New Reading List (CRL UPDATE!)

Perhaps what had made this Fall Semester so successful is the fact that I've learned to approach my professors with all sorts of questions - from the class material itself, to supplemental readings, and even discussing critical observations of the real world (these discussions were the favorites among myself and my professors). At the end of my semester, I've made it a point to talk to each of my professor to develop more academically focused reading list for me to have and to develop further as time passes on.

In some ways, there's an ulterior motive to this list: I hope that the readings will help me develop a focus in the field I'm studying (Sociology) for the sake of my final semester (research, internship, and thesis) and, if I'm daring enough, Grad School (wherever I may go since I've yet to really give this much thought). 

In the sake of fairness, these titles will also be a part of my (personally) infamous Comprehensive Reading List. These books, plus all the personal novels (and the like) that I want to read this year will skyrocket the number significantly. This will, in fact, force to reconsider my 75% goal that I always set for myself and perhaps consider a lower number (roughly 50-65%, if I'm fortunate enough). But the new and improved CRL won't be available for another few days (to add and even color code my reading list to account for the major changes soon to come).

In some ways, I do hope that you (the reader) will perhaps consider reading some of the books on my list and perhaps gain the same insights I've had from Flowers for Algernon (for example). Until next time, my fellow readers!

The Beginning of the End...

In the First Day (as well as the Second Day), I had expressed some nervousness (as well as some excitement also) at the prospect of being back in university after a year-long hiatus. Now, this semester is over and I'm quite enthusiastic as to know that this semester has been quite successful! I'm quite confident that I've completed all of my classwork with at least 2 A's and 2 B's (though the hope is that it's 3 A's and a single B and if I got all A's, it's a frackin' Christmas miracle of sorts). I say "at least" because I've yet to see my final grades! I've been too nervous to take a look ^_^" 

After meeting with my academic adviser to discuss the remaining courses and plans for the upcoming January Term/Spring Semester, I've deduced that I'm approximately only one year away from graduation! I couldn't believe (and I still can't) that this is my circumstance - although for this to be possible, I must keep overwhelming myself with 16-unit semesters and 32-hour workweeks! Still, I'm beginning to see the light at the end of this academic tunnel! 

I'm excited to make new progress and continue press forward with my academics - it seems that there is much more pressure, now that I feel that my life is finally coming together with a steady job, a soon-to-earned Bachelor's Degree, and even active love life of sorts! Life is finally starting to become more engaging and even fun now! :-D

"FAYUL!!!"

Does anybody remember that from RWJ's Equals Three?

*What's that? You say I'm "Fake & Gay"?*

*Well... you're Misleading and Bisexual!*

*...not really*

*MOVING ON!*

Well, I "fayul-ed" to say the least. My attempt to be controversial fell on blind eyes (I'd say "deaf ears," but you're reading this, not listening to me ranting xD)! Even friends who stumble upon my blog occasionally had not mentioned this post to me at all... which is a bit disappointing, since they know I'm usually conservative with this things. Never again will you see me give you another link to anything sexy (well, for the most part anyway). But perhaps I'm making this out be a mountain out of a mole hill. 

Anyhow, my sincerest apologies for such a late blog entry - work, "Rachel" (who's now my girlfriend!!!!), and laziness have all kicked my butt (metaphorically speaking). But how are you? Are you well and healthy? You seem to have gained some weight - are you eating a balanced diet? You seem to have some bags under your eyes - please try to rest as much as you can, OK? Tell me a story of your day - I'd like to hear what you have to say! Until next time, my dear readers!

Topics of Futures Past

Good morning, one and all! Or, as Wendy Williams would say... 

"How you doin'?" 

*Is it strange for me to know that?*

*What? You say it is?*

*Oh...OK*

 Anywho, today's post will a short list of topics to write about in the future. Right now, I'm at the final stretch of my university finals, so I'm not feeling mentally sharp at the moment. So, this little list will be something that you and I can look forward to in the near future. Without further ado (about nothing, that is), here are the key points of discussion that will be covered here:

1. My (epic) fail at being controversial 
2. The end of my '13 Fall Semester in university
3. My new (academic) reading list 
4. My New Year's Resolutions AND life-long Bucket List 

 (Don't worry about the colors - just adding a splash of life in an otherwise bland post :P)

Da Octopusss and Musical Vibrators

Da Octopusss is back!!!

