Ahhhh! The Fifth Dimension!
2006: The most influential year in my whole life. The past 12 months define me and describe my teenage years. I've experimented and experienced; loved and liked; conquered and cowered. This will be long.
The scenery of the '06 prelude was all about Ron and I, the first love. He had just showed me the wonders of alcohol as we celebrated the onslaught of 2006 and the dissolving of the previous decade. Things went fine for a few more months until passion was attacked by the cob webs of monotony. By "our" tenth month of existance, I broke off the relationship. Feelings swirled around and stirred up every once in a while but it was already over.
A few months prior, I recieved the legal documents that gave me the rights to drive my car on my own. The 1989 Volkswagen Golf GT: a fine piece of german technology - finely crafted and obviously fueled by not only unleaded gas, but the Fountain of Youth as well. It became a symbol of that which is Colton Hughes. Racing around corners and blazing down the highways at 90 mph, it somehow finds a way to keep up with my teenage-hatred for slow drivers and time restrictions. Now that I was "vehicular", I was now prompted to go out and look for a job.
Monday, April 10th, I became an official employee of ColdStone Creamery of New Hudson, Michigan. The search for employment ultimately led to the ice cream store - the first of fifteen stores I visited on my day of applying. It was time for me to grow up and start making money. I found that this was an excellant opportunity for this. A friendly atmosphere, delicious ice cream and what came to be a new family of friends in which I love very much. Up until this day, I don't regret a single day working there and plan to be there for a while.
Speaking of disregard to work, the slow season came at the end of fall at the creamery...so I was forced to find a second job to compensate for lost hours. Don had gotten a job at the Lyon Township "Douche and Douche" Subway. Being that the drop out rate of employees was at a maximum, I went in as Don's-friend-looking-for-a-job and came out as a sandwich artist. Quickly the job turned from bad to horrible as our rivals, the Titans of Evil, Andrea and Randy, took over for our cursed manager Todd. Through and through, Don and I stuck it out and found that Subway is more than just a retched place to work...but also is a source of comedy and amusing apiphanies - thus the supervillian duo, Tuna Face & Waffle Hand were born.
Donald Raymond Bear came into my life at just the right time. Almost two weeks after I wrote my poem, The Blinding Light of the Moth - which was about how I always had nothing to do, I hung out with Don for the first time in my life. All I had known about him from before that day was that he was the merciless bully to my ex-friend Bryan Deaton; his cousin. From that day forward, a bond had been formed by The Monster between him and I: one that I had never been apart of before. With such a strong friendship in the making, Don, Laurel and my own sister made hanging out a daily objective. He brought back the real me - the thinker, the gamer, the trusting - attributes I hadn't felt since before Jon had moved out of the park. He showed me that it doesn't matter what people think of me, as long as I like what I am doing. Don is the best friend I've ever had and it makes me feel even better that the feelings are likewise with him. I've learned so much more about the world just by the osmosis of knowing him and I can only hope that I've helped him like he has helped me.
The group that is composed of Don and I, is matched by the feminity of our estrogenic counterparts: my sister and Don's girlfriend Laurel Taulbee. Ashley had brought Laurel and I together on several occasions which eventually brought us together permenantly. I had known Laurel from the days of me being "Bryan's wierd friend" - much moreso than Don. I found it easy to talk to her and was pulled in by a certain charm. The group had formed and she had revealed to me the magic of urban exploring. I was allowed to set eyes upon Johnson's hose factory - leaving a special spot for decrepid buildings in my heart that beckons to be unleashed more and more at a time. Laurel once passed on a story that I really took to thought about how I shouldn't be afraid of the dark unknown because the only thing that will happen when you step foot into the pitch black electric room of Johnson's...is nothing.
My sister has become the final beacon in my circle of company. After the years of arguing and fighting, we came to an understanding somehow and became more than siblings. I couldn't imagine a single day without her, despite her constant passion for driving me insane sometimes with her inane antics and foolish tactics. Because of her, the term "squt" gave way to some of the greatest conversations of the group. She always keeps us laughing with her sometimes unknowing, but loving, nature. People always ask you, who is the one person you'd save if you had the chance. Well, mine would be my little sister.
