Well, today wasn't very great. I've had insomnia lately, and averaging about three hours sleep per night, sometimes another three or so during the day. I haven't been very productive lately. I wanted to go to the ReStore, but I didn't just because I was too lazy. If I'm not working, applying, or schooling, I should be volunteering!
I wish school had taught me more valuable life lessons... Like the importance of lying, cheating, and forcing your opinions on others.
Last night I read my first journal from back when I was 17. Jeez, I really haven't developed much since then! I've been imagining myself as having been a lazy, obsessive chump, but it turns out I actually had a very extensive understanding of my situation and motivations, and I was genuinely overworked.
I've improved with my social anxiety, and I'm not so caught up with my greed or envy as I used to be. Also, I really grappled with my sense of self-worth in relation to my ability in school. Now I know it's not about defining self-worth, it's about proving it. And the only reason to prove it is to make others believe in your ability, so you can push the competition down and pull yourself up. back then, I still believed everyone had a place in this world, and you just had to find your fit. Not really. Our society is built on the broken dreams of the masses. There's just too much room, too many things to be done, and too many amoral people in positions of authority. If you find success, someone else is paying for it.
I finished my other story outline today. Now I have two. I thought I had a third, but I didn't really know where I was going with it. I've written three substantial stories in my life, I guess. I published my outlines in the discussion area and asked for advice on which to go with. We are encouraged to work together.
Turns out that each degree of black belt looks different. First degrees have a white stripe through the middle, second degrees are solid black, and third degrees have three stripes on either end. I think not all schools have a special one for third degree, but ours does. Guess I won't be allowed to quit even after I hit black belt. Everyone would be able to identify me as not having achieved the highest possible status!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Drinking, Writing Class Grading
So, I've been drinkin'. I had to! My first writing assignment was graded today, and this was the only way I could bring myself to look at the grades. There are old tests I have in my high school binder that I still haven't brought myself to look at! It's the "Pride" sin, remember? Nonetheless... this is the last time I'll pull the drinking trick. And if it isn't... Let myself be shamed on this blog!
I did alright. I got an automatic 60% on my submission, and the other 40% will be graded when I correct the things she suggested. So I already passed, and I guess I... got perfect on just completing it? Doesn't seem like that's fair, but it's in my favour, so whatever.
I got U of G to answer me. Turns out, they're accepting applications until March 1st. Unfortunately, it seems their minimum grade average has risen, and I may fall beneath it. Grade average is determined by the six top grade 12 U and M courses completed. If six have not been completed in grade 12, they will take from grade 11. Therefor, since, between grades 11 and 12, I had a grade average better than 70%, I might still be in trouble, because if I graduated from courses worse than 70% in grade 12, they'll count that instead of my grade 11 marks. If I go to university, I have to decide on whether or not I'll be able to sustain living expenses, too.
Got back into my Scrabble zone. I've still got it.
I need to get back to the ReStore, yo! But my sleep schedule is all turned around. I've only slept three hours in these past two days, so hopefully I'll be tired enough to fall asleep at a proper time and get back on schedule.
Hey, so Mom went to therapy and talked about the prospective concept of me moving away. I guess this was a little while ago... when I still had the chance of getting a job in Toronto. Mom couldn't think of any reasons that it would be beneficial for me to move away. She thought of some good reasons for me, but not for her. Same as Duncan. I had to be the one who came up with the list for both of them for why it would be beneficial for them if I left!
I had to shout all my faults at them in list-format, and argue why I was decreasing their quality of life.
Anyway, I won the argument.
*Sigh*
I did alright. I got an automatic 60% on my submission, and the other 40% will be graded when I correct the things she suggested. So I already passed, and I guess I... got perfect on just completing it? Doesn't seem like that's fair, but it's in my favour, so whatever.
I got U of G to answer me. Turns out, they're accepting applications until March 1st. Unfortunately, it seems their minimum grade average has risen, and I may fall beneath it. Grade average is determined by the six top grade 12 U and M courses completed. If six have not been completed in grade 12, they will take from grade 11. Therefor, since, between grades 11 and 12, I had a grade average better than 70%, I might still be in trouble, because if I graduated from courses worse than 70% in grade 12, they'll count that instead of my grade 11 marks. If I go to university, I have to decide on whether or not I'll be able to sustain living expenses, too.
Got back into my Scrabble zone. I've still got it.
I need to get back to the ReStore, yo! But my sleep schedule is all turned around. I've only slept three hours in these past two days, so hopefully I'll be tired enough to fall asleep at a proper time and get back on schedule.
Hey, so Mom went to therapy and talked about the prospective concept of me moving away. I guess this was a little while ago... when I still had the chance of getting a job in Toronto. Mom couldn't think of any reasons that it would be beneficial for me to move away. She thought of some good reasons for me, but not for her. Same as Duncan. I had to be the one who came up with the list for both of them for why it would be beneficial for them if I left!
I had to shout all my faults at them in list-format, and argue why I was decreasing their quality of life.
Anyway, I won the argument.
*Sigh*
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Winter Photos, Writing Class
Here's some Winter images. There's only four. I don't think they're as good as my Autumn ones, either, but I don't think I'm going to do better this year. Since the numbers are so different from between seasons, I don't think I'm going for any kind of numerical formula. I just take pictures and select the ones I think are presentable.
There's a lot of things that don't get captured in a photo, at least not by someone of my skill. I took some pictures of snow, which just wound up looking white and a little rough, but which, in person, looked like white sand dunes, or the waves of a calm sea, with a mystical white haze washing over, almost insubstantial. And I took some pictures of geese flying that looked really nearby when I took the picture... even through the perspective of the camera, but they look really far away in the image. Also, I missed taking a picture of a beaver, and there was a HUMONGOUS collection of flying geese, the likes of which I'd never seen, which I somehow failed to catch on-camera.
Oh well. Here's the link: http://gryphonsgallery.blogspot.com/2010/01/winter-2010.html
Two new lessons from my writing class, and a new peer. Also, it was one of my classmate's birthday. In my pre-employment program, three out of my six classmates had their birthdays in the four week program. This is also a four week program. I'm hoping for more birthdays, though since there's only four of us, it would only take one more to be 50% of the members, which would tie W2W.
My assignment should be graded tonight, although it should've been graded yesterday, and she's only got... 15 minutes before her designated deadline to get these back to us.
Found a way to contact the correct U of G department with my inquiries, but they're making things difficult...
I'd forgotten about my online Scrabble matches. Gotta get back in on that. Too much things online already, though.
At karate today I got to put my new-found push-up skillz, as I'd mentioned in my previous update, to the test. Had to do fifteen while some other guy puts his hand on the ground, to make sure I'm doing them proper. Remember how I said I could only do one? Well, I did, like... eight or so, before I lost form. So I'm still not exactly the dojo champion, but I'm satisfied my own level of personal achievement.
There's a lot of things that don't get captured in a photo, at least not by someone of my skill. I took some pictures of snow, which just wound up looking white and a little rough, but which, in person, looked like white sand dunes, or the waves of a calm sea, with a mystical white haze washing over, almost insubstantial. And I took some pictures of geese flying that looked really nearby when I took the picture... even through the perspective of the camera, but they look really far away in the image. Also, I missed taking a picture of a beaver, and there was a HUMONGOUS collection of flying geese, the likes of which I'd never seen, which I somehow failed to catch on-camera.
Oh well. Here's the link: http://gryphonsgallery.blogspot.com/2010/01/winter-2010.html
Two new lessons from my writing class, and a new peer. Also, it was one of my classmate's birthday. In my pre-employment program, three out of my six classmates had their birthdays in the four week program. This is also a four week program. I'm hoping for more birthdays, though since there's only four of us, it would only take one more to be 50% of the members, which would tie W2W.
My assignment should be graded tonight, although it should've been graded yesterday, and she's only got... 15 minutes before her designated deadline to get these back to us.
Found a way to contact the correct U of G department with my inquiries, but they're making things difficult...
I'd forgotten about my online Scrabble matches. Gotta get back in on that. Too much things online already, though.
At karate today I got to put my new-found push-up skillz, as I'd mentioned in my previous update, to the test. Had to do fifteen while some other guy puts his hand on the ground, to make sure I'm doing them proper. Remember how I said I could only do one? Well, I did, like... eight or so, before I lost form. So I'm still not exactly the dojo champion, but I'm satisfied my own level of personal achievement.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Writing Class, Post-Secondary, Webcomic
Today I came up with a pretty solid prototype for my second creative writing assignment. And I've got two more prototypes in me! Afterward, it'll all be a matter of dressing up whichever I decide to go with. These plots are actual plots!
I contacted the University of Guelph with my questions, but they just told me to go to a certain section on their website centred on admissions. I went there, but it didn't answer any of my questions, and it didn't have any contact information for where I should take my specific questions.
I don't think I've been outside the apartment in two days. I feel killer groggy. I'm not good at staying inside for days on end.
Hey, if you guys want to know where my webcomic is, here's a hint: it's got a keyword, that if you search for it on deviantART, it will pull up every issue in my archive, and nothing else. I discovered that today. Also, the only person who has ever posted on my wall has this signature:
ida red ida blue
kill her best friend named as sue
ida red ida brown
screw her life up and kill her boyfriend in town
ida red ida black
now lets stab her in the back
ida red ida red
get the knife out and kill her dad fred!!!!!!!
GAH!!! She's frightening! I abandoned my old account to start one solely for my webcomic, and I told none of my friends where my new account was. The only person who has reached out to become my friend is this person. There has been one other person who added me to their watch list, and someone favourited one of my comics, but my only mutual friend is this frightening woman.
That keyword actually brings up all my comics from both my old and new account. My ex coloured in and re-vamped a few comics visually, and all of those are still the most favourited of my comics on dA. GRRRR!!!! Everyone is way too shallow! The writing is still the same quality!
I found out how to see the number of views each comic gets. Now I can experiment by seeing what times of day get the most views!
I'm thinking I'll also get out there and dirty my hands mingling with other members of the site. I wanted a little artistic integrity, gaining fans on my own strength, but sadly, people are more likely to favourite things if they come from a friend.
And there's that other account I could re-open, still.
Today I did a push-up. A bona-fide, put your chin to the ground, then push yourself up again style push-up! I have never before been able to do that. Before, I'd gained the ability to put myself halfway down and push myself up from there, which was a huge improvement on my previous inability to keep my back straight from the push up position. Keep in mind, I also weigh more than I ever have before in my life. I have to lift over 300 pounds to do a push up.
Hey, so for my brother's RP, I'm doing a female character. Several of us are, now. Expanding our writing capacities, yo. Anyway, I had to fill out her profile, and I had no idea what a woman's weight or height was, so I hazarded a guess at 5'7" and 150 lbs and asked a female if this was about right. She said that 150 is a little heavy. WHAT?! 150 is half my weight! So... most women are in a... completely different size ratio from me. Like, a size difference that usually exists only between separate species.
