Socrates Revisited

I am currently re-reading Plato's "Republic", which is composed of a series of dialogues that ask some of the most basic questions of epistemology and the orgin of law and morality. The very foundations of the accepted modern as well as ancient moral norms are carefully and expertly questioned with incredible analysis of the concept thereafter. The reason for my introduction isn't from the assumption that the reader hasn't read the work, but rather to draw their attention to a Socratic quote that seems to be the complete focus of my attentions, at least from this past weekend and now. The quote actually comes from Plato's "Apology", but was discussed quite lavishly by the introductary notes of "Republic". "A life unexamined is not worth living" is the perplexing quote from Socrates. Its meaning is both literal and metaphoric, but heres the problem: I just cant get it. Does it mean that in ignorance and sloth that life becomes obsolete? If so, I can't help but feel horribly dead. So while this weekend, as I tried to write several papers and do a bit of self-reflection, i've realized my approach to life hasn't been the accurate path followed, rather I have attached lazily to the social norms and realities of suburban lifestyle, weighted heavily with the chains of mental slavery to the bandwagon. Even the study of these Socratic ideas isn't justice to their enormously powerful potential. I will now further my existence. This has been the "carpe diem" mentality of my entire weekend, following my completion of necessary schoolwork. I left with my friends on Saturday night up to San Francisco, and had one of the best times of my entire life. Running around and going out to eat, partying all night, meeting complete strangers and having them tag along,  and all of it carefully revisited at every opportunity. Thank goodness for cameras, or I wouldn't believe a word of it. Now begins my march foreward into a more purposed and meaningful lifestyle.