• You know what the bad part is about being a team player? You have to work with a team. Or in my case, you have to work with a bunch of middle-aged maladjusted Masters candidates who don't want to do a bit of work and shoulder you with the burden. Of my four person group, one got called out for plagiarism and got pissy and dropped the class, another went on vacation and decided not to contact us, and the third got stuck in an ice storm. Luckily, the project is over, and my sanity is slowly returning.
• About three weeks ago, I landed a permanent gig that pays more money than my old job, is closer to home, is permanent and has full benefits starting the first day. The position has greater responsibility, and I'm expanding my skill set. However…I dunno. I'm still on the fence about how I feel about it. Things got off to a really rocky start (no computer, no chair and no phone), and they're only recently starting to turn around. I'm trying to remain optimistic and stuff, which I'll admit hasn't been the easiest thing. (Of course, all of this going on around the holidays isn't helping me.)
• Speaking of things I'm still on the fence about…there's SXSW. This year, I submitted two proposals, and one of them got picked up as a Core Conversation. And I decided not to do it. Why? For starters, the group whom I was going to represent never got back to me favorably in terms of information I requested, and secondly, why would I want to "work" my first year at SXSW? (The third reason is 'Would I get the time off work?') I haven't bought my registration badge yet, but I should come to a decision in January as to whether or not I will go to SXSW. Right now, I'm not sure.
• Even with all the new "Web 2.0″ type communication methods, a lot of people still manage to suffer from relationship laziness. And it's rather frustrating. More on that later.
• Anyone on Xbox 360? Add me; my gamertag is tech1130. I don't have any FPS games except Mass Effect, so all you fraggers out there will have to hold off. I've got plenty of XBLA games though. Send me a message though before you add me. Right now, I've mostly got my peeps from GayGamer.net added.
• Speaking of video games, whenever I have a free moment these days, I'm playing the following titles:
  • Marvel Ultimate Alliance (360)
  • Mass Effect (360)
  • Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
  • Wordjong (DS)
  • The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS)
  • My French Coach (DS)
  • My Word Coach (DS)
• After this class, I will have the last two weeks of the year free (thank God). However…Death Phoenix, Ma'dea and Uncle Buddy will be visiting to give me what they've dubbed "a religious intervention" when she found out I meditate from time to time, dabble in Buddhism, and don't consider myself a Christian or go to church. Like I need that bullshit right about now.
• Oh, and for the Atlanta folks, Sharon Jones is performing at the Variety Playhouse on January 19th. I've already got my ticket!

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