Hell on Earth...

I am at the Department of Motor Vehicles. This is hell.

February 3rd 2015 - It's a Tuesday morning. The DMV opens at 8 on a beautifully brisk SoCal morning. I grab my coffee-to-go mug and leave to get there by 7:30am, to be the first in line when they open. Pulling onto Colorado Ave. I see a line of people and think nothing of it. After all my local DMV is across the street from Universal Music Group, maybe there is a celebrity signing or free concert. Nope. This endless line of disgruntled zombies holding paperwork is here to get a title changed or take their drivers test. This should be fun.

They don't open for another half hour. 

This is probably my fault. I should have followed the rules, been aware of my expiring license and got it taken care up in a timely manner making a reservation. I did not do any of that and now I am paying the price. When I finally got into the building, just to get into another line, the chipper administrative officer told me I needed a reservation to take my California drivers exam and added "They next one I can schedule you for..." trailing off in silence squinting at the glow coming from his computer screen "Is late March! Wow! That's not bad at all." I stare in awe. I can't do anything but I can't be without a license for a month and a half. I beg and plead asking if there is anything else I can do and he brings me in close to tell me a secret. "The DMV in Granada Hills accepts walk-ins." He whispers "You should be able to get in and out of there quick!" I thank him for the tip and jump in the car - and expired license - to Granada Hills.

After sitting in in the other Hell on Earth Los Angeles provides to the world - The 405 - I arrive a quick hour and a half later at the next DMV and there is no place to park. Usually not a good sign. Remember how that guy at the other DMV said I should be able to get 'In and out'? Well, this is what I walked into.

5 hours, 3 different lines and a panic attack later I walked out. 5 hours. 5 hours of sitting. I had so much time on my hands I wrote this blog, downloaded the DMV App and took practices driver tests. I even called home to a few people to let them know I was still alive.

This is a tale of caution. Don't make the same mistake I did. Make a reservation for the DMV. And if someone gives you advice at the DMV punch him in the balls.

When I Grow Up...

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." - Ferris

Hi, my name is Matt, I am 27 years old and I have no idea what I want to do when I grow up...and that's okay. 

See? What the hell am I doing here?

It is my hope that someone out there read that and sighed with relief. Don't let anyone fool you, most of us have no idea what we want to do. Some of us may think we know what we want to do but I don't know if anyone ever really has it figured out. And if you're reading this and you did know what you wanted and you're so successful please comment below to help the rest of us.

Reflecting on the last year or so I am coming to realizations in my life. First is that life rules. I have countless people in my life that I am grateful for. I live by the beach (let that sink in) in Santa Monica with beautiful girlfriend (and now a tiny pomeranian with a jaw problem; see below), my family fully supports me from 48 states away, I have a job I love and hobbies I love even more, health, and I ride my beach cruiser to work. Even after reflecting on all that I can't help but wonder what's next?

I'm not worried about failing as much as I worry about understanding the chances that could lead to...something. Failure or success. Am I keeping my eye out for opportunities that are right in front of me? Am I doing everything I can to put myself "out there" (wherever that is) to meet new people, see new places and fully take advantage of the world around me. Am I putting too much pressure on myself to "change the world" or should I start by changing one small thing at a time? 

If you have read this far into this post thank you. I hope that you feel relieved that someone in the world feels the same way you do. Hopefully someone feels this way and I am not a total loser...but what the hell this is my blog...fuck it. And...that being said...this is incredibly personal. But...once again this is my blog...so what the hell. 

Let's take a risk today. And tomorrow. And the next day after that. Let's start small by smiling at someone new, take a moment to slow down some careless interaction like buying coffee and look at it from another perspective. Compliment someone's shirt who knows maybe they will offer you a job or be your best friend in 10 years. Take an alternate route to work, school or the store and see what's there. Make everyday count. I have to continually remind myself to live in the moment. Plan for tomorrow but live for today. 

I may not know what I want to do when I grow up but let's have good time trying to figure it out.

Does any of this make sense?  

-YourFriendMatt

Growth...

I am told stepping out of you comfort zones is where opportunity is found. Leaving our families, friends and most importantly comfort behind almost 6 months ago (yes...half a year...eek!...where does time go?) I think I want to attest that opportunities are found out of your comfort zones. For better or worst you will grow as a person and find out things about yourself that you never knew were possible. Look at me...I guess I am a writer now? And people actually want me to contribute to their sites and even weirder than that...read what mine has to say. That's insanity. 

You will never know what is out there if you don't take a jump...and that is horrifying. Take baby steps and do something you wouldn't do today. Something small and scare yourself. It's not so bad, reflect on it and work on something bigger next time...but what the hell do I know.