Milestone reached

So the big day for the big 3-0 came and went without a hitch or a worry. I had a most awesome day, thanks in particular to my wonderful girlfriend who made the day complete. But other than a number, what is the particular importance of decade birthdays? Why do they seem more important than any other birthday, or even just a regular day for that matter?

I didn't freak out, or run out and buy a red convertible...it was just another day for me. I took the day off because I could, and just sat at home and relaxed ALL DAY until it was time to pick my girlfriend up and go to dinner. We went to Topolobampo in downtown Chicago. If you've never been there, I'd highly recommend this restaurant (more than the sister/adjoining restaurant, Frontera Grill). Topolo is upscale Mexican cuisine, and I can begin to describe how wonderful the food is. It is a bit on the pricey side, but well worth the extra for a nice dining experience.

Anyway, events aside, who set 30, 40, 50 year birthdays as "milestones" anyway? What's the significance? If you're celebrating every decade, why not ever 5 years as well as being a big milestone? I know, stupid thought, but after the big deal everyone around me threw about being 30, I was just wondering...

Cheers,
Rocco

Vanity

At what point in our lives do we start to care what others think? I mean, isn't it enough that our parents (usually) love us for who we are? Why the need to try and impress those around us?

I have wondered about this for quite some time, because I personally don't really care what others thing. Once someone has made up their mind about you, there usually isn't much in the way of changing that perception. And I honestly don't care what strangers think about me because they don't know anything about me.

For example, I LOVE TOY STORES! There are so many things in there to play with. In truth, I am just a big kid...I'll admit it. The more toys, the more fun. The one thing I enjoy is going to a toy store and playing with everything...making the light sabers extend and make noises; pushing the toys that have the popcorn popper stuff in them; shooting the nerf guns; playing with the remote-control cars. However, when I do, I look around and see other "adults" giving me a weird look or looking down their nose at me. Which got me to wondering: are they ashamed that they want to do the same thing but will get the same looks I'm getting, are they jealous because I can find fun in a simple way, or do they really think poorly of me because I don't "act my age?" Is there an age that having fun in public is unacceptable? If so, I didn't get the memo.

The other thing I really enjoy is going to Galyan's (a.k.a. Dick's Sporting Goods) or other sporting goods stores just to try things out. My most enjoyable "shopping" experience was a couple of years ago I went with my cousin, Little E. We (mostly me though) played with EVERY SINGLE thing I could pick up, and he joined in. I played the foosball table, grabbed a lacrosse stick and ball and pegged E with it and told him to defend himself...which he did, but my throw was horribly off the mark to the point we had to move quickly to the other side of the store. I kicked soccer balls around with little kids (because I didn't figure the parents would do such a thing...because they're "adults"). I even helped some kid out who was looking for a skateboard helmet...and I've never skateboarded (of course, when he was asking questions, I had all the gear on from helmet to all pads, and such). The one thing that I was shot down on was trying to "ride the rapids!" In case your Galyan's is different than mine, the one that I go to has an escalator...and kayaks. We'll just leave it with...I was struggling trying to lift the huge kayak myself, and my cousin thought I might crash at the bottom.

This is how I have the most fun. When I'm there, it's just me in the store. I don't care who is around...I don't care who is looking...I don't care what faces they are giving me...I don't care what they are saying about me. I JUST DON'T CARE. They may think I'm not "acting my age", but at what point in your life do you forget to have fun? Is it the same time that you think that it is important to impress people with how you act, what you look like, how much money you make, how much your clothes cost, what kind of car you drive. I can probably guarantee you that the people who were giving me "the looks" probably had absolutly no idea what I do for a living...but see me having fun, dressed the way I do, and likely think that I should probably get a "real" job because maybe that will mature me. Maybe it's just that I'm not mature. Maybe it's just that I know how to have fun. I don't know where our paths in life have split, but I don't look at people like that, but I can see why people do.

I was driving downtown here in Chicago one day and saw a guy wearing a black leather jacket with silver studs, huge wallet with a chain, visible tattoos, mohawk haircut...you get the picture. My very first reaction was ALMOST "why don't you get a jo"...wait...I yelled out the window "be different, it's alright, don't give in" and meant it. It was refreshing to see someone else be different, even if it's just being different for being different's sake.

In the end, I'm going to do what I find fun, and when I do, I imagine that no one else is around...I have the whole place to myself to do and act how I want. I'll leave you with this: the next time you see someone acting silly/stupid/goofy/childish and just plain having fun, please note your reaction and I'd love to hear back from you as to what your reaction is and what made you have that reaction.

Cheers,
Rocco

Loss for words

I have been at a loss for words lately. I haven't been contemplating the intricacies of life, but have been totally engrossed in a wonderful relationship! She makes me forget everything around me and it's great. I forget to worry what work I'm going to have to take home and do there, I don't get mad as easily when I'm around her, and I smile WAY TOO MUCH...but these aren't complaints. For nearly 30 years, I've been pretty focused on my job and career, so this is a weird (but nice) change.

