23? Making somebodies day. 24? I guess I could be sicker.

Last night I found something for a friend that they had been trying to find for years, and she was pretty excited about the whole thing. I always really like to make somebodies day : D

Today, I'm sick. Like nasty, dripping, feels like my nose is full of mud sick. A terrible layer of what I'm assuming is some kind of plague has formed on my skin, my hair is matted down...basically, it's completely miserable.

My response to that? OH WELL! Stayed in reading all day : ) I love how it feels to curl up on the couch with a paperback, so it was all well and good from where I'm standing (...laying...dying? Possibly)

Also, the tastiest part of my new lifestyle plan is my morning smoothie. I just throw a bunch of fruit, juice and yogurt in a blender cup the night before, stick it in the fridge so it's nice and cold and then buzz it in the morning. Nom :3

Take it easy for now, people, I know I'm gonna.

-Eli

Smile 22 is a full belly and a ukulele battle.

Went to the grocery store today. I don't think there's anything I love more than grocery shopping. Food really speaks to me on the shelf, ideas and meals and new flavor concepts trying themselves out in my mind as I peruse the aisles. I was able to purchase sandwiches and smoothie materials and lots of chicken...you'd be amazed how much cheaper it is to purchase drumsticks and thighs, but people keep paying for boring old boneless chicken breast...yeah I'll stick with three pounds of thighs for 4 dollars.

Tomorrow I am starting Alton Browns "diet of four lists." It is based on altering your diaita, which is the greek root term for diet, meaning "prescribed way of living." It does not mean mindless calorie restriction, but more of a lifestyle that values nutrient density over calorie density. It includes a list of foods you should eat everyday/once every 3 days/once a week/never that really helps me plan meals, so we'll see what happens. Pair this up with walking around looking for a job all the time and I smell a recipe for success! We'll see what happens.

So yeah, there's a catch-me-up smile for the 22nd: I love grocery shopping, it expands my mind and will hopefully stop expanding my stomach so much sometime soon.

Now, for the ukulele battle...and yes, I enjoy the insturment, so sue me. In this battle is critically acclaimed ukulele artist Jake Shimabukuro performing "While my guitar gently weeps" by George Harrison.



Competing against him, and performing the same song...is the ukulele kid.



This guy might become blog mascot sooner rather than later. Who do you like more?! Let me know in a comment. I know who I'm picking.

-Eli

Smile #21: Awesome techno beat

Ever smile because you hear a song over and over again and eventually find out who wrote it, then listen to it 1000 times?

Yeah, that's what I'm grinning about.

19 and 20 smile combo: Just some random stuff

My 19th smile was simple: people who understand what I'm going through. Thank you all so much for the love and support. You're making my "keepin' on" go much easier.

My 20th smile, I have to admit, was even simpler. Have you ever marveled at what goes on after a snow storm? Do you ever stop to wonder why the sky is so abnormally bright, or why it's so quiet? I always find it so tranquil, I'll even sit outside in the cold just to experience it. Actually, I always think the calm after a storm is my favorite part. Nothing beats the smell after it rains, or the aforementioned tranquility of the aftermath of snow; or even the way the air feels after a thunderstorm, heavy, hot, but slowly cooling and inviting.

I kind of think people inherently take comfort in the calm after storms both literally and metaphorically. I'll smile today knowing that when all this is over, it'll be quiet.

Calm.

Tranquil.


-Eli

18 smiles and the icicles around my heart are apparently melting.

No matter where you're at, no matter what your situation and especially no matter what your state of mind, I want everybody here to remember that you can always help somebody.

It might not be the biggest thing in the world. Hell, it might be holding a door, or saying hello, or just answering a question. The undeniable truth, though, is that you're going to make a positive impact on somebodies life, and that's awesome.

There are no heroes. Not in the old fashioned sense, at least. That's not how the world works. There is no white knight in shining armor, riding in on horseback to save the day. There are no dragons to slay. The new idea of a hero is much smaller, I think: it's the guy who holds the door, or smiles and says hello. It's the person willing to answer your question.

So smile and put your best foot forward, because you might be an inspiration to somebody and not even know it. I know I can be, and that's totally worth grinning about ; )

-Eli

16 AND 17, all at once? It's because one thought is sustaining me.

I'm sorry, truly sorry for the lack of insightful, fantastic posting the last few days, but I figured I'd give you all some insight into my life.

Recently I was involved in a physical altercation with a coworker who managed to do some pretty decent damage to me. After a "lengthy" HR investigation lasting the entirety of one day, I was fired for starting a fight. Apparently getting the crap kicked out of you constitutes starting it, but whatever.

I am currently unemployed and a victim of the American economy, desperately struggling to find another job before I run out of resources. It sounds rough, sure, but that's not the point.

I wanted to talk to you today about perseverance. I could give up, yes. I could huddle up in a little ball, crawl to the government for assistance, pack up my stuff and go home. I could, in fact, do all of those things at once. But you know what? I'm not going to. I'm going to persevere. I'm going to go out there tomorrow just like I went out there yesterday, I'm going to get on the cold, cramped bus and look for work. Hopefully I find it, hopefully somebody can see that an eager person with faults is still someone worth spending time on.

If not, I'll just keep on keepin' on. That means I have to keep smiling, put my best foot forward, and get through my day the best I can. That's worth something.

-Eli

My 15th smile is a day behind but I hope you'll forgive me.

Sorry about the infrequent posting lately, I've just been really busy trying to get all this unemployment/finding new job stuff sorted out while simaltaneously filing suit against my former employer...it's been busy.

For now, though, I'll settle for smiling because of the wonderful support of my friends, Rick and Jeff. Thanks so much for coming to visit this weekend, thanks for being there for me.

16th smile later tonight : D

-Eli