Old I sit upon my throne,

a blind eye turned to you,

seeing those that I once knew,

but knowing not the truth.

I logged on to an old computer of mine, one that had this saved as a bookmark.

This computer is about on its last legs, and I feel nearly as old thinking back to when I came on here every day, everything is farmiliar, yet not so.

Employeed, still in college, rarely on messenger programs, almost 21, just suffered a traffic accident, fiscally doing poorly in a slow economy, wanting to buy a house, another new girlfriend so I'm settled down for a moment, and facing down the wrong end of 8 months of some oddball medical ailment. Life moves on, and rapidly. lol

I wish my old friends here a happy holiday season, as people have been telling me its not over yet. And for those of you whom have them, I have a facebook, and a myspace, and there are a couple of you whom I am loath to leave behind, the reason I logged on again. arandomamerican is my facebook username and it is also my myspace account thing, David...log on to f-ing myspace occasionally! loool

John1918, DaBoss, signing off until some far off day I randomly pop back again. ;)

Hmm, this place looks even odder now. I mean, really odd, though that is just the "anti-change" part of humanity talking right now.

So, summer, yeah...it was fun. Montana, Crater Lake, the coast, down southward, parties, hikes, naps in a hammock...twas good. Here are some pictures from Montana. Mind, half of them were taken without any thinking involved, and half of them were me taking pictures of cloud formations I thought were pretty...:roll: Crater Lake...not uploaded to photobucket yet. The hammock...pictures cannot do it justice. ;)

Now I'm back in college, doing school work, and that other kind of work that you get paid for. Current troubles would include: understanding the Japanese students, contaminated city water, and having to wake up at reasonable times in the morning. Current good bits: classes seem entertaining enough, I haven't gotten fired, and I keep getting job offers for when I am.

Anyways, I just figured I'd chime in with some pretty little pictures. There would be some sort of lovely little linguistical manipulation, but my mind is off a bit...the contaminated water in Redding gave me a lovely intestinal disease. However, I can provide you some proof that miracles happen, though on a smaller scale than most would like.

You see, someone actually managed to blow my top the other day, its difficult to do...but also kinda dangerous once it happens. I tossed my fist very lightly into his gut to start with and doubled him over, but after that, I lost my cool and was going to...hurt him a little. Now the first person to tell me to tone it down, I wasn't listening to, but the second...she is my little miracle.

She's a new friend of mine, I've yet to be able to be around her without a smile getting me, and thankfully her voice was capable of cutting through the "unpleasant" feelings towards my dancing partner. She got me to let him go, had me promise to not hurt him, and reminded me I promised her when he kept trying to entice me to forget. So, not much of a miracle, but considering the trouble I would have gotten into if I had smeared him across the walls, its still a miracle to me. And we all know how nice it is to have a bit of divine intervention in our lives from time to time. :P Especially when said intervention is pretty. :oops:

Farethewell for now.

- John

"I was told the way to a woman's heart is through her stomach, as for men, I would suggest between the fourth and fifth rib with a nice sharp knife." -John, On how to get to people's hearts.

Hello All,

The other day I took the CCNA test (the final one that would have given me the full CCNA), I failed...first time I have ever failed anything related to academics or work, a bit shocking actually, and it points out that I might actually be partly human. I'm currently planning on what I need to study to retake the test, and I'm going to go in ASAP to pass the test...because I am rather depressed and angry that I actually failed (I'm extremely hard on myself about work). By the by, don't do any consoling if you can help it, its something I'm rather against.

Studying the first time was why I have yet to blog about Montana at all, nor posted pictures of the trip. So, here are a couple of pictures to lighten the blog up.

Clouds

Reflections

Itchy the Chipmunk

Wanted to Swim

Yeah, actual picture of me.

Best picture ever taken of me.

On other notes, I'm back home, for the time being, and I spent yesterday ripping the carpet out of our living room. Getting it replaced today, after it's been in this house for, quite possibly, 20 years.

I also happen to be in the middle of a great many fires right now, so far none have threatened my home, but I knock on wood every time I say that. (pretty good, since I'm not very superstitious) Much of California is burning right now, and the parts that aren't burning, they are covered in pretty darn thick smoke...because of that I've been trapped inside allot more than I would like, only been able to go out for walks a few times...and even then there was an official warning against doing much outside. :?

