Home
Knight of the Living Bread [entries|archive|friends|userinfo]
Mads

[ A Knight's Castle | Meistin Studios ]
[ Everlasting Knight | A Knight's Tale ]
[ A Knight's Journey | A Knight's Wanderings ]

My Mom Says It Was Technically Yesterday, When We Flew Into California [Oct. 21st, 2009|11:25 pm]
[Tags|]
[the knight rests |building a marriage]

I've been in the America six years as of today. Crazy stuff. I haven't posted in my Livejournal account for about as long. CRAZY STUFF

Just a couple of big things for now, first being my having taken and successfully passed my naturalization test last week. Yaaay! Not that the feat was anything to be particularly proud of; I only needed to study one hundred basic questions that gave a very rudimentary knowledge of the personality and history of the US of A, and it's not like they waterboard you for the right answers or anything either.

In fact, I believe you only need to get six questions out of ten right, and as soon as I got exactly six questions right, the agent stopped asking me questions. Oh, government! Now am just waiting to be contacted for the swearing in ceremony, and then I'm officially a citizen. CRAZY STUFF

Second, I've been in the Cadbury Adams plant making gum for five years as a permanent since this past July. It may not seem like such a milestone at first, but when I realized that this means I've been working in that place for longer than I've been in some of my schools, it kind of puts some things in perspective. CRAZY STUFF

Perspective being that I believe I am being kept in that place so that I learn humility and patience. I sure do wish I learned a little faster.

Nextly, one of my biggest excuses for spurning the internet and all its charms altogether boils down to a giddy, semi-nervous state of anticipation and preparation for a very special date about seven months from now. I'll be asking some of youze soon if it's possible for you to be in the general Chicago Illinois area on the 22nd of May, the Year of Our Lord 2010. Chances are, you'll get to witness me sacramentally secure myself to my sole soulmate indissolubly, and afterwards maybe have dinner with us and the family or something. CRAZY STUFF!

We hast begun the pre-marriage orientation process with our parish priest, and have been puttering about with other things besides; to follow will be a friendslocked post with a link to something we have up under construction at The Knot. Please to be checking it out, as it will have pertinent information on the both of us for the interested, including a re-post of [info]allisino's version of our pop-the-question story, and some photos taken throughout the course of this not-very-long-but-feels-pretty-long engagement. Seriously, I catch myself sometimes and have to be very careful not to dwell inappropriately on the events of the wedding night. :O

Finally, I have begun reading Dante's Divine Comedy, Book One: Hell, and his description of the inferno probably helps with the troubles I intimate on in the preceding sentence somewhat. It's the translation by Dorothy Sayers, as very thoughtfully provided to me once again by the inestimable [info]lirazel, a repeated procurer and purveyor of fine literature for my most unworthy self. I've never been an enthusiast for poetry, to put it mildly, but being exposed to what is arguably human history's best instance of it is threatening to change that. Seriously, the notes and addendums feel like I'm taking a school course on both Dante and artistic language, not to mention orthodox moral thought, all of which comprise a most pleasant and welcome surprise, yet another thing for which I must extend Lira my most heartfelt thanks once again.

I can't do very much more than very quickly skim my Flist nowadays, but please know that my prayers are still with all of you. Perhaps soon enough, when my flesh and blood and soul aren't engaged -- heheh -- in other endeavors, I can spare some soon enough for a returned resemblance of regularity on this rambling reader's ruminating r... uh... rrrr.... blog.

God bless! :D

link9 had faith|say a prayer

Matthew 13: 45-46 [Jul. 1st, 2009|10:01 am]
[Tags|]
[the knight's heart |mercantile]

Alright, here's how this is going to work. Before I garage sale/E-Bay my stuff, I would like to offer all my buddies the chance to snap them up first. Most all of these are in good to perfect condition, minus the original packaging, and missing nonessential parts in some cases (the tabs of a guitar, a bust of Lord Raptor one of the Liliths was leaning on, etc). Near the following items will be the estimated retail price as best as I can Google them or as best as I can remember.

For the most part, the ERP is only a guide; this will be a silent auction, held right here in this journal, on this post, as far as I am able, because I can't be stuffed to do it anywhere else in any other way. I will be using for the first time the comment screening feature LJ offers, so please be patient if things are a little hiccupy at first.

All I want from interested parties is a good reason for me to send them something they want. You can give me your best monetary offer, or even a trade. Though you have nothing to send me in return, perhaps you can try to convince me that the item would have a perfect home with you. Maybe it was something you've wanted all your life, or your dying dog wants it. Or, just as likely as any of these, nobody's expressed an interest in the item at all, and simply by being the first to drop by and say, "That would kind of look nice beside my garden gnome", it could be yours by default. You may ask for more than one item. Or just tell me that I am a fool and that an item will fetch 500% its original price in the black market, and we can split the profits. You could be a friend of mine for years, or a passing stranger. Say something. Ask and you might receive.