I contacted the University of Guelph with my questions, but they just told me to go to a certain section on their website centred on admissions. I went there, but it didn't answer any of my questions, and it didn't have any contact information for where I should take my specific questions.
I don't think I've been outside the apartment in two days. I feel killer groggy. I'm not good at staying inside for days on end.
Hey, if you guys want to know where my webcomic is, here's a hint: it's got a keyword, that if you search for it on deviantART, it will pull up every issue in my archive, and nothing else. I discovered that today. Also, the only person who has ever posted on my wall has this signature:
ida red ida blue
kill her best friend named as sue
ida red ida brown
screw her life up and kill her boyfriend in town
ida red ida black
now lets stab her in the back
ida red ida red
get the knife out and kill her dad fred!!!!!!!
GAH!!! She's frightening! I abandoned my old account to start one solely for my webcomic, and I told none of my friends where my new account was. The only person who has reached out to become my friend is this person. There has been one other person who added me to their watch list, and someone favourited one of my comics, but my only mutual friend is this frightening woman.
That keyword actually brings up all my comics from both my old and new account. My ex coloured in and re-vamped a few comics visually, and all of those are still the most favourited of my comics on dA. GRRRR!!!! Everyone is way too shallow! The writing is still the same quality!
I found out how to see the number of views each comic gets. Now I can experiment by seeing what times of day get the most views!
I'm thinking I'll also get out there and dirty my hands mingling with other members of the site. I wanted a little artistic integrity, gaining fans on my own strength, but sadly, people are more likely to favourite things if they come from a friend.
And there's that other account I could re-open, still.
Today I did a push-up. A bona-fide, put your chin to the ground, then push yourself up again style push-up! I have never before been able to do that. Before, I'd gained the ability to put myself halfway down and push myself up from there, which was a huge improvement on my previous inability to keep my back straight from the push up position. Keep in mind, I also weigh more than I ever have before in my life. I have to lift over 300 pounds to do a push up.
Hey, so for my brother's RP, I'm doing a female character. Several of us are, now. Expanding our writing capacities, yo. Anyway, I had to fill out her profile, and I had no idea what a woman's weight or height was, so I hazarded a guess at 5'7" and 150 lbs and asked a female if this was about right. She said that 150 is a little heavy. WHAT?! 150 is half my weight! So... most women are in a... completely different size ratio from me. Like, a size difference that usually exists only between separate species.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Writing Class, Post-Secondary
Well, I handed in my assignment for that creative writing class. We were supposed to write one to two page(s) using one of the following initial sentences:
1.The most frightening person in my childhood was...
2. If I were prime minister...
3. Whenever I find myself in a pensive mood I remember...
4. Place? I’ll give you a “place”. The most affecting place in my life is...
5. Was I anxious to grow up?
6. If I ever get a chance to avenge myself upon X...
7. Another letter from the Emperor!...
8. Hey? Don’t ask me nothin’! Like, hey, man – what do I know about...
9. The person I wish I could bring back is...
10. School, school, school, I wonder if....
We were supposed to put each sentence in the middle of a blank page, and write down any connecting thoughts that jumped to mind, then choose a series of connections and write a page without thinking.
Well, I did do that connections thing, and I got 21 stories out of it. Here are most of them:
-A person thinks everyone should be free, but also puts down utilitarian laws against certain harmful people, confusing the philosophy.
-Magical forest gets cut down but person still comes to it's remains.
-A crippled ex-athlete teaches a new person how to play.
-A veteran teaches a prospective soldier of the horrors of war.
-A kid gets bullied, gets revenge, gets in trouble.
-A soldier slays a noble dragon and regrets it.
-A political figure tries to cauterize a plague infestation.
-A guy doesn't know how to advise his friend about girls.
-A great mime is asked about the murder of a mime.
-Wants revenge against a person who desecrated his homeland
-Wants revenge against a person that harmed him.
-Wants revenge against a person that harmed a loved one.
-A person moved away, gotta bring 'em back.
-Work toward stopping a disease/accident.
I eliminated a few options, and this is the most intact list I have. If I wanted to find them all again, I'd have to go over my rough notes and re-analyze the plots out again.
The difficulty I had was, I didn't feel I had enough knowledge in any of the departments to write an actual story on one of them. And the stuff I did know about were too personal for me to want to present to the public with my name attached.
My end story was pretty bad, if I do say so myself. It's a plot class, but it focused almost solely on characterization. It was all I was comfortable with doing. The plot itself was cliched and overdone, plus it wasn't one of the ones I got using the method. Also, even though I worked on this project consistently all week, none of my work counted toward the creation of the end product, and I was still almost late.
I have confirmed my classroom size, however. There are three students, including me. I was the last one to post. It's evident that both of these classmates are already graduates from this school and at least have an extensive knowledge of play scripts (it's an acting school, primarily). I'm at the highest disadvantage, and since I published my story, I've been too embarrassed to return to the forum.
And it's that time of year again... The time to apply for university. Well, not really. It's past the deadline now. But people feel like this is the appropriate time of year to put the pressure on me to apply. But I can't do that unless I get some official to tell me that my grade average is good enough to get in, and that they're still accepting applications, or else nobody will shell out the $300 application fee.
Thing is, when I applied for university the first time around, I thought I had a high enough grade average to get in. I thought I was told that you only needed 6 “M” or “U” courses with an average above 70%, and that the average between those selected courses was how they judged your total average. It's true, they had me fill out a form selecting six courses, and I applied to the universities that had the lowest expectations, but I was refused by each one.
Applying as someone who is not a mature student, but still outside of high school is a bit different. They don't have you fill out that form, but I know they don't negate your high school grades until you are a mature student. So that's worrying, because my grade average for just 11 and 12 isn't good enough to get me in. And my average over the course being a high school student is DEFINITELY not good enough.
And there's reason to think that it's your full average that is taken into consideration, too, because everyone was always making sure to drop courses before the course drop deadline. Because if they didn't, the failed course would be put on their transcript, which would hurt their chances of getting into university.
I could apply for college. The deadline for that is not over, and the application fee is cheaper. And they say that you can get into college with only a high school diploma. And the graduation percentage is higher in college. I only tried for university because I was taking university courses. And I was only taking university courses because they were harder than college courses, and I wanted to be living up to my full capacity.
In the US, I believe that college and university are interchangeable words. I think that's probably a good thing. There's no real reason to segment them, I don't think. It just complicates things. I can't say I really know the difference between a college diploma and a university one. Every course you can take in university, you can take in college, and vice-versa.
And what's up with application fees?! You shouldn't have to pay to APPLY for a position! That doesn't make any sense!
And what happens with Katimavik if I apply for post-secondary? If I do get in, I don't want to just pass it up on the chance I get into something else. But I don't want to shell out money for something I'm going to dump if I get into another program.
But I'll tell you something... These post-secondary forms used to blast my mind to smithereens... Now they're nothin'. After those Katimavik forms, these are a breeze.
And why do they call it post-secondary? First you have elementary, then you have secondary... then... post-secondary? Shouldn't it be tertiary? Why dumb-down the term used for the most intelligent level of education?
Hey, you know what I discovered recently? You know how I was asked to mentor someone from the children's class by a blackbelt that had achieved sensei status at my dojo? Well, that child was the blackbelt's son. So... honoured!
1.The most frightening person in my childhood was...
2. If I were prime minister...
3. Whenever I find myself in a pensive mood I remember...
4. Place? I’ll give you a “place”. The most affecting place in my life is...
5. Was I anxious to grow up?
6. If I ever get a chance to avenge myself upon X...
7. Another letter from the Emperor!...
8. Hey? Don’t ask me nothin’! Like, hey, man – what do I know about...
9. The person I wish I could bring back is...
10. School, school, school, I wonder if....
We were supposed to put each sentence in the middle of a blank page, and write down any connecting thoughts that jumped to mind, then choose a series of connections and write a page without thinking.
Well, I did do that connections thing, and I got 21 stories out of it. Here are most of them:
-A person thinks everyone should be free, but also puts down utilitarian laws against certain harmful people, confusing the philosophy.
-Magical forest gets cut down but person still comes to it's remains.
-A crippled ex-athlete teaches a new person how to play.
-A veteran teaches a prospective soldier of the horrors of war.
-A kid gets bullied, gets revenge, gets in trouble.
-A soldier slays a noble dragon and regrets it.
-A political figure tries to cauterize a plague infestation.
-A guy doesn't know how to advise his friend about girls.
-A great mime is asked about the murder of a mime.
-Wants revenge against a person who desecrated his homeland
-Wants revenge against a person that harmed him.
-Wants revenge against a person that harmed a loved one.
-A person moved away, gotta bring 'em back.
-Work toward stopping a disease/accident.
I eliminated a few options, and this is the most intact list I have. If I wanted to find them all again, I'd have to go over my rough notes and re-analyze the plots out again.
The difficulty I had was, I didn't feel I had enough knowledge in any of the departments to write an actual story on one of them. And the stuff I did know about were too personal for me to want to present to the public with my name attached.
My end story was pretty bad, if I do say so myself. It's a plot class, but it focused almost solely on characterization. It was all I was comfortable with doing. The plot itself was cliched and overdone, plus it wasn't one of the ones I got using the method. Also, even though I worked on this project consistently all week, none of my work counted toward the creation of the end product, and I was still almost late.
I have confirmed my classroom size, however. There are three students, including me. I was the last one to post. It's evident that both of these classmates are already graduates from this school and at least have an extensive knowledge of play scripts (it's an acting school, primarily). I'm at the highest disadvantage, and since I published my story, I've been too embarrassed to return to the forum.
And it's that time of year again... The time to apply for university. Well, not really. It's past the deadline now. But people feel like this is the appropriate time of year to put the pressure on me to apply. But I can't do that unless I get some official to tell me that my grade average is good enough to get in, and that they're still accepting applications, or else nobody will shell out the $300 application fee.
Thing is, when I applied for university the first time around, I thought I had a high enough grade average to get in. I thought I was told that you only needed 6 “M” or “U” courses with an average above 70%, and that the average between those selected courses was how they judged your total average. It's true, they had me fill out a form selecting six courses, and I applied to the universities that had the lowest expectations, but I was refused by each one.
Applying as someone who is not a mature student, but still outside of high school is a bit different. They don't have you fill out that form, but I know they don't negate your high school grades until you are a mature student. So that's worrying, because my grade average for just 11 and 12 isn't good enough to get me in. And my average over the course being a high school student is DEFINITELY not good enough.
And there's reason to think that it's your full average that is taken into consideration, too, because everyone was always making sure to drop courses before the course drop deadline. Because if they didn't, the failed course would be put on their transcript, which would hurt their chances of getting into university.
