Observations 3

1. Jenna is cute as all get out

2. Never get Jeff angry enough to strike you. His punches hurt bad enough when he is in a good mood.

3. Rock Band isn't as cool as I thought it would be. Very choppy graphics along with sub-standard playability when compared to Guitar Hero.

4. Guitar Hero 3 is awesome. I played the demo at Best Buy. Mike bought the game tonight, and I look forward to Friday night when we can play it together.

5. Economics is a science, first and foremost. Like most things in science, one small miscalculation can screw everything up. On my last test, out of 50 questions, I got 10 wrong. 8 of them as a result of one mistake. Funny thing is I was off by only two hundredths. That was enough to get me that "D". Needless to say, I think this will be the test stricken from my grade. The good news is that I still have an A.

"I Am A Black Belt!"

Friday night, I went to the dojo to participate in this month's graduation. Paul, a fellow student, asked me to participate in his demo. Of course I accepted. Jeff showed up as well to take in a taste of things to come in his training. Based on conversations we had later that night, it seems he is quite eager to get back on the mats. He has been out for the last week due to a sprained knee injury he sustained at a softball game.

Anyway, at the end when the new belts were being awarded, I was asked to step up on the mat. At that time, my official induction into the Masters Club was realized. Those who join either the Black Belt Club or the Masters Club get to see and hold their black belt in a ceremony of sorts. The belts are embroidered with the student's name on one side, and "To Shin Do Kasumi An" in Japanese on the other. After a brief speech to the audience, and then to me, I was handed my belt. I was told to look at it for a while and take in what it symbolizes. When I was ready, I turned to the audience, held the belt on high, and announced, "I am a black belt!" - this phrase pointing out that my head and heart are in the right place, and the only thing separating me from wearing the belt is time. I immediately surrendered the belt and it was then hung up with all the other black belts at the front of the dojo. This is very exciting. I look forward to wearing it one day. It sucks that Kristin wasn't there to see it, but I am glad Jeff was. I look forward to seeing his induction when the time is right.

We got the house rented tonight. Now we will get our security deposit back minus the prorated amount of time we will live here in November. This means no new checks to write to the current landlord.

The search for more carreer-appropriate work continues. The application I put in at a particular local company didn't work out. I had a very strange interview over the phone with the manager. I am hoping that my application is reconsidered with the recruitment folks over there. Steph told me she would see about the recruiters calling me or something if at all possible. She is awesome like that.

The Lions won today sweeping the Bears 2-0. The score was 16-7. What a thing of beauty that game was.

Halloween is coming up, and since I have kids, I have to pretend like I like it. Haloween nauseates me. Especially the makeup. The smell of that stuff makes me want to yack. Thinking about it isn't a whole lot better. Ah well, some thinghs just simply all about the kids. This is why I gladly grin and bear it.

Gilbert, ho!

Wow. I am already at 100 posts. It is amazing how quicly I have come to this point.

Anyway, as some already know, I am moving out of the townhouse and into a house on November 10th. I get to get out of Mesa - which has been my sole complaint about my current living conditions - and back into my original Phoenix area hometown of Gilbert. For those of you unfamiliar with the area, Gilbert is the only town in Phoenix (if not the entire state) without a nasty, run down ghettoish area. Some in the area may think of Queen Creek, but they must remember that it is a cheap place to live becasue it is in the boonies. With that comes the low-income rabble that bring with them meth labs and the sort. Gilbert has virtually none of this. The best part is that I get to move in time to deck out my house for Christmas. Usually, I make it so my place can be seen from space. yee haw!

So, how 'bout some music? Let's do some Progressive metal this week. That being said, why not roll with Symphony X and their new (and I think only) music video. The song is called "Serpent's Kiss".

Huh...

I posted on Thursday night with an anthem and a long tirade about certain events in my work-related life (probably just as well that didn't get put up), and I get this comment from Mike Seppy in regards to the lack of an anthem. I suppose I will just have to post it below.

Before I do that, I would like to relate to the world just how disturbing it is for a father to hear the words "daughter's" and "labia" side by side in the same sentence. For those of us with daughters (or daughters on the way), it is pretty obvious that our girls are born with certain parts, but we men should never have to hear about them. Even if it is brought up in a routine physical examination by a trained and licenced medical professional. That is what mothers are for. Tis a good thing that certain things are not visible (or at least shouldn't be) when diapers are being changed.

The anthem this week is brought to you by the greatest of the 90's bands (of which there were like 3 good ones), Alice In Chains. This band stood out the most to me in what was probably the worst decade of rock music to date. Like all the problems with the 90's, I tend to blame Bill Clinton. So here is my personal favorite of theirs - a song whose title is actually appropriate given my thoughts on the music scene in the 90's in general. Here is "Sea of Sorrow".

Jeff has a flexible wrist

Tonight Jeff attended his first ever martial arts class. He asked me about that which I study as we were driving away from Scott's place a couple weeks ago (scroll down for more info). He expressed to me that the martial arts are something he has wanted to do, but never did.