Anyways, be back around eventually, I'm kind of lost; can't go outside much, can't study yet...might be online a wee bit. Best wishes all.

- John

"The more we learn from losses, the less losses we will see, but soon again we'll fall behind, and lose and learn again." -John

Simple Things

Time ago I told myself,
to look beyond the sea,
but mists would come,
and block away the bay.

And time would go,
and I would wait,
and never could I see,
those simple things were right in front of me.

Now I'm looking out the window,
but damned if I can see,
the leaves are rustling in the wind,
but rustle not for me.

I blink aside the blurryness,
but still a blurr I see,
the clouds can blow, and birds can fly,
but flutter not for me.

Time has past,
and I am lost,
and never will I see,
the simple things that sit in front of me.

- John1918

Howdy all,

Hope those approaching the end of their school periods are doing well, finals can be a pain in the arse. Personally, I just got done with them on Tuesday, and for those wondering; no I didn't study for any of it.

Apparently an entire semester (half a school-year) has disappeared on me, and so has all the time when I lived in the dormitories. I'm currently moving my stuff out and cleaning, and tomorrow I'm going to say goodbye to those still here, and to allot of memories that accumulated on the way. I must say, we did go out with a bit of a bang, I had been wanting to throw a pool tournament, and one got started up for me and a couple of buddies...then it grew until six players was sixteen, and ten attendees were...I couldn't even count. Heck, I even got to chug a fair bit of a keg of rootbeer...yes they sell it in kegs. :D (I'd post pictures, but common sense says no)

Now, about that job I was considering, I did apply (3k a month is hard to pass up), but it turns out that all hirings at the college have frozen due to budget cuts...ergo, nobody is getting the job. I've still got an offer here and there, but I'm pretty sure that I will just take my last fun summer and run with it.

On that note, I get to the title thing, I'm going to Montana on Monday. *listens to that bloody cricket chirp* Yeah, I found out about it not very long ago. I was hanging out at a friend 's place and he asked me, over drinks, to go to Montana with him and another of his friends. My family had even less notice...essentially getting a call asking if I had any prior engagements then. :roll: A little trip (over 1000 miles) is a good way to start off a summer eh?

Hmm, guess that means I'll be gone even more, do yourselves a favor while I'm gone...make sure to keep having fun, no matter what you're doing. ;)

- John

They say that there is no greater joy than accomplishment, I say there is no greater accomplishment than joy. - John

unfortunately...the bouncer was bigger than I had first thought. :P

So, first thing being placed first...though that is likely more logic than I should use in one place at one time online...I went in to take the CCENT test shortly after my last blog post. I obviously did pretty poorly...thankfully, my version of pretty poorly is a score that passes by a rather nice margin in Cisco's parlance. 844 out of 1000 is okay, only 804 is needed to pass, but the thing I feel a bit proud of is that I got the 844 via my retained knowledge...because I did not study for the test. Sure, I could have studied, and maybe could have gotten a little better. The thing is, that wouldn't have been a true representation of what I know, its not like you can cram before each day of work. This way, I know that I am good enough, even without practice, to be a networking engineer.

Word has apparently gotten around, as I have told a few people I thought might be interested I passed, and I have gotten a number of fingers pointing me towards job openings at various places. This, though rather nice, is a bit troubling...as I did not plan on working heavily during this summer (figuring it would be my last even remotely free one), but now have the chance to make lots of money, and gain experience. Now I'm between a rock (my plans of some traveling and fun) and a hard-place (working, making money, and getting into an apartment with a good friend, or two, of mine).

Thankfully my life isn't all rock and hard-places lately, and I've been having a heck of allot more fun...at the expense of a wee bit less studying. :roll: I actually managed to place second in one of the local pool tournaments, and I've still been having a fair amount of fun with small wagers at the college. (a tip, do NOT bet against me in billiards)

( I think) I've managed to pick up a copy of Hellgate London...I know it got a bad rap, but I've played the demo to hell and back, and it seems like something I'd really like. The main unfortunate casuality of college has been gaming, as the PC I normally played on is not here with me...and thus I will have to wait to play Hellgate, on a good note, it has pushed me to find free (and therefore less likely to need highpowered hardware) games online.

