#24

updates have been sparse, i know... i suppose i'd blame my busy schedule. in reality, it's probably that i spent most of the week at the office. i'm much more inclined to feel the need to update from the road. yet this is something i'm working to remedy.

earlier this week, i mentioned my trip to bend, oregon. i spent an interesting evening with ricardo and ryan as we attempted to make it to the hotel from the airport. the one cab that travelled to the city had already departed as we arrived at the terminal, and we had to fetch another random taxi with a talkative local woman who ryan had befriended. when we arrived at her place, our cabbie reazlied we had a flat tire, and we were thus forced to wait out in the cold, cold, night for a replacement vehicle. when we did arrive at the hotel, it had just passed 1 AM... fun, indeed.

of course, while in bend, we saw syphon filter: the omega strain. it looked fantastic. additionally, i spoke with many more of my colleagues from the industry. importantly, i met ed from ign who will soon be an officemate. he seems cool, and bryn vouches for him. i also met julie from electric playground. (yes... and the real world...) she's quite an upstanding young gal... hyper-friendly.

any chance that i wasn't moving to san francisco has now been squashed. "the job's up there...." that's what i was told. i've asked for the mentioned raise... i've done my part... it looks as if i will have to attempt to survive on my current wages, though the company could surprise me. yet, i'm not holding my breath. the boys who will likely be my future roommates intend to help me slightly financially if necessary -- by incurring a slightly larger portion of the rent -- that is much appreciated.

carlos and amber went to SF for the weekend to kick it. he's planning to swing by the qloft to give it a look... it's the sweetest apartment i've ever seen. too bad i won't be able to afford it.

i also hit my pal chris's cabin in running springs with the folks from orange last night. we had a blast, as you can imagine. and it was great to see those guys. alex, chris, song, nick, paul, morten, dave... it was fun. i've also now heard one of alex's new tracks... whew.

and now, it's the evening of the ultra-fabricated holiday we call valentine's. and for the twenty-fourth year in a row, i'm spending it alone... well, not completely. i spent a few hours with dogville -- the ending was a bit unexpected... i enjoyed it -- and now lost in translation for the 22nd time or whatever. neither film is cheering me up.. and my original plan to spend the evening working on my metal gear solid: the twin snakes review has fallen through.

oli even messaged me. and she could tell i was down. and she tried to make me feel better. but there was decidedly little she could do. thanks for the effort, dear, but i've got to become stronger on my own. that said, i would've made you dinner.

#25. 365 days to assure that i don't feel this way again next year. i've tried every year...

...but that won't stop me from trying again.