To the VA Emergency Room

Last night was... pretty interesting. I'll backlog later, since I have work in about two hours, but this is one of those stories you just really have to tell.

I wanted to write it up last night, but Steve and I didn't get home until about 3:30am and I really needed sleep. So, now that I'm awake and have some time, I shall tell the story. I'm sure anyone that follows me on Twitter will be happy since I'm sure their curiosity has been sparked since I left a brief post on there last night about my activities.

I arrived at the dojo around the same time as Steve yesterday, after having a spare key made and picking up my paycheck. The first thing we did was pay off Paul for the back rent and taxes. WE DID IT! THE DOJO WILL SURVIVE! C:

After that though, Steve showed me his ear, and we both decided that since it was purple, we had to do something about it that night.

Before I go any further, let me explain what I'm talking about.

Steve ended up with cauliflower ear, which is common among instructors and pro-fighters of Jujitsu. It's actually a wonder that in the 20 years he's been doing this, that this is the first time he's ever gotten it. But what cauliflower ear is; is when the ear becomes hurt and inflamed, and then not left alone to calm down, it starts to fill with fluid. So it gets like this huge lump, and it's incredibly uncomfortable and painful. All it fills with is blood and pus, and if it explodes all over the place (which can happen), as relieving as it is to the person who has it, it's still really gross in that it makes a pretty big mess and smells like rotting flesh.

So, Steve had had that for about a week and a half as of yesterday, and it was to the point that he was having some issues hearing, his glasses were constantly irritating it, and it was starting to bulge at the back too and press the ear out away from his head. We couldn't wait until today or tomorrow as planned to get it drained, we HAD to go last night. It was to the point that he was having issues sleeping because every time he rolled over onto it, he woke up. Waiting time was over.

Classes ended around 9:45pm, and then Carrington stopped in and chatted until about 10:15pm, since he's been dealing with MEPS of the Army since he enlisted and stuff. I don't know what MEPS stands for off the top of my head, so please don't ask.

Anyways, Steve has a severe phobia of needles. Like... he's to a needle the way an arachnophobic is to a spider. So I told him I would go with him, and use meditation so that hopefully he wouldn't have to be strapped down to a backboard this time.

Yes, that has happened before. Poor guy.

So, after I got him to stop procrastinating around 11:15pm, we loaded into his little standard Ford, and headed off to the VA in Albany. This is like an hour drive, since you shoot the highway and then have to go downtown to find this place.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am no good with cities. As soon as we started getting in to Albany, I started to have issues. It definitely overstepped my comfort level, but I try to be there for my friends when they need me, so I went with it.

It was an uneventful drive, and when we got there we were welcomed in by intercom and a guy in control of the door. It was interesting.

At a VA hospital, you apparently have to sign in when you arrive after 7pm, so that was our first stop. Then we headed down to the ER section, since 12:15am is DEFINITELY after hours. ^^;

Once there a woman signed him in, and then a man took his blood pressure and what not. No one really spoke to me, but you could tell just by the way they were that everyone was military. Other than that, and the fact that this hospital was WAY nicer than a civilian one, you wouldn't have known the difference.

We were shown to a room not long after the BP stuff, and we ended up there for an hour before a woman came in at 1:20am. I know that was the time because Steve said it was probably 2am and she corrected him.

Lemme tell you something, that hospital was HOT. Like... I wanted to strip it was so deadly. And it was driving my stomach nuts. But somehow we managed.

Now, when the lady finished her initial talk with Steve about the ear, and going over the options (draining by needle or lancing it), she and the other doctor guy came back. I was sitting next to Steve at about his knees on the edge of the bed while he iced my ear, and the male doctor asked me to have a seat in the chair.

For any of you who understand meditation where you listen to someone's voice as they take you on a journey, I'm sure you realize that me sitting on the other side of the room with a doctor between him and me is not going to work. But for the moment while they got their little cart and stuff in I obeyed and went to the chair.

Thankfully, the male left and the woman was going to do the procedure. So I asked her if it wouldn't be okay for me to sit next to Steve where I was because I would be in the way. Turns out they were just worried I'd get queasy like most others and either vomit or pass out--which would be an even bigger issue in my case because I am a civilian and already out-of-place in there as it was. But I assured her I'd be okay, and promised that if I felt queasy or light headed at all that I would look away and close my eyes. So she said that'd be fine and let me sit at Steve's knees.

