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So far only positive comments on the rules draft. That is AWESOME.

It either means I actually did what I set out to do and miraculously did not anger others (unlikely), or that they are simply going to grumble quietly because they know complaining won't change my mind on the biggies (most likely).

I am feeling very... accomplished today as a result (tired, but accomplished).

Sometimes my work sucks.  I don't normally mind the travel, even when for two months I almost didn't see my bed. But yesterday I had to be out of town when I should have been with my friends. Lassorina was a friend, and fellow fighter with a spirit that will never fade. Rest well my friend.

Luther

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I am supposed to be working right now... but the task I am trying to do is impossible because I cannot connect to the computer upon which the task needs to be completed, so instead I will give you all a quick update.

Friday last week I did not work as I have accrued nearly a week of overtime already since I returned from Japan (and I that is after I already took some additional time off to burn accrued time). I took this oppertunity to go TV shopping. I started at Future Shop. I told the sales person I was ready to buy, and that I expected him to start with his best possible offer or I would walk. The f*cker opted to play games with me, so I did as I said and walked. I hope he is still standing there waiting for me to return from lunch. Let this be a warning to all sales people out there. If you try to screw me, I will bring you to the brink of a sale, and once you have gathered all of the items, and obtained a cart to put them on, if you have f*cked with me, I will walk and make you put it all back!

So I was going to head to Visions since they had the TV I had chosen via the Internet on for a good price (infact it was their price by which I was judging the FS salesman's price by). But instead thought I would take Amber's advice and try London Drugs in Mission. There they had a beautiful 42" Toshiba Regza on sale for 1299. It was not the TV I had chosen but had great picture quality, nice black levels, and stunning colours. The salesman I talked to there was upfront that he had no negotiating power without his manager who would be in that afternoon. So I killed an hour and came back. I told the man in the blue shirt who had sent me and instantly the price dropped... told him I needed a stand, HD DVD player and some cabling too, down again. By the time the smoke cleared, I had everything I was after that day PLUS some, and the price after taxes was LESS than the price before taxes at FS.

Sunday I picked up my new toy and set it up, played some XBox 360 on it (wow what a difference), but since the DVD player would not be in till Monday, no movies for me.

I return on Monday for the DVD player, only to find that someone had mistakenly sold them all! While my blue shirted salesman looked for a solution I spotted something I had spent almost the entire last year looking for... the complete Invader Zim series on DVD. Well I picked that up too, along with the next model up of DVD player (no additional charge).

So Monday night becomes DVD test night... I start with the two HD DVDs that came with the player (300 and Bourne Identity). As expected, vary awsome. Then the true black level contrast test, Batman Begins. Now this is just the normal DVD, on my HD Upconverting player and HOLY SHIT its better than I could have expected. I can't wait to try it on the HD DVD disc that is available.

Last night I tried Zim on the new machines, and even that looks way impressive. 

To the now... I am at work, barely able to concentrate, since tomorrow (as if you didn't know) Anna returns! Woot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Probably be a while for the next post, but then again, who knows... only the Shadow!

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Hmmm... what do any of those have to do with anything?

Well, the Wall, refers to my weakness that I displayed in Penticton. No it was not the junk food vaccum that I have been in the past while on a road trip... I was much better about that (in fact through proper eating and a bit of excerise the past few days I have started the decent towards previously achived marks). No I broke down and joind FaceCult... no wait, CrackBook... Face Book. 

So thats the wall.

Check Engine Light... and Tire Pressure. How the Hell are those two things related? I mean I know that Cars now will bring the Check Engine Light (from now to be refered to as the CEL) for pretty much anything. But Tire Pressure. Not quite.

Here is the tale... While driving home from Penticton yesterday, pulling out of Merrit at roughly 11:15am, my CEL came on. Concerned that there may be a signifigant issue, I pulled over, stared at my engine for 5 minutes before coming to the conclusion... I have no idea what the hell I am doing. So I carry on and see my HD TV being replaced by car repairs.

Flash back to 8:45 am as I am loading my car and my drivers side rear tire looks a little low. I do not have a gauge (remedied a little later on) so I will check the tire pressure when I fuel up. The gas station I fuel up at does not have a air pump, so I go to the next one, and they do not have a gauge. I drive to Peachland (about 15 minutes away) and find a station with both (but I bought one so I always have it). I was down about 10 PSI, nothing huge, but I fixed that and carried on.

Does anyone see what I did there?

In worrying about the tire situation, when I finished fueling my car, I did not tighten the gas cap all the way. Durring the drive it came loose and the vaccum seal that the fuel system likes was broken. 

This I all found out when talking to my Dad while pulling away from the Toll Booth at the top of the Coq. So I get to the Wack, fix the cap and by the time I am on my way to practice, the CEL is off and I am much happier for it.

I haven't posted much in here... my adventures in Japan are detailed on Anna's journal. Since then it has been work, work, work (today is my first day off since I got home). 

And I am back at it tommorow.

No rest for the wicked I guess. Maybe you will all get a better update when I am on the Island.

