Hey strangers

Just wanted to reach out and give a virtual high-5 to everyone: a digital "whasssssappenin?" to the peeps. Houston is absorbing me, and on days like today when i leave without the phone, it's shocking how unattached to everyone I've been.

On top of that, they restricted Facebook at work, so no more instant updates on every thought that passes the ever-loosening filter of acceptable public announcements. And no more online chatting about whatever whenever. I want to say I miss technology, but really I miss hanging out with friends. The technology is nice but a poor surrogate.

I miss getting drunk with my friends. I guess it's indicative of my upbringing, but it's true: no big family gathering was complete without it.

While reading this article about the evils of capitalism, it occurred to me that he was right about something: that we have sometimes (most of the time) very little choice in the basic structure of our lives--in regard to the 8, 8, 8 idea. Work, Sleep, Play. That's more or less it. Some work more, sleep less, whatever. But it remains basically unchanged for the vast majority of us, and it makes the play part of it all the more important. This is undoubtedly one of those insights we've all had before but it's times like this that its significance resurfaces.

So I hope we get to hang out soon.