a new year is upon us. what's in store? hopefully more paychecks, because i am broke.
with all the riffraff in the last few weeks of 2008, i won't be able to get back on track financially til about the last week of january. that is quite a problem. i broke some rules of mine and became lax on discipline. unforgivable. but some of my capital went to good causes. that is slightly acceptable.
christmas (the entire holiday season in general) got me fat. i need to get back to my regular eating habits and exercise regimen. otherwise, i won't be able to catch the jeepney when i'm running for my life in tuguegarao, cagayan.
one more ridiculously busy day of work tomorrow, followed by a new year's party and a day long break. what am i going to do on the first day of the new year? probably sleep all the way through it. i haven't had a solid 8 hours in 2 weeks.
i remember when i tried to write a few letters back then. it was good while it lasted, but the fundamental flaw in america's postal system is the idea that it costs time and money to send a physical letter, while emails are free and faster. however, on an international scale, text messaging and email are slightly more expensive, while letters are decidedly cheaper. therefore, in that circumstance, a letter will do just fine. this makes me wonder about my pen pal from africa when the dominican sisters made us write letters to them in 3rd grade. hopefully she is doing well. if anything, i may have met her in college and didn't know it.
happy new year to everyone. goodbye to the fastest year that i can remember. so many things happened in 2008, it felt like a lifetime, yet the months flew by so fast. so, it feels like i lived a lifetime compacted into a few months. that sounds kind of sad - in a movie kind of way. this further supports my idea that i should die before my wife.
Female Cashier at Fun Factory: "So what are these bracelets for?"
Me: "To celebrate the best day ever. And to celebrate our friendship."
Cashier: "Oh my god..."
F: "See, J***. You wouldn't have gotten free shit by acting like a thug with your friends. We got free shit by being openly gay..."
currently: wanting a massage and some buko juice
12.30.2008
12.23.2008
luningning
why is it that at the end of the year, even without senseless spending or strange volatility in the markets (both gambling and genuine), i seem to find myself in financial distress. not necessarily in deep shit trouble, but more like "where have all my hard earned funds gone?" unfortunately, despite my best interests to invest in profitable ventures, my sense of duty and loyalty to kaibigan at kapatid alike, i refuse to charge interest on loans. because you never know when you might be in a position of need, it's not a good thing to be too strict a creditor (at least to comrades and familia anyway; fuck everyone else - if they want my money, there has to be a return in it for me).
tomorrow is kurisumasu eve. pretty much everyone i know works (at least during the daytime), as do i. that doesn't bother me, because i am in severe need of scratch (see above). also, if i neglected to mention it in my last post, my little vacation to the motherland left me minus one week of work. therefore, that negative work week equals a zero balance paycheck. meaning, i missed out on a solid week's worth of pay. that also may explain my current state of duress (see above).
i have been eating too much blazin steaks. an 8oz steak, two scoops of rice, tossed salad, and a drink for $6 flat (no tax) is too good to be true. but since it is true, i've been there at least 5 times in the span of 3 or 4 days. is that a bad thing? hell no. is it a bad thing for my wallet? slightly (not as much as say, outback or cattle company). is it a bad thing for my diet? sort of (it's all white rice). other than that, fuck it, it's steak. i can have steak pretty much everyday for the rest of my (now decidedly shorter, thanks to all that red meat) life.
i need to brush up on my tagalog. why? because that way, i won't be completely lost or sold into slavery the next time i go to PI. also, it would be nice to communicate with all my future wives such as luningning from wowwowee or christine reyes from eva fonda.
"I must have left without you, just when I thought I found you..." - Spongecola
currently: mentally preparing myself to go on a much needed run (it's been at least 2 months since i've gone)
tomorrow is kurisumasu eve. pretty much everyone i know works (at least during the daytime), as do i. that doesn't bother me, because i am in severe need of scratch (see above). also, if i neglected to mention it in my last post, my little vacation to the motherland left me minus one week of work. therefore, that negative work week equals a zero balance paycheck. meaning, i missed out on a solid week's worth of pay. that also may explain my current state of duress (see above).
i have been eating too much blazin steaks. an 8oz steak, two scoops of rice, tossed salad, and a drink for $6 flat (no tax) is too good to be true. but since it is true, i've been there at least 5 times in the span of 3 or 4 days. is that a bad thing? hell no. is it a bad thing for my wallet? slightly (not as much as say, outback or cattle company). is it a bad thing for my diet? sort of (it's all white rice). other than that, fuck it, it's steak. i can have steak pretty much everyday for the rest of my (now decidedly shorter, thanks to all that red meat) life.
i need to brush up on my tagalog. why? because that way, i won't be completely lost or sold into slavery the next time i go to PI. also, it would be nice to communicate with all my future wives such as luningning from wowwowee or christine reyes from eva fonda.
"I must have left without you, just when I thought I found you..." - Spongecola
currently: mentally preparing myself to go on a much needed run (it's been at least 2 months since i've gone)
12.17.2008
kopiko
watched "jcvd" with some friends last night. i liked it well enough (though definitely not as much as his other films). all i can say about that movie though, is that it was decidedly french.
what's been happening since i left? not much, apparently. i didn't miss too much in terms of news. although i'm curious as to the turnout of events this weekend.
company christmas party at my house this saturday. early, i know. but there will be zippy's chicken, lechon, and beer. we'll see how that goes as well.
i haven't really gotten paid in the past two weeks or so, so my accounts aren't looking as chipper as they should be. however, after december is over, we should be back on track. which is a good thing, because the purported japan trip is months away, and i'm a little behind on my savings for that.
the economy's in recession. have i cut back my spending any? not really. i still buy food and eat like a pig. have i purchased more stocks for the eventual upturn? a few, but i still don't have enough funds to get a really good allocation going. have i fallen for the christmas trap and gone out to buy presents? pssh, only in PI, where $200 US goes a long way.
i need some people to practice arnis with. unfortunately, everyone that's even remotely interested in martial arts here that i know are mostly into muay thai and mma. perchance i shall join some arnis classes at the local filcom center. waipahu doesn't scare me as much as manila, so i'm willing to take the risk of going there.
"We offer our hearts in battle in exchange for victory..." - Puso, Spongecola
currently: anticipating a session in my dad's massage chair and planning on reading El Filibusterismo
what's been happening since i left? not much, apparently. i didn't miss too much in terms of news. although i'm curious as to the turnout of events this weekend.
company christmas party at my house this saturday. early, i know. but there will be zippy's chicken, lechon, and beer. we'll see how that goes as well.
i haven't really gotten paid in the past two weeks or so, so my accounts aren't looking as chipper as they should be. however, after december is over, we should be back on track. which is a good thing, because the purported japan trip is months away, and i'm a little behind on my savings for that.
the economy's in recession. have i cut back my spending any? not really. i still buy food and eat like a pig. have i purchased more stocks for the eventual upturn? a few, but i still don't have enough funds to get a really good allocation going. have i fallen for the christmas trap and gone out to buy presents? pssh, only in PI, where $200 US goes a long way.
i need some people to practice arnis with. unfortunately, everyone that's even remotely interested in martial arts here that i know are mostly into muay thai and mma. perchance i shall join some arnis classes at the local filcom center. waipahu doesn't scare me as much as manila, so i'm willing to take the risk of going there.