Hey all, I am here, and alive... Beef Jerky is NOT allowed into the country (thanks Rika for the sudden fear I would get strip searched looking for more dried meat products)...

Found the hotel ok... called Anna on crazy almost impossible to use green phones... had some greasy chicken fo dinner... now off to bed.

Oh yeah... found a 13 yr Glennfiddich at a store here that I have been looking for back home... bought it... after Anna an I sample it tomorrow I'll let ya'll know how it tastes.

Oh yeah... been up now for 21.5 hrs... time to pass out.

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The biggest fencing tourny of the year is only 4 days away... 

Guido asked me Monday if I felt I had practiced enough to win. I believe I have. That being said, I will be out at practice tonight as well, since you can never get ENOUGH practice. 

Not sure what the turnout will be like. I think we have 35-40 ish people last year... I suspect it being as 'far north' as it is, we will likely loose some people. But that realy does not matter to me. 

In the past it has bugged me that 'Northern Fighters' are forced to knock eachother out. Well. this year I have decided to not let that bug me. If I fight Lionsdalers in the first few rounds, so be it. I don't care who you are, or where you are from... you will meet the same grim determination that everyone else will.

If you shrug shots in this kind of tourny, consierd yourself warned: I will not suffer any 'thick' fighters... and will gauge accordingly. 

If I am aloof, or 'grumpy' durring the tourny, I apologize in advance... I do not know what 'zone' I will be in on Sunday... whatever it is, it will be one of focus.

For those who have trained me, trained with me, and helped me in generaly through my fighting... thank you. See you all at 12th night!

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This applies to pretty much most aspects of my life at the moment.

Work - In 12 days the training begins for my client. The trainer(s) are not normaly trainers, so they want (rightly so) access to the training system ahead of time to learn the data and refresh themselves on what is happening, as well as being assured that the systems they are training on are working properly. This is doubly important for this set of training, because on the same day the training begins, so does my trip to Japan. So I cannot remote assist the trainers from the office if something goes pear shaped, so in my mind, all needs to be set by Monday, and the client is being slow about getting me the access I need to complete the setup (which is why I am posting now rather than working).

Japan - Also 12 days away. This is actually not a pressure on my mind at the moment since everything is set (except that my Yen is not yet in my hand, hopefully Friday). Packing for this comences last night and concludes on Sunday, with the exception of my carry on, which will be packed Friday the 11th. I am doing some pre-planning for the trip as far as some sights I would like to see that Anna and I missed on my first trip, as well, I have scoped out a nice restaurant on the 52nd floor of a building close to our hotel for us to have a celebratory dinner (combing both of our Birthdays, anniversary of us becoming a couple and new years etc...). A care package for Anna will be included in my luggage, pickup will be Sunday to be put into the one checked item I am bringing with me.

12th Night - New pants to match my new doublet should be finished this weekend. Sunday I'll be making a trip out to Chilliwack to do the final fitting. Next week, Monday, and Wednesday I will be at practice to hone the razor sharp skills that the last 10 years of combat have given me. I am feeling the best I have about this tourny, and now that I have worked out some of my focus kinks, all should be set for a great showing, and maybe even a fancy cloak to be added last minute to my Tokyo kit.

Other Hobbies - Warhammer and my other gaming hobbies have been taking the back seat to most of my life since August. I do squeeze them in when I can, and have done admirably through December. I suspect that I will not, however, make much mor progress on those beyond Sunday.

In other news, the New Years party was a blast, and by all accounts everyone had a great time. New Years day was met with a very weary eye as I loaded my Airsoft gear into the car and made my way to the boat for a day of blasting the crap out of others. Elora made it out, as did my usualy Airsoft buddies. As usualy of late, I ran the games, mixing both senario based and 'run & gun' style games to appease all crowds. At least I think it was a good mix, too damned bad if they don't agree. 

Today I woke up feeling ill, and it went for a while, but has returned. I may leave work shortly here to go home and recover.

At any rate, I am here, at work, and will try to post again next week before 12th night, and then again before I go. While there, posting will definately take a back seat, but I'm sure Anna and I will take the time for at least a couple of joint posts in her journal... I may even do one detailing my solo adventure in Japan (since she is planning to arrive the day AFTER I land in Tokyo).

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So the title says a lot of wierd things...

Guitargasim: That is the word to describe the awsomeness that is/was the TSO concert on Friday. Imagine if you can, the Vancouver Strings, plus a drummer, plus two pianists, plus as many as 5 (FIVE) guitars blaring away at remixed Christmas carols and orchestral classics. If you have never heard anything from Trans Siberian Orchestra, I highly suggest you search them on You Tube RIGHT NOW!  I'll wait...........

Good, now imagine that with a light and pyrotechnichs show that was freakishly awsome (they had it freaking snowing inside GM place). A couple of highlights included "Flight of the Bumble Bee" on a flying V guitar that was just too awsome for words, and "Oh Fortuna" played with three guitars, a Jazz Bass, the Strings, drums, pianists a small chior... oh yeah, and a FREAKING WALL OF FIRE behind the band. Rika and I were only 20 feet or so from the stage, so we were getting cooked from the heat.

