I've Left The Nest!

Ten days ago was arguably the best day of my life.  I married my best friend.  My lovely wife, whom I proposed to last August was escorted down the aisle and the Rite of Marriage began.  I'm unable to recall the last time I was more absorbed by the moment.  At the moment my wife Jessica and I spoke our vows to each other we became married.

From the Catholic perspective, the Rite of Marriage is performed by the couple being married.  The Priest acts as the legal witness in the name of the Church and our Maid of Honor and Best Man act as the legal witness to the state.  Both certify in no uncertain terms that, yes, these two are married and have chosen to do so freely and with full knowledge of the responsibility they are undertaking.

A couple moments that will always remain in my memory are the moment during which I made my vows to my wife.  The second moment which will always be cherished will be my first dance as a husband.  Such moments you can't just put into words.

A big thank you to the Priest who gave us Marriage Instruction, our wedding planner who helped us navigate and plan the big day, and our parents for supporting us.  A big thank you as well to our wedding party as you all have been with us through everything and live up to what it means to be true friends.

Of course, I'd like to thank also our guests.  Those friends and family who've known us through the years at various stages of our lives who eagerly came together on our wedding day to show us love and support.

To everyone, a huge thank you!

New Hobbies & New Happenings In Life

Okay, so yes, it's been a while.  Sometimes the distractions of life come and go and I forget to blog.  But what're you going to do right?  This would be a case where perhaps the hashtag "lifeproblems" would probably fit, but alas I haven't sunk that low yet.  I'm still maintaining my stance on keeping hashtags where they belong: on Twitter.  But I digress.

The last year of my life has been a busy one.  I moved to central Illinois to get a fresh start on life.  Leaving the northern Illinois area - which had been my home for some time - was bittersweet, because of the many fond memories I have both on and off campus and the many good friends I had the privilege of meeting, and still keep in contact with.  However, the move to central Illinois proved an important role in shaping my near future.  I quickly became in a position to grow a wonderful friendship with a woman who I will be marrying this summer, and have had a lot of time to think critically on what I need to do to take some steps in my life toward being the man I want to be.

Along the way my regular reading of the Art of Manliness and listening to their podcasts have filled me with inspiration to begin taking inventory of my hobbies and interests, something I recommend everyone to do periodically.  I highly recommend both the AoM website and the podcasts (they also have an app!).  Keeping up with the Art of Manliness has brought attention to the fact that I'd like to look at and possibly pursue a hobby - thanks to their article The Ultimate List of Hobbies for Men: 75+ Ideas For Your Free Time.  Very good stuff in the article!

So that was long-winded, many apologies!  But really, I very highly recommend checking out the Art of Manliness.

I've decided that in the near future - after I've taken care of a few things in the coming months - to take up computer programming as a hobby.  Ever since my first programming course in C++ I've acquired a taste for programming, or rather a reawakening.  My first brush with programming came in seventh or eighth grade teaching myself HTML, and since then programming has always sort of been a side thing I turn to once in a while.

Another hobby I've recently been more involved in is being a Google Local Guide.

As I've progressed through the levels of the Local Guide, I've found a taste for rating and reviewing places I've been.  And there are rewards along the way.

Ultimately my contributions give me an outlet for helping people know where to go for things like that perfect sandwich or cup of coffee, or even reviewing places like book stores and other businesses.

Well, that's sort of a digest of things and latest happenings.  I'm looking forward to what the rest of 2017 has in store, and hope that so far everyone is enjoying the start of the year.  As always feel free to follow me on Twitter @noherp2012.

I Am Sorry For My Absence

Dear readers and followers,

I am very sorry for my absence over the course of the last 3 years.  Aside from a couple postings, I regret to say that I became distracted and preoccupied with a few personal matters requiring my complete attention.

This is not to say that I could not have written anything.

For those who have supported me, and stayed by my side, in the last three years I thank you.  It has been quite the journey and I am thankful that having recovered I am stronger and more resilient than ever.

