A while back, I tried to start an informal group to exchange mix tapes/cds. It didn't go very well before, but I'm going to try again. This will basically work like a "CD of the Month" club, but the only costs are the time to put together one mix tape/cd, blank media to copy it a few times, and postage to send it to the other people who are participating. Please e-mail mixtape@cmerrill.com if you're interested or have any questions or comments.

The Alaska chapter of my life is now over. I left last week and won't be returning in the forseeable future.

The unemployment chapter of my life is now beginning. I received my last paycheck yesterday and won't be getting another in the forseeable future.

From Soldotna, I flew to Washingon, DC, for my job interview. It didn't go quite as well as I thought it would, but I still may get the job. Even if I don't, the company is large and has my resume on file for future openings that might be a good fit. I also learned a great deal about interviewing and the types of questions to expect. Many are vague, such as "How do you work with people?" Those can be hard to answer when put on the spot, because there are so many possibilities depending on the virtually unlimited number of circumstances.

I'd seen the weather forecasts that predicted 90-degree weather in DC, but I still wasn't prepared for the heat+humidity combination. Walking a couple blocks in a suit felt like it would be life-threatening, but I tolerated it well (mostly by spending a lot of time indoors with A/C). The cicadas are something else, though. The periodical cicadas, which spring up every 17 years, happened to be out in full force during my visit. They're big, ugly and loud, but fortunately don't bite or sting. Their periodic and harmless nature makes them a more appealing bug than Alaska's mosquitoes.

Now that the interview is done, I'm staying with my parents near Augusta, Maine. It's somewhat weird being here. I've come on vacation, but now I'm "living" here, and I'm not sure for how long. Fortunately, I did receive word from CNN Interactive that there is a chance I might be able to do an internship there. I hadn't heard from them in quite some time and had written it off, but then I got an e-mail this week. We'll see what happens. If it doesn't, then if anyone needs an accomplished web/flash designer/journalist, please let me know.

I finished my first job interview of 2004 (high five!). It went well: I'm not sure I'll get the job, but I learned a lot about interviewing and got to spend some time in the Washington, D.C., area.

I no longer have any belongings in the state of Alaska. I loaded up everything I own (after selling or otherwise getting rid of many things) into my dad's truck and he drove it to Maine, where I'm now staying until something comes along. After 23 years in Alaska, I've eluded its grasp (high five!).

I've been meaning to do this for months, and now it's finally done. Cowboyz 'n' Poodles has a fresh new face to show the world.

Originally published on Game Thumb. Republished here with permission.

I'm surprised this hadn't been done sooner.

Blue Wizard is About to Die is a book of poems about video games ranging from the jungle of Pitfall to the urban sprwal of Vice City. It's a short, entertaining read. Although the poetry won't win any awards, it's value comes from how much the reader can relate to the content. From haikus about Mega-Man to epics that span epochs and genres, Barkan captures the emotions of conquering bosses and feeding countless quarters into mind-numbing button-mashers.

My favorite poem is "The Long Night of The Law," a lengthy tale of bringing vigilante justice to Vice City using the Hunter (military helicopter).

Tommy-boy has been converted. He now seesthe error of his ways, and wishes onlyto pay his debt to society in the currency of corpses,the only realy coinage he understands.

Another gem recalls the expansionist "Oregon Trail"

I was always thrilled when we passed another oneof our gravesites (which appeared with ever-increasingfrequency as spots were filled):Here Lies Brent, Took ill with Dysentery and Just Couldn't Hack it.Here Lies Margo, Died of Exhaustion, the Lazy Bitch

These two poems particularly struck me because of my vivid memories, having spent countless hours at the helm of each at different points in my life.

At $15 Blue Wizard will make a solid addition to any gamers library.

I can't really express how excited I am by seeing this. Folding a T-Shirt should not generate this kind of excitement, but this is truly amazing. I watched the video three times and still didn't believe it. Then I tried it. I'm actually looking forward to doing laundry this week in order to use this technique. via Boing Boing.

The nearest Arby's to Fairbanks is about 300 miles away. The nearest Arby's to Soldotna is only 11 miles. Today I ate Arby's for the first time of 2004 (High Five). I had one of their Market Fresh sandwiches. I don't have the necessary skill to rate its freshness, but it did taste good.

[ramble]I'm back in Soldotna, Alaska, after moving away around 12 years ago. Being here is both strange and familiar. If you asked me where the Carr's in Kenai was two days ago, I wouldn't have been able to tell you, but driving by it today was a pretty surreal experience. Everything seems a lot closer than when I left. Maybe it's because I'm bigger, so the scale is different. Maybe it's because I'm driving, and not limited by my old 5-speed bike, so I get to places faster.

Today I smelled Soldotna. It was really weird. I inhaled through my nose, and recalled the odor from when we lived here years ago. They say that the strongest memories are tied to the sense of smell. I would certainly believe it today.

Everywhere I go, I get Deja Vu. The elementary school, the library, Beemun's Variety store, Cadre Feed. All the places I used to frequent. I still remember crossing the highway to play Street Fighter II at the 7-Eleven (now a Tesoro). Playing video games at Godfathers where the family would go for the lunch buffet.

This experience is particularly poignant since I've come from Fairbanks, where I've spent the last six years. In the midst of dealing with the idea that I may not see some of those people, I'm remembering people and places that I had forgotten. It's a strange feeling, but one of hope. When I left Soldotna, I didn't have the luxury of e-mail or web sites to keep up with friends. I didn't have a convenient way to reach the friends I'd left behind and conjur up the stories, but now that I'm here, I'm remembering them. All the places are triggering memories of experiences.[/ramble]

I'm kind of cheating here. I'm sure I've seen a moose this year, but this is the first one I have proof of via photograph. I've lived in Alaska my entire life, and I never get tired of seeing these animals.

I am now officially a college graduate (high five!). Well, actually, I will be when grades have been turned in which will be next week sometime. Regardless, I sat through the commencement ceremony today. It was boring, but worth it.

Today marks the end of my undergraduate school work. I spent three hours at my professor's house with my class as we took part in a potluck dinner and reported our final assignments.

Tomorrow will be my last day at the radio station. I'll finish up some paperwork and prepare some documents for my predecessor. I'll leave the cell phone on the desk and turn in my keys Friday when the key shop opens. Friday night I'm going to a party where it is likely I'll see some of my friends for the last time.

Saturday is commencement practice and a barbeque for graduating students sponsored by the chancellor's office. Then in the evening a barbeque for graduating journalism students at an instructor's house.

Sunday is commencement (and Mother's Day), and Monday I'll be leaving Fairbanks for quite some time (although I hope to be back in July for my friend's wedding, but that will be a temporary visit).

The finality of this weekend is starting to catch up to me. There are a lot of people who I would very much like to keep in contact with and visit and get to know better, and it's wierd to think that I can e-mail and call them, but I may never actually see them again. On one hand I wish I were sticking around for another week or so to spend more time with them, but on the other hand, how much of a difference would that seven days really make?

Similarly, I'm really excited about moving out of Fairbanks. Except for the people who live here, there's really nothing for me now that I'm done with school. I'm also nervous about going somewhere new. I'm a pretty reserved person (some would say too much so), and without the forced interaction of dorm life and classes, I have to say I'm a bit worried about meeting cool people wherever I end up.

Ultimately, I have positive feelings about leaving here and arriving there, but I can't help but be nervous, too. [insert inspirational quote about going into the unknown here]

Etsuko is graduating from UAF with a masters degree and performed her thesis recital today. I found out about it because she's a DJ at KSUA. I went and enjoyed the jazz and classical pieces she performed. Now I want to learn more about jazz.