First like I said the concerts rocked. The dresden dolls were amazing as always. I still wish more peple showed up though.... KMFDM also rocked. They played a lot of songs that they usually don't cover live.. I met the band afterwards and got autographs.. (I am such an autograph whore...) I saw an old associate that I haven't seen in a couple of years and it was pleasent. Cruxshadows also rocked as always....however I was extremely dissapointed with the turnout for that. I think there was maybe like 30 or so people. I mean geez how do you think the band feels... however I hung with them for a while and it was cool. (SIDE NOTE TO ANYONE SEEING THIS GO SEE THE BLEEPIN CRUXSHADOWS!!!!) Same problem with Seraphim Shock and you could see the dissapointment on the bands face... Am I going to the Granada on Monday ....? yes. Will I be wearing anything noticable? Hmmm black If i recognize you I may buy you a drink.... please though, keep my looks a secret...

i will be brief the concerts rocked!!!!!!! That said I now need to focus on school. I will give more details later . peace

Long time no write eh... School is cool so far. i went on a camping trip for class which was called Silent Weekend. A lot of us second year students and a bunch of deaf individuals and the teachers go out for three days. We aren't allowed to talk for those three days. (No problem for me heh..) The teachers have been seeing some progress in my work but i feel that I will still need a tutor. I can comprehend like it's no thing but expressing well that is another ball of wax. I am psyched about the shows coming up and seeing great bands live is always a big thrill. I gave away an extra ticket to the Dresden Dolls to help make a person happy. That was good. Also A History of Violence is a cool flick. Sorry to be brief but i have got to go. TTFN Peace Arrus

Sorry it so long to write but I have been extremely busy. I finished her painting but I really doubt I can start any new ones for a while. That sucks. School has started and I have cut back on my employment so that I only work on weekends so that I can focus on school. I heard from my military buddy in New Orleans and he is well, whew. About that situation in New Orleans I think the situation and blame is not quite so clear to see. It was a breakdown in many areas not just one that allowed this tragedy to happen. However the blame therefore should be passed around equally. I will say this though, what the President has been doing is some cold blooded shit. He truly is a man who doesn't care or feel about the average american citizen at all. goddamn...

I am sorry that I haven't written in a while, I've just been super busy. The baby shower was an interesting and enjoyable experience. I cooked a large meal for them and they thoroughly enjoyed my cooking. What did I make? For the appetizer I made an endive salad, and then italian bread brushed with herbed olive oil. Then I made a warm olive oil dipping sauce for the bread. Next for the main course I made portabella and spinach lasagna, and a three cheese and spinach manicotti with a sausage and red pepper sauce. Finally for desert I made a caramel apple cheesecake, and a walnut pecan carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. I so enjoy watching people enjoy my cooking. Living alone I usually don't cook as much or as well as I would like. I spent a lot of time the previous day prepping a lot of it and yes it was quite a bit of work. Next I was turned down for Pell Grants this time. I also noticed a lot of other people also getting denied or getting much smaller amounts. Hmmm very disturbing. However I was approved for another type of grant which made up for it. Finally I have decided on Morticia for my next painting. I was leaning towards a naughty schoolgirl (maybe catholic schoolgirl?) with a demon in a nun or teachers outfit. But we'll see. I chose her because of her recent set. Also anybody who likes Seraphim Shock can't be all bad...

Well I have renewed my vows. My japanese was pretty bad but what was important is that i put my heart into it. I had a huge slab of blueberry cheesecake at the cheesecake factory and just had a reflective evening. Four years.... wow. Well here is to another year. On another note i finished Fatalitys painting. I looked at her other set and got an idea to paint her as Diana in the hunt. The paintng has her using a pack of males in quasi s and m garb on their knees acting like hunting dogs. I exaggarated the moon size and put her in a quasi medieval like garb. i am not sure yet who I will paint next. If you have any suggestions let me know if possible. I would like to get 2 to 3 more done by the time school starts back up. As always I wish you all well...

Less than a week to renew my vows. What will I do on that day? Well I plan on eating at a nice restaurant. I am leaning towards the Cheesecake Factory and then around 11:00 to midnight go to my favorite spot in my favorite park, cut my palms and make my vows. Recite our code and ask my ancestors for strength in dealing with the upcoming year. That is all. As for answering the question on the new comment, well here goes. One my sparring partner is a slightly portly man whose initials are MV. He is older and not quite as skilled so I will be teaching him in some areas. He has already said that I have not lost my edge despite my repeated attempts to tell him that it is so. What is kendo like? What is breathing like? It is the way of the sword, to achieve perfection in each blade movement using the least (ie the most effecient) amount of movements. It is difficult and getting hit with a bokken (wooden sword) or shinai (bamboo sword) still hurts even through a jogu (armor). It focuses on many other things though from breathing to coordination. It can be quite relaxing though and I highly recommend it..

I am so excited.. I have finally found a sparring partner for kendo. He is also somewhat capable in bo staff. Ever since I left California many years ago I have been unable to spar with someone. Yes I can do basic katas but it is still better to spar with someone..happy happy joy joy!

Salutations everyone. Lots of things to say today. First off an apology to a Stockula. I may have said some innapropiate things and I apologize. I may agree with some points of yours and I do find it fascinating how an intelligent person could come up with such a unique point of view. Let me clarify though I strongly believe that the role of government is to help their fellow man by making sure there is a common standard of living. Also i do not favor any political party.Granted I may not like republicans but some of their views are worth some merit, so once again I apologize for acting uncivilized. Second I finished my next painting Seraphim as a water nymph. I used a slightly different gloss to give my oils a more brighter sheen. this way the painting itself looks "wet". It was a bitch but it was well worth it. As promised next is Fatality I would like to paint her as Athena or Demeter. I am thinking maybe a quasi iconic look but we will see. Last on my musing this week; Are there any downsides to my code of beliefs? Why yes there are. It has made me less understanding of humanity in general. Ie how they think and respond. One complaint I often get is that I am nice but cold. If I am to be an interpreter i will need to work on that. I try to hang with people to get an understanding of the human reaction. Also this will make me feel more comfortable with people. There are other problems as well but enough talk for today. Peace Arrus.

When I took my vows it was more than just about cutting mysaelf off socially. It was more than just giving up primitive mating rituals. It was more about improving myself so I could more effectively deal with things. Things like helping people, going to school, making myself more effective in defending and protecting people. This is what I am thankful for this week on my vows. I was a respected and maybe even feared warrior at one point in my life. Now I am realizing that I will always be a warrior. The battles I fight now are not just against flesh and bone but against ideas and feelings, maybe even life itself. I have increased my training physically and mentally. The strength to go a little more in the gym or to try harder to effect a positive change in someone ...I draw from my vows. Someone must protect and defend people and therefore I will be ready if I am ever called to do so. There is still much work to be done but I will not falter or fail in my duties. For this and more I am thankful......