Almost half way there...

It's just a spirit thing

2010-07-23T22:14:00.003-05:00

Everything in my world, every thing, is pointless. What used to fill my veins with adrenaline, with awe and inspiration; what once was to me of utmost desires; these things I'm afraid I've lost. Every thing is all a matter of perspective. When one is in tune with some thing greater then the secular, every thing blossoms. Every thing blooms. Every thing has color and fragrance. And it is worth a

The meaning of travel

2009-07-15T23:21:00.001-05:00

This October 9th of 2009 will be the Best of Egypt trip via GAP Adventures. Can't wait.“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” - Miriam Beard

Best of Africa.

2009-06-27T21:28:00.002-05:00

Trip to Egypt, Africa.Going with Dr. Alice King & family and Laurie & Wendy.Should be a blast, minus the bed bugs.

Beautiful

2009-04-08T20:16:00.003-05:00

This girl, this lady, woman, this angel. Her name, Alyssa. Her hair, a dark brown silk. Her smile, incredibly contagious. And her eyes, her best feature, like two fluttering butterflies.With our eyes locked and a mutual smile exchanged, my heart became captivated; my soul constantly haunted by her.Strangely I feel great joy for her even though she is taken. Taken by some incredibly lucky man. No

2009 - the year i woke up.

2009-03-11T23:37:00.002-05:00

In March 2009 i learned, realized, that im selfish and loveless. Im so incredibly self-centered without a care in the world for friend or family. Looking back thru all the years proves it. There is no doubt that im the worst human being alive.So now i suffer the great pain that is lovelessness - the lack of love. This absense had not been known before. But for a moment i had the grace of knowing

Why Can't I Open Up?

2009-02-28T20:57:00.002-06:00

What's wrong with me? I mean seriously, what the hell is wrong with me!? I don't know a good thing when I see it. A bright, funny, and pretty girl basically serves herself to me on a silver plate and yet I don't take it. What the FREAK is wrong with me? Why was I so reluctant? Why was I so cautious, so timid, ... so stupid?I'm tired of learning from my mistakes. I'm tired of feeling my heart

Fighting genetics till the day I die.

2009-02-20T01:02:00.004-06:00

Some people are blessed with a full set of hair. A long, long time ago I was taught how you can predict whether someone will be bald or not. Basically if you have a big forehead then you are doomed for a receding hairline. On the other hand, a small forehead (a lower hairline) indicates that you are blessed and that you will likely never go bald.I've been doing a ton of research on what makes us

Ramblings

2009-01-11T21:14:00.002-06:00

thinking about applying for the FBI, just for kicks, so i can learn basic tactical hands-on combat and guns, so i can learn how to shoot and reload a gun.I see how some people i know are always on the road, traveling, looks like they always seem to have fun. I see this as they travel around the world while posting snapshots of their experience on facebook. im sure they can't be saving too much

YouTube Viewer Hits

2008-12-14T10:47:00.003-06:00

It's been 2 years since my posting of Song from a Secret Garden. So far it's generated 484,035 views. I guess that's not bad, but it certainly could be better! My goal is obviously hit the 1,000,000 mark. Hmm, let's see....how can i help promote more viewing of this video? And it's not just for views. I think watching this causes every body to pause and search their soul. This is a good thing. A

Bolivia Crossing

2008-10-26T21:51:00.004-05:00

- Log: April 26, 2008 -In Argentina, Buenos Aires, people tend to greet each other with a small kiss on the cheek, or a simulated mock kiss, on both cheeks. This is very cool.I will need to return to this place called Buenos Aires just because I didn't get the city tour as I was expecting. I can blame GAP Adventures solely on this.Speaking of GAP, my first tour with them, Bolivia Crossing, was a

New Orleans Evacuation

2008-08-28T16:27:00.003-05:00

I've been commuting to New Orleans (right next to Canal St., across from Bourbon) for about 3 weeks now. This week i walked down Bourbon St. for the first time. Man was that a crazy experience; and that was on a Monday too! Went down to another district near the shore where the houses are smaller than those in the French Quarter with live music, jam sessions, and all kinds of bars. Had an amazing

Gazing

2008-08-23T03:08:00.002-05:00

Every night I love to look at the night sky. I prefer clear night skies so that I can see the stars and the moon. I don't mind whether the moon is full or not for I can appreciate it at any time and any place. I don't mind if the air is cloudy. The clouds add a different perspective to the awe that goes through my mind.When I gaze at what now seem to be distant yet familiar friends, I get

Mental drug.