Awesome. I liked her. She was cool.

So I positioned myself there, and held one of Steve's hands with a piece of quartz between us to really strengthen the bond and effect, and brought him into that meditative state and began our walk in the park.

All went well up until the lady had to speak to him about the first needle of anesthetic to numb the ear a bit. Apparently it burns, and she had to let him know. He did look like he was in some pain, but after she was done with the initial speaking I just started talking about the park again, and he calmed.

It was the second needle (like the ones they draw blood with) that was the problem. She broke the trance again by telling him, and then informing him that it was a bigger needle, and he almost hit her. Almost. The minute she saw his free hand come up she was like "And we're going to keep that hand away from your head and me..." so I took that as my cue to hold it. No big. He definitely gripped my hands hard, but not anywhere near enough to hurt me because I let my fingers and stuff relax so that he couldn't--not at that angle. I kept talking to him, but then I broke the trance at the very end when she sucked the crap out with a "That is SO COOL" because hell, IT WAS. His ear deflated like a balloon! LMFAO She pulled out a little over 2mL of blood and shit from it though, which for an ear is A LOT. But Steve said it was like instant relief which is all that mattered.

After that we wrapped his head in gauze so we could pack the ear with it and still hold it in place, and yes I helped her with this since she only had two hands, needed a third, and Steve was still a little out of it from the needle and meditation. She actually told me I was hired. xD I don't think she was expecting the response I gave to the blood and stuff--at least her face definitely said she wasn't. Haha.

And that was it, we were on our way.

I chatted Steve's ear off the entire way home, because unfortunately not only was he running on about four hours of sleep and a twenty hour day, but they also gave him Motrin as an anti-inflammatory even after we told them he had over an hour drive home.

Grand. Especially since we didn't get out of there until 2:15am.

So I just chatted his ear off and used pressure points to keep him awake back down the highway and to the dojo. If worst came to worse, I could have driven his car since he did give me a driving lesson in stick one Sunday a few weeks ago, but we didn't want to go there since I have issues starting still.

However, since he was really having staying-awake issues, we left his car at the dojo, and I drove him home. He was nodding off pretty good in my car, and told me when we got to the dojo that he doesn't remember driving the hour back from Albany, so it was probably a really smart choice.

And man, we lit out of Albany like no tomorrow. Not only were we both REALLY tired, but I was starting to have a serious panic attack at being in the city.

But we made it. And no one got sick, hurt, or killed. So looking back on it, it was kind of exciting.

So I made it home at about 3:30am, and naturally no one was awake. It took at least fourty-five minutes for me to fall asleep because I just couldn't calm myself down from all the adrenaline and stuff that I had used to keep myself going and push my comfort levels. It was brutal. And then I was woken up at about 9:30am, so I just didn't get much sleep.

Oh well.

I only work a four hour shift today at Stewarts, from noon until 4:00pm, and then I take Steve back to the dojo where I will probably take a nap. I feel like I'm going to need it. ROFL But we have a couple of couches, so I can. C:

The lesson we learned from all this? Make sure the next time Steve ends up with cauliflower ear, we call his doctor ASAP and make an appointment to drain it so we don't have to do the long ER visit again.

Still, definitely an out-of-the-ordinary kind of exciting night. Oh the story I get to tell to my coworkers today. xD

And speaking of that, I'm off to go get ready and head out. :D

Terrifyingly Accurate

So I did this quiz thing here: http://www.goldinuniverse.com/default.asp And it's like... 100% correct. o_o I'm used to these sorts of things, but this wasn't quite what I was expecting for a result. So it totally took me by surprise.

Here's what I got:

You are longing for some love and affection at this time - not that you have been deprived of tender loving care - but there are times when everyone needs to try something new or to go 'somewhere' else to perhaps experience that little extra 'understanding'.

You are a true extrovert, frivolous and outgoing. You need to feel in control of any situation. If matters are not proceeding according to plan you tend to get extremely irritable and perhaps become difficult to live with.

Everyone has to compromise at times and circumstances are such that at this time you are feeling the need to do just that. Put all of your hopes on the back burner and let matters flow for a time - forgo some of the things you want. The good times are just around the corner.

