Sandon't

Ok... so remember that beautiful metaphor about how the omelet was my grading? Well... it went just like that. I went in, did my best, was ready for the flip, and got scrambled.

Alright, now that the suspense is out of the way, lets start from the beginning. So, I ate my omelet, and left for the airport. I only got lost once and eventually made my way there more or less without incident. As per usual, my flight was delayed and left me sitting in the airport for a while. It was not a big deal. On the plane, off the plane, into the red car, and at the University.

At the time I could not find anyone I knew, and the first training session had already started, so I began my wonderful weekend with a trip to one of my favourite places: the University of Guelph's Arboretum. The arboretum must be as large as the University itself, and if I have learned anything it is that when I grow up, I would love to have one...

Travelling in the Arboretum... Alexander Style

Lost in a Swamp

No Bugs in the Swamp

Haunted!!!

Eventually I made it out of the arboretum and found one of our crew. We went out for supper and on our return found another of our comrades. Almost complete we took that evening off like a certain calm before the storm. We sat on the patio and enjoyed some Cuban delicacies. It was a great night that would lead into a great weekend, mind you, we were all super nervous, so it was extra good that we relaxed.

The training started the next morning. We got there early to warm up, and when the training started we jumped right in. There were more people at the seminar than I have ever seen and we had to be extremely cautious. After all, when training with swords in close quarters it is a recipe for disaster. There were a number of Sensei there from Japan, and we were very privileged to have them pass their knowledge to us.

Since we were grading with the sword we spent most of our time preparing for that. We did take some time to go and practice with the staff though. I was very nervous for my tests in the beginning, but I am not sure why now that I look back. The more training the better I felt. After a the first day I was no longer concerned. I felt confident that I would pass, and on the off chance that I would fail, well... that didn't seem to concern me any longer.

We went to the annual supper and fundraiser auction where I was able to acquire a piece of art that I have had my eyes on since the first time I went to the Guelph Seminar in 2005. It was not the exact piece, but similar enough. We were also very lucky to have front row seats to a very special performance. Taylor Sensei's daughter plays the violin, and since people always hear about it they wanted to hear her. She came before the Sensei table (directly beside ours) and played. I have seen violinists play professionally, but I have never been within arms reach! It was amazing. I do not think that everyone in the crowd appreciated the magnitude of her performance in skill and quality of the music, but I definitely did. I congratulated her on a spellbinding performance then, but I will write it again. Congratulations and thank you, it will be a night to always remember.

After I had what I came for we bailed out of the auction and called 'er a night.

Another day of hard training, and my fears of failure vanished completely. I was fully absorbed in what I was trying to do, and in trying to do what the Sensei instructed. We all worked hard and by the end of the day we were starting to wear out. Blisters were popped, bruises were dark and swollen, and our kneepads had ground up the backs of our knees. When the day was over I think we were all grateful for a rest. We put down our weapons and then the crew from the Ka Muso Kai went to McDonald's for a traditional pre-grading feast. The myth is that eating McDonald's the night before a grading will help pass... however... eating McDonald's immediately before a tournament will result in disaster.

Bellies full of McDonald's we retired.

The grading was the following morning. I was in one of the last rounds of grading so I had a long time to wait. I warmed up. I memorized what techniques I had to do. And, I just sat around waiting. Eventually my time came. They brought everyone going for Sandan into the grading room and had us wait. A few minutes passed and they called us to the line.

When the judges called "hajime" (start) we all moved into action. I only remember bits and pieces, but what I do remember is that I felt like my performance was one of the best I have ever done. My training was paying off and when I walked out of that room I was an omelet ready to be flipped. From my perspective I was near perfect.

After that we had to do our other gradings with the staff, and in a jumble we did that.

Gradings done we waited for the results. It did not take long when the results appeared. I looked to the sheet for Sandan and noticed that my number was not posted. I did not pass. Actually, of the five of us, only two passed. At this point I expected to feel crushed and broken like I used to when my team was defeated in soccer. I did not feel it. I was waiting and waiting, but all I felt was calmness.

I did not pass... so what? I did my best. I did all I could. What I brought to the grading was not exactly what the judges were looking for, but in stepping before the judges I agreed to be judged. I agreed to have them watch me and to point out any flaw. I agreed that even though I could feel like my performance was perfect, that I lack perspective, and that a panel of judges is a whole lotta that.

