It was Friday night. There was a pink apron. And we were hungry. It just made sense to put on the pink apron and make a delicious man meal. Because that’s what you do when you’re a man.
On a serious note, this is the most delicious guacamole you’ll ever have, and it’s 100% raw and healthy for you. Not just okay, but actually VERY good for you, especially for vegetarians like me who have a hard time getting enough calories without gorging themselves.
And remember, always use the self checkout line, because it puts people out of jobs.
My mom flung open the door of my room, obviously upset. It was dark, and I was already in bed, but I could see her silhouette standing in my doorway. Even in my teens, I was very perceptive, and I could hear that the panic in her voice was directed at me, as if I had done something terribly wrong. Her voice trembled, and she choked back tears as she told me, “The washing machine is broken.”
Earlier in the day, I had run a load of clothes through the washing machine, and the lint separator at the end of the hose got sucked into the motor, which caused it to overheat. It was my fault. The total damage: $50.
I don’t think it was the amount that made my mom tremble and quiver – in fact, I remember being very surprised at how upset she was about the amount. Even my minimum wage job at Dunkin Donuts could cover the expense of the washing machine repair.
No, I think it was the frustration of having yet another unexpected bill that put my family over budget for the month. We lived meagerly: we hardly ever went out to dinner, I wore cheap and out of style clothing, and we were on the “reduced lunch” program at my public high school (that’s a subsidized school lunch program for poor kids).
Things weren’t always so bad until my parents divorced – somehow the separation left both of my parents almost penniless, and each blamed the other for ruining their financial situation, while in the process attempting to win me over to their respective “cause.” From then on, it was slim pickens in my family.
We interrupt our regular programming to take a short tour of my new condo in Cleveland, OH. Who said that there were no awesome shores in Ohio? (Forgive the bad haircut – I cut it yesterday, and it’s not my best work.)
The story of my decision to move back to my roots is below the video.
For the last four years, I’ve lived in Marion, IN – three of them to go to college, and the fourth to hang out and be young. When my friends graduated and moved on with life, it was time to make the decision about where to spend the next few years.
As an indecisive person by nature, I considered San Diego, Austin TX, New York, The Cayman Islands, Indianapolis, Fort Myers, FL, and on and on and on. Then in February, I started hitting a personal wall. Being away from my roots started becoming very draining – being away from people that you love is only fun for so long. It was a hard lesson to learn, and it’s clear that family only becomes more important as you get older.
Ultimately, I made the decision to get a condo back near my roots in Cleveland, OH. Needing something entertaining outside, I chose to live on the lake near downtown. The result was a spectacular view, unbelievable breezes, the ability to work on the roof and get lots of sun, and close proximity to the Cleveland Indians. My family happens to be nearby, as well.
It’s just been a few weeks, but it’s already been incredibly rewarding – one of my best friends decided to move in, and I don’t have to say, “I’ll see you in a few months,” to my family anymore.
I’m regularly asked why I don’t splurge and move someplace fancy… it’s just not in my nature. Maybe I don’t need those things. When I earn my money, I want to keep it. Sure, a place in San Diego would be awesome, but I can hop on a plane any time and go there – and I frequently do. So for the next few years, while I continue to travel the world and soak up all that it has to offer, I’ve chosen to set up my pad around people that I love.