As of late, you have been experiencing untold stress and this is a result of continuous frustration. You haven't been taking care of all your physical needs and it's beginning to show. It would seem that you have a need to find someone to whom you can really relate - someone perhaps whose standards are as high as your own. You want to be different - to be individualistic - to stand out from the common herd. Your inherent control of your sensual instincts is restricting your ability to give yourself to open up freely but this being on your own, being lonely, often makes you feel the need to give up some of your strict standards to surrender to the general flow - to be like everyone else; a part of the herd. Deep down you regard such instincts as weaknesses to be overcome. You would like to be loved or admired for yourself alone. You demand recognition and tender loving care.

You are putting on a show - a facade. You are a master of demonstrating considerable charm in the hope that this can or will lead to better things. Deep down you are fearful that this may not work and that you may have to employ other strategies in order to realise all your ambitions.

Here we go again~

So I had my second interview today and I nailed it. NAILED IT. I officially have a job with Stewarts as far as I know (we saw what happened with 5guys after all... >_>;), and all I have left to do aside from paperwork is to attend this one orientation either this Saturday or next Saturday. I won't know for sure until my new manager, Hope, calls me and lets me know. But ugh, just thinking about that makes me tired. I'm no good with these orientation things, but I'll do what I have to.

The interview was funny though, because he seemed fairly impressed with my working knowledge of things for only ever having worked two jobs. That, and when my karate background came up he was like "So you could probably kick my ass then, huh?" which was REALLY FUNNY. He was a great guy for the second interview, and it made the Stewarts thing look a bit better for employment. Not my ideal job at all, but it'll be income.

Getting to this Stewarts though was interesting, since I can't see too well. I was nearly on top of this HUGE sign before I could read it. It took recognizing the specific colour of maroon and general shape of the letters to realize that it was what I was looking for. LMAO OTL;;;

Still, the important part is that soon, very soon, I will have income again. And I am in DESPERATE need of it. So that makes me happy. :3 I'm going to keep looking though, since either something far better will come along, or I'll be able to get another part time job to bring in extra money. Or, who knows, Stewarts might not be so bad and I'll have a good time working there and just not leave until I'm ready to fully branch out with my photography. That'd be the coolest thing.

In other news...

And this is really retarded folks, so take a seat...

A Harvard, HARVARD, economist blames TWITTER of all things for our economic crisis. TWITTER?! Are you KIDDING me!? It's so ridiculous, seriously.

Take a look for yourself. http://www.gaebler.com/Economist-Blames-Twitter-for-Down-Economy.htm

I'm going to go smash my head against a wall, personally. Especially because the ironic thing is that I found that through Twitter.

What a laugh.

INPAKUTO-RYU.COM

OH YEAH, AND IN EVEN COOLER NEWS, I FINALLY LAUNCHED MY DOJO'S WEBSITE. SO I'M TYPING THIS ALL IN CAPS BECAUSE CAPSLOCK IS CRUISE CONTROL FOR COOL. 8D

CHECK IT OUT! FEEDBACK IS AMAZING <3

www.inpakuto-ryu.com

My Eyes D:

So I had an eye appointment today. That went over pretty well, aside from her telling me that they had changed severely--and not for the better either. >_<; My vision has become INCREDIBLY nearsighted, which sucks pretty badly but there isn't much I can really do about it. So Dad is ordering in my new script and that's that.

I had to laugh though, because when I mentioned I did karate, she asked if there was head trauma, and I said yeah. Because I mean, I tend to run into things (seriously, I jumped head-first into a kick once LMFAO), and there is some neck cranking with the juijitsu. These things happen. But it's all safe and shit because it's a controlled environment, so I see no issue with it. My eye doctor however said I might want to quit because the trauma from the head being whipped around like that and stuff might not be good for the eyes. That's not happening, and I told her as much, but she didn't press matters so it didn't get nasty and it's all good.

She's really a kind doctor though. Since I lack insurance, when she saw that she worked in a way to help ease the cost. Which is fantastic. SO SCREW YOU INSURANCE COMPANIES AND MEDICAID THAT I CAN'T GET, MY EYE DOCTOR LOVES ME. LOL <3

On the positive side as well, she said my astigmatism hasn't gotten much worse. So that makes me happy.

In other news, I got a phone call around 10:30am from Stewarts to set up the second interview. I go tomorrow at 2pm. So hopefully this means I'll be employed before much longer. I'm not really looking forward to working there, since I'm not thrilled with the idea of any food service, but at this point it doesn't matter--I need a job. So I'm going to keep looking so that if I find something better, I can go there instead. Or, maybe I'll have two part-time jobs, who knows.

