December 8, 2006
My Christmas List
This is my christmas list...I'm not crazy enough to ask you readers for anything. This is for my mom so she can have links to go buy the stuff online.
All prices are with shipping unless noted. eBay items are with buy-it-now price for bidding-hassle free shopping and include search links in case item linked is sold).
Component to VGA Transcoder - $51.50 (ebay search here)
PS2 component cables - $6.62 (ebay search here)
Motorstorm for PS3 (Import from Japan) - $63.00
Mahjong Taikai IV (Import from Japan)- $53.00
Magic Switch + SMD Combo - $29.00 (last item at bottom of page)
Treo Headphone adapter - $6.28 (ebay search here)
Sony MDR-EX51 Headphones - $20.00 (ebay search here)
Mahjong Tile Set ~ $25.00 (Bid and win...buy it now too high) Preferred Acutions by ending date: 1, 2, 3, 4, ebay search here, Amazon $33 shipped
Total: $254.40-262.40
Posted by akijikan at 4:32 AM | TrackBack
June 14, 2006
Good News & Bad News
Well there's good news and bad news.
The bad news? I lost my job as a sushi chef. Apparently the GM bought half ownership in the place and his son and wife are going to work there. His son's a sushi chef and they were telling us that there would be staff reductions before the GM even did his thing, so when his son was added on as a sushi chef, well the greenest guy had to go so they could make room. That was me.
The good news? I found out I made it past the first cut for the scholarship to study photography and japanese in Japan for 3 years. This means I have to go to New Orleans in July to take tests on English, Math, and Japanese. While the Japanese test doesn't determine if you get the scholarship (only where your instruction would start) the English and Math test scores so help determine that. I know I have the English test in the bag, but I was looking at a sample of the math test...HOLY MOSES! In high school I finished all my math classes my sophomore year and never took another class, so I'm more than rusty, I'm flat out clueless. I guess I'm going to have to get my dad to show me some stuff there. I'm a good bit nervous.
Anyway, I'm excited about the scholarship, and disapointed about the job. Though I guess its nice I'll be able to go there as a customer now. And I did find another job really quick. I work at an eBay consignment shop in Ooltewah called Cyber Auctions.
That's the update folks. Later. Oh I also meant to add that I see a very distinct three-year era approaching Vol Football. Let it be known as "The Era of The Foster". You know it!
Posted by akijikan at 8:12 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
February 18, 2006
Pain of Pains
Rejection hurts. I know that and you know that, but I feel like I've got to get it out. And I know that I pride myself on not making entries that are "emo" or drama-related entries here, and I feel like I've done that because I've not had to make an entry every time I had a fight with my girlfriend or had a bad day and couldn't get my hair to do that...j/k...anyway, even though I'm not a fan of that kind of posting, this is important. This is a "life-changing event" for me, so I'm going to break my own rule on emotional posts, just to have it here (as a record, and hopefully a cathardic method).
When I say that rejection hurts. I'm not talking about asking this girl out and she says no rejection. I'm talking about someone you love very deeply rejecting from their life. My girlfriend (I mean ex...) is doing that now. And it is killing me on the inside. I've spent the last few days just crying now. I've got a great new job that I really like, but now I don't even want to think about working. It is my strength and then some to even get out of bed.
The worst thing though is this feeling. I don't know how to describe it. It's a mix of dispair, loneliness, worthlessness, anger, and many other horrible things, but what hits the hardest is the worthlessness. The facts that I don't really matter to her, and she's already over me and dating again (!) have me feeling like trash. It's so gut wrenching. Not only was she my closest friend but she was my only friend. The fact that I have no friends now stands clearly as evidence in the case that I am worthless.
We were together for about 2 1/2 years. But I know it was longer. It had to have been for me to feel the way I do know. I never thought that this heavy emotional pain could effect me so greatly that I am physically sore, but even as I type but limbs ache and my stomach is a stormy ocean.
