My Box Needs Some Air Holes

Thanks to Rodicon for the title of this post. That comment was pretty accurate at describing how I feel lately. Now that I think of it, it's kind of a metaphor for my whole life. Probably everyone else's as well. We could all use some more air holes I think.

So life continues to be packed with work and events followed by a little sleep. I was talking with Shani one day about how we never seem to just hang out with anyone anymore. It always seems to be game related, or something else like that. Even B.P.'s is not really hanging out as it usually moves at a frantic pace with people discussing downtime turns.

We had one nice evening where we skipped our previous plans and just headed to Steeps, a really nice teahouse to relax and drink some tea. We played some cards and ate some samosas, and it was really nice and restful.

Another big event was the final game of Purgatory: All the World's a Stage. It was an excellent game that managed to wrap a lot of stuff up while promising an exciting new beginning. I also really liked how the organizers gave the players several chances to change the future of the city forever. Personally I thought it would have been fun if the whole city said to hell with the Camarilla and joined the anarchs. My character really wasn't concerned either way. Although he might switch sides if the city refuses to acknowledge how awesome he is. We'll have to see.

Related to the hanging out it was a little sad to think that with Purgatory over we won't see a lot of people who we normally would. It's an amazing group with a lot of cool people, and I really want to make an effort to associate with some of them in a non-roleplaying setting.

Another event was Shani's birthday where we headed out for sushi, and then ice cream on Whyte Avenue. I was a little sad because it was pouring rain so we couldn't walk around, and I felt really rushed to head home and go to sleep before a very early morning. It was still a nice evening though.

On Saturday we had a little group celebration for her birthday, and I was responsible for the planning. A chore that I am not very good at as I really just like to wing things. People were invited though and rudimentary plans were constructed. Being a weekend in summer I had the feeling that a lot of people would not be able to make it, and I was right. It was no big deal as I prefer to a small group. With too many people it just becomes a big gong show. Of course Shani will not do anything unless she can do it as large as possible.

So we headed out to the World Waterpark in the afternoon. A very large waterpark inside of the very large mall here in Edmonton. We ended up with five people after a few cancellations which was a little bit of a problem as the party booking is for at least six. It worked out though as the cashier gave our group a family deal which ended up being the same price. I was a little vexed at a friend who cancelled literally five minutes before we were walking in, but otherwise I understood.

The waterpark was fun as usual, and I was thinking how sad it would be when I don't feel like a kid when I go there and I would no longer enjoy it. The time flew by there and then we headed out to the New Asian Village, an Indian restaurant by Whyte Avenue. A few people who didn't come to the waterpark joined us, and we had a really nice time.

The food was definitely different, but it was really good. A big hit was the nan, an Indian bread made in a variety of different styles. I know a couple of people didn't really like it, but I hope they had fun anyways. There was some interesting conversations; sadly one that involved my "tragic bathing suit" as Shani puts it. In that group you could expect no mercy let me tell you.

After that the group broke up as some people headed off to another birthday gathering, and someone headed home. The remainder of us headed off for a drink at a downtown lounge before we also headed home before midnight. It's sad to be getting so old that the party breaks up so early.

Anyways it was a good day, and it was nice to see that things worked out. I'd really like to thank the people that came out and joined us. I know Shani really appreciated it.

Stream of Unconsciousness

Wow. I just reread my last post, and I can clearly see how tired I was. It's funny how things can make perfect sense when your brain is exhausted.

So not much new to report in my weekly installment. I ended up working every day last week which was not really that fun. I can think back on it now and say how it sucked, but no doubt I'll be singing a different tune when payday arrives. Yay for doubletime.

Which makes me think how weird it would be to receive a salary and have to work overtime. A situation that I know some friends of mine are frequently in. It's probably really not that wierd at all and actually the norm, but I'm already on this train and I can't get off. Perhaps this example conversation will help you see my perspective:

Boss: We're going to need you to come in on Saturday to finish the Johnson project.

Me: I see. Well certainly I will be glad to help, anything for the team. I could certainly use the boost to my finances. How much extra money can I expect to receive on my next paycheque.

Boss: ...the same amount. You will receive the same amount you always do.

