Rak en rol!

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1432H 05/28/09 (HOTEL, GMT +0800)

 The First Rule is the First for a specific reason. That I've been violating it out of plain laziness is most deplorable. Of course, there's the fact that I need to take it easy at this particular phase of my operations [shrugs]. I've indulged at various stages to keep me suitably unstressed during pertinent times. Life, as I see it, requires actions based on rhythm. Of course [pouts in thought], actually acting in a rhythmic fashion is another thing altogether and requires consistent practice. I've had to suppress my natural exuberance. I've been successful in doing that, 80% of the time. There's my curiosity, which helps increase my knowledge base, which has to be used sparingly or selectively during classes. [shrugs] Not that it's a limitation that I find galling since I more often than not rely on reading materials. However, knowledge from people tend to differ slightly from those obtained from books. [sighs] Well, nothing worthwhile is ever easy anyhow [shrugs] so complaining only allows me to vent, which may not be productive since the negative energy can be sublimated. Continuing on that vein about aspects of my person, I also have to contain my latent competitiveness. Sure [smirks], I'm not that competitive but the extant requirements of my long-term goals means that I have to distinguish myself through exceptional performance. Most unfortunately, the First Rule comes into play. There are also the Fifth and Tenth Rules to consider as I interpret the actions and reactions around me [exhales in resignation]. 2223H 5/29/09 (HOTEL, GMT +0800) I flunked an exercise (the score of which will be known the next work day) because I was lazy and impatient. Yes, i was also over-confident. Yes, i was feeling invincible without just cause. It's only the second week as a trainee/employee of Network Solutions, so there are still opportunities, both for gain and loss. That I've been lazy has been a continual pain in the posterior. I FUBARd a plan today just because I was feeling lazy. Sure, I know that being industrious saves a lot of time, but I think that being conscientious while accessing my Mentat Engine as I do a task is better. "Minimal effort for maximum gain" is the process I prefer. [sighs] Well, I just have to focus on my goals so I don't fumble any more plans. Being focused eats up more of my mental resources but it's a choice between tiring myself out or being frustrated. Lazy me would've picked the frustration just because it's easier. Most unfortunately, the easier path also contains lesser goodies and lesser pleasures. On a lighter note, I've discovered the opening themes of Eureka Seven, an animé by BONES. Days by FLOW and Sakura by NIRGILIS are my faves, just like how Nana Mizuki's Innocent Starter and Massive Wonders got me hooked onto the Nanoha series. Sure, there's a pop feel to Sakura, though the beat is the thing that really snagged me. Methinks I have to learn how to quantify those BPMs so I can better relay my assessment of a song. Yeah, if the robot damashii of the Nirvash by Bandai is sufficiently large, I might purchase it. As of now, the collectibles on my list are the figma action figures of Signum and Miku Hatsune by Max Factory. I'll see if i can get my hands on Atelier-Sai's action figures of the Full Metal Panic girls. Yes, I'm on a girl collection binge that started with figma's Kanu Uncho that I've christened Kathryn. There are also the kits of the mecha I want (I've reconsidered getting the 1/100 MG Infinite Justice) but I'm hopeful that Bandai's bigwigs approve the remodeling of the 08TH MS team's mobile suits. I mean, how hard is it to remake the molds of the RX-78 version 2 into the RX-79G and RX-79 Ez8? They've already done a version 2 of the Gouf and it's just a matter of making small modifications to produce Norris Packard's custom Gouf. Are they lazy or are they milking the populace slowly? I almost forgot Konami's MMS. I want to get Siren Eukrante of the Busou Shinki line. Why? Because her hair's pink and her design reminds me of the Wing Zero Custom (Bandai, when will you re-make your MG kit of that MS? For that matter, when will you make MG kits of the Endless Waltz Gundams?). [shrugs] Well, I've yet to find a forum or board or e-mail address that will let me share my views to those of Bandai, so I'm making do with what I have. The list goes on. I'm getting me some non-black pens and some books, if i see some tomorrow. I'll be looking for a new place to lodge since the place I'm currently in has termites (it's a wooden house) and is a veritable oven during some times of the year (something that i had to endure last week). There's also the next Transformers movie to look forward to. ^_^ Talga Vassternich. What I do as reality unfolds becomes my Life. Oh yeah, if Anemone of Eureka Seven (along with Eureka) ever comes out as an action figure, I'll snap it up ASAP.