The greatest irony in my writing this is that she suggested I talk to someone in order to help deal with it, but I told her I had no one to talk to. Yes I have parents and a councelor, but I really don't know how to talk to them about things like this. Odd that I can so easily write this here where any may see it.
The worst part is that I have no one to blame but myself. It's my mistakes that ruined this wonderful thing we had. I also thought that love can over come mistakes...how naive was I? I was taking it for granted.
I really really want to be high right now...
Posted by akijikan at 1:50 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
December 18, 2005
I Must Be Crazy (shopping this late?)
I did something you should never do. I went to the Mall a week before Christmas. Now this might not be a big deal to you, but here in Chattanooga, we have a commercial business district called "Hamilton Place" which is anchored by Hamilton Place Mall. It is the Chattanoogan Mecca of shopping and around the holidays, it is hell for traffic.
I remember one year there was a particular parking lot that I attempted to go through. If you're in the Chattanooga and you're interested, its the plaza that starts with Toys 'R' Us and ends with Michael's. Starting at one end of this row of shops, it took a little more than an hour to make it all the way to the other end. The distance? Probably about 1/10th of a mile. Amazing, no?
So I went to the mall today, despite my better judgement, and to my surprise it was easy going. No crowding, no traffic madness, just nice shopping. Yes I'm a guy, and yes I'm aware that guys stereotypically don't start their holiday shopping til the week before, but hey already did my shopping (that is I've already picked out what my parents should buy me).
I have a new favorite at Subway. Italian BMT with meat, cheese and jalapenos. Nothing else. All on a honey-oat bun, and toasted. Mmmmmmmm.
Oh, I am going to come up with a cleaner layout. This one just seems too busy. I'll probably lose the buttons, and most of the ads.
Posted by akijikan at 8:03 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
September 8, 2005
Gas Sign Seen in Chattanooga
Yeah, I photoshopped it...yeah I knew you knew. Because it sucks.
Posted by akijikan at 9:28 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
August 27, 2005
Job Searching and a prize
So priority number one for me today was finding a job, and while I didn't get a job today I did find several oppertunities.
I got applications from the following:
Firehouse Subs
Hibachi Factory
Panera Bread
Subway
Domino's
Jimmy John's
McAlister's Deli
I also got a phone number to call Monday for a starbucks that isn't completed yet. And I left my phone number with Gus' Good Times Deli.
Hindrances to my search:
the enterance/exit to the garage in which I was parked
Why would they close the garage? How is anyone in there supposed to access their vehicle and use it for anything? What if I had an emergency? I hope this isn't something they do on the weekends. Rediculous.
Finds:
I stoped at a store called "Cartridge World" to buy a black ink cartridge. I bought one for 18 bucks - 1 dollar student discount which I thought was reasonable. I also found out that next time if I bring my empty ink cartridge then they will refill it for half the price of the new one. Awesome! They also gave me a "Campus Trial Pack".
It promotes the Upcoming Direct-to-DVD Family Guy movie, Stewie Griffin, the Untold Story.
I think Brian is my favorite character from Family Gu.y
There were some useful things in the pack.
I've been wanting to try out the Schick Quattro razor.
The rest were advertisements
Posted by akijikan at 10:06 PM | TrackBack
April 7, 2005
Extremely Sorry
Sorry it's been a while since my last post, but that's the way it's been. I'm in deep trouble because I've ruined things and relationships through drugs.
My posting will be severely intermittent because I can only get on the computer outside of home.
I'm sorry to the people I've hurt, lied to, and repulsed.
Posted by akijikan at 4:23 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
February 14, 2005
Valentine's Day
Happy Valentines Day everyone! Yes really, a happy Valentine's Day. I got a really wonderful gift form my girlfriend. She made me a blanket! How awesome is that? It's so great, it's nice and warm and keeps me feeling loved! She also gave me lots of chocolate (all in the form of Reese's, of course).
I got her a .... well she hasn't recieved the package yet, so I don't want to say. I'll edit this post later when she's opened her package.
Hope yours is going well too!