"We offer our hearts in battle in exchange for victory..." - Puso, Spongecola
currently: anticipating a session in my dad's massage chair and planning on reading El Filibusterismo
12.10.2008
welcome to ghettsville
what's been happening at the home front in good old HI? i have no idea. i haven't had access to my cellphone or used the internet since now (although i still don't have access to my phone). what's been happening here in the homeland of pilipinas? a fuck ton.
first day: took a taxi from the airport to the renaissance hotel in the heart of makati, manila. there are no such things as lanes much less rules of the road. courtesy is shown through the horn and if there's an opening, you take it.
day 2: watched the pacquiao/de la hoya fight in central manila. the crowds were intense and when pacman was victorious, the newspapers venerated him to sainthood for the next few days. apparently, he's also a politician with ambitions for a congressional post. went shopping, got a sexy yesstyle hooded vest for $12.
day 3: visited rizal park in luneta and saw the site of dr. jose rizal's execution. visited intramuros and fort santiago (old school manila). started my first day of arnis training with an expert recommended by one of my father's friends.
day 4: visited the sm mall of asia, ate cheech (chicharron) made from the omentum of the pig (the apron of fat and tissue that covers the intestines) - probably some of the best cheech i've ever had. second day of arnis training. as it turns out, the training i've received is actually what's covered over several months.
day 5: visited calamba and saw dr. jose rizal's birthplace (kind of a backward order) and the giant pot adjacent to rizal's house that grants the city its name. third day of arnis training. one more day of training to go.
i still have about three days left here. the philippines is so ghetto, i love it. i've seen despair and abject poverty. i've seen people sleeping in ditches, hanging clothes in shanty towns erected next to the fish markets. i've listened to a 70 year old taxi driver tell me the story of how he survived being held at gunpoint as a door-to-door salesman. i've sat in the passenger's seat of a car while an 80 year old lady pressed her face against my window to beg for change. all this is still only in makati (the nicer, urban portion of philippines). upon my next trip to PI, we're supposedly going to the provinces - tuguegarao, cagayan; bannawag, cagayan; maybe bacarra.
i said in an earlier entry that if the world were to end, it would look like manila. if it does, i would relish it. the only order is chaos. cars here are more expensive than people. security is needed at every door to major buildings. a day before i arrived, there was a shootout between police and a gang that left 16 people dead, including a father and his 6 year old daughter (civilians). if that is america's future, bring it on. i know what it looks like and if that is our fate, all i can do is sit back and enjoy it.
"Do what you can to survive. It's a jungle out there in the streets..." - Gabay (Guide) D
currently: suffering from lack of sleep last night and the countless blisters on my hands and the destroyed muscles in my upper body
first day: took a taxi from the airport to the renaissance hotel in the heart of makati, manila. there are no such things as lanes much less rules of the road. courtesy is shown through the horn and if there's an opening, you take it.
day 2: watched the pacquiao/de la hoya fight in central manila. the crowds were intense and when pacman was victorious, the newspapers venerated him to sainthood for the next few days. apparently, he's also a politician with ambitions for a congressional post. went shopping, got a sexy yesstyle hooded vest for $12.
day 3: visited rizal park in luneta and saw the site of dr. jose rizal's execution. visited intramuros and fort santiago (old school manila). started my first day of arnis training with an expert recommended by one of my father's friends.
day 4: visited the sm mall of asia, ate cheech (chicharron) made from the omentum of the pig (the apron of fat and tissue that covers the intestines) - probably some of the best cheech i've ever had. second day of arnis training. as it turns out, the training i've received is actually what's covered over several months.
day 5: visited calamba and saw dr. jose rizal's birthplace (kind of a backward order) and the giant pot adjacent to rizal's house that grants the city its name. third day of arnis training. one more day of training to go.
i still have about three days left here. the philippines is so ghetto, i love it. i've seen despair and abject poverty. i've seen people sleeping in ditches, hanging clothes in shanty towns erected next to the fish markets. i've listened to a 70 year old taxi driver tell me the story of how he survived being held at gunpoint as a door-to-door salesman. i've sat in the passenger's seat of a car while an 80 year old lady pressed her face against my window to beg for change. all this is still only in makati (the nicer, urban portion of philippines). upon my next trip to PI, we're supposedly going to the provinces - tuguegarao, cagayan; bannawag, cagayan; maybe bacarra.
i said in an earlier entry that if the world were to end, it would look like manila. if it does, i would relish it. the only order is chaos. cars here are more expensive than people. security is needed at every door to major buildings. a day before i arrived, there was a shootout between police and a gang that left 16 people dead, including a father and his 6 year old daughter (civilians). if that is america's future, bring it on. i know what it looks like and if that is our fate, all i can do is sit back and enjoy it.
"Do what you can to survive. It's a jungle out there in the streets..." - Gabay (Guide) D
currently: suffering from lack of sleep last night and the countless blisters on my hands and the destroyed muscles in my upper body
12.01.2008
glass onion
still recovering from last week's agony. i've noticed as i've gone through the motions of everyday life (or at least tried to), everything seems completely unreal when you're tinged with sickness. aside from everything appearing blurry, everything also seems slowed down and quieter than normal. it's happened at least three times or so - when i went out driving, when i looked out the window, and when i went back to work. i look around me and everything seems unreal. maybe it's like watanabe said, "i haven't quite adapted to the world yet"...
a few days more and i will be leaving for filipinas. i haven't even packed a pair of undies yet, much less my camera (it's not even charged), toiletries, or even a knife. i leave on friday, but as i'm still trapped by the whole "everything seems unreal" ideal, i don't quite have the motivation to get anything started.
today was a productive day of work though. also, after work was finished, i managed to pay off two bills and now have nothing to worry about for the rest of the month. i am already registered and received a confirmation packet for some training classes at red rocks at the end of next month. i'll be in denver from the 26th to the 29th for classes (i assume i arrive a little before that and leave a little after). so, comrades in the mile high, i will see you again soon.
this christmas season is plagued with nothing to buy. nothing's worth spending money on and that's the problem. christmas hasn't been a real holiday in a long time now and it's been replaced with the commercialism and consumer economics ages ago. however, when even that falls apart, what's left? whatever, if anything, there are new photobooks and alo-hello dvds coming out this month.
"That's the song that did it..." - me, reflecting upon shanimuni paradise
currently: thinking about going to bed early
a few days more and i will be leaving for filipinas. i haven't even packed a pair of undies yet, much less my camera (it's not even charged), toiletries, or even a knife. i leave on friday, but as i'm still trapped by the whole "everything seems unreal" ideal, i don't quite have the motivation to get anything started.
today was a productive day of work though. also, after work was finished, i managed to pay off two bills and now have nothing to worry about for the rest of the month. i am already registered and received a confirmation packet for some training classes at red rocks at the end of next month. i'll be in denver from the 26th to the 29th for classes (i assume i arrive a little before that and leave a little after). so, comrades in the mile high, i will see you again soon.
this christmas season is plagued with nothing to buy. nothing's worth spending money on and that's the problem. christmas hasn't been a real holiday in a long time now and it's been replaced with the commercialism and consumer economics ages ago. however, when even that falls apart, what's left? whatever, if anything, there are new photobooks and alo-hello dvds coming out this month.
"That's the song that did it..." - me, reflecting upon shanimuni paradise
currently: thinking about going to bed early
11.26.2008
not enough spiral power
i have been suffering from a great illness since saturday. saturday night culminated in a fever of 102, pain in my kidneys, and a throbbing headache that made even my eyes hurt. sunday night saw the break in the fever but a seamless transition into flu symptoms - aching head (still), cramped chest, coughing (which makes the headache a lot worse), congestion, phlegm, etc. monday and tuesday passed with me regaining the ability to stand and walk albeit uncomfortably. my loss of appetite over the past four days has allowed me to see my abs. i look fantastic, but i feel terrible. however, no matter the power of my hunger, my tastebuds won't allow just anything to get in.
i have missed two days of work. a bill came in while i was bedridden. my room looks like manila. i still haven't packed for my trip to manila next friday. i haven't shaved in at least a week and a half. stuff keeps piling up for me to do. i want to lie down some more, but i don't know if i should.
over the weekend, during my illness-induced delirium, i dreamed of many things. one of them involving myself trying to stop my grandfather and his best friend from participating in a drag race against coolio and one of his gangsta buddies on the hill in my old neighborhood in makakilo. coolio was driving a black monster truck and my grandfather's vehicle was an old roadster similar to scrooge mcduck's old car. i remember finally giving in and starting an inspirational, "don't you give up" speech to my grandfather when coolio interrupted, resulting in me yelling to him at the top of my voice, "FUCK...YOU! HOLD...THE FUCK...ON!" the dream ended with an old grainy, citizen kane like shot of a giant political poster showing muhammad ali's face and his voice saying something like, "you either live the dream then die, or you don't live the dream and die with regret" or something along those lines.
i am still not anywhere near 100%. my body still aches. my appetite has still not returned. i am still coughing every once in a while. i need to get better soon, so i can eat my fill of turkey and stuffing tomorrow.
