Cycles, not the kind with wheels

Had a great weekend. Jo-chan came over on Saturday, (she drove here herself. I can't say that didn't kind of give me the warm fuzzies and, at the same time, break my heart a little.) Once I got home from work we watched a few funny clips on the internet, then set down to play RE:DC. I kinda missed that game and it was fun to revisit it. We talked a lot about: fish, pets, wellness, school, fandom, and how gaming is kind of like meditation. My Mom was at work, and we decided to cook dinner before she got home. I got my iPod and dock from my house, plugged it in, and we listened to music while we cut up tomatoes, mushrooms, and hearts of palm to mix in with quinoa rice. After dinner, we listened to the hilarious "Dramatic Reading" clips (see below,) then the three of us sat down in pajamas, ate dairy and gluten free ice cream, and watched Blazing Saddles.

Sunday, Jo-chan and I played RE:DC some more, and then she drove herself home. I absolutely teared up when she drove away. Seeing her in her little VW, sleek little sunglasses, Bluetooth in her ear, driving down the road like, well, like a woman, got me all emo. I thought, "Look at her; she looks like Gillian Anderson. She's going to college next year. She's ten times smarter than I was at that age. Dad and Grandma should be here to see this." And all other manner of other similar, to-be-expected things.

Today I slept late, started the laundry, did some critiques on SFF, talked a long time on the phone with Gold Dragon, and took the dogs outside for extended playtime. Playtime for all three of us, I mean, because it is SIXTY DEGREES TODAY, PEOPLE. For the first time in months, I went outside and my ass did not fall off and shatter with the cold. I could actually breathe. Once, while running with Haku, I even took my coat off and just wore my heavy sweater.

It makes me wish it was Spring, and Spring makes me wish it was Summer. I adore summer, but I also realize that this one is going to be really difficult. I just hope it's not too bad, and that I can squeeze in some joy, too.

Things that mean nothing to anyone but me:

I can do pushups. I never could before, and now I can.

I downloaded the OST for TsuiokuHen. I wanted to buy it, but I know I absolutely can't keep putting things on my credit card, and TsuiokuHen is mad expensive.

Sifu actually wants to borrow TsuiokuHen, the movie, which I think is neat, actually, and I hope he likes it.

Kenshin the fish is better! No more white spots! And, I think I want a big yellow snail, and a green cory for the little tank. My fish completely rule, by the way. They let me pet them. Fish tanks this year have been my best investment. It's weird, the sort of peace they give you. Except for the fact that my angelfish Quatre is kind of acting like a douchebag to swordtail Kaoru.

I started jogging again. God damn, I forgot how hard that is to begin.

My Wonderful Glassworker Friend is having a major upcoming change, and I'm so happy for her.

I ordered Samurai X, the movie. I love ordering things and then forgetting that I ordered them. Then, when they get here, it's like a nice little prize.

Gluten-free pasta for dinner, and then Kung Fu tonight. Spring-like weather always makes me happy to work out, and to be with my friends. You know, it makes me want to kick ass, but in a good, happy way.

Well, I'd better finish up this last critique while I've got time.

Ciao!

Cycles, not the kind with wheels

Had a great weekend. Jo-chan came over on Saturday, (she drove here herself. I can't say that didn't kind of give me the warm fuzzies and, at the same time, break my heart a little.) Once I got home from work we watched a few funny clips on the internet, then set down to play RE:DC. I kinda missed that game and it was fun to revisit it. We talked a lot about: fish, pets, wellness, school, fandom, and how gaming is kind of like meditation. My Mom was at work, and we decided to cook dinner before she got home. I got my iPod and dock from my house, plugged it in, and we listened to music while we cut up tomatoes, mushrooms, and hearts of palm to mix in with quinoa rice. After dinner, we listened to the hilarious "Dramatic Reading" clips (see below,) then the three of us sat down in pajamas, ate dairy and gluten free ice cream, and watched Blazing Saddles.

Sunday, Jo-chan and I played RE:DC some more, and then she drove herself home. I absolutely teared up when she drove away. Seeing her in her little VW, sleek little sunglasses, Bluetooth in her ear, driving down the road like, well, like a woman, got me all emo. I thought, "Look at her; she looks like Gillian Anderson. She's going to college next year. She's ten times smarter than I was at that age. Dad and Grandma should be here to see this." And all other manner of other similar, to-be-expected things.

