So Alvie's life as it has stood in the last few months of no blogging? A lived life! A fine life! and one where I feel that though my slow-pace of life is still being lived, I am at least trying things here and there. Recently, I finally made the time to do something I'd wanted to do for 10-years but never made happen, a trek out west. Case in point San Francisco last Halloween. Ever day there I smiled, even while feeling like I'm going up hill both ways (seriously, it's that hilly in some places). The prices were high as had been the satisfaction of being somewhere really different, somewhere fun and a trip out of town for the week. What I needed and what I made happen. Andrea had been a wonderful, beautiful host the whole time and seeing her joyous over my presence really made my time there all the better.
I finished my three online classes with a 3.0, or 3-Bs, fine grades. Bs, and BS, get degrees yo, and these had not been easy, breezy classes. Though my casual, dare I say cavalier approach to online courses did not help at all, I did get through them.
The literature classes I found underwhelming, leaving me with less interest in the subject matter compared to when I started, though I'm definitely keeping the books. The sociology class I liked a lot more, as it showed me a different way of studying religion and faith from a more objective perspective that I came to really appreciate, having had one class studying religion a lot less satisfying, a Comparative Religion course, HACC Fall 2006. Yes, that's correct, for me an internet course felt more satisfying then a real life one.
I have a toddler buddy! Young Soul-Louise who I baby-sit about 2x a week (on average). Honestly, though my friends have been saying for years I am great with kids, I'm now actually baby-sitting, and baby-sitting well. Made me think, would I consider working with children as a career? Absolutely!
I did more farm work this year, and realize no matter my love-hate relationship with that, it's a part of me, no matter what. Planting, harvesting, and yes even F-in weeding are a part of me, a deep part and even if I farm little, it still needs to happen. The physical and mental benefits of occasional farming far outweigh potential annoyances, such as monotony, pests, and other challenges sure to be thrown your way.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Wow it is time for a new post or two...
My love of gaming seems to have returned. Lately I've been into the following games.
Tetris: My love :) A product of Soviet Russia from the mid-80s, the game's changed very little since then, only with some graphic refreshments to look prettier, but it's always challenging and entertaining.
Alien Vs. Predator: No, not the new version, though as soon as I have access to it, I'd like to check it out as I love the look, not to mention the franchises Aliens and Predator. I haven't seen the two AVP movies, and from what I've heard, best not too, though they have their legions of fans.
I'm playing demos of the 1999 version as my old-ass computer can actually handle that. I enjoy playing as the marine immensely watching the splattering of the aliens as the acid flies when you shoot at them. It took me several hours of gaming as it is thankfully pretty challenging, not easy. When the right computer comes along, if ever, I'm buying the updated version that promises to work with contemporary systems.
Robot Unicorn Attack: a free game through Adult Swim's website where quite simply, you're a robot unicorn that can blast through stars and fly through the air, a rainbow stream coming out of your ass. Soft lovey music plays in the background. Quite an anti-thesis of AvP but surprisingly addicting and entertaining.
Mahjong: the classic Chinese matching game. I downloaded a free version for my computer sometime ago, and like that there is more to it then matching tiles, you have to strategically match tiles so that you do not run out of matches later in the game.
Ecco: A favorite from the Sega Genesis of mine many years back. I got it brand new as a 10th birthday gift, oh wow almost 17-years ago, and go back to it every few years to see how well I can do. As a kid I only beat a few levels and even then, that had been a bitch, but the game itself has an interesting storyline, and dark undertones not so apparent until you really get into it. And because I had been then, and I am still, a huge Dolphins (not Miami) fan I'm still drawn to the game. Some music from the games is excellent and I'd highly recommend seeking it out.
That's all the games I've been rocking lately. If I find any others worth mentioning I'll post comments on them.
Tetris: My love :) A product of Soviet Russia from the mid-80s, the game's changed very little since then, only with some graphic refreshments to look prettier, but it's always challenging and entertaining.
Alien Vs. Predator: No, not the new version, though as soon as I have access to it, I'd like to check it out as I love the look, not to mention the franchises Aliens and Predator. I haven't seen the two AVP movies, and from what I've heard, best not too, though they have their legions of fans.
I'm playing demos of the 1999 version as my old-ass computer can actually handle that. I enjoy playing as the marine immensely watching the splattering of the aliens as the acid flies when you shoot at them. It took me several hours of gaming as it is thankfully pretty challenging, not easy. When the right computer comes along, if ever, I'm buying the updated version that promises to work with contemporary systems.
Robot Unicorn Attack: a free game through Adult Swim's website where quite simply, you're a robot unicorn that can blast through stars and fly through the air, a rainbow stream coming out of your ass. Soft lovey music plays in the background. Quite an anti-thesis of AvP but surprisingly addicting and entertaining.
Mahjong: the classic Chinese matching game. I downloaded a free version for my computer sometime ago, and like that there is more to it then matching tiles, you have to strategically match tiles so that you do not run out of matches later in the game.
Ecco: A favorite from the Sega Genesis of mine many years back. I got it brand new as a 10th birthday gift, oh wow almost 17-years ago, and go back to it every few years to see how well I can do. As a kid I only beat a few levels and even then, that had been a bitch, but the game itself has an interesting storyline, and dark undertones not so apparent until you really get into it. And because I had been then, and I am still, a huge Dolphins (not Miami) fan I'm still drawn to the game. Some music from the games is excellent and I'd highly recommend seeking it out.
That's all the games I've been rocking lately. If I find any others worth mentioning I'll post comments on them.