Me: I see. So I could either come into work for 35 hours a week and receive x amount, or I could come in 45 and receive the same. I'm no mathmetician, but that isn't a difficult choice.

I'm mostly joking here of course. I know that most places of employment give days in lieu, or other bonuses to employees who work extra. I occasionally even put in extra time myself at the Bookstore. Mostly to finish last minute copying for ungrateful teachers. Anyways sometimes i just like to pick apart the little things that we all take for granted.

Back to my week though. Didn't really do anything on the weekdays except for a brief jaunt out to B.P.'s on Thursday. It was a quiet night there relatively except for the Purgatory players who were wildly tossing out plans for the very last downtime of this chronicle. There's going to be a big war with the infernal mages in London that is pretty much sucking everybody into it. Normally I love planning and tactics, but I wasn't really into it that night. Partially because I was tired, and partially because most of the plans discussed were completely crazy. Very enthused but crazy. I have complete faith though that the organizers will churn out an awesome turn write up from the chaos.

On Saturday I worked but I was excited because I didn't work Sunday and I had plans to do something with Shani that evening. We ended up heading to the Big Mall to see Sky High. Before the movie we wandered around the mall for a bit passing through a couple of pet stores on our journey. Shani really loves them as she walks around talking baby talk to all the animals. Even to the birds which I dislike. Personally though I find pet stores depressing. The animals live in these little cages in the store I would imagine 24/7. I can't see that they get out for much exercise.

Sky High was a good entertaining movie even if it was a little too Disney. And the whole heroes versus sidekicks thing was funny at first until they beat the point into the ground. The same high school story has been done a million times with the jocks versus the nerds, the popular kids versus the outcasts, etc. I'm being overly critical though. Their whole intention making the movie was probably to make these people with fantastic powers relatable to us. We've all had times where we we've thought we let our parents down because we're not who they wanted us to be.

On Sunday I did not sleep in as we had to get up for Shani's live Werewolf game. At first there was much grouchiness, but things soon settled down. Despite a low turnout the game turned out well with a fair amount of plot hitting the fan. There was a little bit of combat as well as a bunch of people tried to kill a player character who we learned had betrayed us. Of course there were others who were trying to save him so it was quite entertaining.

After the late game Shani and I headed to the Big Mall once again. This time our destination was the Comic Strip. A comedy night club where I had remembered that Aries Spears would be headlining. He's one of my favorite comics from Mad TV, and Shani's as well. It was a hilarious night and it felt good to laugh. My only complaint would be that I thought Aries was a little unoriginal in his material. There was the usual "This is how black people are different than white people", and various different gender related jokes. He made up for it though with some amazing impressions of various celebrities.

But I should probably end my ramble here. It's 9:30 p.m. and I should be in bed soon. *shudder*

It Was the Best of Times, it Was the Worst of Times

So once again I find myself irritated with the Bookstore. Because they laid me off my cushy job I have had to go to work with my Dad at his hard job, and it's annoying. It might not be obvious but trust me the logic is there. It doesn't help either that this same thing happened before. A few years ago the Bookstore was renovating so they laid everyone off for the Summer. I ended up working with my Dad then, and I swore it would never happen again. Hah!

Just to fill you in my Dad is a bricklayer although I don't know why they call him that, he hardly ever works with bricks. He used to have a regular job laying bricks, but it seems that not many people use bricks that much anymore on their homes or buildings. I guess it's really quite expensive. Anyways he has worked in refractory now for the last few years. In refractory you go to various industrial plants that are shutdown, usually to build or repair stuff made out of cement or masonry. He doesn't work steady and obviously winter is slow, but he makes a lot of money doing it.

So it was arranged that I would go to work with him for an inderminate amount of time. Unfortunately I had to start on one of the most active weekends I've had in a long time.

Thursday night I went to hang around B.P.'s before going to pick up Shani at the airport. She had been gone at this point almost two weeks, and I was excited to meet her. I was a little anxious though about going to work, and I think she was disappointed that I wasn't more exuberant and that we didn't get to spend more time together. It was still nice to see her.

Friday night was the second last Purgatory game, and I had to rush home from work, eat, shower and head to pick up Shani before heading to the game. I was a little tense because I really didn't want to miss any of the game, but as it turns out everyone was still out of game when we got there. The game itself was amazing. Many moments of great roleplaying were on display as well as huge plot events.