2008-07-21T15:15:00.002-05:00

It's amazing how meeting that one person, the so-called soul mate, can change your life forever.I'm not saying I found that soul, because honestly i don't know if she is the right one. But one thing is clear, she is about the closest to a soul mate that I know. And she is back. After so many years, she is back in my life. But I must keep level and cool about this. Yes, I must.

Losing weight.

2008-05-26T22:44:00.002-05:00

I can't believe I lost 10 lbs. Never happened before other than the time I spent in Kenya.Life is becoming colder. There's less of a spirit. For all intents and purposes, life without a spirit is dead. Today I see living as waking up to go to work. This is exactly how it is for most world citizens. It applies to all, more or less. It is not exclusive to us fat Americans. Yes we're fat, very fat,

Surviving through 2012

2008-04-10T21:51:00.003-05:00

In 2012 I will be 35 years old. For almost 30 years I have welcomed adventure and have been able to deal with life's challenges. I have lived life thus far with great appreciation for nature and mankind. I have been fairly optimistic about life, about family, and a comfortable death.But today I am terrified beyond description. In fact I can say that I am completely shocked and mortified by fear

A Time Capsule

2008-03-28T10:02:00.013-05:00

The following entry was written late last night.Today I had a little too much caffeine throughout the day. So hereI am, at 3 amin the morning, with no sleep coming to me. It is times like these when my mindis the most clear, when it is the most sane.Right now I feel like writing a poem, but I won't give it a title. Strangely it's poetry like this that are the most piercing and the most telling. I

The night sky.

2008-01-27T22:48:00.001-06:00

Tonight's night sky was near perfect. There were traces of soft clouds that were smothered across the sky with a dark twilight backdrop with no visible moon. Not sure where the moon was, but i wasn't looking for it. Instead, there were vivid twinkling stars, one of which was bright orange.This is the kind of sky that evoke the emotions of the conscious, the dreams of the subconscious, and

Ellen, exercise, and the looming vacation.

2008-01-24T04:55:00.000-06:00

Good Lord! Ellen Degeneres has THE best show on TV!Not only is she seemingly smart, but she's whitty, clever, funny, and definitely entertaining to watch. She's always smiling, she the spiffiest dresser, and she can dance like a mad-woman cool-cat like no tomorrow.Seriously though, she's an awesome dresser and an awesome dancer. Seriously, her personality kinda rubs off on you, and next thing you

A fair warning.

2007-12-30T15:04:00.000-06:00

"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security."- Benjamin Franklin

A little piece of heaven.

2007-12-29T23:32:00.001-06:00

I was soaking in what I believed to be a picture of heaven, pretty stereotypical walls, stones, statues, all made up with white stones. But then I thought to myself that this can't be heaven. But then I doubted myself and wondered maybe it is. But then I doubted even that.I glanced at a brick that was a piece of a short wall that came up to my knee. The brick stuck out like a soar thumb with it's

Beware: Dog may look nice, but it is trained to kill!!

2007-12-23T12:10:00.000-06:00

I'm seeing a near carbon-copy of our idiotic American president, the American Idiot, W. Bush. His name is Mike Huckabee.If Republicans nominate his way, we're in for another sinister group that is corrupt, arrogant, catastrophically righteous. Listen, poke, prod, and discover, but don't look. It's another Wolf in Sheep's clothing.Heaven forbid there be a copy of Dick Cheney.

I'm with stupid.

2007-12-14T23:04:00.000-06:00

I think people who watch, dress-up, or behave like Borat in any way are stupid.I can't think of any other explanation. It is stupid. Borat-loving people are stupid. Borat is way stupid. And this post is stupid.

America, the new face of fascism.

2007-12-11T23:21:00.000-06:00

Yes. The title is true. Look up "fascism" at Dictionary.com, and try to tell yourself that the U.S. is not becoming an emerging fascist powerhouse. Try it. It's hard.Chicago is way too fucking cold. Can't live there. Great place to visit. But not nearly enough warm days with sky-high costs to live there. I'd rather live in the desert somewhere. Oh wait. I love the desert.It turned out my

December 16th.

2007-12-02T23:12:00.001-06:00

The Boston Tea Party eventually proved to be one of the many catalysts which led to the American Revolutionary War. At the very least, the Boston Tea Party and the reaction that followed served to rally support for revolutionaries in the thirteen colonies who were eventually successful in their fight for independence.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Tea_PartySo December 16, 2007 is Boston Tea

A change in destination.

2007-11-16T16:14:00.000-06:00

Above: A 4WD jeep ride through South AmericaChanging destination from Peru to Chile although i'll still be hitting Machu Pichu on a 26 day adventure excursion through South America.Above: A 4WD jeep ride through Uyuni, the world's largest salt plains.Above: An amazing view of the hidden and mysterious city of Machu Picchu.Tentative date: April 2008Can't wait.

