I have been in San Diego for five months and lets say I have been riding different waves of life since Ive been here. Some waves have had the perfect barrel to ride it out, others have just crashed down right on me and whooped my ass. Unfortunately there has been more waves kicking my ass then there is me riding them out. Now a close to perfect swell has come in and I have been shredding perfect wave after perfect wave...
In the Beginning,
Cole (aka the Fletchmister) and I have been here in beautiful Pacific Beach since January 7th. We left at 5:30 a.m. January 7th and hit the dark roads, still possibly hungover from our going away party or sick from the $80 bill a few of us racked up from Jack in the Box that night to which we ate about $15 of the food, but hey 40 tacos and every burger on the menu along with a steak burrito and mozzarella sticks always sounds so delicious.... at 4 a.m...I guess. Anyway... When we left my parents house in Minden, it was a brisk 35 degrees and I had a long sleeve shirt, leather jacket, long socks, comfy jeans and a beanie to keep my hair warm. I have never drove a big moving truck and didn't think it was going to be so bad. I have a hard time in cars or in trucks if I am in the back seat or stuck in traffic because I get a lot of anxiety, I don't know why I just do. The drive through the mountains and open roads was actually not a terrible experience. It was easy, a huge truck to myself and thankfully it had an auxiliary cord so I could plug my phone in, have my music, and sing my heart out to the steering wheel.
Then it was as if I arrived in the city of Impissedoff on the GTFO my way freeway in the desert of Road Rage, California. Construction everywhere, two lanes, an extreme amount of cussing and explicit content music due to the fact I am in this massive truck, my anxiety is through the roof, and Im ready to start bustin fools in my yellow truck. It was a whole new anxiety experience, just me in this massive truck, passing bigger 18-wheelers just a couple inches away from me and staying in this one lane on a bumpy road while construction is causing everyone to engage in road rage. To which I could just crush the little minion cars who get in my way. There is no highway this day, thus it is only my way and move b**** get out da way. Unless one is driving an 18-wheeler then its obviously only their way...and Ill gladly get out of their way.
Finally we get into Pacific Beach and once again Im heated because finding parking is like trying to find the holy grail. Which instead I just parked this massive truck in the ally behind our apartment because I do what I want and didn't care anymore as long as I was out of the damn truck. When I step out with all my warm clothes on, instantly begin sweating because it was 80 degrees out! Perfect weather for the middle of winter time. Now we have to move everything in the truck to inside our apartment. Moving is God's way of showing us on earth of how horrible hell is. It's punishment and after a long 10 hour drive all I want is a nice cold beer and some sand under my feet. But we move everything in and let it sink in that we are actually living in San Diego now and a new book is just about to be opened.
When I decided that I was going to move away from everything and completely start over I knew it was going to be a huge test for me, and thats exactly what it has been for me since I have been here. When I was in Reno and thought how amazing San Diego is going to be when I get there was just a partial illusion. Sure, San Diego is amazing and I am so grateful to be here but It wasn't as great as I had hyped it up to be after being here.
The first couple months were a party, honestly just a damn party where we went to the gym during the days of the week just to feel like we were getting jacked in order to blow money all weekend. Also the first couple months, almost every weekend we had friends visit. Which was incredible and we had great times and experiences with everyone who came and our doors are always open to whomever wants to visit, but we got distracted. Money was running out and we needed to find jobs. Cole found a job pretty quick, or well faster then I did and he began working everyday. But had the weekends off, and I didn't see him much and I was also still trying to get settled and figure things out. I was alone all the time and mentally started to beat myself up and this is where things started to get rough for me.
I spent a lot of time by myself. Which consisted of a lot of thinking, conversations with myself, "what am I doing with my life" moments and just being mentally knocked down. I was applying to lots of jobs, hearing really nothing in return. I would wake up, ride my bike to the gym, and come home. Thats it, I guess I was getting depressed or in a state of depression because I didn't want to do anything and felt as if moving here was a bad idea. Then also there were things that I have always dealt with at home becoming what seemed to be worse. Which I have dealt with my whole life, but just being away made me felt helpless. I missed everything about Reno and home. Being able to call up any one of my friends and be able to go do something. Just having social interactions and having fun having or the luxury of always having someone around. I was considering just moving home and just calling it quits. Although the weekends were fun and I was able to get out and about I just feel like I kept falling down and wasn't going anywhere and was going to find myself getting caught up in the wrong situation and really hitting a rock bottom. And on top of that I was pretty much broke and the jobs I were applying for were giving me no answer. Thankfully, this was just all a test.