All I know is that I need money and fast, because this whole having my parents foot the bill thing bites.

Beautiful Days Outside

The past two days have been absolutely GORGEOUS outside, and today is no exception. The temperatures have finally been up in the high 40s, low 50s, and I am LOVING it. It makes me want to go outside and do something, however, it's just muddy now where the snow is gone, which kinda sucks. :P It's times like these that I wish I lived just a few miles more into town so that the snow had melted weeks ago and I could be outside playing ball with Jack or something. Goodness I can't wait. And I blame Steve for this restlessness, now that he's made me accustomed to exercise.

Speaking of Steve, I spent a lot of the last two days at the dojo. Haha, not hard to do though, I love it there. But before that, onto the events of the day.

The interview at Stewarts went very well. I was straight up and honest with her, and she was the same with me. I like that. It looks like it'll be a little tough since they don't do call-ins except in dire situations. That, and everyone works every holiday, no exceptions. Not for long hours, but you do. We'll see. I'm sure I'll be with them for a while though, since I need income. It starts at $8.50 an hour, and I'll get between 10-20 hours a week if I get the job. But first I have to make it through a second interview with another manager of a different Stewarts, and if I make it through that I then have to do job training on a Saturday. If I can get through those two obstacles though, then I have a job and I'll have income. Hecks yes.

After that interview, I went to Chucks and had lunch with Karen. Hadn't seen her and Nicholas in a while, so it was really great to have lunch with them again. Dad even showed up since he was at the ambulance building on duty that day, and joined us for lunch. he also paid for all our lunches behind our backs, the fool. But I love him, he can be a really good guy sometimes. Karen really enjoyed it there too, and will probably be bringing the family back to eat there. And everyone at the store loved little Nicholas, and I can't blame them, he's a cute baby. The main reason we got together though was because Mom had ordered GirlScout cookies from Karen's daughter, and that was how we decided to make the delivery. Works for me! :3

It was after all that, that I headed to the dojo. It was fantastically fun. I got there in time to meet Steve's three younger students, and I even got to play with them a bit. Though I have to admit, it was a bit awkward because I've never been in a situation where I was practicing with someone who I could actually break and throw around really easily if I wasn't careful, so I didn't go live with them on the mats at all. I still have to get used to the idea that I can't be rough with them like I am with Kelsey and Steve. LMAO

After they were done, Steve started my private lesson. We practiced the Crescent Kicks, Axe Kicks, and some combos with them; and then we had to stop because something in my right hip popped and it hurt REALLY BAD. So we went to striking. In striking Steve helped refine my ridge and knife hands. Lemme tell ya, building up the hand strength to endure these a lot is hell, but totally worth it. So what's going to happen is that I'm going to have to practice them a bit every time to destroy my hands, so that my hands can continuously rebuild themselves to be stronger. NO. PROBLEM. xD Haha, I know, I'm totally crazy. But it'll be fun. After all that, we did some sparring/grappling.

Normally, I'd leave after that, but I decided to stick around to watch Cardio, and ended up joining them for the abs. If there's anything I still need to work on a bit, it's definitely my abs and my hip muscles. After he did that class, he started the MAXFORCE one, and good lord I will NEVER do that. xD; It's HARDCORE. And I do too much at that dojo as it is. ROFL

So I just watched the last class, and then Steve and Sandra and I chatted for a bit before heading home. I slept really well that night when I went to bed. x3 And I went to bed early, because I had to get up at 6am to be to the dojo by 7am yesterday.

Of course though, my cat Floyd just couldn't let me sleep in until 6am. No, he woke me up at 5:45am because he wanted to be let outside. YOU BASTARD CAT! Couldn't wait 15 more minutes, OH HELL NO. So I ended up awake 15 minutes early.

I made it to the dojo a few minutes before 7am, so Steve and I chatted for a bit until Student-Steve showed up. Apparently Kelsey didn't get up in time to join us. xD; But it was cool, because at the same time as teaching Student-Steve to use a bokken, Steve was helping me learn to teach the bokken. So eventually, I may be able to help out on Steve's level with that class, which would be really cool. I'm going to practice with him privately a lot so that I can really refine all my techniques and stuff so that I can be an excellent instructor. :3

After that Steve and I had some chatting time until Scheffleur (Shef for short) showed up to instruct one of the kids in Juijitsu. Shef is training to be an instructor in that, which is pretty cool. He definitely makes a better instructor than fighter it seems like, too. But that's okay, because he's good at what he does. So Steve just kind of watched from the side lines and helped where needed while Shef did the instructing for the kid.

