manila moon

next week

2010-01-30T02:51:00.001-06:00

2010-01-20T19:35:00.000-06:00

2009-12-07T03:02:00.000-06:00

Chapter Three

2009-11-23T14:09:00.003-06:00

I have just made the decision to deem this day as the beginning of Chapter Three. The number three really has no significance. It seems right, and so it will be.

It dawned on me a couple of hours ago: A lot of things are changing for a lot of people right now, myself included. I have always been an advocate of change; I feel that change is more often positive than negative, despite the rigors that it brings about.

School is once again rapping it's persistent knuckles on my window, and I'm feeling lured back out into the wilds of education. I feel unnaturally renewed, mostly in my spirit, and I'm certainly ready to get back to it. Whatever "it" will be. But "it" will be something. (Belmont is doubtful).

things to come

2009-10-21T00:30:00.001-05:00

NOVEMBER 11th!

Saturday

2009-09-20T01:20:00.002-05:00

What a Saturday it has been.

I am laying in bed. I am a bit worn out (less sleepy, more weary) but don't feel like sleeping quite yet.

I am content. I am at peace. And I am getting to know the meaning of both of those things a bit more everyday, it seems.

All Things Considered

2009-09-09T00:33:00.003-05:00

At this point in time, it is hard for me to realistically believe that I am meant to have a "blog".

I don't use this blog in the way that blogs are meant to be used. I don't even use this blog the way that blogs aren't meant to be used. I don't use it at all!

Naturally, the next question rears it's smug little face: if all of this is true, why do I insist on returning to this little cubby hole on the web every so often? I guess it's because I can. And because I honestly enjoy the act of writing. I don't so much care to share it, but blogger.com makes it so darn easy, it's hard not to.

So here I am, saying many things, and still, having not much to say.

I have been trying to make the most of this semester. It's funny that I refer to it as a 'semester', although I am not enrolled in classes. For a brief spell, when classes were just getting started at Belmont, I felt a bit melancholy about my decision to take time off. That feeling soon passed. I feel confident about my decision now. I have been steadily working on things not necessarily academic, but still important to me.

I will leave it at that.

where'd your eyes go?

2009-07-14T14:33:00.004-05:00

I'm sitting here, somewhere in Louisville, Kentucky. In some faceless coffee shop on a street called Bardstown. The band arrived in this little town yesterday afternoon, after we discovered the unfortunate cancellation of our show in Owensboro. A collective decision was made to travel to this street called Bardstown. We played on a sidewalk for an hour, maybe, shaking tambourines, bowing stringed instruments, and tinkling on our rickety little glockenspiel. Generous patrons tossed the occassional bill of currency into an opened cello case. Later, we were able to weasel our way into playing in the upstairs of a brewery, still on this street called Bardstown. They were hospitable. We made lots of new friends.

So, I'm sitting here, in this faceless coffee shop, on a street called Bardstown. I am drinking deep the anonymity that the environment is offering. After a week of constant social obligation, it is a settling thing to sink into the stillness of singularity. Alliterations galore. Yikes.

There is an ache somewhere in my spine to swim in the ocean. I've assumed the culprit to be merely the poor sleeping conditions in which I've adopted lately, causing my spinal column to shift and squeak. But I realized, just now, that it is something far more interesting. Swimming in the ocean is something that I love, and will continue to love, despite how spooky it may be. I am able to scare myself out of the act, at times. I scare my own little brain so much that it refuses to allow my physical body to gallop from the sand to the surf, only for fear that an ominous presence is waiting for me somewhere out in the blue. Waiting for my clumsy figure to collapse into the arms of the sea. Waiting for whatever that moment would be, when it can swiftly snatch me up and swim me to the bottom of the ocean, where it can eat me in peace. All of this to say, I'm going to the beach on the Nineteenth of this month. It will be wonderful.

We are performing this evening at Derby City _________ (something). I expect it to be fun. This is the next to last stop on our tour. It ends tomorrow in Nashville.

I am almost done reading Breakfast of Champions, by Kurt Vonnegut. I have been enjoying Mr. Vonnegut lately.

2009-06-24T11:38:00.004-05:00

I have found myself this morning in a most curious gap in space and time; I have found myself standing before a rare realization: I have a blog! So easily I forget that I have this convenient media canvas to have my way with, whenever I want. Summer has begun with a flurry (A very hot & sunny flurry), and I'm busier than ever with music.

