Afternoon Meditations

This was written Saturday afternoon during what I hope to be many more meditations. The Indian Art Fair was taking place nearby.

Concentrate on your breathing and things become secondary, even distant in nature.

A cool breeze, almost chilly, blows from North to South. I breath and I acknowledge its properties, becoming almost calculating in behavior. It isn't felt, but its feelings are recognized.

Concentrate on your breathing and trains of thought pass by the station.

I'm walking a dog along a path. Soon an onslaught of potential possibilities invade that path like foul beasts ready to disrupt. I focus on the path ahead, and they disappear into the gloom.

This is possibility and outcome, a mindset of worry and dread and anticipation for what may or may not happen. This is the mindset that plagues me constantly. It must be controlled.

Drum beats of a percussionist sound in the distance. Cars pass; birds sing; people laugh, chat, and cough. The breeze is back again. It chills my spine, feeding goosebumps their essentials to grow.

I must move into the sun and embrace the warmth. My mind is calmed for now.

--David

Pardon

Meetings, auditions, scheduling, plays, films, etc.... these are the things that distract me from proper entries for this blog. Or actual entries at all. The events have not died down quite yet, but there is enough time to submit a much needed update on all the goings-on.

The last calendar year of my tenure at the University has begun already. Only a couple of classes stand in my way, classes that can easily be handled, allowing me to graduate from this place. With potential T.A. positions lined up in the next few months, it will be a while before I truly leave this campus. Not that I have any particular attachment to the University and do not want to leave, far from it. I just enjoy it here and until I save enough money up to take the Seattle Stuntman training course, I'll have to make do with what I have.

And what is it that I have? A growing family with my nephew's birth a month ago; a second family of sorts with the Capoeira Mandinga club that continues to grow and grow, hopefully leading to an academy; a new sense of purpose for what I want to do in life: become a stuntman. All of these fill me with a hope that whatever burdens or responsibilities I have, that it'll be just fine since I will grow and grow physically, emotionally, and morally.

Large events loom over the horizon for moi. The Batizado planning is in full swing for late April, and with the people in our group doing the absolute best job they could do, my excitement about it continues to grow. That same month is, if luck holds out on me, the One Act festival of plays. It will be exciting to be cast in one, but not upsetting if I don't. April's already a busy month with the Batizado. Two animated films with my voice work are to be shown at the Loft in May as well. I have not seen a single frame of either, so the completed products will be a sight to behold.

The next highway exit will be for Spring Workshop Ave., location of Martin McDonaugh's The Pillowman. Such a dark, dark comedy...

Ate logo for now,

--David

This blog's reading level

Not too bad I guess. Of course, the noticeable stupidity of most college undergrads doesn't really prove that this level is too far from high school (or even middle school).

--David

Fat-Bottomed

Girls can be confusing.

News of the century right here folks.

I'm not going to bother attempting to delve into the topic any further than that, as I just needed a sentence to go along with my song title pattern. That doesn't make it any less true though.

With one month left before the end of the semester, I remain in fairly average spirits. Nothing too bad has happened, but there are several things that I wish could have turned out better than what they are now. It happens, but I look towards the future with a newly-found vigor that comes from God knows where.

Maybe it's Roger Daltrey's powerful scream playing in the background that has me in such an energetic mood. I've said it before many times, but it is always worth a repeat: The Who are the greatest rock band to ever live. Ever. Bar none. Do not even argue with me, as your efforts will be futile. They are the greatest band EVAR.

Off to work now! Candide's been keeping us all busy and on our toes, but it's a fantastic show, so the effort is all worth it.

I shall post my pictures of the All Soul's Procession on Photobucket soon. I just have to head home after work to do it.

Bon journee,

--David

Paint it

Black pants are torture to wear in Arizona, even in the autumn months, where the temperature is ideal to the point where I almost regret thinking about another location to live. Almost.

