Saturday, June 24, 2006

A Desire to Return...


For the Smkrs it's Newbold that holds the cherished memories. For me it's PUC. Despite my poor grades, roommate troubles, and general problems during that first year at college I cannot help but love it. I miss it. It was simple there. You worked, lived, and studied there. There was no need to leave the hill; No great desire to run away to the city or flee to the nearest mall. If the chance came then you sometimes went, otherwise it wasn't something that you needed. It was a true blue community where you spent Saturday sleeping in, going to church, eating with friends, then relaxing with friends.

I can't even count the number of times my dreams have turned their attention back to my freshmen year or the thought of returning there. I made some great friends there, some great memories. Laughing at the antics of the local dorm delinquents when the dead deer they'd stuffed in the neighboring guys dorm was found. Running to classes through a beautiful campus full of life and friendship. Working in the Cafe every other night and standing idly talking to the register operators. Making one of the closest circles of friends since the Harris brothers in Hawaii. Dorming with some of the weirdest guys on the planet and still managing to come out sane.

The pictures, the faces, the places. All so clear and vibrant. So strong that wistful tears can come unbidden to the eyes if they're dwelt on too long. Yet, so much like my desire to return to Hawaii, I know I shall never be able to return to PUC and love it as I did...enjoy it as I did. It will be left to memory and time till only a smile remains.

Friday, June 16, 2006

It's Summer, I'm Bored, This is a Good Thing...

I'm sitting here on a bed, with a laptop beside me and a beautiful view of Gresham out the window, wondering what all i'll do this summer. An extremely pretty red head just waltzed into the room and is busy rooting around in her backpack for some little thing. She just tried to use a flint and steel over the bed, not a great sign of higher brain functions if you ask me. But then i've done things just as odd and out of place.

I don't know what to say. Its a lazy day here in "sunny" old Oregon and i'm seriously wondering if my complacency is due to the fact that i'm done with school for a couple months or because i've simply got nothing to think about. It's weird. It's like i'm relaxed in a way yet not. I know there's nothing immediate to worry about, beyond keeping the red head from burning down the house, but I know I should be worrying about future concerns. I don't want to though. Its a good day. I don't want to worry. So I don't think I will. I'll let you other people worry for me. Cheers!

Saturday, May 27, 2006

The X-treme Team Strikes Again!...

Ha! Now i've got something to talk about! X3 is out and in true nerdy fashion I went and saw it on the first day. I could have been a true nerd and gone to see it at midnight...but I didn't think of that. I just suffered a -2 to my nerd check. (ehem) I highly recommend it. Seeing the first two movies is a must, otherwise you won't get alot of the stuff unless you're a marvel freak geek.

(If you haven't seen the movie I don't suggest reading more. Major Spoilers incoming!!!)

The movie itself was great. Considering how much storyline they had to deal with from all the X-men stories and spinoffs I think they did a great job of mashing it down and making it into something that could be followed by the people who only saw the last two movies while still being relatively interesting for those of us who know a bit more about it then we should. I liked that they got rid of Cyclops early on. Granted he would have been a great asset in the final battle. I also like the fact that Mystic(sp) lost her mutant abilities before the battle. She was cool and all but she was a real witch(-w+b). I liked how she immediately went to spill her guts to the government. I liked the inclusion of Kitty Pride, AKA Shadowcat, and the use of the Fastball Special not once but twice. I liked Angel's little bit in the story including his father's rescue at the end. And then of course there was the Phoenix and the Professor. They did a great job of working Phoenix into the story and making her dual personality and troubled nature believeable. The Professor's death at her hands was hard to take but then, knowing the Marvel universe, no one really ever dies or looses their powers, they always come back some how. Magneto will get his powers back, Xavier will return, and everything will go back to square one in a way. There's alot more I could say but I think i'll stop there. Don't want to make myself look too nerdy. Gotta fit in at least a bit.

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Let's See, What Next?...

Ok, (brushes himself off after the Halo3 thing), now that that's done...It's time to drool over something else. Ehehehe...but really folks. I'd love to drool over X3 but since its not out yet i'll hold back the urge and wait till i've seen it. Over the Hedge has already been done and its not really drool worthy material; good but not drool good.

So what else is there?

Hmm...

I could always rant about all the wonderful fanfiction i've been reading recently. But no...thats been done too. (If you can't tell i'm having a hard time here)

Ahh...here we go. I've been laughing up a storm because of this. Whenever someone starts talking about a Role Playing Game(RPG) lately my mind has always linked the conversation with this
http://project-apollo.net/text/rpg.html
If you know anything about Final Fantasy, Zelda, etc...and have actually played them, then you'll probably find this funny as hell. Its really amazing that people have actually spent the time to put something like this together. Worth a look.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

I Have Reached Nirvana...



