"You should hit people with sticks. I think you'd be good at it!"
That's what my friend Jess told me when she first got me into SCA Heavy list fighting. Now to a person who familiar with the SCA I explain it as 'Western' or 'Medieval' martial arts, that's the simplest and quickest way to explain this little hobby of mine. The other is to say that I strap on about fifty to sixty pounds of metal protective gear and attempt to beat the tar out of people with a retan staff. While the later certainly sounds more exciting, at least to me anyways, it usually gets me a weird look or two thus I keep to the former explanation. Now just like in more mainstream martial arts there are tournaments held in different styles: Single combat (Both heavy list and fencing), Melee, and something we call a Bear pit where a fighter enters the ring and keeps fighting different opponents till he loses about. I've participated in a few tournaments since I started fighting two years ago but I think my most memorable would be my first.
It was a relatively small tourney, I think maybe eight fighters. I was just getting used to the feel of my gear and I still had my tower shield which I had affectionately named 'The Door' .(It was almost as tall as I am. Totally impractical for a one on one bout). I was totally nervous and jacked up on adrenaline from my certification. (Basically a short match to make sure you know how to be safe. Kind of like going for a belt in karate) I was two spots deep in the line up and matched up against a guy who fought Florentine, a two sword style, while everyone else was sword and board. At the time I hadn't gone up against a fighter that used that style.
This really was not the guy I wanted to go up against in my first fight of the first tourney I had ever gone to.
As I waited I watched the two bouts ahead of me go by. To my then inexperienced eye they could be summed up as opponents circling for a minute or two before a quick crash and a flurry of blows followed by the shout of 'good!' and one combatant claimed victory. Granted as I look back this isn't too far from the truth but there is a lot to consider during that short period before coming to blows. At any rate my turn to enter the 'ring' came and I stepped under the ropes that separated the rest of the small crowd from the fighters.
Little did I know at the time that I had seriously sprained my ankle during my certification, I'd actually feel that later on in the day but at the time I didn't really notice. At least not until the initial exchange between my opponent and I. You see, I was new enough at this whole fighting thing that I just went with my instincts and my instincts told me to just step on in and start swinging! This is where the sprain came in and I nearly lost my footing on the second step, of course this little slip was accompanied by a quick flurry of blows by the opposition which I narrowly avoided. We broke then came at each other again, to this day I'm pretty sure it wasn't my flailing away at him that saved as in so much that 'the Door' was too big for him to get around and land a solid hit.
The end of the bout came on our fourth pass and in a rather dramatic fashion. As we closed for the final time, both of us swinging our retan like our lives depended on it, a thought clicked loud enough in my mind to overcome the lizard brained aggression I'd been fighting with : 'Wrap!' A wrap shot is when you attempt to swing your weapon around your opponent in such a way that it strikes them in the back, shoulder, or back of the helmet. Thus on quasi instinct I threw my best wrap shot, which really wasn't much of one at the time; this was especially true seeing as I had a bad habit of lowering my guard when I threw it. We struck each other at the same time, my wrap rang against the back of his helmet while his sword grazed the front of mine. We stood there frozen for a moment then he slowly took a knee to signal the end of the match.
In retrospect this wasn't my best fight, or even my best tournament. I won four out of seven fights and had absolutely no real form while doing it. I was just a brawler swinging a stick and trying not to embarrass myself overly much. But as I think of it I don't think I'll ever have quite that same rush, quite that same finish as the first round in that tournament.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Theme Week 2: Perspectives and Events
I'd like to start this piece with a bit of a confession: I have no real concept of time. This isn't really in the traditional sense, I'm pretty well aware of the hours of the day, when I'm late for class or how much time I've spent doing a project or home work. It's not like some people I know who have their own time zone. What has me baffled is the passing of months, years, decades; before I know it a fairly large chunk of time has pretty much flown by. For example I feel that not overly too much time has passed since I first started college despite the fact that I'm well into my second year at EMCC.
I guess what I'm trying to get at is that this is something a bit alien to my way of perception. I hesitate to use the phrase 'alien to my way of thinking' because, well, I understand the concept behind the passage of time as well as the signs (I do have more than a few grey hairs by now...) I simply just don't notice it like most people.
Alright, so we need a starting point..let's do a decade shall we? Not counting this year, it's a bit young for interesting things to have occurred yet, though I'm sure they have, so we'll start with 2001. In '01 I was two years out of high school kind of feeling my way through life and doing my own thing, it was the first year I really started to travel abroad and see the country, but most of all I remember '01 like most people do: The attack on the twin tower. I think the majority of people can recall where they were and what they were doing that day. As for myself I was sitting at home chatting with a friend from New York when it happened. Neither of us knew what was going on, he simply said he had to go. That a bomb had gone off. Of course later I found out what had happened...saying 'it was a terrible day' just seems to be an understatement but that's the best I can sum it up with words.
In '03 there was, of course, the beginning of the Iraq war initiated by President Bush. I think I was working that day in Brewer, it was kind of a 'go figure' sort of thing as the nation had been feeling this build up for some time. I remember that I didn't quite agree with the conflict, that it just seemed kinda shady and slapdash. Hindsight being what it is I feel pretty justified in that assessment. Regardless, like most Americans I think, I just shrugged my shoulders and went about my daily life. I'm sure if we'd known what we know now there might have been some second looks at the motivations for the conflict at the outset.
