Oh Nepal

A quick update folks, Nepal has been shit for the last several days, my laptop and belongings, bag, etc, were taken at Kukuri point from my friend Zeid, he is safe and unhurt and that is the most important thing. I've spent the last several days running about trying to catch/entrap the thieves that can't do much with a password protected computer, they did agree to trade it back for considerably more money than I have/had, so we involved the Crime Investigation Department, Nepal's plainclothes police unit, and through much miscommunication on their part they were highly ineffective, but through Zeid and myself directing their actions we managed to get somewhere till part way through the sting operation they first drove a big white jeep up to us, then secondly approached us to ask what they should do they spooked the robbers, the second day of the robbers talking to us proved equally fruitless, and today no word, other than that, sad that much of my saved life has vanished but happy that no one was hurt, it certainly is a time of change.

Ahh my blog, what to say, what to write, how to present this body of work to my few and far between readers, I guess I should start by enacting a policy to prevent myself from using this blog as a message/sounding board in which to keep in contact with weak constituted people that I need not keep informed as to my happenings to any degree.

Next I should think of something creative, insightful, something that will cause those controversies that will raise in the minds of free thinking people questions that will allow them to progress a mundane understanding of their life and livelihoods, this is how and what I need to write.

Now if only I had the mental fortitude for myself, much less be able to inspire in another, the ability to think past the mindless self indulgence and cowardice of not allowing oneself to question whats presented them, and through that learn to accept and reject not only what helps themselves but those around them.

Since I can't blatantly write to a degree in which I can bring about such free thought how about just bringing up several questions that have popped up along the way?

1: Has Obama shown the fortitude of a feather blowing in the wind after these debt ceiling talks by not sticking to his guns, and showing any sort of backbone to say, This is what I believe in, this is what I think makes me a patriot, and this is how I'm going to vote. As apposed to the ridiculous circus presented by Republican constituents (who have shown themselves to be pretty dumb ... even wildly stupid? http://www.rawstory.com/rawreplay/2011/04/olbermann-tells-college-republican-that-most-conservatives-are-wildly-stupid/ ), and Republican Candidates and Representatives (who we'd hope would be at least a little smart http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CWaUM3kxfA&feature=related ), in their no holds bared unpatriotic attempt to unseat President Obama on his high horse, in (what I can't for the life of me see as patriotic or a direction this country needs to be taken in, but can see that they seem to think so http://www.breitbart.tv/mcconnell-we-had-bipartisan-deal-but-obama-rejected-it-out-of-hand/ ) what they believe to be patriotic a patriotic way. So the question here is, would Obama been better showing some backbone and potentially showing the American people that he's willing to do what he believes to be right for his country at the cost of taking a dictatorial approach to his presidency? Or was it better to give into the fear mongering and concocted crisis thrown on the American people by a group of Republicans willing to neglect the voices of millions of Americans to push their own private agenda and war against a leader they are unwilling to share a sandbox with?

Another question that's been quite pressing in my mind is,

2: Is it a more a sign that Herman Cain's politics/message or pizza is bad? Running for the Presidential Nomination for 2012 seems to be quite the long shot, you'd think, for the Georgian, former Nebraskan pizza Godfather & former Federal Reserve Bank, of Kansas City, Deputy Chairmen. However this Pizza Boy is rolling with the dough, as he dished up 3000 slices of free pizza to entice some votes his way in the Ames stroll poll http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/08/13/7366436-measuring-votes-in-t-shirts-and-pizza . But since Herman Cain scored a mediocre performance in the straw pool hoedown, placing far behind such candidates as Bachmann and Paul yes still far ahead of everyones favorite Moron spirt(ed) personage http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/08/13/7366544-bachmann-wins-ames-straw-poll shenans, my question here is, is The Godfather of Pizza's pizza that bad? Or are his archaic and un-progressive political views http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SCBoFNr0uo present enough that voters, pizza or not, understood that voting for a person of such caliber would be a ridiculously un-American thing to do, as even New Jersey governor Chris Christie seems to understand http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZbjBPsESf4 .