"I need to see more fights. That's what's missing from my life. Seeing more fights would complete me..." - me
currently: trying to rationalize the next step to finishing my tasks for the half day of work i have
i have missed two days of work. a bill came in while i was bedridden. my room looks like manila. i still haven't packed for my trip to manila next friday. i haven't shaved in at least a week and a half. stuff keeps piling up for me to do. i want to lie down some more, but i don't know if i should.
over the weekend, during my illness-induced delirium, i dreamed of many things. one of them involving myself trying to stop my grandfather and his best friend from participating in a drag race against coolio and one of his gangsta buddies on the hill in my old neighborhood in makakilo. coolio was driving a black monster truck and my grandfather's vehicle was an old roadster similar to scrooge mcduck's old car. i remember finally giving in and starting an inspirational, "don't you give up" speech to my grandfather when coolio interrupted, resulting in me yelling to him at the top of my voice, "FUCK...YOU! HOLD...THE FUCK...ON!" the dream ended with an old grainy, citizen kane like shot of a giant political poster showing muhammad ali's face and his voice saying something like, "you either live the dream then die, or you don't live the dream and die with regret" or something along those lines.
i am still not anywhere near 100%. my body still aches. my appetite has still not returned. i am still coughing every once in a while. i need to get better soon, so i can eat my fill of turkey and stuffing tomorrow.
"I need to see more fights. That's what's missing from my life. Seeing more fights would complete me..." - me
currently: trying to rationalize the next step to finishing my tasks for the half day of work i have
11.14.2008
yakiniquest
i would love to go on a yakiniquest. especially with finely marbled, thinly sliced, high-quality kalbi. i think what we need most is another griddle party.
another week has passed, and another payday has come. the advantage to working in the industry i'm in is that paydays come weekly, unless you're on salary. meaning, there's a lot more opportunity and leeway to fix or alter things, should you fuck up sometime in between paydays. not that i fucked up recently or anything, i just thought about how nice it is.
in order to build credit, one must actually use their credit card. due to my self-imposed mandate of non-spending (4 and 1/2 months to go), i've come to an interesting dilemma. i should buy something and put it on my credit card, but i have no desire to buy anything.
thinking long and hard about it, and with the idea that we're probably going to the mall again tomorrow, i have found that there is nothing in stores that piques my interest enough for me to purchase it. i don't buy video games, i haven't seen or had the urge to buy any dvds recently, my useless toy collector days are a foregone conclusion, there are no books i am immediately attracted to, i have no need for any new clothing articles, and all my food is mainly payed for with cash (to keep to my budget).
i'd like to think this decrease in spending has nothing to do with the current state of our economy and that it's mostly a product of my incredibly, steel-like discipline. but i would concede that there is a correlation between the financial status quo and the lack of any worthwhile products offered in stores.
despite all that, i still need to put something on my credit card. perhaps i will break down and purchase a t-shirt. we'll see how i feel after we finish eating katsudon.
"Have I told you my theory that I'm going to die soon? This week, I kept seeing people I haven't seen in years, and when we do it's like we're tying up loose ends..." - Fudge
"You can't die yet. We still have to finish our campaign in Gears of War 2..." - me
currently: burning alive in the subsequent heat following a rain shower
another week has passed, and another payday has come. the advantage to working in the industry i'm in is that paydays come weekly, unless you're on salary. meaning, there's a lot more opportunity and leeway to fix or alter things, should you fuck up sometime in between paydays. not that i fucked up recently or anything, i just thought about how nice it is.
in order to build credit, one must actually use their credit card. due to my self-imposed mandate of non-spending (4 and 1/2 months to go), i've come to an interesting dilemma. i should buy something and put it on my credit card, but i have no desire to buy anything.
thinking long and hard about it, and with the idea that we're probably going to the mall again tomorrow, i have found that there is nothing in stores that piques my interest enough for me to purchase it. i don't buy video games, i haven't seen or had the urge to buy any dvds recently, my useless toy collector days are a foregone conclusion, there are no books i am immediately attracted to, i have no need for any new clothing articles, and all my food is mainly payed for with cash (to keep to my budget).
i'd like to think this decrease in spending has nothing to do with the current state of our economy and that it's mostly a product of my incredibly, steel-like discipline. but i would concede that there is a correlation between the financial status quo and the lack of any worthwhile products offered in stores.
despite all that, i still need to put something on my credit card. perhaps i will break down and purchase a t-shirt. we'll see how i feel after we finish eating katsudon.
"Have I told you my theory that I'm going to die soon? This week, I kept seeing people I haven't seen in years, and when we do it's like we're tying up loose ends..." - Fudge
"You can't die yet. We still have to finish our campaign in Gears of War 2..." - me
currently: burning alive in the subsequent heat following a rain shower
11.09.2008
soldier from the underground
this year has gone by incredibly fast. upon seeing all the holiday decorations and hearing the holiday music being piped through at borders, i thought to myself, "jeez, it's not even nov...oh shit, it is november already. in fact, it's pretty much halfway through november already!" 2008 zoomed by and went from horribly painful/excruciating/uncertain at the beginning, to incredible opportunities in the middle, and finally to row row fight the power of economic downturn and instability near the end. unbelievable how fast things moved this year. i'm curious to know what's in store next year. i have a feeling it might be a long year this time around.
what have we gained over the past few months? - a new job, some pretty steady income, a shit-ton more church merchandise, a new credit card, a credit limit increase, a few new accounts, a better understanding of travel routes through the island, and a decent physical training regimen.
what have we lost? - definitely a sense of freedom, my bookshelf (destroyed during the move), the connectors that allow my $1k bed to be assembled (lost/stolen during the move), my old (and much cooler/darker) window tint for my car (too dark for HI, but not that dark in CO), chipotle and albertacos, a lot of money in the stock market, and the biggest loss of all: cold weather.
what can we look forward to? - hopefully a trip to holy mecca - japan, sometime in march 2009, a few trips back to the mile high city (hometown, lakewood, represent) interspered throughout the year, hopefully an upturn in the markets (and a small return on investments), and the possible end of the world in 2012. why would that be something to look forward to? because like many end of the world scares (y2k, anyone?) it will turn out to be one huge joke of an armageddon. or, if the world really will end around that time, then my dream picnic to celebrate the end of days is that much closer to fruition.
current top 5: reina, captain, airi, kyamei, and aika
all time: charmy (big ups, always), yossie, gaki, reina, konkon
"She's breaking the unbreakable..."
"It can't be helped. She's the most incredible soldier from the underground..."
currently: wanting to go to bed, but should probably eat dinner first
what have we gained over the past few months? - a new job, some pretty steady income, a shit-ton more church merchandise, a new credit card, a credit limit increase, a few new accounts, a better understanding of travel routes through the island, and a decent physical training regimen.
what have we lost? - definitely a sense of freedom, my bookshelf (destroyed during the move), the connectors that allow my $1k bed to be assembled (lost/stolen during the move), my old (and much cooler/darker) window tint for my car (too dark for HI, but not that dark in CO), chipotle and albertacos, a lot of money in the stock market, and the biggest loss of all: cold weather.
what can we look forward to? - hopefully a trip to holy mecca - japan, sometime in march 2009, a few trips back to the mile high city (hometown, lakewood, represent) interspered throughout the year, hopefully an upturn in the markets (and a small return on investments), and the possible end of the world in 2012. why would that be something to look forward to? because like many end of the world scares (y2k, anyone?) it will turn out to be one huge joke of an armageddon. or, if the world really will end around that time, then my dream picnic to celebrate the end of days is that much closer to fruition.
current top 5: reina, captain, airi, kyamei, and aika
all time: charmy (big ups, always), yossie, gaki, reina, konkon
"She's breaking the unbreakable..."