I could apply for college. The deadline for that is not over, and the application fee is cheaper. And they say that you can get into college with only a high school diploma. And the graduation percentage is higher in college. I only tried for university because I was taking university courses. And I was only taking university courses because they were harder than college courses, and I wanted to be living up to my full capacity.
In the US, I believe that college and university are interchangeable words. I think that's probably a good thing. There's no real reason to segment them, I don't think. It just complicates things. I can't say I really know the difference between a college diploma and a university one. Every course you can take in university, you can take in college, and vice-versa.
And what's up with application fees?! You shouldn't have to pay to APPLY for a position! That doesn't make any sense!
And what happens with Katimavik if I apply for post-secondary? If I do get in, I don't want to just pass it up on the chance I get into something else. But I don't want to shell out money for something I'm going to dump if I get into another program.
But I'll tell you something... These post-secondary forms used to blast my mind to smithereens... Now they're nothin'. After those Katimavik forms, these are a breeze.
And why do they call it post-secondary? First you have elementary, then you have secondary... then... post-secondary? Shouldn't it be tertiary? Why dumb-down the term used for the most intelligent level of education?
Hey, you know what I discovered recently? You know how I was asked to mentor someone from the children's class by a blackbelt that had achieved sensei status at my dojo? Well, that child was the blackbelt's son. So... honoured!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Job Callback, Forms, Trollz
Well, the job callbacks were nothing to get excited about. I didn't tell you guys, for some reason, but one was from the employer I saw last week. Turns out, I didn't get the job, but he still wants me back in for three or four days. He phrased it real nice. He said that it was just because the other guy had more experience, but they wanted to help me get experience, too. If that's true, then it's nice to know I made a good enough impression that they'd want to do me a favour like that. If it was a lie, then they chose me because I'm the most qualified person available other than the guy they hired, and I can live with that. I feel like the reason I didn't get the job was a matter of space, rather than qualification.
The other callback was from an employment agency. Again, that's not bad... Much of the little experience I have comes from dealing with those agencies, and getting a callback means that somebody eyeballed my resume, and said to themselves "Hmmm, maybe we could use this guy". The agency wasn't actually open today, so I couldn't call them back.
My Katimaroute says "Arrived" for all but my second piece of ID, which says "Update needed." I sent them the update, but I guess they need some time to process it, like they did with the original forms.
Alright then, I'll tell you what I did wrong. See, the checklist said in one bullet point that I needed a photocopy of a piece of government-issued identification with a photo, proof of age, and a signature. Then there was another piece requesting the same thing. One bullet was in the section directed to the Katimavik Participant's Office, the other was to Backcheck (criminal record and vulnerable sector search people, that Katimavik uses for all applicants), so I thought that meant the Katimavik Participant's Office needed one, enclosed with my questionnaire and health form, and that Backcheck also needed one. So I sent a photocopy of my passport for one, and a photocopy of my passport for the other. Turns out, they need the ID to be DIFFERENT. Backcheck looks at both pieces of ID. I guess the Participant's Office shares it's piece. But they said to either email of fax them a scan of the new info, so I've emailed it to them.
My first project for the writing course is due today. I have NOT procrastinated it to the last minute. I am demonstrating my new self-discipline! But I could still have done a bit more than I have.
Three people who read my blog have posted on my brother's Facebook. I just checked it for the first time in a long time. Well, one person who reads and two people who claim to read, but whom I frankly did not believe. Although, since it's only these people who took an interest, I'm liable to start believing in them. After all, this blog is basically a teaser into Duncan's life.
Ummmm... Let's see, let's see...
Saw a raccoon the other day! That doesn't happen a lot... Updated my comic again... If I'm running so low on material here, you guys might actually get linked. It might at least give me a bit more to work with.
Let's see... What else...
Here, have the Trollz theme in:
English
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCuyIApMNug&feature=player_embedded
Spanish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA7hKedtvJ8&feature=player_embedded
Latin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39zmGN_cjNk&feature=player_embedded
Swedish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D5s46x0vs4&feature=player_embedded
Finnish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYKcce6Yc6o&feature=player_embedded
German
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FSO2GzgfNA&feature=player_embedded
Dutch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWPHVIQubwM&feature=player_embedded
The other callback was from an employment agency. Again, that's not bad... Much of the little experience I have comes from dealing with those agencies, and getting a callback means that somebody eyeballed my resume, and said to themselves "Hmmm, maybe we could use this guy". The agency wasn't actually open today, so I couldn't call them back.
My Katimaroute says "Arrived" for all but my second piece of ID, which says "Update needed." I sent them the update, but I guess they need some time to process it, like they did with the original forms.
Alright then, I'll tell you what I did wrong. See, the checklist said in one bullet point that I needed a photocopy of a piece of government-issued identification with a photo, proof of age, and a signature. Then there was another piece requesting the same thing. One bullet was in the section directed to the Katimavik Participant's Office, the other was to Backcheck (criminal record and vulnerable sector search people, that Katimavik uses for all applicants), so I thought that meant the Katimavik Participant's Office needed one, enclosed with my questionnaire and health form, and that Backcheck also needed one. So I sent a photocopy of my passport for one, and a photocopy of my passport for the other. Turns out, they need the ID to be DIFFERENT. Backcheck looks at both pieces of ID. I guess the Participant's Office shares it's piece. But they said to either email of fax them a scan of the new info, so I've emailed it to them.
My first project for the writing course is due today. I have NOT procrastinated it to the last minute. I am demonstrating my new self-discipline! But I could still have done a bit more than I have.
Three people who read my blog have posted on my brother's Facebook. I just checked it for the first time in a long time. Well, one person who reads and two people who claim to read, but whom I frankly did not believe. Although, since it's only these people who took an interest, I'm liable to start believing in them. After all, this blog is basically a teaser into Duncan's life.
Ummmm... Let's see, let's see...
Saw a raccoon the other day! That doesn't happen a lot... Updated my comic again... If I'm running so low on material here, you guys might actually get linked. It might at least give me a bit more to work with.
Let's see... What else...
Here, have the Trollz theme in:
English
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCuyIApMNug&feature=player_embedded
Spanish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA7hKedtvJ8&feature=player_embedded
Latin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39zmGN_cjNk&feature=player_embedded
Swedish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D5s46x0vs4&feature=player_embedded
Finnish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYKcce6Yc6o&feature=player_embedded
German
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FSO2GzgfNA&feature=player_embedded
Dutch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWPHVIQubwM&feature=player_embedded
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Redemption Post
First of all, sorry about the skimpy blog posts lately. I've been doing below-par for a while now, and I'm aware of it. I don't think it's because not enough is going on. I think it's either because I'm A) not focused enough or B) too focused.
To be a good, consistent blogger (my 100 posts and five viewers makes me an expert) you need to take a lot of interest in a lot of things. If you get hyper-interested in one thing, that's great. You'll probably get more material on that topic than you would otherwise, but it's the only topic you'll get much out of, and that will bleed you text overall. On the other hand, you need to have more focus in general than the average Joe blow, or else nobody will be able to get into anything you write.
Basically you need an intense, yet shifting focus. I call that natural writing talent. Others know it as Attention Deficit Disorder.
So please let me try and redeem myself. I think my 100 posts and overview of accomplishments within that time reminded me of the passage of time and made me contemplate the big picture, to the point that I became afraid of focusing on the small, lest I live my life through without any major accomplishments. But it's time to get over that, I think.
My dojo is expanding! I knew this yesterday, but failed to comment. They're buying the place next door, and connecting the two places, to build an even wider dojo. They're also adding Escrima Stick (Philipino martial art that uses sticks), Tai-Chi (a slower, more meditative martial art), and sword classes. To expand in a poor economy is fairly impressive. I was wrong before about having a separate belt system for weapons classes. While they do offer training in the weapons I listed, it's a karate add-on, and there's basically one degree you can get for training in that field. They put a label on your uniform indicating you're generally capable in that area. But these sword and Escrima Stick classes sound like they're their own thing. I doubt I'll do any of them for the time being, though. When the head sensei from the other dojo opened his doors to the students from ours, one of my peers asked if he could learn some of their katas. The head sensei said that he could, once he learned all the ones at our dojo. He said it's best to study one set at a time. From what I've seen, that looks like a fairly accepted philosophy among people who learn multiple arts. However, there are some arts that are compatible, and my head sensei says the Escrima Stick is pretty compatible with karate. Still... I'll wait until I'm showing up for all four classes every week plus weapons classes and open practice once I get to that level, and still not be getting enough out of it before I consider taking on even more classes.
There's also going to be an interschool tournament. It's not a full-fledged tournament, but there seems to be an inter-school comeradery among the dojos in this area, and staging a little competition is more of a social thing. I don't get that. Aren't these competing industries? Isn't each student from each dojo a student deprived from the other? And in this failing economy, aren't students becoming more and more precious? There's no room for friendship in the middle of that!
Anyway, there's competitions for each belt rank, so everyone's free to enter. I... don't think I'll enter. This may surprise you guys, but I'm actually probably the least talented in my belt rank. I'm used to learning everything slower than the others. It's been that way my entire life, so I'm not that discouraged by it. I also know that I always meet my endgoal, and usually better than average. But as of now I'd just make a fool of myself.
We also talked about serious-business tournaments. Apparently we're not a real big “tournament school”, but that he still encourages each of us to try it once, and if we'd like, he's willing to put us through some extra training. Since the extra training only includes getting us to tone up our technique, I'm taking us not being a “tournament school” to mean, we suck, and not just that we choose not to enter, or whatever.
And I forgot to get across the other day that I'm actually really happy to have failed to have gotten that stripe. I like to know that it's possible to fail, because I really want to earn what I get.
I'm tanked with energy lately. Every time I go through a B12 depression, adjust to it, then get my energy levels back to normal, I'm still plugged into overdrive, which I tuned myself into to deal with the lethargy, and that, in addition to the giant surge of energy, sends me packing.
I also forgot to say that there's a submissions section on my writing course forum, for writing that is suitable to be published on their school web site, and since it's an acting school, they're open to qualified scripts being used as acting drills and whatever. I'm really thrilled about this, because I love fame.
I reapplied to do some free help with data management. Just want another thing to put on my resume.
....Katimavik got my application! I was just going to complain that they still didn't have it, according to my Katimaroute, but then I checked my email and they have it! Of course, they only contacted me to inform me that I did something wrong... Hey! Those forms are hard, man! They take as long to fill out as the course of the program! But anyway, they have the forms, and them wanting me to correct this just might be a good sign. Hopefully they wouldn't bother me unless I was a contender. Eh, they probably would. Legally bound to give everyone a chance, even if it's evident they don't have one, or whatever.
WHAAAAAAAAT?! I got two job call backs today! Confirmation of my program application and two callbacks? After an interview and two days of work, making it into the two finalists? What...? What...? I don't get it. Why am I having success? That doesn't sound like me.
