Being On The Cover

Ahh, at last, the countdown can truly begin as today I began my senior year. I can't say exactly that I was too excited as waking up before seven was not all that appealing following a nice summer which included plenty of sleeping in. But alas, most good things tend to end.
First class I had was not to bad as it was Art III with a new teacher by the name of Ms. Johnson. I think I'll probably like her but I'm sure it'll be an interesting semester, with me probably being difficult as usual.
My second class was Honors Physics with probably the happiest lady on Earth named Ms. Kennedy. For one, she just couldn't seem to stop talking, commonly with such unexplainable happy terms that made me smile and even chuckle, but I can't help but feel it wasn't with her, but a laugh at her. I don't understand how someone can be at this school for any period of time and be that happy, something must of cracked in her.
Now, this is the best part of my day, I had Guitar I third and from what the Mr. Sauber has said, and how he acts, the class is gonna be chill and good. Learning to play guitar is probably gonna be the best part of my day. Also what makes it better is the fact that I have lunch in the middle of the class, so food and fun, what could be more awesome.
This happens to be my guitar, its an all black Yamaha F335 and I'm gonna learn to play it.
Finally I ended the day with Ms. Rhodes in AP Government. While it won't be the same as APUSH was with Jones, I'm sure its gonna be just as crazy and good and even just as odd at times. It may be my hardest class, but I'm sure I'll love it too.
So I've taken one day down of what will be my last year in High School, and I can't help but say, there will be way to many more ahead.

The Greatest Four Months Ever

As of recently I've struggled somewhat to come up with something to post on this blog. It seems that during this summer, my journey towards the day I walk across the stage has come to a standstill yet the days move towards it. But this summer I've done many things yet it feels like I've yet to accomplish anything. Maybe I expected more from it at first, expected more time as well. But so far I can't really complain, my summer has been great and I wouldn't trade it for anything, but am I the only one to think that summer should be longer?
Well, today upon a period of time where I wasn't being truly productive other than trying to catch up with my blog reading, I went to the blog of Banks Lee who is on his own quest to ride the Harry Potter Ride at Universal Studios which requires a minimum of Three Clicks. But there I noticed a link which I had to click which lead to the Youtube page of Family Feud. I love the show and will on occasion watch with the purpose of trying to guess the answers myself. But on the page, the featured video was this.
Not gonna lie, not only was the fact it was the number two answer hilarious, but Steve Harvey is a hilarious man and this brought me back to the days when I would watch his sitcom when I was younger. When flashbacks come upon me, it only shows how far time has passed yet only being a tiny blimp on the spectrum of time.

Lazy Yet Motivated?