<('.'<)  (^'.'^)  (>'.')>  (^'.'^)  <('.'<)  (^'.'^)  (>'.')> 

*It's the "Kirby Dance," in case you're wondering*

Well, not entirely. They've been releasing new material recently and, in short, I'm really excited! While it's still the same noisy eargasm as their eponymous debut album, their latest singles, Evilminded and GOATS, show the pair going into new directions and experimenting with their very distinct sound quite excellently. It's very promising and other fans of the duo are also agreeing with opinions such as mine. Obviously, Da Octopusss is hinting at another album (or at the least, an EP), but whatever plans they have, I can't wait to see (or rather, hear) what they have in store for us. Unfortunately, their latest single can't be embedded nor can they be found on YouTube, so I'll post links to their respective web pages over at their SoundCloud account:

Da Octopuss - Evilminded

Da Octopuss - GOATS

Speaking of music and "-gasms", friends a whiles back mentioned that there are vibrators that can vary in their intensity, based on the music that is playing at the time of its usage. To which I initially thought as preposterous - after all, such a thing only belongs in a Sci-Fi erotica novel...right? After some *cough cough* "research" *cough cough* (if it can even be called that - thank you, science!), it turns out, they do exist (clicking on here WILL take you there...so yeah...ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK)! Boggles my mind that they really do. Also, it's obviously an 18+ site, so there will be damages technological, psychological, and otherwise (yadda-yadda-yadda...). You have been warned - and I'm talking to you, kid (that fake ID isn't foolin' anybody)! 

So why am I bringing this up? 

1. If you happen have one of those "musical vibrators" and you stumbled across my this post - you're welcome!
2. You happen to read this post while simultaneously exploring your sexuality - you're welcome?
3. I am testing the waters here to see if I can get a reaction of sorts (hey, just being honest here). Thank you for your reaction (whatever it may be) - It's good to know that I'm getting some attention (although, this wouldn't be the kind of attention I want to attract constantly). 

And with that, this concludes this risqué blog post. It'll probably be the first and last of its kind here. Until next time, friends!

"One Sky, One Destiny"

"Thinking of you, wherever you are...There are many worlds, but they share the same sky - one sky, one destiny."

As I've posted something earlier this year, I have signed up for an Instagram account. For the most part, I've been quite lax with my activity, having developed a modest following and such, but I suppose I could put more effort into it. However, that's not the point. The point is that I try to interact with others and I feel that there are several people that I've taken a liking to, mostly because we are able to practically have exchange conversations through the comment sections. As I have more conversations and learn more about the other people that I follow, it always takes me by surprise that some of the people that I interact with are from different parts of the world. Scotland, the Philippines, Canada...the countries go on! Of course, I shouldn't be so surprised that this is the case - this is the modern age of the Internet, after all. So why does it take me by surprise that it does?

Perhaps it has to do that there is a personal connection (albeit a small, distant connection), since users that I follow and converse with regularly become more than just a clever user name and a series of random photographs. They become nurses, gamers, photographers, dog lovers, celebrators of life, and so much more! I guess this can be compared to the random strangers in our daily lives. Maybe that's why I'm always taken aback when I learn more about the people I follow or who follow me. They become a person, with hopes, fears, hopes, and despairs, (although the Internet always shows the best of us, never the worst of us). I can add a face, a personality, and perhaps if I'm ever lucky enough, a voice to those so far away from where I'm from. 

 

But it isn't just technology that connects us, as the quote reveals. There are some many things we share together. The sun, the moon, the stars, the skies, the world, the human condition. Only we forget to that we do, since it seems that we're always drowning in a sea of our own problems to remember that our lives are much more than the forever now. I know I'm at fault at this from time to time. Which is why I'm writing this now - I had to be reminded of those connections. The hope is that I (or rather, we) don't forget this simple truth and the we continually reach out and impact the lives of those around us, both near and far away.

Video Game Theme Music

Recently, I've been somewhat obsessed with listening to theme songs from various video games I have played over the years. They've been providing me with a refreshing break from the music I've been listening lately, which is currently Avenged Sevenfold and Nine Inch Nails. I amazed at how creative some of the music has been, and I'm a bit ashamed to admit that I didn't appreciate the music initially (or rather, took me so long to REALLY hear the music). So instead of me ranting, or telling a life story of mine, I thought I'd do something different and share with you 10 of the many theme songs (in no particular order) that I've been listening to lately. Enjoy!

