This has been a good summer so far, with a few unexpected events. Here are a few interesting things that I’ve done so far this summer.

Started playing video games

I haven’t played video games in years. I used to play as a child, but eventually took up other hobbies. Now that school is out, and I have free time during the week, I’ve started playing video games to help destress and enjoy my free time.

I think video games are similar to other escapist hobbies like reading, or watching movies.

Purchasing a firearm

I was thinking about buying a 22. Rifle for a while, to have for camping trips in the Colorado National Forests and maybe some target shooting. I ended up buying a handgun from Sportsman’s Warehouse.

The process was actually quite simple, like buying anything else, and the background check only took about 10 minutes. It asked questions like: Are you currently a fugitive from the law? And Have you ever struggled with substance abuse?

Ever since, I’ve been enjoying shooting cans and watermelons with my friends in Pike National Forest, in an area reserved for target shooting.

Making a trip to Virginia

My mother and I flew out to Virginia a few days ago to meet some distant cousins. I met family members for the first time, and we were welcomed with generosity and kindness. Virginia is a beautiful state, with greenery and mountains, somewhat similar to Colorado.

Upon driving around on the first day, I noticed a fastfood chain that I’d never seen before called Bojangles. I decided that I needed to eat there. It is good southern food like cajun chicken and biscuits.

I spent some time hiking around my 2nd cousin’s rural property, and I happened to stumble on several interesting mushrooms, snakes, and ticks.

Seeing movies with my girlfriend

So far my girlfriend and I have seen two movies this summer.

"The Nice Guys": A detective comedy set in 1977 Los Angeles, directed by Shane Black and starring Ryan Gossling and Russel Crowe. I loved this movie, finding it exciting and hilarious. I couldn’t help but be reminded of other quirky crime movies like Pulp Fiction… maybe that's a dangerous statement to make. Highly recommend.

"Alice Through the Looking Glass": A new take on Caroll’s story, directed by James Bobin and starring Mia Wasikowska and Johnny Depp. This is a beautiful film visually, but the story didn’t remind me of Caroll’s literature very much. This is not to say it is a bad movie, children are sure to find it particularly entertaining.

It has been a good summer so far. I’m sure that some readers will disapprove of my decisions to spend parts of my summer with video games, guns, and fast food… perhaps I should read a book at some point this summer…