Red vs. Blue Eastern European Style

Blue Skies

For some reason, clear blue days with a nice breeze are one of my favorite things in the world. I love stepping outside and seeing a beautiful day. Just makes me smile.
In other news, I feel like I'm on the cusp of inspiration regarding my possible novel efforts. I might be posting a first draft here sometime soon. It has been rather frustrating having the craving to put words to paper, but rejecting any ideas I've come up with. Hopefully that will turn around here soon.

On a side note, why does it seem half the dog owners in Atlanta feel the need to try and distinguish their pet with strange and unattractive fur cuts?

Anyone want to start a commune?

Having been keeping up with the news lately, I have decided that it might be a good time to learn some subsistence farming and hunting techniques, move to the Pacific Northwest, and just ride out the storm. Line forms to the left...

Back in the loop

Well, it seems that I have ignored this little blog here for the last few months, so I figure that now might be a good time to get back into it. I am pretty sure this is mainly motivated by the fact that I am currently trying to study right now, and I naturally look for anything possible to distract myself from the wonders of CS and Engineering Psychology.

I have been told that I am a terrible blogger, and this is for the most part true. This endeavor so far has been little more then a series of complaints and ninja bears. Maybe I can try to lighten it up a little bit now. Presently I am excited about getting a new bike to replace the one that was stolen a few weeks ago. It is a fixed gear commuter/track bike (I think the only thing track about it is the lock ring and bottom bracket height). It is cheap, which is pretty necessary at the moment, and working at a bike shop really helped out on that front as well. Hopefully it will come in today or tomorrow, and I can go out riding this weekend to see how it handles. The fixed gear thing will be new to me as well. I am looking forward to some sore legs, especially having been out of the saddle for a few weeks now.

I have also been finding myself appreciating music more the last few weeks. I don't really have any new favorite bands per say, just taking more enjoyment out of good tunes. I am in the mood for a good live show, though unfortunately none of my favorites are in town anytime soon. With any luck I will stumble across a solid local act. The downside to this search for new interesting music has exposed me to a lot of what has been released lately, at least on the pop/hip hop/alternative rock channels. I realize that a lot of it is catchy, and I admit that I can enjoy it for a listen or two. The majority of it just doesn't have any staying power. I doubt people will remember it in 6 months, much less 6 years. I'm sure there are many reasons for this though I think slaving recording companies to quarterly dividends makes them focus more on short term profit and not long term artist development. Hence the ghost written, loud, soulless noise we see so much of. The downfall of the local DJ hurts too. It used to be DJs would pick music they liked and played it, allowing local acts break through to larger audiences then they could playing shows. However, large nationwide media chains put together nationwide playlists for their stations in different media markets. This is why you hear the same music on 96rock in Atlanta as you do 98rock in Tampa. This stifles new artists breakthroughs.

Alright, so there is my complaining for today. I guess I have to just let a little out every now and again. "Twice a week" as Nate would say.

I have been thinking about starting to write a short story, or maybe a short story that kicks off a novel. I have started this process a few times in the past and I normally find myself falling into plot ruts where I am just regurgitating an amalgamation of things I have read. I need at least a semi original premise. It doesn't help that I normally write things skewed to a sci-fi or fantasy perspective, two genres defined by their cliches. Maybe I could just start writing and get a little serial going on here. Maybe I would keep at it if I actually thought people were reading it.

I suppose that is enough blowing off studying for now. Give me a few hours and maybe I will have the first chapter up. All depends on how dedicated I am... make that two chapters.

Conundrum

So, do I do a semester long intensive language program in Shanghai, or do I do a traineeship? Which do I value more, command of the language, or work experience? Maybe I could do both? Who knows... I don't even know if my grades are good enough to get into the program, so it may be a moot point....

I'm jealous, though not of his dancing skills

So, I'm sure a lot of you have seen this guy before, but I just ran across his newest video and it is pretty impressive. The back story is that he dances in an iconic place where ever he goes, though I don't know precisely why. He taped it, it got big, and now I am pretty sure he is sponsored to do it. Either way, his passport must be pretty solid.

See more funny videos at CollegeHumor

I have a job!

I'm working at Outback Bikes now! Should be a party.