Birds of Prey...

"Oh, what's up with this falcon?" - Me.

I was out with friends at a sporting event, soccer, or football, whatever you call it, to be specific. I am not a huge sports guy, but I am always excited for people that are. Although I may have no idea what is going on, who scored, or what the rules of the game are, I am excited that it brings everyone around me such joy. Plus being in an arena, surrounded by passionate people, is hypnotizing. The second you step into this type of atmosphere you become apart of it. I have no idea how soccer is played, but I wanted whoever we were cheering for to win.

We found our seats and settled in before the match started. I found out it is called a match, not a game. I felt the energy pick up, and everyone started pointing. I began to look around to see what was going on, and before I knew it, a falcon was being released and flying throughout the stadium. "What the hell kind of sport is this?" I thought to myself. But, I was all in. Falcons are badass. Being from Philadelphia, I am cool with almost any bird of prey. Go birds! The game started and the place lit up. You couldn't help but get on your feet and cheer. Cheer for what? I have no idea, but I found myself just wanting to be a part of the action. Without knowing any of the rules of the match, I decided that going along with whatever cheer everyone else was doing would be the best course of action.

After a little bit, it was definitely time to grab a few beers. My friend told me that sometimes they have the falcon out and about to meet and greets during the game. That was all I needed to hear. I was already going to get up and go grab beers, but now I had the chance to meet a falcon. Done. I gave a quick thumbs up to my friend, and they knew I wasn't coming back until I found that falcon...and a beer.

I wondered around the area aimlessly for what felt like forever. I found a beer and drank it. Then I rounded another corner and nothing. Where could this damn thing be? I rounded one more corner and heard children in awe. I turned and looked to see it, there she was. Mission accomplished. I pushed the kids out of the way, met the animal handler and had my chance to hang out with this falcon. I came to watch the game, but left with so much more.

The photo above is proof that dreams come true.

-YourFriendMatt

Nothing but net...

"There is no way he is going to make that full court shot." - Me.

Over the last year a couple of my friends and I committed to seeing each other more often. We all have varying work schedules that make it almost impossible to see each other, but we decided there would be no excuses. After playing the "what day works for you" game for a while we decided that Wednesdays would work for all of us. We have all played this game before. It's where a bunch of working adults stand around and look at their iPhone calendars and continue to ask each other questions like, "Does Tuesday at 4 pm work?" Then someone responses with, "Ah, no, I have a flute lesson" or "Gotta take my girlfriend to the dentist" or "Oh no dude, I can't" with no real reason given. We were committed to hanging out so we clear our schedules for Wednesday afternoons.

Organically we just started meeting up and playing basketball. I have no idea where this idea came from or why we consistently, without asking a question of why, just all knew to show up at Virginia Park in Santa Monica on Wednesday to shoot around. Most of the time we'd play horse. Every once in a while we'd attempt some one on one, or even a pickup game with whoever was there. We would talk about our weeks and upcoming plans. We'd talk shit about politics, business ventures, how our significant others think we act like teenage dorks; which in all fairness, we do. We could get together and talk about old pop-punk bands from the 2000's like it's nobody's business.

I'd like to point out that none of us have any athletic ability and looked like complete fools on the court, but we didn't care. We were out there to talk trash, catch up, and connect. Towards the end of these meet up's we decided to see who could take the most unique shot. While all the other community members were playing games of 21 or practicing their free throws, we were busy taking full court shots, screaming "KOBE!" regardless if it went in, which it never did. We are all from Philadelphia and what you see portrayed on It's Always Sunny, is not that far off from a real-world depiction of how people from that area are actually like. Interrupting another court full of players so we can do a trick bounce-shot off a trash can? Check.

Both of my friends recently got new jobs with incredible opportunities. The flip side is these new opportunities will take them away from a close proximity to Virginia Park and our basketball days have come to an end. I am super proud of these two from grinding it out and not giving up when their careers felt stagnant. Being miserable 40+ hours a week is no way to live your life, so I'm pumped we all get to do something we enjoy and get up excited about. If you have to work for someone, you better freaking like it.

I am bummed out that our collective may be on a hiatus, but I know that we will soon grace the court soon and maybe eventually someone will make that full court, bounce shot off the trash can, through the trees, off the park bench and get "nothing but net."

BoomShakaLaka!

-YourFriendMatt

Eagle-ish...

“Dude, no fucking way.” - Me.

We just stood there. I couldn't believe it. I have been playing this game on and off for five years and have never come this close. Could I have done it? My first hole in one?

