The Journey Continues
For those I haven't talked to in a while, this may be an update.
The summer is officially over. I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out at the beginning but I wouldn't change anything. My job ended up being pretty cool. I added a lot of functionality to a system that the office of student records and registration uses. It should roll out for campus use in a couple of weeks, which should be a good test of how I did coding it (pretty bad ass if you ask me, but i'm biased). I also made the data from the student satisfaction survey usable by the administration, so I know personally that they actually are reading what we say and are interested in the results. The reports I created were distributed to all major departments. I feel useful. Also, it was really cool to work with people that appreciate your skills. The fact that they gave me a raise after 4 weeks, travel money to go down state, and a thank you card is way beyond what I expected in a summer job. I was hoping not to get fired.
As for recreational activities, there were many a good time had this summer. There were a couple of kick ass concerts that I may have gotten a little too drunk at. There were a couple of parties that I definitely got too drunk at. There were a couple of nights at the bar that I got too drunk. It's interesting how many of our fondest memories are hazy. I think that is the way it should be. Before you label me an alcoholic and claim that it isn't needed, hear me out. Think about your childhood. Your favorite moment, your happiest hour, your favorite summer. Remember everything you did? Remember what shirt you were wearing, what day it was? Does it matter? It all comes down to an experience, a memory that won't fade, because the minor details have been lost. The core is what is important and remains. This summer had a few punctuated high points, which with time will fade into the whole of the best summer i've probably had. And, for posterity, some highlights that won't be lost to time.
And now I'm on to something completely different. Work starts on Monday. Peoria seems like it'll be cool enough. I'll post some pictures and impressions of my first couple of days here in a little bit. I'm not sure what I'm doing, which is kinda scary, but I know i'll get through it. I miss Houghton, and the fact that I'm missing all the WMTU and orientation week fun. This is always the best part of college, and I'm sure I'll have fun, it'll just be different. I also miss all the peeps back in Canton, even though some of them are starting to migrate elsewhere. Everything is changing slowly but surely. I'm not really scared, just contemplative on times gone. These times will pass, and I'm hopeful for the future, but I can't help but look back on what was. I have accepted the inevitability of time, I just don't agree with it.
Till next time I suppose, be well.
The summer is officially over. I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out at the beginning but I wouldn't change anything. My job ended up being pretty cool. I added a lot of functionality to a system that the office of student records and registration uses. It should roll out for campus use in a couple of weeks, which should be a good test of how I did coding it (pretty bad ass if you ask me, but i'm biased). I also made the data from the student satisfaction survey usable by the administration, so I know personally that they actually are reading what we say and are interested in the results. The reports I created were distributed to all major departments. I feel useful. Also, it was really cool to work with people that appreciate your skills. The fact that they gave me a raise after 4 weeks, travel money to go down state, and a thank you card is way beyond what I expected in a summer job. I was hoping not to get fired.
As for recreational activities, there were many a good time had this summer. There were a couple of kick ass concerts that I may have gotten a little too drunk at. There were a couple of parties that I definitely got too drunk at. There were a couple of nights at the bar that I got too drunk. It's interesting how many of our fondest memories are hazy. I think that is the way it should be. Before you label me an alcoholic and claim that it isn't needed, hear me out. Think about your childhood. Your favorite moment, your happiest hour, your favorite summer. Remember everything you did? Remember what shirt you were wearing, what day it was? Does it matter? It all comes down to an experience, a memory that won't fade, because the minor details have been lost. The core is what is important and remains. This summer had a few punctuated high points, which with time will fade into the whole of the best summer i've probably had. And, for posterity, some highlights that won't be lost to time.
- *edit* How did I leave out Ryans wedding!?! Free beer and a hell of a time. I'm really happy for them. The bachelor party was great, as was the boat cruise.
- Double Bubble at the DT, Eder rolling into town: One hell of a night. Having a good old time with some cool people. I didn't get totally shit faced, and it was a wonderful evening.
- All the nights at KBC with Dirk, Russ, and the other people who occasionally chilled out for the sole purpose of chilling. Ya'll rock.
- Matt Jones & Misty Lyn After party: Drunkest ever on a Tuesday night. Work was hell in the morning. Apparently I groped Kaz, my bad.
- Frisbee House when Raider came to town: Love sitting around a fire drinking beer. Very chill, even though I didn't know most people there.
- Countless nights at basecamp where I knew almost no one and still had a good time. It really helped my self-confidence, which is at an all time high right now, btw.
- Calumet with John Aho and Shazoo: After a meeting we went to Michigan House, tried random beers, walked around the town, talked to crazy men about their bikes from the 70's, and scored a fur coat for the blue key winter carnival auction. How can this not be a highlight?
- Kaz's Birthday party: Oh where to begin on this one! Great times with great friends. I met Madeline. She made the rest of the summer pretty awesome. She also made leaving kinda hard. I don't think I know what being in love feels like, but I know what being really in like feels like. No wonder people go stupid over each other. A feeling I wish would never end. I miss her right now. :(
- The 2 mile walk home on that Sunday morning a couple of weeks ago: This one is hard to describe, but a complete sense of calm and well-being, along with a 2/3lb bacon cheese thick burger from Hardees. The warm morning sun, the blue sky with fluffy clouds, the smile on my face, and lack of care for everything else in the world. Transcending the moment. I replay this morning in my mind when I need to be in a better place. Sublime.
And now I'm on to something completely different. Work starts on Monday. Peoria seems like it'll be cool enough. I'll post some pictures and impressions of my first couple of days here in a little bit. I'm not sure what I'm doing, which is kinda scary, but I know i'll get through it. I miss Houghton, and the fact that I'm missing all the WMTU and orientation week fun. This is always the best part of college, and I'm sure I'll have fun, it'll just be different. I also miss all the peeps back in Canton, even though some of them are starting to migrate elsewhere. Everything is changing slowly but surely. I'm not really scared, just contemplative on times gone. These times will pass, and I'm hopeful for the future, but I can't help but look back on what was. I have accepted the inevitability of time, I just don't agree with it.
Till next time I suppose, be well.