WEDNESDAY, 13TH MARCH

A: Tell a story about a time you got drunk before you were legally old enough to do so.

B: Tell a story set at your first job.

The year was 2010, I was 20 and it was my second semester in college. I was hired as a Residence Assistant for one of the dorms on a campus that had a ZERO TOLERANCE for alcohol.

What that meant is that if we wanted to party, we had to go to another school. Luckily for us, we had one of the biggest party schools in the state, if not the country, just 15 minutes from our campus.

Now, I was never really a party person but I had a really long week in the dorm, due to a very large littering issue (image to right) we had earlier in the week, and I really just wanted to get out. My buddy’s girl friend went to the above mentioned school and said that I should come party with them.

There was a catch (isn’t there always?). 1. This school had separate dorms for males and females and my buddy and I were expected to sleep in his girlfriend’s room, which was fine, getting in was the problem. 2. The party we were supposed to go to was in a dorm that required visitors to sign in and could only have current students in the dorm, meaning that we were sneaking in through the windows.

We got in the dorm and started off with some beer pong, which I was surprisingly good at and then some flip cup. Several drinking games later we were heading to a frat house down the road, this is when things starting to get fun. Between beer pong and some card game, I was getting fed drinks left and right.

By the time we were ready to head back to the dorms, all of us were way to drunk to drive, so we all had to walk the half mile walk back to the dorms, while avoiding campus police.

The next day I woke up with the worst hangover I have ever gotten, even to this day. This was also the time that I found my love for Captain and Coke.

Totally worth it.

————–

What is your first underage drunk story? Leave it in the comments below or write up your own blog post.

I’ll be blogging for the next two weeks using prompts from the Scintilla Project.

I messaged two girls last night, minutes later I got a little notification saying that they were both visiting my profile. Why didn’t they message me back? I believe there is something that is preventing girls from messaging me back. Maybe it is my profile.

I have a theory that people on the Internet know me better than some of my best friends do. With that being said, I have decided to put my current OkCupid profile information here for you to pick apart for me.

Add any changes to the comments below, or if you want to completely overhaul it, you can email it to itsjoey[at]joeyaberle[.]com.

My self-summary:

I was born and raised in Southern New Hampshire, but moved to Chicago just a few months ago. I am slowly starting to fall for the city, but will always have a spot in my heart for Boston and the rest of New England.

What I’m doing with my life:

I am working on finishing my Bachelors in Business Management. Even though I have a passion for graphic design, I wouldn’t mind working in the retail environment as a career, mainly because my ADD wouldn’t allow me to sit at a computer for eight hours a day.

On the off days, I like to hang out with friends, go to bars and explore new parts of the city.

CURRENTLY: Started training for the 2013 Chicago Marathon, mentally training that is… Physical training will begin when I have a lower chance of running and slipping on a patch of black ice.

I’m really good at:

I’m an empty essay… fill me out!

The first things people usually notice about me:

I saw a t-shirt once that said “I’m shy, not anti-social (You can talk to me)” and that could probably describe me best. Moral of that story? I’m really shy, but I’ll open up pretty fast.

Favorite books, movies, shows, music, and food:

Shows: Community (IT’S BACK!), Walking Dead, HIMYM, Chicago Fire (And it’s not because I live in Chicago), Modern Family, New Girl, House (RIP), House of Cards (A recent addition thanks to Netflix).

Music: Mat Kearney, OneRepublic, Train, Ed Sheeran, but I’ll listen to just about anything.

Movies: I like action/adventure and comedies mostly. I am not a really movie theater type, but most recently I have seen The Hobbit and Les Misérables (favorite broadway musical and now possibly a favorite movie as well).

I have a list of movies that I would like to go see this year, including: Oz The Great and Powerful, The Great Gatsby, Zero Dark Thirty, Star Trek Into Darkness, Iron Man 3, A Good Day To Die Hard and Identity Theft.

Food: I’ll try anything once.

The six things I could never do without:

iPhone

Friends

Family

Mountain Dew (Currently trying to go 30 days without caffeine, ask me on 3/12 to see how that works out.)