"It can't be helped. She's the most incredible soldier from the underground..."
currently: wanting to go to bed, but should probably eat dinner first
11.07.2008
don't let me down
what has transpired in the world of personal finance? much. i have recently opened a cd ladder with maturities ranging from 6 months to a year. locking in the interest rates this late in the game might be a rash move, but who knows? there's still a chance that rates could drop. however, as long as my accounts are fdic insured and i'm in no need of immediately liquid assets, i'm good to go. also, i went through the abject frustration of setting up an online bill payment for one of my credit cards. awful, awful system. i still have no clue as to the effectiveness of the payment system or the veracity with which my wishes are carried out, but i have no choice. also, due to circumstances imposed upon me by both time and the wired, i can't do anything but wait until monday. will funds clear? will everything be settled? what happens to the paper bill? whatever...regardless, like i said, i can't do anything until monday.
what kind of mailman doesn't deliver your mail because someone parked a car in front of your mailbox? i don't know if that's the case exactly this time around, but our carrier has been known to complain about the cars being parked too close to the mailbox a few times before. what a pissy little shite. damnit, in rain, sleet, snow and all that other horseshit, the usps carrier is supposed to deliver the goddamn mail. just because you don't want to get out of your seat in your mailtruck to reach a few feet to open the mailbox, doesn't mean you get to skip the house completely. jackass.
i believe i need to shave. i've let my facial hair grow a little these past two weeks and i don't know if i necessarily like it. i don't mind it, it's just that i don't know if i actually like it. oh well. also, my hair is starting to get longer again as well. i don't feel like getting a haircut or paying any money or any of that crap. so, it looks like we'll be having another long streak of months where no clipper, scissors, or razor will get anywhere near my raven locks.
the year's almost over already. 2008 went by very fast. too fast. but that's ok. better that than excruciatingly slow.
"My style is...orange..." - Captain
currently: contemplating plans for the weekend
what kind of mailman doesn't deliver your mail because someone parked a car in front of your mailbox? i don't know if that's the case exactly this time around, but our carrier has been known to complain about the cars being parked too close to the mailbox a few times before. what a pissy little shite. damnit, in rain, sleet, snow and all that other horseshit, the usps carrier is supposed to deliver the goddamn mail. just because you don't want to get out of your seat in your mailtruck to reach a few feet to open the mailbox, doesn't mean you get to skip the house completely. jackass.
i believe i need to shave. i've let my facial hair grow a little these past two weeks and i don't know if i necessarily like it. i don't mind it, it's just that i don't know if i actually like it. oh well. also, my hair is starting to get longer again as well. i don't feel like getting a haircut or paying any money or any of that crap. so, it looks like we'll be having another long streak of months where no clipper, scissors, or razor will get anywhere near my raven locks.
the year's almost over already. 2008 went by very fast. too fast. but that's ok. better that than excruciatingly slow.
"My style is...orange..." - Captain
currently: contemplating plans for the weekend
10.21.2008
genome
this week has only really just begun, and already i am completely exhausted. all the ferrying back and forth to three different jobsites on the island is a lot more tiring than it sounds. materials brought from here to there, from there back to here, to the storage facility, to home depot, to two different hardware hawaii's, kailua, kaneohe, kapolei, kalihi, and finally mililani. too many places to be all at once.
today, i didn't even have time to have lunch. i didn't have anything between 645am and 300pm. that's way too long for me. i usually have a glass of water or even a can of diet coke, but not this time. what occupied my time instead? buying painter's tape, driving to kailua, then getting a recently purchased deadbolt lock rekeyed so it would match the owner's set. the rekeying alone took an entire hour due to the difficulty of the lock's components (however, the guy said it doesn't usually take that long).
i still have to purchase some amenities for my trip on saturday. i have yet to pack my suitcase. i am awaiting credit card and phone bills that, on my calculation, will total at least $800 if not more. upon receiving said bills, will i have enough in my checking account to manage all of them? you goddamn right i will. i made a promise to myself for the next six months not to have any trouble with finances, and i will very well keep it. excellence is the standard by which i intend to live.
i have watched the final battle of tengen toppa gurren lagann at least three times a day for the past three days now. i can never get tired of it. that series is beyond epic.
listening to beethoven's 5th symphony in the shower is a nice reprieve. it makes scrubbing seem a lot more significant than it actually is.
"I never break a promise made about money. That's just the kind of man I am..." - Arlong, One Piece
"Once you lick the lollipop of mediocrity, you'll suck forever..." - Rory Sabbattino, golfer
currently: contemplating lunch options for tomorrow
today, i didn't even have time to have lunch. i didn't have anything between 645am and 300pm. that's way too long for me. i usually have a glass of water or even a can of diet coke, but not this time. what occupied my time instead? buying painter's tape, driving to kailua, then getting a recently purchased deadbolt lock rekeyed so it would match the owner's set. the rekeying alone took an entire hour due to the difficulty of the lock's components (however, the guy said it doesn't usually take that long).
i still have to purchase some amenities for my trip on saturday. i have yet to pack my suitcase. i am awaiting credit card and phone bills that, on my calculation, will total at least $800 if not more. upon receiving said bills, will i have enough in my checking account to manage all of them? you goddamn right i will. i made a promise to myself for the next six months not to have any trouble with finances, and i will very well keep it. excellence is the standard by which i intend to live.
i have watched the final battle of tengen toppa gurren lagann at least three times a day for the past three days now. i can never get tired of it. that series is beyond epic.
listening to beethoven's 5th symphony in the shower is a nice reprieve. it makes scrubbing seem a lot more significant than it actually is.
"I never break a promise made about money. That's just the kind of man I am..." - Arlong, One Piece
"Once you lick the lollipop of mediocrity, you'll suck forever..." - Rory Sabbattino, golfer
currently: contemplating lunch options for tomorrow
10.10.2008
mile high-jinks
as it turns out, i'm going to be taking some safety classes in denver at red rocks community college at the end of the month. how do i feel about this? excited and elated. why, would i, you may ask (especially after leaving denver just about 2-3 months ago)? well, let me count the ways:
1) cold weather - it will be the end of october when i head to CO, meaning it will most likely NOT be 90 degrees fahrenheit every day like it has been in HI (although it's CO, i can never accurately predict the weather). i can't layer in HI, i can't even wear a hoodie. god bless the weather that gave birth to the scarf and the peacoat.
2) familiarity - unlike my safety classes in las vegas, i will be heading to a place that's fairly known to me. i lived near and worked in golden for 5 and 1 years, respectively. i won't be afraid to travel 100 yards away from my hotel room (like in vegas) because i already know what's in store.
3) comrades - my good cousin boto maki and financial partner puraw wave are in denver. the last time i saw the both of them, we had a fancy suit dinner. although i can't guarantee the suit, we should definitely have dinner and good times.
4) freedom - this time, i will be renting a vehicle, so i will have a means of ferrying my happy ass to and from wherever i please. also, going back to point 2, i know more about denver and it's general surroundings than i did the strip in vegas. meaning i will definitely be having more than panda express and subway for lunch/dinner and it won't be in a casino.
5) food - one word: chipotle
my upcoming magical mystery tour in denver aside, what has been occupying my mind the past few days? finances, fashion, and violins (i couldn't get a complete alliteration). the current "panic" in the US is widespread and blah, blah, blah. knowing that everyone is just as worried about their money if not more than me doesn't help me figure out how to weather the storm. saving vs. spending makes the choice easy when interest rate cuts make saving money a losing proposition.
a friend and i are heading to ala moana tomorrow to peruse stores like metropark and club monaco in search of sexy clothing. a fucking nice-ass paisley shirt (not as gay as it sounds and fits ungodly perfectly) is going for $89 at club monaco. some graphic tees (2 to be exact) i purchased for my brother's birthday cost me $90 at metropark. there is a tokidoki shirt i wanted at the store by the food court, but it costs around $30. if i do indeed decide to spend money tomorrow, it will cost me dearly.
i want to learn a classical instrument, preferably violin. however, it would most likely be impossible at this age, with my income, and with my schedule. but i would still be willing to try. at least i can play part of country roads on my ukulele.
"I would rather die of thirst, than drink from the cup of mediocrity..." - Jae @ Kinowear
currently: contemplating whether or not to go to church with single daizenshuu
1) cold weather - it will be the end of october when i head to CO, meaning it will most likely NOT be 90 degrees fahrenheit every day like it has been in HI (although it's CO, i can never accurately predict the weather). i can't layer in HI, i can't even wear a hoodie. god bless the weather that gave birth to the scarf and the peacoat.
