August 11, 2024

We were asked to fill out a survey about Pokemon in class but I had put if off until the last five minutes when someone told me that it would be worth my time. I opened up the pamphlet and on the first page there was an intro blurb about AI training and how my task was to pick the more appealing design from a series of image pairs. By the time I had finished the survey, it was already well into my lunch break.

I walked into the lab room and was overhearing someone giving a talk about masking in video editing. The room itself resembled something that came out an early Source engine map and there were groups of roaches skittering about. I commented on how the area looked like a downsized version of a Half Life level.

My phone alarm indicating the end of break started ringing but I stuck around to watch the end of the demonstrations. I was late to get back to class but somehow the room was still empty. The professor asked me what character I was going to present as today. I had completely forgotten that we also had a presentation to give today that involved roleplaying. I could only admit that I had come unprepared. “You’re usually pretty careful about this kind of thing”, she said. I sank into my seat at the front of the classroom, overcome with anxiety.

–

I walked into the restroom to find the toilet clogged and overflowing. Next to it was an usually small plunger which I tried to use to little effect. I went back outside and found myself in a rather large garden. I chatted with my dad about kneading dough and baking bread.