Double Stuffed Oreos (only with milk)

I spend a lot of time thinking about:

Life, my future and if I am actually living my life like I want to.

On a typical Friday night I am:

I’m an empty essay… fill me out!

The most private thing I’m willing to admit:

Some of my closest friends call me JoeyCuddlez (Yes, one word and with a ‘z’), but I will only admit the true reason over a drink.

I’m looking for:

Girls who like guys

Ages 21–26

Near me

For new friends

You should message me if:

You want to get to know me more or learn about why I have the nickname Cuddlez.

I don’t have nightmares, never mind dreams, that often, at least not ones that I remember. But, the other night, I had one that literally scared me awake.

Without getting too personal, my brother has had a stomach condition since he was just a little boy. This condition left him needing to take medication every day for the rest of his live. It’s also a condition that could lead to colon cancer if left untreated. Now, if you’ve read my blog long enough, you’d know that I’ve already lost someone very close to me from colon cancer.

The only thing that I can remember from the dream is that my brother had a really bad flare up and it was uncontrollable. He was in the hospital getting round the clock treatments. He was so weak and his entire body just shut down. He passed away.

I found myself opening my eyes, sitting straight up, and extremely hot. Phew, it was just a dream nightmare, I thought to myself. But then I got thinking to myself.

What happens if something serious happens to my family? How long will it take for them to get me the information? It’s not like they can drive down the street to my work anymore. I also don’t have a couple hundred dollars laying around, just in case I would have to buy an emergency plane ticket. In fact, when my sister got rushed to the ER after what was thought to be a severe neck injury, I almost walked out of work and was going to grab the first cab to O’Hare. Was moving so far away the best idea?

In October, when I moved to Chicago, I wasn’t just starting a new life, but I was moving away from three people that mean the absolute world to me. I knew it was hard for them, secretly it was 10 times harder for me. At the time it could’ve been said that I made this decision really fast, I think that’s how it needed to be done. If I sat around going back and forth, I probably would’ve never moved.

Our lease ends in about two months and we have until the fifth to decide if we are going to stay here. I gave myself a year to stay in Chicago and now I am wondering what I want to do. Do I go home and be grateful for the ride or do I stay? Do I continue to live with a roommate or do I go solo and try living truly independent for once? All of these questions will be going through my head over the next few days and up until we send back our letter.

I called my mom today, to talk about an upcoming eye appointment, and to just see if anything happened. You know, if the nightmare was actually coming true. She picked up answering, “hi Joey” and then I hear a loud “HI BROTHER” in the background, from my sister. That’s all I needed to hear to know that everything was okay.

In the end, I just want my family to know that I love them and I think about them every single day. Also, they shouldn’t fear that I would do everything in my power to get home in the case of an emergency.

I had a profile on OkCupid about a year ago, but deleted it once I got matched with one of my ex best friends. Since I am now in a new city, I figured that I would start a new profile and see what came of the matches. As I started to fill in my bio and answered some of the questions, possible matches started popping up. I clicked on a few profiles and liked what I saw. One match was from Boston, could see Fenway Park from her old apartment and had a form of sarcasm that she called “East Coast Sarcasm.” *DING DING DING: We Have A Winner!* One problem, I am deathly shy of making any kind of first approach.

The thing I learned very fast is that I could have five girls visiting my page, but unless I message them first, there is a very unlikely chance that they would actually message me. We are in 2013, why can’t girls be the one to make the first move? For the record, my last girlfriend made the first move.

Then, one night I was just surfing the web and I got an email with the subject “You have a new message…” At first I thought it was just one of the bots that seems to randomly send you messages. I clicked the link and it was an actual person. “Hi,” the message said. That’s it? Hi? I decided to write back and that simple “Hi” turned into a conversation that lasted until about 2am. When we were both on the verge of falling asleep at our computers, we exchanged phone numbers and said good night.

We texted the next day. And the day after that. And the day after that until we finally decided to make plans to meet go out on a date. Plans started out as meeting in the Loop, since she was from the South Side, but quickly changed as she didn’t like to use public transportation. Red flags should’ve started to go up, but they didn’t just yet.