Quarter Finals: Thats how far I got in the Lionsgate Defender's tourny. Not bad, but not great either. Had a slow start, lost my first 3, then double killed 4... it was looking grim. I pulled myself out for a few fights to get my head together, then came back and won 12 in a row. My last fight in the round robin was againats Richarde who caught me just after I slipped on the floor. Good catch on that one Ric.

I was in a four way tie for fourth place, and lost to Diarmuid. Shoulda-Coulda-Woulda... I know better for 12th Night!

Snow Soft: Sunday was my return to Airsoft after a month hiatus I imposed on myselft for the sake of the play. I ran games at the Ferry for all who showed, and supplied hot chocolate as well. There was myself, MoleMan, and two others... so four. Still we had a blast for about 4 hours and it was good, even though the outer decks were covered in about 1.5 feet of snow. My boots (the ones I am even now wearing) are still slightly damp inside. Need to heat them up tonight so I can wear them...

On my way to Penticton: Wednesday, I leave for Penticton for my last client visit for the year... in fact, it should be my last day away from home till I go to Japan in January (I am looking forward to a month at home). I leave at noon on Wednesday and will call appropriate peoples when I arrive safe at my destination (current list in case you want on it are my Parents and Anna). I am anticipating 5 - 6 hours of travel depending on the road conditions... as they look now, its probably on the 5 side, but things can change. I have chosen the Coquihalla as my route since I know it better than the Number 3 and all things being equal... its a better road, even the high part between Merrit and Kelowna/Penticton.

Anyway... I need to get back to looking like I am working. Till next time, be safe campers!

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that ended last night. Wow... what an amazing performance the entire case gave. I am so proud to work with those people every year for the play. It was great getting to finaly realize my dream of playing Hamlet as well. For those that were there, thank you for coming out. For those who could not make it, you missed out on a really great evening... or so I was told by the people I talked to. 

In other news, it is only 50 days till I return to Japan. Where is somewhat undetermined as of yet. As I started looking for hotels and stuff in the plan B location (Tokyo) I was somewhat distressed to find that ALL of them are wanting upfront payment, so I cannot even just book for the sake of locking in a room. I also was planning on purchasing a second airline ticket for Tokyo and then canceling the one I do not need... but found out that a flight booked now cannot be cancelled. My flight from September (which is likely to be cancelled) can be done so because of the advanced purchase (or so the travel agent tells me), so my plan to give Anna the max time to find work in Okinawa has flopped out of the gate. Oh well, we will sort something out, but it is starting to eat at me a bit...

Other than that, I go to see Trans Siberian Orchestra on Friday, and am looking forward to that, and then Baroness's on Sat, and Airsoft on Sunday... and not a hint of rehersal to be found!!!! 

Its great to do the play, but it is also good to be free.

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There are very few times I have crumbled under pressure put on me by other people.   But this weekend I collapsed like a house of cards in a tornado as a result of pressure I put on myself. 

Last year at Investiture (for those who have not heard the story or were not there) I finished the round robin with 9 wins out of 10 fights, in the top seed. Having skipped breaktfast I turned to an energy drink to get me through and the jitter-i-ness helped to propel me away from the plan I had used thus far, make foolish mistakes and get ousted in the semi finals. I vowed at that point to redeem myself this year. 

I must be clear, no one, not a single person, came up and said I needed to make amends for blowing it. 

I trained my mind to prepare for the finals of tournements, and as a result have since scored two to my name, Lionsdale and Shittemwoode.  So this year I was determined to win it (not at all cost, but so long as the path was honourable, I would follow it to victory). On Friday already I was tense. Not because of Adam's wedding (its like what, my 7th time in a wedding party, I had no realy responsibility, so what is there to worry about). By th etime the ceremony ended I was well into my mental prep, but still I could feel the taught mussles of my shoulders screaming... I knew something was up, but figured it was just the day in the tux that was to blame. A restless night of sleep should have solidified what was wrong in my mind, but I just wrote it off. 

Kieran noted it, and asked why I was jumpy, thinking I had consumed an e-drink... but I had not (well I had a coffee, but that doesn't count, and it was done more than 3 hrs before the lists even opened). 

So as a result, I had only two modes, offense and defense. So counter punching was the only thing that worked for me that day. When I was agressive, I forgot to defend and so several sure things saw my death. Plus some fighters (like Kristophe and Godfrey) just plain beat me (it happens to the best of us). 

I must say I am happy with the end result... Lucian will make a good champion. But my record hardly is representative of my skill... 2 wins in 7 fights. Total garbage. 

Awareness... not only of my combat area, but of myself is key for future victories.

Preparation... I forwent fight warmup before the tourney feeling I should save any surprises for the fights, but as a result, was surprised myself.

Dedication... my focus of late has been the play. I cannot blame the play, Hamlet did not put a knife to my throat and tell me to rehearse. My Wednesday's have generally been free enought that I could have made more effort to be at practice AS WELL AS getting rehearsal time in. 

I have learned from this a great deal. I will keep this knowledge with me and will use it next year. I will not let my loss this year eat at me as it did last year. I will be Champion of Tir Righ...