Small Gathering
Because this was the only weekend that worked out for Tom this was the weekend set up for people to gather for the month. We headed out early because I had expected that I would be stopping by to help out a co-worker with some expense reports but that didn't pan out so we were just on our way early.
The ride down was quite and nothing happened. We stopped at Uwajimayas first so that I could pick up some origami paper for the Festival of Trees gift. They had the section filled more than I have seen it before. That was good for me because I had a lot to choose from. I picked out two sets of paper that looked like good have a good selection of paper. I also found translucent paper for myself and a couple more sets of paper stars. :D
We then went into Kinokunia's to look around. They didn't have the One Piece calendar on the rack so the lady at the counter ordered it special for me. I also found and picked up a couple of Christmas gifts for my kids. After that and yet another purchase I decided it was time to leave before I spent all of my money!
Next up we headed to Cedar Crossing mall. After nearly getting side swiped by a person who decided they didn't have to stop for the stop sign we found a parking spot. We stopped there to get lunch because I was hungry! I had intended to get breakfast earlier but ended up having to download a song that I accidentally purchased (I clicked on the wrong button by accident). Anyway we had lunch at Taco Time.
While we were eating Bo recognized Nick and Christi (Dustin's brother and his wife). They came over and said hi to us. I asked if he knew what Dustin would be doing tonight. Nick thought he would be studying. I was still hopeful that Dustin would be attending, but not telling his brother what he was really doing.
After lunch we headed to Costco. I was stumped because I knew there was a reason I needed to go to Costco and now I couldn't figure out what that was. I remember I had planned it thinking I was going already so I could get or look at or pick up whatever it was I was after. I never did figure that out.
The parking lot was even more of a nightmare than in previous visits. I ended up WAY on the other side of the building from normal. We walked in and I decided just to walk around and see if I could remember what I was after. Ultimately I came up with nothing but we did get some great free samples and picked up a bag of Doritos (for Tom's) and some tortillas for home. I checked out the roasts like the one that a guy from work brought for the last potluck. We also found some great cakes and other ideas for gatherings at some future date.
Toms
After checking out we headed back to the care and on our way to Tom's. We got to TV highway and I realized I needed to get gas…preferably before getting to Tom's so I headed down TV highway to find one of the Chevron's on the road. I picked the one near 170th. Little did I know that this would be a bad choice from the standpoint of leaving. I needed to turn left on TV highway and there was no left where I was. Better yet going around through the store next to the gas station yielded nothing but a one-way road in the other direction and a parking lot that was otherwise closed off. -_- Ultimately I went the long way around and circled back to a light so I could make a left turn. That didn't stop me from wanting to make a U-turn on TV highway or wanting to go the wrong way down the one way just to get out of the mess. Half way to Tom's I realized there was a Chevron on the way. -_- Oh well.
We arrived at 4:30 and ended up being the first people there! I set up my laptop quickly and began the process of downloading the drivers to try and fix the screen rotation problem that has been plaguing it for three weeks now! -_- While I worked on downloading the drivers and fixes I talked with Tom.
Sometime, probably around 5pm, Dustin arrived. I was glad to see him because he hadn't told us if he was going to make it or not. Tom informed us that Chris and Valeska would not be making it because they had other plans. Sarah also would not be able to make it because she had other plans. Don got called into work and would try to make it later. No word on why Dan or Trish didn't come. Eventually Alan, Pia and James also showed up.
The dinner decision was between Godfathers just down the street and Ruby Tuesdays. I wasn't sure I really wanted to go to Ruby Tuesdays but we had just has pizza the night before. Ultimately they convinced me to try Ruby Tuesdays.
I asked Alan what he was doing the weekend after Thanksgiving. I had hoped to convince him to come down to see the Festival of Trees and take some pictures of our tree. Unfortunately he already had plans. He did offer to loan me the camera anyway though. Tom and possibly Alan would be planning a trip passing by my place soon and he promised to drop the camera off on their way. Then he asked if I had his phone number. This lead to a discussion about his new phone.
Go Go Gadget Google phone
Alan was excited to show off his new Google Phone. I was impressed with its' features. I have been wondering how it compared to the iphone and apparently it compares pretty well. The price for service seemed more reasonable too. I like a lot of the applications features it has as well. ^_^
After the demonstration of just about everything the Google Phone can do Dustin insisted it was time to play Hungry Hungry Hippy. ^_^ So we all headed out for Ruby Tuesdays.