2009-05-17T06:52:00.003-05:00

It seems that I have woken up earlier than necessary on this cloudy Sunday morning. What better time to write than at 8:00am? I've found that sometimes my written expression improves by leaps and bounds whenever I'm slightly foggy from sleep. This morning, I am the human embodiment of foggy!

So, I went camping with my father and two strapping brother-in-laws for a night in Jones Gap this weekend. Jones Gap is a beautiful little nook in the Blue Ridge Mountain system. Whether or not "system" is the correct term in this situation, it is no matter to me.

Here are the highlights of the expedition:

Upon our arrival and set-up of camp, the heavens opened up and released two hours of rain. Luckily, we came prepared. The four of us sat beneath our blue 8x10 tarp, cooking dinner, playing guitar and singing, and talkin' smack.
After the rain subsided, I took a mini-hike with Justin (one of the two aforementioned strapping fellows) in search of the fabled "Jones Gap Falls". We never made it to the falls. Instead, we found a bridge. I insisted on stripping down to my undies and taking a dip. I am certain that if I stayed in the water for any amount of time longer than the .95 seconds that I was submerged, my heart would have failed me. I put a poncho on over my wet, freezing, nearly naked body, and we trudged back to camp along the winding mountain trail.
We had intriguing theological discussion round the campfire before bed, whilst munching on Pop-Tarts and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
I awoke the next morning to discover my right eye swollen closed. It is still swollen, 24 hours later. I am convinced that a furry caterpillar had his way with me.
After packing up our campsite, it began to pour! However, the rain took a break after about an hour, giving us a perfect window of time to hike for a couple of hours. We made it to the falls, at long last, and spent some time hunting the river for creatures, to no avail.
We ended our journey at Zaxby's. I can't think of any better way to conclude an outdoor extravaganza.

_________

In other, not so interesting news, I turn twenty-one on Tuesday! What does this mean? Nothing especially different, besides the fact that I can now legally buy alcohol and legally consume it in bars with the rest of the trashy bar-going demographic in Nashville, TN (Nothing personal, to any honky-tonk bar goers that may be reading my blog......)

It seems that my stomach has woken up as well, and it longs to be appeased by Breakfast. So here is where I shall end my useless narrative. I'm going to make some peanut butter toast.

2009-05-10T15:11:00.002-05:00

At long last, I am done.

After a semester that I never thought would end, I am finally entering a summer that I never expected to arrive.

I drove from Nashville to Greenwood yesterday, early in the day. Upon seeing my forest green automotive steed sputtering up our gravel driveway, my mother, giddy with delight and surprise, ran out to meet me as I exited my car. I only informed my father of my arrival, and successfully surprised the rest of my family, and a few friends too.

My twenty-first birthday is on May 19th. This will be the first time I've actually been at home for my birthday since my 18th. I guess that's good. 18 & 21 are important ones.

I'm gonna be changing things up pretty soon.

Ghent, West Virginia

2009-03-08T09:26:00.005-05:00

I am sitting in the lobby belonging to the Appalachian Inn in Ghent, West Virginia. It is Spring Break '09 (My how the time flies!) and the Kopecky Family Band is on their first tour of the east. A small tour, but a tour nonetheless. Much to my delight, Joseph LeMay (Pictured far left) is traveling with us and opening up for us on all shows except our last, which is in Greenwood, SC. Davey Krohn is the one in the middle. He plays drums for the band. Our first show was last night, here, in Ghent. We were invited to perform for a youth retreat, and it has been loads of fun.

I think we'll probably hang out here for a little while until leaving for Wilkesboro, North Carolina, to play at Joe Hutchinson's house (A fellow Belmont student).

Anyhow, I am tired of typing. I don't feel like I have much else to say. Maybe later?

Stealing Bases

2009-02-11T11:42:00.003-06:00

It has been a thoroughly plaguing 24 hours for me.

At this moment, I am sitting inside Bongo Java. Thank goodness, for if I were outside, I would be soaking wet. It is raining ponies and chickens outside, about as literally as literal can be. I'm sipping on a cup of coffee that has nearly hit empty, and I could seriously use 50 cents for a refill.

