I find myself wondering, as I often do, what other people in similar positions must think or feel like. I’ve lived here for over a month now, and the process of “settling in” has been much easier than you might expect. In fact, I haven’t once felt like I’ve needed to adjust to anything at all really. Strange to say, perhaps, but it’s the truth all the same. However I have noticed a certain trend in my behavior. I’ve been gaming pretty hardcore. Now this in and of itself isn’t that strange. I am a gamer at the end of the day, and it’s not uncommon for me to get really into a game. What is slightly strange is moving from one game to another maintaining the same level of intensity the entire time, like driving 100 mph down the highway blasting Rage Against the Machine followed up by Tchaikovsky at the same volume.

It might be nothing. It might just be me getting in touch with my inner gamer geek. But because of the circumstances, I can’t help but think maybe there’s something else there. Maybe this is my own personal way of feeling comfortable. After all, nothing quite feels like home as playing video games. And if that’s the case well, I can only say it has worked wonderfully. I have never once felt uncomfortable here, out of place, or homesick. This place has felt like home ever since I arrived.

So maybe everyone has their own way of imprinting their homes. Maybe everyone has their own methods for “settling in” and getting comfortable. I wonder what other people do. If I was a dog, I suppose I’d pee on a couch leg or something.

Of course, part of the reason I’ve been playing so many games might have something to do with being unemployed and out of money to do much else. I’m definitely working on that, and if we consider it part of properly settling in then I guess technically I haven’t fully settled. But I better do it soon. As much as I love Seattle, I can’t really embrace the idea of wandering it homeless.

Haven’t been writing much as of late, despite having a great many things to write about for once. Ironic. Time to break the silence though.

Earlier this week I hiked to the top of Mt. Si located in or near Snoqualmie. I went with a friend to help him shoot a brief video clip for his job, and because I thought it’d be fun. He warned me beforehand that the hike was somewhat grueling, but I took no heed, thinking to myself that a hike couldn’t be that bad even if I was a little out of shape. Guess what, I was wrong.

The trail we took was four miles long with the peak rising approximately 4,000 feet above ground. On average the slopes we hiked were between 30-50°, by my estimation, and before the first mile was even over my legs were beginning to weaken. Needless to say, the last mile was slow, as I battled with my legs in an attempt to get them to obey orders from my brain.

Getting to the top made it all worth it though, arguably. The entire trail goes through forests of evergreens, but once you hit the peak it all clears away and you can see for miles around. It was a clear day and the sight was something else to behold. Above is a picture of me resting at the peak.

I’d recommend the hike to anyone who enjoys these sorts of things. Supposedly it’s a pretty popular attraction and thus gets pretty busy on weekends and holidays. I went on a weekday and there were very few people on the trail. It also looked like an ideal place to take photographs, though I didn’t have time to fiddle around doing that on this occasion. The forests you hike through are absolutely beautiful, and the sun peeking through the canopy creates some interesting ambiance. It also struck me as a great place to meditate, providing there weren’t many people there when you went. Then again, I suppose any temperate forest or mountain peak would seem good for meditation.