Holy Crap...

Somebody reactivated my account... if you're reading this, all I can say is thank you!

I think it's time for an update.

I've known Rachael about two years or so, probably getting closer to three. In that time, it was apparently pretty clear to some parties with a vested interest, that we were both fond of one another, and thanks to a healthy dose of fidelity on her part, nothing came of it for a while.

But of course, as stated previous, things changed, and so we followed a natural progression, friends to lovers. It was, interestingly enough, on American Independence day that this occurred. It was a good night.

And so, the past couple months (which feel to me much longer a time) we've been together, and really very happy. This hasn't changed, which frankly, surprises me, but of course, I'm in no way complaining. Of course, the sex is phenomenal, but the quiet, dull times are too, which I guess makes them better than dull.

So tonight, having finally decided that the stars were in proper alignment, I grabbed the only ring I've got, told her how much I loved her, and offered her the ring. I did this in the same spot where we'd actually gotten together. I was considering popping it where we'd first really and truly met, and I'd also considered asking her in the place where we had sex the first time, but in the end, I think I made a pretty good decision. Anyways...

She accepted!

Now, to be more clear, we'd been discussing marriage for a while now. Knowing each other for so long really helped here. I was looking at a ring (I won't say what or for how much) for her, but really, since we'd both been talking about it so much, I'd been calling her my fiancé anyways, and it was bothering me to refer to her as such without the ring itself.

Yeah, timing and placement is odd, but I think it came out alright. So, completely contrary to every prediction I've ever had... I am now an engaged man.

What a long, strange trip (all of a few days, I know, I know) it's been. Where to begin? Where to begin? I hear the peanut gallery, and really, the next time I hear "How about the beginning?" I'll kick the offender in the taint.
So, life is balanced oddly at the moment, and full of thought, but not as much substance as I would prefer. Rachael and I are doing wonderfully. As a matter of fact, I just left her house a couple hours ago, where we watched HGTV before and after some pretty good sex.
This leads me to a point, and that point being, HGTV isn't just for women and gay men, seriously, try the show "I Want That" it's pretty awesome.
Back to the relationship things however; It's good, first of all. I'm very happy with her, as she's got this style about her that's just instinct, to be this really sweet and dear woman. I think it has to do with her being a Cancer, but I'm not sure is that hypothesis is totally correct. Not that it matters. There's a love there, no doubt about it, and it's a very warm and comfortable kind of fire. It doesn't feel like it's about to burn out, which is something I'd been experiencing a lot in the past few years. I'm famously open-mouthed about my relationships, but I think I'll be a bit more conservative from here on out, for a couple of reasons. One reason being that I don't want to run out of good stuff to write about for a while, the other because I feel like maybe I jinxed the rest by being so puppy about it.
Work is a different story though. As you probably read previous, I lost my job at the Dragon's Den. I've had time to reflect upon things as well, and I've distilled my initial fury into something much more manageable and much less combustible. The initial anger stems from the situation. It's very hard to find a decent job in this town, which doesn't involve food service or a call center. The feelings of betrayal, observed at a distance, stem from feeling like I didn't get a chance to fix what was wrong in what I was doing. However, information being at times limited can restrict that. At the moment, I wait only for my last two weeks paycheck, which should be in relatively soon.
This actually brings me to another thought. Rachael and I have been discussing getting a place together, for a number of reasons. The biggest reason for this is that we have absolutely NO privacy about 88% of the time. Speaking frankly, we'd both be happier having sex in our own bed (shower, kitchen, living room, garage, etc) instead of wherever we get the time and quiet. There are other reasons, which I'll talk about later.
However, to catch back up with things, the big factor about the job issue was, in looking at it in retrospect; I would have HAD to have quit working at the Dragon's Den. If Rachael and I are going to get ourselves a place, I need to make more money than the store could feasibly offer. That is, what we like to call in some circles, some shit.
I do have an employment prospect or two, one of which is much better paying and for better hours. (This is obviously the more favorable choice.). The lesser pay of the two is Office Max, where, after some calculation, will net me somewhere in the neighborhood of $225 a month more than my previous employment. The other option is at King's Daughters Medical Center, which will, after more math, net me somewhere in the neighborhood of $550 more a month than previous employment, as well as medical after 90 days. That's more than enough for us at the moment, though of course, I'll always want more.
Dad baked a ham today, and anyone who's had the joy of eating some of this magnificent pork product should know what kind of a wonderful meal I had today. It also marked the first time Rachael got to really sit down with my local family members (and eat some of Dad's ham, just as important IMO) so it was, all in all, a rather good day.
Speaking of Ham, I think I might go snack on some.