Let me think up some more questions here, and I'll get back to you guys.

It's been a year, but I didn't think that was appropriate to bring that up today, along with what I said.

1 year.

A short boring update, :P

It's been almost a month since I've posted in here, and still it seems to be getting a good bit of attention from somewhere or other, so I figured I should find something to say! First off I should say that I had a down to earth simple birthday, hung out with a cool person we drove around a bit, chatted, had lunch at chili's (not good this time :P because I was trying to be conscious of the other person and eat veggies or seafood.) But shopping in the mall, I didn't get anything but Guitar Hero III for my brother, and then some more Shenanigans, went to Meza Luna but didn't eat anything, then off to see The Two Towers extended edition, very well done. After that we tried for sweet life, but to no avail, so I had one of those french curler doughnuts at Voodoo and got a big ol hug from JB, simple but sweet birthday :)

In other news! Both my computers are toast at the moment, need to get repairs done asap, harddrive is toast, hopefully I can get my mass of data off of there, iTouch has been given to the lovely Lana, (If you're reading this Lana I miss my digital appendage!!! But am glad you have it and it's of some use to you :) so I need to pick up a new one ASAP. However I did find my old iShuffle and have got the damn thing working again and loaded with music :) feeling like Beck these days, along with the mass of unheard of Indie bands that are usually on my music devices.

Studies have gone to a standstill recently (last 3 days) due to broken equipment but I'm dusting off some texts and other books to keep my studies up, well at least try to get something else going till I can repair harddrive.

Hope everyone is doing well, not that there is enough people on here to wish that openly :P but maybe someday, this was a feeble attempt at a blog update, but when I have a moment to sit down I believe I will start up a nice formatted blog and get something going that will both enlighten and amuse those who choose to read this, unlike my boring day to day thoughts and memories.

Thoughts and ideas on taking this blog for more of a political spin folks?

In response to your need to keep hashing things out via phone calls,

And to yours, I'm not the one initiating a one sided conversation looking for justification to act like a cowardly, inconsiderate self-centered brat, so ... GROW UP!

Currently: Monday - May 16, 2011

Currently: Back in Eugene
Currently: Listening to Asian Kung-Fu Generation - 青空と黒い猫
Currently: Reading Beck
Currently: Just finished reading Solanin (Highly Recommended)
Currently: Feeling sad about how some people have acted.
Currently: Manned up, and stopped avoiding events that happened in my past.
Currently: Regarding above post, and went to a place that I both love and have been going to for years.
Currently: Caffeinated and trying to stay awake to get into a normal pattern, but thirsty after the Americano :P
Currently: Skeptical about being back.
Currently: Trying to compile a list of what I need to do, and who I need to get in touch with.
Currently: Glad I read Scott Pilgrim again.
Currently: Enjoying fast internet download speeds.
Currently: Need to get to work on Tibetan and responding to emails.
Currently: Dying from this horrid cough XP

Tuesday, April 19th: Currently

Currently Listening: Rilo Kiley - The Execution of All Things.
Currently Drinking: Not Dr Pepper, but I'm feelin it ... just Coke for me thanks. 
Currently Working On: Studying for my Written and Oral, Colloquial Tibetan Exams.
Currently Feeling: Burned Out, exhausted, overloaded, yet feistely independent.
Currently Annoyed About: Nepal, My iPod, My lack of money, some people close by, some far away.
Currently Declaring: My Independence.
Currently Thinking Of: What to say.

Lack of sleep and the weather is making everything a bit surreal ... going a little bit crazy is ok right?

Currently ...

Currently listening to: Metric - Black Sheep
Currently Reading: Scarecrow Year One
Currently just finished Reading: Jo Nesbo's, The Snowman (Good read, thought I'd hate it, but enjoyable)
Currently need to Be: Studying, writing a paper
Currently Doing: Research for a paper
Currently: Still steeped in the shit of samsara, and not really in the mood to deal with it at the moment, or getting dragged through the mud, currently 3 for 3 this last month alone, thanks people (golf clap).
Currently listening: Foals - Blue Blood

Older poems, also from Nepal.

