I am currently the only fester in a room full of softly humming PCs. Jaeger and Neelix departed earlier this morning so that Jaeger could get to his appointment. They will be returning sometime in the near future to pick up Humblik and their belongings. Bouncing is either asleep, or out. I haven't checked to see whether his car is here. Scott's wherabout's are unknown to me, but I figure he can't have gone too far, cause Core (or Rage, I'm not sure exactly when the official name change occurs) is sitting right behind me.

Shortly after my last rambling, I proceeded downstairs to watch Dark City (I still had it from New Year's Eve, but hadn't yet watched it, and it's due back this evening, so I figured if I wanted to get what I paid for, now was the time). After inviting the others to join, to which they declined, I attempted to insure the guests would have enough blankets etc to be somewhat comfortable should they decide to crash. Feeling flat out braindead, I started the movie.

What an awesome flick. It starts out so slow and uncertain, but just builds and builds a reality. The viewer is like, "What the hell is going on?" for the entire first hour and beyond, but the movie makes no compromises when it comes to revealing the narrative in a gradual progression, leading up to an amazing climax and a most, as Neelix put it, bittersuite ending. (During the course of the viewing, Neelix, Humblik, and Jaeger all eventually joined me in front of the television.)

Jaeger, Neelix, and Humblik calculated their plans for coordinating how everybody could get where they needed to be, to which I mindlessly nodded. The former two then made their departure, and I gladly entered the lair on the bottom level of the compound for some solid downtime.

Now, it's time for me to totally cut myself off from purchasing any new psychoactive agents, and suspend general consumption of my current supply, putting them into storage to save for a time when they're needed again. No caffeine for the next week (well, maybe the occasional Pepsi) should ensure that I do not form a physical or emotional dependancy, and will also increase my sensitivity for future fests and other occasions.

I will also need to begin serious work in obtaining employment, which may serve to restore some shred of my parents' confidence in me (however, that is not the primary objective; merely a potentially welcome side effect). Neither made any move to encumber the festivities, or my enjoyment of them. In fact, they were almost eerily withdrawn during the entire proceeding, to the point that Neelix asked whether they were even around. For their patience and tolerance, I am grateful.

Well, now I think I'll surprise everybody by making Dagobah the first PC to depart from festing grounds, and return it to its standard location in my room, pronto.