new.

It's December.


I stood in front of my bedroom window this morning, and aside from noticing the usual up-to-no-good shenanigans of the Landstown hoodlums that wreak daily havoc across the street from me, my immediate attention turned to the leaves.

A few years ago, we cut down a giant tree in front of my house that I’d grown up with as a child. It wasn't my best friend or anything, but it was nice to look at, and kind of symbolic of my youth; when we first moved into this house, I was four years old. It was the first tree we had planted on our property, and it grew with me [although, it may have one-upped me on the height factor].

Half of the tree [the half facing our house] was split due to some bad weather. Visually, it was still nice to look at, even if the view from my window wasn't the same. We left it that way for a while, but upon noticing some...tree sickness(?), it was time for it to go.

If there’s one good thing about it’s removal from our lawn, it would be the heavy duty raking of leaves that I’d most probably be out there doing right about now.

Leaves of this season can symbolize so much. As uninteresting as they are year round, this is the one particular part of the year where leaves finally get some attention and recognition. They signal us of change to come, and maybe instill a hope that when they return anew, we too can be new people with new ideals and new outlooks and new goals and new loves.

The leaves symbolize warmth. Calendars are filled with photographs of long autumn roads, streets blanketed under a sea of warm reds, oranges, and browns; children enjoy their yearly one-night ritual of tricks and treats and indulge themselves in a few days of teeth-rotting pleasure. Families spend time with those children, carving out the spookiest or goofiest face they can conjure up, or what their artistic abilities will allow them to portray on a great round orange canvas. Turkeys are prepared and presents are wrapped. The time for baked goods o' plenty comes, and diets around the world are put on a three month hiatus. [Like mine...]

This time of year is one of my favorites; it just oozes with beauty. Beauty, which could be recognized or discovered in all forms, I suppose.

Not too long ago, I met someone who over time has become a pretty great friend. He's one of the most intelligent people I've ever spoken with, and his wealth of knowledge is overwhelming sometimes. The first time I really sat down and spoke with him, this almost came off as slightly pretentious, but the more I've gotten to know him, the more I realize that it is not that way at all. I've learned that he strives to find truth and a deeper meaning in everything and everyone he encounters, and this has had a profound effect on me. I've noticed myself looking beyond face value, and seeing something beautiful underneath which perhaps is something rarely seen.


Seeing the good in someone --even if there is only little to be seen -- can completely change the way you look at them, and it almost becomes thrilling to see that person and learn new things and be in their presence.


Sometimes it is refreshing to look past one's facade and see something that is vulnerable and real.


And beautiful.



Here's to new perceptions, taking chances, and embracing change.


love. peace.






Justine and I have forever changed the way tic tac toe is played. Children, cover your eyes.





Such pervs.


Holla.