Acheivement Unlocked: Now Go Outside and Play!

In a completely different direction from my last post, I shall geek out extravagantly about Halo: Reach.
Simply put, it was the single most fun game I've played all year. There was a wonderful mix of almost everything awesome from the previous Halo games, with some new things added that were a pleasant surprise. This game, chronologically, is the first in the series, however it is the last that will be made from the creator of the Halo universe, Bungie. Thier contract has finished with Microsoft, and so now should they want to continue the franchise, they would have to sign a new contract. The company could now produce multi-platform games, and that's where I believe that is what they're going to do for the future. But what a way to finish. The story of the game I found to be fairly depresssing, especially with some of the characters. You become slightly attached to some of the first ones that you're sorry to see them leave. In all fairness, it was kind of like going to see Star Wars Episode Three, you know what the outcome of the story is, so really, you're just there to see how they bring it about and what cool things they'll decide to throw in. Except this has better acting. Personally, I found that the last mission, the one that is available after the credits, was the most bleak. I'm going to "Ruin" the end of the game, just by saying that it finishes with you delivering an Artificial Intelligence to a captain, and he takes off while you use a large anti-air cannon to destroy an incoming enemy cruiser. So while you're being the hero and saving everyone, you are committing yourself to staying on the ground surrounded by enemy troops, with no means of escape. Roll Credits. End Credits. You are standing on a platform, being bombarded by aircraft, and a swarm of hostile aliens slowly closing in on you, and you play until your character dies. Not only this, but it is a dusty and hard to see area, and you'll turn around and there will be somebody there trying to shoot you. Very effective at getting your heart rate up. Incredibly difficult to continue for longer than 5 minutes, even with four people playing.
One funny thing that I've realised while playing this game, however, is that I am usually the reliable "medic" in the group. Whenever there was a chance to pick up an ability that would create a "healing field" I would be the one to take it. Apparently I'm the "healer" or the "medic" of the teams. Which is kind of funny considering that I most enjoy running around with a shotgun punching aliens in the face. Kind of a different character personality, eh?
The artwork and scenery in the game were amazing, and Bungie outdid itself once again. I was really struck with a shot after a mission where one of your comrades sacrifices himself to blow up a massive super cruiser. You started the mission before kind of joking around with him, and sitting in the transport with him and a bunch of Space Marines. After that mission, there is a cutscene of a couple minutes, of your character sitting in the back of the transport looking out over the city/planet which is now riddled with destruction, and a torrential rain making buildings smoke and fires turn to embers. It's dark, depressing and clearly details how alone your character is feeling. It's not often you'll find a game thats main premise is to punch 10 foot tall aliens in the face with metal cyborg arms, and attempting to shoot others in the head for confetti to explode everywhere and a soundbite of children yelling "Hooray!" but Halo does it, and does it well. It would be interesting to go back and play them all in order now, to sit and watch how the story really does progress and seeing how it all ties in with itself.
Buuut, that's enough Halo for tonight, and I'm realy excited to mark another day off on my mental calendar leading up to my return to Alberta. Unfortuately, it looks like Natalie has almost resorted to guilt-tripping me into going out today (Friday) night to the Blarney Stone. I get paid today and need the money to pay for my furniture and everything to get set up in Edmonton, and I'm already going to be spending more than I would like that weekend. Saturday night I promised some friends from work that I'd go out for a few brewskies after my last shift, and I invited my friends from highschool, but they're all cancelling on me. So if I really want to see them, instead of going to a local pub where most everyone can get home easily, we are apparently going to make out way all the way downtown, to go to a not-inexpensive bar. I am not entirely impressed with them, but if I want to see them before I leave it looks like I'll be going out Friday and Saturday nights, as well as a brunch Sunday morning with a friend from the Olympics. At least she understands just how broke I will be and so we'll be going to see some of the free stuff at the Fringe Festival on Graville Island. I suppose I should write a letter to work as a nice "Thank you for everything!" card. Because really, I got the job on the spot at the interview, and they've really been supportive. I will miss working with the guys (and girls!) there, especially Dan, Simran, Swaniel, Jenn, Harteg, Sawan and Harman (both of them).
Wow, this post started out as a "OMG BEST GAME EVAR!!1!1!LOLOLOLOL" post, and has since transitioned into a "Aww, I'm going to miss the people I work with/emo" post. Strange how that works. Speaking of people I'm going to miss, today (Friday) I am going to go see my brothers' condo that he and his girlfriend own. Most likely on my way downtown. But he, myself and Kseniya all went out for sushi last night and had an awesome time. He eats a LOT of sushi, and I am slowly being able to judge just how much and what I will eat. Looks like Alaska rolls are my favourite. Crab, Avocado (sometimes cucumber. And I prefer the cucumber!), with raw salmon draped on top. Deeeeeelish. I do believe that my lovely Rachel and I must go for sushi when I get back, and though I'd say the first night home, I do recall that she at one point said that she wanted to show off her new culinary skills. So totally her call amd either way, I'll be extremely happy! 
I managed to get most of my clothes into one suitcase, and I really hope that it's under 50 pounds. if it is, this will make me immensely happy as it would mean that I could potentially put a few items on the plane with me instead of shipping them. Like, say, an xbox. or perhaps a few, unrelated things that i wasn't sure i'd be able to bring!. I'm really getting excited about this, and friday being my only real day off before I go, it means I have to get a LOT of things done. Cleaning especially, because if my brother is going to be commandeering this room, I dno't want to gross him out, or leave a metric tonne of crap in it for him to clean. So we'll see how well this works. I had booked my ticket to fly out of Vancouver so that should the need be, I could make my own way to the airport somewhat easily, and not have to burden my mum or make her take time off of work for my selfish desires, hahaha. However, it turns out that she's going to be taking some time off to see me go, and I think it's her way of dealing with it a little more, and not see me in the morning and say goodbye. We'll see!
However, with a fun-filled day ahead of me, I should probably get some rest. The sound of the rain pounding on the deck outside is not condusive to awakedness as well.
So, good night and good luck.
Craig
P.S. Oh, Rachel? I freaking love you and can't wait to be back! :)