En Memoriam: The Ides

The now-defunct Cardiac Outbursts would every year as far back as I can remember, without fail, make a post about the Ides of March. As such, I felt it fitting to pay tribute with my title. Requiescat in pace.

Now, onto my post! Sorry I didn't post in February, I had this great video post lined up and every time I tried to go through with it, the audio would record and not the video, so that'll come later once I suss that out. Look forward to it.

Also, a lot of stuff has happened since my last post. Landed a job with Southwest airlines (which I start on Monday), learned some more songs, got a few new (totally awesome) CD's, and will probably be getting a car this week. Been pawing at the idea of asking a girl out, played a TON of the ME3 demo, built a new desktop PC for myself, and pulled my bike out so I can start riding it again (because it's finally warm enough!). Things move so fast. Anywho, that's just a quick mash-up of what's been happening over in my slice of the world. Look forward to that video post, coming up soon!

Uhhh... Yeah

So, I have a few things to say tonight. I'll go in chronological order, yeah?

First: I lost a bet. Not a huge like 50 bazillion dollar bet, but I had to paint my toenails. Like neon green. And I have to wait for it to chip off. The only cool thing about it is that they glow in the dark. Now, with that out of the way, we can go on to the second thing.

Second: NaNo is coming up, and No matter what it is, I've resolved to write. I'll try not to nitpick too much, because things like that are usually what keep me from writing in the first place. So, NaNo, here I come.

Third: ROCKSMITH. ZOMG, amazingness. I played it for six hours today, then went to a two hour guitar practice, and all I want to do is play even more rocksmith. It is super fun, and lived up to all my expectations. A video game where you actually learn how to play the guitar? WIN. What else? It has free bird. DOUBLE WIN. By the end of the week My fingers will be toast, and I'll still be playing. I love this game. Plus, the mechanic for difficulty progression is really good, and could make even the suckiest person feel like a rockstar. I know I do while I'm playing.

Fourth: My ATH AD-700's. Burn in period is over, and they sound amazing. If there was such a thing as an eargasm, these headphones would be the ones delivering each and every time.

Aaaand I think that's it. I'll keep you posted.

One more thing! I learned how to play Blackbird too (on my own, not with rocksmith). Awesomness.

Quidditive

Hello there. This is going to be a jumble of thoughts, so if they randomly change without transitions don't kill me. Anyways, my brain has finally clicked and made a minuscule and at the same time massive distinction, and it was such a relief. It's going to make things a lot easier now, and hopefully I won't have anymore weird heart things going on anymore for the foreseeable future.

Also, I caved and ordered a nook. Should come in soon, and then I'm gonna spend a whole post telling you all about it. My two justifications for buying one? I wanted it, and it should save me money when I now buy e-textbooks and stuff.

Dirt

It's amazing how clean a bit of dirt can make you feel. I won't go into details, but while I still kind of feel like I did last post, a huge weight has been lifted from me. Whether or not it settles back down is yet to be seen, but for now, I'll take what I can get. It just gets hard sometimes, you know? Stuff from the past rears its ugly head, and you don't always have the easiest time knocking it back down. Dirt is great at doing that for you, puts the past in perspective.

Anyways, hung out with some friends tonight, hit up the BWW, went for a swim. A good time, if you ask me. Gonna hang out with Lexa on Tuesday, which should also be pretty fun.

Remember, Remember

I'm a coward. And a hypocrite. I hide behind my printed words, and never speak what I mean out loud. I sit and hope and think and brood and dream, and I pretend nothing is happening. Sometimes, I just wish someone would sit me down and not let me leave until I've told the whole truth about what I feel. That scares me. There are some things that I don't even want to admit to myself, let alone anyone else. There are some things I've even tried keeping secret from God, even though I know he knows all. My deepest, darkest secret is something I want to forever hide away and proclaim from the rooftops. I remember, and I wish I could forget. Ignorance really is bliss, but I am no longer ignorant. I. Am. Sad. And happy. Alone, and in a multitude. Cowardly, courageous, needy and aloof. I am a dichotomy, a true Taurus/Gemini (though I hold no stock in astrology). I want to share my secrets, but I'm too afraid to confide in anyone. I've been hurt, and have done my fair share of hurting, with a stone face and weeping heart. This is my journal, diary, confidant, sanity. And yet, I can't even tell it what I truly feel. I was trapped in the past tonight, and it was glorious and horrible. My own heart was revealed to me, and what I remembered made me want to forget, as well as lose myself. I hate that. Why can't I decide? Is my decision already made? Am I never supposed to decide? I don't know, but what I do know is that I'll live. It's easy to forget you're carrying weight when you've carried it for so long. And so, because I'm not strong enough to put down the weight, I'll carry it, and it will become slightly easier to handle. Good bye to night, and good morning to dawn.

