I won my very first challenge with the XBox 360. I busted my ass to do it, too. Jake was wonderful in letting me completely take over the console to do it. I really didn't think I had a chance, either. There were a few games that made me absolutely crazy. Kameo's Deep Blue element is like the seventh ring of hell. The mechanics are horrible with it and Jake and I were both wanting to through the controller out of the window. At least it wasn't just me. Apparently that section makes everyone angry. Really REALLY angry. Then there's King Kong. I have mixed feelings about that one. It is a First Person Shooter, which is something I hadn't really tried. I did an okayish job on it, but I'm still not sold on that type of game. The surprise hit for me was Kung Fu Panda. If you haven't gotten it you're missing out on a really fun game. I got the game as a package deal with the console and never tried it out. After playing a few games and getting frustrated I popped it in. I'm hooked!

I think winning this challenge was a HUGE boost to my confidence. I have been feeling as though I'm never going to get any better. Then Jake and I played our first game together last night (Peggle rocks my socks) which meant so much to me. I've been wanting to play a game with him for so long. We had an absolute blast. I'd say that even if I didn't win. Which I did. *grin*

The new coworker is... interesting. First we had a tiff over how to do admissions. Later on a doctor came into the office and we met about one of the newer duties I have. After 10 minutes she jumps in and says that she will be taking that over. News to me. So here I am, looking like an ass and wondering why I spent ten minutes working out details on a duty I'm not even doing. After I did a half-assed recovery statement the doctor left with a confused look on his face. Way to go... Then she turns to me and announces that she's not here to take my job. She goes from dismissing Mr. Nosy because she needs clarification about her duties to confirming what part of her duties are (when it makes me look bad) and then assuring me she's not going to do mine. She will supposedly find out her duties by Friday. This should be interesting. She's not that bad to work with, I just wish we'd have some true clarification on who does what so I can get on with not worrying about my job every day.

I signed up for a contest this week with other XBL people. The most gamer points gained in a week. I know that I'll lose but it will be fun to try. One game I WON'T be getting the score with: Wolverine. Killing Deadpool on Hard Mode has been kicking my ass all weekend. Saturday night I stayed up until 3am just trying to wind down after not being able to get that last achievement. It's not even about the score. It's about me doing something all the way through. This morning I almost had him too. I decided to stop and not try again. I can't imagine going to work that pissed off. Especially about a game.

This weekend went by in a blink. I did some cleaning, played some games and fought off feeling sick... AGAIN. Honestly this is getting so old it should be called a classic. At least I had the extra day to rest up... sorta.

I started playing Fallout 3 again. Besides it being UBER creepy it tends to make me a tad nauseous. I am determined to play this game. So of course Jake had to play through the first two spots. Scary Grocery store and scary kids school. I was jumping and gasping every time some raider popped up. Oy... Later on a dog ran up and Jake had to take over. I just couldn't bring myself to kill it. He leaves to go to the store and guess what happens... Yeppers, THREE dogs attack me. I was equipped with a bat, which made it worse. Jake came home to a mortified looking girlfriend. Later on I watched him for a bit. He goes so fast I can only watch him for a few moments before I get nauseous. I don't think I'll ever get that comfortable with the controller. *grumbles*

We had Friday off and no cash to go anywhere. Between the bills and trying hard to save up for the trip we've been staying at home for the most part. Home = lots of gaming and a wonderful time at my sister's house. *grins* I've been having so much fun with Fable 2 I haven't even glanced at any other games. I briefly tried Mass Effect, but I didn't care for the shooting style. Plus, I still have a long ways to go before I am used to more free movement (up/down/targeting/etc...). I keep telling myself I'm going to switch up games so I don't get sick of F2, but each time I manage to spend all my time on that game.

My sister messaged me about meeting up for dinner. I was so happy to finally be able to see her and her family. Sunday Jake and I trekked over to her place and I met my niece and brother-in-law. Diana looked great, her kid was absolutely adorable and her husband was just too cool for words. We had a blast talking about the past and some of what has been going on. It's funny... I haven't seen her in so many years and yet I felt like it was yesterday. It's nice to see she's still the wacky person I remember. Jake and I talked about it on the way home. He said he noticed a difference in me. I told him that leaving the house I felt a little more complete. Don't get me wrong, I feel that my decision to move away was good, but it came at a price. I found who I was and a place to put my feet on the ground. But the price was missing out on part of my sister's life. I can't wait to see my brother and his family when they come out. It's still a slow process for me. So many years of finding out who I was and etching out a life. Now I'm having to back track as it were to mold it into something different... more complete and yet with some holes that will never be replaced. If there's one thing life taught me is to appreciate what you have. Right now I feel pretty fucking lucky.