I was going to leave after that, but then Michelle got there for the MAXFORCE, which turned out to be yoga yesterday, so since Carrington was totally wiped out from too much work and wasn't going to be able to make it, I joined her in the yoga exercises. Those were really nice, though it was hecka funny because Steve isn't as flexible as us so we were picking on him. A lot. x3

After that class came Cardio. And somehow I got suckered in to joining them for that whole class. OH. MY. GOD. Doing so much so fast with little to no real breaks is HECKA TIRING. I can see why you loose weight with that. Good god. O___O;;; But I'll admit, I had a lot of fun. I was picking on them though, and told them if I couldn't donate blood anymore because they made me loose weight, heads would roll. LMFAO They're awesome women though, so it was all good.

I did take a break after that though, while Steve gave Shef his nunchaku lesson. After that lesson though, Steve and I were grappling again, just for the hell of it. Totally a lot of fun.

Sometime before Friday though, I had hyper-extended my left arm, so that was actually really painful and I kept causing myself pain through all the lessons. xD;;; Steve helped it a bit though, since he's pretty good at relieving minor aches and pains with holistic medicine and stuff. Works for me. It's still painful today, but definitely not as much as before.

Around 2ish, when everything kind of winded down, the landlord Paul showed up. Turns out the doctor in another building he owned had lost his license and went out of business, and had just left the furniture behind because he didn't want it anymore. So Paul wanted to know if Steve wanted to go scavenging, which he readily agreed to. I stayed behind to watch the dojo, since Paul decided he trusts me.

So while they were gone I cleaned and swept to prepare for their return with the furniture, since Mom has instilled those habits in me. They were gone about a half an hour, at least, so after I was done picking up a bit (there wasn't much lol) I practiced with my bokken a bit. I was bored, and it was something to do. I did have one scare where the back door was rattling, but it never opened so no big.

When they returned I helped them move the furniture in and direct them when they were carrying some larger stuff. The dojo looks a lot more inviting now. :3 And there is this really cute blue couch that looks like it belongs in a dorm, and then this retro orange leather couch that I just laugh at. But he got a lot of good furniture, which rocks. So I'm meeting up with him around 3:30 tomorrow to help scrub and clean the shit out of it. And to rearrange it. I don't know what I'm doing after that. LOL

Last night we played games. I totally raped people the second game of electronic Life, and in Clue we all got raped due to a card mixup and thus lack of a room in the evidence folder. LMFAO

We did a little karaoke as well, which was fun. I totally attempted Heartbreaker on Expert, and almost got 30,000/50,000 points. All goods and greats. OvO I WILL NAIL IT DAMMIT, I WILL. >3>

That was my night though. I chatted with Mom for hours afterwards, and ended up not going to bed until about... 4am. ROFLWTFISWRONGWITHME!? OTL;;;

Today is another beautiful day. However, my body demands some serious recuperation, so I'm not doing much. My friends want me to RO with them, but I don't know if I have the attention span right now. xD;;;

Actually, noon seems like too early to have gotten up at, I want a nap. ROFL But I won't take one if I can help it.

Maybe I'll do some photography. Maybe. Who knows.

Website v2

So tonight I updated my website to v2, and I have to say, it looks AMAZING. >.> You totally should check it out! :D

http://www.photo-phantasy.com

It all started with that background. I was debating on how I wanted to do my site, since I knew I wanted to get away from iFrames and into the SimpleViewer (iFrames and SimpleViewer do not play nice together), and considering all options. I didn't have a photo I could put there that would work that wouldn't stick me with black and white, and that just wasn't good. I like colour, it's as simple as that. Which is why v1 was brown and green and stuff. But this one had to be cleaner than that, since I was also tired of such an overwhelming colour. Lemme tell ya, balance is not an easy thing when it comes to wanting something clean, but something with colour.

I don't know how the idea fully hit, but as I was going through what I could do, I started considering making a negative strip and putting some of my photos in it. But this just didn't seem like a good idea because then there would be too many colours for a single theme. And then it just kind of hit me that I could use my old b+w negatives from High School for the background, and I taped my favourite ones down to paper and put it in front of my strobe and took a picture. Voila, I had a background.