Everything Happens For A Reason

2007-11-09T21:25:00.001-06:00

Well that's what they say anyway.

The traveler's dream.

2007-11-02T12:29:00.000-05:00

I believe every man and woman should travel, at least 2-3 times of long extended excursions. It's good for the soul and brings about perspective, experience, and wonder.As I was shopping for Alaskan cruise vacations for my parents, I learned that Alaska is now easily on top of my destinations radar. Absolutely gorgeous and pristine landscapes is what attracts me to it.And I swear, seeing some of

Split into two mental states.

2007-10-28T23:34:00.000-05:00

Some days i have small bursts and flashes of euphoria. They come and go. And they're probably triggered by a number of mental variables converging at the right moment in time and space to create electrical and chemical reactions that are responsible for this short-lived wonderful feeling.Then there are days when I'm depressed; feeling down due to the mortality of it all and the unknowns of what

American Shame.

2007-10-18T23:51:00.000-05:00

There is one man that I know of who strives for the American dream, the real American dream. I've seen countless folks who vote, who openly wear patriot pins, who advertises their political bias or tries to voice their support for the troops overseas by way of bumper stickers, and i've certainly seen my fair share of green lawns and picket fences, mortgaged and bought with that very intention of

Machu Picchu Adventure coming up!

2007-10-14T22:34:00.000-05:00

I haven't exactly been active in looking for that next great adventure travel. After my first real adventure in Belize (http://edan.48thfloor.com/belize), I've decided that the Ultimate Adventure was not as physically demanded as I had wished for. Don't get me wrong, some portions were grueling and tough, like the several hours of kayaking against the current, or the paddling a raft upstream

I found my 1st geocache! Woohoo!!

2007-10-13T12:07:00.000-05:00

Now I know what geocaching is all about. I just followed the little arrow on the GPS screen as it guided me to the destination marked with a treasure chest icon which was labeled as "cemetery".Below: What looks like a new chapel adjacent to the cemetery.Below: An much older chapel with a bright red door standing next to a windmill.I Drove thru winding residential roads to get to an intentionally

Fwd: We only have one chance

2007-10-10T09:13:00.001-05:00

Hey, It's almost 2008.Make a choice if you haven't already done so.Thanks.Have a great day.--- Ron Paul 2008 wrote:> Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2007 07:01:44 -0400> To: > From: "Ron Paul 2008" > Subject: We only have one chance> > October 10, 2007> > > Around the beginning of August, our campaign set a> fundraising goal for the third

Distracted.

2007-09-26T20:49:00.000-05:00

I've been distracted by a couple of off-tangent books that I found on the floor during kendo class. Instead of spending quality time with Steinbeck I've taken a slight detour with Lois Lowry and Kurt Vonnegut.Slaughter-House-Five, a silly anti-war book, doesn't even come close. But it is barely passable for good reading. So I'm reading it although I've always ended up taking a nap during that

Turning 30.

2007-09-03T22:00:00.000-05:00

I bore through my first earthquake this past week in California, and although I was oblivious to it when it occured it sure was pretty scary afterward when I had time to think about it. I never realized that when the earth shakes it is loud.I am turning 30 in a few days but it won't feel any different because I've already been feeling the signs of age. Sad thing is that things will only gradually

Calling All Political Assassins

2007-08-21T21:00:00.000-05:00

Somewhere Iran, perhaps in Bahgdad, modern-day Babylon, will presumably be attacked by the United States and allied nations in 6 months' time. A Red China and a revitalized Russia is joining military forces to boast of damage and destruction. Whoopdee dooo. Meantime Iraq is not improving while U.S. and British forces are spread too thin across the globe.We are doomed.When did fucking militarism

Township Rebellion

2007-08-10T23:02:00.000-05:00

Rebel, rebel and yell'Cause our people still dwell in hellLocked in a cellYes, the structure's a cellMad is the story I tellHow long can we wait?Come on, seein' what's at stakeAction for reactionIf your mind's in a somewhat complacent stateGet a check upThis is a stick upOur freedom or your lifeLord, I wish I could be peacfulBut there can be no sequelNow freedom must be fundamentalIn Johannesburg

Walking slowly back to the stars.

2007-08-10T15:41:00.000-05:00

Walk slow, not necessarily casual, but just slow. I discovered through the natural evolution of self-awareness that I walk too fast just to get to a point in time and space, but for no particular reason but to get there early or on time. When I walk out from an airplane everybody practicalyl runs out. I hate this. I need to take it slow.Gave a book I completed while waiting for my Dallas bound

Designed to inadvertently worship Baal ?

