Dinner with Grammy . . .

Today I met my Grandma for dinner.

I really enjoy hanging out with my grandma, she is a friend to me. She's not the kind of Grandma that you only see once a year and is always complaining about her bunyuns, my Grandma is the kind of Grandma who enjoys bowling, movies, shopping, and power walking 5 miles every morning.

My Grandma is definately a cool cat.

Geriatrics show . . .

Hung out at Frank's most of the day, then went to the Geriatrics/ Flatfoot 56 show at Just For Fun Rollerrink

PIcture of my new guitar . . .

Memorial Day . . .

I never though memorial day could be so eventful.

James and I drove down to my cousin's enormous house (complete with inground pool, barn, silo, and more land than you could shake a stick at) and celebrated the holiday with my dad's side of the family.

James concluded the day with telling me that he had never thought of me as a father figure until today, which was probably the result of me screaming things like:

"Matthew! If you want me to throw you in the pool then you have to keep your mouth shut when you go under water"
or
"Ben! Stop running around the pool and zip up your lifejacket!"
or maybe
"Matthew, keep your eye on the ball, bud and make sure you swing all the way through"

All in all, today was awesome, and I had a great time with my cousins. I would have to say one of the highlights of the day was looking over and seeing James play catch with my youngest cousin, Ben.

Route 47 adventure . . .

Max had done landscaping for this really unique property on route 47, so he took me there to take some pictures and this is what turned out.

I've graduated!

Today was graduation, which means I am finally done with high school and am now on my way to more independence and opportunity!

Although graduation is supposed to be a sign of maturity, I was reminded of my childish ways when I had this argument with a six year old girl who everyone told I was female:

Girl: Why are you wearing boy clothes?
Me: Because I like them.
Girl: You're weird.
Me: Oh, I'm weird?!?! You're the one with missing teeth!!

real mature of me.

Anyway, the rest of the day was awesome; dinner with the family, Elise's graduation party, and Angela's graduation party (Which had to be the best time I have ever had at Angela's house, I can't even go in to detail about that experience, haha).

So I am now a Crystal Lake South Alumni, whoop dee doo.

A Summer Day (In Three Parts) . . .

Today was best divided into three parts, so I will treat each segment as it's own indiviual piece of the whole day.

PART I: TO SIX FLAGS AND BACK AGAIN.




I Woke up relatively early since Tim, Angela, and me had plans to go to Six Flags Great America. On the way we had a variety of side tracks. The first side track was stopping back at the High School to pick up some of our art projects that weren't graded by the last day of school. I didn't really want to go back in there, but I made a book in photo II that was very special to me. After we ventured into school, we got back on the road. Side track number two was a maze of U-turns and side streets in an attempt to make it to the opposite side of Rt 120. Once we finally got to a Citgo with a cheap gas price (if you call 2.53 cheap) we went in. This gas station was about as run down as the owner, but both made up for appearance in character. The owner was explaining to me that he was 105 years old, and I explained to him that I was just graduating high school. That simple conversation seemed to offer respect on both sides, and by the end of our short convo I felt like we had a pretty unbique connection for two people so seemingly different. Ok, back on the road for a good 45 minutes until we got sidetracked again. On Rt 132 we stopped for Potbelly's subs, but I soon realized that there was a new Noodles and Company (My place of employment) a few doors down. I then remembered that that new NoodCo was run by my manager's mother (who I know very well), so I figured I would stop in and say hello. I stopped and, and to my surprise, my current manager was also working in the NoodCo. Rob (my manager) gave me a quick tour, and we finally got back on the road. At that point we finally made it to Great America (it was about 12:30 at this point, a good 2.5 hours after we had initially left.)

Great America was your typical day at a theme park; rollercoasters, screaming, laughing, and quality time in line with friends.

