October 2004

“…You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows…” -Bob Dylan “Subterranean Homesick Blues”.

Would you believe it?! That I woke up this morning at 7:30am and brushed my teeth, ate breakfast and got to class 25 minutes early? Well damn it, believe it. I was still wearing P-A-N-T-S today though my, stomach was a still a little weary from the night previous. Anyways I made it to my class and a student named Gabe, who I have sat next to this entire class (he hates this class almost as much as I do.) asked me “Are you ready for you presentation?” I thought to myself “thank God I decided to go ahead and finish all my work for the class so I wouldn’t have to do it next week (I didn’t realize that this was the last day)” I said to Gabe with a smile “Oh course I even brought my outline.” He was a bit nervous about his presentation, he did his on Perjury… (hint: this is hidden link #2) but it was a glorious, awe-inspiring, momentous triumph of a speech indeed. My Professor randomly called us to go up to the podium. I was the fifth person called, I know a lot of people who are afraid to talk in public about anything and just the pure thought gives them goose pimples; not me. I have no problem making a complete jackass of myself in a crowd. This being said, I stood up and started to give my presentation, it was on the film: A Clockwork Orange. I went into bloody detail of the reasons why this film was banned in the U.K. (i.e. if you don’t know brutal rapes to people singing the lyrics of “Singing in the Rain” and other violent acts) Needless to say, I had the student’s attention. We were also supposed to talk about how our information gathering went. I am going to toot my own horn because, gosh darn it, this is my Blogg and I thought it was funny. I explained the procedure of trying to find scholarly information on this film an equivalent to: “Trying to commit suicide with a rubber band…it takes a long f***ing time.” As I motioned a rubber band aimed at my head, while I was explaining this philosophy. I got a few laughs for about 9:45am, my goal was to let the Professor take her mind off my crappy annotated bibliography. I think it worked. I am praying for a good grade. I left at the end of class with a jig and a hankering to hock a loogy on my computer (it was not my favorite class ever). Afterwards I went out to the Campus Center because I had a little while till my next class; I stopped at the Campus Greens table and finally picked up a Nader/Camejo sticker for my car. I know my man Ralph Nader doesn’t have a chance but, we need to send a message to the Whitehouse. Third parties will be heard! Even if it takes another 100 years or so(Abraham Lincoln was a Third Party candidate who won Presidency-Whig Party)My Glorious, I am getting off-track right, so I got a sticker and affixed it on my bumper: “Vote Peace, Not War VoteNader.com” Naderite by the grace of God. I returned to the campus, had a pinch of snuff or two (not that I didn’t have a few pinches before then.) and headed to my next class: Global issues lab. My TA discussed at length the ‘Bay of Pigs’ and comparing it to the war in Iraq, very interesting but uneventful. Lastly, I made it to my Japanese class, I was just waiting for Mano Sensee to strike, and I could see it in her eyes. Ask Kimura-san (me) for his Doctor’s note (I don’t have one) but, she didn’t and my partner for conversations in class can already speak and read the language (lucky bastard) of course he grew up in Guam but, that is beside the point. So with this partner I was invincible, Mano Sensee could not call on me and expect a wrong answer, my partner would help me through. I got full class participation and a smile from Sensee. At the end of class I was so happy (that it was the end of the day) that I forgot to talk to Mano Sensee about my absence, I walked into her office and she was so nonchalant about the ordeal and gave me extensions on my homework. God is good. Speaking of God’s goodness as I walked out of Japanese class, I got this weird feeling. I was warm, no hot. Hint: I am still wearing my pants. I AM WELL! I immediately pulled my pant legs up to look like Huck Finn and dashed to my car. I drove down to the gas station and met my very worthy Indian friend and filled up the tank for $16.00 and then zoom, zoom to my dorm. I had dinner and goofed off, read my Bible and tried to figure out why my phone wasn’t working. I called DATANET to see what was going on. I found out that my AT&T bill I needed to send out a few days ago wasn’t $66.36 dollars it was $91.68!!! So I went online and paid my bill, so my phone will be turned on tomorrow, maybe. Oh well, easy come, easy go. I’ve learned through many trials in my life that it takes faith to make it. Faith sounds like an easy thing but, in practice even the disciples slipped a few times: “He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.”Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” Luke 8:25 (NIV) If you are unfamiliar with this verse this is when a large storm came while the Disciples and Jesus were on the water, it was a raging torrent. The Disciples didn’t know how long they could hold the boat together and went down and awoke Jesus (He was sleeping) and as you can read from the above, stopped the storm. Why were the Disciples worried? Jesus was right there. Why are we worried again??? Hmm…

*This is the last time I am going to mention, that I always put interesting links in my posts…you people are missing out…or maybe your not (somebody email me.)