Moments earlier my friend, Ryan, and I had been lining up our shots on the 5th. It's a beautiful day out in Southern California, but when is it not? It's sunny, mid-70's, with a few white, billowing clouds spotting the blue mid-morning sky. A cool breeze washed across my face as I approached my attempt to par this hole. I have played this course before and for some reason the 5th always destroys me. I can never seem to line it up right. I took a deep breath and let it rip.

Ry was watching the ball as I slowly brought my head up. I had no idea where it went so I turned to him and asked, "Where did it go, dude?" I pivoted to look towards the green and saw the flag on the pin give a little shake as if something had struck it. I thought to myself there was no way I just nailed it. There wasn't a chance. I turned back to Ry, handed him my phone, and told him to head down in front of me, I didn't want to see it yet. He looked back with astonishing awe, "Dude, you did it." He ran towards the green and I just stood there, 100 yards away reflecting on the shot.

I had pared the last three holes and was proud of that, there was no way I could have just sunk this in one shot. It just doesn't make sense, I am not good at golf. But, maybe it's just my lucky day. I trekked down towards my shot and Ry was jumping up and down screaming, "Dude, you nailed it! It popped in and out, I know it!" My ball, from a shot taken 100 yards away, had been lying on the lip of the hole. I stiff breeze or tremor could have toppled it in. I couldn't believe it. I finally did it, the eagle quest was over. I couldn't, and still can't, believe it.

Ryan tried to convince me that it was a hole in one, but we all know it wasn't. At most, my ball might have popped in and out of the hole, potentially, for just a moment, it was a hole in one. I will take the eagle. We must have stayed there for ten minutes celebrating and holding up everyone behind us trying to tee off. I didn't care. We took photos, videos, and I am pretty sure I text everyone I have ever played golf with to show them this accomplishment.

The most humbling thing about this experience was the very next hole I sliced it back into the tree line. There we go, that's the game I am used to. Maybe it was a bit of luck from the golf gods to let me have a moment in the sun, but they promptly put me back in my place on the 6th.

Damn you, golf gods. Why must you play with my emotions like this?

-YourFriendMatt

Dude, where's your putter?

"Welp. Shit." - Me.

It was a perfect day off. I was going to meet two of my friends for golf, the weather is beautiful. Our dryer is still broken so the pressure to accomplish all the laundry that is piling up fell out of sight and out of mind. I mean, I can't finish the laundry if I can't dry it, right? The sun is out, the warm morning breeze of summer is blowing through Santa Monica and I had nothing to do but hit the links with the boys. What else could I ask for?

Well, they both canceled on me last minute. I was pissed. This was supposed to be a beautiful mid-week break from work to hang and have some guy time, but no, one of them had to get food poisoning and the other had to go to the doctors, my friends are so inconsiderate. How dare they not consult me before making other plans to tend to their health? I decided to go anyway and play solo, it'll still be a great time.

I pulled into the public golf course and got ready to go. The bag was loaded up, sunblock on, and had a few snacks and beverages. Time to play. I teed off and was feeling great about the start to my day, who needs those guys anyway. I pulled up to the green and went looking for my putter. "Oh, shit, I knew I forgot something" I rambled to myself. As it turns out I had recently used my putter for a thrilling game of indoor-putter-return in my living room a few nights before. My putter now rests in the corner of my kitchen, nowhere near the first hole of this game. Shit.

What am I to do? Go back and rent a putter? Hell no. I can't admit I am a moron. I am going to figure this out and play this round the way the powers that be wanted me to, without a putter. Maybe it was a sign I should work on my chipping technique. Either way, I am not turning back now.

It wasn't my worst round ever, but definitely, one that I won't forget. I used my driver, my 3 and my 9 all as putters for the day. Other folks on the course occasionally looked over at me like I was out of my mind. Plus, I even managed to feed a squirrel. All in all, incredible day on the course. Any day out playing golf beats even your best day at work.

My new friend - Rancho Park Golf Course -Los Angeles, CA

-YourFriendMatt

TROC...

When I was younger all I wanted to do was be in a band. I saw Back to the Future at a young age and when Marty explodes back across the room from the amp he was standing in front of, I knew that is something I needed to do. Starting a band is one of the hardest and most rewarding events I reflect on from my life. Starting the band is just the first obstacle. After you eventually find friends who are as dedicated as you to practicing and sucking together, you have to then figure out how to play in front of people and get your music into peoples heads. When we started our first bands in the suburbs of Philadelphia we never thought we would get a chance to play venues in the city with some of the coolest bands and people we have ever met, especially not at The Troc. Playing The Troc was impossible in our young minds.

