Art of Growing Old

Humidity is a pain in the ass. There’s really no way around that fact for me. I’ve come to find that I’m helpless against this anomaly. Water in the air? I grew up in a desert, come on. Obviously I knew about this before I chose to move here but, as most of you know, that’s not enough to stop me from complaining about it.

I’ve been on quite the Neutral Milk Hotel kick lately. From Holland, 1945 to Two Headed Boy, I’m quite infatuated with their lyrics. Granted, their vocal styles aren’t for everybody but the lyrics are incredible. I started off being obsessed with Jesse Lacey’s covers and now I’m enjoying the original tracks themselves. If you haven’t experienced them, I highly recommend:

• Holland, 1945 (the original as well as the cover by Canoe)
• Two Headed Boy Pt. 2 (the original as well as Jesse’s cover)
• Oh Comely (the original as well as Jesse’s cover)

I’ve also been spending most of my day listening to Steve Tannen’s latest album, Big Senorita. I highly recommend that one as well ;).

Work is still intense and it’s only going to become increasingly more stressful over the next few weeks. I knew what I was getting myself into starting this project so I can’t really complain about the situation right now; nor can I really wiggle myself out of it either. It’s the final stretch and there really is light at the end of the tunnel. Believe me, I’m looking forward to having a weekend off and being able to enjoy activities outside of work.

I’ve learned so much from this project. It’s pretty unbelievable when I think about what we’ve accomplished in the past two months. From architecture to management, I’ve really had to stretch my abilities and push the envelope for this project. It’s a complete 180 degree turn from my previous positions. There wasn’t enough to do in those positions to keep me busy for a day. Now I don’t have enough time in my day to do what I want/need!

It’s been a great project and I’m hoping that it becomes a success. I’ll be blogging more on what this success could mean for me (and what the project actually is) very soon. In the meantime, I’m going to get a little bit of sleep and get ready to finish up as much as I can tomorrow.

Friends and acquaintances are graduating left and right (so it seems). When you’re younger you think you have the answers for everything and that you’re the exception to the rule. It’s amazing how quickly people change and how easy it is to lose touch with the people you thought would always be around. It never boils down to one simple truth. I was tempted for an instant to say it boiled down to the simple fact that people change. Maybe it is as simple as that?

I think connections are always deeper than we can truly fathom. I started off writing this while thinking about someone in particular. I got halfway through that first paragraph and got a phone call. It makes me wonder how it’s possible that such fleeting thoughts could be shared. Nevertheless, it voids my resolve for discussing the original theme of this entry.

I was gone for quite some time (does anyone still read this anymore?). It’s been a hell of a week and the hours are only going to worsen over the next month. I truly enjoy the work that I’m doing so it’s not that I mind putting all of my effort into it. What I do mind is not having the time to consistently sit down and reflect. I will commit to an entry a week regardless of the circumstances and hope that I can be a bit of an overachiever on that goal.

Anyways, that’s all I have for today.

I’m keeping this post pretty short (it’s not becoming a habit, I promise). The project that I’m currently working on is reaching a ramp-up point and will require a lot more of my attention this week specifically.

How about YOU leave ME updates as comments for once? I’d love to know what’s happening with everyone that keeps up with me.

The long awaited announcement I’m sure: I’m becoming an active technical blogger. Don’t worry, I won’t be doing it here. I’ll effectively be doubling the amount of time I don’t have to devote to blogging. I’ll continue this one just as it is and will be talking about my other life here:

http://blogs.rev-net.com/jmarnold

For you geeks out there, please stop by! Meanwhile, check back tonight for an update on my personal life.