Let me now explain my distaste for the Public Speaking class that I am enrolled in this semester. I have yet to give my first speech, but I can already feel the knots being tied in my stomach, and my tongue is starting to roll around foolishly, assuring a disturbingly clumsy oral delivery. I honestly am not as worried as I seem to be. I often find that it is more amusing to be cynical, if only to amuse myself. I'm not sure if anyone else picks up on the humor in being completely negative, but I nearly always do. Let it be known that I am loving life, and the speech class isn't so terrible.

#2

2009-02-03T12:27:00.003-06:00

She's Got One Magic Trick...

2009-01-08T20:03:00.002-06:00

...One, and that's it.

2009-01-08T02:19:00.002-06:00

Friday, January 02, 2009

2009-01-02T20:14:00.004-06:00

Hello, World.

It's 2009, from what I've been told.

I have begun to feel significantly less nostalgic when December Thirty-One arrives & departs than I have during the years of my childhood. Not that I am approaching the dawning of Two-Thousand-and-Nine with any sort of cold apathy, because I am not. I only mean to say that the climax of the year has been a bit more anticlimactic than in the past. Anyone else?

I bought the new(er) Bon Iver album, For Emma, Forever Ago, today at Grimey's. I have never owned ANY of their (his) music until today, and I must say, I like it.

Compliments of my mother AND grandmother (It was a joint effort), I now own the complete C.S. Lewis Space Trilogy. I read the first, Out of the Silent Planet, this summer. Since then, I have been unable to recover the complete set from wherever I had it at the time. Mysterious? Yes. Explainable? Absolutely not. In any case, the complete trio has now been bestowed into my care, and I embarked into the second book of the three, Perelandra, earlier this afternoon. From my experience with the first book, and limited experience with the second, it is an outstanding trilogy for anyone who likes science-fiction, C.S. Lewis, or just a good fiction tale involving space travel and extra-terrestrial life.

How true.

2008-12-14T14:03:00.004-06:00

I found this image accurate and a little jolting , especially considering my colorful history with dagger-clutching elephants.

So, I have two more days until exams are over! The prospect of being done for the semester in roughly 48 hours makes me want to boogie... but there is much to be done before I can dance my way around the track (Figuratively, speaking) for a couple of victory laps.

On an even brighter note (....), I'll be in Nashville until like the 23rd, only to return five days later to reassume my bondage at American Apparel. I really don't mind the job at all, I just envisioned having more time at home for Christmas. There's always next year...

I listened through two Of Montreal records last night (+ a really good EP). I liked them alot. More to come on that.

evaporar

2008-12-07T18:31:00.001-06:00

there's this weight on my heart.

Please

2008-12-04T15:06:00.002-06:00

If someone can locate ANY of these films for me, I will love you.

No questions asked.

Hello, Galaxies

2008-11-26T12:40:00.002-06:00

I decided to drive home yesterday after fulfilling my academic obligations in Nashville (ahem). I did not begin my trek until about 4 o'clock, and did not arrive home until around 12:30ish. What an excrutiatingly boring drive to make alone!

In Nashville, I think it is far too easy to forget about the stars that get hidden behind the haze of the lights in the city. I do love living in the city. Alot. But when veered of onto Exit 11, a few miles past the South Carolina state line, I was beside myself. Stars were burning so brightly that they looked to be tumbling out of space, perhaps to land in some nearby farm field and roll around or something. I most assuredly confused each and every woodland creature that I zoomed past, as every few seconds I would flip my headlights off so that the magnificence of the night sky would be increased exponentially. Luckily, nothing hopped out into my path while I sped blindly down the highway, marveling at the stars. Ha.

So, I am in Greenwood for a few days. I had the weirdest dreams last night. Seriously.

Don't Watch Me Dancing

2008-11-18T13:31:00.003-06:00

(http://www.myspace.com/littlejoymusic)

I've been a fan of the Strokes since their second album, Room on Fire. Yes, that's right - I am "one of those" who wasn't immediately enthralled with their band when the song "Last Nite" took the masses by storm. I can't necessarily give a good reason for my delayed appreciation of the band, but let it be known that after I purchased Room on Fire (Which is my favorite of their releases thus far), I grew into a much more substantial appreciation for Is This It. I'm not going to comment on First Impressions of Earth at this time.