We worked our balls off playing everywhere we could as often as possible and one day we were finally given a shot to play some awesome venues. I remember playing The Troc balcony more times than I can count, in God knows how many bands, and loving every second of it. Through years of grinding, failure, setbacks, deaths, blood, sweat, and many tears, we eventually worked our way to playing the main stage. The Troc was a community where we all came together, all the misfits, to play our terrible songs to each other. My parents drove us down there to catch shows, and to watch us play. My dad has hauled more equipment in and out of that place than any stagehand I have ever met. If you have ever carried an 8x10 cabinet up those balcony stairs, you know what I am talking about.

It is sad to see the doors of The Troc closing for good, but I will always remember the incredible times there, all the incredible talent that has performed there that I had the privilege to see, all the incredible people there.

Later Troc, thanks for all the good times.

-YourFriendMatt

Traveling...

"How the shit does this camera work?" - Us.

We love traveling. Getting out and adventuring into new terrain, excited for what we will see, who we will meet, and wondering if our van will make it through whatever off-the-beaten-track roads we come across in the heartlands of the country. We have found some of our favorite places on Earth just taking the next road we come across and going down it. The unknown is an addiction for Jamie and I. We thrive on it and reference Kath and Dave from Portlandia all too often. These characters live to be stressed out and over-obsessive. The sense of adventure can be romantic but thank our stars for roadside assistance.

I do not claim to be a photographer in any sense of the word. Most of my Camera Roll is pictures of either our dogs or accidental screenshots I have taken while attempting to open my iPhone. We do have an old Canon AE-1 film camera that we take with us when we travel and I freaking love it. My dad won it at a local auction house in the suburbs of Philadelphia. He got a box of vintage camera parts for his bid of $10, and this camera was still intact and functional. I feel like Peter Parker with this thing, plus it gives me a little cred when I see other self-proclaimed travel photographers with oversized, and overpriced, camera lenses the size of a Ford Focus, and weight just as much. I usually get an approving head nod or thumbs up when they see this camera strapped around my torso, bouncing on my hip.

Shooting on film is different from digital photography. There is no instant gratification. The only gratification is hearing the crisp click of the aperture capturing light. You have to line up your shot with film. You don't get to "Burst Mode" and snap a thousand photos in three seconds and then instantly review your work on a digital screen. You have to either get it right or don't. I try to keep a little journal and mental notes of lighting exposures to try to figure it all out. But, sometimes even when you mess up a setting or lighting, it still turns out great. I included some shots from our recent travels below and I love the way they turned out, even if some of them are a little dark. 

Idyllwild, CA

From a recent trip in February 2019

Telluride, CO

From our Honeymoon

Arkansas?

We broke down here. Honeymoon 2018.

Arches

From our Honeymoon 2018.

-YourFriendMatt

Less screen time...

“What the hell are you scrolling for?” - Us.

This year Jamie and I have committed to less screen time and more us time. This means putting down our phones, turning off the TV when we got get home, and enjoy each others presence for a while. 2018 was a busy year for us. We got married and planned our wedding in Philadelphia from Los Angeles; to say it was a hard task is an understatement. One of us was always on the phone, replying to an email, or just blatantly ignoring the other while mindlessly scrolling through memes on Insty for a bit of relief from all the decision-making we were doing. At the turn of the new year we decided that was enough, we set a goal to put down the tech and enjoy our time together.

We made a couple of easy changes that would give us some of our time back. We looked into an at-home food delivery service. I had no idea what to look for, and really don't know anyone who has used one before, but we figured we at least check it out. After some research we decided that Plated would fit our dietary needs. It seems they have more vegan and vegetarian options than their competitors. By switching to Plated we got back a ton of time we would have been spending in the grocery store or thinking up meals to cook throughout the week. We have all gotten stuck in the spaghetti and taco night weekly dinner loop. Our schedules, like I am sure many of yours, never line up. Between work, time with friends, fitness classes among other activities, it is incredible that we see each other at all.

We made another simple change and try to stick to it. We decided to keep the TV off until we spend at least an hour with each. This gives us time to vent, share funny happenings throughout our work day, and focus on what is important. We throw on some easy-listening and cook together. We even might eat that same meal at the table instead of in front of the TV, what a crazy idea. Leaving the TV off is tough because who doesn't want to watch two different documentaries about Fyre Festival to see if they are just a little different. Side-note: the Netflix one is better than the Hulu one. Between cook time together and no TV, we have gained hours of our lives back, which is what marriage is about right? Loving the person you are with and spending time with them?

