| Why I Want to Be Location-independent |
[Sep. 20th, 2009|09:21 pm] |
This afternoon, I got some guitar practice in by taking the acoustic down to the school yard. I'm trying to capitalize on the nice days while we still have them. It won't be too long before winter's here again, which sucks. I hate winter. I know I've got some readers who live to the south, where you don't get much snow. I've heard it many times before from you southerners: "I wish we had snow!"
No. Just no. Winter sucks ass. It's fifty below, the sun's only out for an-hour-and-a-half, your heating bill goes through the roof, you can't go outside and live without bundling up, you gotta wake up extra early to scrape ice off your windshield before driving to work in the dark, you'll total your car with black ice on the way there, your car only warms up by the time you arrive, your work only plays the same god damn Christmas music as every other business for three months, and when spring finally rolls around, your car's rusted out from all the salt in the snow. All that so you can look at pretty snowflakes for five months of the year.
You know why I want to be a location-independent freelancer? Winter is half the reason. If I could, I'd be in California or Hawaii or Australia for those few months. Anything to get away from the constant, dreary snow and cold.
But hey! While I was out during my walk today, I read a little booklet on personal branding from Rockable Press. It was e-mailed to me as a PDF for signing up to their mailing list. I printed into an actual book while at school, which was good practice. The book itself is quite the handy read. I recommend it for anyone who fancies themselves a bit of an entrepreneur.
Rockable published another book I really want: How to Be a Rockstar Freelancer. I'm strapped for cash now, but hopefully I can nab it in a month or so, after I get paid from my new job. |
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| 23 |
[Sep. 13th, 2009|12:33 am] |
I'm twenty-three. |
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| 3 a.m. |
[Sep. 4th, 2009|04:23 am] |
[Current Music|Poets of the Fall - 3 a.m.]
Practicing guitar on the school grounds at 3 a.m. is very relaxing. It's peaceful and pleasant outside. |
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| Good Eats |
[Sep. 1st, 2009|10:13 pm] |
[Current Music|The Orichalcon - Pictionary Person, Place, or Groove? OC ReMix]
Got a pretty healthy dinner going on here. Cooked myself some brown rice and salmon fillet, along with slices of raw cucumber and a tall glass of chocolate milk. I'm trying to eat well to increase my energy, and thusly, my productivity. Besides, eating healthy makes me feel better. For what I could have spent buying some greasy fast-food burger meal, I've got enough of this very-nutritious fish to last two meals, and plenty of left-overs of the rest.
I stopped eating fast-food entirely much earlier this year, and it's been ages since I've had any soda. I've also cut down on sugary stuff, and I try to avoid salt as much as I can, as the average Canadian has way too much of both.
It can be tempting to just buy something from a restaurant when you're itching for a snack, and granted, it takes a little more effort to buy and prepare groceries, but the pay-off is worth it—cheaper, healthier, and more plentiful food. |
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| A B #C #D E #F #G |
[Aug. 31st, 2009|11:08 pm] |
After guitar practice today, I was intrigued to discover that I have an affinity for E major. I'd heard that some people gravitate towards certain key signatures when listening to or playing music, and by analyzing some songs today, I discovered my preference.
When I'm on piano, I have a compulsion to play The Corridors of Time. When I've got my guitar, I have a habit of idly strumming Lazy Eye. Lastly, a song I absolutely adore is the Dragon Song. All three of them use the key signature of E major.