To be a good, consistent blogger (my 100 posts and five viewers makes me an expert) you need to take a lot of interest in a lot of things. If you get hyper-interested in one thing, that's great. You'll probably get more material on that topic than you would otherwise, but it's the only topic you'll get much out of, and that will bleed you text overall. On the other hand, you need to have more focus in general than the average Joe blow, or else nobody will be able to get into anything you write.
Basically you need an intense, yet shifting focus. I call that natural writing talent. Others know it as Attention Deficit Disorder.
So please let me try and redeem myself. I think my 100 posts and overview of accomplishments within that time reminded me of the passage of time and made me contemplate the big picture, to the point that I became afraid of focusing on the small, lest I live my life through without any major accomplishments. But it's time to get over that, I think.
My dojo is expanding! I knew this yesterday, but failed to comment. They're buying the place next door, and connecting the two places, to build an even wider dojo. They're also adding Escrima Stick (Philipino martial art that uses sticks), Tai-Chi (a slower, more meditative martial art), and sword classes. To expand in a poor economy is fairly impressive. I was wrong before about having a separate belt system for weapons classes. While they do offer training in the weapons I listed, it's a karate add-on, and there's basically one degree you can get for training in that field. They put a label on your uniform indicating you're generally capable in that area. But these sword and Escrima Stick classes sound like they're their own thing. I doubt I'll do any of them for the time being, though. When the head sensei from the other dojo opened his doors to the students from ours, one of my peers asked if he could learn some of their katas. The head sensei said that he could, once he learned all the ones at our dojo. He said it's best to study one set at a time. From what I've seen, that looks like a fairly accepted philosophy among people who learn multiple arts. However, there are some arts that are compatible, and my head sensei says the Escrima Stick is pretty compatible with karate. Still... I'll wait until I'm showing up for all four classes every week plus weapons classes and open practice once I get to that level, and still not be getting enough out of it before I consider taking on even more classes.
There's also going to be an interschool tournament. It's not a full-fledged tournament, but there seems to be an inter-school comeradery among the dojos in this area, and staging a little competition is more of a social thing. I don't get that. Aren't these competing industries? Isn't each student from each dojo a student deprived from the other? And in this failing economy, aren't students becoming more and more precious? There's no room for friendship in the middle of that!
Anyway, there's competitions for each belt rank, so everyone's free to enter. I... don't think I'll enter. This may surprise you guys, but I'm actually probably the least talented in my belt rank. I'm used to learning everything slower than the others. It's been that way my entire life, so I'm not that discouraged by it. I also know that I always meet my endgoal, and usually better than average. But as of now I'd just make a fool of myself.
We also talked about serious-business tournaments. Apparently we're not a real big “tournament school”, but that he still encourages each of us to try it once, and if we'd like, he's willing to put us through some extra training. Since the extra training only includes getting us to tone up our technique, I'm taking us not being a “tournament school” to mean, we suck, and not just that we choose not to enter, or whatever.
And I forgot to get across the other day that I'm actually really happy to have failed to have gotten that stripe. I like to know that it's possible to fail, because I really want to earn what I get.
I'm tanked with energy lately. Every time I go through a B12 depression, adjust to it, then get my energy levels back to normal, I'm still plugged into overdrive, which I tuned myself into to deal with the lethargy, and that, in addition to the giant surge of energy, sends me packing.
I also forgot to say that there's a submissions section on my writing course forum, for writing that is suitable to be published on their school web site, and since it's an acting school, they're open to qualified scripts being used as acting drills and whatever. I'm really thrilled about this, because I love fame.
I reapplied to do some free help with data management. Just want another thing to put on my resume.
....Katimavik got my application! I was just going to complain that they still didn't have it, according to my Katimaroute, but then I checked my email and they have it! Of course, they only contacted me to inform me that I did something wrong... Hey! Those forms are hard, man! They take as long to fill out as the course of the program! But anyway, they have the forms, and them wanting me to correct this just might be a good sign. Hopefully they wouldn't bother me unless I was a contender. Eh, they probably would. Legally bound to give everyone a chance, even if it's evident they don't have one, or whatever.
WHAAAAAAAAT?! I got two job call backs today! Confirmation of my program application and two callbacks? After an interview and two days of work, making it into the two finalists? What...? What...? I don't get it. Why am I having success? That doesn't sound like me.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Short Post
It's real late, so this probably isn't going to be a long post. I've spent too much time on the computer for even my tastes, so really, it's more about letting myself have a break from online writing than it is about getting to bed.
Well, I guess that B12 has kicked in. Despite complaining about not having it in me to do a large post, my energy levels really have gotten back up to normal.
Went to karate today. Didn't go last week, just because so much stuff was happening. I was considered for a stripe, which surprised me, because I've been a yellow belt for such a short period of time that I haven't even attended a self-defense class yet! I didn't get the stripe, though. I'd only brushed over the moves necessary for it, so today was the first time that a teacher actually talked me through. I actually did well, if I do say so myself. I figured out the technique. But really I shouldn't be getting a stripe on the first lesson that I think I'm getting the hang of it. And I didn't.
A peer posted in my online writing course, so now at least I know that I do have one.
I've been contacted by two people from my past since the start of the new year. An old employment counselor and a friend from high school! I really am liking this year.
Soon as we hit February, I'll have gotten through a whole year where I paid attention to the months. Maybe I'll have a notion of what the weather is like in any given month, if someone references such a thing.
Well, I guess that B12 has kicked in. Despite complaining about not having it in me to do a large post, my energy levels really have gotten back up to normal.
Went to karate today. Didn't go last week, just because so much stuff was happening. I was considered for a stripe, which surprised me, because I've been a yellow belt for such a short period of time that I haven't even attended a self-defense class yet! I didn't get the stripe, though. I'd only brushed over the moves necessary for it, so today was the first time that a teacher actually talked me through. I actually did well, if I do say so myself. I figured out the technique. But really I shouldn't be getting a stripe on the first lesson that I think I'm getting the hang of it. And I didn't.
A peer posted in my online writing course, so now at least I know that I do have one.
I've been contacted by two people from my past since the start of the new year. An old employment counselor and a friend from high school! I really am liking this year.
Soon as we hit February, I'll have gotten through a whole year where I paid attention to the months. Maybe I'll have a notion of what the weather is like in any given month, if someone references such a thing.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Writing Class, My Brother's Forum
Last time I talked about this, I'd registered and gained access to my online writing school, but I hadn't gained access to my online classroom. Now I have, and I got my first assignment, due this Friday. Got my first lesson, too. There are ten students and four teachers registered in the online school, but the school features magazine, short story, and memoir classes, and I have no way of knowing who's in my specific class. I figure there's more than just myself, as one of the teachers opened an introductions thread in my classroom. As of this posting, I'm the only person not in a position of authority to have posted anything in a place accessible to me. The school looks and functions much like a Proboards, so I'm familiar with it, which is nice. The first lesson was thorough and made a good degree of sense and I should be capable of handling this first assignment without difficulty. This is the first class they've had, so they're liable to make mistakes, though I haven't seen one yet. It's a little intimidating to be using writing as the medium for base communication within a writing class, especially when the only people who've made themselves open to discussion are your writing teachers.
I didn't receive any notice from that employer, so I'm going on the assumption that I didn't get the job.
I've been posting on my brother's forum's roleplay. If you don't know what a roleplay, or RP is, then all you need to know is that it's an interactive story. In most online roleplays you take command of a character, and a GM (game master) dictates the events and a number of plot-relevant characters, but my brother's is unique in that you don't just post as a character. Each participant takes turns writing large portions of the story, including other people's characters. When writing for someone else's character, though, they're just left with general guidelines, and later on, the creator of that character edits in their specific dialogue. There's also theme music, and each character's text is coloured differently. Also, one person can dictate more than one character, and all participants discuss what direction the RP should take and how to get to it ahead of time, so that the end product actually seems more like a structured story, and not just a game. Also, the characters are balanced and developed partly to benefit the story, not just for self-insertion.
I feel a bit like an advertisement right now, but I'll admit I'm having fun. Roleplaying isn't something one usually admits. It's a term synonymous with self-insert fantasy, an indicator of being unsatisfied with one's own life and trying to escape into another, as well as seeming like a juvenile, make-believe form of play.
But this is more like interactive creative writing, when self-insertion is taken off the table and things like endgoals and character balancing is prioritized. I'm sure that's it's own brand of pathetic, but I'm kind of taking courses on this right now, so...
Anyway, check out the character sprites that my brother made for me. Yes, my character's name is "Start". All our main characters are based on our usernames. Yes, I know I said self-insertion was not prioritized, but... shut up. Character Start is still not the same as username Start.
Admittedly, those aren't exactly original works. Here were the component characters that everything in on that list came from:
But still, not bad, right? I know that "Young Start" is just a recolour, "Mask Start" is just the metal guy's head cropped onto the shoulder pad guy's body, and "Curse Start" is just the old guy's head cropped onto the shoulder pad guy's body, but check out regular Start. That is the purple kimono guy's face, the shoulder pad guy's body, and the old guy's goatee, scar,and ponytail, and the skin tone and clothing colour are original. And look at Golem Start. All of the stone texture-angling beneath the mustache had to be done from scratch, and the additional facial hair needed to be done from scratch, too.
Also, I'll post his lawyer sprites when they come up. Yeah, half the time, we're all lawyers, for some reason. Plus I've got two more characters that I get to command, and whose sprites are in the making.
I didn't receive any notice from that employer, so I'm going on the assumption that I didn't get the job.
I've been posting on my brother's forum's roleplay. If you don't know what a roleplay, or RP is, then all you need to know is that it's an interactive story. In most online roleplays you take command of a character, and a GM (game master) dictates the events and a number of plot-relevant characters, but my brother's is unique in that you don't just post as a character. Each participant takes turns writing large portions of the story, including other people's characters. When writing for someone else's character, though, they're just left with general guidelines, and later on, the creator of that character edits in their specific dialogue. There's also theme music, and each character's text is coloured differently. Also, one person can dictate more than one character, and all participants discuss what direction the RP should take and how to get to it ahead of time, so that the end product actually seems more like a structured story, and not just a game. Also, the characters are balanced and developed partly to benefit the story, not just for self-insertion.
I feel a bit like an advertisement right now, but I'll admit I'm having fun. Roleplaying isn't something one usually admits. It's a term synonymous with self-insert fantasy, an indicator of being unsatisfied with one's own life and trying to escape into another, as well as seeming like a juvenile, make-believe form of play.
But this is more like interactive creative writing, when self-insertion is taken off the table and things like endgoals and character balancing is prioritized. I'm sure that's it's own brand of pathetic, but I'm kind of taking courses on this right now, so...
Anyway, check out the character sprites that my brother made for me. Yes, my character's name is "Start". All our main characters are based on our usernames. Yes, I know I said self-insertion was not prioritized, but... shut up. Character Start is still not the same as username Start.