I have been told that communication is the key to any relationship. I can tell you from first hand experience that spending a little more time together and putting down the tech for a bit has done us good. Even when there is a new Ted Bundy special, we are learning that it will be there after dinner and we can enjoy it together after we chat for a while. Sidenote: The Ted Bundy Tapes on Netflix is out of control, I highly recommend watching it with lights on in the afternoon.

-YourFriendMatt

Diamond in the rough...

“Holy shit. We are the only ones here. This is awesome!” - Me.

Nothing is worst that pushing yourself through a crowd to overpay for a cheap, watered-down drink at a bar filled with dickheads. First world problem I know, but living in a city with a population of over four million people it is bound to happen. Jamie and I rarely go out because it just isn’t worth it. Trying to find parking is a task all on its own and then paying surcharges for it adds salt to the wound. We needed a local place to go. A “Cheers” type place where you can go, actually relax, and everyone knows your name. So we went on the hunt for it.

Deep down in the trenches of Yelp we found a spot that looked like a mistake. There was barely any reviews, only a few dingy photos, but it was within walking distance so we decided we’d roll the dice. We walked in and it was everything you hope for in a dive. Old leather burgundy bar stools, pool tables that have seen a million 8-balls end games, dimly lit by faded Budweiser pool lights from the 70’s. Wood paneling on the walls and an even darker wooded bar that was lacquered to a fine shimmer. There was a jukebox playing oldies in the corner. The menu hadn’t been touched in decades. The carpet was stained from years of party fouls and puke; no one knows its original color. A true diamond in the rough.

We took our seats and ordered cheap bottled beers from the owner, who also happened to be the only employee. This was a blue-collar bar and we immediately felt a sense of belonging. We were the only ones there and we wouldn't have it any other way. Everyone else our age is out trying to find the next hip bar, over pay for their experience and put it on socials that they were there on opening weekend, but we are fine right here. We have music we love playing and each other. In a city packed to the gills with people, it is great to go out and actually relax from time to time. We danced the night away to Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Roger Miller, Dolly and more. No one came in the whole night, we just sat, enjoyed our conversation and company. It is nice getting out every once in a while.

If you need me in the foreseeable future, I’ll be at the dive.

-YourFriendMatt

Fitness Class...

"Be right back. I have to throw up." - Jamie.

It is the new year, and with that comes all the resolutions that we all make to ourselves. Jamie and I are working on getting ourselves back into the shapes we were when we first met. I join a rock climbing gym and she wanted to explore the possibilities of fitness classes. We are both extremely intimidated by fitness. We have no idea where to begin. She found a beginners class within walking distance of our place in Santa Monica and debated signing us up. After a few days of back and forth debate, she signed us up. 

We walked into our 10am class on a Saturday and the gym immediately fulfilled every stereotype I have about gyms, especially fitness classes. There was loud rock music from the 80's and 90's blasting, a sweet smell of over 30-year-old body odor, and a militaristic fitness coach barking orders with a European accent. "Oh yeah, great form, excellent form everyone, three more reps! Sweet it out, honey!" Vlad shouted to a class making their way through a circuit.

Jamie and I signed in, along with our other Groupon inspired fitness newbies, and our class went to orientation. We were instructed to keep a positive attitude, be early, and set measurable goals. Vlad and his assistant weighed us all in and took our measurements. There was only one scale and they asked each of us our ages and goals when we stepped up. I did not know there was going to be homework or that I would be sharing my personal information with complete strangers staring at me as I stood on a scale. Others in our class were mortified when they had to step up, state their age, and goals. I could care less. I found it funny. What made it even more entertaining was when they yelled your weight to another assistant who recorded all the information. "Yeah, this one is 38 and weight 226 pounds! We got a lot of work to do!" One assistant would yell to another. I am here to support my wife so I just made up some bullshit goal of building mass or having the worlds strongest neck muscles. They recorded my weight and then simply instructed, "You should go eat something." I am underweight for my height, bummer.

Once we were all done being humiliated in front of our new class, we got instruction on what this intro class would look like and hit it. We needed to be barefoot, bring a towel, and drink a ton of water. Since neither Jamie or I knew what towels to bring, we figured we would be safe and bring a few beach towels. Everyone else had small hand towels. Whatever. All joking aside, I was sore after. Jamie almost threw up, which is just the icing on the cake for newly inspired fitness seekers. Nothing motivates you more than almost throwing up in front of everyone in your new fitness class. We worked through some strategic and sexual stretches before and after the class that made this already awkward experience, even more awkward. "Make sure your pelvis is fully thrusted forward, good form Gina." Vlad called out. Evidently my pelvis thrust form was not as great, I'll work on it.