I always refer to God throwing curve balls at me. Except these curve balls he was throwing keeps striking me out every time or hitting me where it counts and I could barley make down the first base line. Everything was being tested, my patience, my faith, my mental game and it just seemed as if I was going down. But there is always a defining point, How was I going to respond to which life had its tightest grip on me squeezing me to which I was just going to pop like a grape and then be eaten. I once heard to be your best in your darkest moment... Life is never that bad, it is amazing (I could write a whole other post for that) but when the candle light almost dimmed right out... a little grasp of hope found its way through the darkest of clouds and majestically shined down upon my face to give me a breath of life...
Some of the best things in life come unexpectedly and that is exactly what happened to me. When I was applying for jobs I came across a fancy seafood house in La Jolla. It reminded me a lot of where I used to work at Sterling's except this was in La Jolla... downtown La Jolla, La Jolla being one of the wealthiest places in the country. Anyway, I applied online and I went in the next night to drop off a resume as well and just get my face in there. In order to get there I had to ride the bus 30 minutes which was my first experience of transit system. But when I got there a manager wouldn't see me cause they were too busy, they told me to come back the next day earlier. SO I did. Exactly at the time they told me, I was there. Freshly shaved head, suited up, looking like I was attending a red carpet event in order to get a job. The restaurant was only open to step in and make reservations, this time so I thought for sure I could see a manager. Once again, they wouldn't see me... I just gave my resume to the hostess and asked if they could just pass it on to the managers. Right there I thought to myself, well that was a waste of time and lost faith in that job.
Then I continued applying to tons of jobs, all kinds of jobs, I was even thinking of just dancing on the corner with a little bucket to try to get some cash income..but I didn't. Then one night I was doing homework for my favorite subject ever, español, which es spanish for Spanish, while watching March Madness when I get a phone call. The number pops up and says its from La Jolla, I ignore it cause Im stubborn with answering numbers I don't know. They leave a message and it's the manager from the seafood restaurant in La Jolla!!! And the managers name was Kyle as well, so I called right back and one thing led to the next. Three interviews later, I was finally hired at Eddie V's in La Jolla. BALLIN'
This place is pretty incredible and has a view that is priceless. It looks out over La Jolla Shores and out across the ocean. There is live jazz music every night. It is just an overall beautiful badass experience. Upstairs of the three story restaurant, there is an a amazing view. It looks out all over La Jolla and the shores then across the endless ocean. Down below the restaurant there are a ton of seals and sea lions that serenade the guest and of course the rest of the employees. Their whide ranged vocals sound kind of like a mix between a fork scratching a plate and an out of tune tuba. There are also these psycho swimmers that swim hundreds of yards out, it blows my damn mind. Some of the swells that come in have huge waves and these little dinky psycho freak swimmers are just swimming along. Im sure most of their inspiration comes from Dory in Finding Nemo. Also not to mention tons of famous people stop by and eat as well. SO far I have seen Mr. Stephen Curry himself and made sure I personally brought out all of his food, Shawne Merriman who plays line backer and defensive end for the Chargers, Corey Wootton who plays for the Vikings, and also lots of other awesome people and wealthy people as well. There is not a night when I get off work and don't see a Bentley, Rolls Royce, Lamborghini, Maserati or Ferrari parked outside. Its it pretty cool and next time I go shopping for a car, it will most likely be in La Jolla at one of those dealerships....after I win the CA lotto of course then everybody gets a car!!! Thanks for the inspiration Oprah.
Now, life has been rollin. It has been such a blessing to live here and I enjoy everyday I am here. I work a ton, six days a week, but I usually don't have to go to work till later in the afternoon. Which leaves me with a whole day to myself to which I beat the hell out of the gym, surf in the ocean, lay out next to the bay or on the beach, explore as much as I can and just enjoy my days. On my days off, I try to go do something different whether its kayaking, hiking, drinking the amazing craft beers from SD, wandering around trying new restaurants out, and on and on since there in an endless list of activities to do here in the best city. So now things have picked up and I am very grateful for everything. It was just a test, how was I going to PROgress when my world just seemed to REgress. I also have made a big list of things to do in San Diego, such as swim with the sharks in La Jolla bay, go to the zoo, take a selfie with the seals, see tons of concerts, and many more things. Life has just taken off... totally brah.
Now.....