'05 saw Israel withdraw from the Gaza Strip, ironically this happened on September 11th. To be honest I didn't really mark this event while it passed, I think I was too busy discovering I liked beer and had way too many social groups going on than was probably constructive. I think mostly my friends and I were discussing the '01 attacks and the ramifications that we could observe in the world around us.
Some time during '06 North Korea conducted it's first nuclear tests. I actually remember this one pretty clearly because it was all the rage at my work place and with pretty much anyone I knew. There was a palpable sense of worry over what would happen if 'the crazy North Koreans' managed to get enough missile tech to actually conduct nuclear war. Also, on a lighter note, Pluto was declared a 'planitoid' that year....now this was something that had everyone I know up in arms! Hell, I'm still a little miffed about it and consider our farthest neighbor to still be a planet!
Then there was '08 when I learned there was a country called Georgia and it had been invaded by the country formally known as the U.S.S.R. What actually struck me as interesting about this little conflict is that the Russians were claiming to be within the Georgian boarder for humanitarian efforts. Who knew you needed tanks to deliver aid to the civilian populace! I still shake my head and mutter 'silly Russians' when I think back on the first news broadcast. Oddly enough I recently came across a Georgian coin at my work place and now have it tucked away as a sort of interesting keepsake.
Of course in '09 Barack Obama was elected president of the United states. Our first African American president ever to hold office. I distinctly remember the hype around it and even got swept up in it a little. The man is a superior speaker and offered the American people something that they hadn't been offered before: A change from the norm; politics as usual were at an end! Or so we were promised.
I can't rightly recall much of note in '10 save that Leslie Nielsen passed away during my second semester of College. For days after we would quote Airplane or any other numerous one liners from his movies, I guess, in a way that's how we paid tribute to the man.
'11....Well what can I say for this past year? Civil unrest on a massive scale, the conclusion of the Iraq war (About time don't you think?) and the emergence of 'The Protester' on the front page of time magazine. I don't think I can recall a time in recent memory when the peoples of the world have been so discontent with their governments. No matter who you were, you knew about political events that were emerging around the world; if you didn't you simply had to be living underneath a rock. It's been an interesting year, that much is for certain!
I guess what I'm trying to get at is that this is something a bit alien to my way of perception. I hesitate to use the phrase 'alien to my way of thinking' because, well, I understand the concept behind the passage of time as well as the signs (I do have more than a few grey hairs by now...) I simply just don't notice it like most people.
Alright, so we need a starting point..let's do a decade shall we? Not counting this year, it's a bit young for interesting things to have occurred yet, though I'm sure they have, so we'll start with 2001. In '01 I was two years out of high school kind of feeling my way through life and doing my own thing, it was the first year I really started to travel abroad and see the country, but most of all I remember '01 like most people do: The attack on the twin tower. I think the majority of people can recall where they were and what they were doing that day. As for myself I was sitting at home chatting with a friend from New York when it happened. Neither of us knew what was going on, he simply said he had to go. That a bomb had gone off. Of course later I found out what had happened...saying 'it was a terrible day' just seems to be an understatement but that's the best I can sum it up with words.
In '03 there was, of course, the beginning of the Iraq war initiated by President Bush. I think I was working that day in Brewer, it was kind of a 'go figure' sort of thing as the nation had been feeling this build up for some time. I remember that I didn't quite agree with the conflict, that it just seemed kinda shady and slapdash. Hindsight being what it is I feel pretty justified in that assessment. Regardless, like most Americans I think, I just shrugged my shoulders and went about my daily life. I'm sure if we'd known what we know now there might have been some second looks at the motivations for the conflict at the outset.
'05 saw Israel withdraw from the Gaza Strip, ironically this happened on September 11th. To be honest I didn't really mark this event while it passed, I think I was too busy discovering I liked beer and had way too many social groups going on than was probably constructive. I think mostly my friends and I were discussing the '01 attacks and the ramifications that we could observe in the world around us.
Some time during '06 North Korea conducted it's first nuclear tests. I actually remember this one pretty clearly because it was all the rage at my work place and with pretty much anyone I knew. There was a palpable sense of worry over what would happen if 'the crazy North Koreans' managed to get enough missile tech to actually conduct nuclear war. Also, on a lighter note, Pluto was declared a 'planitoid' that year....now this was something that had everyone I know up in arms! Hell, I'm still a little miffed about it and consider our farthest neighbor to still be a planet!
Then there was '08 when I learned there was a country called Georgia and it had been invaded by the country formally known as the U.S.S.R. What actually struck me as interesting about this little conflict is that the Russians were claiming to be within the Georgian boarder for humanitarian efforts. Who knew you needed tanks to deliver aid to the civilian populace! I still shake my head and mutter 'silly Russians' when I think back on the first news broadcast. Oddly enough I recently came across a Georgian coin at my work place and now have it tucked away as a sort of interesting keepsake.
