it's been quite a while, yes indeedy

Acting on my education, living life to the fullest as much as possible.

'Pictures' section is still WAY outdated (last album is from January; there are at least 25 more since then, and growing). But life is too precious, right now, to spend time uploading pictures.

What exactly am I doing with it? In brief:

...for the summer:

-(open water) swimming
-running (San Francisco Marathon)
-ab/using Meetup.com
-teaching myself Latin
-reading esoteric/eclectic literature
-watching esoteric/eclectic films & documentaries
-experimenting with veganism (again)
-supporting my dad's gigs
-cleaning my dad's house
-brainstorming post-college Gameplans
-networking

...whilst enjoying The Moment as much as possible.

Here's a picture of me from my July 4th 10K race: click here
I expected 40th, took 3rd, and missed 2nd by ONE SECOND!

For those really interested in what I've been up to...

...mostly via Meetup.com (which has been a godsend):

-trampoline arena (jump/flip with strangers on interconnected trampolines for an hour)

-urban-gardening party (potluck at someone's house with a drum circle and BBQ. House is sponsored by SJSU to grow organic food that is given to the cafeteria)

-metaphysical society July 4th potluck (group of 20+ strangers that are into all kinds of spirituality. Great array of veggie/vegan/meat-lover foods, and a gorgeous hillside view of the bay (area) from which we watched July 4th fireworks of 6+ demonstrations)

-San Jose running group (I ran the San Ramon 10K on July 4th with one of the members, and will run the SF Marathon with him as well)

-Opera sampler (free event to give sample arias from upcoming operas)

-'Karaoke & Dance' event (no non-danceable songs allowed to be sung)

-drum circle meetup

-Splash'n'Dash biathlon (1500m swim, 5k run)

-Catfish open swim (3.6mi swim; I was sent wrong information, showed up late, and luckily swam only 1.2mi)

-3 days/week lap-swimming at Santa Clara Int'l Swim Center

-YNOW inGroup session (San Francisco youth group emphasizing sensuality and human connectedness. Interesting, but never again)

-"Tarangini" Indian dance performance ('left early; very disappointed)

-Club Rodeo line-dancing (with some famous country band [live])

UPCOMING
-BBQ Potluck & Swim (running group organizer's house)
-Silent Film night (4 films for $5 at some old theatre)
-49er training camp (FREE)
-Gilroy Garlic Festival (seriously: garlic ice cream)
-"All Shook Up" musical (Shakespeare meets Elvis)
-Tour de San Francisco (as much as one group can cram into San Francisco: Segway tour, Alcatraz tour, Chinatown, museums, "famous movie locations" tour, trolley tour, etc.)
-meetup with a guy I met at the metaphysical potluck to discuss long-term, societal planning/requirements
-San Francisco Marathon
-Swimart.com 'Treasure Island swim'
-Rosicrucian Museum events
a. "Humanity's Interstellar Destiny" discussion
b. Intro to Hieroglyphics
c. Ancient Egyptian cooking class
d. Ancient Egyptian cosmetics
e. Wonders of Mesopotamia (e.g. contributions)
-Battle of the Sexes laser tag!

...and probably more, but I've also got to sleep, clean my dad's house (it's a mess), and read/watch esoteric literature/films!

The only bummer is that I don't really have anyone to relax with. All of the socializing takes place at events, so it's 'go out and socialize, stay in read/watch.' It'd be nice to just hang with people, at a house, during the week (I'd very willingly sacrifice movie/book time).

Anyway, time to get off this life-draining device.

PEACE!
-gM

P.S. All of the above has happened since I arrived in California, late June. Before that was wonderful: a week in NYC with my friends and family in Connecticut; nonstop social banter. Then a week in Colorado with my mom and highschool buddies; also nonstop social banter and random activities.
It was in Colorado I first discovered meetup.com, and went to the Denver Philosophical Society potluck, which was amazing; 25+ people ranging from 19-70, discussing the Greats and not-so-Greats of philosophy, religion, etc. I got into a debate with some guy about capitalism at a related meetup in Colorado, but that was kind of draining. haha!

conclusion
awesome, pre-"Real World," explorative summer full of the ups and downs of trying lots of new things (such as letting go of old, comforting-only-because-they're-familiar-but-still-comforting things). Life goes on & on & on!

Love,
gM