Life for Josiah was anything but normal, he was never raised like any other “American” child. The Amish lifestyle something completely of their own, they didn’t know what was outside of their little community, some were curious, some weren’t. It all depended on the nature of the person. Josiah was one of those kids. Sure, he seen cars come in, people wearing colorful clothes with cartoon pictures on it, but at the same time never knew what all of that was. He still thought they were the same just different community values. His father would never take him out of the community to get supplies since his older brother was much stronger than him. He almost bothered him to the point of breaking rules, and breaking out just to see what was out there. He was curious and couldn’t wait until his sixteenth year to be able to go out and see, experience life as he would say. He was always so bored with the routine which consisted of work, work, and more work, sleep, and if there was time school work. He already had it in his mindset that he was not coming back as soon as he escaped from that place.
1998 finally came though he didn't come quick enough with his summer birthday. He and a group other children also in their sixteenth year decided to go together figuring it would be more fun to do so, and they would be safer than being alone outside of the community where no one knew what it was going to be like. August finally came and they packed up and took off toward the ocean, since one of the girls was dying to see the ocean. Meeting up in Philadelphia with other older children that chose to remove from the lifestyle. When they made it to the big city all of the kids that have went were like a deer gazing into headlights. They were lost, confused, and almost overwhelmed at the difference of their small farming life. Many after a few days left back for home, Josiah though was overwhelmed but yet loved it. He never smiled the way he did when he was there. Experiencing life for the first time by eating fast food, going to the movies, parities, everything he felt he was missing. Though when it came toward the end he gave it a lot of thought and decided he was going to go ahead and stay in the "English" Lifestyle, when everyone he went with came back home. This time he was almost alone other than the friend he was rooming with. Getting a job at a local diner he worked harder than anyone else, even though he thought he was slacking. Getting his GED and moving into his own place alone. He wasn't sure what he wanted to do. He loved the city, but he was bored by just working and paying bills. So someone suggested he go to college and get a degree and that is what he did.
Deciding to go to the same community college he went to for his GED he went and got a business degree not quite sure what he was going to do with it, but he would soon figure something out of it. Still being somewhat religious he prayed over the whole situation to see what god wanted him to do in his life. Finally coming across an idea when one of the local Philadelphia pizza shops went under he decided to rent out the building and make his own pizza place. Getting everything set up, hiring people, getting a team together for ideas he opened just 4 months after naming it "Manic." He sold breakfast type pizza/ pizza related items in the morning and the lunch and dinner menu was close to the same. Everything went well for them even getting inspiration to open another one in Pennsylvania which also worked out pretty well. The cafe had somewhat of a college, youth type feel in it, and each one he opened had a different theme. The first one was a college theme. With college posters, team pendants and other college related things in it. The second one was more of an cyber world type theme. Onto new adventures Josiah made his way to the south to see how well his shop would do in different type of areas of the united states.
In 2007 Josiah moved to Atlanta in an attempt to expand his own line of restaurants with the same Philly feel. Though, not as successful as he wanted he felt it gained popularity daily and kept it running through the hard time of making a name for himself. Meeting Gabi, a young girl he hired he grew close with her and they both tried to maintain a professional sort of relationship outside of drinking and letting their feelings for one another flow on those types of nights. Eventually they let it be known and started dating. A short while after Gabi became pregnant and is due in the winter. Currently they are engaged and reside in a small home together in Atlanta, Ga.
PERSONALITY:Josiah has had a curious nature about him since as long as he could remember. He always wants to figure out how things work, what made them stop working and why people do the things they do. He will ask several questions, and why and how are two of his favorite words to use while hovering over your shoulder to figure out what you are doing. He loves to learn new things, you'll often see him in community center classes that are being given every once in a while.
His favorite relaxing hobby is reading, he can't pass up a book store without going in and poking around to find anything that peeks his interest. He reads anything from biographies to science fiction, just anything that catches his attention. Though he will not continue a series of books is they turn into a trend setting fad of movies and lifestyles, he feels as if the book is ruined by society. You'll usually seen him with a good book under his arm, maybe a newspaper or magazine he has picked up on a cart.
He is a very hard worker. Some may call him a workaholic, but he doesn't feel that he works hard enough to cut into his social life, well what he has of one. He does happen to work 12-16 hours days in his store making sure everything is running smoothly, and it usually on the phone, checking emails, and making sure everything is running smooth in Philadelphia. Along with old religion, he will not work at all on Sunday's and his pizza shops are always closed, which he hears no complaints from his employees.
Josiah is a quiet person, he isn't shy though. He hated interrupting people and would rather listen to others ideas and goals before giving his own. Though if you ask him for constructive criticism he will give it to you no matter how much it hurts. He believes in being almost brutally honest when he is asked his own opinion.
QUICKFACTS:• Sometimes gets homesick
• Favorite thing about the "English" world is television.
• Is a fairly decent cook
• Favorite color is yellow
• Loves crime shows
• Still has the quilt his mother made him when he left home
• He secretly feels like he missed out on his childhood
• Likes a good stiff drink every once in a while
STORYLINES:![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
ollingsworth: His younger sister that also left the lifestyle.
shollingsworth: His brother-in-law, doesn't really know how he survived this long.
gabiw bff, wifey, girlfriend.
&& more.
