted on driving when they shouldn't be. I didn't want to risk that happening.
Secondly, Martin's house was a dirty. Superfund site dirty. Food in various levels of decay dirty. So dirty it stank and made my stomach turn dirty. It made the messiest the Pink House has ever been look sparkling clean. (in fact, it made me realize how damn good I have it at that house!) Thank god Martin's room was comparatively clean. The bathroom however, was awful. I didn't want to wake up with a hang over in that house.
And third, I'm low on cash and drinking is expensive. I only had 10 bucks in my wallet when we went to the bars. I had one beer. With no job this summer, I feel really bad about spending money on things I don't need.
I won't go into more detail...but Martin and Dustin weren't the most fun people to be around when they were drunk. Up till this weekend, every drunk person I've been around has been a jolly drunk. But after a certain point, Dustin gets angry and aggressive and Martin get moody and emotional. Much cooler when they're sober. Haha. Nevertheless, it was still kinda cool to see what the CalPoly party/social/bar scene is like. Worlds apart from Cal. Or at least the Cal I know. I can see the benefits, but I know now more than ever that when I chose Cal over CalPoly, I made one of the best decisions I've ever made or will ever make in my life.
The days however, were great. We went to Morro Bay and checked out the tide pools, went on an awesome sunset/night hike to the top of Bishop's Peak with two of Martin's housemates, and spent an afternoon in Pismo. Fun times. Martin's friends down there are pretty cool. I had fun hangin' with them.
So yeah...the trip had its tough times. Survivor: SLO times. But overall I'm still really glad I went. Even the parts of the trip that weren't so great at the time are already funny (or at least absurd) memories.
Tonight Martin's family threw him a bday party/BBQ at their house. A sizeable grouping of my high school friends were there. Dustin, Martin, Matt, Kim, Jamie, and Lauren B. We all really had a great time. Martin was the only one of us who drank (as it should be, he is celebratin his 21st after all..but he was only a little buzzed).
But the night, in a way, reinforced why I love my group of friends from high school so much. We are that rare group of SFHS alums that can have tons o' fun together without drugs or alcohol. God I sound like an afternoon special. But it's true. Tonight was the first night we were all together as 21 year olds, and while we all enjoy drinking every now and then, it's not something we think we need to loosen up or feel comfortable enough to have a really good time together. I'm glad to see that hasn't changed now that we're all 21. Some nights just being around them gets me on a natural high and I become really goofy and feel really at ease. Tonight was one of those nights. We can make each other drunk I guess...without alcohol if that makes any sense.
Long live Team Fuzzy Bunny Unicorn Zebra Pants!
Don't ask.
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Monday, June 21, 2004
So, my Boston photos in the previous post seem to go off-line every now and then. Sorry bout that.
I'm well into my summer vacation, and have yet to land a job. Even a voluntary one, and now its too late to really find anything good. I'll probably end up working at the Stanford Theatre again, but won't be making much money since they are hardly ever open this summer it seems. Anyways, I told them when I could work...but haven't heard back.
Palo Alto continues to lead me on. Interviewing me in April. Saying they'd get back to me in a couple weeks. Getting back to me in mid-May saying I was not chosen. Calling me the next week saying, "whoops, you're actually one of three finalists!' Saying they'd get back to me in a week. Not returning my e-mail a week later. Not returning my call two weeks later. Returning my second e-mail giving me bad news about not being chosen. BUT saying they would like to hire me for an hourly job assisting their historic preservation planner. Saying they'd get back to me last week and that I should call if they don't. Not returning my call. I'm still hoping this can work out...someday.
And since no jobs seem to be in my immediate future, I'm considering going to Cal Poly with Martin and Matt later this week.
Other thoughts:
Santa Cruz with Martin, Dustin, Jamie, and Rachel was a lot of fun. First official trip to the beach of the summer. Had a great time hanging out with a good chunk of my old high school crew.
My day in Berkeley last Thursday was very nice. The DCRP/BUSSA meetings went well, and it was good to see Kat, Candice, and Kay for lunch.
My grandpa's surprise birthday party went really well.
...now it's kinda up to me to make sure his present from the whole family, a fully paid trip to Washington DC to see the new World War II Memorial, goes well too.
Chris, my lil cuz Sabrina, and I will be taking him there from July 2nd to July 7th. The whole thing was my idea, and I planned everything, from the hotel to the flight, to getting everyone's approval and contribution. Right now, the trip is really stressing me out, because I have to figure all the logistics out and am feeling a lot of pressure to make sure that my grandpa has a good time.
