S'more Smooth Suribachi Stratagems

After four seven eight days* spent not typing anything (worthwhile), I felt that it was time to post something of good quality. While it hasn't been a stellar year so far in this blog, it's still alive (albeit barely), and so I figured it deserved a little something for holding out this long. Refusing to die off like a voice in the wind... it's worth something, and that something... would be words. (A six-year-old somewhere is asking: "What the hell kind of gift is that!?")

Words are a complex crop that I haven't cultivated in a while, and so it took a lot more effort than usual to get them ready for presentation. A lot. But with a careful eye to watch them grow, some time to help them adapt to being summoned on such short notice, and (hopefully,) people bored/curious enough to read them, I'm sure these words I've labored for ought to do the job.

* = The entirety of last month was not counted in this statistic. Hell, the majority of this year wasn't counted. Ignorance can be bliss sometimes.

This was me earlier today.

Now that I've typed this all out... let's see if today's words can form sentences that make sense (as opposed to this entry's ridiculous mish-mash of a title). Let's go and rock out the rest of this long (and hopefully engaging) spiel!

Cuisine in the Flames

Originally I was going to write some kind of silly introduction for today. It would have involved food- and fire-based puns that I'm sure people (read: me) would get a kick out of. However, not everyone can digest cheesy banter of that magnitude, so I decided to lower the heat.
The last thing you want to do right now is to burn yourself off something with enough spice to make a smuggler cry blood.

This fire's really heated up the air the last few days. Pun both intended and not.
(Photo taken by Karen Quincy Loberg of the Ventura County Star.)

I'd advise people with poor taste palates (read: those that can't stand the heat) to stay out of the kitchen. I don't feel like scalding anyone's tongues or soft skins, so I might as well warn you now.

Okay, enough puns. (Even if the local fire here in California is a hot topic.) Without much further ado, I present to you: the stuff that made Thursday a hot day.

(Please don't extinguish my life due to these indigestible puns. I'm on fire!)

Comatose Sunday

Today feels much like a lazy day. There's not much going on anywhere, and I'm not feeling particularly motivated to do anything productive. Sure, I might level Gef and/or do some RPing with him, but I'm not feeling inspired to do either.

Country-fried steak omelette + hash browns + sourdough toast + bacon = WIN

I blame my amazing breakfast and the resulting food coma I received from consuming it. I also blame work and how ridiculous the guests who ransack the store have been. But I suppose this coma can't be helped - I need every ounce of energy I got from this wonderful brunch, and I'm going to make sure it's used properly.

Hm. Guess that means I'm leveling before work. Hehehe.

Twenty-Third Sixteen

The first post made as a freshly-upgraded 23-year-old hits the Internet today. While yesterday could count, today's the day where I can comment on me being 23 and everything that goes along with it.

This photograph proves how silly it is to use a small Pokémon (like a Horsea) as your Surfing Pokémon.
Consequently, this also applies to your Flying Pokémon. Admit it; you used a Pidgey! Argue all you want, but it's not a question of where it grips it - it's a simple question of weight ratios! A four pound bird could not carry a hundred-plus pound Pokémon trainer!
(Yes, I just subtly referenced Monty Python and the Holy Grail.)

So mount up and lock and load, readers, and prepare for my first quality entry as a 23-year-old! ¡Ven conmigo! *rides off*

Adventures Nowhere and Everywhere

Afternoon, everyone. Today's proving to be quite an interesting day so far. Today's July 14, and as the second half of the year continues to make its opening, I think it's time we start by getting in touch with the rest of this entry.

When in doubt, pinky out.

Of course, we can do that in a second. And that second begins now after I'm done sipping my Kyoto Sunset tea.

Montage of Mystery

So I haven't really been motivated to get out of bed today.

I had to tell myself to get up. It took a while because I was comfy texting lying there listening to music content with how the morning was going.

It's been somewhat rough these past few days. It's been apparent on the blog here - short entries, a lack of concentration, thoughts drifting elsewhere when I should be working on things...

...oh, wait. That's what I've been exhibiting in real life? Uh... riiiight. *sheepishly clears throat* Ignore all this, then. I'm just spouting nonsense that can't be explained and won't be explained for now. (Or can it and will it...?)

Stories on Wheels

Good night Afternoon, everyone! Time to sit down, log in, and prepare to race... off...!

I've always loved games that let you leave your initials as a record statement for the whole world to see.

Oh, what the hell; a login screen!?!?!? *sigh* Fiiine. Let me get through this security stuff. Give me one second. Entertain yourself with the Current Music while I do this. *types furiously*

Breakfast Mate

I have an idea. What if we took this blog entry and combine it with some other entry's draft? Make a super entry or something?

