Date: 2008-10-11 10:33 Subject: Mmm...sun? Security: Public

I've been asleep for almost a year.
A few weeks ago a friend committed a single act of kindness.
It woke me up.
It fixed me in a way. Something had been broken for a while.
I don't think either of these people know what they did for me, and how much it helped.
It's funny...months ago I was very very damaged and another friend committed a single act of kindness and it saved me from myself utterly.
Could it be that being receptive and accepting of kindness is all I need?

Here are some pictures as of late!


So, guess who was about to throw a bowling ball and got told to turn around for a photo?
Doesn't this look like I'm about to start a murder-festival with that ball?
It was a very pleasant situation though.


This one I like because of how absurdly happy I look in it, and now very distracted John looks.
I also like how I can see my bra through this shirt. Not.


I don't know if I shared this yet, but this is my new favorite item of all time. My fuzzy astro-turf Jesus bank. The savior was never so fun to touch before.
I might give this God thing a second go if Fuzzy Jesus is any indication of the humor involved. It probably isn't..but one can hope, right?



Isla De Salsa - The Japanese really dig Latin music and free dance lessons by saucy chickies.



Silly moments are often the best.





Art Club decided to just carry their best work and I love how it looked. Traveling windows to places and things unknown!

That's it for now.

I'll be damned if it's the last you see though.
I think I'm awake now.

Date: 2008-09-18 16:26 Subject: Tiny realization Security: Public Mood: grateful

This is not necessarily LJ-based.
But.

I cannot be (good) friends with militant people.
I've tried. Really. No really! I dated a few, I've had a few as bosom buddies, I've had a few as intellectual peers. But christ. What a waste of airspace. Verbal soldiers. Linguistic terrorists. It all winds down to PC thuggin' and coffee house guerilla warfare, doesn't it?

Gender / Religion / Politics / Ethnicity Issues ?

I just can't.

I am (unwilling) unable to participate in that kind of hurtful intensity.
I can't go around hunting for ways to offend people, much less spend time justifying the offenses as simply part of expressing my opinion. No no no. Being a jerk is still being a jerk.
There are ways to discuss things and say things and disagree with things that do not involve hateful, hurtful, asinine remarks that personally attack or upset those receiving them.

I disagree vehemently with a lot of what people get militant about.
I do, I really do. So many crass generalizations, so many twisted, misquoted, or outright fabricated quips to build some sort of persona for yourself? I see this spit out by people poisoned by their own failures and life frustrations, their social impotence shall we say. You've failed to integrate or partake, and have come back to hinder and destroy. Bravo. I'm so glad modern conveniences and social structuring make such a cushion for (self) destructive malcontents to land on and bounce back from.

And I despise the tactics used. Taking a stand doesn't make you a man. or a woman.
It makes you a man or a woman affiliating him or herself with an issue.
How you present it directly ties into how you present yourself.
And militancy is ugly. Saturday night 4 a.m. ugly.

I want to say you have no right to continually spew and spread hatred and strife into this world, but, you do.
What you don't have a guaranteed right to is my attention or friendship.
Not anymore.

But you won't miss me. Like attracts like, and you've long since surrounded yourself with people who hate the same things and have the same level of disdain for society and feelings and love and hope and friendship and mutual agreement and compromise and objective discussion and beauty and delight that you do.
You have your posse. Your military.
March in it. Don't look back.

Were we so different before?
Is it so surprising that I react negatively to negative input?
Yes, we all get it. You have been wronged, and choose never to heal.
You will not go quietly into the night. You will rage, RAGE into death.
I on the other hand, will have a nice iced tea and a dog-eared scifi novel keep me company instead. There's room for you on the sofa with me if you want to talk.
But only if you stay civil.
Which...it seems...is impossible....for you.
I think I may need to defriend a few people from my collective online life.

Date: 2008-09-11 11:49 Subject: Dear Dave Security: Public

Happy Birthday.

Date: 2008-09-08 06:09 Subject: My life, via graph and chart Security: Public Mood: cranky

Any questions?

Date: 2008-09-03 20:17 Subject: Tiny revelation -_- Security: Public Mood: contemplative

It's been a while since an update eh?
Fell out of the habit, and into the nasty Facebook habit instead.

Well...

I realized that I became a pirate when Pan left my window forever.

That's all.