Refresh

So my brain is just a huge box of nothing right now. I think it's like a defense mechanism when I have too much stuff occupying my thoughts. I started work, Cornerstone in a week, girl stuff, gaming stuff, school stuff, future stuff... So much stuff. I want to just escape it all, you know? Good thing a refresh is coming up, where I don't have to think about anything I don't want to or do anything I'm not willing to. It's gonna be great.

Keep your mind clear, and ride the wave of life; things go better that way.

E3 & Other Stuff

So here's the skinny (felt like saying that, and will probably never do it again): I am seriously considering getting a Nook touch. A nice, no frills, long battery life ePub reader that's light and small. I still have to test one in person, but I think I will get one. Also, this week is E3, a big conference all about video games. My number one thing to look forward to? The PSVita (the official name for the NGP). Only $250! So have to get one.

Moving along, seeing as Lexa was so dang excited, I'll give a little bit more on that thing from last post. I've officially hit the weird talking stage, or at least that's what happens with me. It's the stage where I worry about every single thing I say, plus how and when to say it. It's really annoying! You want to be smooth and smart and sophisticated and all that jazz, but in your head you think you're a bumbling idiot without the slightest clue. Conversation option comes up? Conversation about said person maybe? Or with said person? Instant brain overdrive over what to/not to do or talk about. Sometimes, I really wish I could turn that part of my brain off. Too dang annoying.

Also, Cornerstone is coming up fast! Set list is still kinda sparse, but I'll find stuff to do.

Birthday - Morning Post

Hello, dear readers. I have been fortunate enough to not have any one burst into my room wishing me a happy birthday while I'm trying to sleep. Yay! For my birthday, I am hosting my own personal minecraft server all day, which started today at midnight. Going to see my dad, then coming back for a party (and might even go to guitar center, though if not today then tomorrow). There are, of course, some people that I want to be there that won't, but some of that fault is mine for not inviting them. I guess, despite being in my 20's, I'm still afraid to take certain risks. Sometimes, I really hate my personality quirks. Sometimes, I feel like they hold me back. Then again, without them there'd be no "me" at all, so I guess I can live with it =)

Word Vomit (part deux?)

I've been meaning to post many times recently, but just decided to put it off for some reason. I always had a good reason to post too, but now I can't remember. Got finals soon, and then school is out! Then, wait for it... CORNERSTONE. Oh yeah. So looking forward to that right now. My birthday is coming up soon too (go view my amazon wishlist if you wanna get me something), not sure what's going on there. I'm gonna be 20. Ugh. Something about being an age where English style suggests you type the number instead of write it out just feels weird. Read the book Moonwalking with Einstein, very good stuff. About a journalist who worked his way (in one year) to U.S. memory champion. Fun, interesting, all that jazz. Cut my hair. Got new silver ink for my quill. And I think that's about it.

Clean

So I'm thinking of a re-design of the site, something more modern and clean, kinda like the new sidebar or timeslide view, both of which are accessible through my links down at the bottom of the page.

Second, I do plan on posting more, but I refrained from posting until today because I am also refraining from doing the Spring Blogfest, because I don't want to post mindless drivel. And now, on to mymain reason for posting:

While I only learned about this today, there is a movement called One Day Without Shoes happening tomorrow, April 5. It's to raise awareness and money for those that go their whole lives without shoes, see their video here:

I don't really leave the house much on Tuesdays, and I don't have much to donate, so I probably won't participate this year, however I hope you, readers, will pass the message along and (hopefully) participate. Lemme know how it goes in the comments.