Today I slept late, started the laundry, did some critiques on SFF, talked a long time on the phone with Gold Dragon, and took the dogs outside for extended playtime. Playtime for all three of us, I mean, because it is SIXTY DEGREES TODAY, PEOPLE. For the first time in months, I went outside and my ass did not fall off and shatter with the cold. I could actually breathe. Once, while running with Haku, I even took my coat off and just wore my heavy sweater.

It makes me wish it was Spring, and Spring makes me wish it was Summer. I adore summer, but I also realize that this one is going to be really difficult. I just hope it's not too bad, and that I can squeeze in some joy, too.

Things that mean nothing to anyone but me:

I can do pushups. I never could before, and now I can.

I downloaded the OST for TsuiokuHen. I wanted to buy it, but I know I absolutely can't keep putting things on my credit card, and TsuiokuHen is mad expensive.

Sifu actually wants to borrow TsuiokuHen, the movie, which I think is neat, actually, and I hope he likes it.

Kenshin the fish is better! No more white spots! And, I think I want a big yellow snail, and a green cory for the little tank. My fish completely rule, by the way. They let me pet them. Fish tanks this year have been my best investment. It's weird, the sort of peace they give you. Except for the fact that my angelfish Quatre is kind of acting like a douchebag to swordtail Kaoru.

I started jogging again. God damn, I forgot how hard that is to begin.

My Wonderful Glassworker Friend is having a major upcoming change, and I'm so happy for her.

I ordered Samurai X, the movie. I love ordering things and then forgetting that I ordered them. Then, when they get here, it's like a nice little prize.

Gluten-free pasta for dinner, and then Kung Fu tonight. Spring-like weather always makes me happy to work out, and to be with my friends. You know, it makes me want to kick ass, but in a good, happy way.

Well, I'd better finish up this last critique while I've got time.

Ciao!

A funny video, and more of my particular neuroses

Gacked from Rad Agent:

This made me LOL, hard. It's very clever in that "Satan's Alley" Hollywood satire kinda way. I love stuff that makes fun of other stuff that takes itself too seriously.

Years ago—and I think it was on GAFF, maybe—someone posted a link to a similar satire on the written sex scene and how they all follow the same basic formula, from "Expression of concern!" to "permission to proceed!" I don't even remember the exact lines (and, yeah, I tried googling it,) but it was high-larious. Wish I could find it.

Related to absolutely nothing, Kung Fu tonight was—guess!--awesome. In basics, a new student signed up. She's in her 40's I'd guess, and seems a decent sort. I led the warm-up and I halved it, and she still had a tough time. Then in class (five-star punches,) she continued to struggle and had to stop. Said she felt nauseous and like she would pass out. I remember what that was like. In my second week there, years ago, I had to stop once and sit against the wall. I remember looking at everyone else thinking, "How do they do this? Where does the stamina come from?" I remember what we were doing, too. It was repeated slap-outs, which, dang, even today might get my heart-rate up. But it really makes me realize how far I've come. Even in those weeks where I've put a few pounds back on (like this one,) I can still do the things that I couldn't even consider years ago. Things that most people can't do, or won't attempt. (Could do, if they tried, I think. If they wanted it.)

I hope she sticks with us, because that discovery is fantastic.

Also, because we rule.

I very much like leading the class, and I very much like when I get called on to demonstrate. I am so down with the whole Sije thing. I like ranking high in class; I worked hard for it. And I enjoy helping people, and thinking about the day that they are up there in front of the class demonstrating a technique. If they're like me, they thought at some point that they'd never make it that far.

Idiotically, when new people come in, I feel this absurdly canid need to assert myself. Not as dominant—far from it--but as accepted. "See these people? They are my nakama. Aren't they great? We've fought together. Helped each other. Hurt each other, and laughed about it. Unlike how it was in high school, I have friends. Stay, and you can be one of them. We'll find a place for you." And, "See this Kung Fu style? That's my martial arts heritage. I worked hard to even begin to understand it and I still have a long way to go. This is my honor. Stay, and you can inherit it, too." "Those bags in the corner, with blood streaked on them? Some of that is mine. You can wear gloves if you want, but, stay, and eventually you won't want to." "Oh, and I know where everything is. From equipment to the extra toilet paper. This is my comfort zone. Stay, and it'll be yours, too."

I'm ridiculously archaic and, wow, even fairly primal in my reactions. :/ But at least I admit it. Right?

There is another part of me that "new people in my 'territory'" brings out (and I use that term with my tongue planted in my cheek because truly my only "territory" is my home,) and I'll write about that in a locked post. It's just dumb.

Dumb like my swordtail Kaoru right now, as she swims up and down, up and down, up and then down again, looking at what I believe is her own stupid reflection. I think she's fighting with it? LMAO, who am I to judge? Heh. She looks like an orange slice.