The Captive, The Lover and The Beast ... or so I was told?
Three poems, in one part:

Surrounded by a sleeping city,
I gaze upon oh brightest night,
Only the animals are brave enough,
To come out and suffer,
While the devils prefer the light of day for play.

Oh lonely moon lonely moon,
Why has the city hidden you away,
Couldn't you break free a night?
Just for me,
Your illicit lover.

City you make me feel ...
So dark,
So alive,
So free ...
And they wonder why I stalk your streets at night.


Screw it:

Screw love
Screw life
Screw dancing
        singing
        partying

Screw her
Screw you
Screw hookups
         relationships
         breakups

Screw the ups
Screw the downs
Screw the good
         the bad
         the indiferent

But most of all
screw me
for not ordering two glasses.

 
Ten liters of life, and one tiny funnel:

I drink to blot out the sun,
It rarely works,

I drink when I'm not drinking,
With the intent to not drink,
Or so I am told?

I drink to erase the memory; memories of girls,
Occasionally it works,

I drink to muster the courage to talk to girls,
Those nights tend to be long and arduous,
Or so I thought?

I drink to live,
This continues to work,

I raise a glass to fitting in,
And for the deluded experiential side of life,
Or so I recollect?

New (horrid slightly spaced out) poetry from Nepal

(Untitled, The Storm):

Tenebrous times,
The motors stop,
Flocking from the drag,

Balmy skies,
The buying stops,
The world is illuminated,

Plumbing down,
The people stop,
The deluge has come.


(Untitled):

You've taken the best of me,
the worst of me,
used me up I spit you out,

On the quiet dead nights,
with sparkling lights,
I've professed my love to you,

You've always been there,
close in hand,
a 20 bill away,

nippy or sultry (cold hot),
spiced to sweet,
willing to dress as I desire,

The lads such good company,
the lasses with sweet embrace,
a party for every mood,

I happily take them in,
and over time,
my pallet distinguishes them as 1 taste,

Jack, Johnny, Glen,
Fran, Amme, Bailey,
I'd have them all atop Puerto Valarta,

The life of a bummler wannabe socialite,
I'm too soused to remember,
either the worst or best of me.

((Ah the life of a (sundownder, bummler stiff, swaggle, bummer, no-good nik, bummler,) (poser, apper, wannabe) socialite,
as I'm too hammered to remember,
either the worst or best of me.))


(Untitled, Douchebag):

Look at you, converse, tight jeans, plaid shirt, gold chain gold loops, frosted hair.

You sit with a white woman, your smile hides anger and contempt, you're cleanly filthy, beady stoned eyes, filthy yellow teeth.

We know your kind, you're no trickster, a ghoul, a ghost, vampier, many ways to describe the deadness behind your eyes.

Pathetic, you play them like ponies, touch their hair, brush their cheek, eyes fixated on the prize, you milk the cow slowly.

And when she leaves you behind, in your broken playground, even for an instant, you rage, stalk manipulate and fight.

Such a piece of work, the monster society has created in your subconscious, as an outsider looking in, I have no choice, but to feel sad for you.


 (Untitled, What a Night):

Stary stary night,
neon lights,
it ain't Vegas,
just a land of far far away.

Golden calves,
steeped in filth,
parallel to,
where we care.

Different cloths,
different dress,
the food oddly,
continues to impress.

Studying a culture,
close to home,
they shun it,
although it eats even bone.

A culture,
so wild,
whacky,
and free.

Yet every day,
it neglects,
the basic,
necessities.

Why am I here Nepal,
what will you show,
I can only dream of,
a tumultuous row.

Your houses remain,
ever unfinished,
your lights,
never the same.

Your politicians,
crooked and quick,
as a feather,
in the wind.