Dedication

Hey guys. It's been a while, sorry about that. I need to set a time aside for blogging, just winging it isn't cutting it. Anywho, lately there's been quite a bit of re-dedication in my life. If you follow my Twitter Feed you'll know that I recently re-dedicated myself to my guitar. I got a book called Guitar Aerobics by Hal Leonard Publishing, and it's 365 days of guitar greatness. Bunches of little exercises and licks designed to make you a better player teaching you some scales and chords, but all in an applicable manner. Just about the only things I have been able to skip because they were too second-nature were the rhythm guitar lessons. Everything else is good practice for me (the book starts at beginner and takes you up to advanced). Tip: practice something until you can hold a conversation whilst playing it, then you'll know you have it down. My next re-dedication is to my artsy stuff, because I've just neglected it for too long. Also, lately (as I'm prone to do), I've had those annoying "relationship pangs" that whisper I should be in a relationship right now. For once in my life, I told them to take a hike. They've rallied forces, but I hope to send them packing soon enough. Also, even though this was kinda forced on me, I've dedicated myself to actually using my bike this summer (I got a new one, btw), and working more on my Parkour. To quote a friend, "Abs are made in the kitchen, not in the gym." While I know this to be true, I've gotta work on toning those muscles and gaining more. Partly so I can be vain and look in the mirror and say I look good, but also to gain mass and not be so weak (even though proportionally I'm pretty good in the strength department). On the plus side, I've finally broken 100lbs and can donate blood (something very important to me, because I've received transfusions before). Yay!

Rhythm

I had a revelation today. I'm sick, so I'm sitting at home bored. I decided to try and finish a song that I'm writing (still no title) and thought of a song I wrote last year around this time. Then I tried to record it in February, and celebrated single's awareness day. I wrote some of my book in March. Wanted a relationship in April, was indifferent about May, had the camping/music bug in June and July, wanted to ask a girl out in August and September. Wrote more book in October and November, and got excited, then bored, sketched, did art projects, and had an idea for more songs in December. It's been this way since at least my Junior year of high-school. I've fallen into a pattern, and I need to break out. I like my artsy moods and all, but they're holding me back from making much headway in any one thing. Thing is, I have no clue how to go about breaking the funk.

WikiLeaks & Me: Employing My Right To Be Informed

Edit: read this article too when you're done. I agree wholeheartedly: http://sofiaecho.com/2010/12/23/1016331_secrecy-is-the-problem-not-leakers

That's right, for once I'm talking politics. I've been avoiding doing a post on this for a while now, but I'll post now, because I want in on this moment in history. To preface, I started reading WikiLeaks before the press took a huge notice of it. I read the documents and cables, and I fully support the leaking of this material. There is a fine line between protecting people and withholding  information, and the State has crossed this line, in my opinion. Just to note: WikiLeaks has leaked much about other gov't secrets too, not just the U.S. Another note: to address the Julian Assange issue: while I have no comment as to whether or not he should be tried (or is guilty of) rape and exposing classified information, I will say that his guilt or lack thereof shouldn't impact how you view the documents that WikiLeaks as a whole has released. "Don't shoot the messenger", or in this case, the fact that the messenger might have dirty hands shouldn't colour your opinion of the message. Now: onto the meat.

This is largely an agreement with the Can't hide love for WikiLeaks article, and I suggest you go read it. Our government is throwing a fit over what Julian refers to as his "Forced Move", which are the leaks. They seek to keep our (the collective America) knowledge limited, making us mindless followers of our elected leader. "You elected him, let him do his job" is what I hear the U.S. say. I'm not advocating that we all become nutters who think the government is trying to keep us all complacent by tainting our food and things of that nature (I know some of those people, and I wanna punch them in the face), but I am saying take a good hard look at what information is being presented to you. Examine the leaks, examine the response given by the U.S. and by the world, and decide for yourself. Don't be a brainless idiot, because then those that want to keep information limited have already won. Don't let them keep secrets from their own citizens.

