That wasn't healthy

... but Christ, that was a good run.

Epic on an Off Day

That's the theme.

Yo, because of crooks in the game no one's acting the same
Not mentioning no names, merely passing the blame
Your ass been in flames since the cash went ka-chang
Now you can't stand the rain when my crew bring the pain
You a masculine myth who I constantly diss
As I bond with the Fish, understand we the 5th
Platoon, hit the dirt, wish you well, wish you worse


See you mid-July. Philippines Navidad!

The transition from taking to giving

It's a fascinating trend for me, and one I've seen, then battled, and then seen some more.

When you enter an organization, you're fresh meat with raw, hopefully pure potential. To get to a position of influence and notoriety (and performance), the organization and the individuals in the organization must invest in you.

You take a lot, because you don't have much to give... yet. "Taking" is in your job description; "giving" isn't there just yet.

They give the time, they share "that conversation" one more god damn time, they listen to the same concerns they heard last week/semester/year from some other carbon copy hopeful.

But they do it, because you aren't "there" yet, and all that is required for you to get "there." You don't yet have the capability to venture into the wild on your own, much less lead a band out there. They need to give you that ability, and you need to take it.

But then, you "get there." (note: not everyone does)

It usually happens after your first real journey out there, your first attempt to Live the values and act out the dreams you've been chasing and probably contributing to.

So you're There. Now what?

It's a plateau of sorts, because where do you go from There? The path is considerably less defined, because so few people go beyond it. And due to that foggy, undefined future, most lay down here and fumble around.

You have a decision to make.

There's little left to take - you hold most of the weapons now, and can venture out into the wild on your own. Most do this. Some survive, a few lead others, but most just exist. You give little of what you've taken. The buck stops there.

You're a sunk cost.

What's the other option? You can't yet venture out, so what CAN you do?

You can give back. You can lead others, and get them to that plateau. You can give more than you've taken. You can lead others past the plateau, past the vague, foggy existence of neither giving nor taking.

But you already know that.

It's crystal clear, now that you're "There." It's all part of the same journey we all took. The difference is the decision we made at that plateau, as we looked to the road less traveled.

The question is not what TO do. The question is:

WILL YOU DO IT?

Did Johnny get a tan?

Vineeth in Singapore by Mix Master on Zooomr

PS That is beer in that bowl.

Building a Desk: Good for Rep?

Step 1: buy a hammer, some decently long nails, kahlua, creamer, and vodka

Step 1.5: Get a nice, ergonomic glass, add ice, and pour a beverage. Think.

Step 2: Plan to use plywood, you can usually find some on clearance at Home Depot (also known as Hope Depot). They can also cut the pieces for you, usually for free, so no saw necessary. Make sure you are specific in how accurate they must be with their cuts... don't let the guy just be a loose canon.

Step 3: I basically built 2 file cabinets to use as support structures. It's important to put a shelf or 2 in there because this will help support the cabinet laterally. I essentially copied the dimensions of a standard 2-3 drawer file cabinet. I can't remember the exact dimensions, but you should be able to get all pieces out of an 8ft or so length piece (you'll need to design your cuts beforehand to tell the home depot bitch cutter). I think the height was around 2.5ft and the width was like 12 inches.

Wood is hit or miss, but if you're lucky you can find some good deals. Either way, $50 or so should cover it all. The emotional satisfaction is free.

Note: When designing your pieces, make sure you incorporate the width of the wood pieces in your measurements.

Tributary

RIP Good Man. That was a sweet hat.

Version 3.0...

... is now online. I think we have a very nice tea party ahead of us.

In unrelated news, last night was easily one of the strangest of my life; rife with living-room open mic (no one took the open request for performances during "intermission"), asians rapping in hoodies, wedding slide shows, Jager Bombs, and getting a ride home from someone whose name I never knew.

I'm willing to bet most of my remarks were uninvited and under-appreciated... the kind "whispered' to a neighbor (no idea what her name was/is) yet heard by all.

On the up side, the videos are good enough that I think I'll finally get some online and capturing imaginations.

Scheunstock

Not wanting to be the foreigner who poops in the urinal, or whatever the cultural equivalent is over here, I’ve spent several minutes staring at this thing, trying to figure out its secrets. After much reflection, I think I’ve got it. Wish me luck.

A friend of mine from Fondy, USA is in Syria and blogging. Not only is his title rad, but so are his tales. This is the kind of blog you don't need to know the author to enjoy.

I'm excited to read how this Dream unfolds.

Gotta get PWNed before you can OWN

Things arent going as well as I would like. After leaving a solid social network, comfortable home, and a sense of control of the important parts of my life, I feel utterly friendless, helpless, and homeless. Im doing my best to be strong, remember what AIESEC stands for, and keep my head above the water so I can breathe, but I cant help but wonder if Im just slowly drowning. Where is the traineeship experience that everyone raves about at all the conferences Ive been to? (Caitie)

Without that, the Experience is nothing.

It is what it is

You assume the position, the resulting comfort almost hurts you.

Rotating and revolving around the same center point, the fan is your clockwork, both entrancing you into and deceiving you out of momentary dreams of what is, what could be, and what should be. Or is it an illusion? It is what it is.

It doesn't matter. You detest entering, but despise leaving once you're there. At the fork in the road you see two paths, knowing a third hides just beneath your nose, and lie down to bask in beautiful hesitation. The high road and the low road. They are what they are.

You glance high and see the glory, but so too feel the pull to look down low. Is it so bad to see what lies down below? Is it in itself an admittance of defeat to even see what lies down the path so "low?" Comfort as the enemy of change is also the enemy of pain. Is an enemy of change necessarily an enemy of progress? It could be.

You lean your head back to your imaginary rest, basking still in hesitation. A full cloud of confusion sneaks from your open mouth, just behind the silent scream, begging every time the seemingly crucial question. The flavor you long for, is it not tasted everywhere? Or is such a delight decidedly a trait of origin, be it the source, or the tender, guided hand? The questions whisp away, leaving you to wonder if it even should be.

So you wonder. And you wander. If you believe it is, then is it not, what it is?