2007-08-03T19:24:00.000-05:00

What the heck? Most people wouldn't think twice about this, but when I saw the cow statue I heard sirens and warning lights. The artist wasn't very subtle about this one.What bothers me the most about this is that this is at a children's hospital. I guess they're getting them started young these days.

America in distress

2007-07-28T23:36:00.000-05:00

Who doesn't like freedom these days? I say everybody likes it, except for the American government. I used to despise the ACLU, but now I truly believe it exists for the benefit of America. Faster than i'd ever expected, the face of America is changing. In the name of national security and patriotism, freedoms are being lost all the time. Martial law is slowly taking over as well. All facets of

grossly simplified blog entry

2007-07-28T00:04:00.000-05:00

Books are all about story.People are all about life.

High five margaritas!

2007-07-25T22:16:00.000-05:00

What a crazy title, eh? MD Anderson is huge. Feels like I'm walking in a science fiction movie - a cross between Minority Report and IRobot. I misread a sign that read "To Mays Clinic" as "The Mayo Clinic". Lol I'm such a idgiot lol. I walk to and from work every day. It takes 15 minutes walking through the surreal streets of this neighborhood region full of city highrise buildings plated with

281

2007-07-20T08:43:00.000-05:00

When my brother graduated as a fireman the entire division demonstrated some skills.Here, my brother and fellow teammates recover a propane tank that's out of control.

Men.

2007-07-19T19:25:00.000-05:00

I would not be overly surprised if unitiated visitors thought the kendo club is full of fags.I mean, after all, we do yell "Men!" all day long.The men is the head piece, the armor deisgned as the head protector. This is called the men.I think this is accurate, so don't take my word for this.This is my men.

Yay. A Cruise Ship for Republicans.

2007-07-17T15:15:00.000-05:00

Look closely at these photos and you will see many elderly caucasians. Look closely because they are rich and powerful. They run the U.S.http://www.nrcruise.com/Pages/photo_gallery.htmFortunately they are old. Unfortunately they have children that probably think like them. They think like racists because they are racists. They like to think of themselves as classy, refined, and well-traveled. But

Simple and complicated

2007-07-16T13:55:00.000-05:00

How many things in this world can you genuinely say is simple yet equally so complicated?How about this painting, Starry Night?Try to appreciate the colors, the textures, the shapes, the spaces. Is this not one of the most contradicting thing you have ever seen in your life?One of my favorite classes in college was Art Appreciation, not because it was easy, but because it was... complicated. This

Becoming the FBI or CIA I once dreamed of.

2007-07-13T12:39:00.000-05:00

I would've never made it as an FBI or CIA officer. Now I know that I would've never made the cut, and I'll tell you why.Today I shot and killed a squirrel because it was eating off of my mother's date tree. I shot it 5 times; the first piercing it's right ear which disabled its ability to climb the fence and escape its inevitable death. So it stood there behind any kind of cover it could find,

Apples and Oranges

2007-07-12T10:54:00.000-05:00

I think this is a pretty accurate depiction of how mega CEO's from mega corporations behave. Corporations are in it for pure profit, plain and simple. And we consumers are just as selfish and just as greedy, sometimes. But in a perfect world, in my world, there'd be no computing machinery.

Less Kendo, More Reading.

2007-07-10T12:47:00.001-05:00

I'm finding less time being spent in Kendo attendance, but this is mostly due to the fact that Kendo is starting to become painful, painful on my feet, toes, my back, and arms, wrists, and soon to be my head. I do like the fact that I sweat like there's no tomorrow though.I am going back to one of my favorite (is this the right spelling?) literature masters, John Steinbeck. I picked up my first

Detailed descriptions of holding a sword.

2007-07-02T10:12:00.001-05:00

There is a proper way to hold a sword as there is a wrong way to hold a sword.I've made this mistake once in front of class which was brought out by an unexpected participation during those moments when the teacher/instructor picks you out. At that point you either demonstrate that you know it or you don't. It's like one of those moments when a coach gathers his team around in a circle and select

Aculturalism, assimilation, and scary politics.

2007-06-28T13:12:00.000-05:00

Aculturalism is a beautiful thing. The opposite, assimilation, is a stupid and naive thing. I know many folks who assimilate into the "American" culture and society. This is actually kind of a misnomer if you think about it. But still many people think they now "fit in" with the rest of the "American society." And by the rest of American society, of course, I mean the society that the media

Busted Lip + Bruised Arm = Pain

2007-06-26T10:25:00.000-05:00

During a recent kendo practice i was accidentally hit on my lip by a Frenchman. I wasn't wearing the face protector so my lip was smashed into a tooth which caused blood to come out. The next day the bruise was noticeable and big as it was swollen. My arm, even with the gauntlet protection, still manages to break blood vessels which cause blood spots to appear. So I ordered an extra arm padding.

buffalo buffalo huh?