Japan is a strange place filled with things that I never dreamed I would do.

Maybe it's for the best that I never come home. What is there for me now?

-sigh-

Most people have more or less forgotten I ever lived.

Perhaps, in this land of geomancy and water energy...it's all been forgotten.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30238583&l=61040&id=30821764

Date: 2008-07-24 15:12 Subject: That's how I roll. Security: Public

Thanks Wendy.

Date: 2008-06-28 11:40 Subject: It's been a while eh? Security: Public Mood: contemplative

So here I am, entering the nostrils of year three (or exiting the heels of year two, however you look at it) in Japan.
This is my last year year, I have promised myself this.
I will be taking the GRE soon, this I have also promised myself.
I will be applying to grad school following that, in something or other. Once again, a promise.
There are all sorts of promises over my head now, and very little motivation to keep them.
But I am plugging along.
I do volumes of art these days, but usually into letters I send to people, so it has no lasting value. They probably throw them away soon after receiving them. It's frustrating to want to do art for people, but manage it only in a transient form.

I am an oldbie now... the Mama-san of the area and I will be partly in charge of herding the youngins' come August.
I've made good friends, many of which are leaving thus August as well, to my chagrin.
I've goals a-plenty, which is odd for me, and patience a-plenty, which is damn near miraculous for me as well.

Other than that, same-old same-old. I'd like it to be different-new in the near future.
Working on it.

Date: 2008-05-08 21:25 Subject: Ok, let's try this a different way. Security: Public Location: In your close-...er Japan Mood: chipper

Instead of uploading for several hours, how about I link you guys to where I have been hiding my photos since February because of LiveJournal's crazy posting policies.

February photo albums:

Arita, round two! Porcelain was never so fun.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2165840&l=4c41f&id=30821764

Osaka (I'll sock ya) Japan with friends.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2164755&l=001a6&id=30821764

Seika Band Bash - my fellow ALT Joy's all-girl school are marching band champions!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2166713&l=4d821&id=30821764

March photo albums:

Kitakyushu fun times! (costumes, FTW)
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2168353&l=5daf2&id=30821764

Photos from my trip to Thailand, including the ominous bluefoot pigeon!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2171827&l=2fef1&id=30821764
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2171973&l=e73d9&id=30821764

April photo albums:

Hanami, the traditional Japanese celebration of cherry blossoms!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2175658&l=a5817&id=30821764

My 27th Birthday
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2175659&l=f9fd3&id=30821764


I have a slew of pictures to post aside from this, but this is a start.
Thank you to Cathy and Craig for the lovely bonanza of pants and Chex Mix.
Thank you to Sarah for the DVDs!
Thank you to Mom for everything. 1/4th of my house is filled with stuff you've sent.

Date: 2008-05-08 20:49 Subject: heeeey guuuys Security: Public Mood: cheerful

First....hilarity.

My photo account expired and I had to renew it.
To celebrate... I present one of the funniest pictures ever.
The youth Sumo tournament culminated in this moment, when the youth champion got picked up like a sack of rice.



Second.....pictures. Coming.

Date: 2008-04-19 09:14 Subject: (no subject) Security: Public Mood: tired

I'd like to say I haven't been around or busy, but I've really had the time and don'e nothing with it.
This will change.
I'm shedding.
I demand it.

More later, and two months of picture-catch-up.

Date: 2008-02-24 05:50 Subject: (no subject) Security: Public

I loved my last meme so much, I did it again.

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first article title on the page is the name of your band.

Kornberg

2. http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four words of the very last quote is the title of your album.

Ever tried? Ever failed? No Matter, try again, fail again, Fail better.
Samuel Beckett (1906 - 1989)

3. http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/
The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover

You then take the pic and add your band name and the album title to it, then post your pic.

Date: 2008-02-21 17:34 Subject: cool meme Security: Public Mood: amused

stolen from losyark

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first article title on the page is the name of your band.

Blocking (stage)

2. http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four words of the very last quote is the title of your album.

Here's something to think about: How come you never see a headline like 'Psychic Wins Lottery'?

Jay Leno (1950 - )

3. http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/
The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover

You then take the pic and add your band name and the album title to it, then post your pic.

Date: 2008-02-20 06:12 Subject: Funny thing that... Security: Public Mood: sleepy

This XKCD comic hit my funny bone just right.
...ever get the urge to ask someone to be your (insert internet networking website term)?
*flutters eyelashes*

On a personal note...