... and its name is Halo 3.

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

At the Heart of an Evil Empire...


I've been meaning to post this up since spring break but I haven't gotten the chance to nab the picture from my dad's computer till now. No its not an illusion. I actually am in a Starbucks, holding a Starbucks cup, and not gagging. For those of you who know me you know very well that I find most coffee disgusting. I said most cause Daphne would belt me upside the head for not saying that I actually enjoy some coffee flavored chocolates. Anyway, I normally wouldn't set foot in one of these places but, over spring break, I had to make an exception. I did this for one reason and one reason only. I found the evil empire's core, the center of its being, its very birthplace. It just so happens to be situated in an out of the way area of Pike's Market in Seattle. We had heard rumor of its location on a tour and, as I was traveling with my dad, we had to go looking for it. My eyes did narrow and my face did frown when I spotted it. My dad, ever the tourist, had to go in and get a drink. Not coffee mind you, only applecider, but it came in a coffee cup and that was close enough. And faster then I could say "Death to Coffee" he had me holding his cup in front of the origional sign(notice the girl's got tits in the origional) and snapping a picture, to my everlasting shame. Too bad I didn't have the time to snear. I think it would have added the perfect touch to the moment.

Saturday, April 29, 2006

The Ultimate Showdown...

Ok, if you haven't seen this--> http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/showdown then you are truely missing out on one of the internet's wonders. Oh i'm sure you've seen things like "Badgers" and "End of the World" before, but this...this is truely a work of art. Not only is there superb artwork *snicker* but there's the fact that these guys came up with the song on their own. I've practically memorized the thing myself and let me tell you, there are some good tongue twisters in there. The sheer amount of time, rhymeing, knowledge of cheezy characters, and mind altering drugs(i'm guessing on the last one) is insane. Give it a look. I doubt you'll come away from it not humming the tune or finding that you've got one of the lines stuck in your head.

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Kender Adventures...

I recovered a lost part of my childhood this past week; and in a place I wouldn't have ever thought to look. Backwoods adventures were a forgotten joy long lost when I left Hawaii. But surprise! I found them again...in the backwoods of my college's campus, in what my friends call Kender Adventures.

For those of you unfamiliar with dnd style fantasy settings a Kender is much like a hobbit from Lord of the Rings. They are about half a normal human's height but unlike hobbits and their kin these little fellas never really seem to grow up. Even the oldest and most learned of these halflings are as rambunctious(sp?) as children. They also have a disturbing tendancy of "finding" shiny things, much like a raven or small rodent. It doesn't matter if these things are on the ground or in your pocket, they'll somehow make their way into their pockets and you'll be left wondering where your watchbob or penny purse went. They don't always mean it either, sometimes their hands just kinda nab things.

Thus, a group of us have taken to exploring the forests and creekbeds of the college between classes and often coming home with the most surprising things to show off. It's gotten so popular with our group that we've taken to...gasp! LARPing!?! Ah yes, the dreaded LARP group. I am happy to announce that I have been named the parties Ranger due to my previous experience and they have even given me a name, Otter, for my rather graceful dip in a creek the other day. It wasn't something I meant to do and my pants, shoes, and socks ended up totally soaked. The spot is now called Otter's Dip in honor of yours truely. We shadow nature classes for fun and have created our own little hideout next to Otter's Dip. Surprisingly I am the oldest in the group, the majority of them being around 19.

I feel like i've regained a bit more "kid". *Eye twinkle*

Sunday, April 09, 2006

This...is a Problem...


Does this mean God is a Socialist?
.
.
I didn't think they liked coffee...
.
.
I'm so confused.

Sunday, March 26, 2006

Breaking for Spring

Finals are a memory, tests are a dream, and grades are a reality. Math went a little worse then expected but everything else went extremely well. As a reward for finishing the quarter I rewarded myself with a few new set booster boxes for the game I play. The newest expansion came out on friday and my buddy and I danced a happy jig when we opened our boxes. On top of that the rest of my family took off for the weekend and left me home alone. I would have gone too but I had work on last night. Then, just this morning, I got a call from work asking if I could come in and cashier for a couple hours. Officially I have six days off starting today but since I won't be going anywhere for a day or so I told em I could pop by for an hour or four. I'm also taking care of a couple of pets whose masters decided to up and leave them for a week in Turkey. Oh well, it earns me money and thanks, and both are always welcome.