You steep,
yourself,
in the filth,
of millions.

And surround,
yourself,
with mountains greater,
than China's wall.

Foreigners rape,
pillage,
destroy,
your resources.

Aside from,
some sick individuals,
your countenance,
remains simply brilliant.

Like they said,
a land so far away,
neon lights,
starry starry night.

Losar ... Follies? No no! Hardly :P

Alrighty! Iron Rabbit Year 2011! (I can't remember what year it is in that calendar XP )

Let's see, what has happened, it was quite the interesting begining to the day, waited about for my landlord to show up, late. Missed the main things going on at the White Gonpa, but still paid my respects however late I happened to be :P Sent some new years greetings, even though I'm sure I'll be beheaded for at least one, but isn't that just like us Fire Tigers.

(Currently downloading too much data, but the song of the moment is ... DeVotchKa - 100 other lovers, and now Oh No Oh My - Again Again.)

But after all that nonsense I went to Flavors Cafe for some New Years fried cheese and a coke ... the coke was too early at 10 and the fried cheese was bitter which here ... doesn't necessarily mean it's bad :P From there I perused teh internets, met with ma roomie ... who only wanted to use me!!! Well no, technically she wanted to use my computer :P

From there, we went on an interesting ... yet ultimately hilarious walk about the Kora sort of arguing about where we both wanted to eat, Internets, and sit about for sometime. As I said from the very beginning, it was her choice :P Which in the end turned out to be a superb (My god, I'm really being followed by Japanese folks today :P there is another one next to me. And on the playlist Christie Dupree - Apologies, nice voice :) ) erb choice.

Upon entering Saturday Cafe's terrace I ran into my Lumbini party, whereupon I was hit twice ... in a weird sort of way by Lukgi who asked/demanded I come to Kopan Monastery with the group. And from there it was a venture into Gemini where I bought an amazing assortment of sugar, Haribo's new flavors of Gummy Bears, three flavors of sour ropes to give to the three young Tulkus at Kopan (The 1900 - Babies), a Mug Rootbeer ... and ... I think I had too big a sugar rush to remember what else. But I feel like an old man for getting one off of some, not many Gummy Bears (that would be everyone else that ate them :P ) But the soda did me in.

Anywho we arrived in Kopan, and sat about Lama Kundor's (The six year old Tulku who accompanied us to Lumbini) room who joined us from playing with another Tulku. There we drank pepsi and were given more candy for Losar (Magic Bullets - A Day Not So Far Off), you have no choice if you take the sweets they give you more, if you don't take them they force them on you. Or you leave with a big bag of them XP

But from there we met the 8 year old Tulku Lama Pasang (or Phuntsog XP ), who wanted us to make origami shapes with him :P I made a bad Tiger mask, in honor of last year. Jasmila and Lukgi were the most enthusiastic, making birds, boxes and Ninja stars. The ninja stars soon became dangerous projectiles in the hands of the young Tulkus who opted to proclaim me as the bad guy/good guy who would catch and block the stars (I was horrible at it XP but now it's the, Distractions - All Night) and then give them back.

From there we toured the Monestary grounds a bit, more playing with little lama who after much chiding from Stas and Lukgi made him believe that I was going to climb a tree and act like a Koala, or do awesome Ninja moves with him XP instead I tried to show him, in true bullseye fashion how to throw paper stars better ... they didn't throw well in the wind (My bullseye skills have deteriorated due to lack of use XP).

After returning to the room and ingesting more soda and candy, etc ...  we headed out and tried to make it quick for one of us was somewhat ill :c but we ended up waiting sometime on another of the group. But while we were (The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow) waiting I displayed my beast master ability by walking up and making all the dogs flock over to me and ignore the rest for a little bit :P

Then a short, but still cramped and awkward taxi ride back down to Boudha, during which I talked everyone into going to Sakura Japanese Restaurant for Losar food, dinner, since we were all starved and sick of candy by then :D So we went and it was most enjoyable :) I had an Asahi and some green tea, a bowl of rice, Agai Dashi Dofu,, Kenchin Soup and a Potato Cutlet, most everyone else at fairly simply but it was quite filling and delicious!

