Aaron Riveroll | Photographer

It’s 5:15pm. I’ve started the laborious task of cleaning out my desk. I didn’t want to wait for the last moment because I know that I have tons of crap. Plus, I would rather spend that time saying goodbyes to people that have been a huge part of my life for the last three years.

I stumbled upon old birthday cards and Christmas cards; and just like when I’m cleaning out pictures and letters at home, I had to stop and read a few of them. A lot of the people that signed them aren’t here anymore. And as much as I’m excited for this move, I’m also sad because I’ve lived with these people, man. I spend 9 hours a day in this little box, in this big room, in this building. That’s over 2,000 hours a year. You’re bound to become attached to a few people; even the ones that annoy the heck out of you. Troll, Gumby, etc. I will miss Moss, because she’s eye candy. I’ll miss everyone in the U/W dept, everyone in the doc dept, everyone in the funding dept, setup, etc. I’ll miss “psst-ing” Cyndi as I walk by her desk and Banks walking by to say, “Hey, A!”

And in Aaron Riveroll tradition, I found something in my desk. Something to appropriately commemorate this occasion of “last days.” I found a small sheet of bubble wrap. (For those of you who don’t know the meaning, that’s okay.) But I popped a few bubbles, looked at my nearly-empty desk, and made me realize how much I will miss coming here everyday, to a place that eats your soul for breakfast. Where people can be mean, rude, and condescending all in the same phone call. Where people needed things yesterday. A place that I called home for three years. All the bad stuff doesn’t even matter anymore.

But it’s been a good ride. I can’t complain. I look forward to tomorrow.

But I’ll also look back to yesterday…and that will make me smile too.

Good morning all you fine people! I’m going to make this quick because I have a rush file to work on (one of the last few I will ever have to do here!). Woo hoo!

So Brian and myself, along with his ‘rents, headed up to Anaheim yesterday after work to catch the Angels-A’s game. We made super-stinking good time and got there just in time to hear the national anthem (from the parking lot). The game itself was great; Zito pitched an awesome game, as did his counterpart. After a 1 point lead for several innings, the Angels snuck one by to tie it up. The went into extra innings, which of course is characteristic of A’s games. That’s what makes it exciting, right? It was only 9 when I thought, “this game can’t be finished in two hours!” And it wasn’t. They kept going, with several amazing plays on the part of both teams. Finally, the A’s picked another one up to get the lead…and eventually the win. I was on the edge of my seat. It was weird being the minority, surrounded by Angels fans…but we were fortunate enough to sit in a section of A’s fans, so that was good too.

After what was a fantastic game, Brian and I hightailed it to the other side of the stadium and across the huge parking lot to the Amtrak station. At first, we had no clue where we were going, but we found it with no problems, bought our tickets, and boarded for what was definitely a great fact finding mission. Lots of facts were found, and we made it back to San Diego in about an hour and a half. Trains are cool.

Alright, so now I have actual work to do. And even though I only have three more days so I could care less, I’m going to be good. I think I’m going to listen to Kelly Clarkson because she reminds me of a special someone. Alright, more later. And stay tuned for pics (I know, I keep saying that. I’ve been lame).