Eat up everyone, there are starving children everywhere. They taste good with a nice Hollandaise sauce though.

Dear Blog;

After an 8 month tenure at the Dragon's Den, I have determined what it feels like to be fucked in the ass sideways.

After putting in my time there, doing everything I can to keep the business going, I was given two weeks to work before my job would be taken over by another person so as to "make more money"

I think the worst part about all this is the betrayal. I put in 70+ hours a week in the place, only occasionally taking some time for myself, and this is the thanks which I recieve? To be perfectly honest, it's like I've been stabbed squarely between the shoulder blades, with the knife still embedded.

I was told that certain parties didn't come to the shop because they didn't care for how I ran the place. I find this hard to believe, as the owner of the store himself said he was quite certain that we weren't getting business because it was summer, and all of our customers were on vacation.

The worst of it is, jobs here aren't just scarce, they're nonexistent, and finding one which I could excel in is going to be a positive bitch, and with only $300 to last me until which time as I aquire a new job, I'm not feeling too confident.

So, today is the first day of my last two weeks of work. It feels like colgate for the Juggernaut. It's a bitch.

There's still no reason for total emotional failure though, as Rachael and I are still together, a feat which amazes me as I tend to bore women quickly. It's been generally agreed upon by those with an objective viewpoint that we function well together too. The Sex is great, though we rarely have privacy in which to engage in it. I may be a deadbeat, but I'm a deadbeat who's loved at least.

It's been a long, long time since I've updated. I know, I've been remiss, but, there wasn't much going on in my life. I mean, it was mostly just a bunch of little stuff, but I suppose I can mash it all together into one cohesive post.

First things. I've not been to Karate for about a month, primarily due to a leg injury I sustained while sparring. Nice wicked bruising, but I got hooked up with some White Tiger Extract (and I'm still not sure what part of the tiger was extracted) and it cleared up in about two or three weeks.

I also went to Omaha NE for my Uncle Talmadge's wedding. I'll wait till the professional photos come around to us before I post any, because the quality of the one's we took SUCK. Dad was the best man, and I must say, looked positively fucking PIMP in the tux. Honestly, I was proud of the old man. He just needed a mighty mane of hair to complete the image. Heh heh heh.

The Nebraska trip was fun actually. I'd not seen some of my family there for many many years, so it was good to spend time with them. Last time, I was little Tim 2, couldn't drink and party with anyone, but not anymore. I'm not the annoying little kid running around (I'm the annoying Big Kid, thank you) anymore. Actually, funny story here...

The caterer lost the order for the rehearsal dinner, so Uncle Tal called Macaroni Grill. The Manager seated a 24 top at 7:30pm on a Friday, with 10 minutes of notice. We were all VERY impressed. Anyways, the waiter mixed up my beer, and the beer of one of my cousins. When he noticed the mix up, he asked me about it. I hadn't been paying attention, and another of my cousins made the statement "Hell, he's just happy he's old enough to drink now."

So yeah, that was funny, and moreso when he asked me "So, how old are you again?" and the look on his face when I said "27." Was priceless. His reply was the best though. "You know, that was nowhere near as funny as I planned it to be, was it?"