Of course in '09 Barack Obama was elected president of the United states. Our first African American president ever to hold office. I distinctly remember the hype around it and even got swept up in it a little. The man is a superior speaker and offered the American people something that they hadn't been offered before: A change from the norm; politics as usual were at an end! Or so we were promised.
I can't rightly recall much of note in '10 save that Leslie Nielsen passed away during my second semester of College. For days after we would quote Airplane or any other numerous one liners from his movies, I guess, in a way that's how we paid tribute to the man.
'11....Well what can I say for this past year? Civil unrest on a massive scale, the conclusion of the Iraq war (About time don't you think?) and the emergence of 'The Protester' on the front page of time magazine. I don't think I can recall a time in recent memory when the peoples of the world have been so discontent with their governments. No matter who you were, you knew about political events that were emerging around the world; if you didn't you simply had to be living underneath a rock. It's been an interesting year, that much is for certain!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Update! (Journal Entry and such)
In keeping with our continued Journal I find myself seated in the Library on campus, cafinated out of my proverbial goard and waiting for my next class, Developmental Psychology. I rather enjoy the class, quite a bit actually despite the fact that a vast majority of it is mostly review for me. What fascinates me the most is the insight such classes can offer a person, particularly a writer.
"What?? How can psychology classes possibly help one's writing??"
At least that's what a friend of mine said when I voiced my opinion. But I find it a great help to understand the human psychi/condition when writing. Regardless I digress....back to caffine!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
As An Afterthought...
I've noticed I could have chosen a much better name for my blog. At least something witty and sharp!
No, my tired brain merely came up with 'Dray's Blog'
Bah! Alright I'll have to live with it I guess. Now I think I'll give writing a break for the time being and go study some or work on my chemistry.
No, my tired brain merely came up with 'Dray's Blog'
Bah! Alright I'll have to live with it I guess. Now I think I'll give writing a break for the time being and go study some or work on my chemistry.
The stuff I've collected over the years in my little box/bureau drawer/keepsake chest marks every step of my way.
Back when I was eleven I asked my then uncle Jimmy if he would build me a safety deposit box. Jimmy being a welder and general wizard with metals looked at me quizzical and asked the obvious question 'Why' when an eleven year old boy asked you to make such a thing. My response? 'Oh I don't know. It just seems like a good idea.'
Thus my then Uncle Jimmy crafted for me a rather sturdy, as well as big, lock box. Since then I've kept it close by my bed side, covering it with Ninja Turtle stickers from the first live action movie and generally keeping it 'safe' and 'in sight'. Over the years I've put some weird odds and ends: Valentines from grade school, (don't ask me why, I just kept them) letters from old friends and ex girl friends as well as some assorted pictures. I consider this to be one of my most private places where I keep a lot of good and bad memories. I also have several of my first hand written stories in there I think, I'm not sure though as my dear metal box is currently resting next to my bed at my father's house.
Though if I did still have my little box still in my possession I think I might add a few other things I've collected over the years, at least some of the things that could fit anyway. I've taken to collecting Sake (Japanese rice wine) sets over the years, just a few here and there that I have on display throughout my apartment, I'd more than likely but a few of the more rare ones in there for safe keeping. I think I would also place some of my favorite books within it's walls, books like The Giver or Battle for the Fang. Random choices but things I think worthy of saving or not being damage. There are also a few more pictures I might like to add of new friends that I've met along the way...in a way my safety deposit box is where I store some of my most memorable moments.
Thus my then Uncle Jimmy crafted for me a rather sturdy, as well as big, lock box. Since then I've kept it close by my bed side, covering it with Ninja Turtle stickers from the first live action movie and generally keeping it 'safe' and 'in sight'. Over the years I've put some weird odds and ends: Valentines from grade school, (don't ask me why, I just kept them) letters from old friends and ex girl friends as well as some assorted pictures. I consider this to be one of my most private places where I keep a lot of good and bad memories. I also have several of my first hand written stories in there I think, I'm not sure though as my dear metal box is currently resting next to my bed at my father's house.
Though if I did still have my little box still in my possession I think I might add a few other things I've collected over the years, at least some of the things that could fit anyway. I've taken to collecting Sake (Japanese rice wine) sets over the years, just a few here and there that I have on display throughout my apartment, I'd more than likely but a few of the more rare ones in there for safe keeping. I think I would also place some of my favorite books within it's walls, books like The Giver or Battle for the Fang. Random choices but things I think worthy of saving or not being damage. There are also a few more pictures I might like to add of new friends that I've met along the way...in a way my safety deposit box is where I store some of my most memorable moments.
Looking in that photo album, I see--
It's a battered old thing. Well I suppose you wouldn't really call it old, maybe ten years give or take one or two, but it certainly looks to bear the marks of age and use; though what has marked it most is its time spent in storage. It's a rare thing now that I pull this old tome out, the once white pages are yellowed with age and water stains. The adhesive that held the pictures in place has lots it's grip on some and precious memories spill onto the ground.