Then time for some Kora, me and Stas hung out and kept getting way ahead of the the girls :P As we talked about manly and important topics ... I'm pretty sure it was all pop culture :P Oh Skyrim why do you have to be such a beautiful looking game that lets you kill Dragons, F***!

And after many (not that many) Kora, we all headed to our respective homes, (All of which are on the way to my home :P ) Stas and I lit some butter lamps, he headed off, then Jasmila and I was the gentlemen and walked the other two to their gate, nice area but full of lowlifes go figure. So after being told to be quite careful I ventured out into the dark wicked streets of ... not sure what they call that area ... but no problems made it home safe, to recieve a call from said roommate who was heading home on dark drunken streets, so I went down to meet her made sure she made it back ok, no problems, met a cool guy who was in my class chatted, watched a drunk endo into some dirt pick himself up with a friend, didn't feel like helping Laurel and Hardy, not on that night good way to be shived and left in a ditch, drunks is as drunks does and all that.

And woot! Made it home, only to then be talked into walking down to Boudha a halfhour later so that said roommate Lana could look for some food, which was a good idea :) We managed to get some not bad rolls, veggies and tuna to bake them in our oven when the power came back, and a half an hour after getting back! The power did indeed come back, meaning toasty toasty roll with butter, covered in a nice layer of sharp cheddar cheese Artemy bought.

And that my friends was losar, was watching a bit of Veronica Mars, but began to nod off after the day abroad.

And a Happy Losar to all you too!

Fun times at Lumbini High.

3:33, 03/03/2011

It's been an interesting week, weekend, experience.

Went to Lumbini, with a group of scallywags ... hardly, very fun people all of them. A Russian (ish), a Japanese Argentinian girl, a German Turkish girl, a cool monk from Kopan, a 6 year old Gelukpa Tulku cool kid :P, and ... a girl from Amdo who studies at Beijing :) but that's another awkward story ...

Anywho! Lumbini is just a nice relaxed highly spiritual place, Birthplace of the Buddha and all that. With a wonderful collection of fairly new temples, representative of Buddhism across the globe. But first to see the remains of old crumbled monasteries and pay respect to the Buddha.

Then I'd recommend visiting the multitude of temples, built and being built of across Lumbini by a number of Buddhist countries and sects. I managed to see Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Japan, Tibet Sakya, India, China, Germany, two I don't know :P and badabum! Korea!

I saved Korea for last because I stayed there and had such a simple peaceful rest while there :) It's very simple mind you, but for 250nrs a night you can stay in a dorm (fill the dorm with other people you know :P) and included with the stay is Breakfast and Dinner, which is very simple vegetabley Korean food. Also for another 100nrs you can rent a bicycle and ride around from monastery to monastery. and if in spring (now) the water and weather is nice and perfectly warm, nice not too hot not too cold shorts and t-shirt weather.

There are also lots of swanky fairly cheap guesthouses about, and food can be found, but it's a nice couple of day trip to go on, took a jeep there with a bunch of people so not too expensive, and a bus back 450nrs long ride but at night it's not too terrible.

But fun times with cool people :) enjoyable stuff to see and do, and only several awkward situations ... I need to watch what I say in other languages X? and when I say it with hours left on a bus ... oh well.

It's a fun relaxing trip for a couple of days.

Is another wet rainy day ...

I actually wrote this yesterday, amidst the rain which I as caught in, soaked to the bone and shivering with a loud obnoxious cough through my entire language partner class, but here's what I wrote shortly prior to class (The Dandy Warhols - We Used to be Friends).

(Today) is another wet cold rainy day (today actually is quite sunny but yesterday serious showers, coastal stuff, made me quite happy to be in Oregon weather) writing from my iPod, soaked and shivering and rocking some older tunes, Modest Mouse - Fire it Up ... When this is over I'm ... I've put on, Albert Hammond - It Never Rains in California, mood/weather specific.

