"Mad Explosive Spontaneity"

I spent this beautiful weekend in Connecticut visitng Justin Superty, and I had a fantastic time. His family and home were really inviting and relaxing, and overall it was a great vacation weekend. The weather was absolutely perfect, so that didn't make it hard to enjoy each day, especially with such great company.

The drive home was a breeze, especially with Pretty Lights bumpin' through the speakers. Everything about the drive just put a smile on my face, and I felt the awe of life fill me up today. There are so many things for me to be excited about -- so much love surrounding me now -- that I think that now more than ever I have felt empowered to let go of some of the negativity in my life. Once the excitement of the newness in my life wears off, I feel like this awe will still linger (and that is so uplifting). My drive and motivation is getting kick started with the novelty that comes with time, and it's really helping me break away the barrier that has kept me stagnant for the last few months.

Bring on tomorrow. I'm ready.

(This is also really exciting. Yay!)

Diving In

Today was my first day working as a 38 Studios employee, and all I can say is: wowie. The energy in the studio radiates off everyone, and the level of talent there is so exciting. Everyone is so passionate about what they do to work towards their shared goals and dreams, and that confidence and faith is hard not to feel with them. They all kick so much ass! I can't believe I am part of this ridiculously crazy-awesome team. I was sad to leave the office early today, and I can't wait to go back again on Tuesday to sit in my prime, right-next-to-a-window spot. I can already tell that I am going to gain so much knowledge from this opportunity. My teammates have really welcomed me with open arms, and their patience and friendliness is going to make this an amazing experience -- I'm sure of it.

The check engine light on my car turned on during my drive to work today, and it has remained on for the whole day (I was hoping it would magically disappear after my day at work). I listened to my friend Gasoline Monk's new album on the drive up, and a mix of Arms and Sleepers and the new Deftones album on my way home -- I smiled and spaced out the whole way home that I missed my exit off the highway =P. Gasoline Monk, aka Forrest Armstrong for you surrealist, literary types, gave me his mixtape last night while were sitting around the campfire at DJs place, and it was great company for the ride up. I love the stuff he's got up on his myspace, so I highly suggest checking it out.

The coming of June means a big milestone for the UN Project team is just around the corner -- LAUNCH! I'm very excited for that to happen, and I'm wishing the team in Vermont the best!

This weekend will bring with it much rejoicing and lots of science. Labs are due and I have an exam to study for!

(My reason is because something is holding me back emotionally. What's yours?)

I started listening to Dubstep. I want to be able to dance to Dubstep better than this bird can.

I am sitting on a cloud right now. I have just arrived home from my visit to 38 Studios today, and I can't believe that I have been given the honor to work at this company. I saw some familiar faces while there and got to meet a few new ones, and I absolutely cannot wait for my first day on Friday. I met my QA coworkers and got a bit of a run down about what I'll be doing, and I can't wait to get started. It was wicked nice of them to take time out of their day to talk with me and show me the ropes a bit. I feel really welcomed into their supportive community, and it kicks so much ass. Friday can't come any sooner.

Leisurely Weekends and Crazy Exciting Weekdays

I had an incredible weekend. I ate good food, hung out with good people, saw new beautiful parts of Burlington I had never seen before, and ached during the finale of my favorite show of all time. I got a bit of sun and had a fairly pleasant drive home. I went to my dad's place for dinner tonight and finally got to show him some TOP GEAR (which I didn't get to show anyone during the weekend, unfortunately), and I think he enjoyed it. How can anyone dislike the Vietnam Special!!?

I've got my first visit to 38 Studios tomorrow, and I cannot wait for that. I've got to get to bed so I can wake up early and make it there by 9! Wish me luck :)

BPM and Burlington

Last night was Boston Post Mortem, and I had a fantastic time. I met Jesse, Ben and Les from 38 Studios, and it really pumped me up to meet them and hear about how fantastic 38 Studios is to work for. I am counting down the days now -- only a week away!! I also met a lot of other fun characters, and I can't wait to see them all again soon.

I'm heading up to Burlington tonight with Mike Fowler to watch the LOST finale at Higher Ground on Sunday. I can't believe this show is coming to an end. At this point, I have no idea how they're going to wrap everything up in just 2 hours.

A Week-Long Update

So many interesting and fun things have happened these last few days that I cannot even remember them all!

First things first: Check out Drink The Sea -- Glitch Mob's new album coming out May 25th. It's streaming for free on their website, and so far it's diviiiiine.

Many board games were won and lost on Sunday when I went to some of Kate Baxter's coworker's home in Quincy for a night of friendly competition. All of the games we played were new to me, so it turned out to be a really fun learning experience for me beyond the entertainment.We played Tsoro, Pandemic and Agricula, and I thoroughly enjoyed all three (although I'm pissed that we lost Pandemic!).

This past Monday I went to my first Boston Indies event, which is a small gathering of Boston Independent Developers that meet up once a month to watch a presentation and socialize. I met a lot of great people, and I'm definitely going again next month. Going to that event fully solidified my desire to stay in this city after I graduate. I love Boston -- I always have and I always will I think.

Things with my summer class are picking up, and I'm really enjoying it so far. I love most sciences, so it's difficult for me to dislike it. It is a Physical Science class that blends physics and chemistry together and strays from the mathematical approach to understanding these two concepts -- perfect for me :).

