The Thanksgiving Post

Thanksgiving weekend was terrific. I headed back home to Virginia and spent the extended holiday weekend with my family. It was the longest time I’ve left Coolio unattended, but with her automated water/food setup she has now she was fine. Spent the time doing all the family goodness I miss down in Florida. Played a few fun rounds of Pictionary, all saw a movie together, had breakfast at Ihop and of course gorged on the usual excellent Thanksgiving dinner. Sarah was with me the entire time which was brilliant and we spent one night out in Arlington hanging out with Eric which was great. Got to meet Jake’s Lauren and Stefan’s Courtney finally, which was long overdue by very nice, and even got an unexpected call from the soon to be wed Paul Macleod. Quick visits with Ali and Bob and Duncan where possible too now that Sarah can ferry me around in her spiffy new car. It’s very her.

We did the classic Black Friday shopping too, but opted for a slightly later rise than years past (since when is 5:15 considered a late start…yikes) primarily because there where no specific sales we wanted to capitalize on. We all enjoyed a healthy does of merchandising though, and got a large chunk knocked out of my ever expanding shopping list for the holidays. As always its sad to have to leave, but knowing I’ll be coming back in a few short weeks for my favorite of the family holidays definitely helps.

The One Year Post

So its officially been one year since I started working here at Colorvision. Crazy to think that it’s been that long, but at the same time rather fitting. When I think bout how well I know my coworkers and feel like I have a neat ‘fit’ in the company, it seems like I’ve been there forever. But when I think about working for MowCow in Virginia just before making the move, it feels like it was yesterday. Bruce took my out for a celebratory Firehouse sub which is an appreciated sentiment. Weird how time can change depending on how you look at it. Wonder how I’ll feel about things a year from now?

While it is all too easy to miss home and wonder why I'd ever leave the comfort of Vienna I can also look back on this past year and feel proud and pleased with the way it turned out. Yes I have missed everyone, and of course leaving was one of the biggest changes in my life, but I think I’d be doing myself a disservice if I didn’t recognize how much the change has been for the better in many ways. For starters I think I have matured a lot. I still find a good poop joke to be the most hilarious thing on the planet, but on the other hand I pay bills, watch insurance rates, keep an eye on income and make sure everything comes together at the end of the month. Things I never had a grasp of before heading down here. Hardly big accomplishments for most, but changes none the less. My graphic portfolio now boast names like Universal, Disney and Lucasfilm, and I’ve become a valued member of a team that I really enjoy being a part of. I also think that I’ve had opportunities to do things I never would have if I had been in Virginia. This past year I’ve had many new experiences from gambling cruises and shuttle launches, to VIP sections and hanging with DJs. Being out on my own has made me take a more active role in the direction I take myself at work and in my free time, I’ve had a great experience over the past 12 months and the friends I have met here have helped make the adjustments all the more enjoyable.

The Facebook Blitz Post

Last week Louise, an old friend from England added me on Facebook. She and I went to Beacon Hill Primary together back in the UK up until my family moved stateside in 5^th grade. Her addition to my friends-list sent me on a page-to-page search of people’s profiles tracking down all my old elementary school friends. It’s crazy to see how much people have changed yet are still at the core the same person I grew up with. I’ve a had a few nostalgic back-and-fourths with quite a few former classmates, most of which still live in the Ipswich area. It’s funny to look back at a class photo of little red jumpers (the uniform of choice at Beacon Hill) and remember playing Ninja Turtles on the playground and hiding our crusts at lunch, and to then flash forward and know that that kid is going to become a doctor, this girl is married now, that guy a police constable, this guy makes movies, that guy is touring with his band… great to hear from everyone again. Nice to know I’m still remembered too, and funny to hear that many of my friends are not the slightest bit surprised when they hear about what I do and who I am these days. Guess I’m predictable.

The Trip Home Post

This past weekend I went back home to VA as a belated ‘birthday present’ for Mum. It was great to head back and spend quality family time with everyone. Stefan was in and out at training unfortunately, but made an effort to come back each night and spend time with everyone which I really appreciated. Went bowling with the family and Sarah; watched 300 on the projector poolside with Dad’s very impressive homebrew outdoor theater system; visited Eric’s badass new apartment in Arlington as well as visited the construction site that is/was his parents’ house (it’s looking awesome); chilled poolside with special guests Patricio, Alex and Jevan; tried out Sam’s amazingly comfortable new bed; saw Sarah’s swanky new office and even snuck in a lunch at Potbellies after stopping by for a quick hello at the Hunt’s. Sarah stuck with me from baggage claim in the arrival lounge all the way to dropping me off outside of the check-in. It was great to have her with me the whole time. I miss her already. Her new camera was in full force so I’ll maybe have some pictures to share later on. Though I looked through a couple and it looks like I’ll have to censor out a fair few (she has a knack for catching me looking like a complete prat).

One of the best parts about being home, besides the company of course, is always the food. I always look forward to eating well, and Mum and Dad never disappoint. Crepes in the morning, tenderloin for dinner, whatever the meal it’s always appetizing. We had a terrific BBQ with Ali and Bob last night right before I had to hit the airport, which was delicious enough to tide me over on my long and delayed flight. It was great to see Ali and Bob again, especially this time due to the finalized copy of Bob’s new book making an appearance. The book, which I illustrated, will be getting published in the next few weeks. More on that to come I assure you.

Though I feel bad about abandoning my hopelessly lonely cat, and don’t have any vacation days coming my way for a fair while, I really do love to take these little trips back home. I wish they could be longer, though I fear that if they went on too much more than a weekend then I’d be hard pressed to be able to ever leave.