The weeks are just flying by lately. Before I know it, I'll be surrounded by the inviting warmth of Florida's easterns seaboard.

Work drags. Lately, I find myself burdened more and more with trivial assignments, and less focused on my actual project which, in itself, seems to be stagnating. I really don't get much satisfaction out of coordinating and planning the yearly Summit meeting, or researching the options and cost of customized mugs. I wonder if this petty bullshit has a point - if it's to overload me and stress test my work ethic. Or maybe it's just offloading. Despite the fact that I'm in a highly regarded program, we still get shit dumped on us that others don't want to do. Partly because it's convenient, partly because it's part of the territory.

Personal endeavours are coming along. I'm powering through my last Chuck book. I should be done with it by the end of the week, and then I can dive into the philosophy. To be honest, this last Palahniuk book is kind of an obstacle. I don't want to leave the series unfinished before I move on. Also, I'm not enjoying it as much. It's still good, I love the dark, cynical wit and satire, but the voice is the same. It's almost as if all of his books could be read back to back as chapters in some larger story.

Things are, overall, better. Regardless of how occupied I keep myself, however, nothing can replace friendship. Hobbies and friendship just can't be substituted for one another. Yea, I have fun reading, writing, and designing stuff. But there's still a powerful sense of loneliness from time to time.

I eat alone, I shop alone, I play video games alone. I still want to be able to get up and go out with friends sometimes, but I no longer have that luxury. And yea, instead I'll do something with my time. I won't mope - I won't sit and stare pensively at the ceiling as I lay on the floor. But I still miss my friends.