August 4, 2010: After picking up Kathleen and arriving at the Marina, I stowed my gear aboard the ODay 25. Afterwards Sarah arrived and we proceeded to discuss plans for the weekend. I was able to comprehend the charts with ease and figure out what the various markings meant. After doing so, the currently present crew and skipper drank what was left of two unopened bottles of both Coke and Sprite. Eventually both George and Katie made it to the marina and we sat in relative piece drinking. After Caroline dropped off her assigned food and Mrs. B arrived we shut down for the night and went to our berths, guys on Relaxation and girls on Freedom II.
August 5, 2010: Awoke around six, an hour earlier than what was planned. It was a tad difficult to sleep with the sun lighting the cabin. I quietly stowed my gear, and did so without disturbing anyone. I also grabbed my drawstring bag which already had my day clothes, toothbrush and a couple other items. My first order of business was to go to the bathroom, where I got changed. Without any need to return to the ODay, I sat on the steps of the finger pier and listened to my iPod as I felt I was in need of some pump up music. Was listening to an unsigned band by the name of I Love Monsters, got to say I was enjoying their sound. Simply spent the hour listening to my music and wondering what was going through Sarah's crazy mind as she ran up and down the docks. Around seven the anyone who wasn't already up was woken and soon afterward breakfast was served. I do enjoy the idea of Froot Loops with marshmallows. The day moved forward with us performing various tasks, with first going to the Church to grab what we felt we needed. Later, after lunch we went to West Marine to pick up some oil for the gasoline needed to fuel the ODay. While there, I bought a new Third Reef jacket and a pair of sailing gloves. I also got a sailing sticker for my car. After we got the sad news that Caroline wouldn't be joining us, we went out to dinner at Hawaiian BBQ. When exiting the weather was taking a turn for the worst. When we returned to the marina it began to rain. Sarah and I grabbed the purchased equipment and made our way to our slips which is when it began to pore down. Sarah and I made a run for it. We dropped the port-a-potty off in the Contest and everything else in the ODay, we were about to make a run back but Skipper arrived and we decided to hid out on the ODay where skipper installed the VHF radio properly. We listen to the NOAA forecast, and then skipper eventually returned to the parking lot. After a short wait, Seth returned and told us to grab our foul weather gear and go to the parking lot. With my new jacket on, which was amazing, we grabbed the large ice chest and placed it on the foredeck of the Contest. After the rain subsided even more, I proceeded to get change and head to my berth for sleep.
August 6, 2010: Once again I woke up early as I cannot seem to control my urge to be busy doing something. After getting changed I once again listened to my iPod. After a half an hour wait or so, everyone was woken got ready. Breakfast was to wait until after we got underway. As soon as we could we quickly left the slip. While leaving the marina, I quickly ate some breakfast and returned to the deck. We quickly raised the main sail after passing under the bridge. With Kathleen and I on Alpha watch, she took the helm while I manned the main sheet. Mr. Middlecoop and Seth took the Bravo watch. Eventually, after we passed Craney Island, we changed course and headed up the James River. Somewhere along the way we also raised the Genoa. While sailing up the James River, we passed over the Monitor-Merrimac Tunnel. Next came the James River Bridge which had a lift as a cargo ship escorted by two tugboats passed port to port at the same time under the bridge. Down the James the river died down extremely and we were slowly making way totally under engine power with the sun bearing down making for an excruciatingly annoying four to six hours. Eventually we made our approach to the Chickahominy which did in fact no longer have the swing bridge and was replaced by one with a 52 foot clearance. Along the river we took down both the Genoa and the Main as there was no wind. The power line across the river was not there either. After about two hours we made it into the marina and successfully tied up quickly. As the weather was not looking good, we decided to have our dinner out this night rather than Saturday. After dinner we spent sometime lounging about before heading off to sleep.
August 7, 2010: As the pool was not open till after ten, I once again woke up early and spent time sitting down, listening to my iPod before breakfast. After eating breakfast and cleaning up, the pool was the first order of business, for a couple hours we just played around enjoying ourselves until lunch time. After which, I somehow decided that sleeping might be a good idea as after waking up early for the last few days tired me out. Eventually I was woken, to which few words were said I and I went back to sleep. But after some time, unknown to me, I was forced a smoothie into my hand and told to drink. Unable to drink and sleep at the same time, I was woken and could not return to sleep. The next couple hours were just spent hanging around until dinner time as many others themselves, took naps. When dinner came, I took it upon myself to volunteer as grill master which I feel I completed successfully. After cleaning up, the pool once again became priority where we swam as the night darkened and the bikers came out to sing. After enjoying our post dinner show, we decided to pack in to play a game of Nautical trivia. With Mr. Middlecoop on my team, we dominated early answering almost every question given to us only to lose due to another teams pure luck. After this loss, I decided with good weather about, to sleep in the cockpit which was comfortable for me.
August 8, 2010: With another early start we headed out early. We set up just the main sail outside the Chickahominy as there was really only light wind once again but came to put up the Genoa afterwards. We continued this way making slightly faster headway than two days before. Along the way, the crew leader was feeling a tad under the weather so I took over the log duty and did just fine doing so. Just to make sure we had enough fuel, we took an approach to Rescue where we topped off and ate dinner at Capt Chuck-a-mucks as we were expected to arrive late and dinner time was upon us. After leaving the very shallow Pagan river with narrow channels, we put up just the main sail as heavy winds came down. When approaching the James River bridge, which was not up, our engine began to overheat due to a crack in the cooling system. We made haste an raised the Genoa to get full sail power and passed under the bridge. After traveling some length, the engine cooled a bit and Mr. Middlecoop was able to add some coolant so we could turn the engine back on. We proceed this way till past the Monitor-Merrimac and around Craney Island. But in the darkening night the GPS lost its signal and we were required to use all piloting skills available to keep us from running aground. But once again, the engine began to overheat and we had to rely upon sail power. Navigating the Western Branch with just sail power was no easy feat, and as we slowly made our way down the river, we eventually were able to turn the engine on for one last go. We eventually made it back to the marina after near the bridge, lowering both sails. Quickly docking, we made it back with less than an hour till midnight. Tired, we grabbed our gear and headed home.