The class ended and we walked home and discussed the future of our fitness. Jamie will be back and appreciated me attempting it with her. I will stick to rock climbing, it is more my speed and there is way less pelvis thrusting.

-YourFriendMatt

Trash Woman...

"Fuck you. You'll get over it." - Woman who threw trash out of her car window at me.

Imagine if you will a land in the future. The year is 2019 and although humankind still has it short comings, a huge population of the species strives to leave the world better than they found it. We have the ability to reduce and recycle, smart devices make life more efficient, and modern science continues to take us to further exploration of space unknown. We can do incredible things if we wanted to, and some of use are. Why would you not want to be apart of the solution and contribute to that? There are still some of us that are still lost.

Last night it was raining. My incredible wife, Jamie, was gracious enough to come get me from work because I normally ride my bike. It is dangerous to ride your bike in the rain in Southern California. Rain never happens here so people kind of lose their minds when it does. I work in a heavily trafficked area so I usually opt to meet her a few blocks away at the supermarket so its easier for us to meet up and load my bike in the van. When I got there a woman in a blue minivan was parked a few spots away from where I was meeting Jamie in the supermarket parking lot. As I loaded my bike I noticed the woman, without care, open her car door and throw a crumpled, greasy, brown bag of fast food trash on the ground like it was nothing. Take it to the trash or recycling bin 10 feet away? No, throwing your garbage around the parking lot seems appropriate. I was stunned.

She and I made quick eye contact and I pointed at the trash with a puzzled look on my face so I decided to mouth, "I think you dropped something." Boy, she didn't like that. She responded with an excited, "Fuck you, you hippie! They clean the parking lot nightly, you'll fucking get over it!" I was stunned. She actually believed that throwing trash on the ground was the right thing to do because someone would clean up her mess for her. Folks, there are people on Earth, in the United States, that think this is appropriate behavior. What have we become.

Before I could get another word out my beautiful, yet scrappy, wife lost her damn mind. She doesn't like when people talk to me that way. Jamie replied to the woman with, "Are you fucking kidding me, bitch! Fuck you! Fucking get out of here." The woman sped off. She didn't make it far to the next traffic light. It was actually kind of funny, she talked this big game and told us she was going to kick our asses, then sped off just to have to wait at the stop light. It was instant Karma, she just sat at the light embarrassed. Jamie yelled inside our van, "Wow, you got really far, bitch! Fuck you!" I kept my eyes on the woman, and she did the same, while I walked over, picked up her greasy bag of trash, and put it into the recycling. She flipped me off from the traffic light.

All joking and funny banter aside. We have to do better. We cannot continue to act this way. I don't know what the solve is, but we have to hold each other accountable to a high standard. I hope wherever the woman in the blue van is she is thinking about our interaction and potentially will think about her actions, but sadly, probably not. She will more than like continue to go to Jack in the Box, get something off the value menu, and throw her trash in the streets, which is just an awful way to go through life.

-YourFriendMatt

For Your Health...

I recently hit a milestone in personal development. Over the last year, I have done my best to find quiet-time for myself. Meditation has helped me manage stress, focus on what is important, and gain a second (sometimes third, fourth, and fifth) wind to approach the day or problems with a fresh set of eyes. I believe you can not help others, lead a team, or do your best work until you get yourself in order. This past week I hit 365 days straight of finding time to clear my head, and it feels incredible.

Before consistently meditating I had trouble sleeping. I would let the stressors of the day impact my night and even experienced a few night tremors. Waking up screaming and not knowing where you are, sucks. I also let stress impact my personal life by taking out my stress on others or being withdrawn from situations I should have been enjoying. I needed to take control. I spoke with my doctor, ran tests, and very luckily all was well physically. We discussed how stress kills, and how I could take control of it. I decided to give meditation a try. Quietly sitting, getting lost in my own head would be a great start to understanding why I was stressed and under self-inflicted daily pressures. Meditation forced me to start making sense of what was going on in there.

As it is men’s health month, I wanted to share and (hopefully) inspire anyone to give meditation a shot if you are feeling overwhelmed. I know that I can say meditation and breathing exercises have done wonders for me and I believe it can for you too. If you have any questions or need any advice on getting started, feel free to contact me at Matt@YourFriendMatt.com, I would love to help anyone!

It is okay not to be okay, man.

-YourFriendMatt

Eight Years...

Jamie,

I love how we both forgot we have been dating for eight years. Classic us. Whoops.

Happy eight years!

