"You're better winded than to stay/staying in place..."

First post in quite some time. My apologies to those that actually do have some interest in what I have to say.

I lost my first election in November, if you didn't know by now, heh. I was hoping to be the youngest legislator in the South Carolina House this session, but I didn't have enough time and money to convince more people to support me by their votes. I plan to run in 2012, and have no intention of losing like I did last year, especially when I know that Bannister doesn't care about improving the state for everyone.

With that loss, I have been without a job since the precincts reported. It's a very frustrating situation that I know so many are dealing with as well. I have had close encounters with having a decent job, but they've not come to fruition as of yet.

I also have had to deal with bizarre events in my social life, including a loss of a former friend from something blown way out of proportion. Currently, I have two friends - er, acquaintances that feel I and two of my friends have not been good to them..., that we have not lived up to their expectations of us. It is baseless, and I will take that to my grave if necessary. We all love each other, and it's been my intention since our group, Tree Nation, was created, that we'd tough out all the bullshit and continue as actual friends. For the most part, I feel like we've succeeded. We had our sixth annual Christmas - ironic that i call it that considering not all of us are Christians - party and it was enjoyable as usual. We haven't seen some parts of the group in some time, so some start to question if they really can be considered "part of the group." I would say that they are. Life may take us out of Greenville where we all met, but we still have connections. And hopefully those connections are worth something to everyone I consider and want to be a friend.

I hate that I'm done with school. Not for academic reasons, but I feel like I needed more time to make a larger mark on campus. I miss my friends, and the groups I adored. I wish I would have had more time to play music with Michelle, Lorena, and Brittany J. Hopefully The Summer After can reunite and put something together in the future.

Speaking of music, I reunited with the members of my first band, Gama Amplia, back in October. I had proposed doing a one-off album to Nick, the bassist, but he was wary of such actions. I can't say that I blame him. It seemed like something that never would happen, but we did it. We played in a music room down at USC, and had good portions of that playing recorded. He, Mat, and Rachel have met again, as well as just he and Rachel, but Gama Amplia has not been in the same room since. I figured it would be a slow process to get anything off the ground, and that our musical differences could get in the way. And because of that, I've decided to put out some solo music, with the intention of having my first album completed and released by the end of this year, hopefully sooner. It will be titled "Study War No More." I often feel like the three of them as a band would work more efficiently, leaving me the odd person out. As long as I have somewhere to express myself - and even if it means I don't play my music with a consistent group of musicians - I may be able to settle with just drumming for Gama Amplia.

Unfortunately, I failed my license test again yesterday. I know, I should have had it years ago and wanted to, but family matters got in the way. Nevertheless, I know how to drive, but I was confused by a direction given to me yesterday, and that sent the whole test down the damn drain. Rage./ I can try again in two weeks, which is okay, though I think should be able to try again much sooner. Once I get that, though, I might be getting a car in relatively rapid succession, which is good. There are so many people I want to see and places I'd like to go that all of my friends have had the opportunity to do on their own for years. My day needs to come, and soon.

Before I go, I am happy to report the improving of my overall ability to play basketball and my membership in a three/four-person basketball team known as the Monarchs. My friends David, Caitlin, and myself decided after countless times of playing Horse that we should be a streetball team and eventually take on other area teams. Not gonna lie, we still aren't anywhere close to good, but our game has improved drastically, and the chemistry is good. Look out, Greenville.

Monarch out.