In my Shoes...

I wake... my room is freezing. Making it incredibly hard to remove myself from my covers, and yet the beeping alarm on my watch beacons and reminds me that I have work to do. I stumble out of bed, grab some clothes that might be good to wear for the day and head for the shower. I tip toe around as I am the first to wake, why am I afraid to wake my roommates when I hardly know them? Well... wouldn't you be? I fumble the nosel on the shower, still sleepy and confused I always seem to have a hard time managing to get the water warm. Eventually my brain kicks in to remind me that the cold and the hot water faucets are backwards...

Once dressed I make one more check of my laptop before convincing myself that I'll be late if I don't leave right that moment. I put on my head phones before I'm out the door, familiar music seems to make the walk that much more enjoyable. As I step outside I put on my sunglasses, both to shield my eyes from the sun, but also to shield my curious eyes from others. I've found that I tend to be more curious on my journey then others.

I walk at a brisk pace that matches the beat of my music, I smile as I pass the bakery. The smell of freshly baked goods seem to waft across the street every morning. In another few paces I'll smell what I take as Italian. It doesn't take me long to reach the street I need and I turn right, and I step out from the shadows of the buildings and finally I meet the heat of the day. As I walk, I inevitably pass by a boy with a orange backpack, walking with his father to school. His eyes are just as curious as mine, but have no sunglasses to mask them.

I find the metro, I push hard on the swinging door. I'm still not used to the effort required to get it open. I'm now in the stream of people, rushing out to meet the train. I walk by a boy with a ukulele, singing and playing a different tune every morning. I typically stand and wait for my train, peering around looking for familiar faces. Inevitably finding one who I've shared the same journey with another morning. While I ponder if we'll ever meet, it occures to me that my eyes are no longer shielded... and I should stop staring at people.

After packing ourselves onto the train like... well like pickles. I reach for something to hold on to, I have yet to acquire my sea legs. Most people read, some people listen to music, some both... I wonder what they read or listen to, and hell what language would it be in?

At the end of the short ride, like cattle, we rush to the red sortie signs. Around now I'll be serenated by a guy with his guitar, or perhaps the lady with the accordion, or even the guy who likes to give life lessons. After avoiding a guy trying to pass out religious literature, I'm outside again.

I've almost reached my destination and my pace quickens. I pass by the "Soup Soup," and recognize that in a few hours Alex will head right next door for work. I finally approach my building and dislodge my headphones as I pass by security at the front desk. I make my way to the second floor, make a few friendly smiles to people, even a head nod, and hope they won't speak any french to me. I take out my pass card and enter the studio. I smile and say good morning to a few programmers who undoubtedly beat me to work, but I'm happy to say that I'm right on time.

I find my desk and boot up my computer. I set down my "Man bag" from Africa, and go back to the kitchen to make myself some coffee. As I return to my desk and ready myself for the day I can't help but chuckle to myself a little. You think that after four years of study I wouldn't actually be surprised to find myself where I am, and yet I still can't believe it. It's time to start work... It's time to make video games.