2217 hrs

Musings-

I like to eat apples and bananas.
I like to shout and sing hosannas.
I do not like to study too much.
But I must, and as such-
I will continue to eat my fruits,
and keep on running in my boots.

Today- it was late afternoon, and I was pretending to be warm- teaching new soldiers fresh out of Basic Training how to properly don their protective masks so that if some terrorist attacks they won't be convulsing on the ground drooling and dying. But to no avail, as the chilly wind disguised as a sea breeze forced its way into my marrows. I clenched my teeth so that they wouldn't see my shivering, and proceeded to finish the training.

I remember going to the San Jose's Museum of Technology and Innovation (or the "Tech" as locals like to call it) for a pre-marathon carbohydrate-loading pasta dinner. It was with my Army buddy, and we were enjoying it thoroughly, as a special IMAX movie showing of "Endurance: Shackleton's story of incredible adventure and survival." For the unintiated, Ernest Shakleton was a curious breed of Englishman, an officer, a salesman, a leader, and a explorer. With the support of some wealthy benefactors and the National Geographic Society, this was the ad he put up seeking fellow stalwart adventurous sailors;

"MEN WANTED FOR HAZARDOUS JOURNEY. SMALL WAGES, BITTER COLD, LONG MONTHS OF COMPLETE DARKNESS, CONSTANT DANGER, SAFE RETURN DOUBTFUL. HONOUR AND RECOGNITION IN CASE OF SUCCESS."

Amazing how only 28 men volunteered and made the cut. Millions of men go through life living lives of "quiet desperation" (tell me the source, and you get a prize) yet few are willing to go the distance and do something about it. It little profits me to read about amazing stories and not do anything about them- so I go about my business, trying to advance among the brambles and branches of life. Well, I occassionally take time to smell the roses, but only if they're really tempting.

I'm attending the college graduation of an old friend from high school in June. I start (again) my college career on the 1st of July.
I feel old now. Time is short, so I must away. Time to seek newer worlds.

NO more updates until I can find something interesting to write.
There, I've said it.

"A cadet will not lie, cheat, or steal nor tolerate those that do."

Seen: Star Wars- Episode II: The Clone Wars

MWUAHAHAHA- Yoda ROCKS!!!
That's all I can say about that

I have a spongebob squarepants and you don't hahahaha
I'm in a very laughy mood today. I said "laughy"- AHAHAHA

*snickers* lol, well, time to go now... hahahaha

"One day, I will be the most powerful Jedi..."

Happy Mother's Day
**I love you Mom***

Just went to a super-awesome concert yesterday at Great America. It featured all the newest Christian bands and lots of screaming fans. I think I had more fun there than on the roller coasters and rides. That's cool.

SO LONG YELLOW BRICK ROAD>> I'm getting rid of a terrible nasty habit. I'm not going to swear anymore. I am going to try my best to refrain from speaking any filthy, compromising, or profane words. A man's character can be observed by the way he acts, and what he speaks. "Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk o rcoarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving." -Ephesians 5:4

A good path to follow for people in all walks of life...
Now I'm going for a little run to soak up the sun. (Hey that rhymed!!)

Bataan Memorial Death March: Disqualified
Big Sur International Marathon: 3 hrs 51 min
Life: DUNNO YET, BUT IT'S ABOUT TO SUCK EVEN MORE!!

Just sent off my acceptance to the offer of admission from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Three years + some days late, but it will have to suffice. Reception day is July 1, 2002. I need a tranquillizer.

I really can't say whether I'm excited or terrified. For some time, I had an extremely hyperactive imagination, and would envision all sorts of inane and insane possibilities. Trust me, if it's possible, I've probably imagined it. Live on a terraced rhubarb farm in Argentina with my supermodel Brazilian wife? Yep. Become a ruthless drug-dealing triad boss working undercover for the DEA? Of course. But to actually go and become part of that "Long Gray Line," and enter into the ranks of "America's Power Fraternity"... that's a big pill to swallow.