Be warned however-- not everyone will be treated equally. I owe a lot of people a lot of things, and if I spurn a good, reasonable price for someone else's mere "Send it here", there may be reasons for this beyond your ken. Comments, offers or questions are subject to being unscreened and published at my discretion, unless otherwise specified or requested. When I say I am considering an offer, it means I am considering the offer. Once I promise you an item, it is as good as yours as soon as manageable.

Once a matter is settled, the details of addresses and logistics can be discussed over email. It may take moments to settle. It may take days. I have almost a week off until next Wednesday, and excepting Friday, so this is the best time for anything. Beyond that, the ball will be in the air. I will try to provide ample time for as many as possible to see and consider what I offer, but beyond a certain time after the latest ping I got from interested parties, all items are going to be gotten rid of some way or another.

While I do not require full price for any item, I do hope that interested parties give some small token to cover as much shipping as they can, though, again, it is not required.

Finally, you may not even be interested in anything I have (which is hardly a surprise), but may still be interested in helping me out a bit (which is always a pleasant surprise). Feel free to drop any amount you wish through the button below.









All proceeds will go to the Alliedeo 2010 Matrimony Fund, and whatever charities we deem worthy.

( First off, the toys. )

Operators are standing by to take your calls. God bless!

link2 had faith|say a prayer

sotiredkthxbye [May. 22nd, 2009|07:30 pm]
[Tags|]

ACen weekend was a big, long blast, and it was followed immediately by my youngest brother getting married. I am wiped out.

So, now I get to plan for the date exactly a year from now, which will be the most important day of my life.

I hope I make it there, haw. Godspeed~

link7 had faith|say a prayer

Would Have Posted Sooner, But Had No Internet For Whole Weekend [May. 4th, 2009|07:45 pm]
[Tags|]

( Strawberry-topped white cheesecake meets dark chocolate cake! )

I'm going to bed now. I'm totally wiped out. Good night and God bless~

link23 had faith|say a prayer

Easter Feaster [Apr. 22nd, 2009|01:32 pm]
[Tags|, , ]

The weekend is gone, but not its effects! Man, what a three days. Not even working two twelve-hour days back-to-back can seem to dampen it. As it is not within my power to have my friends live those days with me and thus share my joy, I will instead report on some of the highlights!

( Friday! )

( Saturday! )

( Sunday! )

And there you have it, Best Weekend Ever, topping what already seems to be an obscenely long series of Best Weekends Ever.

I'm going to play Team Fortress 2 now. I didn't get to play any over the long weekend, but I really wouldn't have it any other way.

Godspeed! X3

link1 had faith|say a prayer

Pocket Theology [Apr. 15th, 2009|07:40 pm]
[Tags|, ]

( Bought at a price. )

I walk about life nowadays with the air of someone who has been given a great gift and responsibility, but unsure whether he can live up to it.

Trials and tribulations have a way of forcing one to shed the immaterial things in life and forces one to change perspective and hang on to what really matters, if only as a way to make it through; it becomes possible to be satisfied, or even happy with less. In an almost inverse manner, great blessing and great fortune have a way of making those with grateful hearts keenly aware of how undeserving they are of such gifts, especially in the midst of what seems to be so much misery and suffering. Certain children think nothing of being given something they have dreamed of all their lives; certain others, upon receiving, immediately think, "Oh, darn it, now I'm expected to live up to this. Now I have to earn what I have been freely given."

But a gift freely given, by definition, can never be earned. When presented with a happiness the heart cannot contain, it can either blanch and retreat, try to take in too much at once and burst, or float along idly, satisfied only with what it can hold... but it can also expand.

I'm... I'm trying to expand. Sometimes despite myself. I have been given great gifts, and I'm finding that this means I must unclench my fingers to receive them, must let go of the things of this world that I have held on to for so long, and which are really just so much dust in comparison.

I can't do it on my own. But I'm not alone anymore. And that's another gift I have to live up to for the rest of my life.

link2 had faith|say a prayer

(no subject) [Apr. 12th, 2009|11:48 pm]
[Tags|]

Fixed the place up a bit and cooked a big dinner for family and company. I'm pooped. 'Pooped' is such a funny word.

This was probably the first Easter Triduum where I reeeaally paid attention. It was awesome. Oh, and [info]allisino is Catholic now-- my heart is apt to burst. Mine cup doth indeed overloweth. Eth.

Happy Easter, you guys.