On secrets, I feel I have to make a point about democracy. In order for democracy to work, the State has to be transparent to its people. The voters cannot make good decisions unless we know exactly what is going on, even before it happens. I'm not saying that the State should turn to other countries and say "Hey! Here's all our secret information.", and that certainly is a danger of being transparent with its voters, but we are a democracy after all, and we need to make informed decisions. That information should be made accessible to us, it's our right. Whether or not we use it is up to us.

A quick note for twitter followers of WikiLeaks, And what really ruffled my feathers the other day, is the Twitter Subpoena for all the available information of everyone who followed them. This includes (if possible) the ip addresses, usernames, email addresses, phone numbers, addresses, real names, credit card info, and more of EVERYONE. Now, they're probably only using it to track the heads of WikiLeaks, but this poses an issue for me: I've always wondered if I'd ever need to hide my digital self from the State, and now it seems like I do. All because I did something like read information that should have been available to me in the first place, I may be on a watchlist. What's next? We round up everyone who has ever read a banned book? Knows how to secure information? Use encrypted communications? It seems rather far-fetched, and I hope it never comes, but what  if it does? There's talk of the U.S. wanting to give every American a digital ID, so they can follow what we do on the internet (the claim is so they can help fight fraud, which it would indeed do). If it comes to that, what will the uninformed mass do? Go right along with it I suppose. But I hope not. I hope we realize that some things are a bit too private, even though that may sound hypocritical. It isn't though. A democracy requires that our State be transparent, not the voters. That's what our bill of rights is for. I can honestly say that I grumbled when I learned of the Patriot Act. Allowing our government to search without warrant and detain without probable cause? That's a bit much. And yet, it was passed by both the House and the Senate swiftly. Where were our masses then? Remaining uninformed, I presume.

I guess, if you've actually bothered reading this far, your takeaway should be to be informed. Don't let all your media come from only one source. Read WikiLeaks, visit the BBC website, all that stuff. Even if it's boring, if it pertains to your privacy, read it.

One final thing: for those of you that don't read WikiLeaks, give it a go. Get informed. They have over 1,000 mirrors, but you can find them easiest at http://213.251.145.96

Secrets & Lies of 2010

Apologies for the late posting. I got tired yesterday. Anywho, this list is an attempt for me to start the year off fresh. At least, as fresh as I'm mildly-uncomfortable being. What follow are the secrets I've kept and the lies I've told in 2010, which I'm (as I mentioned earlier) mildly-uncomfortably admitting. Those secrets which I deem too sensitive didn't make it to the list, and I hope that you the reader will respect that, as I try and respect those who tasked me with their keeping. Some secrets/lies have been held back so as not to hurt others, and I hope you can respect that as well. Now, without further ado, here are the Secrets & Lies of 2010:

• I listen to music that I wouldn't normally just to connect with others.
• I write this blog for my readers as much as myself. No readers, no blog.
• The whole week before I go to the beach or pool, I do only ab workouts: just to look good.
• I have many unpublished songs and thrown-out stories, because they (in my opinion) either suck or are too personal.
• I only send cards to a select few people.
• Some of my friends really piss me off sometimes.
• Some of my friends really sadden me sometimes.
• I lie to myself when I say I'm no longer attracted to my ex.
• When I play my guitar, I feel an emotional release that's like a high to me.
• Sometimes I think I suck as a singer, sometimes I think I kick ass.
• I stopped putting on cologne because I have no one to put it on for/no one would notice the difference.
• I really do hate wearing dress clothes.
• I didn't practice my violin nearly as much as I would've liked.
• I hate that I'm not heavy enough to donate blood.
• Sometimes I wish my pastor would stop asking me how God has brought me some emotion, and just let me feel the damn things.
• I know I'm being two-faced when in my heart I wish one thing, but outwardly I say I wish another. I hate that, but I don't want to kill someone else's happiness. At least, that's what I tell myself.
• I have virtually no means of self-motivation, unless I tie it to an emotion or a social interaction.
• I get nervous a lot. I just think I hide it well.
• I care about relationships way more than others know I do.
• Sometimes I really wish I could relive some of my life, just because those times were amazing.
• I use a quill because it forces me to think before I write. And it looks nice.
• Sometimes I wonder if things would be easier if I had no morals.
• There are some things that I really want to add to this list, but I don't want to hurt anyone.
• There are some things that I really want to add to this list, but I'm afraid what people would think.

