This weekend i have to say is one of the best whole weekends ive had since moving here.

Friday was chill. We went to a Sports Bar on campus and had a few drinks. Listened to two dudes on acoustics butcher some good songs. Then got hit on in the parking lot by two chicks from out of town. Decent relaxing night, nothing crazy.

Sat we went to a Pub Crawl near campus (my first). The area is called North Gate since its right outside of the North Gates of campus. All the bars in that area are really cool, all very chill. Anyway, we get to the pub crawl 20 min after everything started and there were already 1500 people there. The first bar was the biggest and was packed. Shoulder to shoulder people. We tried to get to the bar for 5 min and decided to leave.

After goofing off outside for 15-20 min we went to the 2nd to last stop of the pub crawl. I know the managers and owners of the bar since we are holding an event there on Tuesday. We decided we were just going to post up there the whole night and wait for the crowd to come to us. It was already busy anyway.

The rest of the night consisted of general drunkin shenannigans. The smallest person in our office trying to pick fights with everyone and finding a mop so he can “mop up all the d-bags” A girl i know ignoring me because she thinks im running game by saying “hey i know you” You know, the usual.

So Sunday i get up and go to a Crawfish boil (another first). I have been excited to try this since i moved out here. Everything i had heard though is that its too early in the season for crawfish, but one of our testers was nice enough to organize one anyway.

I must say, it was a very enjoyable time. You start off with a huge pot and burner, similar to frying a turkey. You get the water to a boil then add spices, they just used a pre made bag mix and some brown sugar. Then you add in potatos, garlic, lemons, sausage, mushrooms, corn, and they threw in some kumquats because there was a tree behind the house. Ive come to realize that most cooking in BR involves just throwing whatever you have into a pot.

Once all that is in, you add the crawfish, they scream a little when they go in…its kinda interesting. They only cook for about 5 min, then you cut the flame and let them “soak” for another 20-30 min. Then you take everything out of the pot and spread it out on the table and dig in. I didnt know you ate only the tails of the crawfish, but after a little teaching from the natives and some practice, i got the hang of it. Im surprised but i actually liked crawfish a lot. And the sausage, potatos and corn were amazing too. The corn was redonkulously spicy though since they were in the water for the longest.

Im uploading pics now.

But now i do. Kelly posted this earlier today on facebook, and i thought it was really cool. So i thought id post it on here and tell a little more of the story behind each one. Maybe even add a couple more.

1. I become more like my father everyday.

My cousin pointed it out to me a couple years ago in a pic on MySpace. Now that ive worked at EA for awhile, my work ethic comes directly from him.

2. Im probably more dedicated to my work than i should be

Im not sure how much busting my ass at work is really paying off. Especially when i see other people who are no where as good as me getting promoted at other studios.

3. I have grown up a lot in the last year

Everything about moving has made me think a lot, which has helped me realize a lot of things about myself.

4. Removing myself from a bad relationship was the best thing Ive ever done

This made the choice to move much easier, as well as made me think about what i want from relationships and how i get into them.

5. Sometimes i feel like a crappy friend to the people who treat me the best
I think i take for granted the people who are really there for me. Which also means i try harder with people who dont treat me as well.

6. I haven’t been drunk in years (but Ive acted like it)

It takes a lot of beer to get me drunk. Generally ill drink enough to loosen up and that’s about it. I can have fun with other drunk people without actually being drunk. Also my fear of not being in control makes it difficult to get to the point where i wont be in control.

7. My biggest fears are heights and lack of control

Yes the 6’4″ kid is afraid of heights. I have no idea where this started. Im afraid its going to start affecting things at some point. I dont like flying anymore. The lack of control probably came from when i was in HS and two “friends” left me at a McDonald’s as a joke. Since then its slowly progressed.

8. I love driving

I just go for a drive at least once a week. I have no problems driving 12+ hours in a day. I drove to Colorado in 2 days by myself.

9. I’m tired of the “car scene”

Its too expensive and full of drama that its not worth it sometimes. Its funny that now that im not with the ex anymore, i don’t want to be in the scene when she tried so hard to get me to give it up when we were together.

