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.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
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
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.
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.
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
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Lost Innocence Resounding...
For some reason I woke up this morning with a desire to skim through my unsorted picture box. It quickly became a trip down memory lane. I basically ended up ignoring anything post Hawaii. Picking through my years there I kept coming up with pictures that jumped out at me. Pictures that had vivid memories attached to them, almost like watching a movie. And with each of them I kept remembering how I felt I was on top of the world, I felt like I was at my ultimate there, like I was as smart or as big or as happy as i'd ever be at that particular moment. I can't help but marvel at my utter innocence and child like faith in myself and my world. In particular I keep coming back to the idea that I knew i'd be living in Hawaii the rest of my life. It was all I remembered, all that i'd ever known and really cared for. It was my home and my love. It didn't matter if some other place was bigger or had more cool stuff, it could never replace Hawaii. And in a way thats still true. Hawaii is the golden paradise of my childhood and no matter how many times I go back there now and see it for what it really is, a crowded tourist trap, it will never wipe out my childhood love of the islands, but it will seperate me. And that pains me becuase now I know i'll never be able to enjoy it like I could back then. The love is still there but reality has risen up and built a wall around that love made of the harsh stuff that reality is. I've become jaded, of maybe its just enlightened. Whatever it is it has shut me off from regaining my lost golden paradise. And while i'm perfectly content with my life and home as it is I can't help but wonder what it would be like to have the golden paradise back again. If I had never moved would I still feel the same? I doubt it. It's questions like these that keep me coming back to my pictures. Questions like these that make me treasure that special time all the more.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Battlescars...
Rawr! Just got back from my Tai Kwon Do final. The only person this quarter to test for and pass for two belts. I'm now officially a Cho Rok Dee(green belt) of the Choi Tai Kwon Do school of Martial arts.
Honestly I was scared to death. Passing for green belt requires quite a few things. You have to know both the yellow and green belt poomse(forms/kata) which, if you don't know what forms are, are a series of moves designed to simulate taking on various attacks from every direction. They're my favorite part of the sport and I was totally ready for them. To test for each belt you must learn at least one new one as well as be able to repeat all your old ones. Higher belts often learn two or three new poomse to advance.
Also, each level comes with certain one step defensive moves that you must learn. Each is designed to respond to a basic punch or kick from your opponent. For instance; A3, one of the 9 you must know to pass to yellow belt, delivers a knife hand block to the opponents punching wrist while at the same time delivering a knife hand to their throats. Green belts add on 5 more one steps including two that require you to actually drop your opponent to the floor before delivering the final blow. Also a very fun part of the class.
Then of course there's your knowledge of the basic foot and hand attacks as well as all the blocks and stances required for the next belt. Fairly basic stuff. After that comes full contact sparring with two opponents of your level. You fight for 2 minutes using every kick, punch, or block you know of and are graded on your technique, not how many hits you land. Sparring is my weakest area honestly. I'm naturally more prone to defensive measures which means TKD isn't really my thing. It would suit me much more to take Aikido or Hapkido as those center on blocking or redirecting your opponents attacks. But thanks to two quarters of class i've become more bold and much more confidant in my offensive abilities.
Next comes a test on your vocabulary, which is all in korean. Difficult but not overly so. After hearing the teacher's instructions day after day in korean it gets well ingrained in your system. Unless you're not paying attention in class like alot of the white belts were. Many had a very difficult time answering correctly. Some were so far off the mark they were told to go sit down and wait to come back up and try again.
And finally there was breaking. This was the part I was scared about. For green belt and up you are required to break pine boards. Guys are required to break 3 and girls 2. Again as you move upwards your number of boards increases. This was the first time i'd broken boards and frankly it was easier then i'd imagined. It did take me a couple tries to break the board with my knife hand, its still hurting now, but my front kick and step side kick went through after only two tries each! Thats pretty good for someone completely new to breaking like I was.
I didn't come away without injuries though. I got a nasty 5 inch friction burn on my left arm during sparring from blocking a kick but with the fluids pumping like they were I didn't notice till nearly five minutes after the fact. I also knocked my left leg muscle pretty hard when I roundhouse kicked my opponent and he blocked. Gonna be walkin funny for a couple days. Then of course my right hand hurts because of the repeated attempts to break my first board.