Maharo
I made one stipulation and that's that I didn't want to drive. That worked out fine because both Dustin's car and mine were blocked in by James. In turn our cars were blocking in Tom so that made it clear that James and Alan would be escorting people to dinner. I then jumped at the chance to ride in Mahro again. I thought Bo would be joining me but he followed Dustin and Tom in riding with James. So It was just Alan, Pia and I in Maharo. Somehow it wasn't as exciting riding in Maharo this time but I was more than happy to get to ride anyway. Pia even insisted that I ride up front (which I was grateful for because I wasn't sure I could fit in the back seat…though I did fit fine in my dad's Porsche so I would probably have been ok).
We arrived at the parking lot for the restaurant and Alan parked his car as far from the restaurant as possible in the middle of three open spaces. I was amused by this and said "What no parking kiddy corner across two spaces?" To which he replied that he wasn't assholish about not wanting to ding his car. :D I didn't mind and was up for the walk to the restaurant. On the way Pia commented that she was jealous of Maharo. I then told the story of the first time I saw Alan with Maharo and how much he wanted to keep her clean. He then quipped that he does the same for Pia. ^_^ She was happy with this.
Ruby Tuesdays and my new office
As I have never even seen another Ruby Tuesdays I am not sure if they all look the same on the outside but this one was very rustic with a lodge like feel on the outside. The place was packed and so Pia and I stopped to seat ourselves on the bench between the two doors. Right above me to my left was a payphone so I started joking that it was my new office and that was my new cell phone. ^_^
Alan had put us down on the list to be seated and not long after he got back to us the people in the lobby found a table. So we moved inside. Pia and Alan stayed out in the foyer and I moved quickly to a small bench on the other side of the glass between their bench and mine. I looked over to see that Alan and Pia had stayed behind and Alan threw something at me. Naturally I reacted even though there was glass there and hit my head. 9_9 LOL
I went to grab a menu so I could see what I wanted to order before we got seated (in hopes of expediting the process). Dustin was seated next to me and he looked over my shoulder to make his decision as well. We both decided to share an artichoke and spinach appetizer. ^_^ Shortly after this we were seated.
We were seated almost all the way across the restaurant but that gave me a chance to see the whole place and it was beautiful! The restaurant had a ship/seafaring theme to it and where we were seated I could see a large trunk suspended on the wall. I was amused and commented that I have the same trunk in my living room. I continued to look around and spotted a large old-fashioned radio on the wall that is almost exactly like the one my dad has by his front door. I commented about that as well and mused that it was odd how much stuff looked like family air looms. Then Bo pointed out the statue of a small dog behind us quipping that it should have been with the phonograph. ^_^ I don't think many people got or heard the RCA reference. I on the other hand found the dog to be creepy with it's fake bead eyes. *shudder*
Food
I looked over the menu more than once and even contemplated the salad bar we saw as we walked in but I wasn't finding much I wanted to eat. I think if I had been in the mood for a burger, things would have been fine. Or if I ever ate steak things would have been perfect but there just wasn't much for me. Those things that I would eat seemed to be hot, as in spicy, dishes.
I ended up choosing the Louisiana Shrimp, which I knew would be hot but resolved to eat it anyway. The dish came with broccoli and mashed potatoes. I am not a fan of broccoli so I looked to see if there was another side dish I could substitute for it. The only other thing I would eat was a baked potato. So I got shrimp with two sides of potatoes. -_-
After I had ordered the waitress asked if anyone wanted a salad bar (which was not listed on the menu I might add). I didn't say I wanted one but I went to see what was there anyway. I found it to be quite good so I picked up a plate and filled it. I also realized when I got back that I had forgotten to order the appetizer so I flagged down the waitress to add both the salad bar and the appetizer to my bill. She said the appetizer would be up shortly and I was surprised at just how quickly they got it out to us compared to when we ordered it. They must have had some pre-made because it was out lightening fast!
I started to realize I had a LOT of food coming like it or not. The salad bar was even an all you can eat though I only went through once. I was finishing the salad bar and working on the appetizer with Dustin when the main courses came out. Thankfully mine wasn't all that big but it was still a lot of food. The shrimp came with a sauce that I wasn't familiar with so I asked Bo to try it out for me. He said it was hot but like a Chipotle ranch. So I tried it with my shrimp. I never could taste the sauce, only the spice that went with both it and the shrimp.