So yeah, there's a TON of hot women in Omaha, and everyone there is almost freakishly nice. You'd think it'd be a dull place to visit, but it's not.

Also, I got to see where what used to be USSAC is based. It's no longer Strategic Air Command, it's something else I can't recall, but that was kinda neat.

Upon my return, which was a week ago, some other interesting things happened. An acquaintance of mine who was supposed to be moving to NC, didn't, in fact, move to NC, which left her here, in town. On the 4th, she decided to come down to my store with Dino and Tabbatha, and we spent quite a while together that night.

Last night, I took her to dinner, we talked, we were up all night. (Giggidy giggidy giggidy) and we've come to the conclusion that we're both comfortable with being hooked up.

So, maybe last year was the test run. I'm feeling hopeful.

I'm bored, someone entertain me.

Today has been a Good Day.

Allow me to elaborate.

Had a party to attend this evening, thrown by one of the brown belts in my Karate class. Everyone was there, including the man himself, head of the school, all the way down to our newest white belt.

The plan, you see, was to invest in a massive amount of lumber and concrete, and break every piece of it.

Before I go further, I should mention I've only done breaking ONCE before tonight, during a demo I did when I was twelve.

But, back to this evening…

Everyone broke stuff, but I'll spare about 90% of the details, besides mine. (This is MY journal, after all, damnit)

I tried something tricky first, owing to being called Kung Fu in class. This is due to my previously taking Kung Fu before coming to this school. Due to this, I broke my first board with an exploding palm technique. This is where the fist is clenched till JUST before impact, and the body is kept loose. At the moment of impact, however, you open your hand and tense, and while this sounds inefficient, it really does work. The best part about that was some of the other students going "He's gonna fuck up his hand doing that."

Only thing I fucked up was that board.

Next thing… well, the next thing I broke was the highlight of my evening. Two inch concrete cap blocks. There's nothing more intimidating than a concrete block. Wood isn't as thick, or as hard, after all.

Now, before I took after this poor defenseless piece of concrete, the only black belt student in the class still owed a concrete block to finish his test. He broke it, admirably. Sensei, in a gregarious mood said "Put another one on boys, he's goin' for two!"

Next thing I know… two busted concrete blocks. Sensei wasn't done though, he says "Hell yeah! We're going for three!"

Boom, three of them. Then Sensei's son broke one, and then Dino broke one with a BEAUTIFUL Iron Palm. Sensei's daughter (hostess of the party) couldn't get past the mind block, though, and wound up splitting her jeans. Strong Chi, we said, but misguided in it's intent to break something.

But, Sensei said, "Who else wants to do this?"

So, I says "I wanna try this."

So, another block is brought forward, I line up just like I was told to, I aimed for the ground under the block (it was sitting on two cinder blocks for support), and just drove my hand through it with a palm heel. Never before have I felt like such a bad motherfucker.

Next thing was speed breaking. To be perfectly honest, I apparently am NOT fast enough to speed break. I only succeeded in hurting myself on that one, trying both a simple reverse punch and a ridgehand. Now, I DID succeed in knocking the board clean across the road with that ridgehand, which would have fucked someone up had it been a live target. However, the purpose of speed breaking is to help a student learn how to 'Kill in Place' Which is the simple (sounding) task of hitting someone and making them crumple where they stand.

I apparently drive too hard. <shrug>

Earlier in the evening, Dino had broken two boards with a forearm shot, and looked at me and said "If I broke two, you're breaking two."

So… I went for one first, to see if I had the technique down. To better explain this, the boards were being held by actual people. I had to throw the forearm shot across, not up and down.

I busted this one, and then I said I'd try two. Sensei, however, was not content. He realized I'm a power striker/breaker, so he made me use finesse. I had to stand almost against the board being held for me, and had only three inches of room to generate the speed and power to demolish both boards.

So, I wound up 'Dim Mak'-ing the two boards. When I struck, I blew the back board out, leaving the first one pristine. Had to hit twice to achieve the proper result.

