Things that I'm grateful for

In direct opposition of the complaints page of my wiki, this page will be the home for all those little things that I actually approve of in my life. It's easy to complain, but it's harder to remind yourself that not everything is terrible.

• Misc

Misc

Running:

I really like running. Like, a lot. There is something primal and deeply satisfying about not having to think about anything except if I can make it to my destination. I'm one of those people that constantly has his thoughts going a million miles a minute, and running is one of those few things that calms me down enough to really focus on the fact that I am, first and foremost, a human built to move and have sensual experiences.

Sure, programming and writing are great. In fact, they are two of my favorite things. But writing and programming aren't tactile in the same way that running is. My legs don't burn when I write for long periods. My heart rate doesn't get tested while I program. Sure, these kinds of skills are better for "exercising" my brain, but running is so much more natural to me. I appreciate that.

Writing:

Sure, I just got done telling you that running is so much more "sensual" and "natural" than writing, but don't let that fool you. Writing is, hands down, my deepest passion in life. I adore the way that language, specifically English, comes together and presents a story. I want to be a great author, not only of fiction, but of non-fiction as well.

To put it in perspective: I have a daily jornal [sic] where I record my day. I use this as a bit of writing practice a lot of the time. I've only been doing it for about a year and a half seriously, and the whole thing is already over 100,00 words long. Just recording my daily life.

I write in nearly every occasion that I can manage. And when I can't, I'm usually trying to think of things I could write.

For the longest time I never had something like that; a thing that I could obsessively work on for the sake of working on it. I thought it would be programming for the longest time, or maybe game development, but it turned out that my brain finds writing to be the most satisfying. Maybe it's something to do with the fast iteration cycles between putting words down and reading them.

So thanks, writing.

My friends:

I don't have many friends, but the ones I do have I appreciate quite a bit. Not everyone in the world has the ability to put up with my aloof and generally caustic approach to relationships long enough to actually break through and get to know me. Ya'll know who you are, so shoutouts to you.

Music:

I listen to a lot of music. Currently, my main music playlist is over 18,000 tracks long. I'm in the process of listening through each song and marking the ones that I like the best, to make a sort of "ultimate playlist".

I would say that I listen to music for about 8-12 hours every day. It's mostly background, but you'll also find me just laying in bed for 15 minute stretches soaking in the sounds. I use it to relax, to focus, and to pump myself up.