Donnie Darko was the lead character played by Jake Gyllenhaal in the movie of the same name. Donnie Brasco is the name of a movie starring Johnny Depp who plays an undercover infiltrating the Italian-American Mafia, which was based on a true story.

Milo creates a stark image here comparing someone who made no attempts to fit in and really actively attempted to be different (Darko) to someone who, for years, lived a completely false life (Brasco). He is explaining here that he would rather fit in than be intentionally different because it sometimes makes for an easier life.

He expands upon this more in the next 3 lines.

Thumbing your nose at something is a sign of derision. While it was probably an actual physical gesture used hundreds of years ago, it has since become more of an expression of distaste.. Here is an example of what physically thumbing your nose looks like..you may still see it from time to time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNKFc-iqgU0

And no…I have no idea why there is a 4 second video of someone thumbing their nose on youtube

Referring to cooking crack cocaine in pyrex pots. Once he has cooked enough he will make a considerable amount of money and start gaining more power and influence in the streets.

Although it’s unlikely Wayne ever cooked crack in his life (was touring with Cash Money by age of 13), his goal is to tell the story of the people he grew up with in the Hollygrove projects

A rock garden is a Japanese themed garden arranged from rocks, trees, and small water landscapes. They are made to contribute to one’s zen and often are meant to symbolize life’s journey.

This is a great play on words since rocks often cause people to stumble while walking. Milo see’s his way of thinking to be different than others which is way he sometimes mumbles—he is not confident people will always accept his opinions.

Milo’s main motivation for getting up in the morning is to write. He has his tongue placed firmly in cheek when he mentions the strength of Hercules; known for his amazing strength as a half human, half god.

Obviously it doesn’t take much physical strength to life yourself up out bed. Milo is speaking about emotional/motivational strength. One symptom of depression is staying in bed all day

Making coffee is often the first step for many adults after waking up.

The Medicis were a powerful family that traced back to the 12th century in Italy. They were not nobles nor did they actually hold any actual government post during most of their reign. They came to power through amassing a considerable wealth through merchant business and establishing the banking system; basically ruling through political influence rather than outright power.

Galileo had originally planned to name his discoveries the “Cosmian Moons” after Cosimo II alone. However, after speaking with Cosimo’s head secretary, he decided it would be more beneficial to honor the whole family.

There were actually many reasons he chose the Medicis to honor. For one, Galileo had been the childhood mathematics tutor to Cosimo II. By 1610, Galileo had enjoyed a close relationship with the Medicis; Francisco I, son of Cosimo I, was the one who had given him his professorship of mathematics at the University of Pisa in 1588.

Another reason he targeted the Medicis is the fact that the family had reached the position of Pope atleast twice over the previous hundred years including Pope Clement VII and Pope Leo X. At this time, Galileo had increasingly discovered evidence supporting Copernicus' view of the solar system, something which the Pulpit was not happy about. It was only smart to align yourself with a family that had such close ties to the Vatican.

Jupiter is the Roman equivalent to the Greeks' supreme god, Zues. He was the ruler of all and known as the light of the light among other honorable titles.

Galileo had originally believed the moons to be fixed stars close to Jupiter. It was after he had tracked their movement in the sky that he realized they were, in fact, orbiting Jupiter.

It’s important to note that Galileo wasn’t necessarily the first to discover these moons. German astronomer Simon Marius had discovered the moons independently as well, around the same time. He named the moons after mythological figures Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto, which prevailed over Galileo’s names. However, they are still known as the Galilean Moons as a whole.