Thankfully, it's Halloween tonight and in roughly an hour, I shall spend my evening perusing the local hotspots with some buddies of mine. Whether or not I choose to wear my Peter Petrelli, TF2 Spy, or Patrick Bateman costume remains a mystery. The thematic element of our group is superheroes, so it is looking like I shall be doing something extraordinary alongside Beast and Gambit. Now, should I go to La Cocina tonight or not? Maybe... I don't know. We'll figure it out.

Why do I feel like I'm missing something right now? What an odd feeling...

Your friendly neighborhood Guitar Hero,

--David

Lazily I Submit an Entry

This must be one of those rare times people experience when they're just completely disappointed with themselves. What could be the cause of this? It's probably a multitude of things, but why now?

Perhaps I am confused by something...maybe it's loneliness finally catching up to me...I have no idea. The only real bright spot of today was having lunch with Mackenzie. I could talk to her for hours and not care if I missed anything. Other than that, my day today has been pretty below average.

I need some sleep. Or a hug... something....

--David

I Want

It all seems strange when you are stuck in a computer lab at 9pm at night trying to wait for the printer servers to reset so you can get that French journal entry finished. Another world carefully unfolds like delicate, brittle paper. Sometimes, you get lost in your thoughts and in the soft sounds of hard drives humming, keys on the board being depressed, and the almost musical light show of monitors turning on and off.

Of course, this is all just baseless ranting without a purpose; a personal exercise if you will, conjured by extreme impatience. I just want my damn paper printed out!

Several things occupy my mind at this moment besides a journal entry for my class. Mulling over the idea of having a relationship right now fills me with an odd feeling of...well, I'm not sure what to call it, but the best words that comes to mind would be "togetherness without tricks." It's difficult for me to find a person that I would feel comfortable trying out romantic things. It's not out of a lack of wanting to, it is more of a matter of meeting someone who would want that. I'd prefer to do these things, no questions asked, and preferably on the spur of the moment.

Longing for those relaxed, casual conversations between two kindred spirits tugs at me sometimes softly, other times agonizingly hard. Holding each other in our arms, softly petting each other... deep sighs of hope follow those thoughts when they sidle my way into my idle mind. It may not be as extreme as Poe has described numerous times, but it is certainly a help in understanding where he might have come from. Yet, my thoughts remain on the positive side as hope keeps me striving towards that day when these thoughts can be made a reality by someone who seeks to bring them back into their life as well.

With that out of the way, the other thing that keeps my mind processing is the release of Valve Software's The Orange Box.



Over the past few days, I have had a chance to play the second episode of Half-life 2 (more like H-L 3 to myself and the developers), along with Portal. Having the ability to play the beta version of Team Fortress 2 before the full release of The Orange Box, my thoughts on that game shall be first.

It is rare that a game comes along where it is fairly easy to begin, yet hard to master. This quality has kept games alive, not just video games, for many centuries. For many games to be considered even remotely good, it is a necessity. Team Fortress 2 is an excellent example of taking this simple dynamic and blowing it up to a visually stunning, funny bone-jarring, and action-packed environment. Counter-Strike would do well to bow down and hand its crown over to this game, since nothing else can compare in terms of gameplay variety, depth, and pure unbridled fun.

Portal's fresh way of puzzle solving and witty humor was a welcome slap in the face. I can't really say more than that. Valve continues to outdo themselves, and Portal is a giant leap ahead, for gameplay and storytelling.

Episode 2's strongest point, (its lesser points should hardly be called lesser) would be the storytelling. Through the thick of action and in wide areas, there is still a wonderful emotional connection to these characters. One moment you could be chuckling along with fellow rebels, the next minute you could be brought down to the ground, emotionally and physically.

The world of Half-Life 2 and its subsequent episodes could hardly be covered by my measly little review. Go. Play these games for yourself. They are what every game in this genre should strive for.

With that out of the way, and my stupid journal not printing, I am forced to relent to the fates and head to my apartment to copy these down in my journal by hand. Perhaps I shall get in a quick game of Portal or TF2 after I practice my guitar scales.

Au revoir for now, faithful readers...

--David


Addendum: Success! I can print out my journal using the $0.10 left on my CatCard Chip at the library. More time for Portal and/or TF2 is truly a fantastic thing. Looks like the cake isn't a lie.