December 2007 Archives
The end of a calendar year is, by all logical rights, meaningless. Yet, as humans it signals the end of one time period and the birth of a new era. It may not last long (no longer than 12 months, to be exact) but each cycle of the period brings forth the ability to reflect upon our deeds, or lives, upon those who are close to us (and perhaps even why).
I've been getting out, had some social occasions in the name of the holidays over the last month. Met people from all walks. I've spent a certain amount of time lamenting over how hard it is to drag one up by one's boots and fix one's life. It's true, it's not easy. Sometimes the hard part is just taking responsibility.
I've seen people who are making it through life -- and sometimes I wonder how much more difficult it is based on the Californian economics. But I see people who scrape by, with or without transportation, living in small housing, or single rooms, in conditions that we of the middle-class barely like to even acknowledge, doing things we often don't even consider much more than odd news stories.
Yet no matter what people have to do to get by - they're still people, just like the middle and upper class. They survive, and they smile at the end of a productive day, just like everyone else. I don't mean to sound like I'm setting them apart by way of some class system -- indeed my intention is quite the opposite, to include them, to include us all together.
The point of this, however, is that it's caused me to reflect significantly upon my own circumstances, my own life, the things I've done, and the things I have yet to do. A certainly amount is still inspired by my father. But over the last two weeks I certainly have looked at all I *do* have now. How far I have come. Some of you, probably most of you who read this, have no idea how far my life has come in the last 4 or 5 years. While my career itself has never wavered, my personal life has been quite a rollercoaster. From the depths, now back to a safe and secure environment, one where my future is no longer in question. Stability has been acquired. Now I actually feel free to think about the future again. Retirement, long term planning. Even maybe a family some day.
So I am very thankful, at the end of this 2007 era, looking forward to 2008, thankful for all the good things God has granted unto my life - the friends He has seen fit to put in my life. Family is still a concern, but I don't know that I have any control over that anymore. It's time to establish my own patterns, my own traditions, and ensure my course stays true.
I've been getting out, had some social occasions in the name of the holidays over the last month. Met people from all walks. I've spent a certain amount of time lamenting over how hard it is to drag one up by one's boots and fix one's life. It's true, it's not easy. Sometimes the hard part is just taking responsibility.
I've seen people who are making it through life -- and sometimes I wonder how much more difficult it is based on the Californian economics. But I see people who scrape by, with or without transportation, living in small housing, or single rooms, in conditions that we of the middle-class barely like to even acknowledge, doing things we often don't even consider much more than odd news stories.
Yet no matter what people have to do to get by - they're still people, just like the middle and upper class. They survive, and they smile at the end of a productive day, just like everyone else. I don't mean to sound like I'm setting them apart by way of some class system -- indeed my intention is quite the opposite, to include them, to include us all together.
The point of this, however, is that it's caused me to reflect significantly upon my own circumstances, my own life, the things I've done, and the things I have yet to do. A certainly amount is still inspired by my father. But over the last two weeks I certainly have looked at all I *do* have now. How far I have come. Some of you, probably most of you who read this, have no idea how far my life has come in the last 4 or 5 years. While my career itself has never wavered, my personal life has been quite a rollercoaster. From the depths, now back to a safe and secure environment, one where my future is no longer in question. Stability has been acquired. Now I actually feel free to think about the future again. Retirement, long term planning. Even maybe a family some day.
So I am very thankful, at the end of this 2007 era, looking forward to 2008, thankful for all the good things God has granted unto my life - the friends He has seen fit to put in my life. Family is still a concern, but I don't know that I have any control over that anymore. It's time to establish my own patterns, my own traditions, and ensure my course stays true.
The NORAD Santa Tracker is online using Google Earth. It'll update about one a minute with his new location. He's over Sicily right now.
Christmas shopping is officially completed! Thank you, Target.
Went to the Insomniac Games Christmas Holiday Party last night up in LA. OMG what a blast it was. First off, fun social functions where I can dress up are always nice. But mostly it was really nice to go out with the old gang for an evening like that. The venue was great, so well done, elegant, amazing. No karaoke this year, which is fine. Had fun, said hi to many old co-workers and friends. Was sad to see that Craig & Julianna didn't make it. But nonetheless. You can see some photos in The Gallery.
This afternoon - after having breakfast at Mako Bowl - my favourite teriyaki rice bowl place in Pasadena - I was able to go down to Long Beach and hang out with Jesse for a while. We went to get coffee and just caught up and chatted. Haven't seen him since we went camping back in May (tho we keep in touch). Good times.
The drive back home this afternoon was really relaxing. Had the window down most the time. The iPod chose a pretty good selection of music for the drive. Slightly overcast, but so peaceful cruising down the 5 along the Pacific Ocean. Not a stressful drive at all.
Tomorrow, back to work for what I'm sure will be a long week. It's the last business-week of the calendar year for us.
This afternoon - after having breakfast at Mako Bowl - my favourite teriyaki rice bowl place in Pasadena - I was able to go down to Long Beach and hang out with Jesse for a while. We went to get coffee and just caught up and chatted. Haven't seen him since we went camping back in May (tho we keep in touch). Good times.
The drive back home this afternoon was really relaxing. Had the window down most the time. The iPod chose a pretty good selection of music for the drive. Slightly overcast, but so peaceful cruising down the 5 along the Pacific Ocean. Not a stressful drive at all.
Tomorrow, back to work for what I'm sure will be a long week. It's the last business-week of the calendar year for us.
"i don't know how you are single... you are so cute and sweet and a great catch"
I hear that from my close friends every so often. That was from one of my best friends today. I never have an answer. Never will.
I hear that from my close friends every so often. That was from one of my best friends today. I never have an answer. Never will.