Star-gazing

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=~=~=~=Location: Inside the Samurai - Heavily modified Pellaeon-class Imperial Star Destroyer, currently traversing Infinity

~==~==~Dramatis Personae:

Bridge Crew:

Commanding Officer : My self
Executive Officer : Hannibal Lecter, MD
Weapons Officer : Teletha Testarossa
Launch Officer : Lisa Hayes
Tactics Officer : Lacus Clyne

CIC (Combat Information Center)

LO: [taps screens] There we have it. We're expecting definite supplies by mid-June and another, a probable, tomorrow.

CO: Lisa, you don't have to hide that frown. I know that my decision to put the Samurai on the edge, right between Life and Death is grating on your nerves.

TO: I'm of two minds here, Taichou. The Samurai's capabilities are beyond question and I can easily see that such a course of action isn't suicidal. However, we've need to consider the station supplying us and the ships that we're going to interact with.

XO: That we've just re-established a source of supply is a relief. That the source is tenuously connected, as are those that we've just contacted, is something to seriously consider.

AI: As of now, the tender ship Ciel's crew is of mixed opinions. Some of her people are awed and approving of the Samurai's capabilities. Of course there are some that are put-off by some of our crew's hyper-active personalities.

WO: [sighs] Anna, you do tend to unsettle others with your precocious and lively nature

CO: Well, there's joie de vivre for you. For an AI, she captures the essence of the character she's based on. [shrugs] Besides, the Samurai's crew loves her. That's the only thing worth considering.

XO: That you're adding more females to our crew leads to more people being enamored with Anna. [waves with his left hand to produce a hologram of diagrams and lists] We've got Nanoha Takamichi, Fate T. Harlaown and Yagami Hayate arriving the moment their posts and responsibilities are finalized. [smiles in gentle praise while reaching down to carry ANNA] You're a cute devilishly endearing munchkin, are you not?

AI: [smiles back] And that's why you love me, right, Uncle?

CO: [smiles] That she totally loves you for who you are just makes you warm, doesn't it? [settles into my chair and gazes out with steel and resolution] If the Ciel's crew doesn't like Anna then they don't. We do have to cooperate with the Ciel so we'll keep Anna away from them. It would limit our exposure but the possibility of surprising others to gain the upper hand during critical moments has risen exponentially.

LO: And are we going to do as you plan with our resources, Captain [raises an eyebrow with disapproval shining from her brown eyes]?

CO: Yes, we will [waits for Ms. Hayes' eyes to glare in annoyance]. [smirks teasingly] But since you've objected to it since I've voiced it, I'll modify it to accommodate your proposed fail-safe programs.

WO: [smiles in reproval] You shouldn't tease her so, Taichou. Her concern for the Samurai is well-placed. At any rate, we're still considering the addition of the Fairlions and their pilots, Sheryl Nome, Ranka Lee and Latooni Subota. I've uninstalled MAGENTA from the Strike Rouge's frame and moved her into a portable interface so we can easily transfer the OS from one mobile suit to another.

CO: Then, it's settled. We're good to go. [pats Anna's left hand that she placed on my right shoulder] We'll keep you hidden, little angel. Doctor Lecter, please continue to assist Ms. Hayes with the Ciel and the second tender ship until we sortie. Tessa, continue drilling our troops and pass on recommendations for those who'd be great additions to the Samurai's roster. Lacus, coordinate with Tessa and produce the battle plans that we'll be needing.

Upheavals and recovery

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=~=~=~=Location: Inside the Samurai - Heavily modified Pellaeon-class Imperial Star Destroyer, currently traversing Infinity

~==~==~Dramatis Personae:

Bridge Crew:

Commanding Officer : My self

Executive Officer : Hannibal Lecter, MD

Weapons Officer : Teletha Testarossa

Launch Officer : Lisa Hayes

Tactics Officer : Lacus Clyne

  CIC (Combat Information Center)

CO: [peruses the clipboard held at the left hand] You've seen the changes in the Roster, Ms. Hayes?