It started there with that background. I got my colour scheme from it, and I built around it. The header was actually really easy, since I created that style when I started planning out some stationary and stuff, so it wasn't too big a deal.

What was a big deal, were the damn links. Since I wasn't going to be using iFrames (and they weren't working anyways *shakefist*) I had to figure out a way to specify two sets of link properties. And I failed miserably, but my friend James from SSD came to the rescue! So those links are courtesy of James, who explained how to create them to me. THANK YOU JAMES, I LOVE YOU HARDCORE STYLE. <3

After that was done it was basically just adding in content. I edited stuff from the old site, but mostly it was just copypasta. The hard part was the photos... since I had to go fish them off of my discs. I'm not quite done yet either, but that's okay. I got the majority up and that's what matters. And thanks to Lightroom, it was hecka simple to do. LIGHTROOM FTW!

It was a long nine hours. But overall, I'd say it's worth it.

ENJOY THE SITE, I LOVE YOU ALL. <3

Job Interview at Stewarts!

So it's official! Tomorrow at 1pm I have a job interview with Stewarts! OvO I really hope I get the job, because I need it HECKA bad. Like, my parents paid my student loan for last month (they're amazing, seriously ;w;), but I don't want them to have to do it again. So I'm going to really apply myself to the interview and make sure that job is MINE.

The only thing that might suck about the job, is the fact that I think it's the 5am shift, meaning I'd have to be up at the ass-crack of dawn. >.>;

After I do the job interview, I'm meeting up with my good friend Karen at Chuck's for some greasy lunch and to get Girl Scout cookies, since we got some from her daughter. HOORAY GREASE! HOORAY GIRL SCOUT COOKIES!

I'm probably going to head down to the dojo for a bit tomorrow night as well if I can find out what time Steve will be there at. Haven't been yet this week and I'm getting restless. Gotta talk to him anyways about Saturday. x3

Other than that I just did a NEW PHOTO WUT!?

Yeah... got a crazy creative urge at about midnight a couple nights ago and I ended up with a tangible idea, and then about three hours later a completed photo. It's definitely one of my best, though I'll be revisiting it to make it EVEN BETTER. But I was so proud because it gained 20 favourites on DA in the first 24 hours that it was up. ;w;

So here it is. Enjoy!


Painterly Ways by =Saknika on deviantART

Dojo and Photos and Retouching; OH MY!

So I've been a busy busy bee these past two days! :O Sadly, this busyness has not been because I have a steady 9-5 job. :P But it was fun and that is all that matters. :)

Both days have started pretty early, and anyone who visits my Twitter probably noticed that. xD

I spent a lot of my time at the dojo on Wednesday. Before going there though, I did my taxes and it turns out they promote their clients as well, meaning that I can drop off flyers and business cards and they'll help me out. Hecks yes. Just need some space in my basement for a "studio" and I'm set. :D

At the dojo we started with photos. Photos of the outside, photos of the inside, and then photos of Steve. He loved that. And I loved blinding him. Haha. It was fun though, and he also was introduced to the deadliness of a reflector. Bwahahaha Only briefly though, since I used a light kit to light him otherwise. I needed it for the dojo anyways.

After that I sat and chatted, and then we decided to work out.

[Insert eleven hour pause here because Steve and Sandra arrived]

By work out, I mean two and a half hours straight of exercise. Striking, grappling, weapons--you name it, we did it, basically. But it was fun.

And then his cardio class came in, and I did more photos. Those women are a riot, they really are. And I networked a bit, so I might have another new family portrait to do. :) Excellent. That always brightens my day.

Yesterday, Dan, Logan, and I hit up Saratoga since Logan paid me to do photos of him for personal use. Hecks yes, I do love getting paid. He also bought a print. Sadly, the money does go into my business account, but shit, it's money towards equipment. I like that. And we had a lot of fun. Logan and Dan are both great guys, and Dan has found a hidden talent in being a reflector bitch. Life is good.

Had to retouch all those photos though for him to choose from, and am still retouching shit from the dojo since I am slow and lazy and just haven't gotten around to it. ^^; I will though, soon enough. LOL

On the eleven hour break:
So today Steve, Sandra, and Dan dropped by. Steve needed to print his business plan, and since his printer is busted we let him come over and use ours. Sat and chatted for hours, and then Steve and Sandra headed to the dojo. Dan and I then hung out for the rest of the day.