Sensei, by the way, was in RARE form.

He then called for a few of us to try and break three, which took all of the finesse of a gorilla. It was simply walk up, and crush them. I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy that.

After a little while, Dino, Jared, Ryan (the guy who broke the three blocks) and myself were called back to try something a little different.

Putting the board on the cinder blocks, we had to use a three inch downward strike. Ryan had a hard time with this, but once again, Dino just put his hand through it. Damn Iron Palm. I tried it next, and played absolute HELL. I have to give Dino credit though, he knew exactly what to tell me. (he was, in fact, more frustrated than I was, since he couldn't think of how to put it so I'd catch on)

Until he slapped himself on the forehead and said "Wing Strike"

That's all it took. One simple Crane Wing Strike, and split.

It was a good night.

Welcome to more news from the home front, coming to you live and in color.

First things first, I've got some good news. I took, and passed my gold belt test. Now, being gold belt, I'm sure some of you are going "Heh, like that should be that difficult." But here's the thing about it all. My partner, as I've mentioned before, had twice the training time I did. Basically, I had about 22 hours of total instruction before I tested. It kind of puts that into perspective doesn't it?

All in all, I did pretty well. The Black Belt that was testing me made me improvise some holds and evasions. I came up with an amusing one on a cross-body wrist grab which ends in a hip toss. Don't ask me how, I went on automatic pilot. I ran a kata, and was finished before I realized that I'd begun executing it. My terminology was off, but I've got some Spanish, Russian, and a smattering of Italian running through my head at any given time, adding Japanese wasn't going to happen quickly. Hell, I'm amazed I can count to 10, let alone keep some of the names of my techniques in my head. Eh, I'll learn in time.

Anyways, the amusing part came when I asked permission to run a Bo Staff kata for additional points. By that time, the Instructor had wandered outside to shark me (wander around in circles, watching, waiting, that kinda thing) and once I'd finished up everything, I asked. The instructor and the black belt testing me looked over my sheet and I was told "Don't worry, you don't need it."

Now, I want you to bear in mind something. I wasn't sure if that statement meant "You've got enough points, don't bother wearing yourself out further." OR, what I was worried about "Don't bother; your score is so low that the bonus points wouldn't do you any good."

Fortunately, it was the former. I sincerely don't know what my percentage was. I'll pester about that one later, just, I passed.

Now, I've got a rant.

There's something that troubles me greatly. It's when Americans, educated in America, spell Color, Neighbor, Honor, Armor, words like that, with the letter U, which gets you Colour, Neighbour, Honour, and Armour.

Ok, we weren't taught to spell like that, and if someone were a complete dip-shit, the spelling would be more off, more than likely. No, this is the act of a pretentious ass trying to be all European and cool and shit, and you can tell, because they know at least enough to use the letter U.

This kinda goes along with my Louisville rant, actually. It's like so. That letter U in those words doesn't belong to us, it's not ours. It is, in fact, someone else's thing, so stop trying to Bogart someone else's thing. If you're an American, educated in your own country, then use the spelling we're meant to use, not someone else's.

Obviously, I make concessions for education outside of the US, otherwise, it wouldn't be all that fair of me, and while I am being a prick, I'm going to be a fair one. It just drives me up the wall to see people trying to be pompous, pretentious asses. It seems like such put-on airs, in my opinion.

By the way, I think we've all heard the Louisville rant, so I'll spare that one.

So, end of rant, end of good news.

Have a good one, we work hard for them.

Finally, a real journal entry. As could be read by my last, I was pretty much crocked on St. Paddy's day, as well I should be. But, there's always something not-exciting in my life.

Work, we'll address that first. A month ago or so, I wrote the commercial we were going to use for my business. It's a cheesy kung-fu movie style, with horrible overdubbing. Promises to be amusing. I would have rather done the Mafia style one, but the owner wasn't too keen on it.