Thank you for always supporting me and putting up with my shit. I know I am not the easiest to get along with. I know I am stubborn. I know I can be unrealistic. I know I can be a total friggin’ prick. I am working on it. I want you to know how much I love and appreciate you. I have no idea where I would be if I did not have you by my side through all the messes I've made over the last few years. You have consistently pushed me to do better and coddled me when I have failed (miserably). Your constant love and support fuel me to be a better person. I can’t imagine going through what we have been through with anyone else.

I love you, and I can’t wait to be your husband.

-Matt

PS - We are out of peanut butter - we need to go food shopping.

The Graduate...

“Well, that’s done. I graduated from college. What’s for dinner?” - Me.

It took me a while, but I finally did it. I graduated from college. It was awful. I have no idea how I did it. I have no idea where I found the time, or how I found the energy, but it is done. I feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment knowing I finished something I started over a decade ago. If I would have stayed in school all those years I would be a doctor by now, but whatever.

I am a walking billboard for adult learners. I am that commercial of a person sitting up in bed while everyone else sleeps typing away on an essay, finishing homework on the bus ride into work, or taking my lunch break to complete a math problem while trying not to get sandwich crumbs on my MacBook Pro. I did all these things, and although I thought it was terrible at the time, I look back and am proud of the determination I had to get this damn diploma. I have no idea if it will impact or improve my quality of life, but this was a personal goal to get my degree, so I got it.

Over the last two years, while I was in school, I also worked my but off at work and was offered a promotion. During this time I had been dancing the line of work-life balance for 20+ direct reports. Not an easy task when you have a final due every few weeks. We bought a home in Nashville, TN. We moved across the country twice, and we got engaged. And somehow during all of that, I still found time to accomplish my academics. If I can do this, anyone can. I know, I may sound like I am patting myself on the back, but I don’t care, this is my story. I know a million other people have done this, and good for them. Going back to school was rough, but at the same time, it was rewarding. I am proud, let me have my moment.

On a recent call with my soon to be mother-in-law, I vented to her about how I just wanted to drop out. She listened to my complaints and then told me, “You are in your last class, it’s almost over, and when it’s done you’ll be glad you started this two years ago instead of today.” These words stood out to me because every accomplishment starts today. While I was in school, I did not tell anyone; this was a personal quest to prove to myself I could do it. In two years, whatever you start today could be accomplished. Are you going to get started right now? Or, are you going to wait another two years and say to yourself “Next year I will get to that” or “This Saturday I’ll start.” We all know we are full of shit when we say that, so get started on whatever goal you have now, you’ll be glad you did.

What will you get started today?

-YourFriendMatt

My Future Wife...

Jamie and I are Annual Passholders at Disneyland. It is our getaway from reality. We do not have any family out here in California, so we treat Disney as a second home where we feel welcomed and taken care of. When we are there, you can usually find us bouncing between parks, eating Mickey pretzels, or grabbing Fastpasses on as many rides as we can. We consider ourselves very lucky.

We have visited Disneyland so much that we sometimes come up with new ways to experience the parks. There are entire subcultures of Annual Passholders doing the same. Hidden Mickey searches are one of them. The Hidden Mickey search is awesome, and I have done it a few times. These Hidden Mickey's could be anywhere throughout the park and could be in any shape of the iconic three-circle Mickey silhouette. I have found them in the art in some of the hotels, landscaping, on castmembers, on mailboxes throughout the park, or even on some of the rides hidden somewhere in a dark corner.

This past weekend Jamie decided to spice things up by taking as many photos as possible throughout the park doing her new favorite 90's pose. The result is pretty incredible. See the silly pictures above. 

This is my future wife, and I could not be more in love.

-YourFriendMatt

Vegan February...

“My colon has never felt better.” - Me.

My birthday falls on January 31st. Having a birthday on the last day of January lines me up perfectly for a reset in February. I like the idea of leaving one age with a bang, and starting a new year, and a new era, with a sense of purpose. Last year, I challenged myself to an alcohol-free February. Cutting back on beer had its challenges, especially on weekends when Jamie and I would explore Nashville finding new restaurants we wanted to try, and their drink menu. I read a meme that I related to throughout the month that went something along the lines of “you don’t need alcohol to have fun,” and someone replied to it stating, “you also don’t need a car to get places, but it helps.” 

Last years alcohol-free February was not as bad as I thought, so I decided to keep the February challenge going in 2018, and now Jamie is joining in. This February we have we have cut back on alcohol during the week, so we can still enjoy an adult beverage with each other on the weekends. This years main challenge is to go completely vegan. Gasp. This February we have cut out all meats, dairy, eggs, and CHEESE! You get the picture, not animal products.

