I didn't get as drunk as I expected last night. I wasn't even that tired when I got home at around 4 in the morning. I woke up early this morning, despite protest from my sagging and dry ocular orbs. But it was a good St. Patrick's night. Mark, Tim, Linda, Chris and I did nothing but sit around and talk (with a bit of Kevin Smith at the end), but it was still fantastic.
There is a lot to catch up on, but my memory is shaky. The usual and easy thing would probably be to document the events and my impressions of them in chronological order, but I sometimes like making games of things so I'm going to try to record them by person (not sorted).
Nads: Still searching for a job. I pray she finds one soon. I've been impressed with her exercise regimen recently although she broke from it two nights ago (with good cause). Things have been spectacular at home and I am often worried about our future.
Linda: I was really glad to see her again two weeks ago. We had not seen each other, had not even a palaver for two months. The sundering of our roleplaying group tends to do that... often I had thought that roleplaying was the only reason we were still hanging out. Many other dark thoughts, such as Tim doesn't like me, vied for attention in my crowded mind (that may be true). Beyond my fears of inadequacy, though, I was just plain elated to talk with her again. And she gave me an awesome top that lights up. It's an office crowd-pleaser. I remember the night ended with Tim and Linda ditching us for some of her other friends and a dark rave of some sort, but I can understand. From her LJ, Tim's friends seem to adore her. I'm really glad that's turning out for Tim as well... it's tough to have a significant other that doesn't get along with your friends.
Their trip to Orlando sounded like a blast. The Universal theme park there sounded amazing! All the rides they described were very creative. And Linda got me a shot glass of the Dueling Dragons ride (it has my name on it).
From our conversation last night, her work situation is deteriorating. I wish the best for her, whether that be schooling (cognitive science sounds neat) or pursuing a new career (although she's convinced she's gone as far as she could without a degree). My attempts to encourage her may seem like unnecessary pressure though, and I know she dislikes being asked about progress on things of that nature.
Mark and Chris: They are both working with me now, and it fulfills me, though not to the degree I would expect. Ever since the teenage years, one of my desires was to work together with the gang to complete some kind of project. Whether it was the Toronto Gaming page or just something completely wacky, I wanted to finish something. We never had it in us though. Having Chris and Mark at work are great. We play board games at lunch, it's convenient for us to hang out after work, and I finally get to witness the results of the application of their bright intellects. Chris has already come up with some great algorithms and Mark, despite only having worked a couple of days, is setting up some AJAX coolness. It's still not a project that's born of our own co-operation, though, and that may be what's missing. No matter what, we're still working for someone else.
It was completely fine with Chris because I still haven't known him that long, but it's a little weirder with Mark. What would I say to him in a one on one meeting? It must be weird for them too, to be working under your friend. I personally would be glad to work for a friend, I think... but I just like being around my friends, regardless of environment and circumstance. Is it hard to work for someone you know to be your intellectual inferior?
Ellen: Ellen and I have weird blurts of conversation. We'll randomly talk to each other, randomly stop (perhaps purposefully). We won't see each other for months, and then sometimes gather in consecutive months. She's already tired of her new job, and rightfully so. In some ways she is the most predictable friend I have, but I still feel like I cannot read her. Maybe I just do not want to interpret her true nature. Maybe I should take the cognitive science program.
