Day 168 ::: Livin' the Dream

I was recently asked why i would choose to live in a mini-van. I often joke around about trying to save money, or wanting to enjoy the "urban camp life," but this is the honest reason:

I had graduated college with the hope of becoming an art director. But a ginormous student loan, coupled with living expenses really made that dream impossible. And I ended up having to take the first descent and stable paying job I could find. But the plan was always to polish up my portfolio and build my savings enough just until I could afford the risks that would come with being a freelance art director.

Fast-forward two years, and I still wasn't anywhere near accomplishing my goal. Each month I would barely squeak by while slowly burying myself further into credit card debt. Eventually I came to the conclusion that if I was ever going to become an art director, I'd have to make a major change somewhere... Enter in the Goose.

Well, I've recently made the crossover into art director land and am currently paying my dues at the bottom of the totem pole. And I'm loving every second of it (including the late nights, much like this one.) It's really been a humbling experience to have finally "made it" as the saying goes. Two and a half years of being surrounded by your dream daily and not being able to grab hold of it really has a way of casting self-doubt.

Anyways, life for me has never been sweeter. I get to work in a job that I've only been able to dream about; in a place surrounded by people that are so easy to fall in love with. I joke around with my friends about it a lot; probably to the point where they don't take me serious anymore. But I really am "living the dream." Or maybe it's more appropriate to say, I'm living my dream. My only regret is not coming up with the van idea sooner. :)

So after everything, why am I still in living in the Goose? Well, the new plan is to save up for a sailboat and live in the marina. But I'll save that one for another blog.

Day 160

Feelin' much better today. Not really sure what the last couple days were really about. But for now, life is gravy. . . gravy on top of chicken fried steak. . . deep fried. . . twice. . . with a side of mashed potatoes for dipping. mmmmmmm.

Day 157

I woke up this morning just really feeling down on life. Which is strange 'cause everything has been going so well lately; work especially. But when I woke up, it was as if everything that could normally sadden me decided to hit me all at once. I didn't even know where to start focusing. Even now as I'm writing this blog, my thoughts are everywhere and nowhere at once. I've even had one of Jon Foreman's more melancholy songs playing on a loop the last few hours which has helped some.

Maybe that's what's missing. Since moving into the goose, I haven't been playing nearly as much as I used to. Whenever i used to get bummed out about things, I would just sit down in front of a piano or mess around on the guitar for a few hours, and by the end, I would usually have everything sorted out.

Anyways, not sure where I'm really going with any of this. But I guess this is the first time since I've been living out of my van that I've been down is all.

Day 147

I got a surprise call from my friend Allan while at work today. We met in 7th grade when he was making fun of the fact that I listened to classical music, and we've been friends ever since. Allan's another one of those few friends that I can say has changed my life. He has a tremendous heart and this uncanny ability of making you open up your entire life story to him. It sounds nutty, but it's true. We didn't always see eye to on everything growing up, but what makes Allan great is that what you see is what you get. There really isn't an ounce of superficiality or dishonesty in this guy. If anything, Allan is almost TOO honest and open. If Allan has an opinion about something, you're going to hear it whether you want to or not. Which to be honest, is really refreshing to have in my life. Whenever I was out of line or being dumb, Allan was always the first person to snap me back in place.

After dinner, Allan and his family drove off to big bear, so I decided to hang out in the marina to watch the sunset before going to a goodbye party for a friend. It was great just being by the dock listening to seagulls and the sounds of boats swaying gently in the water. I must've been there for at least a couple hours.

I don't think I've mentioned it here in my blog yet, but while I was in Barcelona, I got this idea of getting a sailboat and living in the marina. It was last May when this seed of an idea was planted in my head, but the desire to do so has been growing ever since. The plan is to save up until the beginning of next summer, get certified, buy a boat and then find a slip so I can live in the marina. I can't live in the goose forever you know. ;)

Oh yeah, before I forget, while i was parked by the marina, I noticed the other mosquito fly out the sunroof! Granted, I would've enjoyed smashing him with my fly swatter, but at this stage, I'll take what I can get.

Day 146 ::: False Alarm

I woke up around 4:30ish this morning to the sound of buzzing around my ears, and a few more bites on me. I would cry, but I think they've already sucked out all the tears from my tear ducts.

Day 145 ::: War with a Mosquito Part V - The Final Chapter

As I suspected, the fly from yesterday wasn't the "Real" Dash. I woke up to the sound of buzzing around 4:30ish this morning along with a couple more bites, but on the face this time. And as always, Dash managed to elude me.