The ride home was pretty interesting, though. You see, I have a remote control for my radio/CD player, so I thought I would play a little prank on Tim. I handed the remote to Angela in the back seat when Tim wasn't looking. The incident went something like this:

Me: Hey Tim, wanna see a magic trick?
Tim: Sure
Me (in a tone that would only be appropriate for a street magician): CD PLAYER . . . Track 15.
(at this point Angela changes the track to track 15).
Tim: What the heck?!?!

We kept this going for about 2 minutes before Tim tried to do it himself. When I informed him that the Cd player only responded to my voice the jig was up. the rest of the ride home was a bit more peaceful, on account of our slowly dying energy levels.


PART II: MCHENRY SKATE SHOOT.





After Tim and I had recovered from Six Flags, we picked up Max, Ethan, Chris, and a few of Tim's other skate buddies and headed back up to McHenry to shoot some skate shots. After getting politely excused from a few locations, we finally settled in at an elementary school with a nice double stair set. From there it was a typical skate shoot; lots of falling, profanity, and the underlying alarm of constantly being on the lookout for cops. We didn't stay long though, because we had to catch Pirates 3 at the Drive-in.

PART III: FIRST DRIVE-IN OF THE SUMMER.



The Drive-in always detaches me from reality. I don't think the Drive-in has changed one bit since it opened (god knows how long ago that was), so whenever I am there I feel like I am in a scene from The Outsiders. My mom had popped all of us a big bag of her famous popcorn (which was almost completely devoured by the time the movie actually started). The movie was really good, and the ambiance of the Drive-in and the company of friends definately enchanced the whole experience.

After the Drive-in we had some difficulties getting all of the car seats back into Tim's van (we had taken out all of his seats so we could sit on them on the gravel). We decided to just throw all the seats in the van and drive to a gas station in search of better lighting. We had some difficulty getting the seats back in despite the better lighting, but I think that had something to do with everyone skating around the gas station instead of attempting to reassemble the van. Finally, we got everything straightened out and made it safely home by 1am.

Part IV(ish):

I really hope summer keeps up this same kind of momentum. Today was so long, eventful, and exhausting that it was hard not to smile for the entirety of it. This seems like the makings of a memorable summer.

Slept in . . .

Angela called me and woke me up at 1pm today. It was nice to catch up on all my lost hours of sleep.

I picked up Tim, and we met Angela and a ton of other people at the part for volleyball and soccer.

After that Angela and Tim came over and we watched Pirates 2. I wanted to go see Pirates 3 but it was sold out for the show that they were going to (But that's fine because I think I'm seeing it at the drive-in tomorrow). After they left, Max and I hungout.

Max and I went to the thrift store, and walked around McHenry to take some pictures.

The ride home was phenominal. Windows rolled down, Rilo Kiley blasting, rain soaking the interior of my car. I think I smiled all the way home.

We went to Frank's later and met up with Frank, Dan, Korea, and Britt. We watched Full Metal Jacket for the third time in two days. I love that movie (Best Vietnam movie, in my opinion).

Around 11 I met Angela, Tim, and Lisa at Steak and Shake. We had some good laughs and great conversations.

On top of the world . . .

Today the seniors (that's me) had to return to school for a brief time period for graduation practice. Everytime I looked at someone, I subconciously thought, "This may very well be the last time I ever see this person." It was weird, but not weird because I won't be seeing these people or walking the halls of South, it was weird because it hasn't hit me yet. I don't feel like I'm never going back again, I know I'm not, but it just doesn't feel like it.

Anyway, after practice a bunch of us went out for breakfast. We were talking about some fond old memories, when I thought I'd try this line out; "Hey, remember that time in high school?" That line kind of took everyone back, I had intended it to be a joke, but even I found myself in awe after I said it. I think that was the first time it really hit most of us there at the table.

After breakfast, Tim and Angela came over and we went to see Spider-man 3. I dunno how I feel about it. The good parts were REALLY good, but the bad parts were painfully corny.

The rest of the day was spent at Frank's house, hanging out with a fairly large group of individuals. The first picture of today is from on top of Frank's roof.

As the night came to a close, Frank and I went to Jamie Sack's house to hangout with everyone there.

