Lumber Co.

Finally, I've made some real progress. I've gained the ambition I've needed for such a long. I tend to eventually find what I want to create but even then, just that process can consume a lot of time. But when I know what I want, just trying to start takes some willpower which I can never seem to muster. In the end, I've wasted a lot of time and my end product can seem rushed and I end up noticing what I want to change but can't.
I'm talking about my artwork. People say its good but I don't always agree, I know people tend to judge themselves much harsher, but maybe I'm right and they're wrong.




Originally, the assignment was to create a piece, either 2D or 3D, which a Cubist intention. I decided to make a sculpture, and wanted to use cardboard and duct-tape with paper clips for support. I chose to make the theme/subject matter be Fire and Water. With that I created a a simple flame image with cut cardboard covered in red duct-tape. From there I arranged into a sort of centerpiece that made a 3D fire. And then I wanted the piece to be moving somehow for water so I created a water feature which acts sort of as a water fall. From the top, if water is pored it will flow down to the bottom through a path and then into a hole in the box that removes the water. Depending on the rate at which water is added it will not spill over, but if it does, the duct-tape covers the cardboard preventing damage. From that, I've finally finished a piece early, six days before its due date.

Gone Shootin' With Cheese

Alas, it seems I've been to distracted in these last couple of weeks and have neglected to post anything. But I return bearing some good news.
The weekend before last, I made my way down to North Carolina to partake in the weekends event, Davy Jone's Rendezvous at Charles T. Hagan Sea Scout Base. Participating in several events, I did place third in the oddly named Rubber Ducky Regatta, an interesting race to say the least. Of course, I had plenty fun with friends and made some new ones along the way.

I even took part in some canoeing with my friend George, who even has a new blog, The Plastic Camera.
Moving on the weekend past, in which I took part in a YMCA swim meet. I returned to my roots of swimming the 200 IM and 50 Free sophomore year but still did my past year's favorite, the 100 Fly. Alongside these events, I was the flyer for the 200 Mixed Medley Relay and First off for the 200 free relay in my age group. In truth, there were only other competitors in the 200 Mixed Medley Relay and 50 Free which means in my other three I took first automatically.
But on to the real competition, with my first event, the Mixed Medlay relay. Alex, the man of backstroke for my high school team took an early lead, giving some good ground. Next Kendall gained more ground on our opposing relay team. I was up next, but what bothered me at the moment was that I was told, Nick, the other team's flyer was supposed to be really good, but when it came down to it, he failed to gain any ground on me and I may have even stretched the lead further. Finally Rebecca, the "rocket" finished with an extreme lead and we definitely won the race.
My next event turned out to be the 50 free, where I'd be swimming against Nick again, and Alex who I know to actually be fast even in this event. At the start Alex had a bare lead over Nick and then me. But at the wall Alex took an amazing turn but Nick surfaced faster than I, leaving Alex to lose his lead. It was mainly between Nick and I barely in front of Alex. But I wasn't even pushing as hard as I could, reaching midway, I picked up my kick and arm speed stretching through past the flags and into the wall without a breath taken. I had barely beat Nick, but in all honestly I never even took a look at Alex during the second half of the fifty. I had no idea when he finished, and he didn't know who was faster, because he wasn't looking himself and in the end after comparing times, I held a 29s finish and he had 31s.
Now, somewhere in the mix of the past couple weeks I knocked another item off my list and forgot to tell the world.

For my guitar class we were to write a song about Biology, and I'll admit, mine was not that great but it was sufficient. As I need to find the lyrics, I'll post it then, including chords for those of you that care to try it out, but I remind you, its not that good.
And more news, I've decided I shall work towards playing Be My Escape by Relient K, and hopefully by the end of this month I should hopefully be able to play it. Now it seems the days are really counting down, I'm a whole lot closer to graduation.

Time Goes By, and Cheese Only Gets Better

Alas, I've come across another item to cross of my list, a good way to hit off my senior year. As typical of my Mondays, I had sailing practice which turned out to be pretty awesome.
So it all started off with Natalie, the team captain, not feeling to well, so she missed practice. This left open a boat, as there were only four dedicated skippers, I took the chance to step up and get some practice skippering.
Little did I know I would get stuck with the evil redhead known as Meghan Grumbling. I can honestly say, I was not excited about sailing with her. But through some apparent trading, I received Ollie(possibly the best sailor on the team)'s Crew Aaron, a fellow senior.
Since he had more experience with sailing, he took the skipper's position while I became his crew. Although tad disappointed, it was ok, we had fun just arguing and having random bouts of horrible start practicing with the light wind.
Eventually, I told him to let me skipper and he obliged, he was getting tired of just doing starts. Little did he know, the next start was actually gonna be a race. Since he had not much option, he was forced to crew my race which started off with us in second place.
But do to Ollie's great skills, he was able to come off a bad start and became second to the mark. With that he was able to force Caitlin off course slowing them both down, giving us the chance to gain some ground.
Here is where the tables turned, still in third place we had covered a lot of ground at the mark and were heading down wind as well as Caitlin and Ollie. We placed our sails as best as possible leaning all the way, near to the point of capsize, slowly going with the light wind.
Somehow though, we were gaining ground. With both of us in the front of the boat, pretty much on top of each other were speeding up. It was to the point were my arm was stretched back all the way holding the tiller extension, straining my shoulder.
Even through our good fortune we had some bad news. We were baring down on the finish line, actually taking the lead pretty close to it when the current became a problem. We were heading straight for the mark, or even outside the finish line. Trying to turn the boat with an already extended tiller arm, was painful. But in the end, we pulled of a close win, and even crossing the finish line, Aaron fell backwards into the back of the boat do to all the strain.
And in the end, thats how I won a boating race.

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.