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looks like the work i put in over this weekend paid off. even though i didn't finish the project, i made enough progress that the client is very happy with the result, and we're no longer with our backs against the wall, even though i'm still missing graphics and audios and i still can't take a break this week. but the looming pressure seems to be off, and as long as i work a little bit everyday for the rest of the week, the project will go out just fine. i may even find some time tomorrow to go running, to remedy this unhealthy streak i seem to be experiencing because of my work schedule. my sister's birthday is this friday as well, by now it's too late to buy something online, so i'll need to find some time to go out shopping.

speaking of shopping, is it just me, or is there a consumerism conspiracy? it's been bothering me for a few years now that christmas decorations are going up right after halloween (it used to be after thanksgiving); but all over the news, the top story seems to be about this black friday, or today, cyber monday, like the media will try to do anything to remind you about spending money. christmas for me has never been a religious holiday, it's always been about exchanging presents, but the feeding frenzy of consumerism is so unabashed these days, it even turns my stomach, someone who's always viewed this time of year as a secular event. so after that whole diatribe, guess what i did today? bought a few things online! in my defense, they're not really presents (just things i was going to get anyway): a spool of blank dvd-r's and a replacement battery for my ibook. i make it an unofficial rule that for every present i intend to buy for somebody, i make sure i buy 3 things for myself.

the project manager of the project i'm working on came to visit me today all the way from norwood. he dropped by to deliver a replacement computer (twice as fast as my current PC) and to take back the faster loaner machine. we also stepped through the interactive, and i got several pages of feedback. after he left around 5pm, i set up this new computer, installed director, copied over the source file via the network, and then called it a day. it's kind of a relief, not having to work into the late evenings. once again, i took another hot soak in the bath, before making some ramen for dinner (with an appetizer of edumame and watermelon and ice cream for dessert). monday nights is all about prison break; what, no new episodes until march?! and another month before the new season of 24 starts. what show is going to fill this void?