Once I gather up all the fallen pictures I begin the laborious process of placing them back in their proper places and as I do so I take a proverbial trip back in time. I see the faces of people I haven't seen since I was eighteen, smiling pictures of youth at summer camp: Tall skinny Brandi grins back at me from her seat on a picnic table. David falls back laughing from an onslaught by Corey in one of many pillow fights. Meghan and her farther, Pastor Mark smile calmly as they sit on the dinning hall benches, a summer sky as blue as I have ever seen it peeks over grass that is greener than any I have seen in recent memory. I place these pictures back with almost exaggerated care and realise that I have forgotten some of the names of these smiling faces, that through the ever constant march of time I have somehow misplaced these dear people.
I set the last picture in place then gently turn the page.
My brother smiles back at me, seated in my mother's lap in our first home, a beat up old rickety trailer we once rented out in Orrington. My mother is younger here, her hair fuller and the only wrinkles I can see are the ones caused by her smile. My brother is laughing, waving his arms in the air at something I can't quite make out and the rocking chair they both sit in surely rocks with the motion of the moment. Bellow is a picture I haven't seen in years, a young boy perched atop a log, elbow propped up on a kneed and his face resting in one hand. I almost mistake the discoloration on the knee for a stain till I remember it was actually grape juice, his blond hair is a tangle and in sharp contrast with the hazy black and white background. To think my hair would turn out as dark as it has.
Again I turn the page.
I see my father peering over his shoulder at me as he cooks in an unfinished kitchen. I can't help but smile at the contrast between the long sleeved tie dye shirt and the grizzled back woods beard he's fond of wearing. Steam rises from the stove top and catches the overhead lights in an almost surreal way and only serves to accent the half finished cabinets to his right and the plywood floor on which he stands.
I close the album and set it aside.
Once I gather up all the fallen pictures I begin the laborious process of placing them back in their proper places and as I do so I take a proverbial trip back in time. I see the faces of people I haven't seen since I was eighteen, smiling pictures of youth at summer camp: Tall skinny Brandi grins back at me from her seat on a picnic table. David falls back laughing from an onslaught by Corey in one of many pillow fights. Meghan and her farther, Pastor Mark smile calmly as they sit on the dinning hall benches, a summer sky as blue as I have ever seen it peeks over grass that is greener than any I have seen in recent memory. I place these pictures back with almost exaggerated care and realise that I have forgotten some of the names of these smiling faces, that through the ever constant march of time I have somehow misplaced these dear people.
I set the last picture in place then gently turn the page.
My brother smiles back at me, seated in my mother's lap in our first home, a beat up old rickety trailer we once rented out in Orrington. My mother is younger here, her hair fuller and the only wrinkles I can see are the ones caused by her smile. My brother is laughing, waving his arms in the air at something I can't quite make out and the rocking chair they both sit in surely rocks with the motion of the moment. Bellow is a picture I haven't seen in years, a young boy perched atop a log, elbow propped up on a kneed and his face resting in one hand. I almost mistake the discoloration on the knee for a stain till I remember it was actually grape juice, his blond hair is a tangle and in sharp contrast with the hazy black and white background. To think my hair would turn out as dark as it has.
Again I turn the page.
I see my father peering over his shoulder at me as he cooks in an unfinished kitchen. I can't help but smile at the contrast between the long sleeved tie dye shirt and the grizzled back woods beard he's fond of wearing. Steam rises from the stove top and catches the overhead lights in an almost surreal way and only serves to accent the half finished cabinets to his right and the plywood floor on which he stands.
I close the album and set it aside.
Alone in a quiet room. But what's really happening?
I'm alone, sitting at my desk typing away in that usual studious manor that must college kids do. But seriously, while I'm typing I'm actually pondering what to have for lunch! You see, I've been at this a while and have neglected to notice that I feel hungry till just about...now. It's a bad habit of mine you see. When I was younger I used to eat like a wolf, or so I've been told. I'd go for long periods of time and not realise I was hungry until....bam! I'd eat just about everything in sight then continue along my merry way.
Now I think may be one of those instances. While I struggled to continue turning out streams of creativity I'm really thinking about what I can scrounge up from the kitchen. Honestly there isn't too much there at the moment, it's almost an Old Mother Hubbard sort of deal out there, but there is always the college staple: Ramen!! Still, I think this may be a last resort of sorts, I do like a good bowl of Ramen now and then, but I think I could certainly use something a bit more substance and a little less salt.
Perhaps there is still a steak left in the freezer that could stand to be thawed out? I might hazard a guess at even a batch of instant rice may be left for my consideration. There is one certainty that I do know: There is some vegetable stir fry that is in the fridge that should be nicely season bow now. Regardless I think it may be time to set aside proverbial pen and paper to check and see what I can forage!
Now I think may be one of those instances. While I struggled to continue turning out streams of creativity I'm really thinking about what I can scrounge up from the kitchen. Honestly there isn't too much there at the moment, it's almost an Old Mother Hubbard sort of deal out there, but there is always the college staple: Ramen!! Still, I think this may be a last resort of sorts, I do like a good bowl of Ramen now and then, but I think I could certainly use something a bit more substance and a little less salt.
Perhaps there is still a steak left in the freezer that could stand to be thawed out? I might hazard a guess at even a batch of instant rice may be left for my consideration. There is one certainty that I do know: There is some vegetable stir fry that is in the fridge that should be nicely season bow now. Regardless I think it may be time to set aside proverbial pen and paper to check and see what I can forage!