Anyways, had dinner with our rather cute WCHP TV Representative, and dude, she's got it all, looks and personality both. Wouldn't mind getting to know her better. We talked more about the Sopranos and Nip/Tuck than anything else.

Did get told the commercial should be a smashing success though. We begin filming on April 3rd. I'm excited. Also, she told me that their man cinematographer (or whatever he is) is shooting his own movie, and mentioned that I might be able to land a role in that. Also, muy stoked about this.

But, the more interesting part of life right now, Karate.

As I've mentioned before, I'm taking Martial Arts. It's a LOT of fun, and I'm making excellent progress, so I thought.

Last Wednesday, Sensei Gillam (7th Dan Black Belt, head honcho) comes in to test the two 2nd Dan Brown Belts for their First Dan. He also calls out to test my partner, Sensei Reffitt's wife Trish. We've been working together since day one, and were supposed to test at the same time, but that got shot down in one fell swoop.

I should mention, also, that while doing wall stretches, during sidekick stretching, I was able to bring my upper body completely to the floor. I can't do a split yet, that's actually a ways off, but it was still encouraging. There's some much higher belts that can't accomplish that. (Of course, I'm pretty flexible for a man my size, but still)

Anyway, while Trish was testing, Sensei Reffitt began instructing the rest of us in a Bo Staff kata called (sp?) Solubostan. Couldn't begin to tell you what that means, but it's a 22 movement kata meant to beat the shit out of four attackers using a Bo staff.

I was told that a White Belt was expected to perform this kata in less than 13 seconds for a test. Now, I know the kata, I can run it about 89% flawlessly, but not that fast yet. Of course, muscle memory is kicking in, which is useful.

Regardless, I ask if I'm to be responsible for knowing this kata on my test, and was told, yes, yes I would be responsible.

I'm also under the impression I'm to test next week.

Now, I've been busting my ass, and HARD in this class. I've got a lot to show for it too. My flexibility has increased, my technique has improved, I can lock a motherfucker all kinds of up… it's great. But, I didn't expect this sudden cram.

Of course, I was told that this is a common teaching technique in teaching. To overload the student to see what they retain. I'm not going to believe a word of it, showing the better part of valor here. This kind of goes along with a philosophy of the Style too. This form doesn't fit the student to the style, it fits itself to the Student. It's adaptable like that.

But, I've rambled long enough. Would have posted more, but honestly, couldn't think of shit else to say.

I've not updated in a while, predominantly because I’ve had little to nothing to talk about. I could bitch about, or praise my job, but that’s pretty much old news. It leaves little, I think, to really talk about.

I’ve begun taking Kokyuto Bujutsu Karate, which is NOTHING like the Shaolin Kung-Fu I used to take. Where Kung-Fu was very circular and sweeping, Kokyuto Bujutsu Karate is very linear and direct. It’s also much harder a form. I find myself trying to slip back into Kung-Fu, which isn’t good because it’s been well over 10 years since I had formal instruction, so what I did retain isn’t necessarily what I was taught. Still, it’s a better foundation that nothing, and while not great, I’m not totally inept either.

The Instructor, Sensei Eddie Reffitt, is a really great guy. He’s friendly, but maintains discipline, and isn’t afraid to speak plainly with you, preferring that, in fact, to trying to explain something in a more Zen Monk type of manner. He’s very direct and honest, and makes no illusions that this isn’t some kind of flowery form (though it has some beautiful Katas), but something designed to break the person wishing to do you harm. This is what I’ve been looking for, for quite some time.

As for other things, Work is Work, and there’s really no changing it. We’ve been doing great since I took over, making a pretty nice chunk of change, and if the owner isn’t just blue-skying, that spells raise. We’re playing hell keeping stock on the shelves as well, which is a rather promising thing, it means we’re selling stuff, and that makes me happy. I’ve taken more initiative lately, working things over with my assistant manager/janitor, the great Scruffy, whenever we get a quiet moment and can hammer things out. We’re also running Magic the Gathering Tournaments on Fridays, or, rather, we’ll begin to.