It's been one of those long interesting days, some sunshine, some clouds. Did a favor, stood by awkwardly amidst a study session I couldn't hear, ate and drank cheese tomato toast and two cokes ... none of which I could taste.

But now I'm shivering in the cold waiting for a class to start I should rightfully skip and change into warm clothing, sidenote - listened to Albert Hammond two more times, Rilo Kiley - Always just ended. Phantom Planet - Big Brat is rockin now.

Didn't I tell you this music was older :P

Today ... is a sick day ...

As were the last couple of days ... quite sick, possibly my tonsils acting up again but in addition to some for of super cold, no not a flu, just a nasty cough, lack of any energy, stuff going right through me, etc etc.
I believe I have three nighttime doses of Nyquil left so that will have to keep me going for now, was forced to drink down a pot of ginger honey hot water, thank you roomies, but it only helped clear it up for a little while.
Other than that, and being fairly broke, midterms are upon me, and everyone else here, so the rigmarole of things going on has died quite down, I don't actually know if anything is going on been too busy staying at home or studying :P But one paper, 2 midterms, and a text outline all due starting Wednesday, so I must continue sick or not, gettin along this here dusty trail. Meh, very lame lame beans while being this sick.
But in addition to this recent ailment, I've been re-watching Veronica Mars with the Russian, it's been a nice experience even though he's been doing most of the watching and I've been catching random episodes here and there :P Other than that going strong on Portlandia haven't downloaded the newest episode but I can guarentee you that I'd want an openly reggae mayor in my town as well!

Au revoir for now people, I'm going to go try to recover X?

A day in the rain ...

Alright were are we today:

Wednesday, February 16, 2011.
 
Broken Records - A Darkness Rises Up, just finished playing on shuffle. One of my favorite newish Indie songs has just begun playing, Junip - Rope & Summit, check em out people, nice and mellow driving music.

Today is an amazing display of the weather in Eugene Oregon. It's wet, cold, and drizzling rain, not too hard, but hard enough it'll soak you through and it's constant. A blast from home, notably I'm very happy to see it, feel it, experience it. I'd love to see a picture of Eugene rain right now actually :P

Last night was an interesting night, easygoing for the most part, had a couple chats with several people I wanted to chat with :) and figured out my favorite simple pizza combination, had a day of studying, asked the tough questions in class, I'm sorry! I just found the like from "from birth to birth" very beautiful poetically ... and new that the question was both somewhat funny (Owen Pallett - A Man with no Ankles) and amusing to some, and informational to the rest. Also avoid Cody's 8.9 % German Bydlo beer ... not good.

As for this moment right now, it's been a cold wet day of classes, no one has ever managed to get it together to install or supply any of the classrooms with heaters, needless to say there were quite a few wet, disgruntled, students by the end of ... the first class :P (Foals - Blue Blood)


But after a long day of bouncing around and a hot bowl of soup for lunch, meat added :? Could have actually done without that but meh wasn't thinking at the time. I've currently found myself sitting at flavors with a big pot of jasmine tea to ward away the cold, it's ok bit grass like actually, but hot anything at this point is nice, listening to music, and downloading Portlandia - episode four. Should study soon, but I think that's more of a heading home sort of thing, where I can bundle up, change out of wet clothing, and have a nice hot cup of tea :)


Stay dry people, and study well, midterms start Monday XP And I leave you with Mystery Jets - Show me the Light ... ok that works.

SEMI BREAK TIME :?

DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY  DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY DORKY


The above statement will make sense to very few people.