2) familiarity - unlike my safety classes in las vegas, i will be heading to a place that's fairly known to me. i lived near and worked in golden for 5 and 1 years, respectively. i won't be afraid to travel 100 yards away from my hotel room (like in vegas) because i already know what's in store.
3) comrades - my good cousin boto maki and financial partner puraw wave are in denver. the last time i saw the both of them, we had a fancy suit dinner. although i can't guarantee the suit, we should definitely have dinner and good times.
4) freedom - this time, i will be renting a vehicle, so i will have a means of ferrying my happy ass to and from wherever i please. also, going back to point 2, i know more about denver and it's general surroundings than i did the strip in vegas. meaning i will definitely be having more than panda express and subway for lunch/dinner and it won't be in a casino.
5) food - one word: chipotle
my upcoming magical mystery tour in denver aside, what has been occupying my mind the past few days? finances, fashion, and violins (i couldn't get a complete alliteration). the current "panic" in the US is widespread and blah, blah, blah. knowing that everyone is just as worried about their money if not more than me doesn't help me figure out how to weather the storm. saving vs. spending makes the choice easy when interest rate cuts make saving money a losing proposition.
a friend and i are heading to ala moana tomorrow to peruse stores like metropark and club monaco in search of sexy clothing. a fucking nice-ass paisley shirt (not as gay as it sounds and fits ungodly perfectly) is going for $89 at club monaco. some graphic tees (2 to be exact) i purchased for my brother's birthday cost me $90 at metropark. there is a tokidoki shirt i wanted at the store by the food court, but it costs around $30. if i do indeed decide to spend money tomorrow, it will cost me dearly.
i want to learn a classical instrument, preferably violin. however, it would most likely be impossible at this age, with my income, and with my schedule. but i would still be willing to try. at least i can play part of country roads on my ukulele.
"I would rather die of thirst, than drink from the cup of mediocrity..." - Jae @ Kinowear
currently: contemplating whether or not to go to church with single daizenshuu
10.03.2008
country roads
with all the financial and economic "crises" going on in our country right now, personal finance blogs, cnbc, fool.com, mad money, and all the financial porn media are rife with tips, strategies on how to "stay positive", and which investments are "safe" or are good buys for the eventual upturn. news reports and word on the streets are that this isn't a recession, it's a depression. some say that this could last at least another year and we won't be really out of the shit until after 2009. the candidates are trying to use this as fodder to attack the current government and each other. speaking with comrades, we've figured that all of this and a few other factors will lead to the eventual ruin and destruction of this country and the world at large. our solution? move out of the country and live somewhere else for a while.
maybe not immediately, but eventually. suggestions? somewhere in asia. japan's always a pretty choice option, along with hong kong, south korea, singapore, and even philippines. what's the rationale behind possibly leaving america for a disaster zone like the philippines? well, if you've never been, many areas including manila already look like armageddon. if the world were to really end in 2012 (according to the all-knowing mayans), i'm thinking manila won't really look any different. also, if we made enough money in the u.s., we could move to somewhere in southeast asia and live like gods. i'd have a huge castle with maids and servants and bodyguards. the whole 9 yards.
until then, i have to stick with my plan. results? not too bad. projected goal completion? going according to plan if not slightly ahead of schedule. network? still ok. got back in touch with one financial comrade from the mile high and still keeping in contact with another. i think we'll all be ok. and if not, there's always the philippines.
"The one path that you've chosen yourself, is the only truth in your universe..." - Kamina
currently: listening to vanilla mood
maybe not immediately, but eventually. suggestions? somewhere in asia. japan's always a pretty choice option, along with hong kong, south korea, singapore, and even philippines. what's the rationale behind possibly leaving america for a disaster zone like the philippines? well, if you've never been, many areas including manila already look like armageddon. if the world were to really end in 2012 (according to the all-knowing mayans), i'm thinking manila won't really look any different. also, if we made enough money in the u.s., we could move to somewhere in southeast asia and live like gods. i'd have a huge castle with maids and servants and bodyguards. the whole 9 yards.
until then, i have to stick with my plan. results? not too bad. projected goal completion? going according to plan if not slightly ahead of schedule. network? still ok. got back in touch with one financial comrade from the mile high and still keeping in contact with another. i think we'll all be ok. and if not, there's always the philippines.
"The one path that you've chosen yourself, is the only truth in your universe..." - Kamina
currently: listening to vanilla mood
9.24.2008
spendthrift
work today and more work for the rest of the week as well. getting up early has somehow become easier. i attribute that mostly to the destruction of my internal clock when i was forced to wake up at 6am in vegas (technically 3am in hawaii) and go to sleep at 10pm (7pm) to be able to attend the training classes. i have also been going to bed here in hawaii a little earlier, possibly because my body is just that much more exhausted. i haven't been able to stay out as late as i did about a month ago but maybe that's not such a bad thing.
what do i have to look forward to this weekend? payday on friday, which translates to paying myself a nice chunk on monday. a coworker's fiancee is arriving on saturday and thus requires a large celebration of sorts involving food and camaraderie. the downside? it's in kalihi. also, there's construction to be done and the first steps must be taken soon.
pepper keibu by morning musume is pretty good. i have no problem with it, despite the fact that it sounds pretty much exactly the same as the original version. it worked for berryz and dschingis, so why not?
i have been scheming and racking all the neurons i can muster to rack in order to find some way to increase my output. there are so many different windows, yet they're all somewhat far away or a little too small to get through. i'm still looking. i've been looking since winter 07. circumstances have changed a little, but the drive and the priorities are still intact. i know i can grab on to something, i just don't want to wait for next summer to get it again.
you know someone has gotten really bad at fighting games when your own piss-poor performance is adequate to defeat them. i really only had a few moves going for me in vf5, yet somehow i didn't lose to either sousuke or michiru. i feel i could have done a better job, but i'm more completely disappointed in their performance than my own. tsk, tsk.
"Good things happen to good people, and I am a good person..." - Chris Jericho
currently: awaiting work to finish so i may nap
what do i have to look forward to this weekend? payday on friday, which translates to paying myself a nice chunk on monday. a coworker's fiancee is arriving on saturday and thus requires a large celebration of sorts involving food and camaraderie. the downside? it's in kalihi. also, there's construction to be done and the first steps must be taken soon.
pepper keibu by morning musume is pretty good. i have no problem with it, despite the fact that it sounds pretty much exactly the same as the original version. it worked for berryz and dschingis, so why not?
i have been scheming and racking all the neurons i can muster to rack in order to find some way to increase my output. there are so many different windows, yet they're all somewhat far away or a little too small to get through. i'm still looking. i've been looking since winter 07. circumstances have changed a little, but the drive and the priorities are still intact. i know i can grab on to something, i just don't want to wait for next summer to get it again.
you know someone has gotten really bad at fighting games when your own piss-poor performance is adequate to defeat them. i really only had a few moves going for me in vf5, yet somehow i didn't lose to either sousuke or michiru. i feel i could have done a better job, but i'm more completely disappointed in their performance than my own. tsk, tsk.
"Good things happen to good people, and I am a good person..." - Chris Jericho
currently: awaiting work to finish so i may nap
9.10.2008
daigurren
as usual, my week started off on a low note then sprang back up to a beautiful crescendo intertwined with absolute exhaustion. like always, confusion and reluctance plagued my thoughts with the first few days after the weekend. somehow, on hump day, i regained a positive outlook and some composure yet am beginning to feel the negative effects of lack of rest especially on this day. the rest of the week looks like - appointment tomorrow for another permanent mark on the position contralateral to my former mark, packing for my safety conference in las vegas next week, and most likely wearing the morning musume alo-hello shirt i purchased.
started watching one piece. pretty likable so far. jim once said that he couldn't get into it because of the style of animation. i find that it works for this particular series. most of the time, the animation does indeed match the tone and story of its accompanying series. take for example gurren lagann (although i haven't really "watched" it yet). being produced by gainax it shares the same animation style and feel as flcl (just watch the battles and you'll agree), just with an actual plot line.
tenkaippin's kotteri ramen is like sex in your mouth. note to brad and jonathan, oshima's has nothing on tenkaippin. the broth of their kotteri ramen is so thick, full of so many ingredients (about 13 different ones according to the numerous signs in the store), and tastes so heavenly you want to punch somebody. probably the best bowl of ramen i've ever had in my life. for its size, you wouldn't think it would be so filling, but it is. you won't regret ever tasting it. god bless you, scott suzui...
