Sunday, March 18, 2007

Yong ta de "beep beep"

Yeah, a little bit drunk tonight (this morning). Last day, and we all went for supper at a western restaurant, had a beer, then rendezvous'd at the "baby face" KTV for 7. We just got back (1am). As per usual, had a good time. Sang a few songs with Alistair and Duncan, and enjoyed the harmonious and semi-harmonious wails of my comrades. (which is not to say that my wailing was in any way melodious.) The power went out about 30 minutes after we got there, and so we sat in the dark, drinking wine and beer for half an hour until the power came back. Then we sang away for another four hours. Coming home, the apartment compound gate was closed, which resulted in a "Yong ta de 'beep beep'" command from me ("Use your 'beep beep'"... me not knowing what a car horn is). Funneh.

Quite a day. Last day of classes for me. Morning was rough. My TB 3As were not happy. I had to defend my decision to leave. One of them called me a "swindler". Okay, actually her teacher at school gave her the wrong word for what I was doing, but it was funny in a sad way. They asked why I wasn't teaching 2 years instead of 8 months. They were not appeased by the "I want to get back to my girlfriend and if I stay any longer she'll kill me" issues. During break, they locked the door on me so they could finish writing on the board. I came in to a whiteboard filled with... well... the image to the upper left. I almost cried, but managed to contain myself. When class came to an end, four of them were crying, and I was again on the verge. They sat there for five minutes without moving. Then they stood up and wrote another message on the board, and all signed their names. I was quite stoic and managed to maintain it until they left, then I cried as I erased the boards. I promised to try to come back for April 29th, a Sunday, so I could see them one last time. I'll do my best.

Otherwise, things were pretty regular. Finishing up felt really really odd, though. There was no conclusion. Just an end to the classes, without the promise of a continuation. Even now I don't feel as though I've finished. I'm not sure what will pump that realization into my head. Wednesday, I suppose. Walking out of the office felt odd. I said goodbye as I usually do, but there were no happy faces or "see you on Wednesday!" responses. It just felt out of place. Nothing was settled and I felt... I don't know. That's part of the problem. I feel both happy and sad. It's a necessary conclusion, but one that doesn't feel concluded.

Tuesday will be a going-away supper + KTV. I'm not sure how that'll be. I hope it won't be sad, but I'm afraid it will be. They're all relieved I'm coming back at the end of April and not just disappearing. Anyway... Will have more to update soon, before I go, including a bunch more pictures from today and from supper and KTV on Tuesday. Right now, it's sleepy time for me.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kill, no. But Pele and I might have to maim you if you stayed. Just a little bit, though. And with much love.

PG said...

Sweet kids.

Angie, can I get a piece of whatever you maim. I will keep it in a vinegar jar. Great prop for my games, I'd say. "And this finger belonged to the last player that tried to cheat a dice roll at MY table..."

Well... great 'til the cops show up, that is.

Unknown said...

Ah, PG. You must be the DM Patrick wanted to introduce my munchkin butt to when my gaming group dissolved.

Patrick, oh wandering monk(y): Much like a 400-pound man skydiving without a parachute, you make an impression wherever you go. I'm sure he kids will miss you, but we'll be glad to see you back in Canada speaking Engrish.

Andy

Unknown said...

P.S. I got God of War 2 last week. This in-depth review by Gabe sums it up nicely.

http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/03/19

PG said...

AHhhhhhhhhh... You computer gaming freaks... I have heard so much about MMORPGs from Patrick that the sys admins at work are actually convinced I am a closet PC gamer who just won't come out...

No matter how I insist that I haven't played any computer games since HALO back in 2003, they just won't believe me....

PG

PS: Patrick, have you been using my name in vain? What's this about me being associated with some whacko DM of yours?

Wayward Mind said...

Ah, there's some confusion here. Andy, it was a different DM I was going to introduce your min-maxing munchkin arse to. That was John, in Ottawa. PG was my DM in Kingston. He's also a slave-driver... forced us to build his fence and deck. ;)

Pascal, you don't need any more props. I still remember you plunking that crow on the table.

Anonymous said...

I always feel so confused and alone when the inevitable gaming-talk starts. I wish I had a clue what it all meant. :(

Unknown said...

It means you have a much better social life and inter-personal skills than the people talking gibberish. If anyone mentions THACO, they either have a lisp and want Mexican food or they're just not husband material.

Andy

PG said...

It's THAC0, not THACO.... Humpf! Provincials.... ;-p

Sorry Angie. Could be worst, though. We could be talking football.

If it makes you feel any better, Anh (my wife) disregards 90% of what I say when I start gamer talk... And to think that she still married me, even though I didn't call her fro two days after our first date because I was at a gaming convention...

Pascal

Anonymous said...

Oh, don't worry. I get the football stuff from my Dad, so I'm completely lost a good chunk of the time. I just get him back by bringing up history or shoes. About a minute in he starts to get this glazed look. Poor Patrick has a higher book-learnin'/footwear tolerance.