God be with you!

link4 had faith|say a prayer

Ching Chong Nip Nong Panda + PHB2 Sandwich~ [Mar. 25th, 2009|08:43 pm]
[Tags|, , ]

I did promise to say something about this movie, so let me just get it out of the way, and then we can move on with all our lives. Also, I have no credentials for cinematic criticism, so pay no attention to moi, but here is how my thoughts on it boil down: Kung Fu Panda never let me forget it was a movie made for children. It succeeded sometimes, which was probably what was most surprising, so it gets points for that at the very least. However, this is as opposed to, say, a Pixar film, where you look around sometimes and wonder what are children doing in this audience? Then again, I remember Dreamworks' earlier efforts, where you wonder what am I doing in this audience?? Oh, heaven, help me, get me out of here, oh, lord. In conclusion: great effort from Dreamworks, almost all in the right directions, and I just hope they don't blow it on Monsters Versus Aliens.

Bonus review: Secrets of the Furious Five. Wonderful supplement, but a complete ripoff when they make it so that the only way to purchase it is to buy the Action Pack, meaning that the original movie clings to it like some unwelcome cordyceps fungus. At a mere thirty minutes in length (not including the fairly anemic extras), the cartoon feature's life is all but sucked out by the feature length film piggybacking with it in the plastic wrap, the bewildering addition singlehandedly jacking the price up to triple what it might have been reasonable to ask. Unless of course you don't actually have the movie yet. In which case, it's a good buy, and you won't be a sucker like me (I gave the extra DVD to my little sister lul).

The cartoon itself proved almost reverse-climactic, by which I mean they put all the best parts first, leaving me first amused, then awesomed, then underwhelmed, and then downright bored towards the end. I'd be snittier, but two of the stories were cute enough to make me forget that this was a universe written by people who couldn't be bothered to name a tiger, snake, monkey, mantis and crane other than Tigress, Snake, Monkey, Mantis, and Crane.

The weekend saw the advent of some kind of Dungeons and Dragons Day, which [info]demota was kind enough to inform me of, but I was involved in an advent of a different sort elsewhere, in the Light of the World retreat at my local parish. It wasn't that I was uninterested in D&D Day-- it would have been the perfect chance I'd been looking for to finally get some real, hands-on experience doing tabletop with real people-- but it came at a time in my life when I'm seriously reevaluating my priorities.

No contest, really. Allie was also pretty excited about the retreat, and markedly less excited about D&D, so that helped my decision along quite a bit. The irony is that I'd held off at first mentioning anything about the RCIA to her when we first went out, fearing that I'd scare her away if I looked like I was proselytizing poor, innocent young women. Now she's helping drag me to some very Catholic activities in my very own parish (did I mention that she volunteered at a Knights of Columbus event completely on her own? She's awesome (even if she did drag me to that one too, after a twelve-hour workday)).

Anyhoo, still not playing, but I got the Player's Handbook 2 regardless. Personal opinion: I'm actually kind of glad that pretty much everything I need is in the first one, aside from some pretty jaw-dropping new feats. The races seem to include a nod to Hindu-Buddhist spirituality (Deva), a concession to furries (lol Shifters), and the Goliaths, the only one I was interested enough in to make a character for. Thinking of a female Goliath barbarian and a male Human Warden. Got a male Dwarf Paladin lying around I want to develop too, so I guess all that can be saved for another post.

Allie just reminded me that ACen has a tabletop gaming room, so I'll see if something can't be scared up from that. Looks like she'll be dragging me to the ACen forums for this.

In the meantime, robust character generation in a game I never actually play remains worth my money.

Godspeed!

link15 had faith|say a prayer

YOU HEARD I LIKE WHAT!? [Mar. 9th, 2009|08:21 pm]
[Tags|, ]
[the knight hears |John Rutter - Agnus Dei]

On Thursday, when last I worked, I turned my celphone on during my last break to talk to [info]allisino. I suddenly got a text message from an unknown number, and I quoth:

"Short shorts party on the 18"

W. T. F!?

I texted back: "You have the wrong number. Thanks for the invite though :V"

And then I got the reply: "Ha ha sorry. See you there random person"

D:

I was going to reply about being spoken for already or something, but my better judgment told me that replying once for the lulz was fine; any further correspondence was asking for trouble.

It was a minor incident all told, but it serves to make me a little uneasy. It feels almost as if that exchange, and several other seemingly-unrelated 'minor' incidents this Lent are... targeted at me somehow.

WELL, WHOEVER'S DOING IT, YOU'RE NOT BEING VERY SUBTLE, SO QUIT IT, I'S GOT PURITY OF HEART AND CHASTITY TO MAINTAIN HERE, SO NYAAAAAAH

Ever have one of those weeks? :V

It wasn't all bad though; m'amour and I found some kitten videos... WITH A TWIST ENDING..

link3 had faith|say a prayer

CARTOONS CARTOONS OH LAWD CARTOONS [Mar. 4th, 2009|08:18 pm]
[Tags|, ]
[the knight rests |NOT on my frickin feet anymore, praise the Lord]
[the knight hears |Foo Fighters - The Pretender]

HAY GUYZ

THIS



HAS A SUPERIOR CHARACTER DESIGN TO

THIS



SHOCKING BUT TRUE!