First we just chatted. Then we went to the galla for Galway's art portfolio class from 5:30-7:30pm, and had a blast. I networked a bit, Dan thinks he found ancient ramune bottles (they really did look like it LMAO), and we just had a good time. I got him lost by taking backroads too, which was pretty humerous.

Tomorrow I'm going to be at the dojo by 7am to help Steve with a weapons class. That means I'll have to be up by 6am and out the door by 6:30am. If I do this right, I'll be out the door by 6:20am to get there a few minutes early. x3 I'll be tired, but it will be fun.

Anyways, since I do have to be up early, and it's about 10pm now, I'm going to leave you with photos from Saratoga and head to bed. Goodnight.


Hanging at the Wall by =Saknika on deviantART


Stair Lounging by =Saknika on deviantART


Him and THE WALL by =Saknika on deviantART

Dr Phil's test - I scored 40/42

Got this in email. My score varied because on one of the questions (number 3) it could be one of two things. But both fit me well. I will give you a real update sometime tomorrow when I'm not dead tired. Besides, this is kind of cool. Enjoy. :)

Also, I bolded my answers at the end.


Dr.. Phil's Test: Here you go. Try it!!

( Dr. Phil scored 55, he did this test on Oprah
and she got a 38.) Some folks pay a lot of
money to find this stuff out!

Read on, this is very interesting!

Don't be overly sensitive!

The following is pretty accurate and it
only takes a few minutes.

Answers are for who you are now and not who
you were in the past. Have pen or pencil
and paper ready.

This is a real test given by the Human Relations Dept.
at many of the major corporations today . It helps them get
better insight concerning their employees and in their
prospective employees.

It's only 10 Simple questions, so grab a pencil and paper,
keeping track of your letter answers to each question.

Ready?

Begin..


1. When do you feel your best...

A) in the morning
B) during the afternoon and early evening
C) late at night


2. You usually walk...

A) fairly fast, with long steps
B) fairly fast, with little steps
C) less fast head up, looking the world in the face
D) less fast, head down
E) very slowly


3. When talking to people you...

A) stand with your arms folded
B) have your hands clasped
C) have one or both your hands on your hips
D) touch or push the person to whom you are talking
E) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair


4.. When relaxing, you sit with...

A) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side
B) your legs crossed
C) your legs stretched out or straight
D) one leg curled under you

5. When something really amuses you, you react with...

A) big appreciated laugh
B) a laugh, but not a loud one
C) a quiet chuckle
D) a sheepish smile

6. When you go to a party or social gathering you...

A) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you
B) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know
C) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed


7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're
interrupted...

A) welcome the break
B) feel extremely irritated
C) vary between these two extremes


8. Which of the following colors do you like most....

A) Red or orange
B) black
C) yellow or light blue
D) green
E) dark blue or purple
F) white
G) brown or gray

9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments
before going to sleep you are...

A) stretched out on your back
B) stretched out face down on your stomach
C) on your side, slightly curled
D) with your head on one arm
E) with your head under the covers




10. You often dream that you are...

A) falling
B) fighting or struggling
C) searching for something or somebody
D) flying or floating
E) you usually have dreamless sleep
F) your dreams are always pleasant


POINTS:


1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6
2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1
3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6
4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1
5. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2
6. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2
7. (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4
8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3
(f) 2 (g) 1
9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e ) 1
10 (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6
(f) 1

Now add up the total number of points.

OVER 60 POINT : Others see you as someone they should 'handle
with care'. You're seen as vain, self-centered, and who is
extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could
be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to
become too deeply involved with you.

51 TO 60 POINTS : Others see you as an exciting, highly
volatile, rather impulsive personality, a natural leader, who's
quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They
see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything
once, som eone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They
enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you
radiate.

41 TO 50 POINTS : Others see you as fresh, lively, charming,
amusing, practical, and always interesting, someone who's
constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well
balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as
kind, considerate, and understanding, someone who'll always cheer
them up and help them out.

31 TO 40 POINTS: Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful
& practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented , but
modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily,
but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who
expects the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to
know you, realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your
friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over if
that trust is ever broken.

21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy.
They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and
steady plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did
something impulsively
or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything
carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it.
They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.

UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and
indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants
someone else to make the decisions and who doesn't want to get
involved with anyone or anything! They see you as a worrier who
always sees problems that don't exist. Some people think you're
boring. Only those who know you well, know that you aren't.