Be well.

The Glory of Ted…

“FRANCE IN THE PANTS” The Amazing, the wonderful, the Daring: The Ted.

Ted is a friend of mine who is traveling all over Europe and has finally updated us all on his adventures through: Germany, France, Amsterdam ect… Go check it out!

No lyrical quotations, no insightful messages and no humor…I am sick. I woke up this morning at 9:35am and was ready to die. Call my parents, divy up your posessions and kiss your girlfriend goodbye. I drove straight to the Doctor’s on the request of my father and Rachael. My Doc gave me Promethazine, basically something that would knock me out for hours on end but, one draw back: they didn’t give me a note. So I am just going to have to show the subscription to my professors. Oh well that is the last thing on my mind. I went back to bed around 12:00pm and woke up around 6:00pm. I feel better but woozy and tired but, I press on toward the mark and my homework quota for the night. Send a prayer my way if you think about it. Kudos.

*One thing I’d thought I would let you in on…I always have at least two links or so in each of my posts!!! So be on the look out for cool stuff.

“…Dancing with a woman with a hole in her stocking…” -Help Me. Joni Mitchell

Oh my Glorious mianichi (Japanese for “everyday”) God is good especially, when I am not looking for it. This weekend was no exception. Before I go into my diatribe of tantalizing anecdotes of my excursions to the outermost, western parts of New York State, let me take your thoughts to another level of inducement. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near…” Philippians 4:4-5. (NIV) With that in mind, take my weekend.



Thursday: I went to my classes nothing new, I took a Japanese test (I knew I failed it) I studied but, I don’t know what else to do. Mercy. Anywho…I left at 3:00pm and headed out to Rachael’s house. It was a glorious ride, I was a little tired but, I pressed on and only stopped once for a bathroom break outside of Coopersville (For all you geography buffs, a little passed Ninevah. I arrived at Rachael’s house around 6:00pm. Rach was at work but, her mom and Quentin were there. I gave Quentin a big hug and played with him and had a talk with Sharon about my trip and what not. I believe Tim came in a few minutes later, it was glorious. Jon came home as well. I decided to go visit Rachael at her place of work just a little after that. I headed to the mall and saw her standing at the store with her face pressed against a chain wall blocking the entrance. She was waiting for someone to let her inside, after about two minutes I saw someone and banged on the chain wall and yelled “Hey bro, let us in.” I got a look and push from Rachael telling me to desist but, lo and behold the employee came and opened the store. After about three minutes and one phone call later I found that I was not allowed in the store (company policy, the store is not open) so I gave her a smooch goodbye and she in turn gave me a temporary tattoo of a map back to her house (her directions, my pen) and I headed back to the homestead. About an hour or so later Rachael was back and we had a good time. We watched “Carnival of Souls” (a classic for any B horror movie buffs out there) and I headed to bed around 2:00am or so. I was sleeping in John’s room.

