• John 20:28-29
  “Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him,
  “Because you have seen me, you have believed;
  blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
• Sundays are the best days.
• Church is something I truly really love. I mean, sorry. I guess… nah. Not really. I love the music the most I think, music to me in super important in my life even before faith caught up with me. It’s like the bridge holding the future for me, the music letting me travel… keeping it all on the same level. It saved me before faith, and now it saves me in a new way. Not really saving, but strengthens me. Makes me a stronger person, take on the things life brings my way. And the scripture teaches me, the candy fuels me. It makes me feel stronger in my heart. Living and learning folks, it’s all I can do.
• Nature walks are fun, my feet aren’t built to walk on rocks as well as they were when I was 10.
  
• I am seriously the worst at corn hole. I need to play Frisbee since I cannot NOT flick my wrist to save my life. Oh well, no worries!
• I have the greatest friends, I don’t doubt it. I always give them props, but they deserve so many more accolades. I can’t give enough. People somehow think I am the coolest person (SOMEHOW, HAHA.) but it’s just a reflection, I grow from things around. I complete myself from others.
  
• HYFR IS AN AMAZING MUSIC VIDEO.

Get out of my blog, confusing me with questions.

REAL POSTS COMING SOON.

<3 DT.

#addingtotheDGteam

I never truly understood what it was like to believe in anything truly. I barely ever stood a chance of believing in myself at first, but once you truly learn you aren’t alone in life, everything else seems to fall into place. This wasn’t an easy journey either, I like things being organic. Food and other aspects of life. And I am blessed everyone around me doesn’t force feed me anything about faith, it’s all about what I think and what I believe from what I see and read.

And I love this. I love this part of religion. I am not going to say what I think is over what you think. You believe what you want, and so shall I. I will. I do. I live by the love I feel around me, from Him to the people I am constantly blessed to have around me.

People usually don’t ask why I love Christmas so much, and I wasn’t really sure myself to this year… the year it all somewhat just fell into place… jigsaw style. I love believing in higher power and feeling loved and Christmas is the time of year where everyone jigsaw fades together and the love is always amazing.

I am no expert, I have much more to learn from reading and discussing with friends. So glad I have many Christmases ahead of me to celebrate and grow and learn. Love is all I wanted and I got it.

And now my favorite quote from all Christmas specials combined, Linus was streets ahead people…

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’

But seriously, Merry Christmas to you!

From all of me here at DG,
DAVE. THOMAS. :D

1. Go Hiking – didn’t happen, worked 40 hours this week. Yeah, tell me when too.
2. Black Friday – didn’t happen, I hate people especially when they spraying the crap out of each other with pepper spray.
3. Run every single morning – nope. didn’t happen. a boy has gotta relax! trying to integrate that back next week. gosh.
4. Watch Game of Thrones – nope. didn’t have time. work swag.
5. LOTR / Cracker Barrel jam – didn’t happen. friend was also working a ton too. also I worked. WORK WORK WORK. brag.
6. EAT ALL THE THINGS – TOTALLY HAPPENED. AND I DIDN’T GET SICK LIKE LAST YEAR. AND LAID ON THE COUCH AND WATCHED FOOTBALL ALL AFTERNOON AND NAPPED. GET AT ME BRO. GET. AT. ME. FOOTBAWL.
7. Be thankful – always, seriously… always.

So 2/7 is majority right? I hate Math.

Anyway, Christmas break is coming up so I am planning on a 3x longer list for the 3x longer time I will be able to do. Like chow down an entire box of Christmas cookies. Or something.

#OccupyNorthPole

ANYWAY, this last week has been fantastic. Like, I haven’t even thought of work last week. Yeah, that’s gonna kick me in the face in the coming week.. but I don’t care. I have never needed break before as much as I need it now.

And maybe I am just drinking the break juice, but I feel way more motivated to kick school in the face. I MEAN ITS THE BEST HOLIDAY OF THE YEAR COMING UP! So stoked for the holiday.

This blog is going to be all over the board. I mean, so many fun things happened over break I can’t even think straight.