So on his very first class, he was thrown head-first into wrist locks. This is not usually optimal for a first-timer, but he picked it up really well. He even got the basic mechanics of rolling out of a joint lock which is almost unheard of. I did get to train with him for about half the class, so he got to beat me up a little bit. I look forward to Wednesday when we get to do it all over again.

Now I must nurse my wrists and right index finger (work-related issue). Plus, there is a bowl of ice cream beckoning me from the kitchen.

Freakin' Tim Rattay

The Cardinals game was extremely disappointing. If anyone had any doubt as to why the 49ers were not at all reluctant to rid themselves of Tim Rattay, I hope your questions were answered. The only positive to take from this is the overwhelming sensation that Kristin and I will be treated to Outback Steakhouse in November courtesy of my good friend, Mike Bahr.

Friday, Kristin, the kids, and I went out to the mall to exchange the wedding ring I bought for her for another one she liked. The ring I got wasn't in white gold as I knew she would want, but the price was fantastic. I picked it up only because it was the last of its kind. She needed a new ring because the original one made its way into the garbage disposal and the centerstone was lost. Anyway, the one she got is much better than the one I picked out, and it was less expensive to boot. She also got a ring with Jenna's birthstone, Alexandrite. The gem is beautiful and has the reputation of being an "emerald by day, and ruby by night". Sweet.

Saturday, we all went down to Tucson to visit with family. We had our usual cookout, and a good number of my aunts, uncles, and cousins were able to make it. We utilized the time to plan for our various holiday get-togethers and other forthcoming events.

Tomorrow night, Kristin's brother will be coming over for dinner. This means I have to miss yet another night of training. This has been happening too much lately. Last week, I only got to go thrice. That will be so this week. Saturday will be closed due to the annual festival in Dayton. I will definitely go to that next year. Oh well, I still get to go to the Shadows of Iga and Masters Club classes. So all in all, I will get about 4 1/2 hours of training this week. Not too bad, methinks.

Family Ties

This week I have been racking my brain for an anthem. Then by the grace of God, my aunt Kristi inadvertently suggested it for me. She asked me if I had any Europe to burn for her (along with other music I have already set aside). As it turns out, Europe was my favorite band when I was in 6th grade, so naturally, I have a good number of their songs if for nothing else than nostalgia's sake. I do still enjoy listening to them. So I dedicate this week's anthem to my dear aunt Kristi. Next step is to let her know this blog exists. Here is the live version (the original music video is far too ghey) of their greatest hit, "The Final Countdown". ENjoy!

Sweet Meat

Saturday I spent the day (post training) with Jeff, Mike, Steph, and Christina. It started off with Jeff and I road triping clear out to north Phoenix to repo our musical equipment from Scott's house. My bass equipment was present and accounted for, but the drums Jeff so graciously provided to the band were not there. They had been lent out to a guy that neither Jeff nor I know. Needless to say Jeff was pissed...VERY pissed. I was let down yet again. Being the rather positive folk we are, Jeff and I managed to put it all on hold enough to enjoy the rest of the evening.

Immediately after leaving Scott's place, we went to Mike's house for a barbecue. In addition to the meat, Christina and Steph made an incredible potato side. While we ate, we watched the Diamondbacks torch the Cubs as we all thought they would followed by a round of poker and Settlers of Catan out on the patio. Later Mike, Jeff, and I went to Dave and Buster's then on to TGI Fridays. The entire day (save for the disappointment) was exactly what I needed. It has been too long since I have gotten to log in that much time in a sitting with my friends.

I also made a wager last night. I am convinced the Lions will beat the Cardinals next month. Mike believes otherwise. No longer satisfied with simple Coke bets, I proposed a steak dinner bet. It was even upped to the loser has to buy the steak for the winner and his spouse. That steak will be so much sweeter when the Lions win. I will be a good winner though. For dessert I will treat Mike to a nice big bowl of "I told you so". Oh yes, I plan to gloat.

On the other hand, if I lose (which I won't)......

Don't Fear the Reaper

Holy crap, are you all in for a treat. Remember the band Grim Reaper? I do. They only had one song that broke into the mainstream, and that is this week's anthem. I really wish I had stumbled upon this when I lost the coke bet with Mike. This song is perfect for the occasion. In fact, I dedicate it specifically to you, brother. I'll "See You in Hell"!!!



Just for grins, here is the same song performed recently. Age hasn't killed the singer's voice surprisingly enough. I do suspect diabetes will claim his life though...just look at him.

Pomp and Circumstance

As I suspected, my graduation demo took place tonight after class. I am now a Ju Yon Kyu (14th degree below black belt). The belt color: yellow. I was asked to start with some rolls, then I went into some strikes. After that Paul, one of the better Uke (loosely translated: reciever) at the dojo was asked to attack me with several different techniques that I was to counter. I guess things got a little heated because apparently I may have bruised his arm something fierce. Oops. He came at me strong, and I retaliated in equal measure.

So yay me! Now I look to advance to the next level, a yellow belt with a solid black stripe running through the center. One day, I will post the belt structure and its meaning. What is nice is that the belts do have meaning beyond simple rank level.

Anyway, it is bed time. May I sleep well and wake up refreshed!