Stumbling down the Middle Path

OK, so, like... after a couple years of having my blog elsewhere, i've decided to try using LiveJournal. Mostly, it's on the advice of a new friend.

So.. some quick facts about me (which you can also pick up on in my little bio section).

Yes, I am a vegetarian. I've been one for 20 years.

Yes, i'm also a Buddhist. It turns out that I had kind of been believing the same stuff about life, the universe, and our role in it for years and years before I had even learned what Buddhists were all about. When I started learning about Buddhism, and especially Theravada Buddhism, it was an amazingly good fit.

And that's the reason for the title of my blog; the "middle path" is the path away from the extremes of indulgence and self-mortification and toward the practice of wisdom, morality and mental cultivation .

In other words, the middle path is about finding a balance in life. This blog is about the people, places, and things I meet on that path.

It will also be a place for me to bitch about and/or make fun of the totally stupid people I meet along the way ;-)

'Tis The Season... To Be Social!

This is a repost from my other blog site. I'll probably be posting just to LJ from now on

Almost 4 months have gone by, and not a peep.

So much has happened, it's hard to know where to start. And so maybe, i'll just gloss over it all.

• Stuff happened
• I got busy with work
• There was a bit of drama
• Things have mellowed out again

And.. yeah.. that's about it for now.


Last week, however, was really fun. On Wednesday night, I went out to dinner with my buddy Jeremiah, and his 2 friends Addy and Dave. We went to this Italian restaurant called "Arrivederci" in Hillcrest. Yummy food, good atmosphere. The tables were a little small and crowded ( but then, Jeremiah and I are kinda on the big side). The best thing about it? I met two new people who are an absolute blast! The entire evening was just the 4 of us in the restaurant for a few hours. All day Thursday, i was enjoying the afterglow of a wonderful evening.

Then Friday night, it was Justin's Birthday. Each year, he and 3 of his friends who all have their birthdays in December get together and have a big B-Day bash kinda thing. This year, it was at the Brass Rail. They actually got a 'room' for the party. and by 'room' i really mean this elevated seating area thing. Heh, guess you had to see it.

So, Carl and I are sitting on one side, not really knowing anybody there. There were a couple guys I had seen once or twice, but nobody I really knew. However, throughout the evening, people just introduced themselves, and chatted, and laughed, and poked fun at their friends; just the kinds of things a close group of long time friends do.

Before we got there, I was totally thinking of ways to bail early. I mean, we're celebrating Justin's birthday, and so of course I was going to go; it would have been rude not to. I just wasn't really in the mental space to go out and party. Looking back, however, I'm so glad I didn't leave early.

After a beer or two, Carl is nearly jumping out of his seat each time somebody walks in. He just kept yelling in my ear. Stuff like "OMG! look at that guy in the grey sweater. He is so HAWT!!". And then I'd start laughing, and tried to encourage him to go over there and talk to "Hot Man In Grey Sweater".

I met a bunch of guys who play WoW, Guitar Hero, and other video games, or are into movies and music. I've been invited to go play games, join in on movie nights, and just generally hang out with a lot of these guys now.

Saturday, I was just floating around on a cloud all day. For the first time in a long time, I felt good about myself. And it's all thanks to these guys. What a great, friendly bunch they are.

I think I am liking this "socializing" thing again. I want to do more of it!

--Jp