Playing The Good Guy

As it seems the weather has made its turn, and its rain season. I do enjoy the rain, its got the destruction and life giving qualities that fire have, and is just as inspiring. Now all I can do is let it rain.

20 Things You More Than Likely Don't Know About Me

I wasn't actually gonna do this, because I just didn't feel like it. I suppose I first saw it on Christopher's Blog, The Chin Scratcher. It was all fine and dandy, as I did enjoy reading it. But then on one of my recent yet all to often Blogspot check ups, where I see if someone else posted anything, but without posting anything, I noticed something different. I had accrued an unexpected new follower. Thus began my foray into reading the words of the Sarcastic Spastic, who's name intrigues me. There upon lies, the cursed list. It taunted me, wanted me to do it, no one asked me to, but it just wanted me to do it. So, courtesy of the all powerful internet, I present my list of 20 Things You More Than Likely Don't Know About Me.
1)I want to profess, publicly, my love for cheese<3. Yes, I love cheese. In fact, cheese is the best thing that has ever happened to me. While to the general public, it may seem odd for me to say this, cheese is just totally amazing.
2)Now I want to reveal a few things about my blog. The first one is that for some reason, ever since my first blog post, I've failed to use any significant paragraph breaks or indentations, just ending paragraphs, wherever they end. If I recall correctly, when I first started my blog, I did it because it was easier for me.
3)For the most part, my blog title bares little relation to anything I do actually post. When it comes to coming up with the title, I usually pick a separate event of my day from that of which I'm posting. So in fact, it tells only a tidbit of another occurrence in my daily life.
4)I often wonder who actually reads these style of postings, because I feel that I can be the only one at times. Maybe the truly dedicated readers of blogs do it, because, hey, its someone who they enjoy reading, so read more about them.
5)This may seem random, but originally, I only chose Pepsi over Coca-Cola, because it was the underdog soda. Throughout my life, I've generally sided with the underdog, just because of that, its the one up against all odds and there is something to admire in that. I suppose it could be a representation of my desire to succeed, considering how in every field of any possible expertise, I would be just that, an underdog. Now, of course, I truly do enjoy Pepsi and believe it has a better taste than that of Coca-Cola.
6)When it comes down to non standard writing, typically related to the internet, where structure can be a bit more free form and general rules of writing do not have to apply, I pick up one bad habit while the rest of the time I still follow the rules, generally, and I just can't seem to stop it. I tend to use run on sentences with the over use of commas.
7)For the most part, when it comes to meeting a minimum length on any form of writing, I come up short. Mainly its because after I reach a certain point, I don't really care to continue, and the rest of the time its because I just run out of ideas. Which is why, as of right now, I'm stretching my mind for stuff you probably don't know about me.
8)One day I just want to get into my car and drive. The whole idea of driving without stopping appeals to me, just hitting the road and not turning back. But then I realize two problems, I'd have to pay for gas and eventually I would just get bored, driving without a destination. I need some more structure than that.
9)I don't consider myself a real artist, or photographer, or creative person of the sort. Half the time, I feel that what I do is more replication, as if my own ideas are not original. Maybe its just that what is my own idea, in some way is actually partially someone else's idea.
10)I don't have a problem with boy bands, as in fact, they aren't bad, especially when you consider that its about the music in essence, that its someone attempting to reach for fame and glory. I'm not talking about all male bands, but rather pop driven groups that focus on singing rather than instruments.
11)Another revelation about my blog, I have obtained an obsession with links. This one stems from my Design Web and Multimedia Technologies class where I learned how to use HTML. I suppose this is me bragging, about the fact that I know basic HTML. It probably is, because I can code links by myself, can you?
12)Alas, another revelation. The numbers that appear at the bottom of every blog post, next to labels, are in fact, my countdown. I thought it would be cool to attach that as this is my journey to graduation. But whats somewhat obsessive, I counted it down at the beginning, by hand.
13)Once again, back to the concept of underdog, and with everything against you. The number thirteen is my favorite number. Considering how it is typically noted as unlucky, I still find it my choice when having to pick a number.
14)I thoroughly enjoy widgets. What is a widget you may ask. A widget is a small program from a another site running on a site. Example, look this way ---->, on this side bar are simply put, some widgets I've collected. At the top is my Formspring Widget named My Mind Is Yours, where you can ask me questions which I typically answer in a timely fashion. Below it is Fish To The Future featuring six fish, one is black, which you can feed by clicking on the widget. And all the way at the bottom is Swim With Me featuring recent posts from my favorite swim website Swim Network. And lastly, all the way at the bottom of my blog is a playlist I put together quite a while back that has not been updated, but features good songs. It just seems that whenever I find a good widget, I can't help myself but add it.
15)I hate leaving my house without my iPod. Although my cellphone does have music on it and would normally suffice for my desperate moments in need a music, my iPod has a vast array of options which include playlist more fine tuned to certain moments, and in the end gives me a private edge that others are hard pressed to find.
16)I become very attached to my iPod during swim season. When it comes to bus rides on the way to meets, there are plenty of other people on the bus to talk to, to converse, shed my nerves, but I've rarely ever use that source. In fact, I used the rhythm and beat of my Prep The Swimmers playlist to keep that tension, bottle it up, in an attempt to let it burst, let me let it out in the water. In fact, I staged my special swim playlist, which no one else has heard, so that it would fit perfectly for the one swim meet we have that requires a long bus ride. I believe I may have had one song more than needed.
17)I work better late at night, when I'm all alone with just a desk lamp at my computer desk. I feel less interruptible, less distractions that cause me to get up. Even if I'm not being bothered while on the computer, I feel as if the house is baring down on me during the day, but at night, its my realm, I have all the freedom I need.
18)I enjoy covers, remixes, and mash-ups. Sometimes even more so than the original. Its one thing to come up with a song and be entirely original, have your own work laid out. But then it becomes another thing to take someone else's work and improve upon it, change it, and make it your own.
19)I've never really been good at sports, but I still love playing them. In my lifetime I've played baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, table tennis, swimming, flag football, ultimate frisbee, badminton and tennis. I guess thats why I like P.E., you don't have to be all that good.
20)I stole that last one from another attempt like this. Its something I tend to do even though its a bad habit of mine, to reuse my work. I've actually written several essays about how I started swimming competitively, with each time being a basic structure that I kept following, just updated.
And now, a sigh of relief. I have expended time on this post, spanning it out into three separate days. Never have I had to use so much will power to continue sometime I choose to do. Its all a journey that we choose to take.