Okay, not that shocking olol. More when I talk about Kung Fu Panda soon! Or not!

I'm actually way tireder than I sound; another twelve-hour workday, yes, but at least I didn't have the damnable leather steel-toes that made me want to die by the tenth hour. My feet are apparently powerful pleasure centers or the focal point for an all-consuming desire for self-annihilation.

I was off three days prior to this, but, man, WHAT a three days! Sunday, I took off on vacation to join [info]allisino as her sponsor on her RCIA journey. We were at a beautiful Rite of Sending at our own parish before we all met up again as a group at a cathedral to meet the bishop. Only the unbaptized catechumens got to shake his hand though, and along with the unbaptized also getting to sign the Book of the Elect, we both half-wished we were unbaptized too lol. But not quite, heh.

Monday was spent running errands and preparing for my awesome mother's awesome birthday, which was had by all yesterday, and we gave her the laptop she'd always wanted. Woohoo! Now she's not the only one of her sisters who doesn't have one! Seriously, she was determined to go out that night and buy one for herself if we hadn't pulled out our surprise gift. And now I find out [info]spacemantis bought himself the exact same laptop, down to brand and model in the pretense of it being a completely wacky and uncanny coincidence of some kind. REALLY, SIR. If you were a fan of my totally awesome mom, you could have just said so, instead of going through all this stalker nonsense! HUMPH AND HARRUMPH

Oh, and there was also some major DRAMA going down through all three days, but unfortunately not anything I am at liberty to discuss, I don't think. Suffice it to say, it does not involve me and ma belle, at least not directly, but a different couple in close proximity. I've been praying for them intensely recently, but darned if sometimes it doesn't seem like anyone's listening!

In closing, something very interesting I learned over Sunday with a man who is fast-becoming my favoritest EVER priest; mom had given up coffee for Lent, and after the Rite of the Elect, wouldn't you know it, they were serving coffee and cookies! So she was looking around for tea when Father Randy asked her what she was looking for. She told him, and explained that she had given up coffee for Lent.

He was all like, "Oh, no, no, you can have whatever you gave up for Lent on Sundays."

And we were all like, "O RLY"

Basically, he explained that Sundays on Lent, and indeed, every Sunday of the year is a feast in commemoration and celebration of the Resurrection, and so fasts are not normally exercised on that day. I observed that this made sense, as I learned some time ago (and have been trying to practice) the parallel habit of keeping Fridays holy by fasting a bit and engaging in some abstinences and mortifications in memory of the real Good Friday throughout the year. And mom had been joking earlier too about Sundays having special dispensation from fasts because of its relationship to Easter. She was right without knowing it! So she got to guzzle coffee, and Allie got to gorge herself on a chocolate chunk cookie while all I could do was watch because there wasn't any Coke in the area. HARRUMPH. At least Allie looked absolutely ecstatic eating that cookie-- I don't think any pastry was ever as happily consumed as that one was.

At least I can look forward to this Sunday, when I can hop on Team Fortress 2 and people will be all like, "Cobbly Wobbles! Where have you been?" and I'll be all like, "Oh, I gave TF2 up for Lent." and they'd be all like, "But it's still Lent!" and I'd be all like, "Yeah, but I get to lift my fast during mini-Easter."

The obvious contradiction in this story of course is that nobody will greet me when I come back to my regular server, but instead the usual carnage will progress unimpeded, and people will take turns peppering me with buckshot or caving my skull in with blunt instruments. I would have it no other way, really.

Godspeed!

link18 had faith|say a prayer

Anyone Keeping Track of My Heads Batted In? BONK [Feb. 25th, 2009|02:57 pm]
[Tags|, , ]

Life, while not idyllic, is wonderful. Twelve hours on my feet makes me tired and weak, but I have more days off now. [info]allisino has been downsized from her employment, but that just means we get a little more time together before she finds another assignment. A number of family and friends are experiencing infirmities of health and spirit, but I can pray for them, and not alone this time, as ma belle has been my spiritual partner for almost as long as she's been my romantic one now. \(ºwº)/

I cooked goulash for the first time for her and my brother last week, and nothing bad happened to any of us! So yay! Mads: 15 - Food Poisoning: 0!

My brother got Street Fighter 4 for the PS3 a few days ago, and I still suck at fighting games. Mostly it's because I can't be stuffed to spend the time necessary to be good at anything on a videogame (the next iteration of which will have an almost completely different learning curve altogether for itself anyway), but also because I tend to pick lower tier characters whom I feel deserve a little more love, thus ensuring that I can't train on the stronger ones more, while becoming only moderately competent on the weaker ones who can't do much against the stronger ones anyway.

Come to think of it, that's not entirely accurate; for Street Fighter 4, and the series in general, I've always favored M. Bison (or Vega, whatever translation you're working with), and he's a pretty decent hitter, even when not in Boss mode. I've taken a liking to Zangief too, especially now that I can actually get his special throws with the analog stick.