I think it's a sign that your players are really into their own stories and angst when two characters walk in and announce that they've killed some of the most important people in the Camarilla, and the players aren't floored by it. Might just be me though, I love politics in games. One of the two characters was Bane, a old physically powerful Ventrue. My old character from the first chronicle who I always enjoy playing, especially because he has connections to London still. I didn't really have a lot to do as him except silently back up Clarisse who was delivering the message to the Prince.

I was having some fun mingling with some other characters when one of the organizers told me that they needed me back as my original character. My Malkavian had a vision that someone was betraying us. So I whispered in some people's ears, and then made the traitor go insane so he would reveal himself. It was all in a days work for a Malkavian, and my character laughed his ass off when they killed the traitor. The night ended with a super emotional scene for me and a couple of others that really gave some closure to some plot stuff, as well as setting up stories for the future.

As usual a lot of people headed out to B.P.'s after the game. Shani and I however headed back to my place as I had to work in the morning. Another night with not much sleep.

Luckily I got off a couple of hours early that day so I headed home to nap for a hour before heading over to the University for another live game. New Paradise a Kingdom Come game where most of the players are fallen angels. It was another stupendous game, and I enjoyed myself immensely. Especially watching all the angst, and observing people's buttons being pushed. My character doesn't have any angst though; he's just a mysoginistic jerk (Do you see a pattern developing?). I can play a good evil character, I just find it hard to play one who's mean.

It was another late night and I had to miss going out to a Bachelor party as I was about to pass out and I had to work in the morning. Sunday evening I got home from work to hear that my sister and her husband were coming over for supper. So I couldn't just collapse on the couch and watch T.V. as I had hoped.

There might not be much to report in the next little while as my life is occupied by working followed by sleeping.

Mental Age?

So nothing terribly exciting going on lately. Got Purgatory turn last night and it was well-written, and entertaining as usual. Having read it I'm kind of glad I didn't go on my one character crusade against the infernal mages. Although it's very strange for me to be cautious, and sit on the back burner. Should be an exciting game though on Friday.

In other news my sister and her family finally left on Monday. It seemed like they were going up to the lake and coming back a million times. I was a little sad to see them go, but very glad to have my bed back. It's also nice to not have a six year old following you around, and talking constantly, and jumping all over you.

Which brings me to the subject of this post. Last week I went out for wings and beer with some non-roleplaying friends who I don't see that often anymore. We always have interesting discussions, and we frequently have annoyed our significant others with the bizarre turns we can take. I guess it's a side effect of being friends with someone for so long. Anyways I was talking to them about my nephew, and how he always followed me around. I mentioned then that all kids seemed to be drawn to me especially if they wanted to climb all over someone.

My friend then says something like, "That's because they can sense you're the same as them." It was an innocent comment at the time, but it kind of hit home. I'm very conscious of my maturity level lately, and I'm especially worried about how I present myself to others.

I know that my complete lack of poise combined with my general non-serious goofy demeanour often give people the impression that I'm immature, and irresponsible. No doubt relatively speaking they're right. As befits my juvenille mindset I try not to worry about it except when it comes to employment or the possibility of it. I'd really like to make some adult money some day. Hopefully my friends, and family can see the other sides of me anyways.

The other factor related to this is that I still live at home. Kind of embarassing to mention at my age, but bringing it up helps me think about it more objectively. When I was in University I stayed at home to save money, and when I didn't go back I wasn't making near enough money to live on my own. I think I skipped the "Live with a bunch of people in a crappy apartment with no furniture phase." Maybe I should have done that because I am completely spoiled now although I know that I can take care of myself.

When I move out now I'd like to own something rather than rent, and it seems an appropiate step for my age as a bunch of my friends have bought houses and become domesticated. Part of me laughs at them with their grave concern for their lawn, fences, and various other household minutiae. The other part thinks it would be nice to have that kind of life.

Anyways when my job in the Bookstore seemed to become more and more permanent I began to entertain the notion to a greater degree. As we saw though it didn't really work out, and I'm kind of glad I didn't live on my own because I would be forced to take any kind of crappy job to pay the bills.

Like I said; spoiled.