Castle Shima

Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
-- Howard Thurman

Word of caution: I'm in one of those wierd moods again. Granted, that isn't any different from any other day, right? But consider yourself warned.

Speaking of moods, I had been in a decent mood these past few days. Soccer has been great with all the cool weather and everyone has actually been coming out to practice. The cycling training is going pretty well despite my injuries (aka old age). My cousin married her long time boyfriend so things had been busy with family, especially with the ones from out of town.

Then the news came out that cyclist Wouter Weylandt died during today's stage race of the Giro D' Italia (Tour of Italy). Upon reading the articles, all that good feeling just slowly drained away.

I didn't know anything about the man until today. At 26, I saw someone that didn't get to finish what he started. Weylandt got to be a professional athlete, a cyclist, doing a job that he loved. He was making a name for himself in the field. He and his girlfriend have their first child due in Sept.

And just like that, done.

I'm not totally sure why it bothered me so much. I would guess it made me reflect on my own mortality. This kid, practically half my age, has done more than I could ever dream of accomplishing.

But I suppose if I actually took stock of the things, it's not as bad as I think it is. After all, I'm surrounded by friends and family that care about my well being. I have a decent job that, as much as I grouse, I do actually like it, especially since it pays for all my hobbies and habits. I may not be a rock star or a professional athlete, but I don't do too bad.

The world will miss Weylandt, but I think that he will inspire others. Perhaps they will go on and do something with their lives to make the world take notice. Perhaps he's already inspired me to do more.

Keep going forward, push with every bit of ourselves. Else why even bother?

If I Ever Leave This World Alive by Flogging Molly

There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded
-- Princess Diana

So today was the royal wedding between Prince William and Catherine Middleton. We have been practically flooded with the nuptials for the past week, almost to the point of drowning. How these two met, the courtship, the friends around the couple, who was going to wear what, what colors relevant, the pomp and circumstance. Even now, BBC America has been playing the prologue and the event all day.

And as tiring as this can be, is it really a bad thing?

After all, how many modern fairy tales are there in today's world? Perhaps seeing a young couple in love can be such a better sight to see as opposed to all the grim stories that surround us all the time.

Maybe this young couple can become an example for hope in the future, much like Charles and Diana did so many years ago with their storybook wedding. Of course that was before old big ears mucked up the entire thing, but that is another story for another time.

Perhaps I'm being too much of a romantic once more, but storybook romances still can touch a heart or two. Or even a few million.

BBC America played this song at the end of their telecast, ironically exemplified by another storybook romance, Stardust.

Rule The World by Take That


Right, that's enough of that mushy stuff. And now for something completely different...

For those who fight for it, life has a flavor the sheltered will never know.
-- The Wise Man from Sucker Punch

Life has been extremely busy for everyone the past few weeks. The catastrophe in Japan, office work, playing soccer, dealing with my injuries, dealing with my allergies, cycle training.

Of course, these have been my complaints for just about forever. As much as I complain, I really do have some time to relax and enoy things.

Training for this year's two Tours has been going on, albeit abit slowly. Its soccer season so I've been able to play a favorite game with all of my friends.

Speaking of games, Sims: Medieval and Dragon Age II are on the hard drive and giving me a chance to kindly drive a sword into somebody's gullet. The bastards deserve it... Heh...

I've been fortunate enough to watch Battle: Los Angeles and Sucker Punch, both of which were quite excellent.

Come to think of it, I'm still pretty much on the Sucker Punch high, as if you couldn't tell.


So maybe I really shouldn't be complaining so much. Just stop the nagging, kick back, and enjoy the sights and sounds...

Panic Switch by Silversun Pickups

This is Patches O'Houlihan saying: Take care of your balls and they'll take care of you.
-- Patches from Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story

I've been neglecting this place again. I hate that. But then again, since its been January and Feburary, my annual back injury was due. The wierd part was I wasnt even doing anything.

There was I was just laying there in bed on a Sunday morning and thinking "My back feels wierd. It kind of hurts..." Then there was the lower back pain, the leg muscles constantly flexing, and the severe limp.

So its been weeks of semi-rest, getting a primary physician, seeing a chiro, receiving massage therapy, and taking anti-inflammatories. Lots of drugs.

With my spine starting to show signs of arthritis and compression, under the advise of both doctors, I even had to break down and get a real bed.