On the whole, I have some hope of actually learning this game to some level of respectable skill, if only because the aesthetic does not appeal to me at all. For instance, my brother observed that while the faces on the females seem okay, their in-game models' hands are hilariously bigger than their faces. I suppose it's better than their tatas each being bigger than their heads? I honestly don't know. Anyway, what this means is that I can focus on playing better as long as I am not distracted by the graphics, unlike when I played... well... pretty much every sprite fighter I've ever played.

In fact, that's the primary manner I've derived entertainment from arcades as a youth; just roam around for hours watching people play. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that we were too poor in the Philippines to be constantly feeding money to the slots. Every time I did, I'd get my buttocks handed to me anyway.

The Team Fortress 2 Scout Update is out! Woohoo! Which is great timing, because I'm giving up Team Fortress, Street Fighter, and all other videogames for Lent anyway! WHAT A TWEEST!

Yep, for the next forty days, it will be no games, plenty of study, and eating and sleeping right, with plenty of exercise. Then I might even get to think about offering penances too! AWESOOOOOME lol

Godspeed! ¯\(ºwo)/¯

P.S. By the way, Capcom, what the hell is UP with Crimson Viper's character design? I can dig the business suit look, but please-- either lose the tie, or button up your shirt, girl; the having-it-both-ways thing does not work, and is only hypnotic in the way one might be unable to help but look at someone in public who appears to have forgotten how to dress themselves properly. All in all, her appearance seems to be another concoction of creativity by committee, a phenomenon I have seen entirely too much of lately. More on that when I get to talk about Kung Fu Panda! Adieu!

P.S.S. And her shirt's way too short too! Man!

link19 had faith|say a prayer

Hello, My Name Is Amadeo, I Believe We've Met [Feb. 10th, 2009|08:03 pm]
[Tags|]

I think I could get used to working twelve hours a pop. I hesitate to say 'I like it' because then someone might hear me and then change it around again.

As far as LJ disappearances go, I've had longer absences (and on purpose), but this recent neglect seems more... natural, I suppose? I've joked more than once that, since LJ is primarily designed to be a vortex of emo and pathos and angst, I have very little use for it now that I am actually happy.

... THE JOKE BEING OF COURSE THAT I'D ALWAYS BEEN PRETTY HAPPY TO BEGIN WITH, OK

Also, LJ is pretty good for happy stuff too.

Seriously though, I love every one of my friends and acquaintances as much as I did in the past, but, if I may employ an analogy, it's like I've been admiring this little string of Christmas lights in the dark, and then I'm suddenly thrust in the sunlight, where I'm all like OMGWTFBBQ, and it will take a while for me to even see the Christmas lights again.

Please don't tell Plato I stole his analogy.

The schedule change workwise sums up the most radical of recent developments, and my overall status is largely unchanged, though of course winter always provides some wonderful fluctuations as far as mood and outlook go. Thankfully, it's been getting unusually warm around here for the time of year, and I only feel a little guilty for enjoying the global warming it portends instead of loathing it like the leprosy of the earth.

Games-wise, surprise, surprise, I'm still playing Team Fortress 2, only now coupled with another playthrough of Final Fantasy Tactics; only this time, I only used Ramza for all the mission modes, save for when I was forced to team up, at which point I always picked my member chocobo-- because mounted cavalry on a black chocobo named Phantom is pretty frickin' sweet. I am currently turning my party members into toads one by one and making them gang up on an enemy toad for an hour. Sometimes, it's the simple pleasures.

I'm getting quite a few more days off now than before, so we'll see if this translates into even more transmissions from this space in the future. Someday, I might even draw again.

Godspeed!
link9 had faith|say a prayer

I Am NOT Iron Man [Jan. 1st, 2009|02:08 pm]
[Tags|]

I don't drink. Last night at [info]allisino's, I had a shot of Battery Acid, a shot of Orange Crap, a shot of Smoky Sake Crap, a shot of Cherry Crap, and about three solid shots of Rumple Minze, with a dash of Grenadine somewhere in there for color.

I was pretty much destroyed-- not falling down drunk, but it seems I rapidly melted my way to a small couch, and was laying down already (thankfully), singing on Rock Band when my muscles went on union strike.

I woke up next to her, with one of the cats purring on top of us, and it was the single sweetest thing in the universe ever, primarily because I could verify the current location and status of my pants (aside from my shirt, underwear, thermals and jeans, I was naked).

This was all after midnight. Highlights of the closing of 2008 were me spending it building a Lego Star Wars Republic Walker transport, and the arrival of Allie's good, crazy Korean friend, who is about as Anonymous as they come. The hilarious thing is that none of Allie's landlord's buddies showed up until like, ten or eleven or so, and for most of the day, it was just me building Legos with ma cheri beside me, and later, just me, her, her sister, her landlord, and her two friends, and we all just kind of made fun of some reality tv, and looked at some Failblog entries and Youtube videos.