2007-06-19T13:32:00.000-05:00

No matter how many times I think about this I always end up laughing about it.

Snakes in a Dream

2007-06-15T08:58:00.000-05:00

Long time ago I had a reoccuring dream involving a forest with open prairie fields and snakes. In this dream it would start pouring buckets of rain, eroding away the red alkaline soil. Then suddenly everywhere I go and everywhere I look, I could see snakes. Snakes trying to stay dry. Snakes lying in mud having been revealed by the washed away earth. And any escape route that I sought was hindered

A-Z Survey

2007-06-03T22:09:00.000-05:00

A• Are you available?: Yes• What is your age?: 29• What annoys you?: Arrogance, prejudice, and racismB• Do you know anyone named Billy?: yes• When is your birthday?: September 6, 1977• Who is your best friend? My dog, who died over 10 years ago.C• What's your favorite candy?: n/a• Do you have a crush?: What's a crush?• When was the last time you cried?: Maybe a few months ago.D• Do you daydream?:

Interesting times.

2007-05-25T21:21:00.000-05:00

For the past whole month my flights have been pretty turbulent, always having to go through storms between Houston and Dallas. But I've learned to grow nerves of steel, because it's actually much safer than say, riding a roller coaster.Exciting times right now. About to roll-off a project. Starting my MCPD certification testing which is actually kinda fun (already got one). There's also a couple

2007-05-18T00:27:00.000-05:00

In need of a new country.

2007-05-15T23:38:00.000-05:00

The Ku Klux Klan is largely populated by white protestants and often had members of political power. It is a good litmus for its mother, the United States of America. This great western power known as America is never mentioned in biblical prophecy. But I would not be in the least surprised to see the day when the U.S. of A reveals its true identity as the biblical beast of armaggedon lore. What

Surrendering

2007-05-08T09:56:00.000-05:00

In another life I think I lived somewhere in Europe, like Greece or Italy.Five months of bare-feet sliding and stomping is starting to take its toll. My feet hurt.The atmosphere above the clouds sometimes reveal another layer of clouds above it so that the pure, turbulant air is trapped between two walls of fluffy, puffy, yet dangerous, cotton candy. It's a totally different world up there -

Tougher than I thought

2007-04-29T18:10:00.000-05:00

Kendo attendance was low today due to post-tournament syndrome.In my previous post I mentioned how I had sweated real hard but didn't feel totally exhausted.Well today I nearly died from exhaustion and fatigue. I think the dojo is trying to get the rookies to raise the bar one or two notches in order to even consider having us practicing with the rest.

a milestone.

2007-04-27T16:46:00.000-05:00

I don't know why, but all day yesterday I was high off of something. I had a very heightened sense of euphoria. I imagine heaven will be something like that. It will only be better because we will always have a heightened sense of euphoria which never goes away.Last night I sweated like I never sweated before. I've ran long distances and bicycled even longer. But nothing like that came close to

A New Kind of Warrior

2007-04-14T19:52:00.000-05:00

Does the bomb or gun mean the end of the warrior? Or is it the birth of a new warrior, no longer defined by war? What is a warrior to do when he can no longer relate to war?Japan was perhaps the first to face this question as a nation, and it was all the more dramatic as the warrior ethic pervaded all things Japanese. The winner of World War II, who has made as its proud boast: "the business of

An exerpt from The Earth Scroll

2007-04-06T10:47:00.000-05:00

Buddhism is a way of helping people, Confuciansim is a way of reforming culture. For the physician, healing is a way of life; a poet teaches the art of poetry. Others pursue fortune-telling, archery, or various other arts and crafts. People practice the ways to which they are inclined, developing individual preferences. Few people are fond of the martial way of life.

My shinai, the extension of my arm.

2007-03-28T23:04:00.000-05:00

The shinai is the bamboo sword used during Japanese swordplay so that combatants can attack using force and actually hit their opponents without fear of serious injury. Before this mock sword was invented it was all about the bokken, or solid wooden sword. In Kendo Kata the bokken never touched the opponent, or rather the partner. But today in Kendo the standard length shinai is the weapon of

the different splendid people

2007-03-25T20:58:00.000-05:00

I think I partially understand why I am so drawn in to this world of kendo, the samuari, and nearly all things East Asian. It is because of its exotic and vast differences when compared side by side with the west. So this whole experiment with cutting out organized church attendance is another realm of that freedom of expression.This world, especially the western part of it, says that by a

Owned.

