"Am I out of touch? No, it's the children who are wrong."

last night

I had a really fun evening with the close-knit group of transfer orientation leaders that has formed in the last few months of my existence. We went over to K'ms place under the pretense of Overcooked Mario Party, but instead I spent a solid four hours there asking the older computer science kids for help with my homework. I don't know what I would have done without them and I am eternally thankful for their help.

They ran out to fetch our dinner of A&W while I stayed and continued trugging through the work. While I was furiously scribbling and scratching my brow, they talked. It still amazes me how well the group clicks together despite the age differences. I loved listening to them talk in the background - they had interesting, relatable, and very genuine topics. K set out some tea and snacks for us, and it all felt very warm and fuzzy. They didn't gossip or talk poorly of others behind their back, they were just there to have a good time, as was I.

I eventually finished my work, and for the last hour we ran through a round of Mario Party. I had forgotten how fun it was and I actually ended up winning! Seeing as it was pretty late, K offered to let me crash there but I would have felt bad if I had (not to mention the fact that my parents were expecting me home). Ultimately I ended up missing the train, then missing the bus, but in the end it was just a half hour "layover," most of which I spent in the warm underground skytrain station.

Thanks for having us K! It put a huge smile on my face when in the group chat S suggested that we have another hangout sometime soon. It sucks that T wasn't able to make it, but hopefully next time she can :) I want to spend as much time with this group as possible before D leaves to become a grown up.

tonight

So my group of Dungeons and Dragons players had rescheduled our session to today and I've been looking forward to it for a while as I haven't played in a long time. It's still planned for tonight, don't worry! I'm actually writing this post right before I leave to go.

The reality is that it doesn't feel like people really enjoy these gatherings. For the past while we've switched to playing other games as a group (Snakes and Ladders, Skribblio, Spyfall) and they have been good times, but sometimes people can't make it, citing a lack of time as a reason.

As I write this out now I realize it sounds insensitive, but I'm somewhat lost as to how they cannot make it to these preplanned, weekly sessions when they have given time to other things. Perhaps its jealously (it's definitely jealousy) or the feeling of being slighted as a friend, but it rubs me off the wrong way. I can't understand how they cannot make room for three hours of the night.

But who am I to say this? I'm the biggest slacker I know. Maybe the other people have their priorities set straight and genuinely cannot make it. Regardless, I'm sorry for running my mouth. I know we all have loads of work and pressure in life - I want you to be able to relax and not burn out before we're 30. Join us next time :)

happy birthday mom

My mom's birthday was actually yesterday (what a terrible son for staying out late on his mom's birthday), but we didn't do much to celebrate as she had work. As time passes, I realize maybe birthdays aren't exactly what my parents look forward to. Nonetheless, it's another year of life passed by, so it's something.

We didn't have anything grand planned, just a dinner the night before and for her present I'll be looking to upgrade her computer!

umbrella

thanks

I was sitting at the skytrain station waiting to meet some friends to go to school together. I forget if it had been raining already or if the sky was looking a bit sad, but the point is I brought my umbrella with me. Eventually we assembled our party and as the next train pulled into the station we headed towards it. What I didn't know was that I had left my umbrella hanging on the railing. As we made our way towards the open doors, one of the passengers who had just gotten off shouted at me, "Hey, your umbrella!"

I turned around and realized what had happened. I shot him an extremely thankful smile and ran back for my umbrella. He likely didn't know, but that umbrella happened to be my favourite. I haven't treated it extremely well - its colours have been long bleached from being left outside during the summer and the velcro fastener doesn't hold up like it used to - but it's still my favourite.

So thank you Mr. Stranger for that.

downpour

Two days after nearly forgetting my umbrella at the station I was standing at my bus stop in an absolute downpour of rain. As usual, I was headed to school, this time waiting for the bus that would take me to the skytrain station. I arrived at the stop and saw a man clad in rain gear, taking in the elements at full force.

I scooted over a bit and worked up the courage to say, "Hey, do you wanna, uh, get under here?" He smiled and said it was alright, but to my surprise he started up a conversation. We talked about where we were headed and then a little bit about our lives. I thought it was a really unique and interesting interaction and I am glad I was able to do what I did.

What made this encounter significant asides from the face value of having a nice conversation with a stranger is the fact that I have always struggled to ask others if they would like to share my umbrella. I remember many times in my first year where I would be waiting in a long line for the bus to UBC and I would see a stranger in front of me getting soaked. I never had enough confidence to approach them and I was fearful of a rebuttal.

So I'm elated that I asked this man. What makes it better is that the rainy season hasn't fully arrived yet, and now I am prepared for the next time I see somebody who might need a little shield.

lost

Funnily enough the day after the downpour there was some more rain. It wasn't as bad as the other day, but any rain warrants a classic, "Take your umbrella with you!" from mom. The school day went by normally, however I had a midterm at 7pm so I was staying put at school until that was done. I went in, didn't fail, and walked out.

Without my umbrella.

I spent the weekend worrying about it, worrying that somebody would steal it or that it would get thrown away.

But ya boy is back. I just found him in the lecture hall the midterm was in, lying at the front of the room with some other forgotten items. Thanks for staying put buddy.

end

Mr. Umbrella holds a lot of sentimental value to me. I can't tell you how many times I've left it in somebody's car, to be reunited after months, or good times spent under it with others. It's truly one of a kind, and I genuinely wish I had taken better care of it. But oh well, no use crying over bleached colours, we'll just see where the winds take us next.