I have to worry about how far he can walk, if he can withstand the heat and humidity, where we can get food for him that fits his strict diabetic diet, what sites we are going to see, who will be watching over my grandma while we are gone, etc. And he's not letting me forget any of that. I expected he would have some concerns about the trip. But I also hoped he would show some more excitement about it and spend some more time thinking and talking about the fun we could have. It would make all the stress I've gone through and am going through to plan this bearable. But instead, I get a litany of concerns from him, followed by "well, it's all up to you Nick, you're the leader here I'll just do what you say." Ack. But that's my grandpa for ya.
Hopefully, once we are there, everything will work out and it'll be a great trip.
I'm well into my summer vacation, and have yet to land a job. Even a voluntary one, and now its too late to really find anything good. I'll probably end up working at the Stanford Theatre again, but won't be making much money since they are hardly ever open this summer it seems. Anyways, I told them when I could work...but haven't heard back.
Palo Alto continues to lead me on. Interviewing me in April. Saying they'd get back to me in a couple weeks. Getting back to me in mid-May saying I was not chosen. Calling me the next week saying, "whoops, you're actually one of three finalists!' Saying they'd get back to me in a week. Not returning my e-mail a week later. Not returning my call two weeks later. Returning my second e-mail giving me bad news about not being chosen. BUT saying they would like to hire me for an hourly job assisting their historic preservation planner. Saying they'd get back to me last week and that I should call if they don't. Not returning my call. I'm still hoping this can work out...someday.
And since no jobs seem to be in my immediate future, I'm considering going to Cal Poly with Martin and Matt later this week.
Other thoughts:
Santa Cruz with Martin, Dustin, Jamie, and Rachel was a lot of fun. First official trip to the beach of the summer. Had a great time hanging out with a good chunk of my old high school crew.
My day in Berkeley last Thursday was very nice. The DCRP/BUSSA meetings went well, and it was good to see Kat, Candice, and Kay for lunch.
My grandpa's surprise birthday party went really well.
...now it's kinda up to me to make sure his present from the whole family, a fully paid trip to Washington DC to see the new World War II Memorial, goes well too.
Chris, my lil cuz Sabrina, and I will be taking him there from July 2nd to July 7th. The whole thing was my idea, and I planned everything, from the hotel to the flight, to getting everyone's approval and contribution. Right now, the trip is really stressing me out, because I have to figure all the logistics out and am feeling a lot of pressure to make sure that my grandpa has a good time.
I have to worry about how far he can walk, if he can withstand the heat and humidity, where we can get food for him that fits his strict diabetic diet, what sites we are going to see, who will be watching over my grandma while we are gone, etc. And he's not letting me forget any of that. I expected he would have some concerns about the trip. But I also hoped he would show some more excitement about it and spend some more time thinking and talking about the fun we could have. It would make all the stress I've gone through and am going through to plan this bearable. But instead, I get a litany of concerns from him, followed by "well, it's all up to you Nick, you're the leader here I'll just do what you say." Ack. But that's my grandpa for ya.
Hopefully, once we are there, everything will work out and it'll be a great trip.
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Time for Boston Photos!
The North End
This is a photo of the North End, Boston's oldest neighborhood. I loved it here. The neighborhood used to be cut off from the rest of the city by a freeway, but now because of the infamous "Big Dig" where they are putting the freeway underground, its connected again. Paul Revere's house is here (and I visited it)so is the church where they lit the lanterns ("one if by land, two if by sea"). The neighborhood has been predominantly Italian for decades, with very narrow streets, small markets, and many beautiful little churches. All in all, as close to Europe as I have ever been!
The Public Garden
The Public Garden was near my hotel in the Backbay neighborhood. It's one of the oldest parks in the city and America and is filled with beautiful old statues, and a pastoral lake where you can rent swan boats and paddle around. I really liked this old angel fountain.
Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill is one of the most ritzy neighborhoods in Boston. Very blue blood. It's home to beautiful brick rowhouses, cobblestone streets, corner markets, the original Cheers, lots of little dogs, and John Kerry. It's right in the heart of the city, behind the State Capitol.
This cobblestone street is really eye catching. It kind of captures the feel of the whole neighborhood, and is frequently photographed.
Beacon Street is the main street of the neighborhood. Unlike other wealthy neighborhood shopping areas, the stores here are pretty practical, but very immaculate and classy. You have high end restaurants, antique shops, and the nicest looking 7-11 I have ever seen. This little market's storefront really stood out.