I've started to learn composition. In the park, this afternoon, I got to improvise the lead melody in that same key while Justin played chords for rhythm. |
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| Not Dead! |
[Aug. 11th, 2009|08:10 pm] |
Good news! I checked some online phone books, and found a familiar-sounding address in Dez's hometown, so I called it. I just got off the phone with Dez's dad. Apparently Dez is not in the hospital, and has since returned to school. I dunno why he isn't answering his cell, but I don't really care at the moment. I've got a confirmed "not dead" from his father, and that's a huge relief. |
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| I'm losing sleep over this. |
[Aug. 11th, 2009|07:22 am] |
Still no word from Dez. His phone isn't disconnected, but he never answers, nor has he replied to his e-mails or Facebook. I'm losing sleep over this. |
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| Late-night Ego-stroke |
[Aug. 9th, 2009|05:30 am] |
Cain says:
oh and i wanted to say this at the BBQ. HOLY YOU HAVE A 6 PACK
Ransom says:
Thanks! I grew it myself. :D
Cain says:
lol
Cain says:
but it was just so sculpted its just wow
Random late-night compliments from ladies are welcome self-confidence boosters. :3
Cain says:
you dont need the confidence boost do you
Ransom says:
No, but I want it. :) |
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| Tired and Inspired |
[Aug. 7th, 2009|09:56 pm] |
I had a fun and inspiring day, which I'll write about in greater detail when I'm not so tired. Still no word from Dez though. I hope he's okay. |
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| Chronometer |
[Mar. 2nd, 2009|03:34 pm] |
Ransom says:
I lost my skipping rope. Not sure what happened to it. The really puzzling thing is I also lost my stopwatch, and I never even took the thing out of my room! I totally cleaned this place too.
T-mac says:
someone took it
Ransom says:
GIVE IT BACK >:C
T-mac says:
not me!
Ransom says:
Alright, I'm gonna close my eyes for ten seconds, and whoever took them can just put them back, and that'll be that. No questions asked.
Ready? Okay, go.
T-mac says:
:P
Ransom says:
Eight...
Nine...
Ten!
Well, the stopwatch is back, but the jump rope is still missing!
Tyler says:
wtf |
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| My Grandma Died |
[Feb. 13th, 2009|04:15 pm] |
Mom just phoned me from the hospital, her voice shaking. Something was obviously wrong. My grandma just died. Apparently she'd developed pneumonia during her hospitalization, and while she was normally sharp as a tack, her medication was leaving her confused. Finally, about ten minutes ago, her heart gave out, and she passed away peacefully at the age of 87.
Corey and I are down to three grandparents now. Brittany has none left.
I'm very calm right now. I guess I was expecting this. I somehow didn't think my grandma would go back home, and so I braced myself. I'll be alright; I just worry for my mom. |
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| Wow. |
[Jan. 20th, 2009|11:27 am] |
Just wow.
The American inauguration speeches have made my hair stand on end. They're incredibly well-written and delivered - even the religious one. It's very inspiring.
I'm glad I decided to watch this. Whether or not you agree with him, Barack Obama and America's accomplishment is monumental. It makes me want to more with myself. |
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| Bang-Bang Chicken |
[Jan. 3rd, 2009|01:37 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | Productive | ] |
And now for something completely different.
I tried something a bit different for food-uppage tonight: a new recipe! It's a Chinese dish called "Bang-Bang Chicken." The name is half the reason I decided to try it. I got it from Personal Trainer: Cooking, which I picked up after work today. It's pretty nifty.
From the in-game description: "Poached chicken is seasoned with a rich and flavorful sesame sauce in this cold dish, which is a famous example of cuisine from the Szechwan region. Served with slivers of cucumber, it is a common dish at social gatherings."
From my own description: "It's a Chinese dish of chicken and cucumber strips with a sauce made of chicken broth, green onions, ginger root, cucumber, sesame paste, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and chili oil - served cool. However, I couldn't find all the ingredients, so I substituted sesame paste with peanut butter, sesame oil with peanut oil, and chili oil with chili sauce. Tasted pretty good! Smelled sweet, like lemons, but also peanuty."
Here, I'll share the recipe with you, plus a couple of slight modifications from what I learned while cooking it. By the way, if you have a nut allergy, sorry, this one's not for you. Expected preparation time is around 45 minutes, though it took me about three hours to find all the ingredients and clean my kitchen before cooking. :B
This is meant to serve four. Thoroughly wash your hands and wrists with soap and warm water for 20 seconds before handling food. Also avoid having uncooked meat contaminate other ingredients which aren't going to be immediately cooked.
- 10½ oz. chicken breast (I recommend more though if you have a big appetite. I didn't think that was enough for even three people.)