My official Valentine this year didn't even wish me a Happy Valentine's Day.
Whether he forgot or was too grumpy because he was included in a mass message I sent out to all Japan people wishing them a Happy V-Day, I don't know. He did get a personalized message afterwards. And chocolates and a hand-made valentine.
But I didn't get a Valentine's Day wish from him.



Still there is some small thought that on March 14th (White Day) he will take the traditional Japanese route and reciprocate.
At least my mother still loves me. She sent me the COOLEST V0day card EVER, and candy stuff from the U.S.
Those Ferrero Roche came in handy during PMS (om-nom-nom!)

Other life things....

I am needing hugs lately. I don't like admitting this.
But I do.


A Japanese friend just agreed to be my official teacher of the Japanese language, and I am so stoked about that.

I have a new favorite flower - the Black Dahlia. Gorgeous blackish-red flower. A teacher had one on her desk and I spent a portion of today petting it.

I wrote a funny story about a student that makes my life hell and humorous at the same time. I've been writing a lot, sometimes two or three stories at a time.

IF YOU WANT TO BE ON MY STORY FILTER, COMMENT HERE. OTHERWISE, MY WORK STAYS SECRET. FOREVER. UNTIL MY FIRST BOOK OR SOMETHING.

Date: 2008-02-17 07:38 Subject: Just a side-note. Security: Public Mood: groggy

Ze Black Pope: ...know what bugs me?
Ze Black Pope: The most?
l: ?
l: bugs?
Ze Black Pope: People who say incredibly hurtful shitty things, then tack on "just kidding" on the end.
l: oh man
l: YES!
l: fuckers
l: every one
l: don't do that to ppl
Ze Black Pope: I just want to fucking punch them.
l: we all know you aren't kidding
l: you were just too much of a pussy to even be mean out and out
l: hate those folks
Ze Black Pope: You know what WOULD be funny?
Ze Black Pope: If the next time someone did that to me, I jacked them in the nose.
Ze Black Pope: And told them I was just kidding.
l: you should
Ze Black Pope: I might.

Date: 2008-02-13 08:33 Subject: ...er.wow. Security: Public

There's all sorts of accuracy here.

What Emily Haddad Means

You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated. You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want. You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way! You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in. You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising. You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care. You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row. You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace. People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality.

Date: 2008-01-29 22:26 Subject: Rich! You. Me. Florida. Pirates. Security: Public Mood: amused

http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/blurbex/2008/01/28/surviving-gasparilla/

I soooo want to go sometime. It's probably the closest thing to Mardi Gras I'll ever get to do now that New Orleans is a festering dump of rage and flood debris.

Date: 2008-01-20 06:02 Subject: More Hong Kong goodness Security: Public Mood: amused

This is mainly from Ocean World and the attached zoo.

	Ocean Park tram, with Seahorse carved into the mountain ahead.
	Some tram views of Hong Kong's islands
	More islands and chunks of city.
	Reclaimed land behind a natural mountain.
	An overview of the aquarium.
	Seal love.
	More seal romance.
	Emily + classy background.
	A friendly stingray.
	Jellyfish!
	Deep sea urchin.
	Nautilus!
	Close-up of what I think is a nurse shark.
	Another jellyfish
	More jellyfish!
	Even more jellyfish.
	Blacklight-sensitive jellyfish.
	...I have no idea. Probably jellyfish.
	Panda!
	Snoozing panda.
	We come in close for the money shot.

Date: 2008-01-20 05:54 Subject: The first segment of Hong Kong pictures! Security: Public Mood: awake

Long awaited, and probably not as exciting as you had hoped.
BUT....Hong Kong, the city that rarely sleeps (because of all the digital lighting).

	Fantastic tusks are just some of the contraband you can buy in HongKong
	Closeup of Tusk Carving.
	Huge 500-year-old Banyan tree
	Closeup of another ancient and HUGE banyan tree. The root structures are awesome.
	....flamingos?! Natural occurrence in Hong Kong apparently.
	Banyan trees have aggressive root structures that eat things like...walls.
	Closer view of the wall-eating
	Digital stairs with TVs in each step.
	The Christmas explosion of the port area.
	Skyline!