Uncrushed, the world did not stop. On the contrary, it kept spinning. The results came in for the Jodo grading, which we all passed, and immediately my brain jumped to planning mode. Looks like I get a vacation in December, I thought. I can come back do my next Jodo grading and try again for Sandan! Sounds good.

That was the end of it.

I am still half expecting me to wake up and be crushed by my failure, but more and more I think that I have grown to a point where I can accept it as is. So... Instead of ruminating on my failure it is time for me to start planning...

What's next...

Didn't Pass

p.s. A new album is up for my Arboretum Photos... Amazing!

The Omelet that Could have Been

Today I fly to Ontario to attend the Sei Do Kai's Annual May Long Weekend Iaido and Jodo Seminar. I was getting ready to go when I found my flight left an hour later than I thought this was a great opportunity for me to make some real breakfast.

I got the toast. I got the ham and cheese. And, I got the eggs. Toast was cooking, ham sliced, cheese grated, and the eggs were cooking in a fine flat that was nearly done and ready for flipping. Everything sounds great so far. I had the recovery tools at hand and was about to proceed with my flip...

This weekend will be an opportunity full of learning. It will give me a chance to show off what I can do, and hopefully pass the tests I am challenging. This weekend will be very stressful. Very.

The omelet was in the air, and then kaplah! into a pile on my pan. I tried to get in with the recovery tools but it was too late. Irrevocably scrambled.

A metaphor perhaps? Hmm... well, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade... or more accurately... when live gives you a beautiful pre-omelet in a pile... make scrambled eggs.

That being said. I will go to Guelph. I will take the tests. I hope to pass... but no matter what happens... I will do my best... and... I will be full... if that makes sense...

Sure... my eggs are not as I planned... but as worthwhile as ever...

First Week

Home for the next 10 Weeks

I am tired.

I think it will take a little while to adjust to my new life. For months and months I have been going to class until 10 pm and now, I need to be asleep by 10 pm. Hopefully it does not take too long to adjust. I will fill you in on the details later, but I have started my internship at New Brunswick Southern Railway. Other than getting used to the schedule everything seems to be alright.

I am more concerned about this weekend however. It is time for the May Iaido Seminar in Guelph, Ontario, and it so happens that I am going. It also so happens that I have two martial arts tests while I am there. I am not too concerned about one, but for the other I am quite concerned. I have not had as much practice time with my sword as I would like, since the University would not let me use it on campus (shocking, I know). Anyways, I will go to Guelph and do my best. Worst case scenario I will have an excuse to go to Guelph again in December... though... let's hope that remains optional.

Also, I really need to take Jerusalem to the car doctor. I don't know what is wrong but when I am trying to maintain a certain speed (where the car only needs little bits of gas at a time) it is a bumpy ride. I don't think it is major, but it kinda makes me sick... Hopefully I can figure out a time to go to the mechanic soon...ish...

Out the back Door

Lobsta Season!

I wasn't gonna, but I couldn't resist. I wanted to wait to get down to the pound where they are a little cheaper, but at $4.99/lb at Sobey's I couldn't resist. I picked out two off the largest small ones and took them home.

I would say more but I think my footage explains it all... Oh yes... I have noticed I have an issue with cutting off the last sentence in my movies... also... I have learned that it is actually very challenging to cook and film lobsters without personal injury. I remain uninjured, but my film is... well... oh well... you'll see...

Enjoy.

I did.

Gone Swimmin'

Hee Hee Hee, Haw Haw Haw

Neologistic Malapropist

Now, some of you who have been reading this for a while might have noticed that I have an interesting tendency to use words that may or may not be words, or, that may or may not be words yet. In this case some would think that the little red squiggle line underneath the words as I write them would mean something, but no!, the red squiggly is not truth, but a hindrance upon the utmost of my creativity.

And so. I fear not the use of neologisms or of being a malapropism, language is a tool that I use, and being a craftsman, I am not a slave. Did anyone tell Leonardo not to mix yellow and blue to make green? Nay!!!

They said mix away...

For a quick lesson on neologisms and malapropisms and how not to use them from xkcd:

Presentation Day...