I visited a long time friend of mine in Marlborough on Tuesday, and catching up with him was really fun. I had a great time discussing the last 5 years of each others lives that we had missed, and since I'll be working just a stone's throw away from him, I'm sure we'll see a lot of each other this summer. While I was there we decided to check out the old factory where 38 Studios is located, and it is an incredible place. It's immense size aside, the factory has a ton of interesting history (and some beautiful brick work). It used to be a place where civil war uniforms were made and today it houses many different companies, including 38 Studios!

Wednesday was a relaxing day, and I was able to focus on Fit Brains work that I am finally starting to fully pick up, and I made myself some delicious dinner.

Tonight is the Boston Post Mortem meeting, and I am really looking forward to that. All of these things have really helped keep my mind off the break up, which I am finding has affected me more deeply than I could have anticipated. It seems harder for me to love to my fullest extent all that is around me, but I am determined to keep trying. He is no longer in my life, and I think that things are going to be better for me this way.

"One man's trash is another man's treasure." -- A blog post about this quote sometime in the future is in store.

Good Times Rollin'

Things are wonderful this morning.

The sun is finally out, and it is finally warming me to the point where I don't shiver in my house anymore. Although right after I typed that out I ran into my room and got a sweatshirt..... sigh. Perhaps I am still thinking wishfully.

I'm listening to Ludovico Einaudi this morning after finally setting up my desktop computer somewhere comfortable in the house, and I am putting together mix cds some more for my brand new used car. I've got an amazing cd with a mix of stuff from edIT (the Glitch Mob) and STS9 which is going to make any trip a bumpin' one. I've got a fun night ahead of me, and I'm excited for some cruising around with some good tunes.

Xena

One of the most beautiful things that has happened in my life happened the other day. For the first time in a very long time (in fact I can't remember the last time) I woke up at a reasonable hour to the sound of thunder and rain on my window. It was -the best- way to wake up -ever-. Since then, the weather has been all over the place, and I can't wait for it to just be warm, breezy, and summer-like again, but I felt like I needed to record that experience. I don't think I'll ever forget squinting my eyes open up towards the dimly lit window and watching the huge raindrop press up against my window and streak its way down with the others.

This past week has been very relaxing for me and hectic at the same time. I started my summer class the other day, and I got my first car on Friday ^_^. It's an adorable 2003 Toyota Corolla LE, and since getting it I cannot tell you how many people have asked me if it has a name! I am still in the deliberation process about a name, but I am leaning towards Xena the Warrior Princess because of how non-warrior like the little thing is. Having this new freedom is an incredible blessing, and I am so happy to be able to provide things for others with this vehicle. I love to drive, and with a good CD blasting and my voice hurting from singing, I know that it is love.

I took some allergy medicine today, and I haven't sneezed since. Unfortunately, though, drowsiness is a serious side effect for me, I think, and with it comes a bit of emotional uncertainty. I know that I'm going to end up passing out for a looooong time, so hopefully I can muster up some motivation to get up and head over to the gym.

God, His Computer, and Hypothermia on Our Toes

Last night was one of the most interesting nights I have had in a long time.

I kicked it off by seeing a group of friends for a time that was too short-lived, and I headed over to Lauren's place to watch Into The Wild with her and Mike. That movie made me feel a lot, and the ending left me feeling a bit dissatisfied and upset -- but such is the nature of stories based on true life. When he told the old man that feelings do not need to be shared with another individual, that they can be felt through all things, my gut reaction was to disagree. While I think that we can find happiness in all things in the world, it is best when shared. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who likes philosophy, nature, or interesting and beautiful cinematography.

After we watched the movie, Mike and I left Lauren's only to find his car had mysteriously disappeared. Did someone steal it? I immediately thought. It wasn't stolen or moved as a joke in any sense of the word -- it had gotten towed by an unknown company at some unknown time -- which sent Mike and I on an adventure. Needless to say, 4 and a half hours later we arrive at the tow lot (it's about 4am) and see Mike's car immediately behind the gate. The gate is open and the tow-truck driver is backing away, waving his arm at us saying "I have an emergency. I'll be back in 5 minutes." No, no, no, we both thought and verbalized to this neon silhouette, can't we just get it now?. Our sleepiness had made us frustrated and agitated, but it was no use. As soon as we had arrived on the lot, the driver was pulling away to take care of his emergency.

We waited outside. The night was only slightly cloudy, and the moon was bright and the air cool. Mike was unfortunately wearing flip flop sandals and his foggy mind had him plotting to sue the company for "hypothermia on my toes", which immediately had me in a giggle fit. We thought about how beautiful the sky was, and how amazing it is that we are all people with so many similarities and so many differences in the way that we act, feel, and look. This gave me the image of God utilizing the clone stamp tool in photoshop or some silly imagery.

From this conversation we created a comic idea called "God and His Computer". It's a three panel comic that shows God on a computer for the first panel with a title, him thinking about something in the second panel, sometimes with text and sometimes not, and the joke in the third panel. Here is a prototype comic written and drawn by Mike. Our 4am silly selves thought it was genius at the time, and I'm pretty sure we both still think it is. Expect more soon!