And I realized something today. I was trying to get in touch with a couple of old friends from high school (including one who I was best friends with for the last 16 something years) and not one of them made an effort to communicate with me. I've realized something among my flatmates, I'm always the last to find out about something, (parties, rent changes, food changes etc.)

I've realized that I'm "That Guy", I'm always there when you want me there, but any other time that I'm not needed for something I'm largely ignored. I'll be asked if I want to organize a party or a get-together, and by the time I've done so, suddenly everyone is busy or has made other plans. Plans that usually don't involve me.

I've also realized something else. Under all the stress of a new job and getting ready to leave on my OE, I've realized that for the first time in about 7 years, I'm happy with my life. I know where I'm going, I may not be happy with the progress I'm making, but I'm in a good state of mind for the first time in so long. I went through most of high school bullied, and it's shaped me into who I am now. Would I go back and do it all again? Hell no. Would I go back and change something? Not ever. I wouldn't wish what happened to me at high school onto anyone, but they made me a stronger person and helped me decide on my future. I spent last year at university before suffering from an acute case of examitis and leaving. I worked a few casual jobs over the Summer holidays before finding a job in the full-time workplace as a vehicle service agent (see: car groomer) at Avis Budget Group. The people there were friendly, but most of them were bat-shit crazy. I also met a lot of casual international workers swinging through looking to earn a bit of extra cash while travelling around the country.

Within 4 months I quit that job. We were working in an outdoor environment with nasty chemicals all day and late into the night. From there I managed to score a job working for a local ski-pass distributing company, and I love it. I've worked there for just under 2 months now and it's the best thing that's happened to me. I get to build up my people skills and my computer skills. I get to go skiing for free on my days off. I get to meet new people from around the world and learn from their travel experiences.

But while I was working at Avis, my parents moved to the bottom of the country. Suddenly, it was just me living in my home-city, my brother lives near-by, but he's too busy at the moment for socializing. My parents also took my closest friend, my dog Baxter, with them on the move (this was always going to happen though. I had moved out of home the year before, and he was the family dog) They were up last night for my birthday dinner, before heading back down south this morning. It occurred to me as they left, that this is probably the last time I'll see them for 9 months.

Sorry wall of text. Some things need to be said.