Introducing: Jonathan Stephens - My First Salem Friend

Meet Jonathan Stephens. If you've been seeing my recent top ten lists, you've probably seen his name frequenting my weekly list. That's because we're quickly becoming good friends. Though, I know other people in and around Salem, he's the first friend I've met since moving to Salem about seven weeks ago now.

He will probably kill me for posting this picture of him (but shhhh! don't tell him, okay?)... I caught him on my computer and then I told him to put his thumbs up all dorky like just in time for me to snap the picture.

Truth is though, he's actually a pretty cool kid. He cracks me up. He also reminds me a lot of my best friend Christian Ambroson. So, not only is a funny and a kick in the pants to hang out with, but he's also a caring and very nice person. I've also met another friend through him named Antoun. All three of us meet up as a trio of the ODOT 20-somethings and can be found visiting the Safeway each day during our mandated break each morning.

Jonathan - who I currently refer to as 'J-dawg' for lack of a better nickname, has also reintroduced me into console gaming, which I have had a 7 year hiatus from since running my business LB Productions. Yes, that's right it was over 7 years ago when my friends and I use to hang out and play Tony Hawk on Playstation at my place (aka the quadrilateral). Those days soon disappeared as my business soon consumed my life. But not anymore, as I keep telling Jonathan, he's bringing the "fun" Levi back, and even though I'm still pretty crappy at Grand Theft Auto... I'll get better as I come back to life.

On another note, I just arrived in Las Vegas last night. Tomorrow is my sister's wedding. I will give you a full report in the next day or two of my adventures here in Vegas. I'll be returning to Salem Thursday night after all the excitement.

-LB