Well, enough rambling for me today. I'm going to think of something good to expound on for tomorrow. Until then, I'm going to enjoy the ride!

Cheers,
Rocco

Disturbing

Alright, I think I have just seen one of the most disturbing things...check it: horizontal corduroy. What will they think of next?

Enjoy,
Rocco

I'm staying put!

After several lengthy discussions over the last couple of days, I'm staying here in Chicago. As Will Hunting said so eloquently: "I gotta go see about a girl." As it turns out, it was an easier decision that what I thought it would be.

Perfection?

Perfect day:


Perfect night:


I took these pictures on my most recent west-coast swing. I have been trying not to look at them all day because I've been wondering why I came back. While it's not about the weather, it's about the feeling I get when I'm there. I have never felt anything so relaxing as just seeing the sun go down and the waves rolling in. There are times when everything's right with the world...then I have to leave.

I was born and raised in the midwest, but I'm not sure it's for me. While in California, I was asked by every single person I met why I'm so interested in Cali...my only response was that it just felt comfortable. I don't know how to explain it other than from the second I get out of the airport to the second I step back in I feel at home. There's just something that seems so right. I feel better, have a better attitude, and am generally a more pleasant person to be around (trust me, I have to spend 24/7 with me every day...).

I may soon have an opportunity to move to California. I have been looking forward to this for nearly 10 years now...but every time I'm ready to head out, something comes along to change things and I end up staying. I finally thought this was my chance, but something has come up that might change things again. All through my life I've always felt that I know the right thing to do - the right answer to every question or situation I've been in. This time is different. As much as I want to leave, there is someone that wants me to stay. This time it feels that no matter what decision I make, it will be the wrong one. The one time in my life I don't have the answer and don't know where to turn for help. In the end, it's my decision, but I don't know what to do. So, as much as I see perfection in these photos, I also see perfection in someone else, and to turn away one in favor of the other is the worst thing I've ever done because at this point, I don't think there will ever be another opportunity for either. Well, enough cheery thoughts from me today...enjoy the pics, I did!

UPDATE:

Yesterday was 80 and sunny...on Capistrano Beach! It was soooooo relaxing. I even got a slight sunburn (not surprising, given how fair my skin is). Never thought I'd ever say that in JANUARY. I am questioning why I'm staying in Chicago when I could live hear in heaven...

I spent last night on the balcony of the hotel as the sun went down. If you have never experienced sunset on the beach...waves rolling in as the burning blob lowers below the edge of the world, pictures just can't explain what you're missing. It is one of the most peaceful and relaxing experiences I've ever had. Nothing has ever made stress just disappear like that.

Today: 65 and mostly sunny. Too bad, started out pretty nipply but turned it around this afternoon.

Gotta head home tomorrow, so this is the last transmission from the left coast.

Cheers,
Rocco

I'm in heaven

Alright, it's California, but it feels like heaven and tomorrow morning it will look like heaven...but that's because my flight landed after it was dark. I landed, was tired, slowly made my way to baggage claim, then took the train to the rental car pick-up...then I was wide awake. Driving with the windows down, FRESH AIR AT LAST! No more processed air from a cooped-up office building or recycled airplane air...fresh, warm (comparatively) air. So what if I just drove straight to the hotel and haven't left to see any of the sights at night...I've got work to do; sightseeing is for tomorrow afternoon.

Anyway, the hotel is SWEET. I hang my shoes on the outside of the door and in the morning they will be returned all shined and everything. Too bad it's not like that at home...

Here's a link to what the rooms look like. I'm pretty stoked, because Saturday night I'm staying here! Even at night I will be able to sit out on the balcony, kick my feet up, watch the sun go down, IN JANUARY, without getting frostbite!

I'm debating on whether to cancel my flight home and just stay here...I'll see about that on Monday.

Cheers y'all,
Rocco

Goin' back to Cali!

I'm headed out to San Francisco tomorrow afternoon, then travelling southward to the OC Saturday morning for some fun in the sun in Southern Cali! I'm really looking forward to it because I miss southern cal so much, especially this time of year when it's really crappy outside in the windy city. I'm renting a car to drive from San Fran to Costa Mesa along the coast. I don't know of anything more theraputic than a nice long drive along the west coast with the windows down (preferably with the top down...if I had a convertible). I always seem to go out with some sort of cold or flu and come back without it and with alot more energy, so here's to some much-needed therapy!

Hopefully, it will look like this when I'm out there (yeah, that's La Jolla Cove, and I'll be a bit north of there...but still may visit anyway):


Cheers and HAPPY NEW YEAR,
Rocco