10. Drama annoys me

Most of it is unnecessary.

11. I rarely get bored

I generally have fun in whatever im doing. If i do get bored or unhappy i do something different.

12. I suck at spelling

We took standardized tests in elementary school, one was for spelling. It was graded on a scale of 1-10. I got a 2. Its never gotten much better.

13. So far moving to Baton Rouge was a good idea

I have yet to find something i don’t like.

14. Baton Rouge people are far nicer than anyone in Orlando

Even the random crazy dudes that are at the bar are nice. People in orlando are assholes.

15. I know how a person knows me by what name they call me

Jackson is EA people or anyone in Baton Rouge. Dan is anyone in orlando. Daniel is anyone from my HS graduating class. Danny is any family member or friend pre graduation.

16. Ive never done drugs, but Ive lived with a drug dealer

This one will probably scare the crap out of my parents, but whatever. In college, my roommate sold a lot of pot. It was the best anti drug commercial ever.

17. I want a tattoo but i change my mind too much to get one

a lot of my friends have tats, i just wish i could make up my mind on one that ill like forever.

18. I’m allergic to cats, but they love me

Most understand that im allergic, and make sure to shed as much as possible around me. Kittens like to use me as a jungle gym and climb all over me.

19. I have gotten along with all of my ex’s parents

So much so that 2 of my ex’s dated me only after their parents pushed them after meeting me.

20. Ive been cheated on once, that’s enough

Probably one of the reasons i try so hard to make my GFs happy, no matter what it takes. Which actually ends up causing problems.

21. The work version of me, is not the home version of me

I’m loud, confident, and constantly moving at work. I’m quiet and sometimes timid at home.

22. I love awesomely bad music

I pretty much love all music.

23. My new years resolution is to take better care of me

Too much worrying about other people and letting myself suffer

24. I played the clarinet in Middle School

Was never really a fan

25. I was a huge nerd in HS, anyone who has seen my first drivers license knows that.

My HS years were not the greatest time in my life, but i think it very much shaped who i am today

I leave this morning to head to SC to see my Grandparents, then it will be back to FL for the remander of the month. Im excited to see all my friends and family again. Im sure it will be an awesome trip.

As usual ill post any random pics I take along the way. Also, this might give me more time to add content this month.

Most amazing comment heard so far “they gave me a shot in my sholder, and it swelled up so bad I had a boobie” by a guy missing an ear in a gas station south of Montgomery AL.

Anyways, did you guys know there was an election yesterday? Crazy i know, how did i not hear about this sooner?

I would have been OK with either guy winning, although I’m happier Obama won. Im honestly surprised at the sheer mass of people that were at the rally in Chicago last night, i dont think ive ever seen that for anything political.

One thing i am slightly upset about is Amendment/Proposition (i cant remember which it was called) 2 in FL. Thats the one banning Gay Marriage. So Im not  gay and don’t plan on going that way, but i don’t see the need to Ban they ability of two same sex people from getting married. Im usually against banning anything unless its going to hurt someone, or the community. Banning assault riffles, cool, id rather not get swiss cheesed at the mall. Banning cigarette sales to minors, cool, i don’t want my kids (yes i know mom i dont have any yet) being able to get cigarettes at a young age. But where is the big harm in 2 people of the same sex getting married? I know a couple gay guys, and a bunch of lesbians (not sure if that says something that i know a bunch more lesbians than gay guys) but if they told me they were getting married to the person they were dating im not sure how it would be any different than any of my straight friends saying they were getting married other than i would have to ask who’s wearing the tux. The only argument ive heard against it has been the bible says marriage should be between a man and a woman. Ive not shared my religious beliefs on here, and i generally don’t share them unless asked but the bible isn’t a book i hold in very high regard. Since theres supposed to be a separation of church and state, using a religious book to argue a state law is kinda stupid.

My friend Mike and i were discussing this issue while he was waiting in line to vote. We both agreed that it was the older generation likely pushing this issue. Most people i know my age, at worst tolerate the gay/lesbian culture. So we thought the issue would fail with the high number of youth voters expected to turn out. But even though our thoughts were right, the amendment still passed.