Me! With a bed! I haven't owned a real bed in years. Its not like I couldnt afford one. Its just that I never really wanted one. I didnt see the need since I was rarely in it. Now, here I am with a pretty decent Tempurpediac. Heck, even the frame was easy to get, which surprised the hell out of me.


Then came the next part from my doctors. When I play sports, I have to start wearing an athletic supporter. As in a cup. A testicular cup.

I simply can not take any more hits to my lower abdominal region due to the damage it was doing to my lower back, not to mention my kidneys, as well as my genitals. Its not like I was really using those anyway.

Me! With a cup! I haven't owned a cup in years. Its been over a decade, back when it was required for the martial arts tournaments.

Even back then, I hated wearing those things. They always make you look like you are walking around with a constant bulge in your pants. Granted, thats no different than my regular days, but nevermind that.

Its just that whenever I wore a cup, I looked like a bigger pervert than I really am. Granted, I am abit of a pervert, but nevermind that.

I hadn't realized how much of this stuff had changed over the years. There are different styles, materials, colors, and sizes. So of course, ego dictated that I had to find the largest cup possible. After all, there was plenty to protect if I say so myself.

Needless to say, my ego took a hit when the sales clerk took a look at me, then pointed me over to the youth sizes, noting that I would find the small ones over by the toddler items.

Bloody hell. What did she know about it anyway?

Suffice to say, I can finally protect the lads the way they should be protected. There is a science to this.



Now if I can just figure out how to get this damn support thing over me soccer shorts without looking like a total prat...

But those who once called us heroes have forgotten. We are few now and our warnings have been ignored for too long. It may even be too late, for I have seen with my own eyes what lies upon the horizon.
--Alistair from Dragon Age: Origins

Now that the new year has started, ask yourself: Are we ready for change?

Then again, can we change? Or will we continue doing what we have been doing before? It always seems like we as a humans tend to repeat the same mistakes over and over again. Its as if we haven't learned yet.

But this is the fresh start. Change always comes slowly, painfully. Its what we see in the future and what drives us to our goals.

So maybe the real question is: Do you know what you want?

All I Want By A Day To Remember


Guess we'll see how things progress as time goes by...

Alyssa: Looks like a very personal story.
Holden: I finally had something personal to say.
-- from Chasing Amy

Finally, a new entry. I haven't kept up with the blog as much as I really wanted. Then again, I really haven't had much to say.

I mean life has been hectic and it just felt as things were so out of control. It has been such a maddening pace. The end of year is alway crazy, especially with the office, but this year it was just beyond belief.

I was even accused of being a hermit. Again. But I've always been a hermit I suppose. I cause less damage that way.

Then after awhile, it dawned on me that one of the reasons I didn't write anything after all this time was the fact that I didn't have anything to say. I mean if you really want to hear the doldrums of work, I've got plenty of stories there, but it's not the same thing. It simply wasn't... meaningful...

So why now? Why bother? I'm absolutely rubbish when it comes to even attempting to be serious for a moment.

Its the end of the year. Time to look back and then look forward. To change things in your life and in the lives of others. There is always so much promise at new year's and the hope that things will be different. I guess that is the purpose of the new year's resolution.

But I don't do resolutions. I make vain attempts at being somewhat a better person. And even then, that isn't quite the right thing either.

I was once told that I'm way too nice; too kind. Perhaps that is true. It's felt like that as of late.

So that will be my vain attempt I think. To be abit more unkind and not so nice. Maybe even do anger abit more because I really can do that well. I'm really good at anger.

I have absolutely no idea if this will really make me a better person. We'll see how it goes especially since its rare for people to keep their resolutions anyway. Or in this case, their vain attempt.

Will I keep mine? Will you?

The moment is upon us. It's coming.

Are you ready?

Closer To The Edge by 30 Seconds To Mars

The soul is born old but grows young. That is the comedy of life. And the body is born young and grows old. That is life's tragedy.
-- Oscar Wilde

Time flies doesn't it? I hadn't even realized how long it had been since I've updated the blog. Hell, I barely recall what I did at the beginning of the year and its already December.

Things have gone by so fast it seems so unreal. The next thing you know I will start playing soccer and act like I'm 20 again.

Ok, that is a given. Perhaps its more to the fact that I refuse to grow up. I'm still a big kid, but with expensive toys and the wierd family. Just like John Leguizamo...



Ok, maybe my family isn't *that* wierd. Or maybe they are and I just don't see it.