One of the gems I have stumbled upon is Wesnoth. It is a simple, turn-based, fantasy strategy game. You play it on a hex-board with one of a number of factions, each having similar, but different, unit selections. The main fun seems to stem from persistance in matches (and across whole campaigns) with units gaining in experience with each fight and kill, and becoming stronger units (with branching paths) over time. Its nice to think that you actually get to mold your army to what you want...from balanced forces to extremes like all-cavalry armies. Additionally, it forces you to protect and heal your higher end units, because you can't just turn around and replace them like in other games. Most certainly worth a look if you like strategy games.

Anyways, enough ranting and raving for now, maybe next time I can regale you with a tale of drunken delight. (no, I wasn't drunk, a guy I know...drunk barely even covers it :P)

"Little Johnny was a chemist, now he is no more, for what he thought was H2O, was H2SO4." - Someone...wish I knew

Hullo All,

So, somehow, I've been really busy lately...therefore, I haven't yet gotten to muck around with the blogs I may have helped kick off via tagging. I will get there...eventually...but sadly I have far too much homework that has not gotten any pencil or pen marks on it yet. :?

I finally got in a break today though, went to a billiards tournament...I personally was very off my game, so I only got 3rd place, I did get a bit of prize money...but I'm good enough at 8-ball that 3rd doesn't really match up to my skill level. I've honestly gotten more money out of idiots at the college wanting to bet on games, though I try to keep away from that, not exactly smiled upon to shark your dorm...anyways, it was fun.

Now Friday...that won't be quite as fun. I'll be heading off around 2 P.M. to take the Cisco certification test for the CCENT (half of the CCNA). The question isn't really "will I pass," but moreso "how high will my score be." Still, a bit of me is probably nervous about it, I just haven't been informed by the nervous bit yet. :roll:

Hmm, I just got an email, apparently I am finally an official member of that honour society thing...I think I spoke about that thing on here...anyways, now its all official and I'm actually listed online as a new member. Only took them most of the semester to do it...:roll: You can find the page he...nah, its got my name on it, tis a secret. :P OOOOOO, there is an Official PTK Teddy Bear you can buy! :lol:

Anyways, I'll try to get around to the messes I have inspired, but I honestly am considering sleep...

- John

P.S. Can you read this?

0100 1010 0110 1111 0110 1000 0110 1110 0010 1100 0010 0000 0110 1001 0111 0100 0010 0000 0110 0100 0110 1111 0110 0101 0111 0011 0010 0000 0110 0001 0010 0000 0110 0010 0110 1111 0110 0100 0111 1001 0010 0000 0110 0111 0110 1111 0110 1111 0110 0100 0010 1110 0010 1110 0010 1110 0111 0101 0110 1110 0110 1100 0110 0101 0111 0011 0111 0011 0010 0000 0111 1001 0110 1111 0111 0101 0010 0000 0111 0000 0110 1001 0111 0011 0111 0011 0010 0000 0110 1001 0111 0100 0010 0000 0110 1111 0110 0110 0110 0110 0010 1110

Howdy Various Creatures With Typing Apendages,

Well now, I clocked in here while checking email, and jumped a couple of blogs to see what was what. Apparently there has been a rash of chain-blogging lately, normally I do not enjoy such things, but this time the chain actually does exhibit considerable personality. Thus, when asked by my friend gamer_girl15 to join in on the festivities, I actually decided to do so.

So, here are five things about me that you might not know, or that you might have wondered about.

1) Things break around me, to clarify, I'm mostly talking about inanimate objects. Pool cues, kitchen knives, pool tables, plates, doors, walls, windows, my car, screwdrivers, etc...its a long list. Its not because I'm particularly violent, nor because I'm not careful. My body is fairly powerfully built, toss in bad luck or not paying attention, and its really easy for me to snap a pool stick I have in my hand in half, or to knock a buddy too hard and send him through a wall.

2) I cuss seldomly, and around women, next to none.

3) I cannot dance. I can pretend I know how, but only for short periods of time and more formal dances.

4) I was a vegetarian for a number of years, and I still do not eat all that much meat.