LO: [taps the holograms in front of her] Command of the Attack mobile suit squad has been handed to newly-commissioned Liutenant Drizzt Do'urden as per your orders and will sortie in the modified 00 Gundam christened "Dawnbringer" and it's supporting mobile armor 0 raiser will be slaved to the 00 Gundam's controls.

TO: Lady Pendragon has been removed from the post?

XO: Our captain has decided that since Ms. Pendragon has no mobile suit that will fully complement her capabilities, it would be best if we were to replace her with someone who has a mobile suit that does.

CO: [shrugs] Besides, she's a competent swordswoman. She's still one of ours. She'll be using the available time teaching weapon-based martial arts to those who're interested of those who're in the units that use melee weapons.

LO: There's also the fact that we've had to severe our relations with our pecuniary supplier [pecks at the holograms in irritation]. They're the stupidest bunch of morons that I've ever met [fumes]! They knew that the Samurai brings more than its fair share of kills but they still thought badly of it because we do better than they did. Now, we're almost dead in the water thanks to those envious Neanderthals! 

TO: [taps at her own holograms] Such an event has placed the Samurai at dangerous levels of dependency. We've need to find another pecuniary source within the week if we hope to continue as we are. Putting most of our crew into stasis chambers has helped but we can't do that for long.

WO: [plays with her braid while she picks through her own displays] We can maintain our functional status for another week before we have to put 80% of the Samurai's systems into hibernation. [frowns in concentration] We do expect some resources in the form of the severance package from them, but Lecter-sensei advised that it would be wise not to depend on such.

CO: [looks on at bemused contemplation] Truth be told, if it weren't excessive, I'd have pointed our positron cannons at those dirt-bags. One less problem for the universe to handle, is what I think.

 XO: [puts a hand over my left shoulder] We're capable and others recognize our ability. We've much to face, but we've our resources to meet adversity. [looks toward the stars outside the Samurai] Talga vassternich, was it not, Captain?

CO: [exhales in quiet determination] Yes, those were the words that I've chosen to live by.

Running, strolling, ambulating...

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 I don't exactly recall, but I think I was en-route to have my cell-phone repaired when I passed by the hospital housing the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department I was associated with. The thing about that department is that one side of it faces the highway. Shuttered windows embedded in concrete walls greeted my eyes as the bus I rode on passed by.

 Memory supplied me with the "what-could-be"; the patients, my senior colleagues, the equipment used for treatment and the treatment cubicles.

 Imagination rained questions upon me: What happened to the patients I treated? Who're the staff taking care of those patients? Have my patients' physical and emotional conditions improved?

 Tears clamored to spring from my eyes. Tears caused by the enforced separation from the profession that brings me in contact with all the colors of Life roar for expression as I write this.

 Part of my mind is impatience given form. I want all that I desire, NOW. I want to earn my keep. I want to practice my profession. I want to teach about my profession. I want money to purchase the items I desire but not need.

 That I cannot be at the place my heart yearns for saddens me greatly. True, some of my colleagues are people I'd rather neutralize than keep. Logic dictates that they be considered only during threat assessment because I am at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department because I love doing my job there as a Physical Therapist. Even as those hominids playacting as licensed therapists annoy me with their pretentiousness and arrogance, my love for my calling makes me stay when I would've left.

 So, I continue upon this path I chose.

 In freedom, I act as I see fit, constrained only by resources and not by the whim or will of others.

 Towards destiny, I keep my eyes upon my goals, even as tears blur my sight, because it is this journey that defines me as I realize my dreams.

 At times, I will falter.

 At times, I will weep in despair.

 Always will I keep those dearest to me close and cherished.

 Always will I wield Freedom and Destiny as I chart the course of the Samurai in the endlessness of Infinity.