Admittedly, those aren't exactly original works. Here were the component characters that everything in on that list came from:
But still, not bad, right? I know that "Young Start" is just a recolour, "Mask Start" is just the metal guy's head cropped onto the shoulder pad guy's body, and "Curse Start" is just the old guy's head cropped onto the shoulder pad guy's body, but check out regular Start. That is the purple kimono guy's face, the shoulder pad guy's body, and the old guy's goatee, scar,and ponytail, and the skin tone and clothing colour are original. And look at Golem Start. All of the stone texture-angling beneath the mustache had to be done from scratch, and the additional facial hair needed to be done from scratch, too.
Also, I'll post his lawyer sprites when they come up. Yeah, half the time, we're all lawyers, for some reason. Plus I've got two more characters that I get to command, and whose sprites are in the making.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
100 BLOG ENTRIES!!!!!!
*Cue confetti*
Now to celebrate my 100 days of blogging (Okay, maybe a bit more) let's reflect on the accomplishments I've made since I started...
...I met my dad, had a quarter-life crisis, went up a belt rank in karate, cashed in on the first course of a scholarship for seven writing programs, discovered a new place to volunteer, updated my webcomic, like, five times, severed my last tie with my ex, got a bit more working experience, saw my mother start a business with my employer, saw my mother discover she has Hep C, wrote nine reviews, took a bunch of photos, saw a blue moon on the turn of the decade, joined my brother's forum, started family therapy and read two books.
Huh... UNSATISFIED! Things don't move fast enough!
I might have missed a few things, and those weren't all accomplishments.
Anyway, let's get back to focusing on the little things, because looking at the big picture hurts.
I managed to fill out my Welfare papers today. I'll admit that, so crunched for time, I did try and resort to convenient methods like applying via email through job-finding sites.
Convenient? HA! Want to know what I found? The Job Bank gave me four positions I was eligible for, Kijiji gave me four as well, Monster gave me NOTHING, Workopolis gave me NOTHING, too. So I tried temporary agencies. Premium HR Solutions listed two positions, one of which I was eligible, Express was the same. Liberty Staffing and Spherion gave me NOTHING!
So Guelph's online job listings were exhausted at ten applications, and I had to resort to doing things the old fashioned way: forcing my resume into places where I know they aren't hiring and will not be hiring soon.
This time of year is a bit of an anomaly in that nobody's saying it's a good time to be looking for work. There's usually some holiday, or change of season, or school's ending or school's starting, and so people are basically constantly saying it's a good time to be looking for work. It's ironic that in this barren time, I've come this close to landing a job (We'll find out tomorrow!!!!).
Now to celebrate my 100 days of blogging (Okay, maybe a bit more) let's reflect on the accomplishments I've made since I started...
...I met my dad, had a quarter-life crisis, went up a belt rank in karate, cashed in on the first course of a scholarship for seven writing programs, discovered a new place to volunteer, updated my webcomic, like, five times, severed my last tie with my ex, got a bit more working experience, saw my mother start a business with my employer, saw my mother discover she has Hep C, wrote nine reviews, took a bunch of photos, saw a blue moon on the turn of the decade, joined my brother's forum, started family therapy and read two books.
Huh... UNSATISFIED! Things don't move fast enough!
I might have missed a few things, and those weren't all accomplishments.
Anyway, let's get back to focusing on the little things, because looking at the big picture hurts.
I managed to fill out my Welfare papers today. I'll admit that, so crunched for time, I did try and resort to convenient methods like applying via email through job-finding sites.
Convenient? HA! Want to know what I found? The Job Bank gave me four positions I was eligible for, Kijiji gave me four as well, Monster gave me NOTHING, Workopolis gave me NOTHING, too. So I tried temporary agencies. Premium HR Solutions listed two positions, one of which I was eligible, Express was the same. Liberty Staffing and Spherion gave me NOTHING!
So Guelph's online job listings were exhausted at ten applications, and I had to resort to doing things the old fashioned way: forcing my resume into places where I know they aren't hiring and will not be hiring soon.
This time of year is a bit of an anomaly in that nobody's saying it's a good time to be looking for work. There's usually some holiday, or change of season, or school's ending or school's starting, and so people are basically constantly saying it's a good time to be looking for work. It's ironic that in this barren time, I've come this close to landing a job (We'll find out tomorrow!!!!).
2ndchance, Comic, Writing Course
I forgot to mention that, last Friday, I saw one of my old employment counselors at 2ndchance. Turns out, they're doing the 18th W2W group right now. I was part of the 9th, so that means the number of groups they've done since mine has doubled, and it's been roughly nine months. Sounds right.
I updated my comic again, too, that day. And I'm going to do so now. Turns out I'm still averaging 2 comics a month. Well, I've managed to get it up to something like 2.3, but still...
I'm not doing nearly so well with my new alias as I did with my old, and I haven't gained any new watchers or favourites since I had a third of what I do now even with this alias. I can't figure it out. I'm re-posting comics I put on my old alias's account now, but still nothing. Same audience, same product... Different result.
It might be the timing of when I do the post. On dA, all new entries show up on the front page for a moment, which is where, if you're obscure, going to get your views from other people. If I post when not many people are on, I lose my moment.
Also, I still have that other account at that other place I can work toward rebooting, for a different audience.
So, that scholarship I got for those online writing courses that were postponed looks like it's coming along nicely this time. I've been to my "online classroom" and have received instructions on how to gain access to my specific programs. I'm only waiting on someone to grant me access, which should happen either today or tomorrow.
This year's starting out well. It's the first month, and I already have some new job and education experience. And I've got ideas and opportunity for further advancement as well.
I updated my comic again, too, that day. And I'm going to do so now. Turns out I'm still averaging 2 comics a month. Well, I've managed to get it up to something like 2.3, but still...
I'm not doing nearly so well with my new alias as I did with my old, and I haven't gained any new watchers or favourites since I had a third of what I do now even with this alias. I can't figure it out. I'm re-posting comics I put on my old alias's account now, but still nothing. Same audience, same product... Different result.
It might be the timing of when I do the post. On dA, all new entries show up on the front page for a moment, which is where, if you're obscure, going to get your views from other people. If I post when not many people are on, I lose my moment.
Also, I still have that other account at that other place I can work toward rebooting, for a different audience.
So, that scholarship I got for those online writing courses that were postponed looks like it's coming along nicely this time. I've been to my "online classroom" and have received instructions on how to gain access to my specific programs. I'm only waiting on someone to grant me access, which should happen either today or tomorrow.
This year's starting out well. It's the first month, and I already have some new job and education experience. And I've got ideas and opportunity for further advancement as well.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Job Searching
I've been doing a lot of job applications today and yesterday because I procrastinated job searching for my Welfare papers. Well, actually, I've been doing a rather large amount of job searching, and have probably come closer to getting an actual, full-time, long-range job than I ever have before. And I may have gotten it. Want to hear the specifics for how well I've done? Seven people were interviewed, and only two people tried out. I was one of those two, and I was asked back twice, so I couldn't have botched things up too bad. I would have been asked back a third time, except the other guy needed to be tried out. Unfortunately, this other guy has several years experience in this field, and is several years older than me, so it looks like I'm at the disadvantage. I can only hope he messes up, or that the employers just found me especially charming (who knows, they might have!)
Besides, after text-bombing the employer with my resume, and then canceling our appointment, I was two strikes with this guy already, and I still managed to get this far. Mom thinks my forced communication resulting from my screwing up gave me an opportunity to get to know the employer better on a personal level, which was to my advantage.
But even if I don't get the job, at least now I know to convert my resume to PDF, and I know that I should push these letters of recommendation. Pushing your letters is not a generally recommended method, but it looks like that's how I got the interview in the first place.
Anyway, what I was originally saying was that I've been job searching, and it's been tedious as usual. These job-tracking sheets from Welfare are reminiscent to the job tracking sheets at 2ndchance. I got a big stack of those, and had made it to the last sheet, when I lost them all. This happened just a little bit after I started this blog, but for some reason, I think I decided at the time not to blog about it. I was kind of upset about it, because I had wanted to preserve the sheets, so I could look back and see in a tangible way how I'd consistently conquered my fears regarding social anxiety and job searching over a long period of time. It was my goal to complete every slot on every stack, and I'm positive that I did, but it bites to have lost all those sheets after I'd gotten so far. Now that I'm this far away from my former fear, it doesn't seem to symbolize much to start over.
I've been really tired lately, and I thought it was because of all the rushing around, new environments and new tasks that I've been doing. But now that I think on it a bit more, I actually think it might be the B12 deficiency kicking in. Ever since I left for Toronto, I've been forgetting to take it. This is how I used to feel all the time, but I just worked through it. Stupid B12. First I thought I could credit my burst of energy to my efforts in my martial arts class, but it was just stupid B12. Now I thought my lack of energy was based on healthy fatigue after a job well done, but it was stupid B12 again. B12 deficiency is so anticlimactic.
According to my Katimaroute file, my Katimavik forms have not been received. I hope that means they haven't been "processed" and not that they haven't arrived. They said allow four to eight weeks for them to be processed, but I don't quite know what that means.
Hey, you know what I've been thinking of doing? There's a place around here that is always hiring, and it hires anyone. The reason is because it's telemarketing, and it works based on commission. Therefor, it can't lose profit by hiring people. It's such a bad job, though, that many homeless people don't bother with it. I was thinking I might do it for a day or two, just for the experience. It's not an experience most people want to have, though. But it is another free Guelph resource, and I'd like to exploit every resource Guelph has to offer if I wind up still here.
Now that I've become such a veteran at building a resume on almost nothing, I find myself wanting to find someone who had to start out like I did, so I could help them out. I didn't know anyone who knows the tricks I do now, back in the day, and I wish that I had. I still remember the shame of sending around that empty resume. This is what I could get for a person with absolutely nothing:
-A work experience section for their resume, with four slots
-A volunteer section for their resume, with two slots
-An education section for their resume, with one slot
-A certifications section for their resume, with four slots
Plus I could buffer out a "highlights of qualification" section and an "interests" section. I would also have advice on further work and education opportunities for people at this level. It wouldn't be the best resume, but I can fill a page with what I've outlined. I've already done it, and it looks so much better than my first resume. And all this stuff is absolutely free!
But I don't really know anyone who is A) in a position as bad as how I had to first start out, and B) willing to listen to me, or focused on what I was focused on back then.
When I was working this week, there was a weird beeping sound that nobody knew the origins of. It went off every once in a while, not too frequently, and with no pattern. It didn't bother anyone much. But once, after leaving my station, I heard the noise again, which made me wonder if it was coming from me, though I was carrying nothing that should emit such a sound. And, on the bus ride home, when I was falling asleep, it started up again! This time beeping so fast and hard it was like a cell phone. And it died out after a bit, like a cell phone that didn't get picked up. The only thing I was carrying that I don't usually was the pocket watch I got for Christmas. And ever since I removed it, there has been no beeping.