2007-03-22T23:11:00.000-05:00

Today I learned my true state of Kendo physical and mental affair. A beginner more beginning than I performed decisively better at an alarming geometric rate. His rookie technique looked more like an experienced seasoned rookie. His form was impeccably perfect. His kiai and right foot deadlocked at the highly sought-after sweetspot of rythm and timing. Man he put us to shame no doubt. I taught

Aikido smakido

2007-03-18T00:17:00.000-05:00

They say it takes years and years and years to learn Aikido.Judging by what I've seen and learned, their teaching methods are completely flawed. If it were any more flawed the whole thing would border on being criminal. It's way too flawed to be frustrated about it. It's beyond that. It's so flawed that the only thing you can do is shake your head and laugh about it. And that's what I'm doing

I'm a fighter, not a lover.

2007-03-10T00:50:00.000-06:00

Three hundred, but better known as 300. It's what in my opinion is the big movie of the year.And it's movies like these that inspire and stir our imagination, makes us think and rethink, about bloodshed, war, politics, religion, humanity. Tomorrow, bright and early in the morning, I report to my first day as a student of Aikido - the secret of self-defense and inner power. How appropriate that

Nabeshima Cup

2007-02-27T22:04:00.000-06:00

Every 2 years DFWKIK.org hosts the Nabeshima Cup right here in Dallas, TX. This year the Cup will be held in April. Really reconsidering Aikido as it is definitely much more physically applicable from a self-defense perspective.

Dancing with swords

2007-02-16T20:45:00.000-06:00

It must be by sheer coincidence that 2007 is my year of the dance. Just like common Japanese buisiness confrontations, the art of Kendo can teach those qualities that will help, if kept, in every day life. Qualities such as eye-contact, taking the initiative versus appropriately responding, prominent vocals, and respect are all commonalities shared between these two arts. And just like dancing,

Aikido, being single, and the Grand Canyon.

2007-02-14T23:25:00.000-06:00

I am considering taking up another martial art called Aikido. Will investigate if it will work out for me.Being out-of-town all the time leaves me no time to cultivate relationships, let alone friends. What little friends I had are now a distant memory.I'm on a 10-year waiting list for white water rafting in the Grand Canyon. My time for waiting will end at 2008 which is just over the horizon.

My photographs for DFWKIK.org

2007-02-10T13:50:00.000-06:00

Sheathing a Katana during Iaido practice.Sunday morning Iaido practice, held at a private school gymnasium.Demonstrating the proper way to hit with the shinai.About to hit the men (head) with a shinai.In proper kamai.Shinai's are swinging everywhere.Kendo warmup exercises.

Uniform

2007-02-04T20:04:00.000-06:00

Went to Iaido practice today at 9 AM. I don't practice Iaido because i'm clumsy enough to accidentally slice my own arm off. So I stick with the sticks. I went that early to get some good shots on film for the next public viewing of the DFWKIK club organization. There are lots of events coming up, one of which is the Nabeshima Cup which is held every two years.I did receive my uniform, the

The bitterness of corporate life.

2007-01-17T01:06:00.000-06:00

I work with smart morons. They are well-learned and mentally-sharp, thus categorizing them as smart. But they're so stupid, effectively lumping them all together as morons and infantiles. Okay so why am I acting stupid myself? I don't know, I guess I'm just amazed and fed up.Meals must absolutely revolve around meat. Eating international cuisines is okay, but only if they've tried it before,

the Book of Five Rings

2007-01-07T14:39:00.000-06:00

Some people have asked me if taking Kendo lessons is conflicting with my christian spirituality. My answer is simple - "No, it does not." Why should it? Just because I'm tactically training to strike a torso, slice a head, or chop off a wrist, that doesn't make me a bad person. Does it? Of course not!Today is the day I pick up my sword. No, it's the day I pick up my sword and stand in the front

Twisted and rotting.

2006-12-26T17:07:00.000-06:00

What a unique Christmas this has been. I learned this time that I'm surrounded by masks - disguise-wearing lies that dance while looking down and shunning every thing good and holy and pure. Officially my life is innocent like a child no more. And after all this I feel so much regret and so much sorrow for Mother, because she seems like the only source of warmth-giving light.I've never seen a

Extremists in general and the way of the sword

2006-12-24T13:27:00.000-06:00

At this sliced peeping view into my life, I'd say avoid extremists. There are always two sides. And I say that either say is not a good place to be, although both sides will say otherwise. Don't be a sheep with perfectly good eyes who's blinded by those who are far out there. I'm being too general, way too general. Unless you know what I'm talking I'm just wasting my time and your time.The way of

An Avanade Christmas Gathering.