Alas, that's what happened here, but the draft that was used combined one short entry with another short entry, but I think it's better-looking than what it could have been.

So prepare, my friends... prepare for a delicious defeat in more ways than one.

Carded Candy Hackers

So things have been quite interesting lately. Items were found, issues have arisen, cards were played, and tensions just increased. It's life, and while all of those things combined seem to be quite troublesome... they still will be, no matter how one's outlook is.

One wouldn't guess that this photo was taken from behind a mesh screen.

Now, as it's a Saturday, that means I have work, which means I miss out on a lot of things, like graduating friends, dazzling sunsets, and a night out on the town. So, to make up for it, I write. And write. And write some more so that I have a thousand words for this entry today. Let's get cracking.

Umami Dream

You know how sometimes you end up partaking in an adventure you want no part of? How you end up being dragged along (nearly) against your will but are entitled to embark on the journey because you don't really have a choice in the matter? How you may or may not vocally express your disdain in what's going on?

Well, that scenario will most likely end in one of two ways:

1. The story drags on and you find yourself getting impaled by boredom and horrible times.
2. The story takes a surprising twist in a new and better direction, and you feel like a jerk for complaining about getting dragged along.

Yesterday ended up becoming one of these stories, and if my completely vague and illogical ranting from yesterday didn't indicate to you how it ended, then you're in for a surprise as you'll see here shortly.

Last night, I had a burger. But this wasn't just any burger... it was a MANLY burger.

A rather tasty surprise, mind you. Heck, this surprise is so astounding that I need to put a disclaimer label on here right now.



WARNING: The White Knight would (at this time) like to warn you about the impending content of this entry. It contains graphic images and descriptions that will probably scar you forever (in a surprisingly good way). Reading and looking at this entry will probably cause various symptoms inside your body, including (but not limited to):

• sudden mouthwatering and hunger pangs
• a sudden urge to look up an address, business website, and/or your bank account/wallet
• ill-mannered emotions aimed towards Josh for making you think like a hungry fool
• soiled pants, assuming your foodgasms are grotesquely worse than Josh's
• the sudden urge to get in your car and try out this story for yourself, and
• revulsion in any and all vegetarians.

As such, The White Knight and any of his (nonexistent) affiliates would like to take this time to absolve themselves of any damages that this delectable entry may be responsible for. You have been warned, so if you dare to read on about tasty food today, then by all means: continue, and get your taste buds ready for an awesome ride.

Start The Day Off Right!

Heh. I find it weird how yesterday's image of the weather still seems accurate. It's been mostly cloudy, but as I was driving around, I did see the sun break out a few times. Maybe meteorologists can actually do their jobs. I 'unno. *shrugs*

Today's the second day of my "Thirty Thousand Trial," and I'm just typing and typing away so that I can get my thousand words for today's entry. While things may seem a tad forced for the next month or so, it doesn't mean I'm not enjoying it. After all, I miss this - the whole "writing a whole bunch of things" deal I do (or used to do). It flexes my brain matter and may end up getting me a new idea or so.

But enough on that - let's talk about other things. Like... food!

Raisin The Bar

(See it? See the punny title? Do ya'? Oh, hush; you know you liked it. =P)

Battle Against Boredom

I am here to type a kickass post and chew bubble gum... but you bastards stole all of it and threw it away so you can use that cheesy one-liner!

So instead, I'm going to use a different pick-me-up. *munches*

This post is sponsored in part by Calorie Mate! (Not really, but seeing as how Naked Snake loves the stuff, I'll have to slap it on here anyway.)

Okonomiyaki Time

Hungry? I sure hope so, because I got for you today a savory and steamy blog. It's guaranteed to leave you salivating - and at the very least, curious. So, sit back, relax, and if you're inspired to follow along after you're done reading, more power to you!

And before you ask: not that kind of steamy, you perverts!

Mac'ing It!

Macaroni and cheese!

I told you today's entry was going to be tasty!

As I'm kind of suffering from a lovable food coma, I'm afraid this is all I have to report on for now, so I'll see you next month! Take care until then!

Emblematic Fulfillment

Wow, did time fly past today. One minute it's 1103... the next, it's almost 1930, and one sunny evening later it was 1600. I think it's time we get cracking on today's entry... and maybe get cracking on answering the question "Does Josh need meds?" for my blatantly-inaccurate telling of time.

Don't you think today flew by fast?

Resolution Absolution

Today's a lovely Friday, and as it's the end of the start of the new year, I think it's time I deliver something so large and outrageous it'll take you a good while to read and digest.