But I've been carrying this pocket watch fairly consistently since Christmas, and it's never done this before. Also, it looks pretty untechnological. But it's also sped up two hours fast at some point, even though it's been pretty consistent in keeping time, otherwise. What a mysterious pocket watch.
Besides, after text-bombing the employer with my resume, and then canceling our appointment, I was two strikes with this guy already, and I still managed to get this far. Mom thinks my forced communication resulting from my screwing up gave me an opportunity to get to know the employer better on a personal level, which was to my advantage.
But even if I don't get the job, at least now I know to convert my resume to PDF, and I know that I should push these letters of recommendation. Pushing your letters is not a generally recommended method, but it looks like that's how I got the interview in the first place.
Anyway, what I was originally saying was that I've been job searching, and it's been tedious as usual. These job-tracking sheets from Welfare are reminiscent to the job tracking sheets at 2ndchance. I got a big stack of those, and had made it to the last sheet, when I lost them all. This happened just a little bit after I started this blog, but for some reason, I think I decided at the time not to blog about it. I was kind of upset about it, because I had wanted to preserve the sheets, so I could look back and see in a tangible way how I'd consistently conquered my fears regarding social anxiety and job searching over a long period of time. It was my goal to complete every slot on every stack, and I'm positive that I did, but it bites to have lost all those sheets after I'd gotten so far. Now that I'm this far away from my former fear, it doesn't seem to symbolize much to start over.
I've been really tired lately, and I thought it was because of all the rushing around, new environments and new tasks that I've been doing. But now that I think on it a bit more, I actually think it might be the B12 deficiency kicking in. Ever since I left for Toronto, I've been forgetting to take it. This is how I used to feel all the time, but I just worked through it. Stupid B12. First I thought I could credit my burst of energy to my efforts in my martial arts class, but it was just stupid B12. Now I thought my lack of energy was based on healthy fatigue after a job well done, but it was stupid B12 again. B12 deficiency is so anticlimactic.
According to my Katimaroute file, my Katimavik forms have not been received. I hope that means they haven't been "processed" and not that they haven't arrived. They said allow four to eight weeks for them to be processed, but I don't quite know what that means.
Hey, you know what I've been thinking of doing? There's a place around here that is always hiring, and it hires anyone. The reason is because it's telemarketing, and it works based on commission. Therefor, it can't lose profit by hiring people. It's such a bad job, though, that many homeless people don't bother with it. I was thinking I might do it for a day or two, just for the experience. It's not an experience most people want to have, though. But it is another free Guelph resource, and I'd like to exploit every resource Guelph has to offer if I wind up still here.
Now that I've become such a veteran at building a resume on almost nothing, I find myself wanting to find someone who had to start out like I did, so I could help them out. I didn't know anyone who knows the tricks I do now, back in the day, and I wish that I had. I still remember the shame of sending around that empty resume. This is what I could get for a person with absolutely nothing:
-A work experience section for their resume, with four slots
-A volunteer section for their resume, with two slots
-An education section for their resume, with one slot
-A certifications section for their resume, with four slots
Plus I could buffer out a "highlights of qualification" section and an "interests" section. I would also have advice on further work and education opportunities for people at this level. It wouldn't be the best resume, but I can fill a page with what I've outlined. I've already done it, and it looks so much better than my first resume. And all this stuff is absolutely free!
But I don't really know anyone who is A) in a position as bad as how I had to first start out, and B) willing to listen to me, or focused on what I was focused on back then.
When I was working this week, there was a weird beeping sound that nobody knew the origins of. It went off every once in a while, not too frequently, and with no pattern. It didn't bother anyone much. But once, after leaving my station, I heard the noise again, which made me wonder if it was coming from me, though I was carrying nothing that should emit such a sound. And, on the bus ride home, when I was falling asleep, it started up again! This time beeping so fast and hard it was like a cell phone. And it died out after a bit, like a cell phone that didn't get picked up. The only thing I was carrying that I don't usually was the pocket watch I got for Christmas. And ever since I removed it, there has been no beeping.
But I've been carrying this pocket watch fairly consistently since Christmas, and it's never done this before. Also, it looks pretty untechnological. But it's also sped up two hours fast at some point, even though it's been pretty consistent in keeping time, otherwise. What a mysterious pocket watch.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Job Interview Trip Culmination Post
Well, I did the interview, and I must have done okay, because they asked to have me back again the next day for a job trial, which apparently not everyone gets, and then they asked me back again the next day. Now, apparently I'm only up against one other person for the job.
I still need to complete my job tracking sheet for Welfare by Friday, so I can't actually spend too much time posting here, but I thought it had been long enough that you guys deserved a little update. I haven't been able to get on these past few days because I haven't had much in the way of consistent Internet availability.
When I was away, I stayed overnight at my Dad's twice, and my Granddad's once.
It was quite a thought-provoking journey, but I think it would be best, for the time being, if I kept most of my thoughts to myself.
I DID get those Katimavik forms in. My family doctor was kind enough to put down my letters of recommendation as attachments on her form, to help make sure somebody reads them.
And it turns out that it might be good to push these letters, because that may be why I got this interview originally.
Duncan and Mom didn't go to family counseling while I was away because, apparently, they don't have any issues with each other. I'm the only person they have problems with. Nice.
Hey, when somebody asks me about my interests, what am I supposed to say? I've got nothing. I have enough thoughts and take enough interest in things in general to maintain a blog, but what kind of specific interests do I have? Whenever people ask me, I always pull blanks.
I still need to complete my job tracking sheet for Welfare by Friday, so I can't actually spend too much time posting here, but I thought it had been long enough that you guys deserved a little update. I haven't been able to get on these past few days because I haven't had much in the way of consistent Internet availability.
When I was away, I stayed overnight at my Dad's twice, and my Granddad's once.
It was quite a thought-provoking journey, but I think it would be best, for the time being, if I kept most of my thoughts to myself.
I DID get those Katimavik forms in. My family doctor was kind enough to put down my letters of recommendation as attachments on her form, to help make sure somebody reads them.
And it turns out that it might be good to push these letters, because that may be why I got this interview originally.
Duncan and Mom didn't go to family counseling while I was away because, apparently, they don't have any issues with each other. I'm the only person they have problems with. Nice.
Hey, when somebody asks me about my interests, what am I supposed to say? I've got nothing. I have enough thoughts and take enough interest in things in general to maintain a blog, but what kind of specific interests do I have? Whenever people ask me, I always pull blanks.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Job Interview Tomorrow
Well, I'll be leaving soon to stay the night in Toronto and have my job interview the next day. I won't be able to update while I'm gone, I don't think, but if I get home tomorrow, and I'm updating now, you guys may not miss an update. Although this one's gonna be short. I'm too nervous to think of anything interesting to say, and the person who's picking me up shall be arriving any moment.
New Review, Forms, Weight, Karate
First of all, I wrote my Clash of Ninja review: http://gryphonsreviews.blogspot.com/2010/01/videogame-shonen-jump-naruto-shippuden.html
Secondly, I finally got my Katimavik forms from my family doctor yesterday. 56 days to process those forms in a worst case scenario and I got them with 54 days until the start of the program. And guess what? To pay for the forms I need to use either a credit card, money order, or certified cheque. Don't have a credit card, and because I use a President's Choice bank account that doesn't have actual people... working there... ARG! I may have found a solution, but it's too late, now. They don't deliver mail on Saturday or Sunday, and then it'll take like, two days to get it over, so I'll have like... 49 days for them to process it.
Hey, remember how I said I weighed 235 pounds before breaking up with my ex, then ballooned to 295, then moved to 285 after several months of karate? Well, for some reason, I'm a full 300 pounds, now. Well, technically 299.8, but close enough! I thought my scale had just broken when it told me that, but now the medical clinic's scale says it, too, sooo...
They say muscle weighs more than fat, and I've certainly gained in muscle, but I thought the human capacity and ease in gain for fat was greater than for muscle. I remember talking with a guy who bragged about gaining a lot of weight after taking up a physically demanding career. At that point I was still proud about LOSING weight from my physically demanding hobby. But maybe the scale does start swinging back once you hit a certain level. Maybe I was mistaken in thinking I was ever 235. It just seems like there's too much variation between 235 and 300 for it to so easily swing between them without me detecting a difference in myself.
I managed to successfully reschedule my job interview for Monday at 1 PM.
Saw a friend of mine the other day. He's going to be starting college on Monday. I hope success is in the air, that day.
Do you remember me wondering how someone who devotes their life to the art of physical combat avoids having an inherently violent personality? Well, after having practised karate for about half a year, my observation is that, the more you practice the art of combat in a non-violent atmosphere, the less it seems like a natural reaction to anger.
Another observation I made when viewing the members of the other dojo is that their stripes are different from ours. They're all black. At mine, you have different colours to denote different areas of a belt rank. So you get a red stripe for self-defense, green for attendance and knowledge, black for katas etc. This other dojo might do it in general degrees, or something. Like, if you've gained a certain level of competence in all areas, you get a stripe. Collect six and you can grade for your next belt. I don't know, I'm just guessing.
Yesterday, at open practise, I was asked to tutor someone from a child class who was a belt rank beneath me. I was fairly proud! I didn't know this particular sensei (yes, it appears he has achieved sensei status) thought highly enough of me to ask me to be a tutor.
Another blackbelt helped me through my new kata, and a brown belt who hadn't been in practice for very long asked me to help them remember the kata I was doing by helping them through it. That lesson was a pretty good string of respectable interactions.
Secondly, I finally got my Katimavik forms from my family doctor yesterday. 56 days to process those forms in a worst case scenario and I got them with 54 days until the start of the program. And guess what? To pay for the forms I need to use either a credit card, money order, or certified cheque. Don't have a credit card, and because I use a President's Choice bank account that doesn't have actual people... working there... ARG! I may have found a solution, but it's too late, now. They don't deliver mail on Saturday or Sunday, and then it'll take like, two days to get it over, so I'll have like... 49 days for them to process it.
Hey, remember how I said I weighed 235 pounds before breaking up with my ex, then ballooned to 295, then moved to 285 after several months of karate? Well, for some reason, I'm a full 300 pounds, now. Well, technically 299.8, but close enough! I thought my scale had just broken when it told me that, but now the medical clinic's scale says it, too, sooo...
They say muscle weighs more than fat, and I've certainly gained in muscle, but I thought the human capacity and ease in gain for fat was greater than for muscle. I remember talking with a guy who bragged about gaining a lot of weight after taking up a physically demanding career. At that point I was still proud about LOSING weight from my physically demanding hobby. But maybe the scale does start swinging back once you hit a certain level. Maybe I was mistaken in thinking I was ever 235. It just seems like there's too much variation between 235 and 300 for it to so easily swing between them without me detecting a difference in myself.
I managed to successfully reschedule my job interview for Monday at 1 PM.