On that note, I am hoping to write a lot more and make some changes to the website as a whole.

Sincerely,
Kevin

Time to Get Organized

Hmm, well... so I have not blogged on here in almost a couple of years.  So, what has been going on?  Too much and not a lot.

So the other day while hanging out on Youtube I found a most exquisite, inspiring video.  It is from the Art of Manliness, an online website - and Youtube channel - aimed at helping men be better at being, well... men.  I will not spoil the fun of this video but it is definitely something worth considering if you want to be better organized.  If you have time, feel free to browse around their website and Youtube.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNxLNY6yxRI]

An Evening of Relaxation

I suppose one does not really know relaxation until they remove all distractions, at least for a few hours.  My room mate made a visit to the Newman Center, and with no intention or desire to visit the Newman Center this evening I took to finding something leisurely to do.  I could've watched Frasier or Cheers or any number of TV programs I normally go to when I'm bored, but I didn't.  (Gasp!  I know, right?!)  I decided to make attempts at reading Shakespeare or continuing my reading of Isaac Asimov's The Naked Sun (part II of the Robot series) and fell into making progress on Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.  Then I got an idea.  I grabbed some pino grigio, cheese, crackers, put on my classical station on Pandora, and then... just sat back and did nothing.  Well, okay I ate and drank, but other than that I did nothing.  And it was wonderful!

How strange it is that in this world of comforts such as Facebook, TV, mindlessly scouting the internet for whatever random things you can find, hanging out at a bar with friends, or seeing a movie, that I should find myself content just sitting in my apartment, listening to classical music and just soaking in the evening.  I can't remember the last time I felt so relaxed!  No passively just absorbing whatever the TV or a book wants me to absorb.  No restlessly searching for something new and exciting.  Just sweet introverted solitude.  Perhaps this is something everyone should make a point to pencil into our schedules from time to time.  To just shut out the world for a few hours and just exist.

Perhaps, however I'm being pretentious.  Perhaps I'm longing for some sort of "snooty" lifestyle that is beyond me.  Or perhaps, par chance, I've discovered a gold mine to let my mind wander, imagine, be swept away by crescendos and trumpet blasts, and just recreate for a while in a playground of playful ambiance.  This is definitely something I'm going to make a point of doing every now and then, because it's just so enjoyable!

Needing Some Order

I'm sitting here in my apartment reflecting on the day, wasting time on Facebook, listening to iTunes, and waiting for the next load of laundry to get done.  As my thoughts are gathering a couple things become clear: 1) I haven't devoted time in a long while to writing forecasts and 2) I've consistently stayed up later than 3 am which usually leaves me waking up after 10 or 11 am.

Okay, now the first justification that comes to mind is that I don't have any plans on any given day.  I'm not sure I can accept this as an excuse anymore.  I know there's a lot more I can do with my time.  Afterall, there is that trilogy I've been working on.  Thus it's time to formulate a plan.  A real doable plan for every day that I can do that is within my skill set.  So here goes.

I want to set myself a goal of spending my mornings writing forecasts.  I've had a blog for some time that I've used for meteorological purposes and in the past has filled empty hours and I have to say that I've begun improving my forecasting skill.  Nonetheless, I think now is the time to start posting weather forecasts on a more frequent basis.  Must also note too that this past week has been busy with chasing storms around Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa and this has also prompted me to start thinking about publishing forecasts online again.

I'm thinking this is a good place as any to start feeding my recent craving to begin ordering my day.  So we'll see how it goes.  So I guess come Monday morning I'm going to get my feet wet again in forecasting and spend the rest of the day checking up on job applications and writing.  Of course I may have plans with a friend, but if I don't have plans then I'll try to make myself busy until late afternoon/early evening.

Taking Up Writing Again

Okay, so some of you may already know I've had a futuristic/science fiction trilogy in the works for some time.  After over a year of writers block (mainly due to focusing on school) I think I'm ready to start writing again.  This comes after being asked to co-write a couple of projects with a couple of friends.  Lately I've been intuiting a flow of creativity and I might as well ride the wave as long as possible.