Oh, to do tomorrow after cleaning bird-cages:

Shop for groceries (toothpaste, floss, soap, possibly hair-dye, don't forget!)

Stop to pick up a bottle of red wine.

Stop at Petco to buy a cory and a big yellow snail, and algae wafers.

DO NOT clean fish tanks. The large tank still has Kenshin's medicine in it, and the small one you can't change the water 'till the new guys acclimate.

OH SNAP! HOW COULD I EVEN FORGET THIS?! I got a call this afternoon. Apparently I might be tutoring in neurology! It'd just be for a little bit of extra cash, but every little bit counts! Also, that's really one class that I'd love to tutor. I hope I can fit it into my schedule! Whoop whoop!

Okay! So, more babble, locked.

A funny video, and more of my particular neuroses

Gacked from Rad Agent:

This made me LOL, hard. It's very clever in that "Satan's Alley" Hollywood satire kinda way. I love stuff that makes fun of other stuff that takes itself too seriously.

Years ago—and I think it was on GAFF, maybe—someone posted a link to a similar satire on the written sex scene and how they all follow the same basic formula, from "Expression of concern!" to "permission to proceed!" I don't even remember the exact lines (and, yeah, I tried googling it,) but it was high-larious. Wish I could find it.

Related to absolutely nothing, Kung Fu tonight was—guess!--awesome. In basics, a new student signed up. She's in her 40's I'd guess, and seems a decent sort. I led the warm-up and I halved it, and she still had a tough time. Then in class (five-star punches,) she continued to struggle and had to stop. Said she felt nauseous and like she would pass out. I remember what that was like. In my second week there, years ago, I had to stop once and sit against the wall. I remember looking at everyone else thinking, "How do they do this? Where does the stamina come from?" I remember what we were doing, too. It was repeated slap-outs, which, dang, even today might get my heart-rate up. But it really makes me realize how far I've come. Even in those weeks where I've put a few pounds back on (like this one,) I can still do the things that I couldn't even consider years ago. Things that most people can't do, or won't attempt. (Could do, if they tried, I think. If they wanted it.)

I hope she sticks with us, because that discovery is fantastic.

Also, because we rule.

I very much like leading the class, and I very much like when I get called on to demonstrate. I am so down with the whole Sije thing. I like ranking high in class; I worked hard for it. And I enjoy helping people, and thinking about the day that they are up there in front of the class demonstrating a technique. If they're like me, they thought at some point that they'd never make it that far.

Idiotically, when new people come in, I feel this absurdly canid need to assert myself. Not as dominant—far from it--but as accepted. "See these people? They are my nakama. Aren't they great? We've fought together. Helped each other. Hurt each other, and laughed about it. Unlike how it was in high school, I have friends. Stay, and you can be one of them. We'll find a place for you." And, "See this Kung Fu style? That's my martial arts heritage. I worked hard to even begin to understand it and I still have a long way to go. This is my honor. Stay, and you can inherit it, too." "Those bags in the corner, with blood streaked on them? Some of that is mine. You can wear gloves if you want, but, stay, and eventually you won't want to." "Oh, and I know where everything is. From equipment to the extra toilet paper. This is my comfort zone. Stay, and it'll be yours, too."

I'm ridiculously archaic and, wow, even fairly primal in my reactions. :/ But at least I admit it. Right?

There is another part of me that "new people in my 'territory'" brings out (and I use that term with my tongue planted in my cheek because truly my only "territory" is my home,) and I'll write about that in a locked post. It's just dumb.

Dumb like my swordtail Kaoru right now, as she swims up and down, up and down, up and then down again, looking at what I believe is her own stupid reflection. I think she's fighting with it? LMAO, who am I to judge? Heh. She looks like an orange slice.

Oh, to do tomorrow after cleaning bird-cages:

Shop for groceries (toothpaste, floss, soap, possibly hair-dye, don't forget!)

Stop to pick up a bottle of red wine.

Stop at Petco to buy a cory and a big yellow snail, and algae wafers.

DO NOT clean fish tanks. The large tank still has Kenshin's medicine in it, and the small one you can't change the water 'till the new guys acclimate.

OH SNAP! HOW COULD I EVEN FORGET THIS?! I got a call this afternoon. Apparently I might be tutoring in neurology! It'd just be for a little bit of extra cash, but every little bit counts! Also, that's really one class that I'd love to tutor. I hope I can fit it into my schedule! Whoop whoop!

Okay! So, more babble, locked.