Alone In a Room: What Do You See?
My bedroom's a bit of a mess at the moment, the aftermath of a weeks worth of activity not yet given the thought of straightening. Seated at my desk it's covered with odds and ends: A can decorated with various stickers and slogans filled with writing implements of all shapes and sizes along with the odd pair of scissors. Several scented candles sit before the glowing monitor, Balsam & Cedar, Dune Grass, and Ocean Blossom; left overs from the family Christmas I had in my apartment. Two Beta bowls also flank the screen, one an ornamental vase filled with translucent glass pebbles and a dark blue fish by the name of Kong who has a tendency to simply exist within his environment. The other is an interesting contraption of a brass stand suspending a hanging globe by an ornamental hook. An LED light illuminates the fish below that swims aggressively around a small plant nestled within. He's a brightly colored little guy, iridescent blues and purples shimmer in the light...I haven't quite gotten around to naming him yet but I'm sure I will when think of one. Of course there is my computer tower, a sleek black looking machine with something that looks like a blue flux capacitor on the front and a small readout that keeps track of the temperature within the CPU and other important systems. Random Beta pellets roll gently against my wrist as I type, the result of my trying to clear space and knocking over the fish food container.
Next to the desk is a Jambie drum topped with several books, DeathWatch and my Developmental Psych respectively, along with a small shelf topped with an owl shaped coin bank and a bronze statue of something I'm not quite sure of. Between the two is nestled random papers I've thought,at least at some time, to be fairly important. On the shelf above the drum, a fixture that encircles the entirety of my room, rests a printer and a plethora of DVDs, CDs, Computer games, and other such disks.
Across the room is my laundry basket, a painful reminder that I need to take a trip down to the laundry room in short order! Next to the laundry is a proper book shelf, though it is not used for it's intended purpose. Instead of books lining it's shelves games take up the space; Backgammon, Go, Apples to Apples, and Pirate dice are the ones that I can readily see from my vantage point. On top of this bookshelf rests a large glass tank filled with substraight, moss, various plants and two very small red eyed tree frogs that are extremely adept at hiding during the day, an essential with being nocturnal and all.
As for the room itself, the walls are a satin off white that tends to reflect too much light when a car passes by and the trim is a soft wood stained dark by my landlord. Pictures of myself and friends hand from the walls in various frames of glossy black and finished woods. A reminder of where I have been and what has come to pass.
Next to the desk is a Jambie drum topped with several books, DeathWatch and my Developmental Psych respectively, along with a small shelf topped with an owl shaped coin bank and a bronze statue of something I'm not quite sure of. Between the two is nestled random papers I've thought,at least at some time, to be fairly important. On the shelf above the drum, a fixture that encircles the entirety of my room, rests a printer and a plethora of DVDs, CDs, Computer games, and other such disks.
Across the room is my laundry basket, a painful reminder that I need to take a trip down to the laundry room in short order! Next to the laundry is a proper book shelf, though it is not used for it's intended purpose. Instead of books lining it's shelves games take up the space; Backgammon, Go, Apples to Apples, and Pirate dice are the ones that I can readily see from my vantage point. On top of this bookshelf rests a large glass tank filled with substraight, moss, various plants and two very small red eyed tree frogs that are extremely adept at hiding during the day, an essential with being nocturnal and all.
As for the room itself, the walls are a satin off white that tends to reflect too much light when a car passes by and the trim is a soft wood stained dark by my landlord. Pictures of myself and friends hand from the walls in various frames of glossy black and finished woods. A reminder of where I have been and what has come to pass.
Rest Is Not Always A Good Thing....
Well I overslept this morning. It seems that I needed the recharge but I'm afraid it came at the cost of missing my first class of the day. It's not a habit of mine to continually skip class so I'll just have to work that much harder to stay on top of things!
In other news, I think I've figured out the format of this web site and why it bothers me: When I wrote in my other journals I would place a space between paragraphs, I just found it ascetically pleasing for some reason. (Yes, I know. If I actually write a novel or short story that's to be published I'll have to break this little quirk of mine, I'll just shudder every time I see the finished result) So in the name of comfortably writing I've smuggled this little writing oddity in in favor of continually squinting at my finished products and muttering 'It just doesn't seem right....'
Anyway, time to find some coffee and settle in for some writing!
In other news, I think I've figured out the format of this web site and why it bothers me: When I wrote in my other journals I would place a space between paragraphs, I just found it ascetically pleasing for some reason. (Yes, I know. If I actually write a novel or short story that's to be published I'll have to break this little quirk of mine, I'll just shudder every time I see the finished result) So in the name of comfortably writing I've smuggled this little writing oddity in in favor of continually squinting at my finished products and muttering 'It just doesn't seem right....'
Anyway, time to find some coffee and settle in for some writing!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Blogger's Note:
I find the way this blog has my writing formatted is weird.
Sincerely,
This Blog's writing management.
P.S.
With that my bed is calling me, good night and good luck!
Sincerely,
This Blog's writing management.
P.S.
With that my bed is calling me, good night and good luck!
Alone In a Quiet Room: What do you hear?