Friday: Rachael I believe had to work this day from 2:15-till closing. But for now that information is just relevant to me (but keep it in the back of your minds) I woke up at 11:15am and waltzed out of John’s room with sleep in my eyes and a yearning for green tea in my heart. Rachael was awake but, I believe in bed and my Glorious she was not doing to well. I made her some coffee and she got up and decided it was time for Quentin to take a bath. So Rachael filled the tub and in went the little man. I came inside and was playing with him near the tub (Rubber Ducky wars: Tactics and Military strategies 101) and I got him to do what Rachael has told me has never happened before. He sat down in the tub. He was a little nervous at first but, then he was splashing around like a banshee in bat’s blood (gross but, nice visual) Rachael came inside and said to me “How did you do that?” and took a snapshot or two. Afterwards I made sandwiches (Turkey for me and PB&J) for the Q-man. Rachael headed out to work and not five minutes later Tim walked in the door with a smile (with his job this is an oddity) so he asked me if I wanted to help him. I said “why not?” (I had no idea what we were going to do) He explained to me that we were going to surprise his pastor with a weight machine (a really nice one) as a gift, (Tim is a good man, even if he won’t admit it himself) so I went and took a quick shower and as soon as I got out he had the machine in his car. I collected Quentin and a few essentials (cup and toy) and headed out the door. We arrived at the pastor’s house and his wife came out and got pastor (he was blessed beyond all measure and so was Tim) and we brought it downstairs and Pastor and Tim set it up. Quentin and I played with his toys in the basement. After the setup was complete Pastor took us through his backyard, there was a lot of mosquitoes and beauty. He had a swing set and a nice fenced-in garden (it was flooded over a few weeks ago but, still it was nice) and don’t get me started on the river running behind his house. I’d love to have my house on a riverside, he was telling Tim and I (I have Quentin in my arms) about canoeing, swimming and fishing. I love to fish but, I rarely have time. We walked back into the garage and Quentin caught sight of Pastor’s motorcycle. If you know Quentin this is a word you will hear at least fifty times a day. He loves motorcycles (man after my own heart) so Quentin sat on the 500cc Honda, a nice cruiser and he was fine then, Pastor started it and I could see pure fear in his eyes as Pastor showed Quentin how to beep the horn he looked over at me and said: “I want Biiiaaan” (he’s so damn cute) he was shaking for a few moments afterward. Anywho we packed up and went back to the house and Sharon came home. I went upstairs and studied my butt off (oh Quentin fell asleep in the car and I put him to bed) the phone rang about an hour or so later, Rachael told me she had a 30 minute break so, I came down and we sat together on in front of the mall for a little while. She was still not feeling well and as we walked back in the door she bought herself a pretzel from Auntie Anne’s (Jay your right it is a truism about every Auntie Anne’s) the employee’s are young, stupid girls and one gay young man. (Ask Jay about his theory. My Webmaster and friend) Anyways she got a pretzel (the only thing she had eaten that day so far, poor girl she was not feeling well at all) I saw her off and headed back to her home. Tim had ordered a pizza and I snuck a slice or two. Tim, Sharon and Quentin went to a Bible study and I did some more studying of my own. After a little while John came home and then the Glory of Sarah finally made it down (Rachael’s little sis, Jay’s girlfriend) and I helped her unpack. Fifteen minutes later Tim and Sharon came back and it was a bustling place. Rach came home later on in the evening she was feeling worse than she was in the morning. We watched some Garfield and friends, Quentin was wired and was up till 1:30am or so. We ended up watching a movie and a half and I went to bed.

Saturday: I got up around 11:30am; Rachael had the day off and was up doing homework, so I and Sarah jumped in. Quentin was still in bed, so needless to say these were idealistic conditions for study. Tim was back in the afternoon and they left off into town. Rachael, Quentin and I headed into town as well. We went to the mall picked up her check and then cashed it at Jubilees and then off to Wally*world and finally to the grocery store for coffee, milk ect. Rachael was so sick, we arrived back home and Tim and Sarah followed suite. Rachael was going to start dinner and I was out playing with Quentin outside. Tim and I looked at the vehicles and did some basic maintenance as Rachael and Sarah did what they did in the house. Later on Rachael came outside and was trying to get me to decide what she should cook. The Hamburger man I am, decided to boldly come up with a quick decision along with my suggestion to her to start downing green tea for her ailments. I came inside and washed the oil off my hands and I told Rachael that she should go pick up her pictures at wal*mart. She left and came back with some very nice pictures. We ate dinner later on that night, Rachael did her mountain of homework, while I did likewise and so did Sarah. Quentin and I later on watched some spongebob and whatnot and Rachael continued for hours online doing her homework. I felt so bad; she was sick and stuck with a mountain of homework. I just have the mountain, at least for the present. After she finished we watched a movie or so and I headed out to bed.

Sunday: I got up early around 9:30am and was somewhat coherent. Rachael was awake but lying in bed sick. I took care of her and Quentin (he was starting to get sick as well) while everyone was gone. She got up later and had a few rice cakes, the rest of the gang returned after church and all I wanted to do was crash. I was so dead as I still am today, tired and not feeling my best. I saw Rachael off then I was held against my will to stay for lunch (by Sharon, Tim and Sarah) I was so tired but the company and the food are top notch. I headed out around 3:20pm and got out on the road after I got some gas around 3:45pm. I prayed and God gave me a second wind and I made it straight back to Albany with no stop with the exception of a potty break. Read my Bible, called Rachael for about five minutes and did my homework. I was so tired but, I couldn’t sleep not to mention I felt bad because, I was curt on the phone with Rachael (I was and just am sick) so I laid down and called her back around 12:45am. We talked for a while and I went to bed. God is good.