The day of the date came and I went off to work like normal. I put my phone in my desk when I arrived at work, which is something I don’t normally do, and was so busy throughout the day that I didn’t even get a chance to check it. Finally, 4 o’clock came and I started to get ready to leave and head home to get ready. I looked at my phone and it all came crashing down.

Apparently, she had a few doctor appointments during the day and she got some bad news. She explained it to me in a long winded text and also included a copy of an MRI order, as if I wouldn’t believe her. I sent back a short message telling her that I understood and that I hoped she felt better. Was I disappointed, of course, but I know that stuff comes up and you just have to roll with it. I was just taken back by the fact that she felt the need to send me a picture of the MRI order.

The next few days went by with a few texts here and there. Then, one day she texts me saying that she is lonely and wishes I could come and cuddle with her. Now, if you know me, you’ll know that I am all for cuddling, but I didn’t even meet this girl yet. This is when it gets really good.

She texts, “how would you like me putting my hand between your legs?”

WHOA!!!!!! After regaining my composure, I responded with a text saying that, “I am not looking for anything like that right now and that I may not be very religious, but I do have my own personal beliefs. I don’t want to have a one night stand because I am not like that. It has taken a lot out of me to talk to you like this, but I don’t want to change who I am just so a girl will talk to me.”

Get ready for the crazy. “I just want to tell you one thing.. You actually made me cry. I’ve been used before for such things and thanks for making me feel used again. That’s it. Bye.”

I wasn’t interested in trying to fix this since it wasn’t really anything so I responded with a short, “I’m sorry that you feel that way. It’s been nice talking to you.”

A hour later, I received, “Is it weird that I still want to talk to you?” And a hour after that, “I honestly always screw things up. I apologize. Have a good day.”

I never responded to those last two messages and two days later I got a “hi :/” from her.

Are they all just looking to hook up? Because I am not. I am on this site to possibly find someone that could turn into a future girlfriend or more. I was really excited for this date and being able to put myself out there again, but this whole experience has made me put my guard up and now I am second guessing even using the website. Maybe I should’ve had my guard up in the first place. I am really hoping that Mrs. Aberle is out there somewhere, but I now think that I am going to take my time and find her.

Do you use any online dating websites? What are some crazy stories you have? Do you have any suggestions for a shy guy trying to find someone online?

In 2012 I have:

• Traveled more that ever.
• Met some amazing people that have changed my life.
• Grown apart from some others.
• Started a new life by moving to Chicago.
• Paid more attention to things that matter (ie: politics).
• Began to figure out what I would like to do with my life.

These are just a few things that mattered to me this year and I am sure that there are many more that I can’t think of right now. I don’t plan on making any resolutions for 2013, because, let’s be honest, I never follow through with them.

Also, check out this awesome Year in Review video by Google. This are all things that the we, The Internet, made popular during the year.

I have been blogging since before blogging was a thing. Back when I blogged, it was more like a personal online journal that no one knew about. I relaunched my blog on August 1st, 2011, the first day of VEDA, and opened it to the public on the 8th. Now, just about a year later, I have finally hit one 100th post. To celebrate this being my 100th post, I want to give thanks to all of those who have been there for me in the past year. I’m also going to include some of my most viewed posts that I think you should check out.

My Family: I just want to thank you for always being there for me, no matter what. I know that I shocked most all of you when I said I was moving to Chicago, but I really just love that you all supported me in this new adventure. I miss you all and I can’t wait to come home and see you.

My Friends: There are just a few that I’m thankful for and I don’t think I need to list names. Thank you for being there those late nights when I needed to talk and thank you for always knowing the right thing to say.

My Roommate: Thank you for dealing with me as I adjust to a completely new lifestyle.

The Internet: Need I say more? I less than three you guys!

My Co-Workers: I know that none of my co-workers will see this, but I am thankful for them and how much they have helped me with my new position at the store.