Not Glad

Today is indeed one of those days, one of those rare days where this particular song from the movie Orange County always runs through my head, the song is hardly reminiscent of my attitude, 12 Rods - Glad That It's Over, it's just the line "this day has sucked" that strikes in accord with my mood on days like this. I must confess that I'm rarely ever glad that it's over, I particularly hate the term myself. I don't always give my all, I'll admit to that, worse I don't realize that. However I do try, and I hate things ending and just destructing, so I try to give in my all damn it, and damn it I do give my all. But that rarely matters, I just don't like it to end bad, to end with it in the gutter and everyone pissed at each other, I've never succeeded when it came to a relationship, worked with a couple friendships, and in lots of other peoples relationship/friendships. Not a very good track record in my personal case, regardless I'm not going to just give up. I don't think I'll ever be a person who will be glad that it's over, ever I presume. And when it's over I'll do my damnedest to make sure it ends on a good friendly note ... even if I fail! So no I'm not glad it's over, and I'm damn sure not glad of your crappy 2000 pop grunge songs 12 Rods so go back to the obscurity from whence you came!

Another post, lets see shortly following my last post I ventured out into the world in search of money and carbonated beverages finding only money I headed back, and quickly ran into a gaggle of merry travelers.
Alright enough of that, but after running into these people they talked me into joining them for an afternoon at the gym down in Jorupati, it was lets say a painfully fun experience the joints of my arms and legs are still quite stiff and sore. But it was tons of fun to say the least, I started going for about 20 kilometers by bike racing a girl, then the power came back and she talked me into getting on the treadmill ... I tried my best ... really did, but in the end had to fall off with a rib cramp from hell. So she ran a couple minutes longer than I did ... also she ran track in Bejing I believe unfair advantage :P. After that I tried most of the random assortment of equipment available, mainly one ... not sure what they call it but a four sided tower with an assortment of stuff available to work on, I stuck with the pull chain one that was kind of like rowing and pushing on the big plate to make the weights rise, both were fun painful in hindsight but fun :P
The gym has quite a deep pool, it's drained for cleaning and won't be in use till the end of February then I'll have to go back! Olympic Sized for the win. But the shower there was also a nice touch, there was a Sauna but I passed this time, maybe next if I have a chance. But all in all a good experience. Made it back to Boudha after dark had a soy burger at the good ol G-Cafe with the group tried to reference something in Chinese :P Luckily had my lonely planet there so it made sense since the obscure terminology (polite table manners) weren't translating for Lukgi :P And then went to meet some Germans with everyone's favorite Norwegian Troll but that wasn't that fun he ditched us and we were trying to help some Swedish people find somewhere they were trying to go. So a long walk home under the stars since everyone's taxi stop was a lot closer than mine.
But an interesting time was had by all, and I am still to this day (day two after) quite sore in the arms but it was nice to work off that for a bit. Yesterday was a long tiring Friday, pretty crap, paper was done last minute due to a lack of power in my computer, but bleh teacher can't really complain since we get docked for going over 500 words and after editing stuff out was at a clean 478 :P
And now a quite saturday I've downloaded several books that I think will help with my course work and have had a garlic garlicky pizza, now what to do with the day? Also T.S. Elliot is going good, will update later.

Today!

Today ... I have some things to say about it. Yes I certainly do ... however! I don't have the time right now, most certainly busy ... that and I currently don't have enough money in my pocket to sit about all day :P
However I must say that I've finally stopped being lazy and caught up on some things, and begun to read a collection of  T.S. Elliot poems that were given to me by someone who was quite special to me, I would love to comment on them, and share some of my favorite parts, as well as some ideas I had last night when I sat down with a small pile of books ... however ... I must away.

So toodles everyone and I hope to contribute something more worthwhile tomorrow.

The Road ... to Somewhere.

Damn that sounds optimistic, a counter balance needs to be set in motion ... I shall play ... Talking Heads - The Road to Nowhere.

It's been a long couple of weeks folks for those few ... any? ... who read through my blog might have noticed that the imidiate offensive tones of cinicism and trolling have been toned down and in the case of my first two blog posts removed entirely.

Neither post could really be seen as something I'd actually be interested in, writing or furthering. So they've been removed, a level of trollish immaturity I hope to avoid for the most part in m continued blog.

