So it’s been a long time since I’ve sat my lazy bum down and written here. My last post was written from Cupertino in good ‘ol sunny California. Now I’m back in Blacksburg, VA, probably my favorite place on earth. The past weeks have been busy to the point of bordering on insane—but I think it’s been good. Some things have changed, but a lot of things haven’t, so here’s a little bit about both.

What’s changed

My computers. At the end of my internship at Apple, I bought a couple things. I sold off my PowerMac G5, for one reason or another, because I felt no burning need for a desktop. Well, then we released the Mac Pro, at a lower price point, and with the addition of an employee discount, I was able to snag a “low-end” desktop and a MacBook Pro for only slightly more than I got from selling the G5. So now I have an awesome desktop, and a pretty awesome laptop. I love both of them to death; it’s working out really well for me so far.

My location. I sprinted across the United States in three excruciatingly long days. It started at 12PM on August 12, the Saturday after I finished. My brother and I got home at 4AM on Tuesday, August 15. The days were like 14 hours, 16 hours, and 18 hours long. Or something ridiculous like that. We took a lot of good pictures, but unfortunately, a lot of the trip was after dark (because of the time crunch), so we missed a lot of good ones too. The 25-hour days on the way to California were nice. The 23-hour days on the way home sucked.

My social life. As if I really have one. Though working at Apple was great, my after-hours social life was abysmal. I wasn’t a huge fan of my housemates or how they cared to (not) clean the appartment. It’s great to be back in Hillcrest again, where work gets done but often comes in a close second to having a good time. I really missed all the people from here this summer, so I’m glad to be here. Rooming with Daniel again is working out really well. So it’s not really different from what it used to be, but it’s changed from what it was this summer.

What hasn’t

Music. I am consistently fascinated by music and its ability to affect me. Some music I can just listen to in the background. Other songs take me to various times in my past, when I first heard or binge-listened to that particular song. And a few more, though rarer, have this uncanny ability to put me in an absurdly reflective mood. And if you know me well at all, you’ll know that almost inevitably ends with me carrying a melancholy aura about, for any number of reasons. Yet, there’s something so fascinating about succumbing so easily to notes, chords, and harmonies that I actually enjoy doing it to myself. Constantly. Good or bad, I don’t know. I figure one of these days, I’ll force myself to tackle my own issues, and music is one way to bring up those thoughts, almost without fail. I guess that’s it

Threats. I’m pretty sure that there are several people around that are still extraordinarily bitter about my existince, in an entirely passive-aggressive manner. The sarcasm, jabs, jokes, and actions all speak to this. Of course, I’m the only one who gets repeatedly screwed over, but that’s par for the course, and I’m accustomed to it by now. Also, I’ve grown immune to the words that are usually thrown my way. If I couldn’t ignore them or laugh at them, I’d have gone postal by now. And that would be ugly… very ugly.

Insanity. I’m taking 23 hours this semester; two more than last, yet I can’t convince myself to lay off. I’d ask what I’m smoking to think this is an OK plan, but unfortunately I don’t do any of that. So it’s just pure, unadulterated insanity. I’m also looking at soccer and softball this year, as a way to force myself out of the building. It should be fun. Our first soccer practice is tonight at 7, and softball practice is sometime on Friday. Go us!

In closing

Well, that’s about it for now. There are many many more things I could say about the past ten to fourteen days, but I’ll refrain for now. I’ve got to run off to class here in a few, but perhaps I’ll say a bit more later if I can find the time and motivataion. Until then, best wishes to all!