The defining factor that brought the four of us together, is no doubt, the thought-provoking herb, marijuana. This past year, I discovered the true greatness that it holds within it's emerald smoke. It's not just a tool for getting messed up for me but more as a gateway to our inner minds. With our group acting as one with it, we shared it with ease like it belonged to all of us. A special seasonal holiday was formed in October called Blunt Day, where a blunt is smoked in commemoration of pot. It is to be done outside while enjoying the season that it is being celebrated in. A truly magnificent idea - especially since we all have quit - save special occasions. Weed might have brought us all together, but it's not the rope that is keeping us all tied together.
Among other things this year, I got to fry at Warped Tour - where I got to meet several of my favorite bands including one of the top performers to me, Thursday. I've also delved into a greater appreciation for techno and the like. DEMF, The Detroit Electronic Musical Festival (aka Techfest) pryed open my mind to the wonders of the alternatives to rock, country, rap and pop.
I've had the most spectacular times of my life this past year. I've lost friends, drifted away from others and some have moved. But I finally got what I've always wanted in my seventeenth year on the plane of existance: a tightly knit group of best friends that I love with all my heart. I would give everything to them and do anything for them. They have allowed me to see the world, and myself, for what they truly are. Thanks to them - I am the one who stands before you.
GOODBYE 2006
Land of a Thousand Words
Another constellation dies
Do what you want 'cause it's your own sky
Just call me when the phone stops ringing
Thanks for coming by
I'm just glad I'm on your good side
Where it's smoldering or freezing
It's never all that easy to decide
This is the land of a thousand words
But it seems so few are worth the breath to say
Except I'll be looking after my own world
And you just keep on saving the day
I'll try to stay but it's in vain when you're far
I'm on the run to wherever you are
And that's the nature of the chase
You fall so far behind you end in first place
Pass the torch this time we're running to each's own regret
There'sno harm in playing hard to get
Boundlessness deceives me
Baby you may turn the corner yet
This is the land of a thousand words
But it seems so few are worth the breath to say
Except I'll be looking after my own world
And you just keep on saving the day
I'll try to stay but it's in vain when you're far
I'm on the run to wherever you are
I'm a gonna do everything I say
Tried to stay but time's running out
But now I'm on my way
R.I.P. Moki
1/2/07
The scenery of the '06 prelude was all about Ron and I, the first love. He had just showed me the wonders of alcohol as we celebrated the onslaught of 2006 and the dissolving of the previous decade. Things went fine for a few more months until passion was attacked by the cob webs of monotony. By "our" tenth month of existance, I broke off the relationship. Feelings swirled around and stirred up every once in a while but it was already over.
A few months prior, I recieved the legal documents that gave me the rights to drive my car on my own. The 1989 Volkswagen Golf GT: a fine piece of german technology - finely crafted and obviously fueled by not only unleaded gas, but the Fountain of Youth as well. It became a symbol of that which is Colton Hughes. Racing around corners and blazing down the highways at 90 mph, it somehow finds a way to keep up with my teenage-hatred for slow drivers and time restrictions. Now that I was "vehicular", I was now prompted to go out and look for a job.
Monday, April 10th, I became an official employee of ColdStone Creamery of New Hudson, Michigan. The search for employment ultimately led to the ice cream store - the first of fifteen stores I visited on my day of applying. It was time for me to grow up and start making money. I found that this was an excellant opportunity for this. A friendly atmosphere, delicious ice cream and what came to be a new family of friends in which I love very much. Up until this day, I don't regret a single day working there and plan to be there for a while.
Speaking of disregard to work, the slow season came at the end of fall at the creamery...so I was forced to find a second job to compensate for lost hours. Don had gotten a job at the Lyon Township "Douche and Douche" Subway. Being that the drop out rate of employees was at a maximum, I went in as Don's-friend-looking-for-a-job and came out as a sandwich artist. Quickly the job turned from bad to horrible as our rivals, the Titans of Evil, Andrea and Randy, took over for our cursed manager Todd. Through and through, Don and I stuck it out and found that Subway is more than just a retched place to work...but also is a source of comedy and amusing apiphanies - thus the supervillian duo, Tuna Face & Waffle Hand were born.