Being here in San Diego I have had to develop an ego check in order to ride the bus regularly. The beauty of riding the bus is that its cheaper then having a car and paying for gas. On the other side, the bus is quite the experience every single time I step onto it. From crazy crack heads to beautiful foreign girls. I never know what to expect. Sometimes the bus smells as if they are trying to grow marijuana in the back or there is a candle with the special scent of BO burning somewhere hidden. Maybe I should just start bringing a can of Febreze and a can of Lysol just to make it out of there alive. At times the bus is packed and uncomfortable. But I have had some interesting conversations with strangers about the most random things in life. Other times the bus is empty and I can sprawl out and get comfortable with the AC keeping me cool. But usually I am able to find a seat and I just put my headphones in and get lost in time. Bus rides home at night are way less stressful because usually no one is on the bus. I have my 8 Mile moments with hip hop playing in my ears and trying to convince myself to enter a rap battle or at least a lip sync battle... Anyway the bus has been a humbling experience and also it really is a great way to get around this beautiful city.
I don't know if anyone knows, but...ok SPOILER ALERT.... the weather here in San Diego is amazing. Since day one when we arrived to now, weather has not required me to wear a sweatshirt. Except one time when we visited Newport Beach and it got chilly at night and I may have randomly bought a nice sweater at a random store when I had one too many schooners at the bar... But I do notice my leather skin getting weaker now because there has been a few days where it has been only 65 degrees out and it feels chilly. Like dang, I may actually have to wear a long sleeve!! I wake up and head outside and if its chilly I am like, What is this shit...Its cold enough for me to wear a tee-shirt in stead of a tank top!! Usually the weather is 80 degrees... we have had a couple heat waves which it was 100 degrees out and I wanted to jump in a barrel of frosty beer but I couldn't I just drank the barrel of frosty beer instead as I was sweating just because I was breathing.
Schooners are the new thing for me. Its like a goblet of beer. As if you or me were a King....at a bar...drinking cheap $4 beers...from Mexico. Or a delicious Red Bull Vodka Slushy that is guaranteed to spice up your life. Personally I think it should be called the Spice Girl Slushy...but thats just my opinion. San Diego Ive heard is one of, or if not, the top craft beer brewing city. It is incredible... I eat everything California style. California Burritos, California Sandwiches, California californias. Basically just adds steak, avocado, fries and at times bacon. I also eat massive amounts of tacos, but I have shied away from Taco Tuesday because it usually just turns into Tequila Tuesday which eventually leaves me with What in the Hell Wednesday or Why do I like tequila Wednesday or pretty much Why Ill never drink again in the history of my life again Wednesdays. Moving forward, Ive been working my ass off in the gym and its definitely paying off. #gym #train #fitness #shredded #dedicated #Shredicated #gettingcutgettingbutt #ladybait #MANtana #repsforJesus #TheEmpireLiftsBack #TraptimusPrime...
RUNDOWN: It seems as if everyone is very kind here too, or just laid back and live the beach life. I mean I gave a random dude a high five while riding my bike the other day. Pretty cool. There is a legend named Slow-Mo who is here and his presence is guaranteed to light up your day. I hope one day you can see him and hear his story. I also have found it fun playing the CA lotto a few times a week, hopefully one day my persistence pays off. I have found meditation and yoga to be very helpful and positive for my life. I ate shit hard on my bike in the middle of the road in front of a lot of people, it hurt but I laughed, probably broke my wrist, all good. After summer, I believe we are moving to a house either on the beach or on this hill just south of La Jolla which is going to be awesome. And finally, our doors are still always open for whoever wants to visit.
Life is great and I am so grateful for the experience I have been moving through and to the stronger man I am being shaped into. I have also began to have an idea to what I want to do in life and I take little steps towards it each day, continually reaching goals and working to help others and spread the love. I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog and I thank you for those who do, it means a lot to me. Even though I don't write as much as I should I will continue to write when I can.
And one last thing before I wrap this up....
I obviously didn't make it home for graduation. I had planned everything out to return to Reno and participate in graduation and walk with everyone but I just couldn't make it happen. I was very upset about it, I even shed maybe two or three tears, but they were thick tears. It sucked I didn't make it back to Reno for graduation which I was looking forward to very much. But yes I have finished college...Finally. I will post another blog of my college years later but it was a good 6 1/2 year run and tons of memories that I will forever be grateful for. There were so many people that I wish I could have seen one last time before we all started post grad life and I hope to stay connected with lots of you. As of now...June 19th-23rd I will be returning to Reno, Tahoe, and Carson Valley. I most definitely can NOT miss the Rodeo, I would love to get a awesome day in at Tahoe, float the river, drink beers, slap wine bags and see as many people as I can. More details soon after I finish BUYING A CAR! Which is happening...really happening...I'm a big kid now! See you soon, much love and good vibes always.