Well, that's as much as I feel mildly-uncomfortable sharing, so there it is.

Word Vomit

So, I have a lot to cram in here, so I'll be as brief as possible about all of it:

First: I have an x-mas gift for you Lexa, but I'm afraid the postal service might steal it like last time.

Second: I've come to really like kinetic typography. This is the video that made me like it (and enjoy language so much more):

and I took a stab at it:

Third: I got some awesome recording stuff. More on that in another post.

Fourth: this is twofold from something I stumbleupon-ed. The first is from Men's Health things guys want girls to know: Don't play hard to get, if you like us let us know. Stemming from this is the second thing: Girls say that if a guy thinks she's worth it, we'll go after her. I cheked with a friend of mine named Mike, and he agrees that this logic is flawed because a) we don't want to appear as stalkers, and b) how are we supposed to "just know" if a girl is playing hard-to-get or legitimately rebuffing you? Just a thought. Oh, and another thing (guess that makes it threefold): it would be so much easier if after you knew you had no shot at a girl you stopped liking her (just for clarity, I feel urged to say I am speaking in general terms here, not necessarily of myself). That way you don't go insane. Well, that's all for now. See you soon!

2010 End Questionnaire

So, in 2010:

Have you had a boyfriend/girlfriend: no
Done drugs: no
Smoked: no
Drank Alcohol: no
Defied your parents: yes
Got into a fist fight: no
Been in prison: no
Got detention: no
Learned to drive: no
Had your heart broken: no? What is considered a break?
Kissed someone and regretted it: no
Kissed someone: no
Had surgery: yes
Broken a bone: no
Gone on vacation: no
Been beaten up: no
Beat someone up: no
Got fired/expelled: no
Been to the beach: yes
Lied to your parents: yes
Lied to the cops: no
Mugged someone: no
Told someone you liked them: yes
Asked someone out: yes
Been asked out: no
Wanted someone you couldn't have: yes
Performed a public display of affection: no?
Been publicly humiliated: no
Bought a pet: no
Lost a relative: no
Been on stage: yes
Cried during a movie: no
Stalked someone: It's called Facebook. It's all stalking, it's just socially acceptable.
Been stalked: see above
Lost friends: no?
Protested: no
Been cautioned by the police: no
Been cheated on: no
Cheated on a test: no
Passed an exam: yes
Failed a class: no
Become vegetarian: no
Eaten something you shouldn't have: probably
Been in the hospital: yes
Been paid to date someone: no
Been to summer camp: no
Pulled an all nighter: yes
Been grounded: no
Used a tanning bed: no
Kissed in the rain: no
Learned a script: no
Had an X-Ray: yes
Been in a play: no
Been called a slut/man whore: no
Bribed someone: no
Dated someone for a dare: no
Been abroad: no
Skipped a class: yes
Taken too many pictures: no
Laughed until it made you cry: yes
Changed the way you look: yes
Dyed your hair: no
Been hit by a car: no

Check the following if applies to you:
Kissed over three people []
Kissed under three people [x] (0<3)
Tried something new you regret []
Tried something new that you're proud of []
Got into a physical fight []
Was kicked out of home []
Threw up because of being drunk []
Threw up because of eating to much food []
Got an A on all finals []
Got in trouble with the police []
Ate sushi []
Went trick or treating []
Went shopping 3 times a week []
Did something for your birthday [x]
Fell in love []
Did something to help the community []
Read the entire dictionary []
Done volunteer work []
Went to the zoo []
Failed a class []
Retook a class []
Voted for president []
Distanced from a friend []
Lost that friend []

Finally:
Did you change at all?: yes
For the better or worse?: better, I hope
Do you have resolutions for next year?: No. No resolutions means no disappointments.

2010 Reflections
Song of the year: How He Loves - DCB
Highest aspect of the year: Summer
Lowest aspect of the year: Beginning of fall semester
Best film: IDK. Inception? HP7-1?
How was your birthday in 2010: It was ok.

What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before? Didn't get my summer bogged down by drama.

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Didn't make any, and won't.

What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010? The same thing I want every year.

What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? The Paramore concert, because that was a fun night.