Donald Raymond Bear came into my life at just the right time. Almost two weeks after I wrote my poem, The Blinding Light of the Moth - which was about how I always had nothing to do, I hung out with Don for the first time in my life. All I had known about him from before that day was that he was the merciless bully to my ex-friend Bryan Deaton; his cousin. From that day forward, a bond had been formed by The Monster between him and I: one that I had never been apart of before. With such a strong friendship in the making, Don, Laurel and my own sister made hanging out a daily objective. He brought back the real me - the thinker, the gamer, the trusting - attributes I hadn't felt since before Jon had moved out of the park. He showed me that it doesn't matter what people think of me, as long as I like what I am doing. Don is the best friend I've ever had and it makes me feel even better that the feelings are likewise with him. I've learned so much more about the world just by the osmosis of knowing him and I can only hope that I've helped him like he has helped me.
The group that is composed of Don and I, is matched by the feminity of our estrogenic counterparts: my sister and Don's girlfriend Laurel Taulbee. Ashley had brought Laurel and I together on several occasions which eventually brought us together permenantly. I had known Laurel from the days of me being "Bryan's wierd friend" - much moreso than Don. I found it easy to talk to her and was pulled in by a certain charm. The group had formed and she had revealed to me the magic of urban exploring. I was allowed to set eyes upon Johnson's hose factory - leaving a special spot for decrepid buildings in my heart that beckons to be unleashed more and more at a time. Laurel once passed on a story that I really took to thought about how I shouldn't be afraid of the dark unknown because the only thing that will happen when you step foot into the pitch black electric room of Johnson's...is nothing.
My sister has become the final beacon in my circle of company. After the years of arguing and fighting, we came to an understanding somehow and became more than siblings. I couldn't imagine a single day without her, despite her constant passion for driving me insane sometimes with her inane antics and foolish tactics. Because of her, the term "squt" gave way to some of the greatest conversations of the group. She always keeps us laughing with her sometimes unknowing, but loving, nature. People always ask you, who is the one person you'd save if you had the chance. Well, mine would be my little sister.
The defining factor that brought the four of us together, is no doubt, the thought-provoking herb, marijuana. This past year, I discovered the true greatness that it holds within it's emerald smoke. It's not just a tool for getting messed up for me but more as a gateway to our inner minds. With our group acting as one with it, we shared it with ease like it belonged to all of us. A special seasonal holiday was formed in October called Blunt Day, where a blunt is smoked in commemoration of pot. It is to be done outside while enjoying the season that it is being celebrated in. A truly magnificent idea - especially since we all have quit - save special occasions. Weed might have brought us all together, but it's not the rope that is keeping us all tied together.
Among other things this year, I got to fry at Warped Tour - where I got to meet several of my favorite bands including one of the top performers to me, Thursday. I've also delved into a greater appreciation for techno and the like. DEMF, The Detroit Electronic Musical Festival (aka Techfest) pryed open my mind to the wonders of the alternatives to rock, country, rap and pop.
I've had the most spectacular times of my life this past year. I've lost friends, drifted away from others and some have moved. But I finally got what I've always wanted in my seventeenth year on the plane of existance: a tightly knit group of best friends that I love with all my heart. I would give everything to them and do anything for them. They have allowed me to see the world, and myself, for what they truly are. Thanks to them - I am the one who stands before you.
GOODBYE 2006
Land of a Thousand Words
Another constellation dies
Do what you want 'cause it's your own sky
Just call me when the phone stops ringing
Thanks for coming by
I'm just glad I'm on your good side
Where it's smoldering or freezing
It's never all that easy to decide
This is the land of a thousand words
But it seems so few are worth the breath to say
Except I'll be looking after my own world
And you just keep on saving the day
I'll try to stay but it's in vain when you're far
I'm on the run to wherever you are
And that's the nature of the chase
You fall so far behind you end in first place
Pass the torch this time we're running to each's own regret
There'sno harm in playing hard to get
Boundlessness deceives me
Baby you may turn the corner yet
This is the land of a thousand words
But it seems so few are worth the breath to say
Except I'll be looking after my own world
And you just keep on saving the day
I'll try to stay but it's in vain when you're far
I'm on the run to wherever you are
I'm a gonna do everything I say
Tried to stay but time's running out
But now I'm on my way
R.I.P. Moki
1/2/07