Whether or not I like it, I will always be stuck in this body.
That's right - I'm a LITTLE different. I'm not your average cup of tea, and even though I'm not the coolest human being on the planet, or even an American Idol contestant, I'm well aware that being unique goes a long way.
I grew up in a little town in Northern Arkansas called Batesville, AR and lived there until graduating from high school and moving on to the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, AR. I survived undergrad and then somehow managed to end up in Memphis, TN at the Southern College of Optometry where I now reside and spend a great deal of my time poking people in the eye. It's a dangerous job, and the life expectancy of an optometrist is pretty bleak...but hey, that's part of my job and that's why I wear a helmet when I work. Ok. I'm lying. Optometry is kinda tame, but I do wear a helmet (safety first, hippies).
I've always been a little shy, but after a while I feel like I'm able to open up and be myself - and I'm thankful for my friends who've had to put up with me but were willing to give me time to open up. Without my friends, family, and Lord - I would be worthless and going nowhere. I hope I've made it known to those around me how much I love and appreciate them, and if I haven't...well, I'll buy you a puppy or a granola bar.
I'm extremely picky when it comes to relationships and over the past few years I've had some really bad experiences. I'd like to say that I've learned a lot from the relationships, but what it boils down to is that you can't change people. You can't make a square a circle, and you can't make a psycho a happy person.
All I know is that I feel like I've always put so much of myself into previous relationships and never felt like any of it was reciprocated. I've never felt like someone cared about me as much as I've cared and loved them. It's extremely frustrating to feel that way, but I know it'll be a blessing when everything fall's into place. I'm not rushing anything; just patiently waiting.
I'm not a huge fan of going out and getting smashed; call me old fashioned, but I'd much rather do something with my friends and remember it as opposed to waking up the next morning with a tattoo of an octopus wearing a diaper on my left butt cheek. Don't get me wrong, that'd be awesome and all but I don't know if I could find the long term benefit of said, diapered octopus. My type of fun consists of hanging out with friends, going out to eat, watching movies, playing music, etc. I love to write and I wish I had more time for it, but with optometry school, I've found that I'm having less and less time to spend doing it. I love being outdoors, and I like that you've taken 45 seconds to read all of this. Thanks for giving me a little bit of your time.
And now, a quick change of topics...3 random facts about me:
Random fact #1: I hate overhead lights. I can't stand overhead articial lights...lamps, I'm okay with...but overhead lights aggravate me.
Random fact #2: I am currently writing this blog post from my hotel room in Destin, FL on the 17th floor in my boxer shorts. Yes, I forgot to mention that I'm on vacation. Hi.
Random fact #3: I have never played Monopoly, and I do not plan on playing unless I'm forced at gun point. I'm not knocking Monopoly, but I'm just saying I've never had the desire and it's never been offered to me. Hopefully when I wake up in the morning I won't have any emails from people offering to play me in a game of Monopoly...
I guess I should close and get some rest. I'm waking up in the morning and playing tennis with my brother and dad...hopefully it won't rain us out. Hope you're all doing great and just saying no to feminine itch.
Mark | 