However, around 7:30 this morning, as I was getting ready to go for a bike ride, I noticed Dash resting on the ceiling. It was serendipity. While still keeping my focus on Dash, I quickly grabbed one of my fly swatters. For a moment, I thought about also grabbing my video camera to record this moment. But then I came to the conclusion that the chance of Dash getting away again wasn't worth it; not by a long shot.

Anyways, here are some photos of the "Real" Dash. Adios foolio!

The "Real" Dash.


Here's the scene of the crime.

Day 144 ::: War with a Mosquito Part IV - Sweet Sweet Victory?

I woke up this morning with yet another bite on my forearm. And as I was making my short 50 yard drive to work in defeat, I heard a buzzing sound. There was a fly wedged between the dashboard and the windshield.

Could this be Dash? He looked a lot bigger than the quick glimpses I'd see of him in the middle of the night. But then again, it was always dark and I never had my contacts or glasses on. Maybe Dash wasn't a mosquito? Maybe he was a fly instead? Needless to say, when I parked the van, I quickly crawled to the rear of the van and grabbed both of my fly swatters. And within a minute, Dash was dead. I don't think I've ever been, nor will I ever be as satisfied with killing an insect as I was with this one.

There's still that small part of me that doubts whether or not this was the "real" Dash; but I guess I'll know that answer for sure tonight. But in the meantime, I think I'll enjoy my victory.

Final Score: Dash-19, Justin-still breathing

Day 142 ::: War with a Mosquito Part III

The war continues between Dash and me. I named him Dash because that's how he attacks. First he takes his bite, and then he dashes away.

This morning, I experienced his worst bite to date. It was on my left eyelid, and it was so severe that it actually swelled. I really want to get this little guy. Some friends have suggested that I use a bug spray or even an electric lamp. But it's been so many days and so many bites now, that i really NEED the satisfaction of destroying "Dash" with my bare hands.

Day 139 ::: War with a Mosquito

So for a little over a week now, there's been this mosquito camping out inside the goose. It really didn't bother me too much in the beginning. In fact, I would even leave the windows and sunroof cracked open so that he could make his way outside to freedom. Sure I could hear him buzzing around sometimes during the middle of the night, but I never really let it get to me.

However, lately, he's been making a meal out of me. Eleven different occasions to be exact. I thought he left last weekend after I had thought was a thorough cleaning of the van; I even washed the curtains. But alas, around 2am in the morning, he resurfaced our of the darkness. And once again, taunted me by buzzing around, waiting until I'd fall asleep to make his move.

Tonight's going to be different though. After work gets out, I'm gonna pick up some bug spray and a good ol' fashioned fly swatter. Then we'll see who gets to have the last laugh tonight. MUHAHAHA!

Day 128 ::: San Diego International Wine Competition

This weekend has certainly been one of my more gluttonous ones in a while. But this afternoon truly was an exception. My parents and I went to the rooftop terrace of The Westgate Hotel where the San Diego International Wine Competition held a benefit for a non-profit group called: Camp Oliver. Their goal is to "provide facilities and a safe caring environment for children and adults so they can appreciate and value themselves, others, and the natural world around them."

There was a giant rectangular water fountain in the center that was surrounded by tables and tables filled with a variety of wine selections from different vineyards as well as hors d'oeuvres from some of the more prominent high end restaurants in San Diego. It really is something when Ruth's Chris Steakhouse is one of the low-end establishments represented, 'cause they brought their "A" game as well. But in my humble opinion, all of the other restaurant's blew Ruth's Chris out of the water.

I also got to meet Chef Brian from "Top Chef Season 3" while I was there too. He served this grilled spicy garlic shrimp dish that explains why he is a "seafood" guy. It really was quite amazing.


Day 127 ::: Switchfoot Bro-AM and the UFC

Today really was a perfect day.

I spent the first part of it hanging out at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas for Switchfoot's 4th Annual Bro-AM. This year, all proceeds went to a non-profit group called "StandUp For Kids," which is an organization that helps get homeless teens off the streets and better equip them for the world.



The event was part surf contest, part concert. The surf jousting competition was pretty memorable. And watching the drummer from "A Fine Frenzy" playing both the guitar and drums simultaneously really stood out in my mind. While there, I also had the chance to meet up with some friends from college that i haven't seen in perhaps a year, and some even longer than that. It was great getting to catch up with some of the north county kids again; I really don't visit them as much as I should.

Oh yeah, and Switchfoot of course rocked it as always :)



After the Bro-Am, I drove down to Carmel Mountain, scarfed down a california burrito from Sombrero's, and then headed to Josh and Jess's condo to watch the UFC fights. It was my first time visiting their place since they moved in. It's a very cozy condo, and it was a real trip seeing what would soon be Baby Miles's room, who should be arriving within the next month or so.