Speaking of which, it’s amusing. I can’t compete in said tournaments, as an employee at the place, though I can play pickup games. I fully intend on throwing down on the tournament winner with the deck I’ll be taking to State’s Tournament as well. Just to remind them who’s really in charge.

Speaking of tournaments and all, I’ll be taking a business trip in June because of this, going to a gaming convention. Should be amusing, and it should also be paid by work, and this makes me all sorts of happy. It’s a nice three day vacation from the Shop, I’ll get to meet some game designers, hand out some business cards, maybe get me some gamer geek girl tail… it’ll be fun.

Valentines Day came and passed, and this year was different. Generally, I get pretty much depressed on the Big V-Day, but not this year. I thought about it, and this is amusing I think… I didn’t get depressed because it occurred to me that I wasn’t spending my money on anyone. When I *Didn’t* have money, I got depressed that I had no one, nor money to spend on them. Odd that. Really, it makes no never mind to me now that I have money. I’m trying to get past that greed thing, but it’s SO tempting. But, Humans are not without frailty, their paths wrought with temptation.

We’re moving towards Spring, and if our weather is any indication, we’re moving along in a manner which I can only describe as Warp 9. Yesterday was lovely, today warmer still, and if the meteorologists on television are to be believed, tomorrow is going to be in the 70’s.

Spring is a beautiful time of year. It might be the only time of the year I can really and truly tolerate the rain. Summer rain takes away from the sunshine and the warmth, autumn rain is only a reminder of things dying, and winter rain is cold and sorrowful. Spring rain, conversely, is life. It washes away the dead, and that which cannot help but to die, and ushers in, in place of the dead, new life. I’ve always loved watching the abundant greenery of this place in the spring, battling away the last chills of winter and gaining a foothold. It’s beautiful, and simple, and honestly, you can’t really fuck with that.

Also, spring rains are great if you do happen to have someone, because getting one’s make-out (or better, their sex) on in the rain is just the greatest.

Spring also ushers in Fighter Season, and after last season’s benching (due to thinking too much with my dick instead of my brain) I’m getting the itch to beat and be beaten upon. Also, I didn’t get the same exercise, so this winter was especially difficult for my wardrobe, since things that should have fit, simply didn’t. Of course, coupling heavy armored combat with the karate classes promises to help me make up for that. (I wouldn’t mind putting a Bow-Flex in the other back room in the shop, but I think it might scare away the other gamers)

With the upcoming fighter season, there will also be armoring being done, which my household as a whole are pitching in on. It’s frightening that with one afternoon, with little daylight left, and no real instruction on what we were supposed to be doing, managed to cut, piece, and finish two helm tops. Of course, when 5 people get together with the determination, the tools, and the time, we’re obviously going to make happen whatever it was we wanted to make happen.

This leads me to my particular favorite part of armoring, which is metal finishing. It’s easy really. All I do is take a hand held grinder, cut down the lumps and bumps and small mistakes in the welding, then break out the metal sander, and make it smooth, satiny, and shiny. Frankly, I’d take the Motherfuckers to get chromed, but that’s a bit much. A lot of why I enjoy it so much is because of the simple satisfaction of taking a power took to metal and making lots of sparks fly, especially since it’s being done right, and those sparks aren’t just simple toying about, but genuine progress. Of course, I giggles and laughs like a maniac while I do this, but seriously, it’s great. It’s satisfying, in a very ‘manly’ kind of way. Also, it’s calming, maniacal glee aside. I can sit down with my chunk of crudely formed metal, and make it beautiful, shiny, and sparkly.

Of course, we can make one phenomenal profit off of this, so hey, it really does NEED to look good.

In closing… Spring is coming; we should all be ready to welcome it with open arms.