Lots of work today, a trend I expect will last for at least two more weeks. No worries; plenty of good music to rattle my ears with and when the work is this bad, everything else seems that much better.

More interesting, however, I had the first disturbing dream in long time last night. Soil flying, smoke, a grassy knoll slippery with the life of soldiers dropping amidst a symphony of hot, searing lead. I escape the bullet with an all at once bursting into reality, my eyes frozen open, body weak with exhaustion, a bit of sweat rolls down the right side of my face.

And there she is.

I shake the bad thoughts one slow, deep breath at a time. The least offending figure I can think of, the polar opposite of what nightmare had waken me is this girl lying by my side, asleep, tranquil, harmless. I looked around a little more, half expecting the cavalry to barge through the door. Nothing.

Regained my share of the blanket, laid my head back down to rest, and snuggled a little closer than I had prior to that night of sleeping.

Back from a weekend in M.A.S.S. (Must Appear Street Smart) with a cleared head and sort of antagonist grin on my face, taunting the homework and finals I’m going to obliterate in the next week. I love travelling; there’s something cleansing in the hum of tires, the virabations of the road, windows down, music up. My best ideas hit me when I’m on the move. For anyone who’s witnessed the “message board” (that flat area on the top of your hand, perfect for note taking), you know what I mean. You should also be aware you’re a horrible friend for not buying me a PDA by now!

Ink poisoning? Pffft. I like living on the edge.

Anyway, we managed to get some shooting in at the range Saturday before the rain really began parachuting. After that, some “shopping,” which means I take 5 mintues to look and even less time remembering I don’t like to spend money. Now to eat my own words: I think I’m heading home Friday to pick up some Doc Martens (“chick boots” at the price of real ones, if you ask me). I wanna look decent for the summer though. I think this internship’s a little more laid back as far as dress code, meaning Levi’s with a nice top and shoes will be a treat compared to last year.

But enough already, I’ve lost the staring contest with my homework and need to get these papers done and discarded. To wrap up this weekend, we also bought the little lady a nice Rawlings baseball glove, ate plenty of good food, met some great people, and had a fun time overall.

“For every wish I have, I wish someone who needs more than I gets it.” -Adrian

I know, I know, I’m getting behind on updates. If it ails you that much, feel free to register and start adding your own posts.

It’s that time of the year again, nice weather outside, plenty of backroads to cruise with the truck, and more finals than one man cares to think about. Everything’s going well though, Hatchling is on my mind daily and I’m getting all geared up for this summer. The heat’s making it hard not to doze off in class as dreams of flash animation or saving the world one web page at a time caper in my head.

As I postpone studying for my science quiz a little more, I should mention that I’ve taken the week off from lifting and am fairing ok. Most thought it could not be done, that the gym has truly captivated me with it’s beckoning call; I hope we see now this is not the case. Hey, how did this weight get into my room…

Picking up laundry, brushing the dust off this text book and plotting how 6 chapters can be uploaded to my brain in the next 60 minutes. Iron Maiden, Pantera, Megadeth: you’re all invited to the study, I’ll meet you at my headphones.

Well, today was the big day, had my interview with Hatchling. More than happy to say everything went awesome, probably the best day I’ve had all year. Everyone was impressed with my resume and ambitions and after I told them what I was looking for, the goals I had in mind, it was apparent Hatchling would be a good fit for me. Very cool bunch of folks, very nice, should be great to work with this summer. Their “grunt” work sounds like HTML and small size web projects, which is heaven compared to 4 hours of photocopying or crashing five macs in a day (oh, Hatchling has mainly all pc’s! another score). Jason, senior flash designer, said he had plenty of jobs to introduce me to flash as well and I should be able to work some time in the 3-d department on the second floor of Hatchling so it’ll be good to get my feet wet in the animation side of things.

Can’t express how excited I am for the internship. Just shows a little initiative goes a long way. Big thanks to Hatchling for the meeting and to my “fan club” who helped me out today with a phone, better transportation, and opinion on clothes.

I went to see Sin City this weekend, awesome movie, found my new idol as well. Marv is the man! “I’ll be right out,” as he bashes the door into splinters with ease. The guy’s built like a house, treats the ladies right, and takes pleasure in beating up the bad guys… rad.

The film had a very unique, cartoonish feel (it all reminded me of Max Payne, if you’ve ever played that game) and plenty of car chases and beatings. What more could you ask for?

“Hey! There is no settling down! This is blood for blood and by the gallons. This is the old days, the bad days, the all-or-nothing days. They’re back!”

-Sin City

I had a phone interview with Kennedy Info today which was awesome; they’re great people. Work sounded like mostly HTML, CSS, and even some Flash, which I’m pretty psyched about. Said they probably don’t have enough work for a full time job but would like to freelance a few projects or work something out like three days a week.

Sofft Shoe Company Inc also got back to me, interview with them on the 22nd but the way things are going now I should have enough work to keep me busy from Kennedy and Silver or Hatchling, depending on how they turn out.

OneSky Network requested more info as well, another possibility.

This is getting exciting…

Alas, I’ve declared my major in Graphic Design. Was hoping for a monster truck building, baseball analyzing, family loving degree but ah, this is close enough.

Still on the hunt for a summer internship; it’s down to sorting out my options at this point. One interview on the phone tomorrow with Kennedy Info, one in person Friday with SilverTech, and the job I’m really hoping for, Hatchling Studios in a week.

Off to class…

Not much time to type and haven’t had the chance to reflect on all that’s happened yet but today’s just been one of those days worth noting. Planned nothing, yet everything lined up. Saw family, celebrated my oldest niece’s birthday, even got to take Dolly, my truck, out on her maiden voyage of the year (I put her away each winter to keep the salt off). Was reminded life’s too sweet to spend alone and too short to worry it away.

Anyone remember the elections? Anyone care? Seems like there was such a fuss for a couple weeks there and now, nothing. Here’s my “fun” story.

couple weeks or so before elections in a town I wish wasn’t this one…

Dazzled up, gram and gramp poseurs, sipping wine with a crooked pinky pointed upward, no one holding doors open for each other or bothering to mind the unspoken rule of first come first serve. It was a damn senior circus, I was just waiting for the butt pinch and wink from the clacking set of dentures sitting behind me. I was comfortable in jeans and a loose button up shirt but apparently everyone else was in competition for the best made suit or dress using shag carpet and flannel blankets.

We finally grab a seat, and believe me, the old ones may look slow at first but it’s a battle dodging swinging walkers and darting canes. The table display was nothing out of my league, just a plate, glass, few enough eating utensils to keep me from being confused, and… pom poms? What the hell? I don’t even drink but when the “master mom” of yesteryear grabbed the mic and initiated the rally’s adolescent cheers, I was searching for the bottle.

I’m scarred for life. This was no campaign; it was modern day euthanasia. “Just end it now,” was all I could think. I did like the food, one of the two highlights of the night but please, this is me we’re talking about… when don’t I like food? Second highlight of the night: seeing this one dude with an eye patch. “Spill the diamonds 007, you aint foolin me, I know it’s fake.”