Monday, July 19, 2010
in motion
Some are annoyed, some overjoyed when iron horses and their convoy make us stop and watch. One such time earlier tonight when after picking up my sister from her kung fu class we sat and watched three locomotives, one a left-over from the days of Con-Rail and the other two in the current livery of white lettering, and galloping horses on black backgrounds. Nearly 100-cars in tow, some living memories of railroads past others bright and clean, fresh from the factory in their bright lettering and paint. Finally at the end, a leftover from Con-Rail days, of all the kinds of rail cars out there, very few have railroads stopped using completely. One thought to be one of them until we saw it rolling along the rails. A rare site, the end of the train as it is. An old Con-Rail bay-window caboose in tow. Paint faded from years of neglect, but nonetheless real. Beautiful.
Friday, July 9, 2010
college postings...
What can't you do online now? Okay a lot of things, but in the last ten years, college degrees haven't been one of them. Seeking to fulfill two desires, change and a completion of the Bachelors. A salvation seemingly in an online degree program, there are many, I'm sure most are suitable, but I shant name the one I am using, unless you know me :)
Initial impressions seem good, warm friendly receptions welcome me to this new adventure of online education.
With less then 25-credits left to finish, finishing at even a less then quick pace seems the best option, thus I work to finish.
Initial impressions seem good, warm friendly receptions welcome me to this new adventure of online education.
With less then 25-credits left to finish, finishing at even a less then quick pace seems the best option, thus I work to finish.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
google's voice
Google is now my answering service. And do I like it? Well, instead of regular voice mail, I do get messages, but I also get an email with the same recording and text messages of the same message. The text messages make my day. Thanks to still evolving voice to text technology they're always rife with errors, usually with incorrect names or more. Today, I got a call from my mom, instead of the message reading, "it's your mother" it read, "it's your brother" doh...
Monday, June 28, 2010
oh farming
Occasional jaunts into the countryside, so healthy for mind and body.
Even when faced with that most monotonous, never-ending and sometimes downright boring of farm tasks: weeding. Yet, in the monotony, chafing and irritating of my hands I realize something: There is beauty in my work. My intentions, only to spare the handful of plants actually cared about. To give them more a chance to become fuller, healthier plants. Not for aesthetics, just a genuine chance at life without having to compete as much for resources.
Plants are genuinely alive and feeling beings, something a lot of people do not realize or want to realize. They to are worthy of compassion, I feel no need to pull all weeds, just those closest to say the squash, kale and strawberries I want to flourish. The more I can leave alone the better it feels, not to mention saving labor. Yay.
Even when faced with that most monotonous, never-ending and sometimes downright boring of farm tasks: weeding. Yet, in the monotony, chafing and irritating of my hands I realize something: There is beauty in my work. My intentions, only to spare the handful of plants actually cared about. To give them more a chance to become fuller, healthier plants. Not for aesthetics, just a genuine chance at life without having to compete as much for resources.
Plants are genuinely alive and feeling beings, something a lot of people do not realize or want to realize. They to are worthy of compassion, I feel no need to pull all weeds, just those closest to say the squash, kale and strawberries I want to flourish. The more I can leave alone the better it feels, not to mention saving labor. Yay.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Long time no blog... farming again!
Subject lines never my forte, so bear with me.
Finally, it is time to write something:
As many readers know, for the first time in 2-years I am working on a farm for fun, and free food rather then a living. My living is and for the foreseeable future remains the bakery. Yay for consistency! Oh yeah, I gather a bit here and there from sales of stuff on eBay and Craigslist.
Initially hesitant towards getting my hands dirty working with mother Gaia. I acquiesce after partaking in some farm projects, discovering this will truly be different. A real community effort where we work mainly to produce food for ourselves and not our customers, though some produce will be sold to help pay for start up and costs of production next year.
On another note: I am now part of the initiating group for Transition Lancaster. I became interested in discussing transition in seeing how just focusing on green technology and shifting our consumption habits to green stuff is not the way to go. I know about peak oil, and I know that with the world's oil consumption, and the fact that we are likely to endure horrific shortages first, and not have a science fiction world of solar panels and wind turbines powering everything.
Green goods are useful yes. Though regardless of recycled content, we still need substantial energy to get those materials to us.
Despite the increased environmental awareness experienced lately. Our society as a whole sees green as optional, and a fringe thing. It shouldn't be. It should be mainstream, but the mainstream needs to change. Even if every piece of clothing in the mall is organic cotton, and all the lights showing them off are CFLs, and you drive there in a Prius, this is hardly progress. The mall culture even if greened up is hardly an aspect of the past we want to maintain. As green consumerism is still that consumerism.
Finally, it is time to write something:
As many readers know, for the first time in 2-years I am working on a farm for fun, and free food rather then a living. My living is and for the foreseeable future remains the bakery. Yay for consistency! Oh yeah, I gather a bit here and there from sales of stuff on eBay and Craigslist.
Initially hesitant towards getting my hands dirty working with mother Gaia. I acquiesce after partaking in some farm projects, discovering this will truly be different. A real community effort where we work mainly to produce food for ourselves and not our customers, though some produce will be sold to help pay for start up and costs of production next year.
On another note: I am now part of the initiating group for Transition Lancaster. I became interested in discussing transition in seeing how just focusing on green technology and shifting our consumption habits to green stuff is not the way to go. I know about peak oil, and I know that with the world's oil consumption, and the fact that we are likely to endure horrific shortages first, and not have a science fiction world of solar panels and wind turbines powering everything.
Green goods are useful yes. Though regardless of recycled content, we still need substantial energy to get those materials to us.
Despite the increased environmental awareness experienced lately. Our society as a whole sees green as optional, and a fringe thing. It shouldn't be. It should be mainstream, but the mainstream needs to change. Even if every piece of clothing in the mall is organic cotton, and all the lights showing them off are CFLs, and you drive there in a Prius, this is hardly progress. The mall culture even if greened up is hardly an aspect of the past we want to maintain. As green consumerism is still that consumerism.
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