Posted by akijikan at 2:40 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
February 8, 2005
Sick...bleh
I actually have a good reason (excuse?) for not posting since the 3rd. I've been sick this whole weekend. I kicked things off Saturday night because of a stomach bug. I had vomiting and diarrhea (at the same time!) and when that went away Sunday morning I got a fever with the worst body aches I've had in a while. Since that has worn off, I've incurred a throat and sinus infection.
Anyway, I'd thought I'd offer up something interesting with this post besides my maladies.
Simon (whose blog I would recommend as an excellent read) suggested that I explain my interest in Japan. I wish it were so easy. Where does this interest come from (I had originally stated "What makes me a japanophile" but after reading the wikipedia.org article for japanophile, I think the word is a negative one and would not use it on myself. I am also not an otaku. I prefer to consider my interest in Japan more intellectual.
First off, Reiko is almost right, but it is not my grandmother who is Japanese. My girlfriend's grandmother is Japanese. My interest in Japan was piqued when I met my girlfriend and her grandmother, but it was there before.
I'm not an anime or manga fanboy either. Rather, I'd say it comes from the way that Japanese culture, pop or otherwise, appears mysterious, but also some that I could understand (easily? yeah right). I don't know why things that are hard to describe are best described with contradictions. Maybe they aren't.
Anyway, I'm tired of trying to explain and that's probably the best I can do. Sorry it is hardly an explanation at all.
Posted by akijikan at 12:09 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
October 31, 2004
My first paycheck...and third ticket
So I got my first paycheck, but it's kinda small because I only had 6 and a half hours on it.
$29.10 after taxes baby!
Unfortunately, I also got my third ticket tonight. It was for running a stop-sign. The dumb thing about hamilton county tickets is that you have to call to find out the value. I'm not going to take this one in to court, not on my third violation.
oh no, first paycheck earned, first paycheck burned
What a day, What a day.
Posted by akijikan at 12:49 AM | TrackBack
October 25, 2004
Happy Birthday to Me
I'm 18!!Porn, Cigarettes, Voting, Bingo and the Lottery! Don't try and tell me life gets better baby!
;)
Posted by akijikan at 8:09 AM | TrackBack
October 21, 2004
Scary
So I'm going to be 18 in 4 days. That'll make me an "adult." That is, if being an adult means suddenly inundated with tons of paperwork. I'm hardly an adult.
I have a job. I'll be working for Bi-Lo. It's probably one of the typical first jobs. Grocery Store and Fast Food probably account for 60% of first jobs.
I wish I could have worked at the one on 58 instead of Ooltewah, so I could drive 3 miles instead of 15...oh well.
Posted by akijikan at 8:33 AM | TrackBack
October 15, 2004
Grandmother's House 13th & 14th
So this past Wednesday and Thursday I went up to Norris [google: norris, tn] , TN [maps.yahoo.com] to spend a couple of days by my grandparents. Besides love and the best cooked meals, we were also going to get plants from her backyard to take home and put in our yard. Her backyard is like a forest.
this woody and its still not the boonies
I recognized this to use the macro function on the camera to get a lot cool shots of plants and the like. There's a good few of those.
what is this
close up of the thing
the fungus among us
weird
her back yard's wooded area went further back until TVA cleared this area for their lines
some flowers
red-speckles on the leaf
red leaves
red buckeye
This next one is probably my favorite picture from this bunch. It's a macro of another red buckeye. I think it manages to capture texture, color, shadow, and everything a good photo has. I was proud of myself for this one.
good, eh?
After scouting some things out we went for the red maple [cnr.vt.edu], oak-leaf hydrangea [justgardeners.com], and holly [2020site.org].
tools of the transplanting trade
my dad managed to break this tool trying to lever a plant from underneath
a good garden hual
I dig it: trying my hand at up-rooting this holly tree
It was a really good time, I'm actually glad I went. Usually I'm bored at my grandparents' house, but this was fun. I should appreciate them more.
Posted by akijikan at 5:28 PM | TrackBack
September 9, 2004
Who am I?
