I’m thinking of getting WordPress and getting a host for my own URL and site. A little more ownership and customization, less Xanga filler. 

I had an uncomfortable talk with my roommate yesterday. After the latest string of dog incidents (including the destruction of a $100 pair of earphones), I had to tell her that I didn’t want the dog in the apartment anymore. There has been far too much destroyed and the whole situation has spun wildly out of control. Of course, she blows things off and doesn’t really mind the furry terror, but my blood pressure sky rockets and it’s all I can do to keep my cool. “Well, I am not sure what to do. I’ll try and think of something,” she said. God, please give me patience.

Work at the salon is going well, despite the occasional frustration of the basic things being a challenge for me once in a while. I am glad to finally be doing my apprenticeship, but I am realizing that my heart still lies with barbering. I’ll get there eventually.

I met a pair of couples from Portland, Oregon, on Friday night while bartending. They had come to Kentucky to check out some of the bourbon distilleries. The most lively of the group was a military historian and was married to a delightful Asian woman who use to be a bartender. They came back to see me on Saturday night and we spent a lot of time talking. They told me to come check out Portland and they’d love to treat me to dinner if I ever made it out there. I love when that stuff happens, because I think life is made up of relationships.

My trip to Chicago is next week and I am so excited!! I wrote out my itinerary and have a lot planned. I’m visiting 4 museums, going to the taping of the NPR radio show and may buy a ticket to see “Bring It On: The Musical” while I’m there. If I don’t do that, my Tuesday night will be completely free. Next week can’t get her fast enough!

Tait got tickets for us to see Madonna in Minneapolis! I have wanted to see her for so long, and I am excited to get back up to Minneapolis. Hopefully since it will be in November, it won’t be too bad. If the world will end in December, this is going to be a great year to go out on.

Word of the Day: Connection

Quote of the Day: “Well, Ryan, I hope you find what you are looking for.”

Homework: None.

Well. Here we are. A month into January. Time sure flies when you’re busy, doesn’t it?

I started work at the salon last week. I am really excited about it and looking forward to learning as much as I can. The environment is great, the people are really cool and down to earth, but there is an awesome level of professionalism. I will be working 5 days a week, so I put in notice at my other job about the change in schedule. I’m dropping my manager duties and will be working Monday, Friday and Saturday nights. I’m going to see how that goes for while, as far as money and my energy level, and may eventually drop my Monday nights as well. Working at the salon has been great so far, but it’ll take some time to get used to the way they do hair and how their “system” works. But I am so grateful to be there.

Despite being so busy and focused on my new job, my thoughts are drawn a million places sometimes. 

When does dreaming big go from a tough, but achievable, goal, to a complete fantasy? Where is that line in the sand that on one side says, “Yes, you’ll have to work really hard, but you can make this happen,” and on the other says, “You don’t have the power or resources to ever accomplish this task,”?

What makes greatness? If I am a box, would my greatness be defined in terms of how well and efficiently I filled the box with stuff? Or is it defined as overflowing and breaking the box apart? Perhaps it can be both? Maybe there are different types of greatness: the kind that knows what it’s capable of and fires on all cylinders, and the kind that doesn’t give a damn about limits and pushes to go further, faster, harder, stronger, longer, better.

I guess if I want to figure out how great I want to be, I need to figure out which definition is best. Which one resonates with me the most. 

Here’s to greatness.

Word of the Day: Great

Quote of the Day: “I’m bleeding money.”

Homework: Decide for yourself how you define greatness.