I thought the process would be way harder than expected but as it turns out with a little prep and research, it really isn’t that hard. There are a ton of books, blogs, and apps that help you find your way through making simple changes to a plant-based diet. We are trying all kind of foods that we would have never checked out before and feeling incredible. We are on a culinary adventure. I didn’t even know what a jackfruit was, but now it’s one of my new favorite foundations for meat replacements. 

We are getting married this year, and both kinds of wanted to tighten up our bodies. Doing this meat-free-vegan February has shown us that we can lose extra weight, get more energy and feel less bloated. I am sure cutting back on unnecessary alcohol after work on a weekday helps too. With this plant-based diet, I have lost over 7 pounds since starting at the beginning of the month and feel, for lack of better words, clean. (See title quote). Who knew? We have both also committed to making simple changes in our weekly work out routines like riding bikes to work, taking the stairs or an extra walk after meals, etc. I have been running consistently a few times a week since October, and since switching to a plant-based diet, I have been crushing my old run times and going further and faster than I used to.

Who knows if switching to a plant-based diet will be something we commit entirely to as a lifestyle change, but I would not be opposed. We feel great, are fueling our bodies with whole foods and seeing results, both physically in mentally. I will get off my pedestal for a minute and completely align and recognize that anyone pushing an agenda or lifestyle change is completely annoying. Nobody want’s to hang out with that guy, but if you were at all interested in trying a plant-based diet, even for a short time, I would recommend it. I am from Philadelphia, and there we live on cheese steaks and hoagies. And they are delicious. It’s in my blood to want to hang with my friends with a beer and sandwich. That will never change. I was just ready to try something new and trying a plant-based-vegan diet has been great to me. Check out some additional resources I have been using below.

Give it a try and if you feel the same after, awesome!

And if not, that’s cool too. 

-YourFriendMatt

Name say's it all...

Hardcore music plays a huge part of my life. When I heard Cro-Mags front man published a new books about a vegan lifestyle I had to pick it up from the library! It's pretty funny and straight to the point, which I love. Check it out!

Easy app to help the transition!

You can filter this to vegan recipes and even find most that are under 30 minutes! Check it out!

Been using for a while...

I was a vegetarian a few years back and always loved this app. They also have a great book and documentary. The app is super simple and has some of my favorite plant based recipes! Check it out

My personal Instagram...

Been posting a bunch of food we have been making if you want to see how easy it is...

Dr. Dolittle Part Three: We have cats...

"Come here you little shit!" - Jamie

It's starting to get weird. Over the last few weeks, animals have found their way to me for help. Recently I have helped a defenseless turtle trying to cross an interstate. I saved a grumpy little bird from being pulverized by a lawn-mowing maniac, and now we have a litter of kittens.

A few Saturday nights ago Jamie and I were unwinding over some hand-crafted cocktails with friends. The best parties happen in the kitchen, so we all gathered around our kitchen island in clear view of our glass front door. While one of our friends were telling us about their week at work, we noticed a white, fluffy face appearing from our front porch shadows and put it's paw on our front door as if to ask if it could come in and hang out. Jamie shrieked with excitement and completely stopped any and all conversation, bolting to the front door to become this kittens mother (and rub this fluff ball on her face).

The obviously terrified kitten ran from the front door into the shadows under our porch. From there on our night was consumed with finding and coddling this kitten (regardless if I wanted to or not). "Hold the flashlight better! I need to get this baby! Oh man, he's so cute! Come here you little shit!" or some string or order of these sentences were exclaimed over and over again until we finally got the damn thing. 

Be careful what you wish for. We now have a litter of kittens patrolling our backyard. What's even funnier is our dogs could give a shit. As long as those two bums are fed, they don't care who comes and goes. 

Does anyone want a cat?

-YourFriendMatt

The kitten whisperer...

Dr. Dolittle Part Two: Bird man...

"I just saved your life. Why are you so grumpy." - Me.

I am starting to feel like Ace Ventura. I have been coming across animals that need my help (See Part One of this story). Most recently I was spending my Sunday gardening and playing with our dogs in the yard. We live next to an old church, and they have their lawn cut bi-weekly. Around 11 am or so before they get started with their service the lawn-keeper comes and makes sure the grass looks good for the parishioners. I was done gardening for the day, so I decided to head back in so Jamie and I could get our mimosa on.

I was on our porch and heard a faint "cheep" come from somewhere on the churches lawn. The roar of the riding lawn mower started somewhere in the distance, so I knew the lawn-keeper was on his way. I started looking around the yard stumbled upon a little grumpy bird sitting in the grass. I gave him my best "Hey, get the hell out of here; I don't want you to get run over by a lawnmower" juke attempt, but he called my bluff and continued to sit there. I stared at him for a while, and he stared right back. I blinked first; he was good.