The bedroom is dark, something of a necessity I thought when first settling in to work on this piece. Our world is filled with so much information, so much outside stimulation that it is easy to miss the simplest thing, something that has always been there. Perhaps even something we have taken for granted.
As I sit poised to tackle this prompt I close my eyes, still my breath, and simply listen.
First comes the high alto of a woman's voice accompanied by the lower, graceful base of several men blended together in a near hypnotic harmony. It is something of a relaxation method of mine to listen to Gregorian chant while writing; the variation from soft feminine harmony to masculine cadence as on more than one occasion helped focus my thoughts as well as provide inspiration when the dreaded writers block rears it's ugly head. Now a change, the threaded beauty of the Alto switches as the play list changes; replaced by a more haunting exchange that speaks of a longing for the unknown. I've never thought to read up on the songs or their translations...I tend to simply let the music move me.
Beneath the harmonics softly echoing from my speakers is the gentle hum of my computer tower, twin fans cycle in constant motion, a small cyclone geared to maintain optimum temperature. Every now and then I can hear the soft grinding click of the hard drive processing information as it is received. Beyond the sound of the computer I can hear the gentle snoring of my roommate, something he does in greater octaves when his day has been particularly hard. It's an odd sound, almost like a dry rasp more than what one would consider a healthy snore; still I rather prefer the rasp to the chainsaw.
Outside I can hear the silky sound of water spilling from my fish tank, a sound that can certainly become less than pleasant if I don't keep an eye on the water levels; what was once a soothing sound can become comparable to a faucet left turned on high for too long. Along with the sound of filtered water is the gentle tap of rain against the window of my bedroom, like the fingers of a small child gently brushing against the covered glass. I find myself surprised by this sound, unexpected as it is after a week of frigged temperatures and snow.
I open my eyes and turn to look out the window.
As I sit poised to tackle this prompt I close my eyes, still my breath, and simply listen.
First comes the high alto of a woman's voice accompanied by the lower, graceful base of several men blended together in a near hypnotic harmony. It is something of a relaxation method of mine to listen to Gregorian chant while writing; the variation from soft feminine harmony to masculine cadence as on more than one occasion helped focus my thoughts as well as provide inspiration when the dreaded writers block rears it's ugly head. Now a change, the threaded beauty of the Alto switches as the play list changes; replaced by a more haunting exchange that speaks of a longing for the unknown. I've never thought to read up on the songs or their translations...I tend to simply let the music move me.
Beneath the harmonics softly echoing from my speakers is the gentle hum of my computer tower, twin fans cycle in constant motion, a small cyclone geared to maintain optimum temperature. Every now and then I can hear the soft grinding click of the hard drive processing information as it is received. Beyond the sound of the computer I can hear the gentle snoring of my roommate, something he does in greater octaves when his day has been particularly hard. It's an odd sound, almost like a dry rasp more than what one would consider a healthy snore; still I rather prefer the rasp to the chainsaw.
Outside I can hear the silky sound of water spilling from my fish tank, a sound that can certainly become less than pleasant if I don't keep an eye on the water levels; what was once a soothing sound can become comparable to a faucet left turned on high for too long. Along with the sound of filtered water is the gentle tap of rain against the window of my bedroom, like the fingers of a small child gently brushing against the covered glass. I find myself surprised by this sound, unexpected as it is after a week of frigged temperatures and snow.
I open my eyes and turn to look out the window.
Several Days Later..
It's taken me a little longer than expected to get back to typing. Life, as the say a bit lightly, has been eventful. I won't torture you with the expanded details so...off to writing a bit more of the less heavy stuff!
Classes are panning out, the work load is a bit daunting at times as I've taken on a pretty hefty class load in an effort to get that cap and gown, not to mention that lovely little Associates, come May. I think I'm up to the task though, I just need to batten down and put blinders on to some things and keep the video games down to a minimum. (A painful thing really, I'm awful fond of my digitised escapism!) That being said I've set the Old Republic aside for a few weeks till I get centered and I'm starting to enjoy getting back into the swing of things. Sure there's been a hick up or two along the way but I truly missed going to classes while I took a semester off.
It's weird though, only a hand full of the faces I see are familiar; but I suppose that's only to be expected when most of the people you knew were in it for a two year program or a transfer degree. That's where I'm at myself so....no real surprises there. What is a pleasant surprise is that some of the kids I play 40k with are now attending classes, makes for interesting encounters while walking the halls to class. Both Bill and Joe, the later being known in our little group as 'Gonzo' had near identical reactions of 'what are you doing here?'. Made me laugh a little to be honest.
Other than the occasional encounter in the halls with former classmates I've caught up with some of the staff on campus, which has been fun. I'm really going to miss being able to sit down at lunch and bounce ideas off a prof's head for a bit or just simply chat about random events, ideas, or general work. The proximity to the student body is I perhaps one of the greatest advantages a community college professor has over that of a university teacher. Hm....something to ponder while I consider career paths.
And that, ladies and gents, I think is that. A fantastic warm up with a stream of consciousness....I think I'm about ready to write now. Till then!