One big compliment I have to pay to the waitress is that she was lightening fast on the refills. She would have one to me before I even knew to ask for the next. Of course the spicy food kept me drinking it too! I have to say that the service at this place was one of the best I have ever had. They were on the ball, polite, funny and fast!
The table seating was such that Dustin was to my left and at the end of the table. Bo was to my right. Pia and Alan respectively were across from me followed along the table by James (across from Bo) and Tom to his left. This made it perfect to talk with everyone at dinner. Though Alan and Pia seemed to be into each other most of the meal anyway and even shared a plate causing the waitress to coo that it was cute. ^_^
I spotted a large framed fish on the wall across the room from me and commented to Dustin that I expected it to bend outward and start singing at any moment. ^_^
At some point in the conversation Tom piped up and told me he had a New Years resolution for me. I think I was in the middle of another conversation or something (I don't really remember) but it took me a minute to give him my full attention (perhaps I was in the middle of some food?). Anyway he continued when I was ready and said that my New Years Resolution was to start drawing again. I was a little floored by it, so much so that I didn't know even how to react to it. I contemplated making my case again for why I hadn't been drawing but ultimately just left the comment as it was. Alan had asked me on the way over if I had been using the tablet still (he asked me this last time we got together as well and my answer was the same). I haven't had any time to draw, but ultimately depression over loosing my other laptop put a serious dent in my will to draw. It's been a chore to find the time as well. I don't know what happened to my resolve to make time. Anyway it got me to thinking about it all again.
The waitress came to the table asking if anyone wanted desert. I hadn't even finished my dinner but others ordered desert. I had no room anyway and ended up taking half the artichoke dip and most of my shrimp home with me.
Riding Back in Maharo
By the time we headed out I was already starting to feel tired. I think it was close to 9pm when we left. I road back with Alan and Pia in Maharo. I really enjoyed my second and third times riding in the car. I was a little concerned though when Alan's attention kept leaving the road and turning to Pia behind him.
Back at the House
When we got back to the house we found John J. had arrived in our absence. So he joined everyone inside. I went back to the computer and began reinstalling the video drivers. During this time Tom brought out his laptop and sat in the dinning room behind me. I have been interested to see his laptop since he told me got it. I am still surprised that he chose the same one I did.
I was more than excited when reinstalling the video drivers fixed my rotating screen problem. I even voiced it vocally. :D It is good to be back to good with my laptop. I hated not being able to use it for part of it's intended purpose. ^_^
At some point he left closed it and went downstairs to play Fallout 3 with Bo and John. I picked up the laptop to gauge things like it's weight compared to mine and such. I noticed right away there was a difference. His screen is thicker than mine making the laptop only a fraction more heavy. It's not noticeable on it's own but putting them side by side I could easily see the difference
I put it back and went back to what I was doing with my own laptop. Dustin had stayed upstairs and I began talking with him. He said something about Game Stop or Game Crazy and I started talking with him about the downsides to Game Stop and the videos Zero Originality. I realized I could just pull it up on the laptop and quickly show him because of Tom's high speed wireless. So I move the laptop to the dinning room table where he was sitting and began playing some of the videos.
The site I found them from didn't have them in the proper order and it was hard to figure out exactly which ones to show next. Alan came over at one point and recognized the style as Yatzee's Zero Punctuation. I explained that it was a copy of Yatzee's style and that this guy was using it to talk about Game Stop's pit falls. Alan and Pia headed out shortly after this.
Good Byes
I think I got to show Dustin 4 of the videos before it got too late for him. He was amused by the videos and recognized some of the stuff from his time working at EB though he admitted that it wasn't as bad back them (and Zero Originality even states that).
Eventually it got too late and Dustin needed to be heading home because he worked in the morning. I talked with him all the way down the stairs. He mentioned how things were going for him and Suzie and gave me some updated news on their situation. I am pleased with the news and hope it continues to be good news (though I can't say more than that).