Best. Party. Evar.

2009

Happy New Year, Everyone!

Have a blessed and prosperous and safe one! Lots of love for '09! EEEE! :D

link2 had faith|say a prayer

Christmas Post By The Token Catholic [Dec. 24th, 2008|02:27 pm]
[Tags|, ]

This holiday season had me running around so much, it would have been funny had it not been for the snow, slush and ice that interspersed the December days. Instead, it was hilarious.

I just finished my amazing gift-wrapping extravaganza, but I must needs keep this brief still.

In my running around grabbing material expressions of my love for friends and family, I had time to reflect somewhat on the nature of the luxuries I can afford to indulge in for myself and others. It would seem that as all these recreational or 'time-saving' devices proliferate, perhaps we are in danger of losing sight as to what we are saving time for. It is no secret that there exists a prevalent notion (and even some statistic/scientific studies that confirm it) that the more we have things that make things like communication easier and faster, the more we actually lose touch with each other. Perhaps it's not as universal a phenomenon as it may seem to be (thank God), but it cannot be denied that for every niche of time we have available, there is something that offers to fill it for us, whether it be easy access to music, blogging, quick entertainment, or even organizing that same slice of an hour into a neat category in one's scheduling PDA. The temptation to succumb can be strong.

Forgive me, I'm probably not as coherent as I'd like to be, but remember, these were contemplations made in the middle of the Yuletide mob season, in near-blizzard conditions.

I suppose what I'm really trying to get at is the irony I personally perceive in trying to reconcile our 'modern' life, and how it was supposed to improve upon every aspect of the 'classical' model. We are surrounded by technology that promised us that they would make life easier for us (and in some ways, they have), and promised us that they'd give us more time for our families and other things that matter (and in some ways, they have), but when was the last time you thought, man, thank goodness emailing people instead of writing them an actual letter saved me enough time to stop and look and smell this flower.

The actual trouble though, is of course not in the devices themselves, but in an attitude wherein these things are taken as ends in themselves. When leisure activities are pursued for their own sake, and not as something to help prepare us for the next thing we have to be doing, then something is wrong.

In other words, the timeless principle; freedom is not about getting to do anything we want to do, but the ability to do the things we ought to do. When we are enslaved to objects, we have less freedom to devote to love subjects-- that is, other people.

Anyway, on the 26th, I will be flying off to Missouri, kidnapped to attend my godmother's wedding, and taken away from Allie. BOOHOO!! At least I will make sure to spend New Year's Eve with her, thus breaking a five-year Loser Streak.

In the meantime, these present two days provide me opportunity to reflect (more properly) on the fact that, if Jesus is God, and Jesus was born at this time two thousand (plus or minus change) years ago, then an infinite and timeless God had deigned to reduce Himself to a single point in time, and that by itself is staggering enough in its implications even without the rest of the story (i.e., the Primary Purpose and Ultimate End of His mission, and how the story culminated [or, if you want to look at it like we do, began-- linear time is seldom a hindrance to theological reckoning]).

Also, [info]allisino just corrected my use of recurring parentheses (and my spelling of plural parenthesis), which is indescribably awesome.

So, you guys,

Merry Christmas!

And may you all be blessed today and every day! X3

link3 had faith|say a prayer

I Think A Valuable Lesson Can Be Learned Here [Dec. 9th, 2008|06:45 pm]
[Tags|, ]

Okay, so I have a proud and vain streak that I have not entirely killed off yet. This undesirable side of me often has occasion to manifest, particularly on dates like my birthday.

I never used to be much of a birthday celebrant; back when I became old enough to be self-aware enough to pretend to modesty by downplaying myself, birthdays seemed to be an unnecessary way to draw unwanted attention to oneself. Over the years, I've changed my attitude, and they've been occasions of great thanks and gratitude for me since, aside from an ooportunity to subvert the cliche of people not wanting to count years gained any more after 25 (I'm 26 now, haha, noobs!).

Anyway, I took a day off from work for today, and I had everything planned out-- I was gonna rent my dream car for a day-- a Dodge Charger-- take my girl out for dinner, get a lot of minor errands done in the morning, and basically awesome up the town. Dressed up for the part too, with good shirt, tie, leather, the whole shebang.

On my drive this morning, I found that a massive snowstorm had settled upon the state.

I did my best to follow through with all my plans despite the weather, but it proved more draining than I foresaw, that coupled with my lack of sleep got me really tired by a bit after midday. I got a little over half of everything I intended to do done, but I decided to let it go after that.

