Day 10/11 - What Happens in Vegas, gets Posted Online

Since the prior days activities of intense hiking and ER trips was so exciting, I decided I needed a rest day. I began heading to Las Vegas and when I made it to St. George to pick up my prescriptions from the night before, I realized I didn't have my wallet. I only freaked out for a few minutes before I got a message from my new MN friend Nate saying he found my wallet in their car from the ride they had provided last night. I thanked them once again and drove the hour long journey back to Zion to pick it up at the Quality Inn and Suites desk. On my way to pick it up, I got a call from my alma matter Winona State University letting me know a hotel in Springdale, UT had found my school ID in a wallet. The fact that multiple people made efforts to return my wallet was reassuring, even if the extra 2 hours of driving that day delayed my plans. I picked up my wallet from the desk, had a good laugh and re-made my way to pick up my prescriptions on my way to Vegas.
Upon arriving, my plan was to meet up and spend the night with a friend I met through work named Cameron. We had only hung out in training for a few days over a year ago, but he came across as my type of people. Since I visited Vegas for a work conference last October where I spent my whole time on the Strip, I had no interest in returning to that area and planned on just resting with my friend (I just remember the Vegas strip feeling like the city reached it's prime in the 80's and has since slowly faded into a dirty, slightly depressing, collection of senseless money squandering and the type of people attracted to that...but then again I don't gamble).

When I arrived at cameron's apartment I was surprised to find that the "roommates" he had mentioned were actually his sister Cassie, her friend Amanda, and their dog Indy (like Indiana Jones). I showed up just as they returned from Ikea with shelving in tow (Vegas apparently just got an IKEA), and they asked if I knew how to install shelves. I in fact DO know how to assemble and install IKEA stuff so I thought I'd earn my keep.

Right off the bat I got along with everyone there, like, really well. I felt like we were already old friends! It was really relaxing and a nice change of pace. Their apartment was also a combination of nerd sheik, modern, a gamer decor. It's so picturesque It felt like Pinterest photos and I couldn't help but snap a few photos. I especially loved the large Zelda and Firefly presence =).

I put up 5 shelves, a picture holder, a couple sets of LED lights, and fixed 2 wobbly chairs and a wobbly table that had been loose for a couple years. I felt incredibly useful! (and thankfully always keep an Allen wrench set in my car). Afterward we organized trinkets and memorabilia to help provide background decor for Cameron's future gameplay streaming.

I put up the shelves in the 2 pictures below =D

The rest of that day was spent relaxing. I got a nice long hot shower in (I forgot how immensely pleasurable it could be), finally got to play the new Zelda game on a Nintendo Switch (Holy Bonkers is that game beautiful), and finished the night with Bob's Burgers and Rick and Morty!

The next morning I was greeted with Tea and Oatmeal from Amanda, a cuddly dog, and more time to relax in some AC. I spent a few hours going to Red Rock Canyon, Since I was still exhausted from my last few days of hikes, I simply drove around and did minor exploring (It was very similar to some of the terrain of Arches and Zion on a smaller scale). I found another car twin (although another color) but didn't feel the need to leave a message this time =). When I returned it was time for crepes! Amanda did a fantastic job making them and I took a couple action photos!

A couple of their friends, Tony and Liz, came over with a strategy board game Deus. We learned the rules and attempted to beat Tony and knowing they were already experienced in the game but to no avail. I inadvertently ended the game by building the 7th Temple as game end conditions hadn't been made entirely clear. It was a fun time and a great change of pace for myself. After that we had an amazing ribeye dinner made by Amanda, and spent another evening relaxing. I got my stuff ready to go and headed out the next morning. 

Perception:
I hit the 2000 mile mark as I arrived in Vegas. 2/5 of my journey has been completed and its been an exciting ride so far! Also the west has plastic bumps on the lane markers to let you know when you're on top of or crossing over a lane (can't do that in the midwest with snowplows coming by every winter) but useful none the less.
Being handy and able to fix things is a lost art. It shouldn't be. I felt very accomplished and satisfied doing the simple projects that needed tending. I very much support the next "fix-it cafes" I've read about online and hope to get in my area soon. Part of the human experience is to encounter problems and find solutions as creatures of logic and reason (especially since society puts an emphasis on education). And if we don't conquer those challenges are we missing out on an opportunity for growth? or is the social construct of "earn enough money to hire someone" and paying for a "convenience factor" a more worthy ideal? Where we focus on one skill set proficiency to earn an income to afford the luxury of paying others to accomplish those tasks for you.

Introspection:
Realizing I may be more handy than others also made me consider the Jack of all Trades master of none mantra that I seem to be drawn towards. I don't think its a bad thing, but It may prevent me from focusing on a true passion and mastering something to the point that I can utilize it to make an impact in this world. However I find striving for proficiency (instead of mastery) and the variety that it brings a more exciting and motivating challenge.

It was fun to jump back into the world of games and geekdom as I have a fond passion for them. It brought me back to things I focus on more in high school and I'm realizing some of those past times are things I would like to reinvest some time to enjoy again.
As I was driving the song "Collapsible love" by Relient K came on and was very relevant to my roadtrip and my personal growth journey. Good stuff - Check it Out.