From the awesome garage hangouts with the greatest friends I have ever known, to some of the more shameful events of my life. I seriously need to calm down bro on some things. New Years Resolutions? Yeah I think so. That list comes WAY LATER!

But seriously, here’s some short blurbs on what I can currently remember over break:

• worked forty+ hours last week, can’t wait to swim in a bathtub of money (joke.)
• hung out with my favorite people ever all week long, basically lived at the pyles’ house
  (I enjoy to note I slept in Ryan’s bed more than he did over break. Just saying.)
  and some other stuff happened like sleeping on the floor like a crazy person. My life.
• awesome garage hangouts and basement chills
• dexter and I watching community in my room
• thanksgiving: went for my only run of the week, got to see the beautifulness of swoope, FOOD COMA, couch for hours, footbawl watching, napping, sleeping
• got harry potter DHPT2 for $7 dollars. score. thanks amazon black friday
• https://twitter.com/#!/loldave/status/140427877056380928
• seeing stars. harrisonburg you so fun but SO BRIGHT. I love home. If you don’t, LEAVE. WE HOME LOVIN’ BROS DON’T CARE.
• watching sports with the best bros a guy could ask for.
• walking dead with previous people.
• ground breaking moment for me happened this week too: https://twitter.com/#!/loldave/status/138310056671326209

I love break. Time to focus, then super relax over christmas break.

SAY WHAT. Love y’all.

I’ll say more deep stuff next time. I am still drinking that turkey break gravy on this one.

Love, D.

Setting goals I think is important for any time, but goals over an extended period of relaxation from schoolwork?

Bring them on!

1. Go hiking!
   This goal has been a goal for a while, but something I never truly understand or have time to do. I mean, CS kids barely get outside as it is… but climbing the side of a mountain for fun? No way. So I want to do it, since we live in one of the most beautiful areas (in my personal kickass opinion) and I want to see it standing on top of the world (Titanic swag? Kinda.)
2. Black Friday
   If you don’t know what the hell Black Friday is, who are you? But seriously, camping out for electronics? Score. Should I go bigger TV or a hella deal on a PS3? Decisions…
3. Run every single morning.
   Not a skipped day, and MORNING. Not just during the day, the morning. Bright and early. Rise and shine, hop up out of bed… turn my run on. Seriously, morning runs. I want to make this a habit so I can add it during the semester. #nosleep
4. Watch Game of Thrones
   I give up on you book. I tried to read you, but I am way to busy to try to keep up with it. Sorry. I will probably read you after the fact, but I so wanna see this HBO jam. People have been raving FOREVER about it, but I really wanted to finish the book first. Oh well. Watching 10 hour episodes
5. LOTR / Cracker Barrel jammmm!
   This is all up to Andrew. Serious, 11 hour extended edition LOTR movies. He gets appauled every time I mention I haven’t seen them all. And a discount at cracker barrel, WHAT. Solid day it will be.
6. EAT ALL OF THE THINGS (on Thanksgiving)
   Diet for the rest of the week, massive amounts of overeating on Thursday. Obvious goal from the start.
7. Be thankful.
   I am, don’t worry. After this week here at JMU, it has been a purple out fest of emotions. But stepping back, being thankful is the most important goal of all.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I love talking about stuff. I mean, shit. Who doesn’t?! But seriously, I am going to start this episode off with The Walking Dead. I won’t get too intense here, but spoilers for those who aren’t up to date.

Move along. For those up on that jam, proceed…

The Walking Dead Keeps It Real (Crazy…)

[spoilers]

First off, damn Shane. When did you get all bat shit crazy? (Thanks Andrew for the lovely expression I stole from you.) But seriously bro, like I mean the cards haven’t been in your favor for a while but damn. Otis ain’t do shit to you, I MEAN YEAH HE DICK CHENEY’D CARL, but he was trying to help out. And you literally through him under the bus. So first thing I want you people to know, HE’S PSYCHO.

