[ ///[ //[ DON'T let anyone { wake me } . . . ~ i`m dreamin` out loud ; ] ] ]

Insight is always a good characteristic to hold, in any regard even. Being capable of deciphering your environment and comprehending things to a degree applicable can sometimes prove more useful than not, especially when you are your only reliant. It's a strange thought, musing the fact that the only person enabling or restricting you is you. I've said this once before, I am certain, so I need not to revisit this, but this was the first thought when I started rapping away at these tired and abused keys. As soon as I found my song for the duration of this entry, I listened to it once over and thought.

Surely, I can safely assume you've all, at the very least, have heard of One Republic. I am very much in love with their music, and I revere Ryan Tedder [ the lead singer ]'s vocal capabilities. He has proved himself impressively in more than one field of music, and even with his multiple focuses, being able to perform such passionate and evoking music - it's a skill I'm sure every musician would love to have. Well, the reason I mention One Republic is, as you might have presumed, because their song "Dreaming Out Loud" is on repeat for this lovely Tuesday eve.

Give it a listen through and then think about it. If you don't get a message right away, it's fine. It's not always going to be the first time we understand something.

So, Tuesday. November 1st! I hope you all enjoyed your weekend. Mine was relatively entertaining, and I'm certain my sharing will entertain you better than it did me.

Friday was the school Halloween dance. Subjective to multiple opinions, it turned out to be an overall disappointment; however, I was a penguin.

Yes. A penguin. [ Proof for Tapioca ]

And the best penguin there, if I might add. I think I might have expended a week's worth of energy [ countered with the candy that I would consume Monday night into Tuesday, but I digress ] from running around the space. Dancing was never a strong point of mine, but I did have a great time seeing familiar faces and great costumes. Of the many that were there, I saw a few teachers [ two of whom asked me to instruct them on the ways to perform a particular, trending dance move, which I did adequately, I'll admit ] - and one of them I did not even recognize. When I saw who it was, I exclaimed and nearly collapsed on the ground in laughter.

Hopefully, if they see this, they will not take that in any negative and insulting connotation possible. I mean, an artificial afro, lens-less glasses, and some gold accessories is enough to completely fool me, apparently. So, after running around for approximately three and half hours with [ and oft into ] my collection of new friends [ before the dance I hung out with a friend and a couple of new friends ], I headed home. But, obviously, not before sliding on the ground twice [ because I was a penguin ], doling out high-fives like there was no tomorrow, and running around the venue more times than I could count on my rather non-dexterous flippers.

It was a night well enjoyed, if I do say so myself.

Saturday morning was a bit less pleasing, though, even more satisfying, for it was a Bridges Run. The second of the year, for those who are unaware of what a Bridges Run entails, I'll shortly describe it here:

Bridges is a non-profit charity organization. Their efforts to support the homeless come in more ways than one and their participants are possibly the best batch of individuals I've met in my life. For as long as I'm aware of, Mrs. Catherine Marshall [ using her name without her consent, but I'm sure she won't mind because she is possibly one of the best people in the world, unrivaled ] has been administering the Bridges Runs, along with the participation of the Soup Kitchen [ S.H.I.P. - Summit Helping Its People ]. On these runs, clothing, donated from families, and lunches, consisting of sandwiches made by the students in my school they day of or prior to a run along with other things to fill them up and get those who need it by, are given out to people who arrive at these runs. I can honestly say that, every time we're on that bus, no matter who the mix of people are, we leave our troubles behind and cater to whatever it is they come to us for. We're on the streets with them, some designated to do different jobs, but communicating with them all the while nonetheless. I made an entry on it before, but this is just for clarification purposes.

Now, this particular run was probably one of the roughest we've had in the years I've participated.

But don't quote me on that.

It rained in the morning. Nothing major. Then, as I arrived at school, I looked out the window and found that it had started snowing! What a surprise [ even though it had been predicted ]. And what a menace this snow would prove to become. It chased after us as we made our way to our destination. Out we went, ill-prepared for what was to come ourselves, but relentless, none the less. It was very cold, I'll admit, and it wasn't the easiest task to cater to each and every person, but we did as best we could and got them back inside as quickly as possible for both their sake and ours.

It was a reminder to us of how fortunate we were to be in a position where, not only were we better off, but we were capable of using our position to help others. Extend a hand downwards to pull them to our level.

What good would pushing others down do you if you were going to be right in the same spot by the end of the day?

On the way back from Bridges, we did our routine respects. To our loyal and magnificent driver, Rudy, to our guest chaperone, to the boys on the bus, and finally to Mrs. Marshall.

I can honestly say that this is one of the things I'm going to miss about high school - my high school, in particular.

I suppose it's true what they say - that high school shapes who you are. It's not only the environment, nor is it only the people within, both those who you associate with and those who you avoid to be involved with, but it's the search for your identification. It's the truths that you look for solidification of your life. The truths you want to root yourself in and build off of.