Saw a friend of mine the other day. He's going to be starting college on Monday. I hope success is in the air, that day.
Do you remember me wondering how someone who devotes their life to the art of physical combat avoids having an inherently violent personality? Well, after having practised karate for about half a year, my observation is that, the more you practice the art of combat in a non-violent atmosphere, the less it seems like a natural reaction to anger.
Another observation I made when viewing the members of the other dojo is that their stripes are different from ours. They're all black. At mine, you have different colours to denote different areas of a belt rank. So you get a red stripe for self-defense, green for attendance and knowledge, black for katas etc. This other dojo might do it in general degrees, or something. Like, if you've gained a certain level of competence in all areas, you get a stripe. Collect six and you can grade for your next belt. I don't know, I'm just guessing.
Yesterday, at open practise, I was asked to tutor someone from a child class who was a belt rank beneath me. I was fairly proud! I didn't know this particular sensei (yes, it appears he has achieved sensei status) thought highly enough of me to ask me to be a tutor.
Another blackbelt helped me through my new kata, and a brown belt who hadn't been in practice for very long asked me to help them remember the kata I was doing by helping them through it. That lesson was a pretty good string of respectable interactions.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Time Formatting, Karate
I actually forgot to out-and-out say yesterday that Thursday was not a good time for this employer, so he asked to do it Friday. Well, turns out, while there are buses that run every hour and sometimes every half-hour, there isn't a 10:00 or 11:00, and the 12:00 wouldn't get me there in time. I asked all my Torontonian contacts and all my Guelphite contacts, but everybody was... you know... working that day.
So... I had to ask to do it next week. That really hurt, but he seemed fine with it. Me and this guy have exchanged messages 14 times now.
I was so stressed out that after all the options were expended and I was forced to reschedule, that I just fell asleep. The reason I'm up now, at 3:00 AM isn't because I'm up late. It's because I'm up early. I found dinner waiting for me in the kitchen, Mom and Duncan having both gone to bed, and me having slept through dinner. Delicious chicken, broccoli, and zucchini stir fry on rice!
Last Wednesday, in karate, another dojo came in to do a class for us. The students from that dojo also came and practiced. Remember how I said I'd missed out on experiencing this, awhile back, and that I would have been interested in seeing the product of another dojo?
Well, it was interesting. Apparently different karate dojos do different curriculums, but not every dojo is unique. There are like... several curriculums, and the individual dojo chooses which it wants to do. So like, if I did wind up living in Toronto, it's not unrealistic to think I could find a dojo with the same curriculum as the one I'm in now, but not every dojo would have it.
This other dojo does a different curriculum, and we did a variety of different drills and he taught us some fairly universal self-defenses. Our head sensei took over partway through, so I guess that means the students from the other dojo had a similar privilege in being taught by the sensei of another school.
I wanted to compare skill levels between the students of the two schools, but this other place only had advanced ranks, while we only had one advanced rank in our class. From what I could tell, there wasn't a huge difference in ability.
As far as the class went, it's true the drills and stretches were a bit different, but it all amounted to about the same in the end, I think. The head sensei from the other school seemed capable both as a martial artist and as a teacher, but it's not like he showed up ours, either. Both schools seemed to be overall equal.
What is interesting is that the two blackbelts from the other dojos were wearing whitebelts. Huh? It had a black stripe through the middle like an advanced green or advanced brown has a black stripe through the center. Or how a junior blackbelt has a white stripe through the centre.
It's stripe was frayed, though, like the belt had just been worn out so much that it had lost most of it's colour around the edges?
And in referencing a person with a lot of strength that class my head sensei said, "I don't care if you're a ninth degree, tenth degree whitebelt..."
Um... degrees are only given to blackbelts, right? And there's only three degrees... right?
Aw, man, I don't want to become super awesome, then revert to the title I started with!
So... I had to ask to do it next week. That really hurt, but he seemed fine with it. Me and this guy have exchanged messages 14 times now.
I was so stressed out that after all the options were expended and I was forced to reschedule, that I just fell asleep. The reason I'm up now, at 3:00 AM isn't because I'm up late. It's because I'm up early. I found dinner waiting for me in the kitchen, Mom and Duncan having both gone to bed, and me having slept through dinner. Delicious chicken, broccoli, and zucchini stir fry on rice!
Last Wednesday, in karate, another dojo came in to do a class for us. The students from that dojo also came and practiced. Remember how I said I'd missed out on experiencing this, awhile back, and that I would have been interested in seeing the product of another dojo?
Well, it was interesting. Apparently different karate dojos do different curriculums, but not every dojo is unique. There are like... several curriculums, and the individual dojo chooses which it wants to do. So like, if I did wind up living in Toronto, it's not unrealistic to think I could find a dojo with the same curriculum as the one I'm in now, but not every dojo would have it.
This other dojo does a different curriculum, and we did a variety of different drills and he taught us some fairly universal self-defenses. Our head sensei took over partway through, so I guess that means the students from the other dojo had a similar privilege in being taught by the sensei of another school.
I wanted to compare skill levels between the students of the two schools, but this other place only had advanced ranks, while we only had one advanced rank in our class. From what I could tell, there wasn't a huge difference in ability.
As far as the class went, it's true the drills and stretches were a bit different, but it all amounted to about the same in the end, I think. The head sensei from the other school seemed capable both as a martial artist and as a teacher, but it's not like he showed up ours, either. Both schools seemed to be overall equal.
What is interesting is that the two blackbelts from the other dojos were wearing whitebelts. Huh? It had a black stripe through the middle like an advanced green or advanced brown has a black stripe through the center. Or how a junior blackbelt has a white stripe through the centre.
It's stripe was frayed, though, like the belt had just been worn out so much that it had lost most of it's colour around the edges?
And in referencing a person with a lot of strength that class my head sensei said, "I don't care if you're a ninth degree, tenth degree whitebelt..."
Um... degrees are only given to blackbelts, right? And there's only three degrees... right?
Aw, man, I don't want to become super awesome, then revert to the title I started with!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Medical Clinic, Writing Course, Job Interview
Today I got a call back from the medical clinic, putting my appointment to this Friday.
I also got signed up with that writing course. Four week course, Short Stories Part 1: Plot, starts January 18th. I'll be required to write a 10-page story, several one-page assignments, and an evaluation of my story. That could be difficult. I had to do a 5-page story for a Creative Writing course, and that was killer.
Aaaand I've been in contact with the employer who will decide if I get hired. I've been informed by my Torontonian contacts that I shant go without shelter, as it appears I will be staying the night, but I don't have a specific place where I'll be staying yet. My usual contact isn't available, so whatever happens will be new.
My original proposition was for Thursday, as I'd like to not be making plans and implementing them on the same day, and maybe not being able to inform my contacts in time, and I've got my doctor's appointment on Friday. Fortunately, the appointment is at 9 AM, so I've proposed early afternoon Friday. Unfortunately, he can only see me before 2 PM. Shouldn't be an issue, but it's still just slightly too tight for complete comfort. If that's not fine with him, I'll just have to take things into my own hands.
Something interesting I took from my interaction with this employer: when he tried to open my resume, he got 239 pages of jibberish. So... ever since I started using Open Office... which was about... I dunno, 3 months ago when I got this laptop, every online application I've sent may have glitched in the same way.
Also, I'm going to be getting my third and final letter of recommendation this Thursday or Friday. I have decided to not publicize them on the blog based on wisdom imparted on me by my cousin Dave. I figure that, I've got a chance at regretting an act like that, whereas, I really won't miss not publicizing them all that much. I would have just used them as filler, anyway. And I've got enough filler topics already.
I also got signed up with that writing course. Four week course, Short Stories Part 1: Plot, starts January 18th. I'll be required to write a 10-page story, several one-page assignments, and an evaluation of my story. That could be difficult. I had to do a 5-page story for a Creative Writing course, and that was killer.
Aaaand I've been in contact with the employer who will decide if I get hired. I've been informed by my Torontonian contacts that I shant go without shelter, as it appears I will be staying the night, but I don't have a specific place where I'll be staying yet. My usual contact isn't available, so whatever happens will be new.
My original proposition was for Thursday, as I'd like to not be making plans and implementing them on the same day, and maybe not being able to inform my contacts in time, and I've got my doctor's appointment on Friday. Fortunately, the appointment is at 9 AM, so I've proposed early afternoon Friday. Unfortunately, he can only see me before 2 PM. Shouldn't be an issue, but it's still just slightly too tight for complete comfort. If that's not fine with him, I'll just have to take things into my own hands.
Something interesting I took from my interaction with this employer: when he tried to open my resume, he got 239 pages of jibberish. So... ever since I started using Open Office... which was about... I dunno, 3 months ago when I got this laptop, every online application I've sent may have glitched in the same way.
Also, I'm going to be getting my third and final letter of recommendation this Thursday or Friday. I have decided to not publicize them on the blog based on wisdom imparted on me by my cousin Dave. I figure that, I've got a chance at regretting an act like that, whereas, I really won't miss not publicizing them all that much. I would have just used them as filler, anyway. And I've got enough filler topics already.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Katimavik Forms, Employment Opportunity
Today I did a few calculations in regard to my Katimavik forms. If I remember it correctly (I've got it written down around here somewhere, but I don't want to bother getting up), there's a four-to-eight week processing period, which doesn't include the time it takes to get there after it's mailed. That's 56 days for the worst case scenario. Tomorrow, it will be sixty days until the start of the program. January 28, which is when I'm currently booked to get my height, weight and blood pressure taken, which may or may not mean that my forms are ready that day, would give them four days to get it and then process it. Impossible. Oh wait. No, that's wrong. It would give me... thirty four days. OOPS! I told that nurse today... Anyway, still in the danger zone. If it got there in three days or less it would be good enough for a best case scenario. She's had these forms for... eight weeks. Eleven weeks since I made the appointment to put them through.
So I called them up today to see if I could get an earlier appointment. Apparently she genuinely is booked completely until January 28, but the nurse understands the urgency (possibly because I said January 28 would give me four days to have them processed) and is going to talk to my doctor.
I totally didn't lie on the phone on purpose. YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE ME!!!! I genuinely miscalculated, I swear!
I also got messaged back about my employment opportunity, and it appears that my first task in this plan moving through has completed successfully. I warn you guys, though. It is a layered process, with many things that may go wrong. So don't get your hopes up.
No, that's a bad thought. The only interview that ever went well for me was for W2W, and I didn't even realize there was a chance that I wouldn't get in. In reality I had like, a 1-in-7 chance, but I thought I'd already been accepted. Result: I was completely cool-headed and relaxed. I should try my best to visualize success, not prepare for the worst, if I want to maximize my chances in this situation.
If I don't get into Katimavik, but I do get a job, I'll be working full-time and taking online writing courses, gaining certificates. I could do worse. If I get into Katimavik, that's good, too. If I don't get either, then I've got the online courses, and karate.