I did a quick internet search of what to do with an injured bird. What I found was don't touch him, put him in a paper bag or shoe box and leave him alone after. Seems easy; I can do this. I went for the search of a paper bag as lawnmower man rounded the corner of the church and was making his way towards my helpless, grumpy friend. I jumped off the porch, paper bag in hand, and leaped in front of the lawn keeper waving my arms like a moron to prevent him from blending this grumpy little guy into a bird smoothie.

We got the bird into the paper bag and left him alone. The internet also told me to leave the bag open and check on him in an hour to see if it flew away. Which, an hour later, he flew away but not before pooping in the bag and on my porch. He was a little bastard. 

-YourFriendMatt

They call me Bob the Builder...

"Oh shit, it's bleeding! Grab me a towel! And a beer!" - Me.

No household project is complete without some bloodshed. Nothing a beer can't fix.

Recently the weather has changed, and it has led Jamie and me from the black hole we get sucked into, most commonly known as the couch and Netflix, to adventure out and about through Nashville. Everyone in our neighborhood seems to be shaking the coat of winter off and working in their yards. We were inspired to start sprucing up home after a neighborhood walk. After watching some YouTube videos, we got an over-eager sense of confidence that led us to believe we could do just about any project no matter how big or small. Fix the sink? Check. Put in a raised garden? Check. Put on a glass storm door? Check. Fix and replace specific parts of the dishwasher? Uh, probably? Check. Rip up the walkway and put in a new one? Sure! That should only take me a minute! Check.

We decided the front door and the raised garden were the starting points this season. These two tasks seemed moderately simple; we have the tools to get it done, and are pretty cost effective starting points as far as home projects are concerned. After some more YouTubing, we were ready. We hit the hardware store, got what we needed and we were on the way.

Honestly, I wish I had a funnier story but putting on a storm door is a pretty straight forward process. It took me about 2 1/2 hours to install. I did hurt myself and left a little blood on the porch, but it was worth it. Any job worth doing is worth doing without any knowledge of safety.

When all was said and done this project was pretty cheap, and it added a bunch of light to our living room. This door also added value (at least for us) to our home and gave me a sense of pride. I mean just watch the video below.

-YourFriendMatt

Three Decades...

I turned 30. 

30, from what I am told, is a huge milestone in life. I haven't felt any different. I haven’t felt older than 17 since, well, I was 17. I have always been one of the youngest in my friend circle, but now the youngest is 30. Which is crazy to think about, especially when I look through our group texts it only consists of dick and fart jokes. How could we all be 30? Or at least 30? Homeowners? Business owners? Contributing members to society when we all still dick around so much? Like, way too much, and always take the joke way to far.

By the time my parents were 30, I could speak to them in full sentences and was doing homework. I, on the other hand, have moved across the country twice, lived in 3 states, and still have no idea what I want to do when I grow up. And, I don't mind that. I like adventuring. I like who I am, what I get to do daily and where I am with life.

It feels good. I like being 30 so far. There has been a bit of an awakening. I feel motivated to make some changes. I don’t know what those changes are yet, but I have a feeling I will know soon. I feel even more open to new experiences and ideas. I have always had a sense of confidence that has helped me get where or what I wanted out of life. 30 is going to be pretty rad.

Here’s to you 30! And all the up, downs, and b-sides that lay ahead.

***Question - Is it lay ahead or lie ahead?***

-YourFriendMatt

Wine and Bocce...

What is a perfect day? I would say it is a day filled with fun with the one person on the planet that makes you feel better than anyone. We have hit a few bumps in the road over the last few months moving across the country and the financial stress that comes with that. We have experienced our first break in. We have had cars break down, appliances break and even a fender bender. But, we are still here and happy. That's the difference. Over the last few weeks we have gone through some shit but stayed positive. It is the attitude that makes the difference.

We were able to great a day together yesterday and spent it adventuring around in the fall weather. We found a plantation that doubled as a winery, so we decided to spend out afternoon on their grounds partaking in some awesome wine and playing some outdoor activities. Here are some shots from the day. 

Completely unedited using iPhone 7 Plus

Completely unedited using iPhone 7 Plus

Completely unedited using iPhone 7 Plus

People ask all the time, 'Are you this happy all the time?' or 'How are you this happy all the time?' I just don't know. I guess I am just lucky.

Completely unedited using iPhone 7 Plus and Apple Watch

-YourFriendMatt