BUT, this is where The Walking Dead shines. This is a post-apocalypse world all these characters now exist in. SHIT, the damn CDC couldn’t even figure out how to stop it, so of course regular human beings are going to become more raw, more savage. Reverting back to animalistic ways, and that shit happened tonight. Even the main characters had a huge debate about existing in this “world” or not having to suffer. (Thanks Ryan for the helping me clear up this scene.) I mean I don’t support Shane’s idiotic ways of not even killing Otis before turning him into a midnight snack. But I like this raw, savage shit. And damn The Walking Dead. How do you let a kid have a seizure? You just wanna break me down, I know it.

[/spoilers]

OH SHIT IT’S THE END OF OCTOBER. That is crazy sauce. Crazy bread. Damn, I’m hungry. I want some pumpkin bread.

Hallow’s Eve Story

So in my lovely journal, I have the word Halloween in it. I dunno what sort of delusional thought I was supposed to talk about in this blog, so I will try to spin it kinda differently. First off, American Horror Story.

If you love the idea of never understanding what’s going on, this show is for you. It’s so Halloween it’s awesome. I would say more good things about it, but I already went all super rant on the Walking Dead. So just trust me, this shit is good.

Also, I am going to get candy corn at some point tomorrow, I promise. And watch something scary.

I would assume.

Welp, I guess it’s time for…

Spreading Love

I am not really sure how to approach this view of mine, but maybe it is childish. I mean, I guess all views are childish for things you truly don’t understand. I love spreading joy, and outward love for others. Is it wrong I want this to truly be the basis for my faith? But actually, it’s only just an aspect. As I was telling one of my friends, he said it’s a triple part sort of view. You gotta know that JC did something, and you give all your faith into him.

But I want it to be like malleable, ya know? I want the childlike ideals I have to stay, but it’s just something I won’t be able to just be like “oh, it’s just this aspect and not this.” I am being a child about it. Or not looking beyond the surface. This isn’t something I am just going to completely agree with, as all new things in life… I am learning to walk, ya know?

I am just saying… I love the idea of love but it’s not the only idea that is apart of this understanding. It’s more… excited to find out what I learn next.

If Else

Been a long week. Pulled an all nighter, rocked an exam, finished a project part last weekend, went to Tech this past weekend, had the time of my life, went insane, etc.

IT CONTINUES, LIFE!

See yar, D.

But let’s dive in.

Heaven is for Real

So last week I read probably one of many christian-based books I will be reading called “Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back”. It’s a pretty short and fast read (took me some time since I was so busy, but I got through it in about a week or so…) but the message is pretty important. The idea of heaven for me when I was a kid was something I physically wanted to see, I would stare out the window looking at the clouds hoping to see people just standing up there, looking down. I didn’t realize how creepy this sounded as a kid, but the idea is simple. Physical proof. This book has a lot to do with many things that are solid-kid based ideas about heaven, and I kinda loved it. I know now as an adult it’s not something you will get proof for, it’s something you believe and while you believe… the less likely physical proof needs to be seen. I see physical proof daily, He works in mysterious ways people. I don’t look for concrete, I like to be abstract about the idea of faith.

So this is the start of my journey, my journey to find truth and understand about religion. These blogs may get more out there as I go along, but this is something I have wanted to focus on for a long time. And right now, it wasn’t something I was looking for… it just came to me… ya know?

Anyway, great read. Check it out. If there are any others book I should check out or you want to have a discussion about your religion with me, I want to hear it. I am but a student, a toddler.

Nerds Are Nerds, Still Cool-Nerdy Tho

As a CS major, I know nerds. I see all kinds daily. That’s why I call myself a different kind, nerd to a degree and “cool” to a degree. Whatever cool is, who cares. But there are things I gather from my classmates that makes me wanna call them nerds, and when I mean nerds… I mean it. But I don’t call them that.

Because it doesn’t matter, it’s an aspect of a person that makes them original. I won’t ever tease someone for something that truly defines them as a person. If your personality clashes with another person, just don’t be around them. Don’t put them down because you don’t understand why they do the things they do. While thinking about it, I don’t understand why anyone teases anyone else about who they are. I mean, why don’t the geeks tease the cool kids in high school?

To put it short, WHO CARES.

It’s just the idea people are people, and we are all different. Also, be nice too. Bullying is lame.