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/polls/#FLI01p1

As you can see the older the voter, the less likely to vote no. White 18-29 year olds were the only group to vote NO. You can also see the more educated the group the more likely to vote NO. Its just interesting to see how the numbers line up. Even the gay capital of FL, Miami, voted against it. I guess all the old Jewish grandmothers canceled out the flamboyant club goers.

Hopefully as the older generations stop voting (for whatever reason), the more tolerant youth, who have become the older generation will not allow blatantly biased laws to pass.

We will start last Wed – The Director of the studio back in Orlando came out to visit us. He took us out to dinner and a nice place downtown called D’Agastinos. Really nice but typical expensive food, kinda left a lot to be desired. Afterwards it was over to the bar across the street to shoot some darts.

Thursday night it was a Rock Band Tournament at a bar downtown. We had about 50-60 people show up and overall we had a really good time. The bands were set up on a stage with lights and everything, it was pretty legit. After that it was down to another bar (notice a pattern?)

Friday i had to take Erob to the New Orleans airport so he could pick up his wife from Orlando and drive them out here. The drive to New Orleans is pretty easy, and you get to cross part of Lake Ponchartrain (12 mile bridge). Unfortunately the airport is right on the edge of New Orleans so i didn’t get to see very much of the city. Hopefully in the next couple weeks ill be able to get there and spend some time.

Since Friday is a half day we decided to go play some Golf. We got a couple reccomendations on where to play, and one was suggested as being “pricey.” We decide to look it up and see what the greens fees were…$36! Back in Orlando its tough to get on a crappy executive course for $36. This course was very nice, and i hate everyone that lives on this course because they have some of the nicest houses ive seen here.

Ok so here is where things get fun. Sat i picked up the director of the Orlando studio at his hotel and we came back to my place to watch the Gator game (yeah were not going to talk about that). That afternoon we left and headed to campus so that we can attend the LSU v Miss St game. Once we got to campus it was crazy with the number of people there. We had been invited to a private tailgate at a beverage distributor’s tent. Free Beer, Free Food…sweet. Also we were invited to the Chancellor’s private tailgate in one of the buildings on campus. Free Beer, Free Food…sweet. After a couple hours of tailgating we headed into the stadium, where we had tickets to the LSU Presidents’ private box. I didn’t know until we got there that there is only one private box in all of LSU’s stadium. As soon as we walked into the box the man who gave us the tickets came up and introduced himself. Shortly there after the President of LSU came up and introduced himself and talked with us for a few min. He spent quite a bit of time telling us that he isn’t very good at Madden and his son was begging him to go to the game so he could come talk to us. The seats were amazing, right on the 50 yard line, oh yeah Free Food, Free Beer…sweet.

Sunday i was actually able to rest

This week at work I’ve felt like i haven’t done anything but get packages and unpack new stuff. We have a huge bay full of new toys. 64 Monitors, 48 PCs, 70 Game Console Test Kits, Cubicles, power supplies, etc. Today was a truck full of supplies from our old studio that took nearly 2 hours to unload. I’m so excited that next week we get our first group of testers. First it will make things seem a bit more normal, second it will be useful to have some other people to move equipment around

Its late and i need to head to bed, hopefully ill keep up with this a little better.

But I’ll give you a teaser as to what I’ll me doing tomorrow night. Notice where I’m sitting.

Oh yeah and there is also this.

EDIT: ok so i guess i need to explain this a little. This guy took and built a platform on the back of his bike and put half a cage on top. So his dog is able to stand on the platform with his back legs and his front legs will be on his shoulders.

Ok ok, so this isn’t my kid. We found this pic left in a book in our new offices. The kid looks so creepy that I had to put it on my desk.

So far this morning there has been a steady line of trucks outside our office filled with trees and branches. Were not talking F-150 trucks, were talking full length semis. The field next to our office is being used as the staging ground for all trees and such to be mulched up and set out. Its pretty crazy the amount of debris thats still being cleaned up 2 weeks after the storm hit.

Ive attached some pics, the last two are kind of hard to see but you can see the piles of trees in the background.