The end, or the beginning?

Started school today. Only two classes this semester, really more for kicks than for any serious reason.

The classes themselves aren't all that fun, and I've already fallen asleep in the first one. They do seem related to my work, so I should be thankful for the fact that they may possibly be of use to me in life.

The real question I'm asking myself is:

Is this the beginning of the end, or is it the end of the beginning?

Surfing

I am now a proper surfing Kalifornian.

Had surfing lessons today with some friends, driving all the way down to San Diego for them. Spent 1.5 hours with instructors, and an additional hour free play. Saw Tiffy in a two piece, smiling. Was different from her usual boy jeans, t-shirt, and scowl.

Remarkable.

After, we went to go eat at Phil's BBQ.

Went to Extraordinary Desserts for, well...dessert, where Tiffy chose a remarkably good tea. Eden, a Japanese sencha with hints of green apple. Also realized that my morning tea was as freaking expensive as my mother says it is (Iron Goddess of Mercy Oolong, premium grade).Was curious about the tea Ginza Girl, but at $30 for a 2.8oz tin, was not intrigued enough.

As I was designated driver of the day, when I went to drop off Tiffy, we realized that no one was at her apartment, and she didn't have keys. End result?

I break into places even on my days off.

In other news:

Archery lessons next Saturday. Let's do this.

Disneyland, the Beach

Went to Disneyland for the first time since....wow...December 2006?

It changed some, and because of the Parkhopper tickets I was able to procure from a debtor, I was able to check out California Adventure for the first time. Loved the "Flying over California" ride.

Also dropped by Corona State Beach, Milk and Honey(this shop my friend won't stop ranting about) and a new Ramen place across the street from it.

It's been a very enjoyable week for me, and hopefully for my guest too.

Ended up promising her that I'd become a more outgoing person rather than the unhumored, silent type that she sees me as. Oh, and that I introduce her to the girlfriend that I'm supposed to get. Whenever that is.

In other news:

SuburbanDweller is moving to San Francisco. Am of mixed feelings about it. He has been a constant in my life for over 16 years now, so it'll be odd for him to no longer be readily available. At the same time, he has been trying to get into this school for a long time, and I'm happy and proud that he actually made it.

Also, another friend is leaving for Hong Kong soon.

Next year is going to socially suck.

And I have a sudden interest in pore strips.

Lots has happened,

but I'm too tired to write too much about it.

Let's see....

Besides work, I played Ultimate Frisbee in the dark, and met with two friends I haven't seen for a while at K'ya.

Also, on Thursday night, one of the Tustin Krew went AWOL. A hundred and a half miles, six hours, and two police reports later, he contacted us, saying he was at home. (Note to self, have to do something nice for the guys and repay the favors owed.)

Last night, she (see post: Plans Shot) finally made it here, after missing another flight. Took her bungee jumping today for what was supposed to be a overnight camping trip, but turned out to be but one day after I realized she walked faster than I thought she would.

The rest of the week is spent as a tour guide, with work thrown in, here and there.

In other news:

Hadn't had time to be keepin' up with that.

Busy week

Got Starcraft 2 and finished the campaign. I really don't care too much about the game, but the story intrigues me. And I like the ending and it's predictable cheesiness.

Sucks about Tychus, but how the hell did Arcturus know this would happen?

Anyways.

Worked all week, except last night, I went to Little Tokyo(God, I hate DTLA) for some ramen at Daikokuya. Why, I'm not sure, as there was a branch 20 miles closer, but hey, it was pretty good.

My favorite is still Shinsengumi though.

Been thinking a bit recently about life, love, and happiness. Not much came of it, except maybe a reaffirmation of the desire to move out.

In other news:

Fires sprouting around us, and the State's running out of money.

What else is new?

What a Week!

Went bungee jumping/backpacking, just like I said I would. And it was a smashing success.

At least, I'd like to think so.

Mostly due to the inadvertent efforts of Ben and Will, two hikers that were also ditched by their friends whom I met on the trail. It was an overall good time.

Splashed around the river while waiting for ankle jumps

Mostly worked the rest of the week, and for once was the last bidder to leave the auction site on Thursday afternoon.

