Entry:

Even though the previous night's festivities were successful in helping me escape my thoughts for one night, there was no denying that I had to face my thoughts and fears sooner or later.  I woke up surprisingly early at 7:30a since I hadn't gotten home until 2:30a.  My stomach felt a little queasy, moreso from the hot dog and hamburger I consumed than from the alcohol.

I picked up a Peach Passion smoothie from Fresh Blend as my breakfast, since I wasn't in the mood for anything heavy.  I hadn't realized how much the smoothie had evolved since I first arrived here at Berkeley.  There was such an array of supplements that could be added to a smoothie that my heading was spinning from all of the choices.  In the end, I opted to have nothing added to my smoothie due to the fact that the various supplements alter the taste and texture of the smoothie.  I found the grass (not exactly what kind) supplement was interesting.  I saw a lady drink of shot of the juiced grass... yummy.

I arrived at work a little late, but no one was too concerned over that.  I did a little bit of work such as preparing a DNA sample for sequencing and cleaning up my desk and notebook.  I was back at work but somehow it felt different.  I had been back to see people the Friday before, but this was the first time I was trying to really do work.  I suppose it might have been too soon to try to get back into the swing of things, but it was the best alternative to keep my mind busy.  To tell you the truth, my heart wasn't really into the work, I was just trying to do it to prove to myself that I was okay... but of course things are never that easy.

I was quite happy when lunchtime finally rolled around.  The smoothie occupied my stomach but for a short time so I was rather hungry.  I went out to eat at the Taiwan Restaurant and was fortunate to have to company of a most charming and engaging young lady.  After finishing my bowl of won ton soup and drinking lots of tea, we left the restaurant.

I thought of returning to lab, but that idea didn't last very long.  I then decided that I would just go home and rest.  After walking my companion home, I found that I didn't want to go home because there would be so many things to do, phone calls, paperwork.  I just didn't want to deal with any of it, so with thoughts of Drew Barrymore and "The Wedding Singer" in my mind, I set out to the local movie theater to try to catch a matinee of "Ever After."  Luckily, I arrived just in time... missing only a few minutes of previews.  The movie was surprisingly good and I had a much needed two hours of escape.

Since I had pampered myself with a movie, I convinced myself that I should return to work, and so I did.  I'm embarassed to say that my efforts in lab were half-hearted at best, but at least I tried.  Before I left lab for the day, I called Max to see if anyone was interested in shooting pool that evening at the pool hall formerly known as Berkeley Billiards.  Max said that he would be there around 7:00p and would check to see if anyone else was interested.

I arrived at the Thalassa (whatever that means) around 5:00p.  I decided to get a table to sharpen my pool skills before my friend(s) arrived.  I alternated between 8-ball and 9-ball until 7:30p.  It's amazing how much stress you can release by striking the pool balls as hard as you can.  It's just too bad that I gained the stress right back after I miss all of my intended shots.  I left at 7:30p, partly disappointed at my really lousy pool skills and partly disappointed that no one was able to come keep me company. 

I walked a block and a half to 1G to see what was up.  I found that my friend couldn't make it for pool because of a prior engagment for that evening.  I hung out there for a little while, but was eventually driven home.  Upon returning home, I turned on the t.v. and proceeded to hypnotize myself in front the screen for the next five hours.  The statement that t.v. rots your brain is so true because I didn't have a single thought during the entire evening.  I believe I fell asleep to the voice of Jay Leno reading those funny mistakes from newspapers and magazines.

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