Really Long, Inadequately Titled Post

Hey guys! So, as you may or may not know, I play music live on a regular basis. Every Thursday and Sunday to be exact. We've finally restarted practicing on Tuesday nights, and today's practice was for an opening of our new loft area at church. It's pretty dang sweet. You guys are all invited, here's the facebook event link: Loft Event. Pictures of our 98% finished loft:

This event is going to be awesome. I'll be playing my new bass, there will be tons of music, most likely free coffee, all that jazz. On another note, there's been something that I've been putting off doing, which is telling you how stuff panned out after the Freedom post from 7/11. To put it simply, it didn't. But, as I said in the post (and which I've been re-thinking and decided I still feel the same way) I'm perfectly fine with it not panning out. I was, and still am, satisfied with just making that first move. And, to be really honest, that makes me feel really good about myself because last year I would not have said that. It would've thrown me straight in the dumps. I don't know what to attribute this feeling to, but whatever it is is really cool. Finally, here's my last update on my Summer Checklist:

- Get at least halfway through writing my book.
     I didn't even get close to this, but I did do some work, and I will continue to do so. I will also continue with this for this year's NaNoWriMo, so I might even get it done before the year is out, If I apply myself to it.
- Learn to palm flip
     Didn't happen.
- to palm spin
     Didn't happen.
- to wall flip
     Didn't happen.
- to wall front flip
     Didn't happen.
- to Kip-up
     Almost happened! I'm so close, I hope to be able to do this really soon.
- to cartwheel (I still can't do one. At all.)
     Didn't happen.
- Run a 6 minute mile (sprint speed, not average speed)
     I'm not sure if this happened. I haven't tried, but I did do a lot of running this summer.
- to Kong Vault
     Didn't happen.
- to Speed Vault
     Happened!
- to Dash Vault
     This too!
- to run up a 10' wall (I can only do a 9' or so now, whatever height Mike is with his arms raised above his head plus 6")
     I can do 9'6", so better, but not my goal.

Now, onto stuff I did accomplish, but wasn't on my list:

• Made it more than halfway through language set 1 for Japanese.
• Started learning how to read people's bodily expressions.
• Bought a bass.
• Actually practiced my Violin on a consistent basis. I still suck, but I'm better than I was.
• Hung out. This is a rather new development, I've never really hung out before 2009 or so.
• Didn't stress out over a girl for the first time since like 2007.
• Learned a lot of new classical songs on my guitar.
• Got some semblance of abs, not just the natural abs you get from being über skinny.

Well, that's all for now. See you later!

Freedom

Second Edit: She did.
Edit: I think she just said yes.

I've just done one of the most idiotic, 6th-grader-ish things I've ever done. I asked someone out it what is probably the lamest (and slightly ambiguous) way possible. And you know what? Before I did it, it was one of the biggest things ever. Now that it's done? I could care less. I don't mean that in a bad way. Not at all. I'd be rather happy if she felt the same way. But if she didn't? I'd be perfectly fine with a flat no. I have no illusions to be broken, and no fear of rejection. I don't know when or how those things happened, but it's so freeing. The best way that I know how to describe it is this: have you ever gone climbing? Either on a rock wall or technical? If not technical, have you ever just gone on a hike in the woods? You start off, and if you're anything like me, you think through almost every possible scenario. Up until you set out there's an electricity that flows, at once scary and amazing. And then, you start. And once you start, you don't really care where the road leads. All that matters is that you started, and where you are. The road (or wall) will end where it ends, and if you have to take some breaks to get there, that's just fine. You're content with where you've gone, and you're ok with leaving with your experience, because you can always climb or hike again. Maybe in a different place, with different terrain, or shelf, or grade, but the journey still holds the same adventure, the same electricity. And there's peace in that. That peace is what I'm feeling. And so now that that first move has been made, whether it turns into something or not, I'm happy.

Week End & Relational Musings

So, when all is said and done, I heard a lot of great music, met many great bands, and got three t-shirts, a guitar strap, and a good cd out of the week. A twloha write shirt, and alive shirt by the same, and the Cornerstone 2010 microphone shirt. You'll probably -if you know me in person that is- see me wearing them at some point.

Now, I don't know if this is only me, so any male readers I may have please speak up on this: why is it that between the time you decide to ask someone out and the time that you actually do so you begin to over-analyze? It's like we're looking for excuses to not follow through. The slightest inflection change starts to provoke thought. Well, not really, but you get my point, right? It's stupid! And yet we do it anyways. Wouldn't it be so much easier if you just knew? And not in the the girl drops hints so subtle you'd need an accelerometer to pick up on them (which isn't to say that girls don't believe they're being clear. We just don't understand most of those "hints") kind of way. I mean in the put-up-a-billboard-declaring-interest kind of way. Yeah, so the girl runs the risk of appearing a bit outgoing. That's not really a bad thing. On the flip side is that the girl may think that making us play the game is really fun, and if we won't play we're not worth their time. And that can be true sometimes. But better hints would be nice. At the very least.

Worst That Could Happen

So I've finally decided, I'm gonna stop worrying about whether or not she is interested in me, and the next time I see her I'm just gonna ask her out. Worst that could happen is she'd say no and I possibly end up creating an awkward friendship, right? On second thought, worst that could happen is she says yes but doesn't really like me. Oh well. Something to worry about later. Right now, all I'm gonna worry about is building up my nerve. Here's hoping, yeah?

Upcoming Stuff

So I didn't do my daily word today because it was still beach. Annoying. Anyways, Cornerstone is coming up next week, and I plan on taking many pictures, writing many posts, and working on my novel and my ocarina skills. Yay! Also, I might be going to the carnival tomorrow (which should be fun), and am probably going laser tagging on Saturday. So, things are looking good right now. Now if only I could figure out if the one that I may or may not be interested in is interested in me, I could probably put this down as the best upcoming week ever.

Swirling Consciousness

Hey guys! I just got home from getting my wisdom teeth removed. I feel a little dizzy, but that's about it. I've been thinking a lot about feelings lately (mainly love), and wondering about its intricacies, and ended up starting to write a song about it. It's not done yet, and I haven't yet even decided on a key, but I do know that's it's gonna be a blues song. Not sure if I'll do standard 12-bar blues though. Anyways, here's what I've got so far:
~
Sitting alone in your quiet hour
Wond'ring what it takes to make love flower

Maybe you wonder if it's just for the pleasure
Or it's something deeper,something science can't measure

I'm trying to tell you it's a worthy decision
But don't try too much; It'll be your religion


Sitting alone in your quiet hour
Wond'ring what it takes to make love flower

Maybe the rebound is your saving grace
It's really just you trying not to lose face
~
That's all I've got so far guys. I'll get around to finishing it and making my riffs in a few days. I hope you enjoyed it, and I hope you take the words to heart, because every word in it is true.


Roses are #FF0000

A Friend Is More Precious Than Gold

Today, I was with friends. Saw Avatar, went to get food. Got caught up on a few moments in our years apart. It felt... Good. Right. It was a great feeling, one I wish I had more often. Kind of like the feeling you get from a loving romantic relationship, but without the romance. Do you know this feeling? Can you feel it now? If you cannot feel it, try. If you are unfamiliar, familarize yourself. And then will you know the greatness that is friendship. Man was not meant to be alone... And in his wait, he has... Allies... Comrades... Friends. Find them out, and feel this feeling. Roses are #FF0000, but friendship is worth more than gold.