As he said good bye to the other guys it was apparent that he couldn't leave until James moved his vehicle too. On the way out the door I mentioned that Dustin lived close to Chris and Valeska and Dustin talked with James about where he worked. Turns out it's right next to where James works. Better yet James was interested in the prospect of renting an apartment from the same complex as Dustin seeing as they are across the street from work. It was an interesting conversation and it sounded like James was definitely going to check it out. That would be cool if he could get a place in the same complex. ^_^
John J left at the same time as James and Dustin leaving Bo and I the only ones still there. I was ready to pack up and head out right away not wanting to over stay my welcome when Tom invited us to stay longer. I was surprised. I didn't think question it though and we sat down to talk with Tom for a while.
Invited to Stick Around for Awhile
We talked about a lot of things in general. It sounds like things with Tom and Sarah are going well which is good to hear. I mentioned that I had been contemplating the answer to a question he had posed previously about what anime would be a good one to start Sarah off with. In all the time since he asked I haven't been able to give him a good answer. It can so easily color a person's view on the genre based on what they see first so it's pretty critical to get it right. Not only that it's hard being a fan since I was little to contemplate how to start someone who is only just starting at my age. I think being younger helped a lot.
Tom said he thought of starting with Read or Die, which I think is a good starting place. I also suggested Sailor Moon (at least the first season) but I don't really know how good of a suggestion that is. Ouran would be another good one because it's like Tenchi only geared towards girls but who knows if it will be too much. At any rate it will be up to Tom to decide in the end. I am just contemplating it for my own curiosity.
I eventually worked the conversation around to bring up the "New Years Resolution" again. I told Tom I was taking his comment to heart and really would try again. Then he said that he wasn't serious about it and only joking. That kind of weakened my resolve. I was glad someone was interested in the fact that I hadn't been drawing and even concerned a little about it. It feels like no one seems to even care that I haven't so much as drawn more than a doodle here or there in over a year. I am trying to hold on to the resolve I had but it's hard now because it feels like I took something too seriously and I feel foolish for it. *sigh*
Heading Home
Anyway I moved on to talking about other things and in no time it was late. Tom was getting tired around 11 and so was I quite frankly. Bo and I headed out not long after and I thanked Tom for inviting us over before we left.
On the way home Bo drove and I updated him with what Dustin had told me about Suzie. I then fell asleep until we got home and then went promptly to bed. It was a long day and I haven't had so much to say about one visit in a long time. That feels good. ^_^
The ride down was quite and nothing happened. We stopped at Uwajimayas first so that I could pick up some origami paper for the Festival of Trees gift. They had the section filled more than I have seen it before. That was good for me because I had a lot to choose from. I picked out two sets of paper that looked like good have a good selection of paper. I also found translucent paper for myself and a couple more sets of paper stars. :D
We then went into Kinokunia's to look around. They didn't have the One Piece calendar on the rack so the lady at the counter ordered it special for me. I also found and picked up a couple of Christmas gifts for my kids. After that and yet another purchase I decided it was time to leave before I spent all of my money!
Next up we headed to Cedar Crossing mall. After nearly getting side swiped by a person who decided they didn't have to stop for the stop sign we found a parking spot. We stopped there to get lunch because I was hungry! I had intended to get breakfast earlier but ended up having to download a song that I accidentally purchased (I clicked on the wrong button by accident). Anyway we had lunch at Taco Time.
While we were eating Bo recognized Nick and Christi (Dustin's brother and his wife). They came over and said hi to us. I asked if he knew what Dustin would be doing tonight. Nick thought he would be studying. I was still hopeful that Dustin would be attending, but not telling his brother what he was really doing.
After lunch we headed to Costco. I was stumped because I knew there was a reason I needed to go to Costco and now I couldn't figure out what that was. I remember I had planned it thinking I was going already so I could get or look at or pick up whatever it was I was after. I never did figure that out.
The parking lot was even more of a nightmare than in previous visits. I ended up WAY on the other side of the building from normal. We walked in and I decided just to walk around and see if I could remember what I was after. Ultimately I came up with nothing but we did get some great free samples and picked up a bag of Doritos (for Tom's) and some tortillas for home. I checked out the roasts like the one that a guy from work brought for the last potluck. We also found some great cakes and other ideas for gatherings at some future date.