Is Losing Count A Bad Thing?

Lets take it back, sometime in March 2009 I got swept into a facebook fad. Around this time the notes posted required those tagged to comply by refilling out the note with their information. The most interesting one required various stages that would lead a band album. Which is how the band Slought Foundation came to be.

After creating the one album cover, the idea laid dormant for about nine to ten months, when in Art II, we were required to create a final project using our various skills. I decided to go with computer and photography media. At first I came up with this:

But after apparant disapproval at the album name, I decided to return back to the basic photos I came up with and re-edited everything.


I decided I would at an extra photo, one of me helping upright a capsized boat. I think it looks pretty sweet.

815 left

Finally, it has begun. Last week I spent five days and four nights with less than 20 hours of sleep, using my time to sail. In no way am I complaining and in fact, I enjoyed the time spent on the water. But now I am back to my somewhat normal schedule, which is erratically sprayed with time at work and with friends.
But for a moment, lets talk world cup. The USA vs. Algeria match, which was to determine if the USA would move on was fate defying. With a victory needed, time slowly went on as the game remained scoreless, including a disallowed goal. Yet, it wasn't over, not until it was over. While at work, I passed an on television while grabbing my lunch. It, of course, was tuned to the USA vs. Algeria match. The time: Stoppage. There was only three minutes left when Donovan made the pass, which when in the box, was stopped by the keeper, but behold, there comes Donovan right behind the loose ball. A simple kick and the American dream was restored.
Sadly it did not last, in the match vs. Ghana, the USA was eliminated. What matters most is the fact that from the jaws of elimination, the USA was saved, when everyone was sure they would be gone, they came back.
As I was unable to watch several of the recent matches, because I was sailing, I kept myself posted, and am now rooting for Spain, with currently, this World Cup's Highest Scorer, David Villa. With their next match against Germany, I have faith that my Hispanic Brethren shall defeat the German National Team.
Now back to what has begun. Today, after a failure to launch yesterday, I have begun quest to prepare for the upcoming high school swim season. Which, actually, is in the winter. But that is not the point. What matters is that it is my last season in high school as I will be a senior, but I may not continue competing in college, there is the possibility that nothing will materialize in any level of competition. As of right now, I'm starting out slow, taking it easy, and come this winter, I plan to reach as high as I can, cause when you reach for the stars, you're sure to land in the clouds (That was extremely cliche, even for me).