But despite all that I came away with a B in the class and my 2 new belts. I'm so happy! I'm even thinking about taking another term of this. I must be crazy.
Honestly I was scared to death. Passing for green belt requires quite a few things. You have to know both the yellow and green belt poomse(forms/kata) which, if you don't know what forms are, are a series of moves designed to simulate taking on various attacks from every direction. They're my favorite part of the sport and I was totally ready for them. To test for each belt you must learn at least one new one as well as be able to repeat all your old ones. Higher belts often learn two or three new poomse to advance.
Also, each level comes with certain one step defensive moves that you must learn. Each is designed to respond to a basic punch or kick from your opponent. For instance; A3, one of the 9 you must know to pass to yellow belt, delivers a knife hand block to the opponents punching wrist while at the same time delivering a knife hand to their throats. Green belts add on 5 more one steps including two that require you to actually drop your opponent to the floor before delivering the final blow. Also a very fun part of the class.
Then of course there's your knowledge of the basic foot and hand attacks as well as all the blocks and stances required for the next belt. Fairly basic stuff. After that comes full contact sparring with two opponents of your level. You fight for 2 minutes using every kick, punch, or block you know of and are graded on your technique, not how many hits you land. Sparring is my weakest area honestly. I'm naturally more prone to defensive measures which means TKD isn't really my thing. It would suit me much more to take Aikido or Hapkido as those center on blocking or redirecting your opponents attacks. But thanks to two quarters of class i've become more bold and much more confidant in my offensive abilities.
Next comes a test on your vocabulary, which is all in korean. Difficult but not overly so. After hearing the teacher's instructions day after day in korean it gets well ingrained in your system. Unless you're not paying attention in class like alot of the white belts were. Many had a very difficult time answering correctly. Some were so far off the mark they were told to go sit down and wait to come back up and try again.
And finally there was breaking. This was the part I was scared about. For green belt and up you are required to break pine boards. Guys are required to break 3 and girls 2. Again as you move upwards your number of boards increases. This was the first time i'd broken boards and frankly it was easier then i'd imagined. It did take me a couple tries to break the board with my knife hand, its still hurting now, but my front kick and step side kick went through after only two tries each! Thats pretty good for someone completely new to breaking like I was.
I didn't come away without injuries though. I got a nasty 5 inch friction burn on my left arm during sparring from blocking a kick but with the fluids pumping like they were I didn't notice till nearly five minutes after the fact. I also knocked my left leg muscle pretty hard when I roundhouse kicked my opponent and he blocked. Gonna be walkin funny for a couple days. Then of course my right hand hurts because of the repeated attempts to break my first board.
But despite all that I came away with a B in the class and my 2 new belts. I'm so happy! I'm even thinking about taking another term of this. I must be crazy.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Dude, Where's my Ice Skates...?
Ever tried directing 25 shopping carts through a parking lot thats half coated in ice at 10pm? No? Didn't think so. You should try it some time. Heh, anyway, we here in the general Portland area have had our first cold front roll in and with it has come fun evenings at work. Seriously though, when your gloved hands try to stick to the bars of the cart corrals in the parking lot you know its cold. When the last five cars in the parking lot are literally creating a cloud of steam so dense that its tough to see through. When you spend five minutes tag teaming the ice thats built up on your windows and mirrors. When you go to open your car door and hear ominous cracking noises when the ice holding it closed snaps. And now they're saying it could be snowing tomorrow morning, the day I have to both go to class at 9 and be at work in the evening. Suddenly i'm doubting my ability to drive. I'm packing on more layers of clothing both to help with the cold and to make sure any accident I get in won't get me as banged up as it should. I must have been crazy to think working the parking lot during winter would be easy. Idiot.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Life and Death, Take Your Pick...
Wow...21 years. Hard to believe i've lived about a fourth of my life already. I'm now legal in all respects. (yes I tried a drink, no I didn't like it) But as far as birthdays go it was not that spectacular. Years from now when someone asks me what I did for my 21st birthday i'll be able to answer truthfully..."I went to a funeral, thats about it."