"Not the bees! AAAAGGHHH!!!!!" - Nic Cage, Wicker Man
currently: contemplating how i will accomplish the beer run that the construction workers want me to go on today to celebrate the 2 year anniversary of the founding of our company
started watching one piece. pretty likable so far. jim once said that he couldn't get into it because of the style of animation. i find that it works for this particular series. most of the time, the animation does indeed match the tone and story of its accompanying series. take for example gurren lagann (although i haven't really "watched" it yet). being produced by gainax it shares the same animation style and feel as flcl (just watch the battles and you'll agree), just with an actual plot line.
tenkaippin's kotteri ramen is like sex in your mouth. note to brad and jonathan, oshima's has nothing on tenkaippin. the broth of their kotteri ramen is so thick, full of so many ingredients (about 13 different ones according to the numerous signs in the store), and tastes so heavenly you want to punch somebody. probably the best bowl of ramen i've ever had in my life. for its size, you wouldn't think it would be so filling, but it is. you won't regret ever tasting it. god bless you, scott suzui...
"Not the bees! AAAAGGHHH!!!!!" - Nic Cage, Wicker Man
currently: contemplating how i will accomplish the beer run that the construction workers want me to go on today to celebrate the 2 year anniversary of the founding of our company
9.03.2008
kotteri
the past few days have been nothing but legal red tape and troubles regarding the "savior". a month ago, it was whether or not it would make it here safely. a few days after that it was no registration until safety check, which was followed by no safety check until the insurance kicks in. the insurance kicked in yesterday. so, onward to safety check and registration right? wrong. safety check almost passed until - tint too dark. can't do shit until tint is fixed. so, a few hours at pearlridge and some funds forsaken later, tint is fixed. upon returning to safety check station today, good to go - get registration done then come back. got registration done - oops, too many customers, wait or come back tomorrow. waited, and finally the savior is island ready. ridiculous.
it's all a waiting game. work has been slow. with no current jobs and therefore jobsites to visit, the days have been slow and full of nothingness. i finish most of my office work by lunch. after lunch, that's a whole 3 hours of nothing (mostly waiting for the mail to come, possibly bringing in some invoices to input into the computer). when the day is over, it's either rest or go out. most of the time, it's go out. return by midnight, close my eyes for 5 hours and return again to the land of the living (alive, but not really).
the search has been absolutely fruitless, much as i expected it to be. the chances of actually seeing them are slim to none, but it's worth trying anyway. if we could at least find the store and purchase some holy relics, it would be totally worth it. if all else fails, there's still the trip to their home country sometime next year. however, i feel an impending sense of crisis. i feel like if we don't see them soon, they'll be gone forever. that feels likely, considering their show was cancelled and the likelihood of graduation of certain key members is very high.
"Tell me what you KNOW!!!" - phrase of the week
currently: missing the ice cream girl
it's all a waiting game. work has been slow. with no current jobs and therefore jobsites to visit, the days have been slow and full of nothingness. i finish most of my office work by lunch. after lunch, that's a whole 3 hours of nothing (mostly waiting for the mail to come, possibly bringing in some invoices to input into the computer). when the day is over, it's either rest or go out. most of the time, it's go out. return by midnight, close my eyes for 5 hours and return again to the land of the living (alive, but not really).
the search has been absolutely fruitless, much as i expected it to be. the chances of actually seeing them are slim to none, but it's worth trying anyway. if we could at least find the store and purchase some holy relics, it would be totally worth it. if all else fails, there's still the trip to their home country sometime next year. however, i feel an impending sense of crisis. i feel like if we don't see them soon, they'll be gone forever. that feels likely, considering their show was cancelled and the likelihood of graduation of certain key members is very high.
"Tell me what you KNOW!!!" - phrase of the week
currently: missing the ice cream girl
8.29.2008
candy pop
i capped off my 40 hour work week with a good, 5 hour nap today. being an office administrator for a construction business directly translates to this: even if there are no construction jobs being done at the moment (leaving all the carpenters/constructors with nothing to do and therefore a three day break), i am stuck in the office, typing up a 90 page safety manual until my eyes cross from staring at the computer screen for too long. so what do i do to unwind after my nap? go on my laptop and type this blog - smart...
it is ridiculously hot today and there's a good chance tomorrow will follow suit. unfortunate since we are planning on visiting town to purchase some much needed wardrobe. i need new tigers, since for some reason my ultimate tigers have a tear right on the top of my foot. funny how the shoes i don't use as often (tigers) are in worse condition than the ones i beat up more (running shoes). oh well...
had the "gluttony deluxe special" with k-fudge yesterday. it consists of: a denver breakfast bowl (a bowl of hash browns covered in scrambled eggs, peppers, cheese, and ham) with a 7-piece jalapeno popper side smashed into it then drizzled with buttermilk and sriracha. the oiliest and most disgusting thing i have ever eaten in one sitting. there's a good chance that that was the first and last time for that stupid thing. this was worse than - the ultimate oil breakfast sandwich at BK i had with successfully unsuccessful and the baked potato steakhouse burger i had at BK with k-fudge and d-bit a month or so ago.
last friends - a johnny's guy that uses DV (domestic violence) and nodame pulling off a tsurumoto nao. not bad, could have used less of certain characters and much less stupid on the part of others. but overall, not a bad series. ueno juri is probably my favorite j-actress.
labor day - i thankfully have it off. what to do? possibly shoot a shashinshu, go to church, plan our route for finding musume, or all three. fun times.
"Even if I'm free, I'm empty without you..." - Utada Hikaru, Prisoner of Love
currently: about to brew some mean iced tea
it is ridiculously hot today and there's a good chance tomorrow will follow suit. unfortunate since we are planning on visiting town to purchase some much needed wardrobe. i need new tigers, since for some reason my ultimate tigers have a tear right on the top of my foot. funny how the shoes i don't use as often (tigers) are in worse condition than the ones i beat up more (running shoes). oh well...
had the "gluttony deluxe special" with k-fudge yesterday. it consists of: a denver breakfast bowl (a bowl of hash browns covered in scrambled eggs, peppers, cheese, and ham) with a 7-piece jalapeno popper side smashed into it then drizzled with buttermilk and sriracha. the oiliest and most disgusting thing i have ever eaten in one sitting. there's a good chance that that was the first and last time for that stupid thing. this was worse than - the ultimate oil breakfast sandwich at BK i had with successfully unsuccessful and the baked potato steakhouse burger i had at BK with k-fudge and d-bit a month or so ago.
last friends - a johnny's guy that uses DV (domestic violence) and nodame pulling off a tsurumoto nao. not bad, could have used less of certain characters and much less stupid on the part of others. but overall, not a bad series. ueno juri is probably my favorite j-actress.
labor day - i thankfully have it off. what to do? possibly shoot a shashinshu, go to church, plan our route for finding musume, or all three. fun times.
"Even if I'm free, I'm empty without you..." - Utada Hikaru, Prisoner of Love
currently: about to brew some mean iced tea
8.19.2008
sprinter
the joyous vacation of my mother's fraternal relatives is nearly at an end. however, in a few days, the eldest of my grandfather's offspring will be making his appearance here as well. this month has been nothing but family activities in my household. sadly, i haven't spent all of that time with them - work during the day and fatass dinners at night with the church of the morning daughter. i have finally gone to the beach though, and my tan hasn't improved one iota.
hawaii is ridiculous. after running an average of 2 miles a day for four days a week and having nothing but salad for lunch, i have gained 3 pounds. you either maintain your body weight here (by struggling viciously and completely changing all your eating and exercising habits) or you just gain weight. it is physically impossible to lose weight unless you do something extreme like living off of energy drinks and cigarettes - ultimately resulting in unsightly markings in the posterocubital area.
i have spent a good portion of yesterday navigating the roadways of this island in search of material warehouses/construction supplies and delivering them to obscure jobsites. the worst area i've had to deliver materials to - kalihi valley (nihi st.), with the hills the way they are, untethered dogs roaming around, and old whores lingering around the "parking" area, that is probably the most disgusting place by far.
a side benefit of all my getting lost and having to resort to the handy-dandy map in dad's truck is that i have found some of the hotspots on this island that i was looking for (in order to showcase to my friends when they arrive on this island next year). i just need some free time and a good map to get back to portlock again.
everything is growing slowly, but it's better to have some growth than none at all.