Next quarter's shaping up to be rather interesting. I'm currently listed at 13 credit hours but we'll see what the parents think when they get back. I'll also be re-ordering my work hours to follow suit. I've got the ever present TKD again. Added to that are Intro to Fiction Writing, Intro to Mythology, General Phychology, and Elementry Logic. Sounds like a headache but i'm interested to see how it will all pan out, that is if my parents ok it since they're paying for it again...finally.

Sunday, March 19, 2006

Don't Panic...

I've taken that wonderful phrase from Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy to heart. I refuse to panic this year for finals. I will not run around like a chicken with its head cut off because i'm not ready for math. I won't be a worry wart because i've got to review six chapters of political science. And I certainly won't be pulling my hair out and screaming bloody murder because history facts are mixing themselves up in my head. I've already gotten through my TKD final without a fuss. Didn't panic for that. I won't let these others get to me either.

Nope, not gonna panic at all...

not at all...

nothin to see here folks...

this college student is just fine...

no stress here...

ok... well maybe a little. ^_-

Goodluck to all you fellow panic ridden students. You're not alone.

Saturday, March 04, 2006

Bittersweet Dreams

I woke up this morning with a little ache in my heart this morning. I got caught up in one of those very special sort of dreams. The kind you wake up from and dearly wish you could go back and finish. Its the kind that leaves me hurting a bit because the story is so moving, the characters so real and heartfelt that I can't help but love them. And it was, at least for a dream, a very well sequenced and believeable story.
I started off as a young man, say 18. My good friends, who seem to be almost like my adopted family since I apparently didn't have any, have kids that range from my age down to seven. The oldest being a boy of my age, then another boy of about 9, and a young girl (who i took a liking to in that "older brother but not related" sort of way.) that was about 7. Anyway, earth goes to war with itself or someone else and the older boy and myself are forced into military service while the younger ones are sent away to help colonize another world. Years later, after the war and everything, the two of us go in search of the younger kids. We find them but, shockingly, they don't remember us. We were hoping for a tearful reunion but instead have to settle for introductions. Heck, they don't even see the similarities in their older brother or recognize the names. Anyway, the youngest boy is now busy helping start a large vineyard. The girl on the other hand is now a beautiful young lady, the kind people usually term heartbreakers I think. Anyway, I begin to get to know her again while at the same time I try to subtly jog her memory. There are flashes of time where I go back in time to moments we shared together and then i'm back in the present and I try to use those flashes to stir a memory. I even manage to return from one of these flashes with a scarf she gave me on a cold day. Then, when I feel like i'm finally making a little bit of progress on her I wake up and cannot for the life of me return to the dream. I sat there in bed for the longest time just thinking about it. I know portions have faded away. It was even more interesting, that I know. For some reason those sorts of stories hit me kinda hard. Their bittersweet taste leaves an ache in my chest that leaves me wanting.

Friday, February 17, 2006

Shifting...

I can feel myself subtly shifting gears again. A couple months ago I had a sudden desire to hang around with the guys in the basement of my college's student center and play cards whenever I wasn't in class. At the same time I lost interest in writing and reading. I found myself playing with my games more then normal. But now, just in the past couple of days, i've felt myself shifting away from that again. I've passed up playing with my friends twice now in favor of more time at home to myself. I've begun re-reading stories I enjoy and searching out new reads. I've updated some of my fanfiction online and feel the need to continue writing. Yet at the moment I feel stuck in the middle. Lost in Translation you might say. (Yes I know, its a movie) I'm conflicted. I desire both and yet don't. And this feeling extends farther then just desires to change past times. I feel like i've backed off from my relationships, particularly my relationship with my girlfriend. I don't know if she's noticed but I can't help but feel like i've partially shut myself off from her, maybe even going so far as to say i've been avoiding her or pushing her off ever so slightly. I don't know if I mean it or not. Maybe its just a need for space. A light melancholy mood that's lasting longer then just a day or two perhaps. Grr...its kinda annoying but i'll manage.

Sunday, February 05, 2006

...Or Not

So much for that...

SEAHAWKS FOR THE WIN...

Here's to all those Seahawks fans out there.
Good luck Seattle! Kick ass!

Sunday, January 22, 2006

To Skate, Perchance to...Fall?

I really should rollerblade more often. I'm not as bad as I always thought I was, yesterday proved it. My church had a social meet at the local roller rink and I pulled my girlfriend along for the ride. We had a grand old time, weaving between slower people, chasing each other. I found myself moving to the music as best I could and making a complete ass out of myself I'm sure. Daphne got mildly high on the cotton candy I got for her too. And no falling, not once! It really was a very enjoyable couple of hours. I highly recommend the joy that comes from skating hand in hand with someone you love. Worth every penny.