Most viewed posts:

I Am Above the Influence: “You will find that those obstacles you will face, don’t have half the strength that you have..”

*Guest Post* Blogging in Public (This isn’t the Public You’re Thinking of…): “The environment that best allows you to keep creating is the one that’s right for you.”

Letters To My Future Wife: “The only thing I ask is that you just accept me for all my little quirks that I may have and I will do the same for you.”

Big Changes For This Guy: “I am happy, for once, with the decision I have made.”

Six.: “I may forget dates, but I will never forget you.”

Who are you thankful for this holiday season?

I am sending out Holiday Cards this year and would love to send you one! Click the image above and send me your information. I would also like to fill up my apartment with cards, so let me know if you would like my new address!

With Halloween right around the corner, I figured I’d write a post that would fit with the season. I also told my friend Candace that I would write a post after she wrote one talking about the paranormal.

Some nights, while sleeping in my bed, I would wake up randomly at 3am on the dot. I would be woken up because I thought I felt something on the foot of my bed. Now, I had one of those tempurpedic beds, so for me to feel something it had to have a decent amount of weight. Then, just as soon as the feeling came, it was gone again. The feeling would happen randomly for the next few months, but didn’t have any patterns. I just thought it was a coincidence that I was waking at the same time.

It wasn’t until I went to visit my grandmother that the pieces came together. My grandmother went to go see a psychic, with the hopes of talking to her son (my dad). The psychic asked her if she was having trouble sleeping, especially around the times of 3am. Yes. He also asked if she would be awoken with the feeling of someone else at the foot of the bed. Yes. He said that it was her son and he was coming to visit her as she visits him every single day. He also said that he visits his son (me) and his sister on a regular basis, but he could not explain why it was three in the morning.

My grandmother asked me if I had experienced any of these feelings. I said no. I wanted it to be her special moment with him. I am, however, glad that he comes to see me now and again. He usually comes around a time that I could really use someone close. It’s nice to know that he is still there.

On a lighter note, back home we have a friendly ghost that lives in our house. No, not Casper. His name is Mr. Lynch and he was the previous owner of the house, that passed away shortly before us moving in. We can hear him walking around the house at random times of the day and sometimes he will shut doors. His name was John, but we renamed him to Toby (after the ghost in Paranormal Activity 3).

Do you believe in the paranormal? If you do, have you ever had any experiences with it?

For the month of October, SPLAT! will be going pink and purple for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For those of you living under a rock, pink is the official color for breast cancer and purple is the color of survivors (okay, I’ll give you a break if you didn’t know the fact about purple).

I am an avid advocate of organizations that support cancer research (as a whole), such as the American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen and the Colon Cancer Coalition. I have walked in an American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event for the past 15ish years and have volunteered in a handful of fundraising events for other organizations.

Since I am in a new city/state, I can no longer support some of the causes, like I usually do, during this month (ie. volunteering for the American Cancer Society’s Strides for Breast Cancer event).

THE CHALLENGE!!

1. Make a donation to an organization that supports breast cancer (some examples below).
   • American Cancer Society
   • Susan G. Komen
   • Or any other organization you find.
2. Forward some form of receipt to: itsjoey@joeyaberle.com.
   • Include in the forwarded email, your name, amount and if I can include your name in a future post.
     • This will also make it easier so I don’t need to dissect every single receipt.
3. As of October 31st at midnight (eastern), I will tally up the final amount and make a personal donation of 10% of the total.

Easy enough right?

Can’t donate? Click the share buttons below to share this awesome challenge with your friends.

Want to help even more and match a certain percentage instead of making a donation?  Send me an email to itsjoey@joeyaberle.com and let me know!

I want thank you all in advance and I can’t wait to see the outcome of this challenge at the end of the month.

Watch this video from SourceFed and then you will understand why I am writing this post:

I addition to the month of October being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month¹, it is also National Bullying Prevention Month.

While being ‘popular’ in school I made fun of some people who were, how do you say, lower on the totem pole. I was on the drumline while in high school. Wait, you were in the marching band? NO, the drumline is different! Shut up and work with me here.