2006-12-15T23:53:00.000-06:00

So I had my first major networking event with Avanade, the consulting firm that I now work for.Lot's of cool, hip peeps, them Avanauts. I met my recruiters for the first time since going thru the recruiting process, which was nice. Met my career manager, Toshi, which was cool too. Met new folks, which was fun of course. It was awesome to finally put faces to a company that operates thru virtual

A Snapshot of My Life on December 8, 2006

2006-12-08T22:12:00.000-06:00

This is the first I am writing about because it just so happens to be the first thing on my mind right now. No, I'm not a workaholic, at least not yet; but it has been on the forefront of me for a month now. It is my 1 month anniversary at Avanade. Just when I get comfortable being at wherever I'm located, whether it be at a remote client location or at home, I wake up the next day only to catch

Giving Blogging Another Try

2006-11-25T22:09:00.000-06:00

This blog was formerly deprecated (no longer in service) as I found it to be distracting and an annoyance to my daily living. This is still evident with the previous "Dead End" post.I rediscovered why I decided to do this blog thing in the first place. Yes, I still can't really see myself blogging when I'm 50, but alas, I think it be worth it to have something like this to look back upon, when I

the end zone.

2006-09-17T16:43:00.000-05:00

Yes it is american football season, again. And yes, this year the Dallas Cowboys do look better than ever. But I'm not talking about foot end zones. I'm talking about the end of this blog. Have you ever wondered what it would be like when you're like 40 or 50? Would you still be blogging? Would you still surf the internet, check your email? Would you have a computer and live a wired or a

About war and life comforts.

2006-09-04T00:04:00.000-05:00

It's the day before the 5th anniversary of the fallen WTC twin towers. My last minute plan to visit ground zero one last time is thwarted by my inadequate preparations for Monday's examination. Well actually it's been derailed because I am unable to effectively coax any of my colleagues-with-a-car to take me.So today is the Dallas Cowboys kickoff. I actually believe they'll go far this season.

new fireman and youtube plagiarism

2006-08-30T17:46:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to my brother William for taking the bold steps to living out his dream job, being a fireman.I discovered today while checking out a newly posted comment that somebody on YouTube had the nerve to "rip" one of my videos and then resubmit it as her own. What makes me mad is that she racked up over 1000 views, which means my original video has 1000 less potential views.Plagiarism is

A Fish in the sea.

2006-08-27T23:51:00.000-05:00

It's nearly 1 am Monday morning here as I lay in bed trying with all my might to put myself to sleep so I can be fresh and ready for the ADO exam. But my mind is racing like an ancient Roman chariot race. Is it exam anxiety? Is it my diet? Or could it be the 5 o'clock cup of coffee I had Sunday afternoon? In any case I can't sleep, so I'm now hand-picking one of them racing chariots and

Homesick for Texas

2006-08-27T13:40:00.000-05:00

This hotel in the middle of nowhere, aka East Hanover, NJ, is a funny place. Yesterday there were these grown up men wearing tutu's and ballerina outfits. They were caught dancing out in the back of the hotel to the tune of the music that goes "I'm so excited!..."Today the lobby is like a zoo full of people with children in boarding school trying to get their kids on the straight path and with

A home away from home.

2006-08-20T20:38:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it, i'm 60% almost done with this graduate program and i'm not even really home sick. I feel like i'm home away from home, honest. The east coast was a cold and dreary place that existed only in my imagination. It turns out that this place, the east coast, is a charming place with charming landmarks and charming people. My mini-refrigerator is practically empty, practically. But I

Hell's Kitchen

2006-08-14T21:01:00.000-05:00

This is my new favorite show. Hell's Kitchen. It keeps me on edge. Keeps my adrenlaine and anxiety up so high it would rival something like, oh, I don't know, sky diving? Yeah. Sky diving.This show makes Iron Chef look like some goofy, silly, and totally flawed cooking show concocted in Japan.Congratulations Heather. Some day I will visit the red rock casino and sample your special cooking.

Waxing and being honest

2006-08-13T09:38:00.000-05:00

Let's be honest. Some people, you can say, wax eloquently. But I prefer that we all just wax without the eloquence. It's less annoying and more effective. This seems to be true in the classroom, on the radio, behind the pulpit, face-to-face with a friend, face-to-face with a stranger.I'm starting to settle down, not completely unlike water separating from oil after it's been shaken or stirred.