With that being said, this isn't a post about the Strokes, rather, it's about the new side-project of Stroke's drummer Fabrizio Moretti, along with Rodrigo Amarante (Los Hermanos) and Binki Shapiro. Neither of the latter two am I particular familiar with, but am thinking that maybe I should be?

The name of the project is Little Joy. It is by far my favorite musical endeavor of the month of November, if it hasn't already stolen the crown for the cold winter months.

I'm not sure if I could choose a worthy adjective to describe the feelings that Little Joy evokes. I first heard the record from my friend Davey, from whom I hear alot of good new music. He said to me that he felt the majority of the record belongs in a black-and-white film.

Little Joy will be performing in Nashville on November the 21st at Exit/In.

logic will break your heart.

2008-11-17T23:53:00.001-06:00

2008-11-10T21:26:00.002-06:00

I just went for a run (First one in a while, sadly) and I feel like a few million dollars. I forgot how therapeutic running can be, and not just for one's physical health. I opted against the iPod tonight, which allowed the silence to speak things to me that I usually don't take the time to hear. It would be cool if the "running" thing became a regular sort of activity. I think it would do me good.

I'm currently sitting in my room with my roommate (lovingly known as "Markle") listening to James Taylor and shooting the breeze. What a relaxing evening.

From now on, I'll probably be a bit more deliberate with my posting - in terms of actually having content in my posts. I know I've said this before. But a little reminder doesn't hurt.

Listening to: Something In The Way She Moves - James Taylor

Merry Christmas

2008-10-29T21:16:00.005-05:00

(Gift idea #82)

True, Christmas may still be far over a month (or two) away, but that doesn't mean I can't start dreaming about what I may (but probably will not) find under the Christmas tree. In fact, I don't even have nearly enough guts to ask ANYone to spend this amount of money on a Christmas gift, especially not one for me. These boots sell for just under $200. Worth it? I have no idea. I'll let you know if I find out.

My parents are coming into town this Friday, and I am super excited about it. I have been missing all of my family so very much lately, and it will be wonderful to see them. I can't wait for Thanksgiving when everyone is together again.

Album of the Day: Loveless - My Bloody Valentine

I listened to this album pretty much the entire day while walking to and from class (And the various other places that I walked to today on campus). I only recently acquired it from my friend Ryan, though I have sought it for at least a year now, if not longer. The music wasn't exactly appropriate for the weather, though. Lately, things have been absolutely frigid outside, and today was a fair bit warmer, especially when standing in the sun. This album, in my opinion, would be the ideal soundtrack for an icy and overcast winter day. I'm sure I'll break it out again before this cold season is over.

Sleepytime

2008-10-27T16:13:00.003-05:00

I found out last night that I like tea more than I thought I did.

In the past, I've dismissed it as flavorless and boring.

And last night, I think it was those very characteristics that attracted me to it so much.

Mmmm.

this bright pilgrimage

2008-10-20T10:49:00.003-05:00

I was just clicking around on the internet this morning, and stumbled upon a myspace page that I haven't visited in quite awhile. It brings back fond memories. Listen to "Old Friend" here. I miss making music and it being as simple as this project used to be. And I miss Tim (in Japan), Sarah (all over the place), and Kelley (in England).

2008-10-18T20:45:00.004-05:00

I've been wandering aimlessly back and forth from the floor and the backstock room of American Apparel for about the last hour or so. The chilling hand of "no business" is grips me tightly. Ironically, just as I finished typing that sentence a new OSD report (A paper which tells me what needs to be restocked up front) spewed out of the fat little printer sitting next to me. Finally, a task calling for completion!

It is Saturday night here in Nashville. Every now and then, I step out to the front of the store to survey the drunken pedestrians who gawk and giggle as they pass the ridiculously bright display windows of the American Apparel establishment in which I work. The display mannequins are dressed in various Halloween costumes. Somehow, the passing patrons don't make the connection that these are not, in fact, costumes meant to be worn on a regular basis, but are helpful tips in dressing for success during this spook-tacular season.

I'll end this post now, seeing as there is work to be done and I am released to enjoy the remainder of my evening in about an hour.

Happy Holidays.

Chinese Translation

2008-10-12T13:17:00.002-05:00

I Wanna Do Right

2008-10-07T11:10:00.008-05:00

It is Fall Break, thank heavens. Academic pressures have been temporary alleviated, and I'm savoring the moments while they last. I am spending this years* break in Wisconsin - Milwaukee, to be specific. I am staying with the family of Evan P. Donohue along with a few other Belmont friends. It has been a fantastic trip.