Another term is done and with the end of another term comes another round of presentations. I am soo ready for these presentations. Two done... two to go...

If I don't look Il Divo I don't know who does!

p.s. Doesn't that one eye just stare into your soul?

Internship

It is settled. I have not sent in the contract, but I have given my word, and the contract is to follow. For two months I will be working for the New Brunswick Southern Railroad. It is a short line road connecting New Brunswick to the Northeastern corner of the United States (http://www.nbsouthern.com/).

Today I was given the grand tour of the office, which is located about the locomotive repair shop, as well as the yard, and some of the lines under repair. I was able to see a gang replacing track, doing everything from pulling out the old rail and spikes, to putting in the new.

Atlas Shrugged, here I come. I am very excited, I only hope that Jerusalem is fixed soon, since finding a bus route to the rail yard seems... complicated...

Lost in Jerusalem

Before we get started, let's not get too excited here... Jerusalem is the name of my car, and lost... well... that is the state of my life.

There are certain freedoms in having a car, and those freedoms include the ability to get to McAllister mall in less than the 40 minutes, as the bus would so desire. Another such freedom is to get lost at will. Now, everyone here seems to think that Saint John is a very large city, there is an urban sprawl issue, but even then, it really only takes 5-10 minutes to get anywhere. This is in contrast to Calgary where you are looking at 20-30.

So... on our way to McAllister Mall we took a wrong turn (I blame the shoddy directions) and then looped back through Uptown (Downtown) and found our way again. Across the causeway... lost... lost... FOUND! And then to the mall. This adventure took something like 17 minutes.

We made it to Canadian Tire, which was our main goal, and bought windshield wiper blades for Jerusalem. Having only one key I thought it fit to get another made, so we went to the key cutter only to find that the newer machines cannot cut some older keys. The pointed us in the right direction to find another key cutter person, which later we did, with moderate success I might add.

Wipers bought. Keys got. We then realized that we were running out of time to get to Superstore and then home and then to the networking dinner that we were supposed to be at. We went to a Superstore I had not been to before, but I was told that it was like a Superstore in Calgary... meaning large and well stocked. It was. And due to those two factors we have now learned that having a car means you buy a great deal more groceries. Pizza is on sale!!! Great!!! Now I can put them in the car instead of try to carry them on the cart! Ohh... Ribs... sure... Steak! Sure... milk... sure... etc... sure... etc... sure... and on and on until we really did need the car to get the groceries home.

We were somehow lost again on the way home from Superstore, but still managed to make the trip in 12 minutes. You may wonder how I seem to know how long each trip was, well, let me tell you. Every time you start up Jerusalem the clock restarts, so we can see how long the trip was based on how many minutes it is passed one.

That was a quick turnaround. Home. Groceries away. Jump in a suit. Jump in Jerusalem and drive uptown. The event was one of the large networking events for the business people in Saint John. It was in the Hilton Hotel and there were 200+ people in attendance. On arrival you were to get a name tag with a sticker of something on it, the intent was that you mingle your way around the crowd until you found someone else with the same sticker. That was your "Beer Buddy" and if you and your "Beer Buddy" went to the front you could get your beer vouchers.

The mingling started out tough, after all, in a small town where everyone knows everyone, when you don't know everyone its well... awkward. We got mingled by one of the hosts of the event and then had two very lovely people come to join in the conversation. It so happened that the lovely people were the COO of Irving Oil and his lovely wife. It was an excellent conversation.

More people mingled by and were checking out my pecks nametag. It was in that so instance that I manged to get a whisper of where my "Beer Buddy" was. I went over, mingled away, and together we went to get our beer vouchers. Knowing my drinking habits, I am sure you can guess that I was thrilled. Anyways, I stashed it for later.

Eventually the formal part of the evening began and we were ushered into the dining room. Our table was reserved for UNBSJ which at least meant that I knew a few people there. There were a few more MBA students a few people I did not know, and one Professor of mine who is - awesome.

The night was good. My beer vouchers passed to my Professor, and as more came to me they got passed along. We might not have been the best table from an audience point of view, but we had a great time. I will not emphasize too much on risk of being crass, but my Professor is a fantastic guy, and he made that event incredible.