But enough of that! Like I said it's been a long couple of weeks, animal and man, etc etc. But I'm not here to bore you with that. Let's find other things to talk about. Like the continued adventures of Skeptical Panda ... actually they've been somewhat dull as of late due to the hot weather. But soon when the rainy season hits;, the physical manifestation of Panda will come back about.

Now for the real stuff!

My Life: Messy, all over the place, induced drama, mine and others. Full of colorful individuals! Health isn't terrible, except my back is really getting to me recently think a chiropractor is in order :? Need to figure out this whole apatite thing XP

School: As Daria once put it school is a place that is "full of more colorful idiots than normal." No I'm misquoting her. But it's true in some cases ... as with my paperwork :? But how does school/classes go for me. Tiring, but rewarding. I'm doing fairly well in Colloquial Tibetan, not the best or anything, middle of the class but not bad either, and starting to get much more comfortable with the language ... now I just need to speak it more. Philosophy is bouncing around too much it feels like to me, so ... everyone is fairly scattered ... luckily due to democratic process :P we don't have a midterm till the 8th of March. Classical Tibetan isn't bad, getting tougher but I'm hanging in there, and translating with computer assistance fairly well ... if only I could cement the vocab and grammar in my mind ... damn. Specialized Studies is ... well special ... and kind of a waste of time, I swear next class we'll go so left field that we'll all be talking of our feelings or something :? Hi my name is So & So and I'm an Alcoholic.

Friends: That's a loaded question, ... let me get back to you once I've heard from more of them :? But the Russian treated us to Mexican food for his Birthday :) It was delicious, and a fun night went out for a beer, piddled about Thamel a bit, nothing going on, but always fun to have a couple drinks with good friends and watch the weirdos there. 

The Animals: Moko and Mila doing good, adjusting to the outdoors. Raja, formally Black Dog, is coming home in a day or two, he's bandaged up but doing good should be good to go and recovered in a few weeks happy he made it due to the excellent care of the dog center. Elton is doing great, his jaw doesn't seem to be bothering him, but he's still got several visits to the doctor regarding the surgery, but the little bastard goes through cans of tuna and what ever else he finds instantly, he's not happy with his room arrest but we give him enough attention the cute little bastard. And Shadow! She just won't leave me alone :P her preferred spot is sleeping next to me no matter what, in classic uncomfortable cat fashion but she's an amazing little kitten.The

House: It's quite the fort, but quite there these days, especially in the dark, my stuff remains in a pile of bags, only slightly unpacked, story of my life. But Chinese New Years resolution, set my stuff out in a more aggreeable manner :P

Movies, Shows, Cinema: Haven't seem many movies for awhile, well couple weeks, but downloaded The Nightmare Before Christmas :) good times and fond memories, all the songs are stuck in my head though XP As far as TV, I've been highly enjoying the Oregon grown, keepin it weird, comedy Portlandia (IFC), highly enjoyable experience form the genius that is Fred Armesian who plays the most convincing and hilarious Bicycle Rights bastard in episode 2 of the show. I've also highly enjoyed Bob's Burgers (FX), cute, funny, slightly dark, and pushes some envelopes that aren't pushed often :) The much anticipated How I met your Mother episode 15 is currently downloading. As far as movie going experiences nothing to say at the moment, but highly anticipating both Captain America - The first Avenger, and Thor.

Music: That is a blog on it's own, ok top three songs that have been bothering me Steady Stead - North Highlands, Your Ex Lover is Dead - Stars, and Boy - Ra Ra Riot ... wait no ... ok crap no I'm not going to comment on music till I find a better format :P Too much, too many, too new.

For now I'm going to call this blog boring but good, only mildly offensive, while still giving some insight ... little but some into the weird world that is ... my life? No that sounds too 90s. Anywho a good day to you sirs! Signing off for now.

The Skeptical Panda, Sandy Wilcox

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