NYC part deux

2006-08-09T16:17:00.000-05:00

Saw much more of Central Park this time around. Yes we even got lost. Had my first NY falafel, in addition to the chicken kebab hotdog BBQ on a stick - yum. Saw the Statue of Liberty eclipse out the setting sun on our way to Statin Island by ferry. Actually got that on high-res video. Nice, very nice. Saw a congested Times Square because of some kind of weekend open-market. Saw the city from a

Splendid Friday.

2006-08-04T14:43:00.000-05:00

Today (Friday) is the day our big library software project is due. After working on this day and night for this past week I feel relieved to have finally submitted this thing for grading. I feel like celebrating and enjoying my long-deserved weekend of sunshine and fresh air, and so I start to feel really good.....but only to fall, crumbling down in a dismal of thick black smoke and debris as I

Is it craziness or laziness?

2006-08-03T20:33:00.000-05:00

I've been told that the laundry machine on the 3rd floor takes 3 hours to wash clothes. I may have to put that rumor to the test as I haven't done laundry in a month.I don't believe it. Even still, I can be quite an ass sometimes.

Riddle me this

2006-07-31T22:21:00.000-05:00

LsOVoEm eANpDe oTpIlMeE - hTaHEv eSE iAtRE THaEn dONsLoY mTe pWOTeHoIpNlGeS IN dALoL ntTHE WO RLD A N D AL L O F L IF E T HA T C A NNO T B E B R OU GHT, BU T O N LY SPE N T.

Shot by a pool shark

2006-07-30T02:24:00.000-05:00

Today Chris got pulled over while barely driving out of his parking lane because I was sitting in the back of his truck (reading specs and requirements for our next big project). Fortunately they gave us a warning and let us go since we're all from out of state.It is Bob's 22nd birthday today. So we crossed highway 10 on foot by running and crossing over the concrete median so we could get to the

The Garden State

2006-07-27T17:52:00.000-05:00

Every license plate here says the Garden State. This place is definitely greener than where I'm from, and it feels sometimes like the Northwest. For the most part left turns do not exist here. Instead there are these things called "jug handles" which I kinda think is ingenious, yet at the same time totally ridiculous. Pizza's are noticeably bigger per slice and much thinner than what I'm used to.

NYC

2006-07-24T18:37:00.000-05:00

Ground Zero, NYC.Woo hoo! Rainy day in NYC!New York Times Square, baby!

What's life saying now?

2006-07-23T21:23:00.000-05:00

The eastern coast of North America is a charming and loveable place. I'm not sure if I can say anything more that is worthwhile than that.Looking back on things I can say a number of wise words for others and for myself as well.First of all, don't let music, books, or movies affect how you approach and handle serious moments of your life. More often than not they'll leave you on a deserted island

long nails and the middle east crisis.

2006-07-20T18:34:00.000-05:00

Years from now I will look back to the days when Israel fights back again Hezbollah, and it will remind me of very long fingernails. This has been the longest I've gone without cutting my nails. Just you and I, I cut my nails really close. Right now my nails are so long it feels and looks like I'm wearing fake nails. I guess it's about 1 to 2 cm in length.I went home today lying down in the back

a routine weekday in east hanover.

2006-07-18T22:45:00.000-05:00

East Hanover, I'm not even sure of the spelling, but it is a quiet little town. I'd say it's pretty much country-folk living here with a hint of the city lifestyle, just barely. My days are simple. It is so simple in fact that it is highly refreshing. I wake up to the tune of classical music on the radio at around 7 AM (it used to be a whining bell sound until i decided to do something about it

one wise proverb.

2006-07-15T17:37:00.000-05:00

There are many wise sayings. As you know you can find many good ones in fortune cookies. Here's one we all know but don't necessarily and consciously think about all the time. I think we should meditate on this everyday. So here's the proverb, it goes something like this:You don't know what you have until you end up losing it.

A bloody nice weather ~

2006-07-15T11:56:00.000-05:00

Today's overcast has a bit of a British flare - gloomy. but i like it because i've always envied the English for their overcast skies.im typing this in the lobby with dogs barking in the background. this weekend a local New Jersey dog show came in to the hotel conference room and struted their stuff. there's also a lot of gatherings related to weddings. people seem so happy during those parties

it's gonna be a bright, sunny day

2006-07-09T16:50:00.000-05:00

my study group downloads gigabytes of movies and other pirated software, burns it, but doesn't necessarily use it.i walked around today cuz it was a gorgeous day. i found a chinese grocery store and got a jar of korean-style kimchi. for all you doctors and nurses out there, kimchi is not dangerous. so get over it.so i basically hiked around trying to better know my community around my hotel.