Saturday was rather entertaining, especially after Bridges, because I spent it with a good pal of mine. And with his permission, I introduce the lot of you to the soon-to-be-famous Alexander Quow. He is too much to explain in one sitting, I'll tell you, so I'll just proceed to our times of fun. As he likes to say, "it's always fun when I got the bag of fun - fun like a bug in a rug." And, usually, the "bag of fun" entails an evening of playing video games to our best interest and entertainment.

And every time, it's the best.

All the while, the state in which I live was in a State of Emergency. Even then, we went down and jeered at the television which had the local news on - the station's broadcasters were fumbling about and making comical errors. Of course, the sensitive thoughts of those who were out in these harsh conditions never escaped us. A smile came to me as I heard Alex say, "Man, this day was great - first Bridges and now this: you just made this day a whole lot better."

And I couldn't help but laugh as he proceeded to receive multiple backhands from a particular boss in a game he was, at the time, determined to defeat.

But, I digress - the point there was not that I had done a thing to amplify anyone's day, but that he was enjoying it with the company he pleased. First friends from the Bridges run and then in the comfort of his own home, I could easily say that Alex had fun, even though I was doing the same things he was. Redundancy, let us not fall into a cycle of proving a point that's already been established.

So, as it turned out, the snowstorm - a bit preemptive and premature all the same - did its damage. A friend of mine, the lovely Julia Cicchino - one of the first faces that greeted me upon my arrival at my audition for the musical I'm currently in and now a very close friend of mine - contacted me the next morn to check up on me. Admittedly, I didn't even think to check up on every one else! I didn't even know how intense the storm apparently was, because all my neighborhood received was snowfall, thankfully enough. But, as I went through my contacts and messaged everyone, I found that they each had their share of stories to tell.

And I paid attention to each of them.

I'm fortunate to find that none of them were harmed, nor are any of their homes suffering any repercussions, but I hope that things return to normal soon for those who were inflicted. What followed Sunday was nothing short of a surprise - Halloween; yet, the snow on the ground was a fairly strange addition. Evidently, as a penguin, I had to venture out with my brother that great night and go door-to-door, smiling and thanking the people who had incessantly been braving the chilly winds of the night.

Such courageous people.

All went well, and I heard no stories of foul play from last night. I even got to meet the new neighbors who had moved in about a month ago. They're nice people, and they liked the penguin costume [ which I've failed to mention was a lend from a fellow student of mine ] and that instantly knocked them up a few pegs on my list. Of course, anyone who loves the penguin is loved by the penguin - common sense.

Haha. So, Tuesday. I've missed a day of school due to power outages and other students being unable to make it to school. I spent my day, rapping away at this keyboard as I am now. For those of you who unaware of November first's significance to particular writers, let me inform you - it is NaNoWriMo. Ah, yes, NaNoWriMo. What is NaNoWriMo? Well, it's simple, really.

National Novel Writing Month

Consider it a bit of a challenge to writers: write fifty-thousand words within the month of November, forming a story in novel-form. It happens every November, and there are communities and connections available for those who wish to pursue writing as both a hobby and career; even designated persons who are legitimately certified within the field to aid and spur along those who need the motivation. It's a very interesting personal challenge. In fact, I'd consider it a milestone, a testament to how far I've come as a writer.

And, of course, as a person. As the human mind is forever developing, I wondered what I should write about. And, soon enough, after dancing over my options, I chose a particular one, and will be sharing it with the lot of you at the end of the month, should you prove to be interested. Alas, when I sat in my chair [ or laid on my bed, I cannot actually recall where I was when I stumbled over this ] I found that a friend had shared yet another silly thing in my News Feed. Of course, I took the liberty of actually looking at it this time around - solely because it was a smiley face.

Yes, smiley faces make me smile and therefore I flock to them.

Upon inspection, I found that it was a bit of a challenge. And an interesting one at that. The smiley face consisted of many letters that gave it its form, and, at the top, were the instructions: "The first four words you see describe you."

Courtesy of Sarah "Sassdizzle" Davis

And this Sarah "Sassdizzle" Davis is a complete stranger. I contacted her before I started this entry, and hopefully she doesn't mind my highlighting her image from her "Mobile Uploads". Also, I request that you don't invade her personal privacy, despite the liberties Facebook grants, without her consent.

So, yeah. Check it out. Pluck out the first four you see and scribble them down. Think about each of them and how accurate [ or inaccurate ] they may be. Most likely, they'll be spot on and you'll smile because of it. Don't discredit yourself either, because you were the one who found it and... I suppose you can consider it... a compliment...

From yourself.

And, so, I leave you on this Tuesday evening, hoping to see you again on Friday. Enjoy your week, and thanks for reading!

Oh, and the four I got?

Peaceful, reserved, lovely, and loyal.

<3 ~ Monty
=]