The moment I let go, relaxed, and just loosened up, things improved greatly. I took of my tie and my stuffy shirt, and just spent a couple hours of the afternoon playing Team Fortress 2 like I secretly wanted to do all day. I am now at [info]allisino's place, about to enjoy another sublime homecooked meal from her hands, and basically lounge about in the warmth of her living room while the weather remains frightful outside.

It's the simple things that make life beautiful. Life continues to awesome me out at twenty-six, and I fervently hope for more. God bless. X3

link9 had faith|say a prayer

Eternally Benighted [Dec. 5th, 2008|01:23 pm]
[Tags|, ]
[the knight hears |Final Fantasy Tactics-- Track 63]

In a nutshell: last Thanksgiving was jawsome x 2. I managed to attend two celebrations this year with m'amour, so it's like we're catching up to all the time we had in our lives before we met each other. Has only/already been six months??

There were lulz to be had from learning and playing Apples to Apples and Taboo; never thought I'd have as much fun playing board games as I do videogames. But there was that as well-- Little Big Planet has some of the softest, most frustrating controls I've ever encountered, but when there are four of you failing at the same time, it's hard for hilarity not to break.

We found a superbly-done ICO tribute level on the online created maps selection, tempting me muchly to create levels of my own. Highlight of the playthrough: Allie managed to accidentally lift the drawbridge up at an angle with everyone else on it, almost pitching us all into the abyss. Only I fell in. When I respawned near where Allie was unsuccessfully trying to navigate her way back to the control lever, I was all like, "k guys i got this", pulled the lever, and proceeded to lift the drawbridge up all the way vertically, shaking the other players off and into the void.

I didn't mean to do it, I swear!

Allie got an education in mixed family cuisine too-- over the years, my stepda is usually all, "wtf, guys, i cooked all this cornbread and corn on the cob and potatoes, and ur all lyk, 'where's d rice lol'". So this year, he's adjusted his repertoire some, and we feasted on rice, chicken rice soup, and, much to Allie's amusement, "Thanksgiving Spaghetti". We know what we like, okay!

Aside from what you guys have christened a LolLash, I also managed to finish a couple other pieces over the long weekend, namely Howdy and a gift I'm giving to my friends who own the store from whence I buy most of my Magic cards (High Res). They gave me a lot of free stuff last time I was there, and while they do have a quick grayscale, pencil-shade drawing I did for them I gave them last year, I'd always promised an upgrade but never seemed to deliver. It's a good feeling to finally follow through.

The week flew by, but only because it was so busy. That's okay-- next week will be awesome, I can tell already. lol plans

God bless!

link4 had faith|say a prayer

My IQ Is OVER 9000!!! [Dec. 4th, 2008|10:58 am]
[Tags|]
[the knight rests |teh frozen midwest lol]
[the knight hears |Final Fantasy Tactics-- Unavoidable Battle]

Okay, so last night after work, I had a fun time scraping ice off of my car's windshield and windows, but I first had to wrestle a bit with the doors because they had frozen shut. That's like, the second time this week my automobile's become a block of ice.

So, this morning, I go to warm up the car before I drive to my daily Mass, and the freaking thing wouldn't open. Cursing under my breath the visible frosting of hydro-crystallization on the edges, I grabbed the spray can of Heet (a de-icer I bought last year because the thought of 'Canned Heat' just tickled me) and started dousing the driver side door along the borders.

Still didn't want to open; I was afraid that I'd yank the handle off if I pulled too hard.

So I go inside, cursing under my breath the money I'd apparently wasted on a pressurized aluminum cylinder of ineffective poison, heat up a cup of water and pour that down along the side of the car.

Still no go. This is all accompanied by some half-hearted fist-pounding and shoulder-tackling of the doors. All four appeared to be airtight. This was more than passing odd, because the car had been in the garage all night, and should have been too warm to be this obnoxiously solidified.

Somewhere between all this, I thought and prayed, Lord, you sure seem to have an odd sense of humour this week, today particularly. Although, I'm probably not being fair. If this isn't Your doing, I'd sure appreciate some help please.

On my way to my laptop to Google 'stupid doors frozen shut', I was given a flash of divine inspiration, the brightest idea of all.

I unlocked my doors.

I drove like a fiend (but only half a fiend, as the roads were still slushy), and I arrived after the epistle, but before the Gospel, and although I absolutely hate being late for anything, especially something as important as Mass, I was sheepish enough for the rest of the morning not to sweat it as I typically do with the small stuff.

In my defense, I had to contend with all this before coffee. Still, I really do wonder sometimes what [info]allisino sees in me.

Busier week than I'd really figured it would be, and haven't had the time to journal, to game even a little, to do nuffink but the most basic and most critical in life. What more can I ask for really, but still, some Rock Band or Team Fortress would be nice once in a while.

In conclusion: move over, [info]ninjadebugger, I want to hibernate until spring too.