First of all, I'd like to start off by saying, "How in the world are we already through the first four and half weeks of school?"
Hold on a sec.
Okay...now that we got that over with...
OH YEAH! I am getting 100's in all of my classes and a 101 in English as my progress report above shows.
It also shows that I'm brilliant. Mrs. Kilpatrick didn't know what she was doing to write that on my PR. J/K...I'm not letting that go to my head.
Band is still on there, but that should change very soon.
Posted by akijikan at 8:34 PM | TrackBack
September 3, 2004
Doing what I have to do
So yesterday I quit band. It's certainly general knowledge by now.
Everyone's main question is "Why?"
So I thought I would give it an answer.
Every year in band, its been a real struggle. I am willing to work my butt off every year. I want to be in a good band...what have done for all my time at central, is not a good band...it's not fun. Each year, I'd just tell myself, "The next year will be better." So my sophomore year comes around, and I get burned. Junior year, same thing. This year comes. I'm thinking this is it, I can tell. But yesterday during practice, it hit me. I could see it, we were already headed for another year like all the others.
At the moment, I had been given push-ups. Now there was nothing wrong with the push-ups and my section leader was in the right to give them to me. But as I was doing them, it hit me: This band is not even worth my push-ups. I realized that my hard work was just going to be met by disappointments.
I know you're thinking, "Get over yourself." I'm not as stuck-up as I sound...I'm just tired.
Posted by akijikan at 8:30 PM | TrackBack
July 25, 2004
Second time at St. John's
So I hoped to escape without injury this time around.
But no, I burned my finger. No pics this time though, it was pretty much a non-event. It hurt a while afterwards, but I didn't feel a thing this morning.
I did all the same things pretty much: desserts, salads, and "ohm-le-zays".
It wasn't hard, but it wasn't easy either. It was more rushed than the first time I worked there, but it was also just as enjoyable.
I know, I know.
I need to do another post with pictures. Don't worry, it'll come soon.
Posted by akijikan at 10:11 PM | TrackBack
July 17, 2004
My First Day in the Kitchen of St. John's Restaurant
Yesterday was fun, interesting, exciting, and painful, all rolled into one. Guess which one came first.
If you guessed pain than you are correct!
So I get there around four o'clock. They're not close to being open yet, its still prep time.
The first thing they have me do is roll up basil leaves and cut them into strips. Angel, the prep guy showing me the ropes, shows me how. I thought, "Okay, this is easy." So I set to work. First thing I do, I forget to roll my knuckles and the inevitable happens. I cut myself.
[edit: Pictures removed because free host would host "injury" pictures]
So I got bandaged and had to wear a latex glove on that hand. The head chef shows me how to roll my knuckles (which I actually already knew because of Alton Brown of Good Eats fame). I go back to cutting basil. I finish one roll, and show it to Angel. No, its too thick. So I try once more. This time the head chef sees it and says, "We can't use that, look, do it this way," showing me a fourth time. By this time, I'm so infuriated with myself and rather embarrassed. I mess up again. Angel sees this and he tells me to just slow down. I slow down. I'm doing it! YES! I HAVE CONQURED THE BASIL...ALL YOUR IRON CHEF ARE BELONG TO US! Oops...getting far ahead of myself there.
Next was chopping straw berries, that was easy. I was then made to pick mint from the stems. I had to pick only leaves that weren't torn, didn't have holes, and weren't to black. That was easy.
They then decided to annoy me. I had to strip leaves from lemon-thyme with out getting any stem. If you've ever had to do this, its very tedious. Not very hard, but annoying and time consuming. I did this till open.
While I was doing that, the head chef was meeting with the wait-staff behind me to discuss the day's menu. When he was done, he introduced me to the staff and had me regurgitate my plans for post-high-school education, that I had given to everyone there I'd already spoken to.