There were about nine of us there scattered around the living room, and Jess was such a trooper the entire time. Besides preparing a ton of snacks, she also baked us cookies so we could have ice-cream sandwiches too! I really think coming back to Josh and Jess's to watch the fights needs to become a habit.

Day 126 ::: chillaxin' with the carmitchel's

After work was done, I hopped in the goose and headed down to San Diego for the weekend. And like always, I swung by Santana's before making it to my parent's place.

I met up with my oldest friend Patrick and his family while there. Pat and I met on a dodgeball court when we were still in elementary school. And after graduating high school, we shared a two-bedroom apartment out in Vista for a while. Oh how I miss the 3am runs to Food For Less for those 12 top ramein packs for $1 specials.

Patrick's definitely one of those life changing kind of friends. A lot of who I am and the type of person I want to become is because of him. His overall sense of faithfulness and perseverance are just a couple qualities I'm still trying to model. His wife Kelli is equally amazing, and is just so loving and full of this adventurous spirit. I can't imagine two people more perfect for one another. They're son Payden only entered the world about 7 or 8 months ago, and he is already just so full of life. It's going to be a real joy watching him grow up.

Day 123

You ever have a moment in your life where you’re not sure if it was a dream, or if it actually happened? I had an experience like that last night; or at least I think I did.

I woke up in the middle of the night and could hear a couple guys on the sidewalk. One of them asked the other, “Who puts a club on a Previa?” Then I heard a couple of chuckles followed by the sounds of footsteps walking past me.

Maybe this happened and maybe it didn’t. If it was just a dream, then great. But if it did happen, then that means last night, people were scouting out the goose. . . oy vay.

Day 122

Last night, just as I was about to go to bed, I noticed a pretty good portion of my mattress was completely drenched. Somehow, one of my water bottles cracked opened and leaked over anything. ARGGGHHH!

Day 89

Last night was an interesting one. I left Chiat around 11:30ish only to find an RV parked in my normal parking spot; so I parked behind this boat instead. Just as I finished putting up my curtains, a car pulled up in the space directly behind me. With an apartment complex across the street and a bunch of office buildings nearby, cars would come and go all the time. Only this time, the car just stayed there.

I initially thought it was a cop car taking down my info. But after a few minutes, the headlights and engine were turned off. However, I still didn’t hear the sound of any car doors opening or closing. I decided to take a peak. So as ninja like as I could, I looked through a very small window gap in between the ceiling and my rear curtain.

It was dark outside, but I could see a gray sedan parked behind me. The inside of the sedan was pretty dark as well, but I was able to make out a girl’s white t-shirt in the passenger seat. I immediately ducked down in case she would notice me.

“Maybe I didn’t hear the driver get out of the car?” I thought, “why else would someone be sitting in the passenger seat of a car so late at night?”

A few more minutes passed as I sat there quietly waiting. Normally I would have just gone to sleep, but I still had to take out my sleeping bag. It’s goose down with a nylon exterior, so any shuffling or movement of the bag makes a lot of noise. Coupled with some cracked open windows, any interaction with my sleeping bag would give me away for sure.

I heard some faint noises from outside, so I decided to take another peak at the car behind me. Only this time, the white shirt was horizontal. Was it possible no one was even in the car? Maybe the shirt was just hanging on the passenger seat before, and it fell down somehow. But then where were those noises coming from?

I checked again just to be sure. But now, the horizontal shirt was bobbing up and down! I’ll let you figure out the math.

There wasn’t much else I could do. So I just sat there in silence staring at my sleeping bag listening to the faint sounds of baby making behind me. A little after midnight, I heard the car start up and drive off into the moonlight; and I was finally able to setup my sleeping bag and catch some zzz’s.

Day 66

I hung out for a few hours in my storage unit today. I packed everything in a way so that it feels like a living room. No one was moving in or out, so I had the entire place to myself. Did a little clean-up, organized some files and played my guitar. All in all, it was a pretty good morning.

Day 59

Today I managed to move everything I own from a large storage unit to a smaller one by myself. You can call me “Hercules.”

Day 43

Came up with a new strategy for parking this morning. I’ve noticed a couple RV’s parked on the same street that I do lately, and I’m assuming there’s probably a few people doing the same thing that I’m doing. So the strategy is this: park somewhat near these vehicles, so that if a cop is patrolling the area for overnight campers, they’ll most likely notice and scope out the RV before checking out the van.

Day 41

I woke up abruptly this morning when a car hit the goose. And before I could even pull down the curtains to see how it happened, the car was gone. Arrrrgghh! Such is life I suppose. Fortunately, the damage was pretty minimal. Above the rear-driver side wheel are some tiny scrapes and a couple small white dens which leads me to believe that it was a white car that dinged the van.