I was in a bad place in Minneapolis. We moved there so my wife could go to school , dropping everything, leaving friends, family and jobs behind. For the first year, I didn’t have many friends. I missed California mightily and found myself living on the Internet – latching onto places like NeoGAF for fellowship. That’s when the drinking started getting a little out of control. I’d drink to blot out my loneliness, insecurity, fear and boredom. Drinking was something to do. Smoking (which I was struggling to quit) was a good accompaniment. I realized that things needed to change when I found myself drunk, walking to the gas station in the freezing cold, just so I could buy another pack of Marlboro Lights.

I needed a hobby and an outlet. I needed friends. (more…)