What was your biggest achievement of the year? Not getting bogged down by drama.

Biggest failure? I still suck at the violin.

Best thing you bought: My 5 string bass, who is still unnamed.

Where did most of your money go? It's a split between tech and music stuff.

What events did you get really, really, really excited about? Concerts and camping.

What do you wish you'd done more of? Camping.

What do you wish you'd done less of? Wondering.

How will you be spending Christmas? Home.

Who did you spend the most time on the phone with? Idk. I don't do that much.

What was your favorite TV program? House. Or Mythbusters. Or Dexter.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Hate is a strong word. Dislike is more in order.

What was the best book you read? It's a tie between the girl with the dragon tattoo and what every body is saying.

What was your greatest musical discovery or rediscovery? Instrumentals.

What did you want and get? My laptop.

What did you want and not get? See "what did you lack".

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? See "what did you want".

What kept you sane? Breathing exercises. Seriously.

What political issue stirred you the most? Either wikileaks or jailbreaking.

Whom did you miss? A lot of people.

Who were the best new people you met? I didn't really meet many new people.

A valuable life lesson you learned in 2010: Just give it a shot.

What are your plans for 2011? IDK. I'll play it by ear.

My thoughts on 2010 - it was ok. Could've been better, but that's out of my control. Guess I still have some lessons to learn about satisfaction. It's funny, because at one time in my life I knew those lessons. Now I know what they are, but can't apply them.

Odd Topic

So I mentioned to Lexa over at Cardiac Outbursts that I wondered why she wasn't at the world equestrian games. But this post isn't about her. It's not even about the games (which I really only put on when there was nothing else). I never really got too into horses. I've ridden one maybe 8 times in my whole life. When I see all that fancy jazz, I just stare at my shuffling feet because I have no clue what's going on, or why it's hard. But this isn't about my horse experience (or lack thereof) either. It's really about a job. See, when I was a sophomore in high-school I was out with some friends of mine when some random guy came up to me. I can't remember his name, but he handed me a business card and introduced himself, asked me my age, and told me that when I turned 18 he'd like me to give him a call because he wanted me to be a jockey for him. Now, IDK what that all would entail, but it can't really be that bad of a gig. Take care of a horse, ride him around a circle, give him some training, get a load of money even if you lose. All because I'm slim and light as heck. That'd be cool. I remember checking him out, looking him up, finding out he was a reputable guy, actually was who he said he was, all that jazz. And then my mom tore up his business card. There went that. Why do I bring this up? Partly because the horses spurred my memory (ha, spurred), also partly because there's a bunch of stuff I really wanna buy. Like the playstation Move, the makerbot, a car, some music stuff like a guitar and pedals, and a bunch of other stuff. Man I wish I won a million bucks or something.

Rain And Storm

Edit: I used the wrong font for the "torm". Gotta change that. My bad.
Edit 2: All Fixed.
Edit 3: logo now viewable in an optimized rez (not full because full is HUGE).

Hey guys! Sorry, it's been busy over here. Planning posts for the new music blog (along with copious amounts of practicing, and playing Heavy Rain for the PS3) has really taken up my time. Plus, I spent an obnoxious amount of time on a logo for the blogs in the Ordered Storm network, so I didn't really have much time for a post today. Gotta figure out where I'm gonna throw it:

Anyways, if you own a PS3, you must buy Heavy Rain. Best psychological game ever. You gotta play it. Like an 8 hour movie, but one you control and you totally enjoy watching. It's amazing. Seriously. Well, other then that, I've got nothing to say. So... Whatever.

Uhh... Stuff

Hey there! So I've almost got the music site up and running, I'm just working out a nice posting schedule so I'm set for a couple of weeks as far as writing goes. Aside from that, I've been working on my Photoshop skills, reading The Girl Who Played With Fire, playing lots of music, playing Bioshock 2, and messing around with an iTouch app called SpaceTime (it does Calculus for you. Yeah, you heard me). I'm kind of looking forward to Hollywood's take on the Millennium trilogy, but so far the Swedish version is really good (I've only watched the first movie, because I've only finished the first book). I hope they don't screw it up. Well, off to bed. Or should I say, off to read more until I fall asleep.

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!