Yesterday, I went to the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center. It was pretty fantastic. A tower (Standing at about 50 or so feet, maybe higher) offered a magnificent view of Lake Michigan, which until now, I had only seen from an airplane. The Nature Center, which hosted multiple trails for hiking or just meandering, was right on the shore of the lake, which made it all the better. I feel a little bit misleading referring to anything that gigantic as a "lake". It's like calling a whale-shark a fish. I think we all know that whale-sharks transcend all fish-like boundaries, and by no means do they need to be referred to as such.

I found this interesting picture about a week ago. I'm curious to know what fantastic tale it belongs to. If anyone knows, please inform me. I'll get right to reading it. (Alice in Wonderland, maybe?)

*I have this weird feeling that I may have punctuated the word "years" wrong. Should there be an apostraphe in that? I haven't a clue!

Caleb the Dreamer - September 22, 2005

2008-09-18T15:20:00.003-05:00

A few days ago, I found myself digging back through some really (and I mean really) old posts from my now dormant blog Disguised as Something Clever. I came across a post that I felt needed to be once again shared with the world. It is ever-so-amusing to me, and hopefully it will be the same for you.

(From September 22, 2005)

"i was recently informed of two dreams that my six year old brother, caleb, has had in the past week. both could easily be made into some sort of cartoon or video game. enjoy.

dream number one: caleb began describing this dream by saying that he was "really small". he proceeded to explain that he was in the yard riding atop his trusty centipede. he was then struck by lightning. [/end]

dream number two: caleb found himself wandering through the shadowy halls of a castle, and stumbled into a secret room. in the room, he found a kingly guinea pig wearing a crown and a cape. the guinea pig gave him a peppermint. [/end]"

2008-09-14T16:50:00.001-05:00

Austrian Honeymoon

2008-09-10T01:20:00.005-05:00

I'm pretty sure that if I ever have a honeymoon, it's going to look something like this.

In other news, I recently found employment at Nashville's friendly American Apparel establishment on Broadway. I'm pretty ecstatic about the prospect of making some sort of financial progression, instead of making financial regression, which I suppose has been the recent trend. But the times they are a'changing.

2008-09-03T16:29:00.002-05:00

I have recently taken a fancy to posting pictures. I have a feeling that from this point on, I will include a semi-relevant image with each post that I publish. This one is just a freebie.

Shave and a Haircut

2008-09-02T13:50:00.003-05:00

I'll start off by letting everyone know that this post is really quite inconsequential to anyone and everyone, with the exception my facial hair and I.

I've been doing some soul-searching recently, and have been tossing around the idea of doing something different with the ol' beard. Don't get me wrong, though. I like having a beard. But I don't want to overdo it. I've been thinking that maybe it's time for a change. But all the same, maybe it isn't time for a change. The truth is, I just don't know.

Here's where you, my supportive friends, come into the picture. Should I shave? Should I shave some but not all? Just a trim? I'm delirious and dizzy thinking about the infinitesimal possibilities that lay before me. I just need some cold hard opinionated comments.

Ready, set, go.

Transit

2008-09-01T18:38:00.002-05:00

(-Ffffound.com)

Oh the joys of travel.

The urgency of airports always seem to ignite in me a hidden joy that I'm sure is not uncommon to many of my peers. There is just something mysterious and thrilling about the idea of hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people all going different places, with different things to do, people to see.

If there is anything that I want to remain static in my life, it is the constant travel that I seem to experience. While it may sometimes only be from state to state within the continental U.S.A., and other times from corner of the globe to another. I just want to travel.

I think traveling does the human soul a great amount of good. We can become so wrapped up in where we are at, it is easy to forget that there is a great big wide world waiting to be discovered. And how I long to discover it. I've been fortunate to see the world in ways that many have not been so fortunate to see, but it has only piqued my boyish curiosity to see even more. I do hope that wherever life finds me in five, ten, or fifteen years, I am still holding fast to the pledge that "Travel is good".