The whole funeral thing started on the 6th of November. My great great uncle, who i'd never seen before yet lived in the same general area as myself, died at the ripe old age of 98. He was a man of the church, having filled almost every major roll in the Adventist community during his long life time. A very powerful man and loved by many. We are connected through my dad's parents, my grandmother being the blood relation. Anyway, when it was announced he had died the family began making plans and decided, without my opinion of course, to hold the funeral on the 19th which just happened to be my birthday. My Grandfather was one of the major players in the planning and organization and yet failed to realize his blunder until they arrived in town. They laughed and said they were sorry and asked, more like demanded subtly, that my part of the family attend. My dad was already stuck as a pallbearer so we got dragged along for the ride. Needless to say it was boring but enlightening none the less. I don't want to be in a room with that many old people for a while though. I swear, every lady over 40 in that church had the same basic hairsyle. Adventist old people, all cast out of the same mold. *shudder*
The day ended on a better note. I got to have a movie night with friends and got some pretty nice swag, including a decent amount of cash, most of which was spent yesterday buying myself an iPod mini for a good price at work. The girlfriend found me a WW2 combat knife, a dvd or three were obtained through various sources, a new journal was aquired, a massive miliary history book was also procured, music of the soundtrack type was gotten, and last but not least a new set of bedroom slippers. Not bad at all considering my car was also part of the bargin. It just ended up being an early birthday present. I don't expect much for christmas. ;)
The whole funeral thing started on the 6th of November. My great great uncle, who i'd never seen before yet lived in the same general area as myself, died at the ripe old age of 98. He was a man of the church, having filled almost every major roll in the Adventist community during his long life time. A very powerful man and loved by many. We are connected through my dad's parents, my grandmother being the blood relation. Anyway, when it was announced he had died the family began making plans and decided, without my opinion of course, to hold the funeral on the 19th which just happened to be my birthday. My Grandfather was one of the major players in the planning and organization and yet failed to realize his blunder until they arrived in town. They laughed and said they were sorry and asked, more like demanded subtly, that my part of the family attend. My dad was already stuck as a pallbearer so we got dragged along for the ride. Needless to say it was boring but enlightening none the less. I don't want to be in a room with that many old people for a while though. I swear, every lady over 40 in that church had the same basic hairsyle. Adventist old people, all cast out of the same mold. *shudder*
The day ended on a better note. I got to have a movie night with friends and got some pretty nice swag, including a decent amount of cash, most of which was spent yesterday buying myself an iPod mini for a good price at work. The girlfriend found me a WW2 combat knife, a dvd or three were obtained through various sources, a new journal was aquired, a massive miliary history book was also procured, music of the soundtrack type was gotten, and last but not least a new set of bedroom slippers. Not bad at all considering my car was also part of the bargin. It just ended up being an early birthday present. I don't expect much for christmas. ;)
Friday, November 11, 2005
Revenge of the Sibling...
Well its that time of year again. The first of eight days of the year that my brother can stand tall and state proudly that he is four years younger then myself, not the usual five. His reign of slight olderness will end when I turn 21 on the 19th, taking the difference offically back to five years. Ah the joys of brothers. I surprised him after drama practice by picking him up and treating him to a fast food dinner and a $20 shopping spree at Hottopic...which was passed by in favor of Suncoast and the new Batman movie on dvd. Such a fickle boy. Bah...what are little brothers for? Certainly not to make sense.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Wheel Deals...
Well its happened. I am now the proud driver of a 1991 toyota camary. No more rainy bike rides to school or work. No more bumming rides off of friends, at least regularly. And no more relying on parents for day to day transport. Its a nice feeling. I finally have the freedom of wheels and now I've caught a glimpse of why it is people can be so obsessive about their cars. Its not a car to brag about. Its no frills white, no cd player, and its has it share of problems being as old as it is. It does have a V6 under the hood which gives it more umpf then any other car i've driven for any amount of time. But in its own special way its rapidly becoming a smile inducer for me. I'm working on a name for it(yes i'm naming it, no its not a boat, so sue me) and i've already begun customizing the interior. No major expenditures of money, just the basics like new floorpads, rear view mirror danglers of some sort, and seat covers. I'm sure i'll be writing more about it in the coming weeks and months but for now bed is calling. Its been an eventful day and I need sleep.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Maybe not from Venus, but Still Pretty Weird...
