Hi.
Yes, I'm still here. Life has had its inevitable ups and down in the past few months, and I've done my best to endure the lows, and relish the highs. Which is to say, I have to keep reminding myself that there is
always a future: the bad times will soon fade, and the good times can just as easily disappear. What's that old cliche? "In life, change is the only constant." A phrase both comforting and cautionary at the same time. For me, it makes dealing with the rough trials easier, and fosters a greater appreciation for those elusive moments of pure happiness.
In any event, my lack of updates can be attributed to a number of reasons/excuses:
- my begrudging return to Austin - I took this job in large part because of the traveling aspect. Returning to the same place where I spent 5.5 years in college (Don't judge me...I was working on two undergrad degrees!) in addition to 4 months back when I first started work definitely felt like a step backwards. The same culture, same city, same environment; I was squarely back within my comfort zone, and how can personal growth (and travel blog material) ever come from that?
- ridiculous work schedule - From December thru February, we worked 6-7 days a week, at least 12 hours a day. For Christmas and New Year's, we had one day off for each. Now I understand why most of my investment banker friends hate their jobs (but not their salaries/bonuses).
- propensity for obsessive gaming behavior - After a long day at work, one just wants to go home and zone out. Gaming provides that escape from the real world. Much like watching a movie or television show, except even more immersive. And certain games nowadays boast amazing storytelling (Bioshock) that can rival, if not best, the stuff that's in theaters.
- I can be lazy.
All of this has resulted in a barren, sad-excuse-for-a travel blog.
But sure enough, like I said, things are changing. For one, I'm going cold turkey with the Xbox 360, indefinitely. I've gamed for twenty-some-odd years already. It's time I try something new. I've always wanted to read more books, and maybe pickup some Japanese?
As for my work schedule, the worst is over, and things will be easing all the way up until my departure from Austin in late April. My next destination? Looks like it's back to that extended suburb of Washington, DC : Manassas, VA. Yeah, I've already spent 4 months there, but being in the Northeast again puts me much closer to other interesting places I've never seen. Canada, maybe? Flights to Europe/Africa tend to be cheaper from the East coast too...
In the meantime, I'll be back-updating on a few notable events from the past few months. To start off, you can see pics from South By South West(SXSW) last week in the photoblog section. What a great experience! Even for someone like me, who tends to have more of a mainstream taste in music. I happened upon a couple new bands I immediately liked (some of which you'll be hearing in future entries), and now have a much greater appreciation for live performances.
Guess being in Austin isn't so bad.
Comments (1)
as the mainstream music dictates where'd you go. i miss you so.
you have inspired me to do an update on myself one day... probably tonight but ill probably forget..
change has always been something that's always uncomfortable for me, to which always leaves many regrets
im proud that you always seem to better yourself with your coldturkey quits. i've quit smoking too of which one time ill be honest.. i even told myself ; remember nam? he went like 40days without u know wut. i can do this
ganbatte on life and where it takes you. and when you do finally settle down ill be looking forward to being called uncle quincy to your kid which WILL be named quincy