5) I have been asked if I am gay due to
A: Being too nice to women to be straight
B: Being too good of cook to be straight
C: Being too intelligent to be straight :P

Normally my answer is followed by the lovely question of "Then why are you single?" :lol:

Anyways, hope one of those was entertaining to you, I think I'm supposed to call out some number of people to do this now...orkhammer, champ, hokies, david (kinda scared what he could write), smolle, some people, somewhere, on the side of my blog...start writing. :P

~

Not much to say otherwise I guess, going to get my blood drawn tomorrow for a liver test, probably going to take off sometime afterwards for a break from life. I need a passport, going to go to Canada with some buddies sometime, I'd like to be able to get back in the States. Anyways, starting to get tired, when on a really, really, long walk today, threw some boulders too.

See ya'll later, might make the blog I was thinking of writing...sometime later. :P

Canvas

Widely spread the canvas flows, waiting for the brush,
there I sit in fear again, lost amidst the crush,
I do not know how to press, the colours I should use,
the way to capture what I see, to show it all to you.

Above us all, the canvas flows, and makes a scene anew,
and yet again it cows me down, so little can I do,
up the brush will lift again, and swipe amidst the clouds,
changing all that I can see, before I see at all.

The canvas will defeat me, more stubborn than myself,
changes with the whim of gods, and flutters in the wind,
yet some shall say it's empty, that they see none of it's grace,
a cloudy sky my canvas is, the paints but rippled mist.

- John C

70 years ago, the house had first been built. It was a fairly plain house, well-built, but not much in the way of awe-inspiring. The family inside was friendly, and they got along alright with their funds, but a fancy house wasn't as important as food on the table. It lasted, much the same as the day it had been made, for near the next 19 years.

The family had grown alot in those years, but the house had stayed the same, and the extra people inside were a bit cramped. That's why the youngest, the daughter by the name of Linda, ended up changing the house after all that time. An errant ball, and an all too common story later, the house was missing one of it's smaller windows, and the child was probably busy trying to find a way out of trouble.

A bit of plywood solved the insulation problem, but it was only a temporary solution, and soon a new sheet of glass would cover the bit of wall...it only took a week or so for the father to convince the family that a bit of stained glass would be best for the spot, he had a soft-spot for the ones at their church. They searched over a great deal of pieces for sale, but after some hours looking they found a somewhat simple design, an elegant piece, displaying a dove crossing in front of a beaming sun, and they knew it was what their home wanted.

15 years down the road, the kids grown, the family sold the house and moved to a smaller place in a smaller town. The new residents were decent enough, but they were far too concerned with status, and that meant the house was forced to change after 34 years of being good enough. A new garden, new fence, new shutters, new appliances, new everything, but the window...it got to stay, for a little while.

Moving a new lamp up to the top floor, the window met it's match when the combination of clumsiness, steel, and human crashed into it. The main portion of the window, the framing, was just fine...but the glass itself had been annihilated. (and the part that was left "somehow" got kicked out by an angry shoe) They went to get replacement panes, but found that they could make it "better" than it had been before, just a little framing here, a little bracket there, and some new pieces of glass. 5 hours, and extraordinary amounts of cursing later, the window was whole...but it was still broken...

They had filled in the empty spaces with new glass, but rather than put in a few pieces and have the picture shining on the wall, they filled it with small chips and flakes, leaving a riot of color where there had once been a purpose and a plan. It satisfied them, and honestly, it showed perfectly what that time would be for the house, confusing and changing. Didn't take long for it to end though, they needed a new place, bigger and more modern, within a couple of years...then the riot left, and a new family came in.

The new people were different from the old ones, more like the builders in their style, more reserved, and more simplistic...thats why it's questionable whether it was an accident, or on purpose, when the glass shattered yet again during move-in. They went to rip it out, its not like they were going to replace all the insane little chips, when they found a oddity in the make of the window. Half of it was of high quality, the stuff of a master craftsman, and the other half...it looked like it had been glued on by a monkey.

A bit of tearing later and the monkey part had been ripped away, leaving the old-style wrought-iron. Seeing what it was meant to be, the new people went out to purchase new glass for the newly old window. With the setting of the sun on the first evening, they knew why the window was there, the light flitted through magnificently and it shined with a beauty that was hard to believe, it shined with a purpose it had once forgotten, it shined like a house that was whole.

I can't help but sit and stare at it sometimes, after all, that's allot of history for a window, and on the right evenings it still shines like it did back then, every home needs a heart after all.