Friday, January 13, 2006

There's No Otaku Option...

Avi, I blame you for the time I'm about to waste here. No pass back.

What Are You?
Redneck
1] Do you have a couch in your front yard or porch? No.
2] Do you drive a four-wheeler? No.
3] Do you ride four-wheelers? No.
4] Do you like to get dirty? Meh.
5] Do you like country music? I avoid it wherever possible
6] Do you have a broken car in your back yard? No.
7] Do you own a cowboy hat? No.
8] Do you live on more then two acres? No.
9] Do you have more then four different animals at your home? Different kinds? No. Only 2 cats.
Total yes: 0/9

Goth
1] Do you wear black eyeliner? No.
2] Is most of your clothing dark? Nope, though I do like dark clothing.
3] Do you think about death often? Only at very odd moments
4] Are you a social outcast? Meh, I mingle wherever I need, but yeah.
5] Are you pale? Does Sun Spot mean anything to you?
6] Do you like Hot Topic? Love it!
7] Do you enjoy Tim Burton movies? Er, never seen one actually, at least I don't think I have.
8] Are you mean? Only to my brother.
Total yes: 3/8

Skater/Punk
1] Can you skateboard? No.
2] Do you wear Vans? No.
3] Do you do stupid stuff with your friends? Stupid to most people yes.
4] Have you gotten in trouble with the Cops? Yes.
5] Do you watch the X-games? I've watched out of bordom but not much.
6] Do you have any piercings? No.
7] Do you like/wear mohawks/fohawks? No, ugh.
8] Have you called someone a poser? No.
Total yes: 2/8

Prep
1] Do you say the word "like"? I have been accused of that sin yes.
2] Do you shop at Hollister/Abercrombie & Fitch? No.
3] Do you pop the collar? Huh?
4] Do the people in Hot topic scare you? Heheh, they're funny lookin.
6] Do you watch Laguna Beach? No, I barely watch tv as is.
7] Do you like pop music? Um, I suppose I do.
8] Do you want/have a little dog? No.
9] Do you idolize Paris Hilton? Sleezeball richgirl. No.
Total yes: 2/9

Hippie
1] Is your hair long? It has been so yes.
2] Do you own a tye-dye shirt? No.
4] Do you want to save the animals? Sure, but only certain types.
5] Do you think war is unnecessary? Generally I'd have to agree.
6] Is love essential in your life? Hmm, girlfriend = yes.
7] Have you smoked pot? No.
8] Do you like classic rock and trippy music? Hell Yeah!
9] Do you wear paisley head-bands? shudder.

Total yes: 5/9

Gangsta
1] Do you act ghetto? hell no.
2] Do you wear do-rags? No.
3] Do you like hip-hop? maybe 2 songs, generally no.
4] Was Tupac truly the greatest rapper in the world? Can't spell crap without rap.
5] Do you believe he's alive? He's burnin.
6] Do you like afros? Bwahahahaha...no.
7] Have you ever said "Fo Shizzle"? Yes, I shudder in memory.
8] Do you like to dance? Yep!

Total yes: 2/8

Emo
1] Do you cry often? No.
2] Do you wear hoodies? All the time.
3] Do you like screamo music? Don't think so.
4] Do people not understand you? On occasion but generally I get my point across.
5] Do you write your own songs? I am not musically inclined.
6] Ever dyed your hair red, black or dark? I've wanted to but no.
7] Do you cut your own hair? Not that dumb.
8] Are you lonely? Nope.
9] Is Ohio for lovers? As much as any other regular place.

Total yes: 1/9

Surfer
1] Do you surf? Yes, or I would if there was a good beach and I had a board.
2] Do you wear flip flops year-round? I would if the weather was better.
3] Is your hair shaggy? It has been but not currently.
4] Do you wake up before six every morning? Thats funny, no.
5] Do you own many pairs of shorts? I can't count em all.
6] Are you tan? Again, sun spot.
7] Do you talk surfer lingo? I can and did.
8] Do you want to be at the beach right now? As long as its a warm Hawaiian one sure.
9] Do you hate tourists? Yes, but I happen to be one quite often.

Total yes: 6/9

Geek
1] Do you wear glasses? Not yet.
2] Do you get good grades? Um, sorta...*hangs head* I could do better.
3] Do you use an inhaler? Yes but only rarely.
4] Do you stick pens and calculators into your shirt pockets? No.
5] Does your mom pick out your clothes? Only occasionally and only at goodwill.
6] Are you on the computer often? Yep.
7] Do you ever get picked on? Yes.
8] Do you look forward to go to school? Sure, I suppose so. Not for math though.
9] Are you shy around the opposite sex? Nope.
10] Do you like math? BEGONE EVIL SPAWN OF SATAN!!!