#StauntonProblems

Yeah, we have all seen these types of hashtags and accounts on Twitter. But I was shocked that there finally became a Staunton-based hashtag…. #stauntonproblems. Yeah, it’s mostly high school kids talking about staunton issues that don’t matter and this trend has probably died down since last week.

It’s worth a twitter search, just saying.

IF ELSE

If else is my new, life recap section! So there’s the topics, and the life stuff. I like the view I am currently looking at, it’s cold today. So stoked for cold weather, winter, snow, holiday breaks, being at home, etc. I could go on forever with this… but there is a lot of school stuff to get done before then. Seriously, way too much stuff.

But life is good, stress is something I am learning to deal with. Projects are a pain, I have never spent so much time in a library before this semester, and the price is high. But balance, learning, and wishing keep me focused. And coffee, the sweet ambrosia of my life.

Still running, still trying to diet, still listening to new music, still being me. It’s all I can do.

I think that’s all I got for now. Happy Hump Day!

-daveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Things changed, and I am glad that they have. But nothing comes without a price, nothing is without a trade I think.

So let’s begin here, where I am now. I have lost weight, I find myself actually getting hungry for the first time in my life, not just living by a schedule of eating as a routine, but trying to kick the habit of shitty foods with my busy schedule is proving to be terrible. I think they just make this process so CS majors get fat. I mean we spend all day on the computer, and our main source of food comes from a machine we swipe and food drops from the bottom. WE ARE ROBOTS. HAHA NAH, I refuse to be that CS kid. I see them all the time. I think each day that kid fuels my run.

I LOVE TO RUN. I think something in Harrisonburg is on fire right now, there is like massive chaos outside where there usually isn’t this late at night, WHAT AM I SAYING?! It’s FRIDAY! Anyway, I love to run. It’s seriously something I enjoy. Somehow, someway… that kid who ran the mile in 16 minutes in middle school now runs it in around 8. Like seriously, I almost cried when I hit below 8. 7:59, it’s the fact of the matter… but it’s moment like that when you see true change of yourself and it’s like DAMN, I RULE.

Seriously, loathe about yourself. It’s the best thing for your skin. Skin is crucial!

But this semester has probably been one of my toughest semester to begin, and I think the reasons are multiple. First, I can’t even deal with the fact that this time next year… I won’t be in the middle of really rough semester. The future freaks me the fuck out, anyone who says different is a liar. I am serious. It’s like looking into an endless tunnel, it’s there… it’s coming, and it’s unknown. White light. Seriously, spooks me. Also… this summer is probably one of my greatest summers on earth this far.

Yeah, I know. I take this stance pretty much every summer… but this summer wasn’t the same. As people grow and change, people leave and adapt. Move on, change friends, swap out, tag out, leave your life, enter your life. I am so blessed with all the people I had around me this summer. I can’t imagine such a wonderful time in my life any. other. way.

(Another reason this semester is starting rough, some of my favorites are so far away from me right now… I can’t stand it sometimes. It hurts, but it’s all worth it.)

Actually, I am going to throw in a draft of a blog that’s been sitting behind the scenes at this point, it’s worth a good read, more excited summer-high writing style:

First off, this new WordPress update is hella sweeeeeeeeeet.

Anyway, let’s take a trip backwards. Go back a ways. I mean, you guys should check out my Twitter feed. It’s the only thing to helps me rewind time at this point.

I’ve been doing some leisure reading! YEAH, SHOCKER! I have read both the Hunger Games and Chasing Fire in the past week, now about half way through the last book Mockingjay. If you aren’t reading this series, do your brain a favor and pick up the books. They are a kick to read, and I LOVE where the story went during the trilogy. I know they are making a kickass movie (RIGHT, RIGHT.) but do your brain a favor and read the books. Books are usually better anyway. Unless you’re Up In The Air (book < movie, keep up!)

So that’s been pretty fun, and I have slimmed down. Thanks to the Pyles bros (more on them later) and my ultimate back up knowledge bank Mr. Hanger (more on them later) I worked out for about a month and a half at the good ol Staunton Y every morning and started running around outside, the park, and the crappy track at the Y, even started to personally watch what I eat for most of the summer (full disclosure, last few weeks of vacation have been pizza and pasta, but the bandwagon starts again soon!) and I lost about 25 pounds this summer. I  mean, I still got a belly but DAMN it’s like a personal high losing this much weight the smart and logical way… diet and exercise. Excited to take my new knowledge back to the burg and keep the success train coming.