After we were fed, watered, and speeched out, and bade adieu to our friends, our lovely two new friends, and found our way back to Jerusalem once more...

Loyalists Graveyard

Evidently I can Blog photos directly... Uh... Let's see how this works...

The Following is a photo from the Loyalists Graveyard in Saint John. The graveyard is the oldest in Saint John and is located in the centre of Uptown (Downtown) at King's Square. The graveyard fell into disrepair over the year, but now the Irvings have sponsored it, repaired it, and continually maintain it. The J.D. Irving building it on the right, and to my knowledge, the people working there often stroll through the graveyard when it is nice out (like today!).

Either way, the graveyard is beautiful, and must be one of the oldest European graveyards in Canada. I will take more photos later, but I thought I best not be crawling around in a graveyard in my suit.

Here goes posting the photo directly... go!.... Go!!!

Writing

I have a list of things I am supposed to write. I am supposed to write manuscripts, and poems, and most recently, short stories. I have come up with a theme, of which I do not believe I could adequately explain, however, it is in this theme that I am finding great inspiration. It is not that I have the theme and find my words, but that I find my words and then also find that those words fit inside that theme.

Hopefully I will get the time to write soon. I will be done classes soon and then I might be able to steal enough time to begin writing. I am half way through a manuscript, so that needs to be addressed, but I am eager to explore these short stories. Short stories are easier to get published. Instead of trying to find a large publishing house the author can get published in a magazine or newspaper. That can be a foot in the door to a larger, broader, future.

If the words work out right, maybe that will be my foot in that door...

Maybe...

Nephew

Evidently, circa yesterday, I have a Nephew.

I won't put his name on here because that freaks me out, with all my paranoia about networking, and the Internet on whatnot, but, I thought he deserved mention.

I have a Nephew.

Wow.

I am gonna spoil you rotten when I babysit... sorry Mom and Dad... Uncle Al is gonna teach littler Jigger about something I like to call... Awesome...

Spirit...

So, my life is insanely busy right now resulting in my not having time to post... Well... I still don't have time to post, but in the mean time, enjoy these two songs from Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmaron.

I have been doing homework to this soundtrack all day...

Back

My back is getting worse again... rather quickly...

Crap...

We are 16 again!!!

Serious. After months of walking and bussing I bought a car. It is totally like we are sixteen again. How amazing it is to just drive Uptown (Downtown) instead of waiting for the bus.

We are sooo cool without a radio and without automatic windows. We rock...

16 again...

Cook Luck...

I just won a 55$ ticket to a networking event... heh...

A Day of Studying...

1 Part Long Days of Studying + 1 Part Cheap Seafood + 1 Part Awesome =

p.s. What is the average of Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom? I'll let you figure it out...

Jesse Cook

The Imperial Theatre

So, Jesse Cook was/were in Saint John on Tuesday. It turns out that most people my age don't actually know who Jesse Cook is, and for the benefit of those few, he is an extremely talented and famous Canadian flamenco guitar player.

Seeing he was in town I was able to pick up a ticket and make it to the show. First thing first, the Imperial Theatre is amazing. Evidently it is almost one hundred years old and it definitely shows. It looks like it belongs in the 1800's.

I sat down beside a lovely lady and we mingled a bit before the concert (thus my knowing the Theatre is almost one hundred years old).

Concert started and it was amazing. They played and played and played some more. We hit the intermission and then returned. Now, instead of just sitting and watching like many concerts, Mr. Cook (oh thats funny to say) requested that we all stand to have a giant Rhumba party. This was in response to how usually you get one person would just stand up and start dancing, and then be humiliated when they opened their eyes to see everyone sitting. So, to avoid that we all got to our feet and had one big Rhumba party.

Okokok... I did not dance, but I stood there and was in the vicinity of people dancing, and thus, the Rhumba party.

I was sad to see the show end but the performance was good. We stood and applauded for the encore, and stood, and stood, and stood, and stood for like... forever. I was starting to wonder if they would come out before the crowd gave up and just as I seemed to wonder that they appeared.