Classes are panning out, the work load is a bit daunting at times as I've taken on a pretty hefty class load in an effort to get that cap and gown, not to mention that lovely little Associates, come May. I think I'm up to the task though, I just need to batten down and put blinders on to some things and keep the video games down to a minimum. (A painful thing really, I'm awful fond of my digitised escapism!) That being said I've set the Old Republic aside for a few weeks till I get centered and I'm starting to enjoy getting back into the swing of things. Sure there's been a hick up or two along the way but I truly missed going to classes while I took a semester off.
It's weird though, only a hand full of the faces I see are familiar; but I suppose that's only to be expected when most of the people you knew were in it for a two year program or a transfer degree. That's where I'm at myself so....no real surprises there. What is a pleasant surprise is that some of the kids I play 40k with are now attending classes, makes for interesting encounters while walking the halls to class. Both Bill and Joe, the later being known in our little group as 'Gonzo' had near identical reactions of 'what are you doing here?'. Made me laugh a little to be honest.
Other than the occasional encounter in the halls with former classmates I've caught up with some of the staff on campus, which has been fun. I'm really going to miss being able to sit down at lunch and bounce ideas off a prof's head for a bit or just simply chat about random events, ideas, or general work. The proximity to the student body is I perhaps one of the greatest advantages a community college professor has over that of a university teacher. Hm....something to ponder while I consider career paths.
And that, ladies and gents, I think is that. A fantastic warm up with a stream of consciousness....I think I'm about ready to write now. Till then!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
An Autobiographical Glimps (part 1)
Well let's see...I've been writing for at least the better part of a decade and a half. My earliest memories being of a small hand illustrated journal I wrote in during the fifth grade; something I actually think I still have kicking around the house some where in storage.
For the most part I'm a fiction writer, fan fiction to be exact. Since I was eighteen till around last year I have used a blogging website called Livejournal to post stories with friends I have gathered throughout the country; I actually look back on my old stories to draw inspiration and, on occasions, wince at how badly my spelling or grammar had been back in those days. The topics of these Livejournals focused mostly on two game settings I had become quite fond of Vampire: The Masquerade and Vampire: The Requiem, both published by White Wolf studios, some of my best work can be found within these electronic pages. However, much like most writers I think, my best work is still located in a battered note book waiting to be completed.
While I'm proud of the majority of my work I think my proudest moment thus far is when I had one of my papers published in EMCC literary magazine, honestly I was stoked! I still have a copy of the issue in a desk drawer to keep me motivated for continued publications.
As for my weaknesses as a writer....spelling is certainly the largest by far. For reasons I can't quite fathom I'm very fond of spelling things phonetically and it's taken me years to put some correction on this very frustrating quirk (As a side this quirk is what prevented me from passing French in high school. I could speak the language but the spelling killed me!)
As for recent projects..I've turned to studying writers such as Gram McNeil, Dan Abbnet, and S.M. Stirling for inspirations and have delved further into a Science Fiction setting instead of my traditional 'dark gothic' ventures.
For the most part I'm a fiction writer, fan fiction to be exact. Since I was eighteen till around last year I have used a blogging website called Livejournal to post stories with friends I have gathered throughout the country; I actually look back on my old stories to draw inspiration and, on occasions, wince at how badly my spelling or grammar had been back in those days. The topics of these Livejournals focused mostly on two game settings I had become quite fond of Vampire: The Masquerade and Vampire: The Requiem, both published by White Wolf studios, some of my best work can be found within these electronic pages. However, much like most writers I think, my best work is still located in a battered note book waiting to be completed.
While I'm proud of the majority of my work I think my proudest moment thus far is when I had one of my papers published in EMCC literary magazine, honestly I was stoked! I still have a copy of the issue in a desk drawer to keep me motivated for continued publications.
As for my weaknesses as a writer....spelling is certainly the largest by far. For reasons I can't quite fathom I'm very fond of spelling things phonetically and it's taken me years to put some correction on this very frustrating quirk (As a side this quirk is what prevented me from passing French in high school. I could speak the language but the spelling killed me!)
As for recent projects..I've turned to studying writers such as Gram McNeil, Dan Abbnet, and S.M. Stirling for inspirations and have delved further into a Science Fiction setting instead of my traditional 'dark gothic' ventures.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
The Day After
Well, I figured I'd do two posts today, one mid day and one after I had gotten home from work. What has prompted me to do this crazy thing is a) I found that I missed rambling on with my stream of consciousness and b) I feel I should make up for a little lost time. And so...on with the blogging!
Today started out a little shaky, but not really in a 'omg the world is ending!' sort of way, more like a 'Ugh...it's 8am already' feeling. You see I'm not really much of a morning person, I most definitely the nocturnal type. I suppose this comes from (I think) three years of being a closer at a fast food restaurant. When one tends to view 1am or 2am time to catch up on TV, reading, or general free time your internal clock tends to shift a bit. Anyway as a result I don't function very well before or around 8am; so having classes start at 9 to 9:30 is a blessing in some regard.
But enough about waking up, on to hobbies!
First and foremost I will make this confession: I'm a geek.
My hobbies are varied and include, Video games, sci fi writing, SCA (Society for Creative Anachronisms) Heavy list, and Warhammer 40k war games. The later I have unfortunately not given nearly enough time to as of late and my paints sit woefully unattended. Something I'm actually planning on changing this coming weekend, or at least I hope too as I've said this many times in the recent few weeks but have found myself distracted. Now I could go into great depth on my projects with my 40k army (I have many!) but it's a bit much to get into at the moment (though if asked I'll happily expound!).
