As I sat here in my bed contemplating what I am to write about - there sure are a ton of things flowing through my head right now and nearly an infinite number of things that has occured since my last post - I made up my mind to pick 3 things. Why 3? Well, because if I don't decide on a particular number of items to write about, I'd most likely not get to bed. Also because it's March 3rd... there you have it folks, the crazy inner-workings and logic that is my brain.
1.) I miss Apollo
Ever since I brought my boy back to Raleigh with me I've become that much closer to him than ever. He is my everything - almost like having a kid, y'know? Being away from him for 2 weeks is hard - particularly in finding someone to dogsit him. And not just anyone, someone competent and who knows how to care for a dog. As I've said, at times being a dog owner makes me feel like a dad/father and during this time away from him I've experienced yet another stage in "parenthood."
Apollo got sick for the first time in his life while Will was taking care of him. Coincidentally it was a few days right after I had left when Apollo came down with his sickness. At first we thought he just had an upset stomach, but as blood started coming out of him and he stopped eating - I became scared. The night when he got really bad, I was stressed and as worried as I've ever been in my whole life. He made it through the night without having to go to the emergency vet hospital and the following day Will took him to the doctor's where they ran tests and found traces of the Giardia parasite in his system. I won't go into details as to my suspicion of the polluted tap water around the apartment complex that I live in - let's just say I have my suspicions and I had to cool off for a day or two. Apollo's much better now after taking his perscribed medicine and is pretty much back to 100%.Franklin is currently looking after Apollo - walking him 3 times a day, feeding him, and giving Apollo the remainder of his medications. Caerleigh will be returning from her field visit Wednesday night, and will take over for Franklin starting Thursday. I really do appreciate both of them for looking after my boy - and am confident that Apollo is in good hands. I can't wait to get back on Friday night.
2.) Movies
I went to the nearby mall's movie theater this weekend and saw 2 movies: Semi-Pro and Vantage Point. In summary, I think Semi-Pro would've been funnier had I been seeing it with a crowd of friends who enjoyed basketball as much as me or with others who appreciates Will Farrell. The story itself was pretty linear and the jokes were there - but I think it could've been a hell of a lot better (or more of them). When I walked out, I think one word pretty much sums it up: unsatisfied. I'd rate it on a scale of 1 to 5 (with 5 being the best) and give it a 2.5 out of 5. 
Vantage Point on the other hand, had a really interesting story/plot that unfolded as the movie progressed. The movie definitly kept me on the edge of my seat and left me - along with everyone else in the theater - with their mouths open waiting for the next scene. Nothing went unexplained, and when you reflect back on the overall story, it really wasn't incredible... however that's probably the only bad thing I had to say about it. The acting, action, drama, and effects were all fantastic. But most importantly of all, it was the way in which the story unraveled that made it such an incredible film. I'd give this move a 4 out of 5.3.) Memories and feelings
I had watched both of the movies at around 5:30PM on a Friday and Saturday afternoon - which meant that by the time the movie ended it was about 7:30PM. As I walked out of the movie theaters I was surrounded by an ocean of teenagers that ranged from junior high up through high school. As I watched the groups of kids walking around in their small social circles, deciding which movie to watch, waving to school mates that they happened to run into and see, talking on their cell phones to their parents (promising to be home by curfew and to be safe), groups of boys checking out the giggling bunch of girls - it was extremely nostalgic. I almost instanteously felt myself turn 5 to 8 years younger as memories of high school flooded into my mind. But as I sat there in the food court I suddenly snapped to, shook my head and smiled/smirked to myself saying "those were the days."
** The reality is that I'm 24 years-old now and I'm on a business trip, living 2 weeks in a hotel in a city/state in which I have never traveled to. By this July, I will leave behind almost everyone and everything that I know to fully start my career - my life - here in Missouri. It was at that moment when that defining thought ran through my head did I come to the realization that amidst the hundreds of people that surrounded me at the Chesterfield Mall, I felt completely alone. **
