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4.27.2004
Mood: Ready for Mexico
Well, its less than a day before I depart for Mexico. I'm definitely looking forward to it though. I have just about everything packed and ready to go...hopefully I can do some sort of updating either daily or weekly on this site to let you know what's going on with me in Mexico. Not much else to say today...just been very busy...
-VashMatrix
4.21.2004
Listening to: Pistolero by
Juno Reactor
Mood: Slightly relaxed and tensed
With yesterday evening being the last time I have to take a final for this academic year, the last week for my stay here in the United States begins...until I come back that is. I've already begun moving my belongings back home...pretty early than the last few years since I'm headed to Mexico next Wednesday. I've already started looking over my 2nd year Spanish textbook way back from high school and some of it is looking somewhat familiar to me. Hopefully I can spend some more time looking and studying it so that I'm not this total clueless foreigner there to amuse the natives with mispronunciation and outrageous hand gestures. It should be fun though...really looking forward to it. I just hope I can gather everything I need for this trip all in one suitcase.
I've heard that there exists in Cuernavaca several internet cafes...so I may use those to update the site...I may but I'm not positive as of yet. If I don't type up anyting here...I might keep a journal for me to transcribe later on for internet viewing.
As for more recent current events, I am saddened to see that it has been raining these past couple of days... on and off... which means that the possibility of having Shouten outside seems highly unlikely ::frowns:: ...but we'll definitely fit in a sparring session one way or another... whether it be indoors or outside. Oh...a couple of days ago, my order for Practice Drills for Japanese Swordsmanship arrived. I've been studying some of the forms there, and although I am tempted to just skip through to the actual katas involving the bokken... I know its important to learn the basics through and through till it becomes second nature to me. Its pretty good...it first gave me the basics involving seiza which involves sitting correctly from a standing position. Really cool actually... develops patience, balance, focus, and determination...not to mention leg muscles. This is definitely something I'm bringing to Mexico with me. My goal is to grasp an understanding of all of the forms except those that involve two people. Also...I purchased another book, but it still hasn't come in yet for it was recently published this year. I hope that arrives before I skedaddle down to Mexico.
-VashMatrix
4.19.2004
Listening to: Open Your
Eyes
Mood: Brain, slightly fried
Yeah, so...its been forever since I updated this site or even visited it. I've been pretty busy lately with papers and now with finals. Good thing is, I have two left. Bad thing is, they're both tomorrow. Argh!! So, what am I doing online updating this site at a time like this when panic, confusion, and stress should reign supreme over me!? Well... actually that's a good question ....but anyways I'm here, and its important anyways to leave some time in between studying to do something enjoyable so that your brain doesn't go all crazy on you. Does that mean after finals... I'll be free? No way... I've got to depart for Mexico on the 28th of April...coming up real soon. There, I'll study with a bunch of guys at a language school and learn some espanol and about Mexican culture.
But before that...we're going to have one final Shouten match before the close of this academic school year. Check out Shouten 's website for more details at http://www.shoutenonline.com/
-VashMatrix
3.28.2004
Listening to: Yume no naka
e by Enomoto Atsuko
Mood: Good
Yesterday evening was a blast! My family and nine other guys were able to attend the Shouten open house. It started with a small little speech by yours truly about Shouten then a battle between Yargman and myself. After that, Loidensis joined in for a "vocalized" mode of combat where one fights against another, and the third watches. At any time, the third may call upon one of the current combatants and engage him in battle, allowing the other to rest. All of this was taped by my bro, Rylsador. I've already transferred the footage from the 8mm tape to a regular sized one. I haven't seen the video yet from the copy, but I'm sure it turned out very well.
A special thanks to Rylsador for taping, Ted for working the sound system the entire time, and Dave for helping me figure out how to turn on the sound system.
No pictures were taken...but I do have a video! Interested!? E-mail me! Please!! E-mail is vash8212@yahoo.com.
-VashMatrix
3.25.2004
Listening to: Dawn in the
Gardens
Mood: Mmmm...okay
I know, its been a long time since I've updated this site (well, at least longer than what I am used to). What's been keeping me busy? Primarily I would honestly say...it'd have to be DAoC. What does that mean? Well, that means I need to back off playing it at least until the summer, maybe. Its good to have fun with friends across the US, but if its at the expense of my life being thrown into disorder... forget it. I reflected today about it and realized I have enough things to worry about. I still have one week left of my subscription to DAoC, then that'll be it.
Oh, if you haven't checked out the site on Shouten, I will be hosting an "open house" for it to the rest of the guys in the seminary. Should be fun. I hope to see at least ten there. If at least that much is there, that'd make me happy. Ten being ten people that haven't seen it before. But if I don't get that, but just ten people who have watched it once or twice...that's still good in my book. We'll be starting it at 8:00pm in our gym this saturday. Hope to have some join us for next year.
Hmmm, that's about it. I think I'll take a short nap before my Latin class. Feelin' a bit tired...but it is nice outside... ::sighs:: Wish I didn't have class this afternoon so I can actually enjoy it...ah well, I'll enjoy it in the comfort of my room I guess...pretend as if I'm sleeping under a tree or something...except without the nice cool breezes... well, just the ones that come through my window...
-VashMatrix
3.7.2004
Listening to: The Boys of
Summer (Techno Remix)
Mood: Mixed
Well, spring break's over for me. Today I head back to the ranch...err, I mean...school. I have most of my stuff packed and ready to move so I'll be going in a few hours after lunch.
The break was good. I was able to get some work done. Actually, now that I think about it...I'm surprised I did the work I did. I read a bit of Aquinas' Summa Theologica for a philosophy paper, finished my assignment for reading the Pope's encyclical on the redemption of man, bookmarked areas in books that I need for another paper, and did some training (naturally). So, I did a bit. Not as much as I wanted...but I think more than what I've ever done during a spring break. I bought three techno/trance CD's that I hope to use for Shouten... well, at least 2 of them. The other one was actually more along the lines of something you would listen to as you relax and chill. Oh, and two days ago, my white oak bokken came. What's cool about it is...the guy I bought if from told me that Japan didn't send them the bokken I wanted with their usual shipment... so, they upgraded my sword for me for the oversight for free. Boo-yah! It looks very nice. Its still in the plastic wrap it came... I want to learn how to properly care for it first before I even take it out. I may use this one when practicing moves only...it is very nice and feels like an actual katana. We'll see.
Spending time with my bro and watching him playing DAoC made me want to try it once again. ::sighs:: I know I know... I really don't have time...however, I have done some rationalizing...(and do plan to stick with it)...as long as I do not play other games and dine in on Thursdays instead of going out to eat like I do... I think I'll be fine. Yeah, and I'll log on my character if I have time to play...even then, I'll wait for groups and such to play with. Hardly plan on doing any soloing...
...I seriously hope I can get some work done tonight when I go back... ::gives the evil eye to his computer as if its beckoning him to play DAoC::
Ja ne! (I doubt you'll ever see the "list of translations from Japanese to English" like I promised...)
-VashMatrix