I would always be one of the first people to make fun of that goofy boy who played the flute or how half of the color guard was overweight and that’s why they weren’t good.

And that’s when you realize that the drumline is the asshole group of the marching band. Guilty.

The thing is, that’s not who I am and I was doing it to impress people. I’m not saying that doing it for that reason makes it okay. Because it doesn’t.

Even to this day, I still bully people, but in a different way.

I judge people.

Yesterday, I met a guy at the bus stop.² Right off the bat, he was sketchy. He was black, wearing a big baggy jacket, smoking and just looked dirty. My first instinct is to avoid this man at all costs. He turns to me and says, “I can’t believe we have to wait 22 minutes for a bus when there are three other buses scheduled to go the other way.”

Hmm, valid argument.

I nodded my head in agreement. He continued on about how the CTA is robbing us blind, raising fares but lowing services. I finally broke from my silence and said, “this is only my fourth day here, so this is all news to me.”

Shit. Now he knows that I am a newbie to the city.

He reaches out his hand. “I’m Jemar.”

*Phew.*

We start talking about what brought me to the city and how he relocated just about ten years ago.

This guy isn’t so bad after all. In fact, Jemar is a single dad with three kids, who works two jobs and was on his way to his second job when I met him around noon time.

What I am trying to say is that you shouldn’t judge people. You know the whole “you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover” kind of deal. Now, could Jemar be a serial killer that stalks on newbies to Chicago. SURE! But he wasn’t.

Friends, just do me a favor. Let’s all be a little bit nicer to each other. We are all different, embrace it.

Cause seriously. “It’s bullshit.”

1. Which is a cause that is near and dear to me
2. Mind you, this isn’t Nashua, NH bus stops anymore.

I wrote this post back in July while looking to hit 100 posts by the end of the month. While trying to hit 100, I asked Twitter what I should write about. Since I did enjoy one of the questions, I figured I would publish it and not let it sit in my drafts folder. Here it is.

@indeedemma asked:

@itismejoey why you love being geek/nerd/however you identify as such (been facing some challenges in the area, could use some inspiration!)

— Emma Jenkin (@indeedemma) July 19, 2012

The first time that I was called a geek was when I started playing in the school band. Band geek. Although the word geek is in that title, I was anything but. First, I played in the percussion section, that’s where all the cute boys are ladies. Secondly, I was ‘popular’ and didn’t associate with any of those other geeks. This status stayed with me as I went into high school, but little to everyone’s knowledge, I started forming into a computer geek.

I got more into technology and ended up falling in love with coding and design. I was designing websites for myself and for businesses. When I started to get paid for doing something I love, that’s when I fully embraced the geek title. Well, maybe not fully embraced because I don’t really match part of the definition. I’m sure you can tell which one:

Geek (noun):

1. An unfashionable or socially inept person; a knowledgeable and obsessive enthusiast.

2. A carnival performer who performs wild or disgusting acts.

Now that you know the background on how I became to be known as a geek, it’s a great time to tell you why I love being one, that is the point of the post after all.

I guess one of the main reasons why I love being a geek is because I get to meet a bunch of fellow geeks. Every single geek has a unique geeky-ness about them. Sure, there are thousands of computer geeks out there, but there may only be a handful of geeks that know how to do a certain thing.

Another thing would be ‘geeking out’ over new technology. I enjoy having a group of people that I can geek out with. I’m an Apple Fanboy¹, when a new product comes out, such as an iPhone or MacBook comes out, I know that I can count on other geeks to be there on all the social media outlets geeking out with me.

If you had to break it down into categories/sub-categories it would go²:

• Computer Geek
  • Internet
  •  Coding
  • Apple
  • Photography
  • Design

I know that, if needed, I have at least one geek that can help me out. I have also learned to be okay with beings geek, it’s not nessesaraly a bad thing.

Overall, I would have to say that I love the community of geeks that I have associated myself with.

1. if you didn’t know this already we can no longer be friends, I’m sorry
2. by the way, I feel my inner geeky-ness coming out when I break it down into categories