As for the rest of the school day? I think I'll tackle some reading then hit the gym before my final class, maybe even find some time to work out that pesky loan situation. I'm not really sure on the last part but I think I may wait, it's not overly essential yet so I think I might rather avoid the stress, at least till I'm done with my second blog post and Writer assignments!
Today started out a little shaky, but not really in a 'omg the world is ending!' sort of way, more like a 'Ugh...it's 8am already' feeling. You see I'm not really much of a morning person, I most definitely the nocturnal type. I suppose this comes from (I think) three years of being a closer at a fast food restaurant. When one tends to view 1am or 2am time to catch up on TV, reading, or general free time your internal clock tends to shift a bit. Anyway as a result I don't function very well before or around 8am; so having classes start at 9 to 9:30 is a blessing in some regard.
But enough about waking up, on to hobbies!
First and foremost I will make this confession: I'm a geek.
My hobbies are varied and include, Video games, sci fi writing, SCA (Society for Creative Anachronisms) Heavy list, and Warhammer 40k war games. The later I have unfortunately not given nearly enough time to as of late and my paints sit woefully unattended. Something I'm actually planning on changing this coming weekend, or at least I hope too as I've said this many times in the recent few weeks but have found myself distracted. Now I could go into great depth on my projects with my 40k army (I have many!) but it's a bit much to get into at the moment (though if asked I'll happily expound!).
As for the rest of the school day? I think I'll tackle some reading then hit the gym before my final class, maybe even find some time to work out that pesky loan situation. I'm not really sure on the last part but I think I may wait, it's not overly essential yet so I think I might rather avoid the stress, at least till I'm done with my second blog post and Writer assignments!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Blog, the First!
Ok, so here's my first shot at this blog thing we have going on for class. I didn't quite get around to making a post yesterday due to, well, massive hurdles that I found myself striding over in getting things situated classwise on campus. Ah, but you don't know about that yet right? Thus a brief overview!
Long(ish) story made short, made out an application for readmitance about...five months or so ago after a short break from school. Said application I hadn't known about otherwise I would have done it sooner but thems the breaks as they say. Anyways so app submitted and I promptly went back to work with two visits a month to the admin office to check up on things and let them know I was actively interested in resuming classes. Each visit was met with a 'oh we're busy and haven't gotten to it yet' or a 'come back later' response, to which I didn't really mind. It's a busy time of year right? Well four days from class start rolls around and I'm getting edgy, no phone call no letter of intent from the school so I hop back in for the final visit for an 'Ooops! We lost you!'. Not a big deal really, everything got worked out in quick order and off I went with my classes all taken care of and my financial aid set.
Well, that's what I thought anyway.
My Intro to drama class was canceled the next day due to lack of enrolment. No problem! I'll just take Chemistry...I like blowing things up anyway. Well that was fubared and I was asked to transfer to another Chem class later in the day, which doesn't coincide well with work. Enter the Boss who both her and I had a miscommunication on when I was supposed to work (IE classes had started and the work schedule was already out) and I was nearly fired. Sorted that all out and still managed to keep my job but the Chem class was still a bit of a stresser, thankfully my Advisor, Sarah, managed to help bail me out so now everything with classes are just aces.
Now I just need to figure out how the student loan system works online and life will be much less complex.
So I think my next journal entry will be a little less of a gripe. really I haven't had it that bad, it's just been a bit stressful; which is really part of the college experience. Maybe I'll write about a hobby or something, if I have time to work on one :)
Long(ish) story made short, made out an application for readmitance about...five months or so ago after a short break from school. Said application I hadn't known about otherwise I would have done it sooner but thems the breaks as they say. Anyways so app submitted and I promptly went back to work with two visits a month to the admin office to check up on things and let them know I was actively interested in resuming classes. Each visit was met with a 'oh we're busy and haven't gotten to it yet' or a 'come back later' response, to which I didn't really mind. It's a busy time of year right? Well four days from class start rolls around and I'm getting edgy, no phone call no letter of intent from the school so I hop back in for the final visit for an 'Ooops! We lost you!'. Not a big deal really, everything got worked out in quick order and off I went with my classes all taken care of and my financial aid set.
Well, that's what I thought anyway.
My Intro to drama class was canceled the next day due to lack of enrolment. No problem! I'll just take Chemistry...I like blowing things up anyway. Well that was fubared and I was asked to transfer to another Chem class later in the day, which doesn't coincide well with work. Enter the Boss who both her and I had a miscommunication on when I was supposed to work (IE classes had started and the work schedule was already out) and I was nearly fired. Sorted that all out and still managed to keep my job but the Chem class was still a bit of a stresser, thankfully my Advisor, Sarah, managed to help bail me out so now everything with classes are just aces.
Now I just need to figure out how the student loan system works online and life will be much less complex.
So I think my next journal entry will be a little less of a gripe. really I haven't had it that bad, it's just been a bit stressful; which is really part of the college experience. Maybe I'll write about a hobby or something, if I have time to work on one :)
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