The show was good, but the encore was amazing. Jesse Cook is known for a cover of a song called Fall at your Feet, and it was in the encore that this song appeared. Let me give you the image of what they saw. The guys (Cook and his band) came out from behind the curtains and Jesse was handed a different guitar. His regular guitar plugs into an amp, but this one was solely acoustic. The guys walked to the front of the stage where Jesse sat, his backup guitarist stood on his right and the rest of the guys stood (without instruments) on his left.

I have never seen anything like this.

He asked us without mic, "Can you hear me?" We could. "Good, this place is probably better for this kind of thing anyways."

It looked like two instruments with the two guitars, but they produced a full sound. The violinist turned to vocals and the other two guys created full percussion with just their hands and feet. It is kind of funny, as I listened I did not notice, but the clapping and stomping creates a full percussive undertone that adds depths and breadth to the piece. The singer has a certain quality that fits very well into the song, especially with his incredible ability. As always Jesse wows.

It was just amazing to see the guys standing there. No amps. No mics. With two guitars, and few clapping hands, and a voice they filled the Theatre with music.

Here is a video of the live performance:

This video is the official music video for the song, the movie is not as impressive, but you can hear the song much clearer:

I had bussed to the concert, which is fine, because I tend to bus everywhere and my seat neighbour was aware of this. It just came up that I was a student, and I am sure she could guess. 10 o'clock rolls round and the concert is ending. About to head out my seat neighbour offers me a ride. I am fairly certain that it was not on her way, but still, she offered nonetheless. I was happy to expect.

I love the maritimes. It is not everywhere where that would happen to you. She saved me ages as I would have to wait for the bus and then take it home.

Thank you!

Home, and in bed, all I could hear was the strumming of that perfect guitar made by the fine hands of a craftsman with a seven year wait list... the concert was amazing.

All ye heathens in my generation who do not know who Jesse Cook is... you have missed out.

p.s. This version is done by James Blunt, and is one of my personal favourites...

Cook Luck

For those of you who know me and my family, you know this fact but for those of you who don't, I will fill you in.

Cooks are lucky.

One might think, sure, ok, "Cooks are lucky" but how do you really know? Well, we know, because we have a tendency to win free stuff all the time. Like, when I was in band, someone from my family won a prize at almost every concert! I will admit, not all of those family members were Cooks, but, it is the Cook aura of luckiness.

I will be honest. We don't seem to win anything huge, as I have yet to see a new car roll into the driveway, or the house fill with money as we win the lottery, but we win. I mean, a free poinsettia, or gift basket, or ipod never hurt anyone, right?

I have continued the trend today. The cafeteria had a contest where when you bought a pop you would get a stamp on a card. With five stamps you could submit the card with your name on it for a draw. The final draw was evidently called today, and I won!

This is kind of funny. Over my year at school I probably spend $30ish on Pepsi at school and now, I am the proud owner of a $150 ipod dock!!! Woo-Hoo!!!

So, I am still working out the logistics of how I do not have an ipod, but I consider that kind of... trivial.

Ipod dock, yyeeaaahhhh!

Still Coming: New York, New York, Day 4 (Probably tomorrow)

Eggs are Hatching!

Molly laid five eggs.

Three are hatched, Max, Pattison, and Austin.

Two are waiting.

McGee continues to bring more food to meed demand...

Video streaming by Ustream

The Birds... and Bear...

So a good friend of mine sent me some links on the Internet to some live webcams. These cameras have been strategically placed to look directly into the nests of birds. It is nearly time for the eggs to hatch, so all of the people will be able to watch this amazing process from their computers. These cameras are much closer than you would be able to get in real life, so you get to see an average day in the life of these birds.

The bird currently taking most of my attention is Molly the Barnowl. Her mate McGee also tends to come around when called to bring her food. Given the camera angle you get to see him come, deliver, and watch her devour, mice, rats, rabbits, etc. Molly is quickly gaining popularity and her five eggs are expected to hatch anytime. I highly recommend you check them out: http://www.ustream.tv/theowlbox

There is also Phobe the hummingbird and her eggs: http://phoebeallens.com/

The Hawks whose names I don't know: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-franklin-institute-haw-cam

And Lily the Bear and her Cub: http://www.bear.org/website/lily-a-hope/live-den-cam.html

There are more of these, but these are the ones I have been checking out. So there. Now I have warned you before the hatch so you can still watch when it happens.