I guarantee a great entry today and awesome things to boot - this post took almost a week to make, so consider this a late Christmas present or a belated "Happy New Year" greeting of some kind.

Much, much better than fireworks.

So without further ado, kick off the new year for us, Nyan Cat!

Treats in Chaos

*yawns* Morning, everybody. While most of y'all aren't able to read this right now because of work, Black Friday shopping sprees, I'm sure that the few of us waiting to switch in to take the helm will find this enjoyable right now. The rest of ya'? Enjoy it once you're home. =P





CURRENT MUSIC:
Yoko Shimomura - "A Place Where Wind and Feather Return"
Radiant Historia Piano Selections

As you already know, one of my big things in liking various media - including video games - is the music - if it doesn't capture the mood well enough, it may not capture my interest (forcing the story to perform all the saving throws). Fortunately for Nintendo DS's Radiant Historia both story and music got my attention, so I ended up playing it (and eventually beat it many months later). It's all great and awesome, especially when the music invokes good use of emotions.

Most starting copies of Radiant Historia included a short CD consisting of piano-solo variants of the game's soundtracks. "A Place Where Wind and Feather Return" was one such track that already held enough emotion to hold you over for several go-arounds. Yoko Shimomura took it one more step further and transcribed this beautiful piece so a piano could make the same hauntingly beautiful melodies on its own volition.





Hello, everybody. Just here to post some stuff about life (not just my life), music, toys, the fears and terrors of Black Friday, and what not. Pardon my... let's call it "uninteresting" topics. They're interesting to me, which means they bloody well better be interesting to you.

*intimidating sip*

Think of this as a light entry to sate your "I want stuff from your blog, Josh" feelings as I prep up for Black Friday and get myself psyched up to work. *sips*





Thanksgiving Din-Din of Awesome
(A pinch of salt's not what made this dinner tasty.)

Everyone has Thanksgiving plans of some kind - even "evil" and crazy people like myself. So last night I spent Thanksgiving with my cousins. It was a fantastic dinner filled with fun times and tasty food.

Itadakimasu~!

From left to right:
Front: honey-glazed spiral ham, baked macaroni and cheese
Second Row: chicken, cupcakes, assorted chocolate cheesecake, pancit, pork sisig
Third Row: Salad, lumpia, barbecue pork cutlets
Back Row: strawberries & cream





Havin' the Time of Their Lives
(Because everyone loves fun things caught on video.)

And to close things off, here's a "random" video that was performed and posted back on the 11th. Target store 1027 (my store) had a visit that morning from Regional VPs (in other words: my bosses' bosses' bosses). Earlier that week, the execs (my bosses) cooked up an idea to have a flash mob performance during the visit. This is what ensued.


What's funny is that when they were trying to get the regular team members and everything to practice during the week, I decided to take it a step further and actually sort-of improvise the routine when I tried out. (Hey, I love flash mobs. While I haven't performed or executed any, I have plenty of awesome ideas.) After two of my bosses and about a dozen of my fellow co-workers witnessed my "awesome performance" (their words; not mine - I swear it), word-of-mouth spread it to the other execs, who wanted me to join them after the first wave performance. As much as I would've loved to, I unfortunately had other engagements that morning.

Eh, oh, well. The next time they plan something like this, they know who they're calling. *smiles*





Well, that's going to be it for today. I'll see y'all tomorrow - just as long as I don't die tonight at work. =P

Sometimes, Breakfast is All You Need

I was going to give you this waffle.      (>'_')>#
But then I thought:                               (>'#'<)
"I'm hungry."                                        (>'_'<)
So I ate it.                                            (>^_^<)

FRAK!

(Author's Note: Just a few things you should know. One: beer. Two: Battlestar Galactica. Three: excessive "language." Four (and most importantly of all): everything in-between these lines is a live "mind streaming" session, where I just let go of my inhibitions and just type stuff. If you found any of this to be stupid and/or offensive, then go frak yourself. =3)

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It's 11 P.M. and I have less than an hour to get one thousand words gathered into a semi-cohesive blog entry posted on the Internet. If I don't, I miss my deadline and this year's only New Year's resolution will have failed before my friends could actually attempt to botch it for me. I have a splitting headache that makes me want to just go to sleep, but at the same time I have this to take care of. The fact that I'm currently nursing down a fresh-out-of-the-refrigerator Guinness and have the biggest temptation to keep watching Battlestar Galactica doesn't help me in this quest one bit. I think it's sheer iron will (backed by that adrenaline rush you get from procrastination) that's getting me to type.