Menagerie of thoughts

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A lot has happened. [shrugs] Then again, that's a given with almost everybody that's alive. Sure, there are those that go around and try to ruin other people's lives and then go around claiming that they're living. Talk about walking contradictions [shakes heads]. I've got a co-worker that tried to nail me when I used a Nihonggo suffix in a work area to address our supervisor while she's the one that (almost always) uses the vernacular (or pidgin English, which is way worse in my opinion) whenever she's not on the phone talking. I've got at least two superiors who think that their rank is clout and reason enough to look down on me, act idiotically and STILL demand my respect [shakes head]. C'est la vie. That I've other superiors that act (almost always) rationally takes the edge out of the annoyances that I've to deal with. Add the fact that I enjoy interacting with the people I serve for AT&T and I can (and do say) that I've a great deal to be thankful for.

~~~

 Yes, I'm still working for AT&T to earn my daily bread and all that. I'm almost squared away, debt-wise. I still have to restart my volunteer gig at the Rehabilitation Center that I'm associated with because of all the monetary juggling I have to do since I'm fending for myself with nobody else to rely on (except dear close friends who're able to give succor once in a while or when circumstances permit). Daily nutrition, expendable dry goods, laundry, rent, necessities and the random item for upkeep that pops up are what composes the things I MUST spend on. No, I haven't included the model kits and action figures that I want to buy and those are the items I've put in the back burner because of my lifestyle change. The only good thing about it is that they're at least ON an EXISTING list, unlike ... Well [shrugs], unlike before.

