14 might be the most uncool age of
your life. Exhibit A:
<shakes
head>
I know Dwayne Wayne wore them on
"A Different World" but why did I think this
looked cool?
20 years ago, the summer
before I entered high school, I wrote
this short film and proceeded to cement into
history how remarkably uncool I was at
14. It's stunning really. Every single frame
of this thing is embarrassing to me. Ha.
Whereas the "stealing dad's car" back when
I was 9 was cute? This makes my skin
crawl. But I would be hard pressed to act
like it wasn't me at the time. Oh and
I take back the every frame embarrassing
line 'cause I still think this was
cool...
I actually throw off
my jacket and jump that fence like I'm gonna
beat the fuck out of that kid. Ha. That's the
only part in the entire video that comes off
well to me. Everything else reminds me of
constant miscommunication with my dad trying
to explain how I wanted to stage stuff
(because I had no idea how to write a
screenplay and even less of an idea how to
communicate with my dad who was a gigantic
role model) and of course, that we're all
complete dorks.
Brendan wasn't though. He
was that kid in school that bucked the trend
for sure. The girls lovvvvvvvvvvved Brendan.
He always seemed older than everyone else in
class and had the stylin' haircut and cool
clothes - was tall. I fucking hated Brendan
for the longest time. He got Katie Frye, and
I didn't (this was in 6th grade mind you). By
this point we were friends though and I've
kept in touch with him more than anyone in
this video the past 2 decades. I mentioned
him a couple years back for making me realize
just how strong I was to withstand the
Donna situation and still be upright. Good
man, beautiful family and I wish I was closer
to them.
I actually throw off
my jacket and jump that fence like I'm gonna
beat the fuck out of that kid. Ha. That's the
only part in the entire video that comes off
well to me. Everything else reminds me of
constant miscommunication with my dad trying
to explain how I wanted to stage stuff
(because I had no idea how to write a
screenplay and even less of an idea how to
communicate with my dad who was a gigantic
role model) and of course, that we're all
complete dorks.
...because what happens after this
video is simply not good. I wish someone who knew
me was around, because they would've stopped it when
I won. 'Cause after that, I took on the second
German so add 7 more shots to that total and for
whatever reason? I didn't puke. It took nearly
another hour until I finally did and by that time
I had done serious damage. So much so, that I was
drunk (not hungover) until 9pm the following day. It
wasn't until yesterday (this happened Wednesday night)
that I finally felt hungover. I have no recollection
of what happened, though cameras that were rolling but
truth be told - it's not funny. It's pathetic, sad,
and so fucking dangerous that I'm a little frustrated
with myself for even setting it up. My honest thought
when setting up the game was that I'd drink about 10
shots and puke. Totally worth it for a funny video in
my mind. The reality is frightening and the videos I'm
left with are frightening. Shaky visions of my
lifeless, shirtless body being carried around by
people I don't know, trying to hold my head up...
it's like I'm watching True Hollywood Story and these
are my last images. It has totally freaked me
out.
Now, all that being said - the
truth is I did this to make a funny video and that's
it. I don't have a drinking problem, never have,
and in fact give everyone else around me shit if they
go too far. So I have to give myself a bit of a
reprieve since the goal was always the short film.
That being said, I'm already in a really bad place
personally, easily the lowest I've ever been, and to
see those visions from someone else's camera? It's so
spooky I can't begin to express it. I need some
positivity in my life very soon. I'm in trouble.
All Adam-bullshit aside, the
couchsurfers did have a blast. Not sure if I've
mentioned it in detail recently, but last year when
I went around the world, I did so because of
couchsurfing.com. A site that is set up like Ebay
where members have profile pages and offer their
couches to travellers, and request couches if they're
travelling. After the visit both people can write on
each others' page with feedback. That feedback is
super-crucial to both parties because they want to
continue using the service, so it's always in
everyone's best interest to be the best host or surfer
they can be. One bad piece of feedback? And you're
DONE on that site. So since I was able to take
advantage of it overseas, I've returned the favor a
few times and I have to say... it's kind of like
a mini-vacation. I love talking to people from other
countries. I love the different viewpoints, and
honestly - I just like people. I like
sharing my story, hearing theirs. I've always been a
people person in that respect and it's really nice to
be able to help out. That trip last year meant the
world to me, and I feel lucky to be able to give other
people that same ability.
And believe me, these two
couchsurfers will remember this night the rest of
their lives. :-) Cemented in Journey history with a
head-shaking video that you can't help but watch until
the end... because you can't believe we actually keep
going.
