On the New Year :: January 3rd, 2002 ::
So, if you took my last post seriously, then it must have been a very long, frustrating week for you, waiting there powerless for this update. But if you’ve been following the (lack of an) update pattern this pageswithin.com has fallen into since like September 11, then my waiting a week to update again was probably expected. Heck, for some of you, this update might be ahead of schedule, really.
But, to let anyone know who hasn’t already heard, I was laid off last week. And yes, that was why I was up so late writing that last update. But before you get too terribly concerned for my financial/emotional well being, don’t worry: I’m OK. Really. First off, the news did not come as a surprise, given the current state of the economy, the lack of work, and the blah blah droning of promises from all levels of economic expertise that things will be turning around soon enough. Just you wait. Secondly, I was left with a pretty good severance package, which I should be able to survive on for a couple of months at least. See, back when I was twenty or so, I got it into my head that I was going to be an artist, so I planned for a life of poverty. This plan has stuck with me, and as a result, I have only minimal material needs/wants. A comfortable bed is important to me. As is warmth. Food is great, but it by no means has to be extravagant. And I do like to cook, I know, so I’ll probably be taking this time to reacquiant myself with my stove. Plus I’ve been reading a lot more, more of the stuff I care about. And I’ve been using the operating system I like the most. And I’ve been teaching myself VIM. It’s strange, really, because when I tell people that I’ve been laid off, their first reaction tends to be to console me. But honestly, it has been great.
But then, I’m also thinking of Jessamyn as I try to figure out what I’m going to do next. I really liked Seattle a lot when I was there, and I had a really great time with her when I was there. So I have a pretty strong inclination to figure out a way to get out there in the coming months, at least for a time. As it stands, I think I’m going to be out ther e for some time this month and the next, and from there Jessamyn and I will head to Vegas, where a friend of her’s is getting married. But as for the slightly longer term, if you’re in Seattle and need the help of a web geek/computer enthusiast/cultural critic, drop a line. As it stands, I’ll probably say yes to whatever you throw at me, unless the work somehow involves being abusive to animals or small children.
(I feel a little slimy doing this, but here’s my resume.)
And the other thing I’ve done is create a photo display application. You can see it in action with this gallery of pictures from our trip to Alaska.
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So first off, happy New Year. As you may have already heard, mine was eventful, to say the least. The whole experience left me feeling uneasy and unprotected, which is somewhat ironic, given that, you know, the police are supposed to be serving and protecting. But, though the experience may have been a bit unfortunate, I was much happier being in Seattle than I ever could have been in Milwaukee. Or anywhere else, for that matter.
And yes, Alaska was amazing. Many first time experiences on the trip, including, well, being in Alaska, for one. While I was there I saw porpoises, bald eagles (whose call seems very similar to that of the sea gull), and I just narrowly missed a couple of Orcas. With copious amounts of time while on the ferry, I also relearned Cribbage, and was taught how to play a game called Royalty. Surprisingly enough, no games of Scrabble this time. Someone on the trip made noise about how she was not feeling smart enough to play, but whatever. I was just as happy spending that time reading books instead.
Alaska is a beautiful state, with a very unique geography and a depressed economy. Mountains jut out of the water and seem to shoot thousands of feet in the air, and the towns are cold, windswept, and semi-deserted. Office space in Ketchikan goes for a steal. All of Alaska is in a constant state of beauty and sadness, and one condition always seems to be overshadowing another. Thinking of it now makes my heart swell and my throat clench, just a bit.
While on the ferry, I decided what this year’s resolutions would be. Here they are:
- Be more disciplined about writing.
- Depend on my car less.
- Eat healthier.
I think those will work quite well: they are a bit challenging (I will have to get up earlier to take the bus if I’m to leave my car at home), yet attainable. Wish me luck on them.
And I’ll wish you the same in your new year, whether or not you’ve made resolutions. I’ll be posting images from my trip, soon enough.
And tomorrow, I’ll explain why I’m up so late writing this.