"No matter the time, we'll always be together. No matter the time, I'll be by your side. The light called 'you' finds me in the middle of the night." - Utada Hikaru
currently: finishing up some last minute details before taking off from work for a half-day
hawaii is ridiculous. after running an average of 2 miles a day for four days a week and having nothing but salad for lunch, i have gained 3 pounds. you either maintain your body weight here (by struggling viciously and completely changing all your eating and exercising habits) or you just gain weight. it is physically impossible to lose weight unless you do something extreme like living off of energy drinks and cigarettes - ultimately resulting in unsightly markings in the posterocubital area.
i have spent a good portion of yesterday navigating the roadways of this island in search of material warehouses/construction supplies and delivering them to obscure jobsites. the worst area i've had to deliver materials to - kalihi valley (nihi st.), with the hills the way they are, untethered dogs roaming around, and old whores lingering around the "parking" area, that is probably the most disgusting place by far.
a side benefit of all my getting lost and having to resort to the handy-dandy map in dad's truck is that i have found some of the hotspots on this island that i was looking for (in order to showcase to my friends when they arrive on this island next year). i just need some free time and a good map to get back to portlock again.
everything is growing slowly, but it's better to have some growth than none at all.
"No matter the time, we'll always be together. No matter the time, I'll be by your side. The light called 'you' finds me in the middle of the night." - Utada Hikaru
currently: finishing up some last minute details before taking off from work for a half-day
8.13.2008
biondetta parry
my trusty chariot has finally arrived on the shores of oahu. we shall be reunited on friday. at last, the most fuel-efficient of all my family's vehicles will come and take up even more space on our already crowded residential street. we have four cars to worry about - my father's suv, my mother's suv, our company truck, and now my car. there is a good chance that when my other accoutrement arrive, it will be placed in the garage due to lack of information regarding storage spaces. therefore, only one car will be put in the garage (presumably the most expensive one), one in the driveway, one along our mailbox, and the other somewhere on the main thoroughfare (where most of my neighbors park anyway).
this has been quite the busy week. i went running two days in a row, but had to interrupt my running schedule today. having only five hours of sleep per night for the past three nights has really caught up with me. a lot of my comrades can make do with that or even less, but i honestly admit that i cannot. i can wake up and i can function, but just barely. i don't have any ability to keep any thoughts of my own - it's as if all my cerebral functions are focused mainly on the task at hand. with my mind and body on automatic function, i often easily forget certain tasks as well, requiring me to constantly write to-do lists or reminders. also, by having most of my functions relegated to robot-mode, my finances become a mess. i have no time to focus on asset allocation, book-keeping, and other necessary chores. so, because my weekends are reserved not for rest and relaxation but for fun things that i like to do (soul calibur at a friend's house, spending money on new clothes, watching countless videos) i have to sleep in place of a run.
awanen. nag surat ak ken na, ngem awan lata. no hana kayat, hana kayat lata. i bati mo latan.
fencing class would be nice. so would escrima. also, learning violin would be the shyte. however, i don't have the time nor the money for all of this. maybe in a few years. in fact, that's probably what my weekends will look like in about 5 or 6 years. or not.
"It's called 'discipline'. Just f*cking do it..." - me, to me
currently: contemplating going to zippy's for a late dinner
this has been quite the busy week. i went running two days in a row, but had to interrupt my running schedule today. having only five hours of sleep per night for the past three nights has really caught up with me. a lot of my comrades can make do with that or even less, but i honestly admit that i cannot. i can wake up and i can function, but just barely. i don't have any ability to keep any thoughts of my own - it's as if all my cerebral functions are focused mainly on the task at hand. with my mind and body on automatic function, i often easily forget certain tasks as well, requiring me to constantly write to-do lists or reminders. also, by having most of my functions relegated to robot-mode, my finances become a mess. i have no time to focus on asset allocation, book-keeping, and other necessary chores. so, because my weekends are reserved not for rest and relaxation but for fun things that i like to do (soul calibur at a friend's house, spending money on new clothes, watching countless videos) i have to sleep in place of a run.
awanen. nag surat ak ken na, ngem awan lata. no hana kayat, hana kayat lata. i bati mo latan.
fencing class would be nice. so would escrima. also, learning violin would be the shyte. however, i don't have the time nor the money for all of this. maybe in a few years. in fact, that's probably what my weekends will look like in about 5 or 6 years. or not.
"It's called 'discipline'. Just f*cking do it..." - me, to me
currently: contemplating going to zippy's for a late dinner
8.10.2008
unanimous decision
traveled from kapolei to koko marina yesterday to watch what was expected to be a few exciting match ups on ufc 87. although the victors of the matches were the ones i expected, the victories themselves were not at all what i would have wanted. in about 5 or 6 matches, there was only one ko, and all the matches i wanted to go to ko or submission ended in a decision. i think everyone was trying for a first round win but ended up losing steam and taking it to the third (or 5th round in the title case). disappointing.
my diet recently has been disrupted. although there have been prolonged bouts of running, my eating habits have been severely compromised. what once was fresh greens with protein and water has degenerated into deep fried, panko-encrusted pools of oil with mac salad side dishes. the white rice is also present and it is killing me. not to mention all the fucked up desserts and carbohydrate loaded packages lying around the house. disgusting.
my body craves rest, but my mind is too wide awake and stubborn to lie in bed all day. unfortunate. i want this heat to go away soon and i'm longing for the shorter days and less frequent sun of winter. "winter" is no longer the winter i know and have come to love. i will severely miss 40 degree weather and seeing my breath escape in warm puffs of white smoke. i will also severely miss having that feeling of my face being frozen and losing all sensation in my ears and nose. although i won't miss having to clean the snow off my car, i will miss the general wintery atmosphere. damn tropical climate.
i think from now on, when i go on vacation, i want to go somewhere cold. i wouldn't mind returning to lakewood and spending a week or two in 40 degrees. looking at the snow fall gently and blanketing the blacktop and coniferous trees would be a real treat. also, with the cold weather comes the fact that most people (especially the douchey, annoying ones) wouldn't dare step outside, leaving the streets cold and silent - perfect for taking night time walks. delightful.
i still haven't gone to the beach. i don't really know if i care enough to really make the effort to go. maybe when more of my friends manifest an interest to go with me then we'll see. also, my uncle and his family haven't gone in a while, but due to the timing and conflicts of our schedules i haven't been able to go with them. looks like my farmer's tan won't go away for a while.
"You should see the choreography in this video...it's so gay that it's good..." - Fudge
currently: suffering from being indoors waiting for the heat outdoors to subside
8.02.2008
dreamreader
my journey to settle certain matters is nearly at an end. all that's left is to ship my "room" more or less, have a fancy suit dinner with best hit generation, and decide what to wear on the plane ride home (i was thinking something along the lines of the white shirt and black trouser combo that chiaki wore, especially considering that minus the blazer and tie, it will be what i wore the night previous).
according to mother, a package in my name has arrived. this is good news, since it heralds the arrival of some new bible study material. also, another package was shipped on friday, so i will be expecting it sometime this week as well. god bless yesasia.
what has been occupying my time here when i wasn't packing or preparing my move? honestly - all you can eat buffets involving crab legs, caesar salads, beef ribs, and ice cream; perusing the internet; and gambling (penny slots). unforgivable. i should have been running, but i guess we'll have time for that upon my return.
recently, i dreamt of tanaka reina and george harrison. not in the same dream. the one with reina was beautiful in a k-drama sense. the one with george was sad and beautiful - i was attending a concert given by all his friends (eric clapton, other remaining beatles, etc) before he died. i cried in my dream and i almost awoke with tears in my eyes - mostly because there was an inexplicable, immobilizing pain in my left ankle.
it's not finished yet. although some bullets have been fired, there are still many rounds to unload. i am three years away from one shot in particular, but that's just the beginning. what will give me the strength to persevere? it's the hope that the future holds so much more for me yet.