Godspeed~

link7 had faith|say a prayer

Back in Black Friday [Nov. 28th, 2008|11:12 am]
[Tags|]

This morning, I find myself with some time in the midst of reveling and wallowing in a glorious four-day weekend with myself, my family and the girl I love. She was present last night with us, as her own family has a joint celebration planned with her sister's beau's family on Saturday, and that was just one more thing to be thankful for, amid my cup that overfloweth.

My youngest brother's girlfriend and her brother was also there. Oh, whoops, my mistake-- my brother's FIANCE was also there.

This seven flavors of awesome. Around next year, I finally get to be a bridesmaid, like I always dreamed. T_T

More later with teh artz, Apples to Apples, and Little Big Planet shenanigans.

God bless you guys! Have a great and graced weekend~

link19 had faith|say a prayer

THANKS FOR NOTHING [Nov. 5th, 2008|11:13 am]
[Tags|, ]

Well, now you've gone and done it! I pour my heart out to you guys, and still Obama gets elected!!? THAT'S IT, I'M MOVING TO GOOD, TRADITIONAL VALUES COUNTRY-- LIKE CANADA!!









lol j/k

Srsly though, congratulations on making history, all my American friends! You may not believe it, but I'm optimistic about the future, and, in addition, I haven't been this excited about a change in leaders in my life, looks like I got here just in time. I don't have to be excited much to be more excited than 0%, but still!

True, this turning point will make certain aspects of my struggle from here on in conceivably a little more fraught with obstacles, but nobody ever promised me it would be easy, I never expected it, and goodness, on some level, I probably don't even want it to be easy, God help me.

Anyway, at the very least, the explosion of cheers and celebration on my FList is a damned sight better than what I witnessed four years ago, when Bush got that second term (HAHAHAHAHAHA, SRSLY, YOU GUYS, WTF, THIRD TIME'S THE CHARM, EH?), and everyone I knew here acted like their favorite dog had just been shot.

Some of you have some truly excellent points I would like to address, one and all in my last post and subsequent flurry of comments, but I will leave you today to enjoy the flush of victory without my interference. Besides, my fast officially ended yesterday, and I can now drink soda and play Team Fortress 2 again.

So look like we're all having good times right now!

I hope to be able to apply for citizenship this year, and join you. I love you all! God bless America!

link14 had faith|say a prayer

Too Tired and Lazy Yesterday [Nov. 3rd, 2008|10:57 am]
[Tags|, ]

Just when I thought I was an unstoppable juggernaut of reasoning, [info]kouaidou posed me a question that stopped me dead in my tracks; namely, an inquiry as to whether or not I cared about particular laws as opposed to a more general, abstract approach to morality. Ironically, I was previously not fazed by the pointed, issue-intensive questions as much as I was by this simple, context-setting point of clarification. I had to stop the soapbox train for a good while to ponder it, too.

As I took it, essentially, in its simplest form, the question actually asks of me: what do I hope to accomplish by doing or saying anything? I'm no judge, I'm no lawyer, I'm no lobbyist, journalist, political blogger, political militant, not even any great logical thinker or charismatic speaker-- I'm a nine-to-five immigrant factory worker who can't vote.

And even if I could, it does not much improve the odds of my perceptibly making any difference; in this, my awakening into the strange realm of political activism, I am put in the very awkward position where the candidate I most like has adopted a position I can in no way support or condone, and the candidate that stands in opposition to him is the one whose campaign and party is, by all appearances, self-destructing.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Rock and a hard place.

So on the particular level, what do I hope to accomplish? I'm not out to convince anyone (although that would be nice). Noob that I am, I'm not out to educate anyone (although that would be nice). I'm not out to change anyone's vote one way or the other either (although that would be nice too).

I thought about it, and I remembered that saying anything at all is rarely ever simply for the sake of saying anything at all; every act is given meaning in light of the world view one has adopted, how convinced one is that it is true, and what one can do within one's power to bring that truth to as many as one possibly can.

I am breaking radio silence to give witness to what I know and hold firm to be true and good. In all honesty, whoever wins after this election doesn't matter to me one whit or a tittle. What matters is that it is through this election that I became aware of the very least thing that which I must stand for. Though it may be that the results of this election will greatly impact the face and nature of the fight to come for many, many years to come, for myself personally, whoever wins, the battle has only just begun.

( A journey through thought, in bullet points. )

I have to run to work, and as such, this will be a very messy end, but then we are faced with the truth of very messy ends today; 48,000,000 messy ends' worth, and climbing.

Someone has to defend those that cannot defend themselves. Women and children first. Previability is a term forged of cowardice, and makes my hackles rise. The day that mothers will not take care of children simply for the reason that children depend on them, is the day that something terribly wrong has happened in the world.

It is possible to love both the mother and the child. Birth and adoption is the only real choice. It is the loving choice. And it is there. And for some reason so many don't even know it.

God bless.

link68 had faith|say a prayer

navigation
[ viewing | most recent entries ]
[ go | earlier ]