~~~

So, I'm pissed at the Yamato toy company because the 1/60 action figure of the VF-1S Valkyrie developed cracks at BOTH of the Battloid/Guardian's thighs (that's for left and right lower extremities). I could probably say that it was caused by cheap plastic or that the action figure was actually smuggled or bootleg and not mind -IF- I didn't pay seven grand for that item. Their American website says that: "Please note before contacting Yamato USA that Yamato's Macross items are only available in Japan. We at Yamato USA, as well as Yamato itself, are unable to sell or service any Macross items sold outside of Japan. We thank you for your understanding." That, ladies and gentlemen, simply means I -WASTED- no less than seven grand on plastic [shakes head in aggravation]. I guess I'll avoid purchasing Yamato products just because they're so expensive for my budget. I've put the 1/100MG Infinite Justice Gundam model kit on my list, among other things and that should keep me busy. I'm also considering getting one of the Duel Maids. I'll definitely get my hands on Max Factory's figma action figure of Miku Hatsune because she's so darned cute [smiles and giggles].

~~~

I've changed portions of the Mobile Unit Roster in the Samurai. I've decided to expand the Defense Mobile Unit and have included the Sazabi, Heavy Arms Custom and Shiranui Akatsuki Mobile Suits as command/specialist units. I've replaced the Strike Gundams in the Attack Mobile Unit with Impulse Gundams because it retains the adaptability of the Strike Gundams (change the Silhouette pack and you can have the Mobile Suit do something different) AND obtains the ability to replace Suit parts in the middle of combat. As I've yet to finalize the choice of what will be the grunt Mobile Unit of the Defense Mobile Unit, I'm sticking with the MS-14S Gelgoog. There's also the question of what Valkyrie class I'll use as the components of my Variable Fighter Squadrons but I can deal with that by putting up the stored mental images of the VF-1S in a seperate hangar while I delay on the decision. I've included Kathryn Odoriko in the Samurai's Personnel and I think I'll put her in the Defense Mobile Unit. And just because it's so damned striking, I'm putting Kitano Seiichirou of Angel Densetsu in charge of the Samurai's extensive Medical and Surgical bay [grins].

Working for AT&T, Infirmity, Iron Will and Niten

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Overall, working for AT&T is rewarding for the following reasons: a. The pay is great. b. I get to meet interesting people. c. I get to meet hominids who test my patience, temper and general good-nature, thus giving me the necessary stimuli for personal growth. d. I learn something new almost everyday. Of course, work being what it is, there are times that the boredom makes me want to sleep. There is also the standard friction with people who're supposed to know how to manage people who only end up mismanaging me [smirks in irritation], but I'm learning how to deal with those imbeciles. No, I won't name them here or anywhere to avoid libel suits and trouble. Suffice to say that said entities exist and are tolerated because I can't neutralize them. The fact that I have superiors who know how to properly handle me makes work bearable and almost always enjoyable.

 ~~=~~

 Yes, working for AT&T requires extensive use of my Central Nervous System, both upper extremities and my upper respiratory tract (particularly my pharnyx/throat). My brain (which houses my mind) is up to the tasks of troubleshooting and it's being upgraded regularly with new information and subroutines (i.e. semi-automated thought processes to speed up the analysis of mundane problems). The components of my upper extremities are relatively up to the task, though my left upper extremity could use an upgrade in its dexterity [shrugs]. Goes to show that I've good need for further exercise of my left hand and forearm muscles. What thoroughly galls me is the relative weakness of my throat. It gives out after two days of use in the service of the paycheque that I earn from AT&T. Sure, I'm used to speaking and all that and this really shouldn't be a hindrance in performing my responsibilities at work. However, undue strain to my speech organs will ultimately degrade my speech capabilities. I'm going to find a way to improve the endurance of my speech organs. My livelihood depends on it.

 ~~=~~

Hokay, I'm encountering obstacles to my goals and some are caused by pecuniary limitations while some are brought by physical infirmity. There really isn't much to do for or against those obstacles except to climb over, circle around or (whenever possible) simply obliterate it. As of the moment, obliteration isn't feasible and ignoring the obstacles caused by my body will only cause more problems in the long run. I've chosen this path because this open up doors that I want open. This path burns the bridges connected to the House I was raised in. This path is the one -I- chose, not the path chosen for me. The fact that I chose this course of action makes it singular. Here and now, my actions alone determine what will or will not happen, [tilts head to the right in contemplation] for the most part anyway. There are the independent and dependent variables that are out of my purview but that's part of the game [smirks in amusement]. I've always been stubborn and I've displayed this trait in positive and negative ways. I'll bring my stubbornness front and center whenever these obstacles pop up so I won't fail because of inaction. I bring out Freedom and Destiny and wield them without mercy. The Samurai won't hold back and I'll be pushing the construction of its parts and components whenever possible. I'll forgo some of my needs until I've the needed resources, physical and monetary. Til then, those activities will have to be reduced or set aside for later dates.

Unwanted iteration of sickness

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I'm 27 years of age and that means a lot of things. The thing that annoys me the most about being at this stage of life, at being grown up, is that being sick means lost opportunities and lost resources.

Back when I was a teen, getting sick didn't mean much unless I was sick during examinations. There was one time that I had to stop taking an exam back in second year high-school because I've overloaded my brain and body by absorbing the basic information about the animal kingdom's classification system (phylum, division, etcetera, right down to the genus and specie and the representatives of each class/group) all in one night. The overload caused the room to spin and a lot of other things. The consequence was that I was sent to the clinic. I don't recall what I had to do to complete the exam, so I think it wasn't such a significant event.

Nowadays, whenever I get sick, I have to skip work if the condition is something that will worsen if I push myself. Of course, the absence is only because I have to get well or else I'll incur more absences because of the worsened condition I would have earned because of my innate stubbornness. Add the fact that I also have to spend for my medical certificate to the fact that my pay is reduced because of my absence and I'm pretty greatly aggravated by the pecuniary loss AND the black marks on my attendance.

Did I want to get sick? Heck, no! No work equals no pay and no pay means I'm going to have lesser or no resources to expend. Of course, the fact that my body heals relatively faster than most means my absences because of sickness are shorter when they occur. Add the fact that I'm in the medical field and that means I sometimes have access to free or discounted medicine.

[shrugs] Well, what is, is. That's the Sixth Rule for you.

~~~

No good news, over all. But there are no bad news either. I've the run-of-the-mill occurrences of Murphy's Law and I'm grateful that I'm weathering those incidents with considerable panache. That I've to deal with judgment borne of ignorance is something that infuriates me. That I'm most likely going to endure this unnecessary aggravation from quasi-sapient Neanderthals is something that I'll rail against, even if Murphy's Law states that I won't be able to totally shield myself from such pointless skirmishes with those cretins. That I can only break away from the idiocy spawned by those illogical morons by the slow steady rise of my career annoys me to no end.

I swear, the moment I can safely neutralize those annoying pointless obstacles, I will do so.