Total yes: 4/10

Girly
1] Do you look in the mirror a lot? Not a girlyman.
2] Does it take forever to pick something to wear? No.
3] Do you own lots of hair products? No.
4] Is your favourite colour pink/purple? No.
5] Do you "hog" the bathroom? No.
6] Are you afraid to get dirty? I can if I need to but I don't love it. No.
7] Do you flip out when you see a spider? No.
8] Are you on the phone a lot? No.
9] Do you eat like a bird? Walking black hole.
10] Do you hate it when people don't like you? No, I don't like them back, unless they're a friend, then yes.

Total yes: 0/10

Bwahahaha! I'm a Surfer Hippy with a good dose of geek on the side! I'll send you the bill for my time Avi, cash only.

Saturday, January 07, 2006

Travel Travel Travel...

Initially I started this post off with two full paragraphs, with more on the way I might add, about missing my girlfriend. But after the second paragraph I began to feel silly. I still miss her and all but putting it in writing, again and to much length I might add, seems un-needed. Daphne knows I miss her. And if she's not convinced she'll learn very quickly when she gets back.

So, leaving it at that, I decided to scrub the first draft and start on something new. It came back to my attention this afternoon as my family sat down to eat lunch, together amazingly enough, that I had a free round trip airfare anywhere Alaska Airline flew to use before summer. I acquired said ticket by being bumped some time ago coming back from california. Having just come back from England and California at that point I wasn't much interested in travel but today I found that the idea of travelling had reasserted itself in my mind, probably due to "D's" current absense.

After a quick check on where Alaska flew I decided I would have to make a choice. I already know I want to travel alone, much like I did in England, and bum it in backpacking hotels or some such place. (unless someone's willing to put up with my travel pace)My three options are Boston, New York City, and DC, all other cities being uninteresting or impractical for travel purposes. I have been to each of them before but yearn to go back still. I know even DC has more to offer then what i've seen. The best thing about those three cities is that they have the public transportation I need to get around seeing as I can't rent a car yet. (I did think of coming out and visiting Wudge in Chicago but dismissed it. Unless of course you can convince me otherwise my dear friend.)

Granted the ideas are still in the most basic of planning stages but I'm sure more will come as time wears on. I'm pretty sure i'll end up going during spring break or something but beyond that there isn't much to tell. Just happy thoughts and ideas. Anyway, enough yakin for now. Classes start this coming monday and I'm looking forward to getting back into action. Cheers.

Saturday, December 31, 2005

Contemplating Bringing in a New Year...



Just a quick note on bringing in the new year. I hope you all are gonna be having much more fun than I am tonight. *looks pointedly at Rali and Wudge* At least you'll have someone to entertain yourselves with. Even Avi, i'm sure, will have more fun then I will. Heck, even my England bound Daphne will probably get more of a kick out of the pass of one year to the new then I will. I'll be working tonight making sure all those silly people who actually want to shop tonight will have carts and a clean store to play in. True I get off at 11pm but what can you do when all that's left to do is go back home and wait for the new year to jump you in the darkness? I'm not even gonna bother looking at a bar. I don't want to venture into one of those without at least a couple friends and my one attempt at spirits wasn't a great success. I could try and rouse my only remaining friend in the neighborhood, Washu, but I doubt she'd want to do anything. She's not been the most social as of late which I can understand due to holiday work hours. So what to do then? Make some more headway on my fanfics? I'm sure my fans would like that. Read? Done too much of that lately. Play a new years practical joke on someone? Again not without friends or someone good to prank. Maybe i'll go digging under my bed and find something I could sort or toy with. Oh well. Happy New Year to all of you. May this next year bring you what you most need, be it joy, peace, or whatever. Cheers!

Sunday, December 25, 2005

Merry Christmas and stuff...

A little christmas cheer from me to you. This is my theme song this christmas. Its a new little dity by the Goo Goo Dolls entitled Better Days. I would suggest giving it a listen. Its exceptional.
.
And you ask me what I want this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And desire and love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
.
So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again
.
And it's someplace simple where we could live
And something only you can give
And thats faith and trust and peace while we're alive
And the one poor child that saved this world
And there's 10 million more who probably could
If we all just stopped and said a prayer for them
.
So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again
.
I wish everyone was loved tonight
And somehow stop this endless fight
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
.
So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again