Horrible Night/Awesome Day

Last night seemed to end on a good note, or at least a normal note, but as soon as I laid down for bed everything changed.  For the first time in nearly three weeks I wasn't sleeping alone.   This would be the first time that I shared my evening with a stranger, but the stranger wasn't a person.  My unexpected guest was the world's worst headache!   No, I mean really, it was the worst headache that I have ever experienced in my entire life.  I thought it would go away eventually but as the minutes turned into hours I knew I was wrong.  Literally three hours and my headache continued to worsen.  I contemplated going to the hospital but I was too embarrassed.  Not only that, but I was also dizzy (more than usual) and my eyes couldn't stand the slightest bit of light.  Finally I couldn't take it any longer and at 3am I got out of my bed with the intention of going to the corner store for aspirin.  I made it downstairs, through the front door and to the corner of the our block, but from the corner I could see that the store had closed for the night.  Naturally I asked the desk clerk if he had any aspirin.  The answer was "no" followed by an explanation about it being illegal to give aspirin to guests.  Back to my room I went...  I lasted 20 minutes before I decided to go back downstairs and attempt a hike to 7-11.   Surprise, it was raining!  Ugh!  It gets worse...  

Walking the three block to 7-11 was akin to running a half marathon as far as I was concerned.  I felt like crap, it was cold, raining, and I could barely see straight.  When I finally made it to the store the door was locked.  The lights were on and they were clearly open for business but the door was locked.  A minute or two later the clerk opened the door and asked me to wait for a few moments while he finished mopping the floor and replace the floor mats.  Really?????  Seriously, I couldn't make this shit up!  I waited... Outside... In the cold... While it rained... Feeling like death... But I waited.  Clearly this guys floor and floor mats were very important.  Are you sitting down?  You better be sitting, because this part will be the biggest shocker.  When the guy opened the door (5-6 minutes later) to let me, instead of berating him like I felt like doing, I  thanked him and went about my shopping.  Yes, I kept my cool and I made a choice to stay level headed.  How was he to know what was going on in my life at that moment?  He was doing his job, and unfortunately I happened to be in pain.  I paid for my aspirin, decongestant, lemonade, and gummy bears (yes, you read that right) and then I returned to the hotel.  Along the way I inhaled three aspirin.  Within a hour I could feel the pain slowly subsiding and being replaced with exhaustion.  The time was nearly 5am.  

My morning started in the best possible way- a text from Chris.  It was the same time that we normally connect every morning.  He was aware (keenly aware) of the issues I endured overnight and naturally he was concerned.  We connected via FaceTime and then off to work I went.  I arrived a bit later than normal (9:45am) but I was still within my self-imposed restrictions.  At first I was a little groggy but in no time I was back to my normal self.  It is a good thing too because I had a meeting with Gabbie and Lisa scheduled for today.  A meeting that I requested, so I felt like I needed to be ready with something of value since they accepted my request and gave freely of their time.  For those of you who don't know, Gabbie is the HR Manager onsite and Lisa is her assistant/all-around "studio mother".  Lisa has been affiliated with the studio for a long time and it shows.  She truly cares... It is a great thing to experience.  Anyway, the purpose of my meeting was to begin "our" team building.   An official kickoff of our team.  It was an opportunity to create our future as a team and define what the future looked like for each one of us.  The foundation anyway...  I left the meeting feeling great, and I could only hope that both Gabbie and Lisa did also.  As far as I am concerned we operate as one unit.  Call me a dreamer, and sometimes I am, but I think they feel the same way.

Again, I am left feeling amazed when I look back at the turn of events.  In life we truly choose what is important to us, and that choice will dictate the way the rest of our day unfolds.  This isn't magic or positive thinking that I am referring to here, rather it is a choice.  I made a conscious choice to wake up and face my day regardless of the events that took place a few hours prior.  My choice gave me the power needed to overcome my circumstances and I felt great.  Granted, waking up to a text from the love of my life made my choice a whole lot easier.  Choose to have a great day today!  I know I will...

BAHAHAHAHA!

Okay fine, I was mean and rude but it was kind of funny.  You know that blond guy that I love to pieces?  His name is Christopher John Ruehlmann.  Well anyway, I played a cruel joke on him today. If you are reading this, well I am sorry and I love you, but you know that I have to keep you on your twinkle toes.  Everyone else will just have to ask him what happened. 


So today was a great day!  I have a ton of interviews moving on to the next stage, which makes me think that the game I created is too small.  You know what they say about counting those chickens before the hatch though.  Lets see what happens over the next few weeks.  If half of the chickens hatch then I will win my game, but that just means I will want MORE!  The great news is that I work for the world's best company making the world's best games, and I am part of a great team.  All the rest is just extra bonus.


I was able to spend some time with Gabbie tonight- FINALLY!  She and I just might be cut from the same piece of wood, because we share many of the same personality traits and the same, shall we say.... sense of humor.  Now add our partner in crime to the mix, Lisa Lay, and we have a powerhouse!  Lisa has become my "go-to" person.  No matter what question I have for her, and god knows there are lots, she is always ready with the answer!  We are going to accomplish great things.


Each day here in OZ is a new adventure.  I have learned that I should always expect the unexpected.  When I think that I have something figured out, chances are I am wrong. Things that I think are true, well they seldom are in the end.  It is way too easy to fall into a rut, and a "good rut" is no better than a "bad rut", because a rut is a rut.  By now everybody knows that I am a person of routine.  Mostly because it works for me in the end, but I am slowly (and I stress slowly) venturing outside of my routine and exposing myself to new people, new ideas, and exploration in general.  I am finding that the world has so much to offer if I would only just let it happen as it is intended as opposed to forcing it to look like my design.    Don't worry, I know that my new found discoveries are mostly old news to the majority of people, but they are new to me and thats all that counts. :)  Throwing aside my preconceptions, which often turn out to be misconceptions, has resulted in new friends and experiences that I would have never enjoyed.  I can say that I am a lucky man, and I am grateful for this opportunity.  

Mary Ann, THIS (click the "this") is for you...  I know that you will understand, because you are good like that!  Know that while you are listening, I am listening with you! :)

Until tomorrow...

Incredible Pics of OZ

Today finally kicked off the start of a normal work week.  As far as I know there aren’t any holidays coming up in the near future so things should start falling into place.  I don’t know why, but I feel like I am behind with everything.  

I was sad to know that Tanja was leaving today.  We did manage to squeeze in brekkie before she left, but it was sad nonetheless.  She is off to do great things in the world just as I am, so I am certain that our paths will cross again.  Certain…

A short entry today mostly because I am tired.  There is so much to do and I hope to wake up early tomorrow and run before work.  Instead of a long post today I am going to leave you with more pics from the weekend.  Back to normal tomorrow!

Sending lots of love to all of my friends/coworkers, family, and especially BBB!