Toms
After checking out we headed back to the care and on our way to Tom's. We got to TV highway and I realized I needed to get gas…preferably before getting to Tom's so I headed down TV highway to find one of the Chevron's on the road. I picked the one near 170th. Little did I know that this would be a bad choice from the standpoint of leaving. I needed to turn left on TV highway and there was no left where I was. Better yet going around through the store next to the gas station yielded nothing but a one-way road in the other direction and a parking lot that was otherwise closed off. -_- Ultimately I went the long way around and circled back to a light so I could make a left turn. That didn't stop me from wanting to make a U-turn on TV highway or wanting to go the wrong way down the one way just to get out of the mess. Half way to Tom's I realized there was a Chevron on the way. -_- Oh well.
We arrived at 4:30 and ended up being the first people there! I set up my laptop quickly and began the process of downloading the drivers to try and fix the screen rotation problem that has been plaguing it for three weeks now! -_- While I worked on downloading the drivers and fixes I talked with Tom.
Sometime, probably around 5pm, Dustin arrived. I was glad to see him because he hadn't told us if he was going to make it or not. Tom informed us that Chris and Valeska would not be making it because they had other plans. Sarah also would not be able to make it because she had other plans. Don got called into work and would try to make it later. No word on why Dan or Trish didn't come. Eventually Alan, Pia and James also showed up.
The dinner decision was between Godfathers just down the street and Ruby Tuesdays. I wasn't sure I really wanted to go to Ruby Tuesdays but we had just has pizza the night before. Ultimately they convinced me to try Ruby Tuesdays.
I asked Alan what he was doing the weekend after Thanksgiving. I had hoped to convince him to come down to see the Festival of Trees and take some pictures of our tree. Unfortunately he already had plans. He did offer to loan me the camera anyway though. Tom and possibly Alan would be planning a trip passing by my place soon and he promised to drop the camera off on their way. Then he asked if I had his phone number. This lead to a discussion about his new phone.
Go Go Gadget Google phone
Alan was excited to show off his new Google Phone. I was impressed with its' features. I have been wondering how it compared to the iphone and apparently it compares pretty well. The price for service seemed more reasonable too. I like a lot of the applications features it has as well. ^_^
After the demonstration of just about everything the Google Phone can do Dustin insisted it was time to play Hungry Hungry Hippy. ^_^ So we all headed out for Ruby Tuesdays.
Maharo
I made one stipulation and that's that I didn't want to drive. That worked out fine because both Dustin's car and mine were blocked in by James. In turn our cars were blocking in Tom so that made it clear that James and Alan would be escorting people to dinner. I then jumped at the chance to ride in Mahro again. I thought Bo would be joining me but he followed Dustin and Tom in riding with James. So It was just Alan, Pia and I in Maharo. Somehow it wasn't as exciting riding in Maharo this time but I was more than happy to get to ride anyway. Pia even insisted that I ride up front (which I was grateful for because I wasn't sure I could fit in the back seat…though I did fit fine in my dad's Porsche so I would probably have been ok).
We arrived at the parking lot for the restaurant and Alan parked his car as far from the restaurant as possible in the middle of three open spaces. I was amused by this and said "What no parking kiddy corner across two spaces?" To which he replied that he wasn't assholish about not wanting to ding his car. :D I didn't mind and was up for the walk to the restaurant. On the way Pia commented that she was jealous of Maharo. I then told the story of the first time I saw Alan with Maharo and how much he wanted to keep her clean. He then quipped that he does the same for Pia. ^_^ She was happy with this.
Ruby Tuesdays and my new office
As I have never even seen another Ruby Tuesdays I am not sure if they all look the same on the outside but this one was very rustic with a lodge like feel on the outside. The place was packed and so Pia and I stopped to seat ourselves on the bench between the two doors. Right above me to my left was a payphone so I started joking that it was my new office and that was my new cell phone. ^_^
Alan had put us down on the list to be seated and not long after he got back to us the people in the lobby found a table. So we moved inside. Pia and Alan stayed out in the foyer and I moved quickly to a small bench on the other side of the glass between their bench and mine. I looked over to see that Alan and Pia had stayed behind and Alan threw something at me. Naturally I reacted even though there was glass there and hit my head. 9_9 LOL
I went to grab a menu so I could see what I wanted to order before we got seated (in hopes of expediting the process). Dustin was seated next to me and he looked over my shoulder to make his decision as well. We both decided to share an artichoke and spinach appetizer. ^_^ Shortly after this we were seated.