Sheez, tomorrow has potential to be sad. I just remembered... tomorrow is the first day back at karate since the two-week holiday break. I'm gonna have to tell them I might be leaving. Not really a big deal, I guess, but I still hate things like that.
So I called them up today to see if I could get an earlier appointment. Apparently she genuinely is booked completely until January 28, but the nurse understands the urgency (possibly because I said January 28 would give me four days to have them processed) and is going to talk to my doctor.
I totally didn't lie on the phone on purpose. YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE ME!!!! I genuinely miscalculated, I swear!
I also got messaged back about my employment opportunity, and it appears that my first task in this plan moving through has completed successfully. I warn you guys, though. It is a layered process, with many things that may go wrong. So don't get your hopes up.
No, that's a bad thought. The only interview that ever went well for me was for W2W, and I didn't even realize there was a chance that I wouldn't get in. In reality I had like, a 1-in-7 chance, but I thought I'd already been accepted. Result: I was completely cool-headed and relaxed. I should try my best to visualize success, not prepare for the worst, if I want to maximize my chances in this situation.
If I don't get into Katimavik, but I do get a job, I'll be working full-time and taking online writing courses, gaining certificates. I could do worse. If I get into Katimavik, that's good, too. If I don't get either, then I've got the online courses, and karate.
Sheez, tomorrow has potential to be sad. I just remembered... tomorrow is the first day back at karate since the two-week holiday break. I'm gonna have to tell them I might be leaving. Not really a big deal, I guess, but I still hate things like that.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Wizard of Oz, Full Moon, Farmer's Market
sorry folks, it's kind of late to be making a post right now. I had something I wanted to do, but couldn't quite manage it. I wanted to write up a review for Clash of Ninja and Dokapon Journey, and I wanted to finish an RP chapter for my brother's forum. I spent all of today indoors, and I guess I've become kind of sluggish. My brain isn't fit for such tasks.
I'll just make a few quick notes.
First of all, I looked up The Wizard of Oz on Youtube, and it turns out that the Tin Man is the only character whose initial song has not been recorded. The only way you can get to it is through music montages of all three stapled together and played to separate visuals.
...I'm on a big Wizard of Oz kick right now. I also watched the scene where the Wizard grants all three of them their wishes, although really, the point is that they had it in them all along. The stupid guy puts the Tin Man last, even though we all know that's not the formula, and then he welshes. "Where I come from, there are people who do many good deeds. They're called, uh... uh.... good deed-doers." And then he says that the Tin Man "doesn't know how lucky he is. A heart's not worth having until it's been made unbreakable." And that he should remember "The measure of a person's heart is not how much he loves, but by how much he is loved by others." What a bunch of foolishness.
Oh, and hey, remember when I said that one time that I wished our camera was working to take a picture of the full moon? Not the blue moon. There was one before that. I said the clouds perfectly backed the moon, and they framed it without obscuring it. Think about that for a moment.
...The clouds backed the moon.
...There are no clouds behind the moon! The moon is in outer space and clouds are on Earth! How could this be possible?! I remember what I saw! It was exquisite!
Oh, and also, Mom and Louise went to the Farmer's Market today and attempted a Boxing Week sale, as they didn't get their Christmas line out in time. They did alright, but what they sold didn't come from the Christmas line, and they sold only a couple candycane reindeer.
I'll just make a few quick notes.
First of all, I looked up The Wizard of Oz on Youtube, and it turns out that the Tin Man is the only character whose initial song has not been recorded. The only way you can get to it is through music montages of all three stapled together and played to separate visuals.
...I'm on a big Wizard of Oz kick right now. I also watched the scene where the Wizard grants all three of them their wishes, although really, the point is that they had it in them all along. The stupid guy puts the Tin Man last, even though we all know that's not the formula, and then he welshes. "Where I come from, there are people who do many good deeds. They're called, uh... uh.... good deed-doers." And then he says that the Tin Man "doesn't know how lucky he is. A heart's not worth having until it's been made unbreakable." And that he should remember "The measure of a person's heart is not how much he loves, but by how much he is loved by others." What a bunch of foolishness.
Oh, and hey, remember when I said that one time that I wished our camera was working to take a picture of the full moon? Not the blue moon. There was one before that. I said the clouds perfectly backed the moon, and they framed it without obscuring it. Think about that for a moment.
...The clouds backed the moon.
...There are no clouds behind the moon! The moon is in outer space and clouds are on Earth! How could this be possible?! I remember what I saw! It was exquisite!
Oh, and also, Mom and Louise went to the Farmer's Market today and attempted a Boxing Week sale, as they didn't get their Christmas line out in time. They did alright, but what they sold didn't come from the Christmas line, and they sold only a couple candycane reindeer.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Gentleman's Clothing, Ex Unfriending, Sixth Sense, Wizard of Oz
I forgot to make resolutions for 2010. Still can't think of anything specific. Mom and Duncan think I should resolve to have a more positive outlook, but that's too hard, so I'm not.
Today I drank brandy out of a brandy snifter. Not my brandy snifter. It really demonstrated how cartoonish mine is. This other snifter was tiny in comparison! I can pour a whole bottle of beer into mine and not fill it up halfway.
That was the first time I've ever drunken brandy. I liked it, in my own way. I can't say I truly enjoy any alcoholic drink, because, to be honest, while I enjoy the sensation of drinking, the base flavour of any of these drinks is bitter and distasteful to me. When I first tried an alcoholic beverage, I thought it tasted bad, and everyone told me that that was natural at first, but that you grew to like it with time. That was halfway true. I grew to like the sensation of drinking, and the taste became less and less bothersome, but I can't say that I ever grew to like the flavour.
However, when it comes to these harder drinks, I think it changes the sensation as well as the flavour, and not just by degree of effect. You feel it several ways down and there's a pleasant, warming sensation.
Otherwise, today I got a late Christmas present. A vest and pocket watch. Apparently they want to get me a fedora hat, too. All this stuff is fun, but combining the suspenders, vest, pocket watch, fedora and snifter will make me look like a throwback to a different time.
I really enjoy the pocket watch. Even though I concentrate hard on wearing a watch on my wrist, it somehow always finds itself in my pocket, and that gets it's face scratched.
I should be cautious with my words, though, because the people who gave these gifts have recently received a link to this blog.
I finally unfriended my ex on Facebook. That was my last tie with her, and it was one of my first acts in the new year. I also unfriended her little brother and the people who friended me only because I was her boyfriend. I knew I was going to do it, but I didn't know if it would be on the new year, or the day that we broke up, February 14.
I finished my first comic story arc on deviantART on the first day of the new year, too. And I compiled the story into a collection, although I can't figure out how to display connections.
Today I received news that my scholarship for this writing program is good for EVERY PROGRAM they offer! And I can take whatever I want, whenever I want! WHOA!
Hey! Random thought! You know how the sixth sense is supposed to be, like, telepathy, and feeling mystical and spiritual energies? Well, I was thinking about that, and you know what? That's not a sixth sense at all! That's the sense of touch! It's just doing things people don't think it should be able to do!
Everyone's spiritual energies expand outside the physical body, and spiritual energies are capable of overlapping. The reason children are better at extra-sensory stuff is because they're still learning, and when you're learning, you have to reach from deeper places to understand things. People who already have a lot of experience tend not to go to the extra effort, because they've already got the answers ingrained into their base senses.
....
....
....
....Anyway, you should probably forget that lunatic rant. HEY! Which character from The Wizard of Oz do you think you are? The Scarecrow, the Tin Man, or the Cowardly Lion (no, you can't be Dorothy)? I think I'm the Tin Man, because I'm looking for my heart, but deep inside, I actually have the largest heart of all!
The Tin Man got screwed for lines, though. The Scarecrow got to be the "idea guy", and the Cowardly Lion got two special scenes, one for him being comic relief, and another where he shows a surprising amount of bravery. All the Tin Man gets is filler comments and the standard initial musical segment.
Today I drank brandy out of a brandy snifter. Not my brandy snifter. It really demonstrated how cartoonish mine is. This other snifter was tiny in comparison! I can pour a whole bottle of beer into mine and not fill it up halfway.
That was the first time I've ever drunken brandy. I liked it, in my own way. I can't say I truly enjoy any alcoholic drink, because, to be honest, while I enjoy the sensation of drinking, the base flavour of any of these drinks is bitter and distasteful to me. When I first tried an alcoholic beverage, I thought it tasted bad, and everyone told me that that was natural at first, but that you grew to like it with time. That was halfway true. I grew to like the sensation of drinking, and the taste became less and less bothersome, but I can't say that I ever grew to like the flavour.
However, when it comes to these harder drinks, I think it changes the sensation as well as the flavour, and not just by degree of effect. You feel it several ways down and there's a pleasant, warming sensation.
Otherwise, today I got a late Christmas present. A vest and pocket watch. Apparently they want to get me a fedora hat, too. All this stuff is fun, but combining the suspenders, vest, pocket watch, fedora and snifter will make me look like a throwback to a different time.
I really enjoy the pocket watch. Even though I concentrate hard on wearing a watch on my wrist, it somehow always finds itself in my pocket, and that gets it's face scratched.
I should be cautious with my words, though, because the people who gave these gifts have recently received a link to this blog.
I finally unfriended my ex on Facebook. That was my last tie with her, and it was one of my first acts in the new year. I also unfriended her little brother and the people who friended me only because I was her boyfriend. I knew I was going to do it, but I didn't know if it would be on the new year, or the day that we broke up, February 14.
I finished my first comic story arc on deviantART on the first day of the new year, too. And I compiled the story into a collection, although I can't figure out how to display connections.
Today I received news that my scholarship for this writing program is good for EVERY PROGRAM they offer! And I can take whatever I want, whenever I want! WHOA!
Hey! Random thought! You know how the sixth sense is supposed to be, like, telepathy, and feeling mystical and spiritual energies? Well, I was thinking about that, and you know what? That's not a sixth sense at all! That's the sense of touch! It's just doing things people don't think it should be able to do!
Everyone's spiritual energies expand outside the physical body, and spiritual energies are capable of overlapping. The reason children are better at extra-sensory stuff is because they're still learning, and when you're learning, you have to reach from deeper places to understand things. People who already have a lot of experience tend not to go to the extra effort, because they've already got the answers ingrained into their base senses.
....
....
....
....Anyway, you should probably forget that lunatic rant. HEY! Which character from The Wizard of Oz do you think you are? The Scarecrow, the Tin Man, or the Cowardly Lion (no, you can't be Dorothy)? I think I'm the Tin Man, because I'm looking for my heart, but deep inside, I actually have the largest heart of all!
The Tin Man got screwed for lines, though. The Scarecrow got to be the "idea guy", and the Cowardly Lion got two special scenes, one for him being comic relief, and another where he shows a surprising amount of bravery. All the Tin Man gets is filler comments and the standard initial musical segment.
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