I was also able to recognize the waiter who waited on Christina (![[info]](http://img.greatestjournal.com/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
october_sky) and I. He also remembered me. The head chef said "Oh, you've dined here before? What did you have?" I said "The best foie gras I've ever had." It wasn't a lie, I just haven't had much foie gras. ;)
Once we opened, I had to make these things. I'll give the phonetic spelling, because its french and I don't know how to spell it (if you do, please comment and tell me). They were Ohm-lee-zays. They were delivered to the table one per person as a complimentary appetizer once the party had placed their order. Anyway, these involved taking smoked salmon mousse and putting that on toasted slices of baguette and topping with a peice of red onion and the lemon-thyme I had pulled. I banked a certain amount and kept that number up as the wait-staff would take them. Easy.
When I had spare time because there were enough Ohm-lee-zays, Angel would show me the desserts and salads. I quickly learned to do the dessert Christina and I had enjoyed when we were there. It consited of spread vanilla bean sauce on a plate and placing three slices of strawberries and a mint leaf, baking the molten chocolate cake, putting it on the plate, placing walnut [UPDATE - Christina reminds me, it was hazelnut], (maybe some other nut) brittle and sprinkling with confectioner's sugar. Again Easy.
Angel showed me the tomato salad. It consisted of 7 or 8 varieties of tomato arranged on a plate with salt, pepper, basil, and dressing with a small pastry placed in the fold of the cressent shape formed by the tomatos. He showed it to me a few times, but I never learned which tomatoes where and stuff.
I learned a few other deserts which I won'd bore you with description thereof. They were Banana-Split (very ornate and delicious looking, not your average banana split) Ice Cream, Fruit Ice Cream, Sorbet, Cream Brulee, and a chocolate Cannelloni. I have most of those down pat, some are iffy.
It was interesting learning from Angel because it was almost all demonstration. He was Mexican and had some english. He had more than all the other Mexicans, but there was still a language barrier.
The head chef was very nice and would show me little things and ask all sorts of questions, making conversation. I learned chefs do that a lot when they're cooking. It was interesting to listen to their conversations.
Everyone was very patient with me and my mistakes. I'm so glad for that.
I met a guy who was actually working in the other St. John's restaurant, St. John's Meeting place. Its not as high end as St. John's Restaurant, but its still nice. The kitchens of the two places are connected. Anyway, he started by doing the same thing two years ago that I'm doing now. I thought that was cool and it re-affirmed my feelings about doing this.
Just being in a kitchen, part of a team, was so exciting. I could tell this is really what I want to go. I had so much fun last night and it was great. I look forward to next time.
Posted by akijikan at 5:12 PM | TrackBack
The Darkness
Today was my first day in the kitchen at St. John's
I loved it.
My feet didn't.
More later.
Posted by akijikan at 12:26 AM | TrackBack
July 14, 2004
5-31-04 Storm Proves Destructive and Costly
Starting with this entry, from now on, all my pictures on here will be linked to the full-size versions in my greatestjournal gallery. Be careful you dial-up loasters! Each full-size photo runs about 0.85 megs a peice. Click with care.
These are not of the recent 7-13-04 night storm, These are from 5-31-04
I'm getting out old pictures again for an update. I remember this storm did almost nothing by me, but its amazing what it did everywhere else, as you'll see from these photos.
I'll apologize for the quality ahead of time, I shot all these from a moving vehicle, through a window. You'll see a little blurriness and some reflections, but just relax.
I'll also apologize because this entry is [scottish accent] FREAKIN' HUGE [/scottish accent]
on the right side you can see some twisted metal, that was a billboard
look at the size of that mother...fatter than my thighs!
these were a tree, but they've been processed -- I remember having to do that when our trees fell in a storm
the storm had no regard for local government property such as that reflective barrier
it also obviously had no regard for nature either
hey -- it even had no regard for Hardee's
again, lack or regard is being shown, in this case for powerlines
a whole tree
this tree is really big around...that takes really strong "straight-line" winds
As you can see it was a very destructive storm with strong "straight-line" winds that actually gusted at 90 mph. Some people said they saw a tornado but one was never officially recorded.
Posted by akijikan at 7:14 PM | TrackBack
July 13, 2004
Jumping Jack Flash
One other thing...
