Winter rookie mistake: Parking in a puddle when its 30 degrees at night means that when you get out of the market, the puddle is frozen. Almost died even though I knew it would be slick.
These last two weeks, as I have been putting off work, one way I procrastinate is by Skyping, Steam chatting, G-chatting, game chats, texts and even phone calls with various peoples. It's been nice because, as I have discussed in many of my posts, it keeps me connected to my various groups of friends, many of whom read this blog too. You get some insight to my life every week, but I get connected back to you all through these methods.
For example, I've had a couple google chats with Pokeboss, Red Button, Captain Peanut and the like. It's been great catching up on the little dramas of University life, the challenges and rewards of the RA position and all the things just happening in these peoples lives. I feel like I get to continue my favorite part of my job at University: adviser (which really is just a listener). I get to continue those grand one on ones (read: two on ones with guests) and joke and goof off with old friends at the same time. Pokeboss and I have recently caught up several more times, discussing life, love and the pursuit of happiness, things we didn't delve into as much when I worked there, showing how not only have we maintained relationships but also continued to nourish them.
I finally got Mama G, Brock, Kareem, and Nemesis to video chat on Google+. We had a lot of fun playing with the reindeer app that added cartoony horns and noses on all our faces. Special shout out to Brock, who after feeling bad for showing off his giant 5-pound bag of gummi bears decided to send me a giant bag also. I'm still eating them two weeks later. I'm probably getting fat but they are so lovely. This kind of chats, especially with video involved, I think is really healthy for my relationships not just being on hold while I'm not present but to continue to grow and develop. Spam Boa even had me on Skype for a bit while the rest of them went to Vegas, so I actually got to see them in Vegas and wish them well. Spam and I have even had a drink "together" while chatting online or playing games, which is actually very similar to if we were in the same place.
This weekend I spent time in northern Ohio visiting my cousin. On the way back, I used my phone to call people and catch up with them. I talked to Tenshi, P Diddy and Cheeky Monkey, all close friends/family who I have a more phone relationship with than others. I don't typically call Clark and catch up but I will send him a Facebook post every once in a while. Same with my mom: almost all our catch ups are via phone. We often miss each others email responses but we always get back in touch via phone call. Lately my brother, like Spam, and I have talked via video game and skype.
The group that has mastered this internet relationship the best is the family of friends including Dungeon Daddy, Mother Mapster, Heavy Spy, Micki Granger, Tenshi and Spotty Sister. This was the first group I did google hangouts with. This was the group I first did mass texting with. This was the group that brought us facebook wall post spammings (Spam Spotty) and I think we have perfect technological friendships with our ongoing Skype chat. This is like a room in a play where characters come on and off stage passing and interacting when in front of the audience. We just have this literally 24-hr live chat the people can catch up on if they want to see what was discussed earlier or can just tune and out whenever they are online. The boys tend to talk video games and the girls often connect on tv shows but all topics are fair game and everyone talks with everyone depending on who's on. It's rare all 7 of us are ever all there simultaneously but it makes for good catch ups and the amusing randomness that I did not think we could recreate since living in the residence halls.
Back to my cousin. This was the first time I met my cousin's wife and their new baby, born last October. I got my christening as an uncle, complete with holding the baby, burping the baby, getting drooled, coughed, and sneezed on by the baby, pacifying the baby and driving the baby around until she fell asleep. It was good times. It was also nice to see this cousin, who I think has had kinda a bad rep in the family lately. See, he is 20 years old. He met his wife online, in a super nerdy video game (nerdier than WoW) and that led to emailing, texting, video chatting and finally a plane ticket. Talk about building relationships through technology! Basically, my cousin moved out here to Ohio, eloped with his now wife, and then started looking for a job and place to live. At least that is how the family perceives it. And that may be pretty accurate. But in a rather judgmental family at least in terms of putting a pressure to succeed (intentionally or not), my cousin is a bit of an outlier. Most of us would agree that to make those kind of choices was a bit rash and irresponsible, not having a job, degree, or anything lined up except a child. But when I saw my cousin, his wife, his little girl, they were such a good, happy family that I was reminded that theres something more than just rationality. They are in love. They complete each other and fit really well together. It was uplifting and enjoyable to witness. Sometimes we forget that side and only see the fact that neither of them have jobs right now. It will work out. Until then, I'll buy them dinner whenever I visit. What is family for if not to SUPPORT each other, not judge.
Also, I saw my first great lake: Erie is a strange, dark windy place. I miss the ocean.
I think those are my big points for today. Sorry for the late post. I don't sleep but I don't use that time well. Also, know that my cohort is reading this more and more so get ready for more cohort stories. Time to build those relationships online. Have a great week and happy weekend. Enjoy the good weather!
-JTY
Listening to: Professor's lecture. I'm. So. Sleepy.
Reading: XKCD and Penny Arcade comics. Catching up.
Playing: LoL and TOR but not as much as in the last few weeks. WOORRRKK!
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