A Brunswick State Of Mind

New Brunswick is a place where there is constant movement. Thousands of students roaming around the city like zombies on their way to class, but all rushing to catch that fateful bus. College ave, the place to be, the hot spot, the catalyst for always having something to do. The rush for excitement antagonizes the souls of many, swallows you up, and spits you back out the night before an exam and before you know it, you are smacking your head against a textbook at 2 am considering whether or not to drop out and become a garbage man or stripper. Despite telling yourself you'll never procrastinate this badly again and you will refuse the temptation to party three nights in a row, you find yourself in the exact same position the next weekend. 

Often I find myself quoting Ferris Buehler saying, "life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop and look around once a while, you could miss it." 

Ever since moving to New Brunswick I have found myself constantly on the move whether it is hanging out with friends, playing sports, or throwing elbows like an MMA fighter just to get on a bus. This city is overflowing with friendships to be made, hearts to be broken, livers to be tested, and brains to be busted. This city provides everything you could need and want for a college student, it is all about whether or not you embrace it. I have opened my arms wider than a grandma on Christmas that hasn't seen her grandchildren in a minute. The aftershock of this massive squeeze has caused a change in my lifestyle and attitude. 

New Brunswick has essentially turned me into Donnie from The Wild Thornberry's. 

Running back and forth from class like faster than Usain Bolt, studying longer and harder than Josh Peck, and having a better social life than Drake Bell really takes a toll on someone. However, I wouldn't want it any other way, because I truly feel New Brunswick has helped develop me into the person I was always waiting to become. I used to be introverted and shy back in my hometown due to having hardly any friends. Now, I have a solid group of friends here at Rutgers and have been having the time of my life here in New Brunswick. Always on the go, always having somewhere to be or someone to meet, it is amazing. The thrill of never having a dull moment or never being lazy and bored, it the equivalent to me going down King da Ka ten times over. 

My lifestyle is that of the cities. Hectic, crazy, energetic, and exciting. A roller coaster of highs and lows, however, always with a positive outlook. Always ready to embrace something new, always looking forward to challenge myself as a person by experiencing something new, just as the city is always experiencing something and someone new. 

New Brunswick is my home. This city and I are the same. If this city was a person, we would be best friends, that I am sure of. I still have two and half years to go, and I cant wait to spend it with my best-friend, the city of New Brunswick. 

The Division of Family

ME: From one child of a mixed family to another, have you ever wished that your parents are still together or we're still together at any point in your life?

DAN: I cannot say that I wish they were still together because I care for their individual happiness. However I do admit that I think my life would be different in a positive way if my family were happily a whole

ME: If any at all, which parent do you favor and or spend most of your time with or is it equal?

If you have a favorite, or enjoy being with either parent more, who is it and why

DAN: Definitely my mother, because she stops at nothing to ensure my happiness and a bright future. And also she's damn cool, I try to be as cool as her everyday.

ME: Interesting, I can say the same about my mom and my current situation as well..

Have either of your parents been in long term relationships since their split?

DAN: Both of them, that opens a cookie jar for me. To be blunt, my stepdad despite faults is a very fun man and my stepmom is the bane of my existence. Maybe that's dramatic

ME: This may be a little personal but it is the case for me, does it almost feel like you have to make an effort to see your dad and spend time with him, or does it come natural?

DAN: Thats definitely partially accurate, but I would consider it to take more effort to enjoy my time spent with him.  We always struggle to meaningfully communicate

ME: If you have any siblings do they feel the same way or differently towards either parent in anyway?

DAN: I have 2 step siblings and a very young half brother.  My stepsister and stepbrother decide which parent they like based on which one spoils them more.  Kind of a sad situation, if they ask I didn’t say that

ME: I can honestly say the same.. my step siblings, sister and brother, definitely favor their mom more than my step dad because their mom spoils the shit out of them

ME: Something I find curious is how you deal with seeing both parents for holidays? Do you rotate each year or do you see both parents on the same holiday ?

