I've not updated in a while, predominantly because Ive had little to nothing to talk about. I could bitch about, or praise my job, but thats pretty much old news. It leaves little, I think, to really talk about.
Ive 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. Its also much harder a form. I find myself trying to slip back into Kung-Fu, which isnt good because its been well over 10 years since I had formal instruction, so what I did retain isnt necessarily what I was taught. Still, its a better foundation that nothing, and while not great, Im not totally inept either.
The Instructor, Sensei Eddie Reffitt, is a really great guy. Hes friendly, but maintains discipline, and isnt afraid to speak plainly with you, preferring that, in fact, to trying to explain something in a more Zen Monk type of manner. Hes very direct and honest, and makes no illusions that this isnt 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 Ive been looking for, for quite some time.
As for other things, Work is Work, and theres really no changing it. Weve been doing great since I took over, making a pretty nice chunk of change, and if the owner isnt just blue-skying, that spells raise. Were playing hell keeping stock on the shelves as well, which is a rather promising thing, it means were selling stuff, and that makes me happy. Ive 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. Were also running Magic the Gathering Tournaments on Fridays, or, rather, well begin to.
Speaking of which, its amusing. I cant 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 Ill be taking to States Tournament as well. Just to remind them whos really in charge.
Speaking of tournaments and all, Ill 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. Its a nice three day vacation from the Shop, Ill get to meet some game designers, hand out some business cards, maybe get me some gamer geek girl tail itll 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 didnt get depressed because it occurred to me that I wasnt spending my money on anyone. When I *Didnt* 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. Im trying to get past that greed thing, but its SO tempting. But, Humans are not without frailty, their paths wrought with temptation.
Were moving towards Spring, and if our weather is any indication, were 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 70s.
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. Ive always loved watching the abundant greenery of this place in the spring, battling away the last chills of winter and gaining a foothold. Its beautiful, and simple, and honestly, you cant really fuck with that.
Also, spring rains are great if you do happen to have someone, because getting ones make-out (or better, their sex) on in the rain is just the greatest.
Spring also ushers in Fighter Season, and after last seasons benching (due to thinking too much with my dick instead of my brain) Im getting the itch to beat and be beaten upon. Also, I didnt get the same exercise, so this winter was especially difficult for my wardrobe, since things that should have fit, simply didnt. Of course, coupling heavy armored combat with the karate classes promises to help me make up for that. (I wouldnt 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. Its 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, were 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. Its 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, Id take the Motherfuckers to get chromed, but thats 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 its being done right, and those sparks arent just simple toying about, but genuine progress. Of course, I giggles and laughs like a maniac while I do this, but seriously, its great. Its satisfying, in a very manly kind of way. Also, its 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.
Ive 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. Its also much harder a form. I find myself trying to slip back into Kung-Fu, which isnt good because its been well over 10 years since I had formal instruction, so what I did retain isnt necessarily what I was taught. Still, its a better foundation that nothing, and while not great, Im not totally inept either.
The Instructor, Sensei Eddie Reffitt, is a really great guy. Hes friendly, but maintains discipline, and isnt afraid to speak plainly with you, preferring that, in fact, to trying to explain something in a more Zen Monk type of manner. Hes very direct and honest, and makes no illusions that this isnt 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 Ive been looking for, for quite some time.
As for other things, Work is Work, and theres really no changing it. Weve been doing great since I took over, making a pretty nice chunk of change, and if the owner isnt just blue-skying, that spells raise. Were playing hell keeping stock on the shelves as well, which is a rather promising thing, it means were selling stuff, and that makes me happy. Ive 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. Were also running Magic the Gathering Tournaments on Fridays, or, rather, well begin to.
Speaking of which, its amusing. I cant 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 Ill be taking to States Tournament as well. Just to remind them whos really in charge.
Speaking of tournaments and all, Ill 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. Its a nice three day vacation from the Shop, Ill get to meet some game designers, hand out some business cards, maybe get me some gamer geek girl tail itll 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 didnt get depressed because it occurred to me that I wasnt spending my money on anyone. When I *Didnt* 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. Im trying to get past that greed thing, but its SO tempting. But, Humans are not without frailty, their paths wrought with temptation.
Were moving towards Spring, and if our weather is any indication, were 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 70s.
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. Ive always loved watching the abundant greenery of this place in the spring, battling away the last chills of winter and gaining a foothold. Its beautiful, and simple, and honestly, you cant really fuck with that.
Also, spring rains are great if you do happen to have someone, because getting ones make-out (or better, their sex) on in the rain is just the greatest.
Spring also ushers in Fighter Season, and after last seasons benching (due to thinking too much with my dick instead of my brain) Im getting the itch to beat and be beaten upon. Also, I didnt get the same exercise, so this winter was especially difficult for my wardrobe, since things that should have fit, simply didnt. Of course, coupling heavy armored combat with the karate classes promises to help me make up for that. (I wouldnt 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. Its 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, were 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. Its 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, Id take the Motherfuckers to get chromed, but thats 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 its being done right, and those sparks arent just simple toying about, but genuine progress. Of course, I giggles and laughs like a maniac while I do this, but seriously, its great. Its satisfying, in a very manly kind of way. Also, its 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.