Monday: I got up late this morning around 10:30-11:00am and rushed to finish my homework and my studies. Put on some baby powder and a pair of P-A-N-T-S. when you see pants on me, you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am as sick as a mother f***ing dog. I headed to class handed in my work to some kid who sits in front of me and when the folder came to put your work in I started to flip out…”Where did I put my homework?” “Where did it go?” After 15 minutes the epiphany came to me and I felt like a retard. I failed the test (she handed them back) and headed out the door to Edleez tobacco shop. Lo and behold, they had clay pipes something, that I had been begging for at least six months. I picked one up and a 2.00 bag of vanilla (hand-mixed by a young man at the counter, it’s an awesome blend) and smoked a delicious bowl. I arrived back to the room to find a $66.36 phone bill from AT&T. I grumbled for a moment before I thought God is good and He has always supplied my needs, so why start grumbling??? So I paid my bill and am now sitting here thinking that I am an hour off my scheduled time of posting. My bad. Enjoy.

This blogg will be updated tommorow before 4:30pm!!!

…and four plus two grams later…

It’s past 9:45pm…What do you think?

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

-Proverbs 3:5-6

I am trying…oh Glory, I am trying.

….and four grams later…

A, I, U, E, O, KA, KI, KU, KE, KO, SA, SHI, SHU, SE, SO, TA, CHI, TSU, TE, TO, NA, NI, NU, NE, NO, HA, HI, FU, HE, HO, MA, MI, MU, ME, MO, YA, YU, YO, RA, RI, RU, RE, RO, WA, O, N, GA, GI, GU, GE, GO, ZA, JI, ZU, ZE, ZO, DA, DE, DU, DE, DO, BA, BI, BU, BE, BO, PA, PI, PU, PE, PO, KYA, KYU, KYO, SHA, SHU, SHO, CHA, CHU, CHO, NYA, NYU, NYO, HYA, HYU, HYO, MYA, MYA, MYU, MYO, RYA, RYU, RYO, GYA, GYU, GYO, JA, JU, JO, BYA, BYU, BYO, PYA, PYU and finally PYO.

I can no longer see and this is the ‘english’ romajiin. Imagine all the characters, this is my test tommorow. Pray for me. Japanese ain’t for weinies.

Doomo Arigatoo,

Kimura aka Brian

Below is a brief outlook on the mindset of my own.

Email me with questions or comments.

Glory.

Well maybe I do. What a day this has been so far, all I can say is some days you are up sometimes your down. I have a bounce in my step and a song in my heart (even if the song is “Children of Revolution” By The Unseen) I have this unspeakable joy that some how has crept into my being. Either I have just finally snapped and have gone completely insane or tomorrow I am going to go see Rachael for the weekend. This if you haven’t been reading my Blogg has not been my best week ever but, the Lord has seen me through and by His grace will get me through another Japanese test tomorrow. It’s kind of funny how life is, how we as creatures just go from anger to happiness to depression and bounce right back (no I am not bi-polar) This is just a thought I was thinking at this moment: We are created in God’s image. “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” Genesis 1:27 NIV and since we are created in God’s image is God’s temperance doing the same? It says in Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” But you have to search the scriptures (I am no scholar) to see how God will change His attitude and ways (Not saying He changes, I am just pointing out The Lord’s infinite mercy on His stupid children) ; for example when Abraham is talking with the Lord about the city of Sodom and the Lord was going to completely and utterly destroy the entire city and kill every one inside, Abraham spoke to the Lord “Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?” He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.” Genesis 18:32. Abraham a man of God asked the Lord if there were 50 righteous people would you destroy it and so forth to 10. Even though in the end God did destroy Sodom, He did negotiate with Abraham, not changing his mind so to speak but, reevaluating a situation. Now what does this have to do with the mindset of humans to the Lord? It was just an abstract thought that crossed my path how the Lord has something in His mindset to do and yet is merciful and willing to be slow to anger and wait for His children to turn away from evil. Much as He is everyday. “The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.” Psalms 103:8-9 from fierce wrath to mercy. Is this not how our minds can change in an instant (Not that one can understand His love for us) “…Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him” 1Corinthians 2:9. So if you’re feeling happy or sad, angry or depressed just remember, Someone is there to talk to if you need a helping hand. He knows what you are going through. Glory. Time to study (The Word and Japanese) Steady on.

*All the verses have links, check em’ and make sure I am not spouting Unglory.