Aw, frak! I don't even have a title for this entry! (Yes, I said "frak." Galactica has already influenced me that much. =3)

Anyway, as far as you can tell, this is a live stream of my thoughts and what not. Currently I don't believe I have an entry that's like this - where I just type what I think right away without a second thought or care as to if it's of any good content. With me, I'm only backtracking for grammar, spelling, and punctuation, so this is quite interesting. As a writer, it's always a blessing when moments like this show up - it automatically cancels out any self-doubts we have for as long as it lasts, and at the same time we're just furiously writing so that we can look at it later and go "What the frak did I just write!?"

Oh, maaaaaaaaaan, is this Guinness tasty. I'm not sure if it's helping with this migraine (my headache evolved somehow - I wasn't even training it!), but you know what? I don't care! Maybe I should get a second bottle. Naaah - don't need it. Yet. When I'm watching Battlestar Galactica, maybe. Other than that, no. Don't need it. Don't need it.

Yep, I don't need it. Moving on somewhat (if you can call it "moving on").

Why I allowed myself to procrastinate this long is beyond me. I mean, there's no reason I could've just posted something before I went it to work -

Oh, wait. WORK. Yeah. After five straight days of vacationing, I went back to work. Now, most people who return to work from an awesome vacation seem to have a case of the "frak its," where the person in question just doesn't really care. They zombify themselves to the point where they're almost in autopilot, and their apathy levels skyrocket when it isn't necessary to care.

Not me. Apparently people were surprised that I was happy coming in to work. Mind you, they're surprised when I'm happy in the first place, but for me to be happy coming in from what sounded to be an awesome vacation? What the frak is that all about? It was a great day with only one downing moment (some lady confused me for a woman... *tears*) and work was busy enough and entertaining enough for me not to think about anything negative (minus the "Excuse me, Ma'am" moment). Maybe I'm just lucky, or maybe my morale and overall happiness is improving. Maybe this vacation is what I needed to get myself recharged and ready to fight this week. Maybe I'm just having a random happy moment which coincidentally coincided with the first day back on the job. I just don't know. I just don't frakking know.

And yes; I'm using "frak" a lot. It's partially because it's awesome and partially because to everyone else I'm not technically cursing. Of course, if I say "frak" to someone who knows Battlestar Galactica, then I have to be careful (especially if they get angered easily and believe that I just told 'em to frak off). It's also because I'm cursing like crazy and getting away with murder it at the same time. Insert evil laugh here. Muahahahaha.

Oh, maaaan. I'm starting to think I might just need that second Guinness - this one's going pretty fast. Normally I take my time and nurse my beer, and that's for a number of reasons.

1. I enjoy savoring flavor.
   I'm a bit of a food connoisseur. I enjoy things that taste good and will savor every moment I get to have that flavor make contact with my taste buds. The better it tastes, the more likely I'm going to sit there and be mesmerized with its flavor. Same goes with drinks, and by that extension: beer. Pardon the potential foodgasms that may be experienced by yours truly.
2. I like taking my time with my food.
   With exception to the times where I'm starving and haven't eaten anything yet, I'll take my time. Hey, you don't want to get all bloated and feel all sick afterwards, do you? No? Good - then let me take my frakking time. Plus, I'm probably exploiting Reason One listed above as well. *takes another sip*
3. I have yet to get my tolerance levels tested.
   Yeah. Hey, friends of mine! When the hell you going to "volunteer" me for this procedure?

I don't care if you say I'm a wuss for this or anything. I'll just list these reasons. Plus, it's a good beer, and I'm sure as hell not going to waste all the flavor by chugging it like some college fraternity/sorority barbarian. Yeah - I went there.

Man, what's with WinAmp? I put it on random and opened up my "working music" playlist, and the majority of the songs that it belted out were from Ocarina of Time. Don't get me wrong; it's a great game - but... really? On random? There's seventy-nine songs and pieces of music on this playlist, and only nine of them are from Ocarina's soundtrack. Huh.

And now WinAmp must've saw the draft of this entry - Shoji Meguro's "Iwato Dormitory" from the Persona 3 Original Soundtrack. Oh, well - can't complain.

PLEASE tell me this is one thousand words already. I want this live mind stream to end already!

---------- ---------- ----------

Holy crap. One thousand and twenty words all above this line here, excluding the Author's Note. Not bad for my first time just mindlessly typing anything that comes into mind, eh?

Well, I'm going to go ahead and warm up some pizza rolls and get myself another Guiness - Battlestar Galactica time! Frak, yeah! "But what about sleeping that migraine off, Josh?" Eh, I can do that some other time. That's Future Josh's problem. *smirks*

...

FRAK! Almost forgot the title! Uh... *looks at his blatant over-(mis)use of the Battlestar Galactica expletive and smirks evilly*