I think I am about completely recovered from my surgery
It only hurts when I yawn.
Now what to do with all this leftover hydrocodone syrup?
Posted by akijikan at 8:28 PM | TrackBack
May 26, 2004
WHAT? A QUIZ? PLEASE...
I Don't like these, but I'm tired enough to do one...this is the ONLY TIME!
FIRSTS
First best friend: Lester, 2nd Grade Friend
First real kiss: I ono....sry
First break-up: I ono again...
First screen name: [[REDACTED]]
First self purchased album: wow...I probably farted on it and laughed because it was probably lame
First funeral: My Great Grandfather's?
First pets: kitty named I ono
First piercing/tattoo: like I'm that "on the scene"
First true love: Christina
First enemy: some stupid elementry school kid I can't remember
First big trip: flying to tennessee I think
First music you remember hearing in your house: theme to Iron Chef
LASTS
Last cigarette: I'm so not "on the scene" enough for this either
Last car ride: driving home from Buffalo Wild Wings
Last kiss: my beautiful 'Stina
Last good cry: When I Failed my girlfriend yesterday
Last library book checked out: I haven't checked out a library book...I usually buy what I read
Last movie seen: Blade Runner, director's cut
Last beverage drank: half lemonade, half sprite
Last food consumed: Chocolate Toffee Bars
Last crush: 'Stina
Last phone call: 'Stina
Last time showered: this morning, I was getting near my 4 or 5 day limit ;)
Last shoes worn: My Pumas of course
Last item bought: Lighter
Last annoyance: my dad
Last time wanting to die: I can't remember, my honey makes me forget th bad things
r e l a t i o n s h i p s
01. who are your best friends? 'Stina and Sam
02. do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend? the love of my life, 'Stina
f a s h i o n | s t u f f
01. where is your favorite place to shop? thrift store
02. any tattoos or piercings? I lack the "scene points" here
s p e c i f i c s
01. what kind of shampoo do you use? Suave - Green Apple
02. what are you most scared of? heights or buhgs
03. what are you listening to right now? Computer Fan
04. where do you want to get married? In a grove of trees
05. how many buddies are online right now? I'm on my 'Stina only S/N, so 1
06. what would you change about yourself? Try Harder at stuff
f a v o u r i t e s
01. color: Yellow
02. food: Japanese
03. boys' names: I Ono
04. girls' names: Cadence
05. subjects in school: Band, Lunch
06. animals: Cats?
07. sports: Drum and Bugle Corps International
08. perfume: WTFOMGBBQ
h a v e | y o u | e v e r
01. given anyone a bath? no
02. bungee jumped? no
03. made yourself throw up? to leave class
04. skinny dipped? no
05: ever been in love? righ now
06. made yourself cry to get out of trouble? maybe when I was little
07. pictured your crush naked? Yes, but I'm a guy...I'm beginning to think this quiz is geared toward ladies
08. actually seen your crush naked? Hehe, yes.
09. cried when someone died? Of course I have
10. lied? We all have of course
11. fallen for your best friend? 'Stina is my best friend
12. been rejected? Yeah
13. rejected someone? Yeah
14. used someone? no
15. done something you regret? yeah
c u r r e n t
clothes: Noris Day Shit, Old Naver Jeans
music: My Fist - Songs that will PWN your face...lol...j/k...none righ now
make-up: uh
annoyance: the distance between here and my g/f
smell: none...I can't smell
favorite artist: Mister Grits
desktop picture: Sunset shot by my dad
book you're reading: Leonard Nemoy
cd in player: "The thing that floyd ate" Fat Wreck Chords Sampler, Best Of Cream, and My baby's valentine mix for me (yeah, its a three-way_
dvd in player: erm...I just took out my sister's Shrek 3-D DVD, and its empty righ now
color of toenails: natural
l a s t | p e r s o n
you touched: dad
hugged: dad
you imed: 'Stina
you kissed: 'Stina
Posted by akijikan at 1:22 AM | TrackBack