DAN: Its a rotation yes, but I know that overtime I will have a family of my own and will be spending less and less time with my parents. When this happens I will prioritize my mom more and spend more holidays with her

ME: I can definitely see the parallels between us in terms of our family situation. If you can think back, what was your earliest most happy moment you can recollect with each your mom and dad

DAN: Mom: Going the Liberty Science Center as a child

Dad: watching the 07 giants Super Bowl

ME: Wow what a catch. Enough said

ME: Not to bring the seriousness of this conversation back, but if you had a choice would you have your parents together and never not been together? Or do you like the way it is now and have no thought of changing your family circumstances

DAN: I prefer it the way it is, I think that their problems were too great.  If they were to be together now, their divorce would have just caused a bigger implosion.  Plus 2 Christmases, 2 birthdays, parents fighting over you.  It's not the worst thing ever

ME: Lol! Yes the attention is most definitely there, I assume because they feel bad for not being together so they try to make it up anyway they can.

ME: Okay, the final part of this interview is a fire round of questioning, here we go.. on 3 name your favorite dinosaur, don’t even think about it just say it.. 1,2,3

DAN: Velociraptor!

ME: Velociraptor!

ME: Okay, favorite non-pornographic magazine to jerk off to..

DAN: Good house keeping!

DAN: Good house keeping!

ME: If you were a chick, who would be the guy you sleep with…

DAN: John Stamos!

ME: John Stamos!

DAN: What!

ME: Did we just become best friends?

DAN: YUP!

ME: Do you want to go do karate in the garage?

DAN: YUP!

LIVE BLOG

Waking up early, mind jogged with trying to remember what had happened the night before, vision a tad blurry, and head pounding, but all that is okay because I woke up next to my beautiful girlfriend so everything must have been okay for the night. Right? - EST. 10:30

First time speaking to my dad on the phone in about a month.. going to see him and watch the first half of the super bowl. I guess this means I will be leaving Monmouth University and my girlfriend a little earlier then expected.. hope this does not spark outrage. - EST. 11:40

Nothing a nice hot cup of Dunkin coffee can't fix. However, I will admit my girl did treat me for breakfast. A nice bacon egg and cheese with that coffee was delicious. Told her I was leaving early to see my dad, she was cool with it. Great Im not disappointing anyone today! My mom just told me that my grandparents are coming over, so now I have to balance getting to my dads for the first half and then my mom's for the second half. Divorced parents, what could I say.. it's a drag. - EST 12:15

Just made it back home. Greeted at the front door with my dog Twix, what a ball of love he is. Helping my mom prepare for all the guests coming for the big game, the amount of people coming has erupted like Mt. Vesuvius. Just informed my mom that I am watching first half at Dad's, she wasn't upset but rather happy that I will be spending quality time with him. So far today has been nothing but a win for me. - EST 3:45

I have arrived at my dad's. Greeted at the door by a long lost friend of my mine. Her name, Bella. Bella adores me, as we grew up together and spent countless hours playing in the big backyard and playing hide and go seek inside. However, we grew apart as college came around as I never was at my dad's anymore. Bella is a dog if you could not tell yet. -EST.4:30

Dad asked about school and how I liked all my classes. Told him about this class and how I have been live blogging all day, he didn't necessarily understand what that meant.. what an old man... so I explained it as kind of a faceboook posting as thing happen throughout the day, compiled into one story. He got it then. -EST 5:20

The game has started and about half the wings have been eaten lol me and my dad ate like kings. What a blowout falcons lead huge 21-0. Huge shock.. Terrific Tom and coach Bill looking not so amazing. - EST (started to lose track of time here)

Back at my mom's and what a turn of events.. the Patriots are mounting a comeback 20-28. Never count TB12 out this is insane!

Holy Sh** the Patriots and Falcons just went to the first super bowl in the history of the big game, and the patriots mounted the biggest comeback from behind to win in the history of the super bowl. Now its time to see Gooddell hand that trophy over to the champs LOL!! A suspension can't stop Tom, Rodger that? what a corny joke lolol, hopefully some of you find it amusing.

Just received a call from my brother who lives down in Baltimore, he won a big 5 hundo on the game.. what a time to be alive man. Thank you Tom. Still in shock. Good to see both sides of the fam on one day, and what a day it was. Now have to look forward to going back to school tomorrow morning :) so much fun to be pelted with a plethora of work and exams the Monday after the SB. If president Trump can do one good thing and by somehow you are reading this, be a bro and make the super bowl and American holiday so we can have the next day off. Hey, wishful thinking never hurt anyone. Good day too all.