Also looted a big stainless BBQ grill today, brought it back, and it's now sitting on the deck next to the pool.

And speaking of the pool, I got dad to agree to fix to whirlpool today. Yay!

Now to see if he'll go through with it.

In other news:

It's that time of the year again, brush fires starting up all around. Joy.

Lone Ranger

Well, the trip tomorrow is down to one participant: myself.

It's amazing how one could attempt to plan an event more than a month in advance, with 7-10 initial participants, and have them all jump ship with less than a week's notice.

I'm still going, even if I have to go by myself. Three reasons why:

One: I want to get out of this city. I want to smell the fucking fresh air and hear the fucking water flowing. I want to see the trees and the animals and feel the wind and sun on my skin.

Two: If I let this event die, it would be a failure. And failure is unacceptable. I will not let the inaction, inconvenience, and/or laziness of others to lead me to fail. If all others give up, I will move forward.

Three: I will not be a boring person. I will not sit back on a couch and watch TV all day when I can do something exciting. Never let it be said that I sat by the wayside and let life pass me by.

To me, letting this go would simple be irresponsible. How could I face myself if I were to be so weak?

But others wonder why I do not simply postpone the trip?
Let me ask you this: I gave a month's advance notice. Do you think there would be a different result if I delayed two weeks? They are who they are, and I am who I am. In the end, I can only be responsible for myself.

And to those of you working , you need not my forgiveness, for there is nothing to forgive.

Here's to hoping I make it back without incident. This .45 should help.


In other news:

Watched Inception, which was quite the mindfuck. In a good way. Watch it, highly recommended.

All's Quiet on the Western Front

Nothing much has been happening these past few days.

Went on a pilgrimage for ramen, ended up pretty disappointed.

Received a new camera from Amazon, a "Shock-Proof, Water-Proof, Dust-Proof" Panasonic DMC-TS2. Never let it be said that I don't learn from my mistakes.

Pops came home today and handed me a new Toshiba T135D, which I equate to a large netbook. Told me I'll be needing it for work. Most ominous.

Watched the World Cup. Was cheering for the Netherlands, but knew that the odds were against them. Nice Kung Fu kick, but why no red card?

More lethargic than usual. Dunno why.

I blame the weather.

Oh, and that backpacking trip next week is down to four people over two days. Five if I can pull it off.

I bought all the extra gear already too. Damn.

Motorcycle Classes

A friend of mine(Nan) wanted to get a motorcycle for the longest time, and I told him that I would take lessons with him whenever that time came. Years later, the time finally appeared, and we attended a three day, 15 hour motorcycle class at our nearby community college.

It was fun and informative, and was also $250. I guess in the long run, it should be worth it, but it's still a hefty chunk of change. I'm told it's only $150 if you're under 21, which, unfortunately, I will never be again.

I nearly failed the evaluation when the beat-up Honda Rebel I was using ran out of gas in the main tank. We were supposed to switch to reserve, but I reflexively turned it to main when I mounted.

I dunno if I'll ever get a motorcycle, but suppose I'll feel a little more accomplished when I get that "M" added next to the "C" on my driver's license.

In other news:

The 4th of July is tomorrow. And my new-found friend is leaving for Baltimore and John Hopkins. Here's to her safe flight. Also, a note to myself: watch All Saints Day with her when she gets back.

Unfortunately, I've discovered that I'll have work tomorrow. And I was planning on spending time with a certain birthday girl too...

That's adult life, I guess.

I went to the beach and killed my camera

So yeah. I went to the beach. It was pretty much a spur of the moment thing. I was invited nearly a week before the event, but I had work.

But then I thought to myself: It's summer, and I ain't gone to the beach yet. I live in Kalifornia, and the last 3 times I've been to the beach, it was a lakeside beach. This cannot stand.

So I skived off the last few hours of work and headed for the sand, waves, and bikinis.

Unfortunately, the sand is as much a bane on beach-goers as it is an attraction. It got into my camera, and now that camera is dead.

The last picture this camera ever took.

Thanks for your year of service. Rest in Pieces.