So here is a tenative list of places that I want to visit (or re-visit):

Norway
the Philippines
Egypt
Spain
Australia
Japan
Brazil
Ireland
Sweden
Nepal
the Moon

So far, it's a pretty lame list. I kind of picked these randomly, so there is no real direction with the listing. But who needs direction when it comes to traveling? I mean... yeah. I know you need direction. But you know what I mean. #11 is a must.

Back-to-School Bash at Rocketown

2008-08-22T19:12:00.002-05:00

That's right.

Honey Badger vs. Cobra

2008-08-21T11:44:00.003-05:00

(Bongo Java, anyone?)

2008-08-18T16:07:00.000-05:00

- FFFFound.com

I Like Chinese

2008-08-14T16:57:00.005-05:00

[Disclaimer: I have no problems with China, or those of Chinese heritage. I only used the following lyrics as a precursor to my post, because sometimes Mony Python really does say it best. Please take no offense.]

"I like Chinese.
I like Chinese.
They only come up to your knees,
Yet they're wise and they're witty, and they're ready to please."
- Monty Python

Wise, witty, and ready to please.

Proven to an even further extent at the opening ceremonies at the Summer Olympics held this year in Beijing.

Firstly, for those of you who actually watched the opening ceremony, it was stunning, no? I've never seen such grandeur in all of my days than when the hundreds and hundreds of Chinese men moved in perfect synchronization, beating their drums merrily, ushering in the international competition that lay before them in the coming weeks. I was thoroughly impressed at the orchestration that went into the production, and it all went over without a hitch.

However, a couple of days after the opening ceremonies, I discovered just how "ready to please" Beijing really was.

Remember the cute little girl who sang the Chinese anthem to kick off the ceremony? Apparently, she really wasn't singing. The young lady who was really cast the part to sing, was determined (at the last minute) to be unfit for international broadcast - due to her teeth!!. Thank you, China, for reminding me how shallow humans can really be.

I also remember being floored by the fireworks display that lit up the sky during the finale of the opening ceremony. I recently learned that half of these marvelous lights were digitally inserted before broadcast, because they were worried that the cameras "wouldn't be able to capture the entire skyline". Hmmm.

I'm not making any bones about these little cut corners, but I found it a little bit disappointing that we can no longer settle for the truth. This is old news about truth, of course. I only use the Olympics as an example, because it is relevant and recent and every one seems to be fussing about it.

_________________

In news unrelated to China, I am back in Nashville now, and ready to roll into a new school year at Belmont University. It should be a good one. Rumor has it that this years freshman class is the biggest in recorded history. Three cheers for Belmont!

I will leave you with two pictures: One is of the little girl whose voice resonated throughout the world during the opening ceremony, and the other is of the face that was seen. I won't bother pointing out which is which.

Just Because You Can't See It Doesn't Mean It's Not There

2008-08-07T23:06:00.000-05:00

I grew up in one of the filthiest cities in the world.

Traffic yelling from every direction; pollution clouding an otherwise bright tropical sky.

The fact that I spent much of my life in Manila, Philippines is one that I am not shy about. It is a big part of who I am, and something I believe that I will take with me wherever I go and will play a part in whatever I do. I felt like the name "Manila Moon" was appropriate to one degree simply because of the attachment that I have with the city.

It's also partly for the irony. While it may be a stretch that the moon is actually hidden behind the vast pollution of the city, it is less of a stretch than you'd imagine. It's hard to see the celestial lights when the darkness of night is thwarted by the billions of bulbs burning furiously in the heart of Manila and bravely into the night. To be honest, you can really only see the stars when you turn your back towards the city.

But despite the fact that Manila is a victim of both air & light pollution (not to mention other pollutants), it is still the home to roughly 14 million people, who, despite their circumstances - which usually includes severe poverty - care for each other, are rather content, and have an insane work ethic. If I learned anything about living life during the 8.5 years I spent overseas, it was this: "It's not about what you have, it's about who you have". If you can dig past the cliche cheese of that quote, it may be worth something to you.

I can't tell you how many people I encountered who barely had any material items to claim as their own, yet still wore smiles everyday that I saw them. They were surrounded by a community that looked out for each other, and to me, that's where they found the happiness that they wouldn't find through the acquisition of "things".

With that being said, this is a new blog. I won't promise a new post every day. But I will promise something fresh to read and enjoy whenever I encounter something fresh to read or enjoy. I'll shoot for at least once a week, and we'll take it from there, shall we?

Let the games begin.