Well its been a busy week and boy am I glad its over. Worked monday through friday, got rained on heavily tues and thurs night, had a midterm, and generally wore myself out. It is such a blessing to sit down and not worry about work tomorrow. I can rest, relax, and get a little more Neon Genesis Evangelion watching in. Got my second check today as well, its been what i've pushed my self towards this week. Anyway...
Saw a very interesting play on wednesday. I'm sure Daphne will write something about it so i'll simply say that it was cool. But one little thing I want to hit on was something that happened just before the play. Daphne and I were the first ones into the theater so we got to see everyone else come in. About 10 minutes before the show started a man and two ladies came in and sat directly behind us. The ladies were chatting like they were old friends but the guy kept quiet. I of course, being bored, listened in. Suddenly, in mid conversation one of the ladies turned to the guy and said "Oh, this is (insert name here), I met her in line for the bathroom." The man said hello to the new bathroom aquaintance and the ladies then continued to talk. I for one wanted to sputter and laugh. Met her in line for the bathroom and already talkin like that?! Wow. I was struck once again how differently men and women are wired. Guys try their best to ignore each other and not make eye contact in the bathroom for fear that someone might think they were 'checkin them out' or something. Girls on the other hand apparently talk freely and even make friends in the bathroom. Simply amazing.
Saw a very interesting play on wednesday. I'm sure Daphne will write something about it so i'll simply say that it was cool. But one little thing I want to hit on was something that happened just before the play. Daphne and I were the first ones into the theater so we got to see everyone else come in. About 10 minutes before the show started a man and two ladies came in and sat directly behind us. The ladies were chatting like they were old friends but the guy kept quiet. I of course, being bored, listened in. Suddenly, in mid conversation one of the ladies turned to the guy and said "Oh, this is (insert name here), I met her in line for the bathroom." The man said hello to the new bathroom aquaintance and the ladies then continued to talk. I for one wanted to sputter and laugh. Met her in line for the bathroom and already talkin like that?! Wow. I was struck once again how differently men and women are wired. Guys try their best to ignore each other and not make eye contact in the bathroom for fear that someone might think they were 'checkin them out' or something. Girls on the other hand apparently talk freely and even make friends in the bathroom. Simply amazing.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Life's Proverbial "Hidden Level"...
Its always interesting to find a friend in someone you've 'known' for a while. The people you see every other day at school. The person that hangs out in the same group as you but that you've never taken the time to know. One such friendship has been cultivated over the past week. A guy a year or so older then me that plays magic the gathering in the campus center of my local community college that I attend has suddenly jumped into my rapidly growing circle of new game friends. I've known his name only for a couple of weeks now but before then i've known him for his constant wearing of german combat camo and his love of high detail military action figures, the kind that come with every little bit of gear possible. We got into several discussions on guns/tanks/planes/etc and soon discovered we could carry on a conversation about any military topic far longer then any other person was willing to. He's probably the only other guy my age that I know that can rattle off as much inane military history knowledge as I can and honestly, its hella fun. Granted this isn't the kind of friendship that extends outside of school or the occasional game shop but its really quite a find for me. Its like unlocking the hidden passage in a game that leads you to a whole new 'secret level'. Maybe not on that same intensity level but it sure has some of the same feeling.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
See This Look? It's Called Pain...
I have to be a glutton for punishment. Got the snot beat out of me in TKD again today. Thursdays are the day we do full contact sparring. Now I didn't join this class to learn how to fight as a sport, I joined for the physical and mental concentration that comes from learning your forms and staying in shape. Unfortunately for me the class is geared to prepare you for the twice a year tournys that they have here in oregon. They don't expect you to go but they prep you more for that then for self defense etc. Anyway...went up against the 2 highest belts in the class outside of the teacher and 2 of the top ten in the class. They left me with blisters, faint bruises, and a limp that still hasn't faded away. But it was a learning experience for me. Now I know to possition myself better in line so I can avoid the higher belts.