"The paths we've chosen aren't so different, you know..." - Kuwabara Kazuma, Yuu Yuu Hakusho
according to mother, a package in my name has arrived. this is good news, since it heralds the arrival of some new bible study material. also, another package was shipped on friday, so i will be expecting it sometime this week as well. god bless yesasia.
what has been occupying my time here when i wasn't packing or preparing my move? honestly - all you can eat buffets involving crab legs, caesar salads, beef ribs, and ice cream; perusing the internet; and gambling (penny slots). unforgivable. i should have been running, but i guess we'll have time for that upon my return.
recently, i dreamt of tanaka reina and george harrison. not in the same dream. the one with reina was beautiful in a k-drama sense. the one with george was sad and beautiful - i was attending a concert given by all his friends (eric clapton, other remaining beatles, etc) before he died. i cried in my dream and i almost awoke with tears in my eyes - mostly because there was an inexplicable, immobilizing pain in my left ankle.
it's not finished yet. although some bullets have been fired, there are still many rounds to unload. i am three years away from one shot in particular, but that's just the beginning. what will give me the strength to persevere? it's the hope that the future holds so much more for me yet.
"The paths we've chosen aren't so different, you know..." - Kuwabara Kazuma, Yuu Yuu Hakusho
7.29.2008
cantabile
i am about to embark yet again to the land of high elevation, dry weather (static electricity), and peaceful solitude (away from relatives in the same house). this time, i will only be back to tie up a few remaining loose ends and see to it that everything is put in order. i will be taking my car with me, along with a few other personal belongings (clothes, mostly).
i have decided that i want my golden slaves to work harder in order to procure for me a new steady residence (once again, away from relatives in the same house). i don't want it to be a major liability though, so i don't want to lease. i need to own this one. what will it require for me? barring any rate changes or unforseen leaves of absence, it will take me about 3 years to come up with the necessary 20% down payment. in light of this decision, i will also have to endure not fixing up my current residence with all the delightful accoutrement that makes my room mine.
translation: no new bookshelf, no new drawers, no new tv stands or tables.
i will continue procuring for myself some new clothes though. all things considered, the wardrobe that served me well in the mile high is no good down at sea level. although now, with the new income prospects, i will definitely be able to afford much classier duds.
how has my free time been spent recently? working out when motivated, griddle parties, video games, and shopping for the aforementioned wardrobe articles. if nothing else, by the end of the year, i will look absolutely amazing.
"I will not tolerate mediocrity..." - Franz Stressemann, Nodame Cantabile
i have decided that i want my golden slaves to work harder in order to procure for me a new steady residence (once again, away from relatives in the same house). i don't want it to be a major liability though, so i don't want to lease. i need to own this one. what will it require for me? barring any rate changes or unforseen leaves of absence, it will take me about 3 years to come up with the necessary 20% down payment. in light of this decision, i will also have to endure not fixing up my current residence with all the delightful accoutrement that makes my room mine.
translation: no new bookshelf, no new drawers, no new tv stands or tables.
i will continue procuring for myself some new clothes though. all things considered, the wardrobe that served me well in the mile high is no good down at sea level. although now, with the new income prospects, i will definitely be able to afford much classier duds.
how has my free time been spent recently? working out when motivated, griddle parties, video games, and shopping for the aforementioned wardrobe articles. if nothing else, by the end of the year, i will look absolutely amazing.
"I will not tolerate mediocrity..." - Franz Stressemann, Nodame Cantabile
7.18.2008
honsador
thus ends my first week on the new job. 32 hours put in for the week starting 07/14 and ending 07/18. that entitles me to about $450 minus taxes next friday. delicious.
i have spent the greater part of my days driving two big, fuck-off trucks back and forth from construction material suppliers to two different job sites - one of which is inhabited by my former, dominican nun principal from st. john.
the shift from there to here is moving along smoothly. a few more loose ends to tie up and i'm officially back in da aina for good (for a while). the job is hard, very hard, but absolutely worth it. this is the needed increase of income i have longed for in months past. how nice.
i need more clothes. a new wardrobe (for going out and being presentable to the public), work clothes (strong, yet crappy-looking pants and shirts designed for destruction), and clothes for lying around the house. also needed: a hello kitty soap dispenser, a fireproof document safe, a new bookshelf, and other miscellaneous items.
"You looked criminally good..." - Kyon
i have spent the greater part of my days driving two big, fuck-off trucks back and forth from construction material suppliers to two different job sites - one of which is inhabited by my former, dominican nun principal from st. john.
the shift from there to here is moving along smoothly. a few more loose ends to tie up and i'm officially back in da aina for good (for a while). the job is hard, very hard, but absolutely worth it. this is the needed increase of income i have longed for in months past. how nice.
i need more clothes. a new wardrobe (for going out and being presentable to the public), work clothes (strong, yet crappy-looking pants and shirts designed for destruction), and clothes for lying around the house. also needed: a hello kitty soap dispenser, a fireproof document safe, a new bookshelf, and other miscellaneous items.
"You looked criminally good..." - Kyon
7.09.2008
burning knuckle
it feels like i'm in hell right now. it is hot and humid and i have been sticky and sweaty.
i spent a lot of money in the last few days as well. new region-free dvd player - it's green. new fedora - black with white pinstripes and a black and white checkered band circling it. in my travels i also came across: a pink hello kitty acoustic guitar, a sweet black vest (also with pinstripes), grandia 3 for $20, and of course zippy's. i didn't buy all the above mentioned, but they were interesting to see.
spent the last few days losing a good few pounds in water weight alone, watching the melancholy of suzumiya haruhi, getting destroyed in virtua fighter 5 (arcade sticks), and looking up the fobbishly delicious clothing items on yesstyle.com (a white, blazer-style vest with a hood). everything you like and nothing you don't.
"G-Glory to the computer club!" - Captain of the computer club
i spent a lot of money in the last few days as well. new region-free dvd player - it's green. new fedora - black with white pinstripes and a black and white checkered band circling it. in my travels i also came across: a pink hello kitty acoustic guitar, a sweet black vest (also with pinstripes), grandia 3 for $20, and of course zippy's. i didn't buy all the above mentioned, but they were interesting to see.
spent the last few days losing a good few pounds in water weight alone, watching the melancholy of suzumiya haruhi, getting destroyed in virtua fighter 5 (arcade sticks), and looking up the fobbishly delicious clothing items on yesstyle.com (a white, blazer-style vest with a hood). everything you like and nothing you don't.
"G-Glory to the computer club!" - Captain of the computer club
6.30.2008
winds of change
i figured, why not?
there are about six days left until i arrive. i have not packed everything yet and my room is utterly demolished. i have time to clean, but i have spent the greater portion of my mental and physical abilities devising my final departure from retail. if all goes well, my last day will technically be tomorrow.
i haven't done much save for reading and drinking a lot of water. i don't know what it is, but i seem to have lost my appetite in the past few days. it could be a number of things or a mixture of them all - anticipation, depression, anxiety, uncertainty, elation, excitement. i don't really know why, but even if i'm hungry, i don't harbor the urge to eat anything.
i need to create a stable routine. but that will have to come later. i guess i have to acclimate first. get started from the ground up, then worry about the system later. wish me luck, i'm rooting for you too.
"Damn, I can't figure out how you play like that! How do you see all the notes?" - bto
there are about six days left until i arrive. i have not packed everything yet and my room is utterly demolished. i have time to clean, but i have spent the greater portion of my mental and physical abilities devising my final departure from retail. if all goes well, my last day will technically be tomorrow.
i haven't done much save for reading and drinking a lot of water. i don't know what it is, but i seem to have lost my appetite in the past few days. it could be a number of things or a mixture of them all - anticipation, depression, anxiety, uncertainty, elation, excitement. i don't really know why, but even if i'm hungry, i don't harbor the urge to eat anything.
i need to create a stable routine. but that will have to come later. i guess i have to acclimate first. get started from the ground up, then worry about the system later. wish me luck, i'm rooting for you too.
"Damn, I can't figure out how you play like that! How do you see all the notes?" - bto
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