That's not to say I'm not happy. I'm estatic. I'm discombobulated. I'm flabbergasted... I'm overwhelmed-- that's probably the word I'm looking for. I'm anxious about the future, and what it portends. Most of all, I'm freaking horrified that I'll be doing actual MATH (equations and sets and scary whatnot) within four months- and the next FOUR years. I've been out of (civilian) school for, what, over three years now? I don't know the difference between an arithematic proof and 100 proof Crown. Damn I'm gonna die. Pray for me, and maybe He'll FedEx me "A Beautiful Mind" or two... I can dream, can't I? Har har.

So enough about my future 4-year prison term in New York- I want to say a little something about the whole Abercrombie debacle. Asians with attitude and bandwith- bravo. Retailers with no market savvy- boo. Hopefully, on this tenth anniversary of racial tomfoolery (fyi: LA Riots or "Sa-E-Ku" as the Koreans call it), we can all look forward to the next ten years of race-relations improvements. Just bought $150+ worth of books. Mostly on APA issues, plus one requisite sci-fi and one mind-numbing bestseller... Books are cool.

In case any of you people are wondering, my Korean still sucks- I may be halfway through the course, but that doesn't mean I've absorbed even a fraction of the material I'm exposed to every single day. I can order bulgogi and a bottle of OB, though, hahaha...

Time to go and do my 4 week's worth of laundry... Yay.

Number of holes poked: 5
Vials of Blood collected: 4
X-rays taken: 4
EKGs: 1

I took a physical today- I know I passed, but the problem with it is that I still had class afterwards.
This weekend I'm going home after volunteering to chill at home and also to conduct a long-range
tactical movement with my home unit. It ought to be very fun.

In any case, I may well be over everything, but that doesn't mean my heart isn't still a-fluttering over
someone. Such is the curse of a "target-rich environment." Boy do I need to go active duty. We'll see
soon enough.

How does a 26.2 mile march with a 35 lbs. rucksack in the New Mexico desert sound? FUN.

Form W-2: Box 15- State: CA
- Employer's State ID No: 80513328
Box 16- State Wages, Tips, etc: 11771.98
Box 17- State Income Tax: 170.31

Boy am I poor.
In more ways than just financially.
But I always survive- we'll see how I withstand this assault on my bank account.
I gotta focus and stay on track. Must not be derailed- gotta concentrate.
We've all got goals to reach- and I'm no exception. It's all or nothing, and I prefer
to have it all in the end. Wish me luck.

The rain still has not washed away all my ardor, but it has certainly put a bit of a
damper on things. I feel like I should be doing that "Message In A Bottle" thing,
hahaha. Walking along the beach is fun, but there are specific conditions where
it is made more enjoyable- and I'll leave those circumstances to your imagination.

Sleep is for the weary- and I'm pretty tuckered out. It's time to go to dreamland.
On a good note, I'm getting a super investment plan started- if I live to 60, at least
then I won't be poor. Being poor sucks.

We are not the same persons this year as last; nor are those we love.
It is a happy chance if we, changing, continue to love a changed person.
-Somerset Maugham

"It's the beginning of a new year. 2002, look out!!"
didn't I say the same thing last year?

Indeed I did.

"I have learned much this past year."
was this the exact rallying cry of yesteryear?

Indeed it was.

As earth-shattering and crazy as this world has become, the intangible conundrum that
makes me weakest and strongest still remains. I am convinced that the fact that life and
Love are so unpredictable makes them irrefutably intertwined. How else can something
make life so miserable or joyous? How else can existence on this ball of dirt be justified
by a whisper, a fluttering eyelid, and soft footsteps, firmly made? How else can a man,
after the passing of seemingly millenia, still see her visage so clear and radiant?

I have practiced all the ways I will speak, and act, and give honest reply- when someday I gain the
courage to fly me to the moon. Then, at that time and place, I will speak, and act, and give honest reply.
I won't mind the cold; the mere thought of redemption warms the staglamites of my heart. I'll breathe
in the refreshing air, marvel at nature's beauty, and begin to excise the malignancy surrounding
this situation. What a wonderful day that will be...

And still here I am wandering around in the wee hours of the morning searching for time, truth and
revelation in the bottom of a endless coffee cup.

I either need to figure this thing out or stop drinking coffee.