So I am riding the vacation high of LPII, the return of the  most kickass lake trip your momma has ever SEEN HOMIE! A full week of chillin, hanging out, jet skis, tubing, roof “things”, and some of the greatest friends I have ever had under one roof. From crazy kitchen games, to disney themed “games”, to the hanging out in the water, “diapers” for floating, jamming to music, making the biggest messes in the kitchens, going to sleep early then waking up early, rinse, repeat. Best week of the summer to end it all out. Wish we had one extra special guest, but we will get to that in a while. (BACKWARDS SUMMER RECAP!)

We saved a drunk guy passed out on the side of the road. Just saying. It’s worth a mention.

Dexter bringing the Rap game is one of the greatest ideas ever to LPII. Just saying. Good job Dex.

So in the middle of all the happy and joy, one of the most saddest moments came when our best friend Philipp, the “German”, left for the summer. If you didn’t meet this kid, let’s not be friends now okay? Kidding, but seriously why didn’t you hang out with us? One of the funniest dudes around, just a great match with Weston and myself. We formed a sorta bond, shit was way too tough on me to break. Glad to have the other kid here to help me get through. Anyway, he was a great addition to our circle and sad he left. We had a lot of fun times, and probably made this funniest videos you will never see. I mean, we did do it up right by going to the Lake for a bit so he could see it, and dragged his ass to the beach with us and all the other nights and times I can’t remember. That’s what I did all summer. Hung out with P and W. Some of the best times ever. Miss that fuck.

So yeah, Philipp is one of my best friends at this point and I am glad technology like Facebook Messenger and Skype exist to tide me over until next summer. (^_^)

But personal shoutouts to the Pyles brothers too, I didn’t get to that part in the last “blog” ramble, so here it is. I seriously don’t know what I would of done without them in summer, and in my life. It’s almost like… natural friendship. I guess we haven’t been friends for long, but when it works. It’s kewl. I talk to Ryan almost daily at this point even though he’s not around, and Weston… he’s busy. Also, personal shoutout to Liz and Coopieeeeeeeeeeeeeee, since they pretty much come with the Pyles family and I would miss them so if they weren’t always there too.

And there’s so many people I hung out with this summer I am missing, so SORRY if I didn’t get a chance for a personal shoutout… I am trying to go over all that happened this summer at about two AM. Give me some slack!

I am going to try to post here weekly, take notes… find the most important things I want to discuss during the week. Expect is usually on a Sunday, my free day. I am just somehow awake and alive right now. And I am not going to let this post sit in draft-hell like 6 other one’s I deleted. SO ENJOY!

Also, this is my 700th blog post ever.
And passed 10,000 tweets recently.
GET. ON. MY. LEVEL.

soon, soon.

We always pull through
Oh, when we try
I’m always wrong
But you’re never right
Oh, you’re never right

Honestly, can you believe
We crossed the world while it’s asleep?
I’d never trade it in
‘Cause I’ve always wanted this and
It’s not a dream anymore, no
It’s not a dream anymore
It’s worth fighting for

Could have given up so easily
I was a few cheap shots away
From the end of me

Taken for granted
Almost everything
That I would have died for
Just yesterday
Just yesterday

Honestly, can you believe
We crossed the world while it’s asleep?
I’d never trade it in
‘Cause I’ve always wanted this and
It’s not a dream anymore, no
It’s not a dream anymore
It’s worth fighting for

God knows the world doesn’t need another band
Whoa, oh, oh
Whoa, oh, oh
But what a waste it would’ve been
Whoa, oh, oh
Whoa, oh, oh
I can’t believe we almost hung it up
Whoa, oh, oh
Whoa, oh, oh
We’re just getting started
Whoa, oh, oh
Whoa, oh, oh, oh