Boston Public Library
The Boston Public Library's main branch was across the street from my hotel on Copley Square in the Back Bay. It is one of the first public libraries in the country, and is beautiful both inside and out. As my other pictures show, the sky was usually overcast most of the trip. The sun came out and streamed through the library's lobby windows for a moment when I snapped this photo.
The State Capitol
The MA State Capitol is an awesome building. This photo is looking up towards the main rotunda's golden dome.
...that's all for now. I might post some more later.
The North End
This is a photo of the North End, Boston's oldest neighborhood. I loved it here. The neighborhood used to be cut off from the rest of the city by a freeway, but now because of the infamous "Big Dig" where they are putting the freeway underground, its connected again. Paul Revere's house is here (and I visited it)so is the church where they lit the lanterns ("one if by land, two if by sea"). The neighborhood has been predominantly Italian for decades, with very narrow streets, small markets, and many beautiful little churches. All in all, as close to Europe as I have ever been!
The Public Garden
The Public Garden was near my hotel in the Backbay neighborhood. It's one of the oldest parks in the city and America and is filled with beautiful old statues, and a pastoral lake where you can rent swan boats and paddle around. I really liked this old angel fountain.
Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill is one of the most ritzy neighborhoods in Boston. Very blue blood. It's home to beautiful brick rowhouses, cobblestone streets, corner markets, the original Cheers, lots of little dogs, and John Kerry. It's right in the heart of the city, behind the State Capitol.
This cobblestone street is really eye catching. It kind of captures the feel of the whole neighborhood, and is frequently photographed.
Beacon Street is the main street of the neighborhood. Unlike other wealthy neighborhood shopping areas, the stores here are pretty practical, but very immaculate and classy. You have high end restaurants, antique shops, and the nicest looking 7-11 I have ever seen. This little market's storefront really stood out.
Boston Public Library
The Boston Public Library's main branch was across the street from my hotel on Copley Square in the Back Bay. It is one of the first public libraries in the country, and is beautiful both inside and out. As my other pictures show, the sky was usually overcast most of the trip. The sun came out and streamed through the library's lobby windows for a moment when I snapped this photo.
The State Capitol
The MA State Capitol is an awesome building. This photo is looking up towards the main rotunda's golden dome.
...that's all for now. I might post some more later.
Thursday, June 03, 2004
Wow. What a busy summer so far.
I'll put some pics up of my Boston trip soon. But the trip was a lot of fun and the city was great! And if things pan out.... Boston won't be the only eastcoast city I'll be visiting this summer! More on that later too.
Still waiting to hear from Palo Alto. Jeeze. Time to call the Stanford Theatre again. I can't sit around forever waiting for Palo Alto to get their act together. (Although I'd very much like to) But I need money.
In other news...Chris is now a SFHS Alumni. It's crazy! I'm so proud of my little brother. He didn't get any recognition at graduation for the stuff he did this year, but the Mtn. View paper got it right and profiled him in this week's article about the SFHS class of 2004. He shares the article with a profile of the super-star valedictorian and the student body president. And Chris was the first of the three to be profiled. Right on, MV Voice. They've always treated us Perry bros quite nicely.
Check it out:
Lancers Ready for Next Step
Same edition, he's the author of one of the Teen Voice articles. (I helped him write this one)
The Pressure To Drink
That's all for now. Hope your summer is going well.
I'll put some pics up of my Boston trip soon. But the trip was a lot of fun and the city was great! And if things pan out.... Boston won't be the only eastcoast city I'll be visiting this summer! More on that later too.
Still waiting to hear from Palo Alto. Jeeze. Time to call the Stanford Theatre again. I can't sit around forever waiting for Palo Alto to get their act together. (Although I'd very much like to) But I need money.
In other news...Chris is now a SFHS Alumni. It's crazy! I'm so proud of my little brother. He didn't get any recognition at graduation for the stuff he did this year, but the Mtn. View paper got it right and profiled him in this week's article about the SFHS class of 2004. He shares the article with a profile of the super-star valedictorian and the student body president. And Chris was the first of the three to be profiled. Right on, MV Voice. They've always treated us Perry bros quite nicely.
Check it out:
Lancers Ready for Next Step
Same edition, he's the author of one of the Teen Voice articles. (I helped him write this one)
The Pressure To Drink
That's all for now. Hope your summer is going well.