If this is what summer's going to be like, then I can't wait!

Last real day of school!!!!

FINALLY! Today was my last actual school day of high school, and I could not be happier. I know down the line I'm gonna miss it, but right now I really don't see how that is possible.

Off on a tangent . . .

As I was walking home from Frank's house tonight I happened to look at the "spade" tree. You see, there is this tree on the walk from my house to Frank's and it looks exactly like a spade from a deck of cards. At the point of the spade there was always this goofy branch that stuck straight up and only had one leaf at the very top. This leaf always amused me because it was like the one lucky leaf who had the best view in the house, he was the king of the leaves. As I was admiring the spade tree tonight I realized that the goofy branch at the top was gone, and so was the leaf. I don't know why, but this kind of depressed me. That one leaf had it made. Out of all of the other leaves, this leaf was the one that stood out, the king of the hill so to speak. Not seeing that leaf up there really shook me up for some reason, and I have no idea why. But I'm going to stop writing about this irrelevant instance because I feel like Holden Caulfield.

More Skate shots . . .

I got some really cool pictures of Tim, Kevin, and their friends skating, but they got lost between the camera and the computer. I'm kinda bummed, but we're gonna go back and get them again soon.

Also, today was the CLS art show. I got my own booth, which was exciting.

Oh, Sunday . . .

Worked for a bit today.

Then spent the rest of the day hanging out with Frank, Max, Ethan, Dan, and Korea.

I will NEVER play monopoly with Korea ever again.

New Lens!

Today I worked all day, but I was very excited because my new 1.8 lens came in.

I spent alot of work playing with it and talking to a slew of visitors I had all day.

After work we went to Liz's mom's house for Ethan's Suprise Alien Birthday Bash! Ethan wasn't so much surprised as he was terrified.

BOTB and Meet the Deans

Today was an eventful day.

I missed the first half of school setting up for and enjoying meet the Deans.

after school was Battle of the Bands. Bott's Band performed pretty well, but that didn't really matter because I had so much fun doing it. It was awesome looking up at the judge's booth and seeing a giant smile on Mr. Bott's face.

Walked to school today . . .

My parents let me sleep in today, so when I finally had to go to school I decided I would walk and enjoy the weather.

I found enjoyment chasing geese on the way.

Work then Geriatrics show . . .

I think these are some of my best live-performance pictures to date.

I'm quite proud of these.

Last choir concert of the year . . .

Today was decent.

I laughed alot, but I can't remember at what.

Although, there is one thing kind of upsetting me right now. Chuck Palahniuk (Who's new book Rant I finished today) is doing a book signing tomorrow downtown, but I have to work so I can't go.

Luckily, My good friend Lauren Freeburg is taking my book down with her so Chuck can sign it for me!

FOR SPARTA!

Helped Richie and Dan film a physics video today.

Saw some old faces (Greg and Alex)

Then had Bott's Band practice.

Battle of the Bands Friday!!!

Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!!!!!!!

Unfortunately, I had to work almost all day, but I got to spend some great quality time flower shopping with my mom. I think she appreciated me coming even though she knew how much I hate flower shopping in the spring.

Flowers never smell nice to me, even if they are pretty.

P.S. I happen to think that picture of Maizy sticking her snout in the lens is quite funny.

Mr. CLS

Well, I won Mr. CLS.

It was an honest and complete surprise for me, but I am definately proud. It is a great honor.

Thank you to everyone who helped me with my talent, and a very special thank you to everyone at my surprise party afterwards.

You are all great friends, and although I am now the king, I will never forget my loyal subjects (haha, joking).

Mr. CLS practice then Around the Clock

Had a long Mr. CLS practice today.

Afterwards Ethan and I met up with Angela, Tim, and a few of Angela's friends from work for a late night Around the Clock fix and some good conversation.

My own studio . . .

Today I was bored in photos class so I turned the classroom into my own photography studio; complete with lights, backgrounds, and stools.

We always have a good time in that class.