Should be getting my first paycheck tomorrow. After three weeks of work I really need a reminder of why i'm doing this. Over 300 dollars in my pocket will help remind me very well. It can't come soon enough. Yet it seems to already be burning a hole in my pocket. I've begun noticing more things that I think/feel I need. Most of them are just plain out stupid and won't get past the 'i wish' point but there are a few that need some more consideration. I intend to keep a tighter reign on my money now that i'll be pulling in more then i've ever gotten from one job.
The rain has returned to the Northwest after a very long dry summer. I've really missed the wet and dark. Gives me more of a reason to stay indoors. Plus it feeds that bit of melancholy and keeps it from getting out of hand. The comforters have appeared on beds, heavier clothing has pushed the light summer wear out of the way in my closet, and biking to work has begun to look less and less inviting. Thus my families increased interest in getting me a car. We're looking at several early to mid 90s hondas. I must admit that the idea of getting one is really getting to me now that there's actually a very real chance for one. Now every time I have to take the bus or use my bike when its cold or wet I end up telling myself that car can't come soon enough. Hopefully I won't have to wait much longer. Wonder what i'll name it...
Thursday, October 06, 2005
To Be Lazy Once Again...
That's about what I feel like after today. Get up early, hitch a ride to class so I can nearly kill myself working out and get the stuffing beaten out of me by other students (Tae Kwon Do), take the bus home, do chores, eat a quick dinner, rush to work, work to close doing parts of my job for the first time, and finally stumble home at 10:30 so I can do my best impression of a puddle of human...stuff...in front of my computer. I really need to stop talkin bout work otherwise thats all my posts will become.
On the Fanfiction front...due to a certain traumatic experience a couple weeks ago I was put off writing while my mind tried to reboot. But now that the problem has been resolved I no longer have that excuse. Work and School, however, have easily taken up the load. Added to this I've hit something of a dry spell. I know where I want to go with my stories but I don't know how to fill in the small spaces at the moment. I've also had the recent problem of wanting to read more then write. But despite all this i'm gonna kick myself into gear and try to get something out for the sake of keeping people happy and appeasing my own desires. Look for something soon.
Current Music: One Night in Bangkok, Murray Head
Monday, October 03, 2005
Barely Worth the Update...
I head off to work again in about 20 minutes. 7 1/2 hours of work for me today. *shudder* That's almost more then what several of my friends get in one week. I already know my feet are gonna be hurting by the end of the day. I'm gonna be hungry too since I won't have any money to get dinner during my break. Gonna have to wait till next monday to get my first paycheck so i'm gonna have to pack a lunch till then. blarg...
Saw "Just Like Heaven" last night with Daphne. Oh yeah, I didn't say as much...but we're back together. A very confusing and painful affair but you've just gotta expect some speed bumps and potholes along the road of life. Anyway, the movie was pretty good. A little corny at times but i've also come to expect that from most chick flicks. Heheheh, but then you might be able to say that of some of the anime I watch. One thing's for sure, she's got leverage on me now since I was the one that suggested the movie. Oh well...gotta get dressed for work. I'm gonna get there early again, I just know it. But until I know the bus route and how long it takes me to get there i'm gonna leave early and just take a book to read if i'm early.
Saw "Just Like Heaven" last night with Daphne. Oh yeah, I didn't say as much...but we're back together. A very confusing and painful affair but you've just gotta expect some speed bumps and potholes along the road of life. Anyway, the movie was pretty good. A little corny at times but i've also come to expect that from most chick flicks. Heheheh, but then you might be able to say that of some of the anime I watch. One thing's for sure, she's got leverage on me now since I was the one that suggested the movie. Oh well...gotta get dressed for work. I'm gonna get there early again, I just know it. But until I know the bus route and how long it takes me to get there i'm gonna leave early and just take a book to read if i'm early.
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