We were seated almost all the way across the restaurant but that gave me a chance to see the whole place and it was beautiful! The restaurant had a ship/seafaring theme to it and where we were seated I could see a large trunk suspended on the wall. I was amused and commented that I have the same trunk in my living room. I continued to look around and spotted a large old-fashioned radio on the wall that is almost exactly like the one my dad has by his front door. I commented about that as well and mused that it was odd how much stuff looked like family air looms. Then Bo pointed out the statue of a small dog behind us quipping that it should have been with the phonograph. ^_^ I don't think many people got or heard the RCA reference. I on the other hand found the dog to be creepy with it's fake bead eyes. *shudder*
Food
I looked over the menu more than once and even contemplated the salad bar we saw as we walked in but I wasn't finding much I wanted to eat. I think if I had been in the mood for a burger, things would have been fine. Or if I ever ate steak things would have been perfect but there just wasn't much for me. Those things that I would eat seemed to be hot, as in spicy, dishes.
I ended up choosing the Louisiana Shrimp, which I knew would be hot but resolved to eat it anyway. The dish came with broccoli and mashed potatoes. I am not a fan of broccoli so I looked to see if there was another side dish I could substitute for it. The only other thing I would eat was a baked potato. So I got shrimp with two sides of potatoes. -_-
After I had ordered the waitress asked if anyone wanted a salad bar (which was not listed on the menu I might add). I didn't say I wanted one but I went to see what was there anyway. I found it to be quite good so I picked up a plate and filled it. I also realized when I got back that I had forgotten to order the appetizer so I flagged down the waitress to add both the salad bar and the appetizer to my bill. She said the appetizer would be up shortly and I was surprised at just how quickly they got it out to us compared to when we ordered it. They must have had some pre-made because it was out lightening fast!
I started to realize I had a LOT of food coming like it or not. The salad bar was even an all you can eat though I only went through once. I was finishing the salad bar and working on the appetizer with Dustin when the main courses came out. Thankfully mine wasn't all that big but it was still a lot of food. The shrimp came with a sauce that I wasn't familiar with so I asked Bo to try it out for me. He said it was hot but like a Chipotle ranch. So I tried it with my shrimp. I never could taste the sauce, only the spice that went with both it and the shrimp.
One big compliment I have to pay to the waitress is that she was lightening fast on the refills. She would have one to me before I even knew to ask for the next. Of course the spicy food kept me drinking it too! I have to say that the service at this place was one of the best I have ever had. They were on the ball, polite, funny and fast!
The table seating was such that Dustin was to my left and at the end of the table. Bo was to my right. Pia and Alan respectively were across from me followed along the table by James (across from Bo) and Tom to his left. This made it perfect to talk with everyone at dinner. Though Alan and Pia seemed to be into each other most of the meal anyway and even shared a plate causing the waitress to coo that it was cute. ^_^
I spotted a large framed fish on the wall across the room from me and commented to Dustin that I expected it to bend outward and start singing at any moment. ^_^
At some point in the conversation Tom piped up and told me he had a New Years resolution for me. I think I was in the middle of another conversation or something (I don't really remember) but it took me a minute to give him my full attention (perhaps I was in the middle of some food?). Anyway he continued when I was ready and said that my New Years Resolution was to start drawing again. I was a little floored by it, so much so that I didn't know even how to react to it. I contemplated making my case again for why I hadn't been drawing but ultimately just left the comment as it was. Alan had asked me on the way over if I had been using the tablet still (he asked me this last time we got together as well and my answer was the same). I haven't had any time to draw, but ultimately depression over loosing my other laptop put a serious dent in my will to draw. It's been a chore to find the time as well. I don't know what happened to my resolve to make time. Anyway it got me to thinking about it all again.
The waitress came to the table asking if anyone wanted desert. I hadn't even finished my dinner but others ordered desert. I had no room anyway and ended up taking half the artichoke dip and most of my shrimp home with me.
Riding Back in Maharo
By the time we headed out I was already starting to feel tired. I think it was close to 9pm when we left. I road back with Alan and Pia in Maharo. I really enjoyed my second and third times riding in the car. I was a little concerned though when Alan's attention kept leaving the road and turning to Pia behind him.