In other news, for the past several weeks, if not months I've been reacquainting myself with two of my favorite TV programs.  That's right I've been going on Cheers and Frasier binges.  So far favorite episodes are "Abnormal Psychology" and "Dinner At Eight-ish" (Cheers season 5 episodes 4 and 20 respectively) and "Adventures in Paradise" (Frasier season 2 episodes 8 and 9).  I will just say that if you're looking to laugh for hours to the point of hyperventilating both Cheers and Frasier will not fail to satisfy.

I guess that's all that's happening at the moment, besides the realization that I'm turning 29 in a month.

My Godfather, Two Years Later

I can't believe I'm finally writing a post about this but, here goes!

Two years ago today, I lost my Godfather to cancer.  It was sudden and shocking and sometimes the events of that 10th day of April two years ago seem to come and go in a flash, and yet so vivid.  There was my Godfather, a man I was hoping to invite to a wedding, a graduation, to the Baptism of whatever children I have in the future.  Gone.  Today though my thoughts are on the good times both him and I shared.  So I guess here is my eulogy and final goodbye, and hope to one day spend some quality time with him.

Earlier in life my Godfather used to skip school.  He'd walk down the street and would wait for my grandmother to leave the house, where he'd spend the day slacking off.  He was always good about leaving the house and locking the door before my grandmother would return home and would return "from school" at the usual time.  One day my grandmother, while reading the paper, asked him why he didn't go to school that day.  My Godfather asked how she knew this to which she replied, "You left the toilet seat up."

As a Marine during the Vietnam War my Godfather sketched scenes from the country.  Later he would turn this into a career as and artist!

When I received my Holy Baptism in the Roman Catholic Church on July 27, 1984 my Godfather was there.  He came dressed in a black pin striped suit.  When people asked him who he was he simply replied, "I'm the Godfather."  His sense of humor and wit would very much rub off on me over the years as I grew.

Ten years later at my brother's wedding, my Godfather and I walked around the reception hall sucking in helium, raising our voices several pitches.  My mother was not thrilled to say the least, but hey like Godfather like Godson right?

Summers were spent at our family's campsite where every now and then I would spend time fishing with him.  My Godfather would show me everything he knew, and even the best places to fish.  Of course there would also be pep talks where he would impart to me his wisdom.

In 2009 a friend and I journeyed to Chicago for the day and found ourselves at this really awesome sushi place on Michigan Avenue.  As I walk in the door I noticed a familiar looking man seated, enjoying his lunch.  It was my Godfather!  Oh what a happy reunion after not visiting him for some years!  Of course I had to brag to my sister and dad that I ran into him.  Think of it... of all the hundreds of thousands of people in Chicago I run into a relative!  So cool.

The next year I was on retreat and took up lodging with my Godfather for the duration of the weekend.  After the events of the retreat were over he and I would sit and he'd crack open his favorite tequila and I would sip scotch (never much of a tequila lover myself) and just like old times he'd impart his wisdom.  I remember fondly the words he spoke to me that weekend.  "It takes real courage at the end of the day to look back and say honestly, 'Yeah I did that.' 'Yeah I should've done that better.' 'No I'm not perfect.'"  Real words I live by every day.

Goodbye Uncle Mike.  While I will miss your words of wisdom, what you have imparted to me I will carry and pass on.  I will miss greatly sitting and talking with you about anything and nothing all the while sipping scotch and you sipping tequila.  While words cannot describe how much you are missed by all, let me at least say thank you.  Thank you for everything.  I hope to make you proud one day by following your example of pursuing my dreams and persevering until all is accomplished.  Take heart however, I'm okay.  I thank God that your battle with cancer is over, and for you there is no more suffering.

Joyeux Noel!

Merry Christmas to everyone!

XKCD Accurately Describes My Life

This is pretty much my life at the moment!

Source: https://www.xkcd.com/844/