1) Devils Never Cry by Testuya Shibata & Shootie HG: The harsh vocals & guitar, juxtaposed with the gothic/renaissance atmosphere of the music are something to behold here. 

2) Operation: Market Garden by Michael Giacchino: Anders' performance as the solo vocalist is just beautiful. The way he lends his voice to the music can allow us to shed solemn tears for our fallen heroes. 

3) Super Smash Bros. Melee Theme as performed by The New Japanese Philharmonic: Somehow, the epic theme got more epic-er.

4) God of War II Main Theme by Gerard K. Marino: Fun fact - the composer intentionally reduced the woodwind sections and doubled the brass sections to create the powerful, memorable sound GoW is known for. Also, everything is sung in Greek!

5) Throw It All Away (Shadow's Theme) featuring Everett Bradley: I thoroughly enjoy the industrial/hard rock feel of the music here (similar to Devils Never Cry). It'd be great to hear more of this type of sound in music more often. 

6) Fallout 3 Main Theme by Inon Zur: This orchestral piece can really captures the insecurity of living in a post-apocalyptic world. My only gripe here is that the piece is too short. 

7) Open Your Heart by Crush40: In a (successful) attempt to make Sonic Adventure more edgier and down-to-earth, prog-rock pieces like this theme song are found through the game.

8) Live & Learn by Crush40: The prog-rock attitude continues in this main theme song of Sonic Adventure 2. After this game, most theme songs of following Sonic games have been somewhat lacking, to say the least. 

9) Godot: The Fragrance of Coffee by Noriyuki Iwadare: There are no words to really describe this beautiful and jazzy orchestral interpretation. This is one of those pieces that should be played at a wedding somehow. 

10) Fly in the Freedom (Rouge's Theme) featuring Tabitha Fair: I hated this song as a kid, but as an adult, I really love this style of music (the problem is: I don't know what would this be considered! I'm thinking Jazz or Bossa Nova, but I could be wrong). Complex, elaborate, and sexy, Fair's vocals add to the music to create a song that's strangely memorable. 

"Rachel! RACHEL!! (WHERE IS SHE?!?!)"

About the title, sorry, but I couldn't help myself - I just HAD to! You understand, right? =3

Side note: I meant to write this MUCH sooner, but life (school, work, and even "Rachel" herself) manages to overwhelm me daily (parts of these recent posts have, in fact, been written at work!) Also, "Rachel" is a She Wants Revenge song.  

To begin, Rachel and I first met through a mutual friend. Whenever I meet new people, I try to be more outgoing/friendlier than my usual self, mostly because I've been told I can come across as a cold, distant, or a dick in the past. So like with anyone new in my life, I gave her a simple handshake, a friendly smile (the hope is that it's warm and welcoming, not awkward and creepy - I should practice smiling more), and just like that *snaps fingers* we became acquaintances, though we both took to liking each other almost immediately. It was obvious: we smiled at each other and looked around for each other. Like, a lot. Though, I didn't do a thing about it. Mostly because I felt like I needed a much needed break from chasing girls (the masquerade incident still lingers in my mind) and I realized (after said incident) that this year just wasn't my year and I decided to accept being single for a few months more (this was about a month and a half ago, if I recall correctly). A couple of days later, I'd give up that resolution and asked our mutual friend if Rachel was seeing anyone (I'd eventually learn that Rachel had asked the same of me). 

After that, it became incredibly easy. At first, we mostly communicated via Internet (which worked great for us - our bizarre schedules and geographic distances would make it difficult to go out for coffee or frozen yogurt or whatever us kids are supposed to do for a meet up these days). Soon enough, we exchanged numbers and we began messaging and (eventually) calling each other. And to elaborate, before we exchanged numbers, I had asked her out on a date. But as I reflect on it now, I would have liked it more if I could have asked her out in person, but I had no way of meeting her in person to do so: the wacky schedules, remember?

Thus, our one date became a series of dates; our acquaintanceship grew into a friendship, which, in turn, maturated into a romance;  and I'm left in the center of it all, wondering how all this came to be. 

So there you have it: the simple story of how I met your mo--err, my girlfriend. It's, in no way, this passionate, Hollywood movie-type of thing, nor this boy-meets-girl kind of story (it's its own thing, I've come to realize), but I'm still amazed to have found somebody who likes me for me, and who I like for who she is. And she is someone I didn't plan to have in my life (at least for a few more months, that is). That alone makes her all the more special to me.