So late last week I hung out a bit with Eryn and Iwan and Sara. We saw some movies, had some food, went on a hike, all the time just chatting about whatever friends chatted about. I spent New Years with them as well as other friends. I don't want to get all mushy or anything, multiple times within the past week or so I've really appreciated what good people my friends are, and how much I enjoy being around them. I don't feel like I have that many friends, but I'm glad that I have the ones that I do.

For New Years a couple of us headed up to the Buhrs for a night of revelry and fun. A good time was had by all. I'm not normally a big drinker, but somehow found myself over-indulging (quite unintentionally!) and feeling pretty bad for much of the next day. Ugh. But all is well now, and my limits have been even more finely tuned. Nothing like starting the New Year with the resolution "I'm never drinking again!" Ha!

I bought "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" this weekend and have spent a bit of time playing it, and I'm really, really enjoying it. The game takes place in an LA-like city in the early 90's, and from what I know of South Central gangland LA (all gleaned from the music of NWA and Eazy-E, as well as a couple of movies), they pretty much nailed it. It's a great mix of free-form exploration and do-what-you-want, as well as structured missions and mini-games within the game. It has received very high reviews and awards from several reputable game magazines and sources, and I totally agree.

GTA has always been very contraversial in the media, and I'm sure I'll have more thoughts on that as I get through more of the game. The best comment, I think, is from the producers of the game who said that commenting on the game (which can take up to 50 or 100 hours) without playing it is like commenting on a book after reading a single page, or a movie just after watching a single scene. From what I've seen, I totally agree.

S'about it for now.