Honestly, can you believe
We crossed the world while it’s asleep?
I’d never trade it in
‘Cause I’ve always wanted this and
It’s not a dream anymore, no
It’s not a dream anymore, no, oh
It’s not a dream anymore, no, oh
It’s not a dream anymore
It’s worth fighting for

I can’t believe we almost hung it up
Whoa, oh, oh
Whoa, oh, oh
We’re just getting started
Whoa, oh, oh
Whoa, oh, oh
I can’t believe we almost hung it up
Whoa, oh, oh
Whoa, oh, oh
We’re just getting started
Yeah, we’re just getting started

So I have learned this week about not letting things get super intense screwed up in my head. I mean, don’t wrap your head on things you can’t figure out. For me, it came in the form of losing and finding a friend again. All this anger I built up for weeks and months came crashing down in a single night. I realized it wasn’t worth all the mental stress.

Also, don’t take things too seriously… ever. People will let you down. It’s their nature, it’s what we do. We are built to fail sometimes. It’s how we truly grow when we figure these faults out. I got them, don’t think I’m above all this. You just gotta power through, look up, and keep being boss.

(Today’s blogging music brought to you by GLEE, full disclosure. Yeah, I tell people I watch that shit and not a single fuck was given. :D)

What else is new… let’s see. Friends are back for the 4th! So excited for this holiday. So much fun stuff coming up in the next two days. Considering this a little vacation towards the upcoming actual vacations. YEEEEEAH. Also, week one of the diet this week, and starting to see a SMALL amount of progress from working out for a month or so. I actually really enjoy it… surprisingly.

I need to buy a C++ book. Get back in my lazy nerd mindset.

All I got for now, have a grrrrrrrrrrrreat holiday!

-DT

So let’s begin, and this one might get a little heavy at times. I hope you don’t mind.
Keeping it real will now be my middle name.

So I’m sorry, sorry to the friends I have lost around this path. Finding the new, revealing what I feel seems so true. It’s almost like it’s just been hiding behind a curtain. I just found the key. Pulled it down. Looked it in the eye.

But more on that in a bit, but seriously… I started a diet today. Shocked?! So am I. Seriously, mark me down as skeptical if you would of asked me EVER if I was going to diet. I mean, I would of marked down that I have been working out regularly too. Seriously, what is happening to me. I like this physical change is keeping up with my mental growth.

Dave v2, kicking ass and taking names since 2011.

So my growth is personally coming from the religion side, SHOCKING. (Seriously, my life is seriously shocking to me! I hope it shocks you too. Zap zap.) I have been reading Life Without Limits by Nick Vujicic. I literally saw it and it reminded me of a video I saw on Youtube on iJustine’s channel. I swear. Anyway, I figured I would pick it up and the read has been slow but incredible. For a kid like myself who has never been to church, it’s like I get a one-on-one with a preacher, teaching me things as divine and simple like hope and faith and how beautiful life should be for yourself. It’s actually taking me a while t0 read because I really enjoy truly taking in the message and relating it to my own life. Thinking on it. Pondering. Enjoying it. Enjoying myself. I finally found it. The curtain, I grabbed it.

It’s gone.

But it didn’t come easy, I don’t think. Faith to me is all about needing in both times of strength and times of weakness. You don’t just get one when you need it, like only asking for him when you’re down and out. You get him all the time, and the bad times are just constant tests, but even when all seems lost and dark, believe and he will be with you. There have been some times in the past couple weeks where all had seemed dark, but somehow I found my way. I don’t know if I want to let him be the one who made it clear, but I think in my heart it was a combo pack. DLC from the big man upstairs. I helped myself, but he’s the kickstand on my lifebike. (lulz.)

I won’t say anything else on that. It’s a new and very simple idea to me right now, but I am going to learn more about this guy as much as I can and keep it all for me. You believe what you want, I will me. Give me some respect. I am just here on this Earth to learn and love. Should I call him this Guy? Capitalize? I dunno. I dunno the syntax for the big man upstairs. But dude, I am on board. Fill me love now and forever.

But I swear I will try to make this updates more regularly, but it’s tough. Busy me. Summer me.

Getting focused.

Anyway, that’s it. I just wanted to mention this on here. Let somebody know.

Thanks for caring. It’s truly boss.