Back at the House
When we got back to the house we found John J. had arrived in our absence. So he joined everyone inside. I went back to the computer and began reinstalling the video drivers. During this time Tom brought out his laptop and sat in the dinning room behind me. I have been interested to see his laptop since he told me got it. I am still surprised that he chose the same one I did.
I was more than excited when reinstalling the video drivers fixed my rotating screen problem. I even voiced it vocally. :D It is good to be back to good with my laptop. I hated not being able to use it for part of it's intended purpose. ^_^
At some point he left closed it and went downstairs to play Fallout 3 with Bo and John. I picked up the laptop to gauge things like it's weight compared to mine and such. I noticed right away there was a difference. His screen is thicker than mine making the laptop only a fraction more heavy. It's not noticeable on it's own but putting them side by side I could easily see the difference
I put it back and went back to what I was doing with my own laptop. Dustin had stayed upstairs and I began talking with him. He said something about Game Stop or Game Crazy and I started talking with him about the downsides to Game Stop and the videos Zero Originality. I realized I could just pull it up on the laptop and quickly show him because of Tom's high speed wireless. So I move the laptop to the dinning room table where he was sitting and began playing some of the videos.
The site I found them from didn't have them in the proper order and it was hard to figure out exactly which ones to show next. Alan came over at one point and recognized the style as Yatzee's Zero Punctuation. I explained that it was a copy of Yatzee's style and that this guy was using it to talk about Game Stop's pit falls. Alan and Pia headed out shortly after this.
Good Byes
I think I got to show Dustin 4 of the videos before it got too late for him. He was amused by the videos and recognized some of the stuff from his time working at EB though he admitted that it wasn't as bad back them (and Zero Originality even states that).
Eventually it got too late and Dustin needed to be heading home because he worked in the morning. I talked with him all the way down the stairs. He mentioned how things were going for him and Suzie and gave me some updated news on their situation. I am pleased with the news and hope it continues to be good news (though I can't say more than that).
As he said good bye to the other guys it was apparent that he couldn't leave until James moved his vehicle too. On the way out the door I mentioned that Dustin lived close to Chris and Valeska and Dustin talked with James about where he worked. Turns out it's right next to where James works. Better yet James was interested in the prospect of renting an apartment from the same complex as Dustin seeing as they are across the street from work. It was an interesting conversation and it sounded like James was definitely going to check it out. That would be cool if he could get a place in the same complex. ^_^
John J left at the same time as James and Dustin leaving Bo and I the only ones still there. I was ready to pack up and head out right away not wanting to over stay my welcome when Tom invited us to stay longer. I was surprised. I didn't think question it though and we sat down to talk with Tom for a while.
Invited to Stick Around for Awhile
We talked about a lot of things in general. It sounds like things with Tom and Sarah are going well which is good to hear. I mentioned that I had been contemplating the answer to a question he had posed previously about what anime would be a good one to start Sarah off with. In all the time since he asked I haven't been able to give him a good answer. It can so easily color a person's view on the genre based on what they see first so it's pretty critical to get it right. Not only that it's hard being a fan since I was little to contemplate how to start someone who is only just starting at my age. I think being younger helped a lot.
Tom said he thought of starting with Read or Die, which I think is a good starting place. I also suggested Sailor Moon (at least the first season) but I don't really know how good of a suggestion that is. Ouran would be another good one because it's like Tenchi only geared towards girls but who knows if it will be too much. At any rate it will be up to Tom to decide in the end. I am just contemplating it for my own curiosity.
I eventually worked the conversation around to bring up the "New Years Resolution" again. I told Tom I was taking his comment to heart and really would try again. Then he said that he wasn't serious about it and only joking. That kind of weakened my resolve. I was glad someone was interested in the fact that I hadn't been drawing and even concerned a little about it. It feels like no one seems to even care that I haven't so much as drawn more than a doodle here or there in over a year. I am trying to hold on to the resolve I had but it's hard now because it feels like I took something too seriously and I feel foolish for it. *sigh*
Heading Home
Anyway I moved on to talking about other things and in no time it was late. Tom was getting tired around 11 and so was I quite frankly. Bo and I headed out not long after and I thanked Tom for inviting us over before we left.
On the way home Bo drove and I updated him with what Dustin had told me about Suzie. I then fell asleep until we got home and then went promptly to bed. It was a long day and I haven't had so much to say about one visit in a long time. That feels good. ^_^