Chicken Stock:
- 5 cups Chinese chicken stock/broth (sub: regular chicken broth)
- 3½ cups green onions
- 2 three-quarter inch pieces of ginger root
- ½ cucumber
Sesame Dipping Sauce:
- 2½ green onions
- 1 small piece of ginger root, about ¼ of what's used in the sauce
- 4 tbsp sesame paste (sub: unsweetened peanut butter)
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar (sub: any vinegar)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (sub: seasoning sauce)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 4 tsp sesame oil (sub: cooking oil)
- 2 tsp chili oil (sub: chili sauce, chili powder)
Utensils:
- Cutting board
- Kitchen knife
- Saucepan
- Mixing bowl
- Ladle
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Paper towels (optional, but they're handy)
- Kitchen scale (not necessary unless you want precise measurements of the meat)
Prepare the vegetables:
1. Use the cutting board and kitchen knife to cut the 3½ of the green onions into 1½" strips. Save the remaining 2½ for later.
2. Thinly slice the ginger without peeling it. Use 80% of it at this step, and save the remaining 20% for later.
Ready the broth:
3. Put 5 cups of Chinese chicken stock in the saucepan. Add the sliced green onion and ginger to the stock, and bring to a boil.
While the sauce is heating up, ready the chicken:
4. When the sauce begins to boil, add the chicken and let it all boil for 20 minutes. Use low heat - don't let it boil too hard.
If you want this served cool, remove it from the heat after 20 minutes, then prepare the rest of the ingredients. Otherwise, prepare them during this 20 minute period.
5. Cut the cucumber into thin strips, julienne style (think: matchsticks).
6. Chop the green onions finely (into tiny pieces).
7. Peel the ginger, then finely chop it (into tiny pieces).
Set the veggies aside, and begin to prepare the sesame sauce.
8. Get your mixing bowl, and add 4 tbsp of sesame paste, 2 tbsp of rice vinegar, 2 tbsp of soy sauce, 2 tbsp of sugar, 4 tsp of sesame oil, and 2 tsp of chili oil. Once all the sauces are in, add the chopped onion and ginger. At this point, if your chicken is done, use the ladle to take some of the broth from the saucepan and add it to the mixing bowl. Finally, mix it all together well.
Almost done, just gotta prepare to serve!
9. Remove your chicken from the broth, place it on your cutting board, and pat it dry with the paper towels if you wish. If it has skin, remove it, then slice the meat in half. Cut the halved chicken into slices, then stack those on top of each other, and slice them into thin strips.
10. Transfer the thin strips of chicken into a serving dish, along with the thin strips of cucumber. Pour the sesame sauce on top.
11. ????
12. PROFIT!!!
Unless you just want a light meal, I recommend serving this along with a side-dish or two - perhaps rice. I'm going to try that next time, and I'm also going to serve it hot rather than cool. I felt this was pretty cool, and wanted to share it. |
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| 2008, I bid thee adieu! |
[Dec. 31st, 2008|05:00 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | Ambitious | ] |
[Current Music|Pendulum - 9000 Miles]
Personally, 2008 has been an interesting year - one of transition, I'd say. I feel different than I was one year ago, both mentally and physically. My hair is longer, my dress style is classier, my body is stronger, and overall, I feel like less of a boy and more of a man. Still can't grow a beard though. I've overcome heartache, I work hard, and I've gotten my start at becoming a professional artist. I've become more responsible, sticking to my resolutions with dedication. Speaking of which, time to set forth the next set.
For 2009, I have three:
ONE: Music
I bought my guitar when I was eighteen, but there are guitarists who have had their own for half my time, but play far superior to me. I could be a far more talented musician than I am had I just put the necessary practice. I love music - it's therapeutic, it's a high. I should be in a band, damn it. Therefore, starting tomorrow, whether it be guitar, drums, vocals, or just theory study, I am going to practice music every single day. I should also become fluent at reading sheet music, and maybe take vocal coaching if I can spare the time and money. Hell, maybe I can even write and record a song.
TWO: Body
This one I actually began two months early, but I'm going to push it even further. My resolution is to get in great shape. I've noticed good improvements to my body this year, especially recently. I'm not sure if my arms have gotten larger, but my torso has definitely become more toned, my pecks and abs more defined. Now, I'm not going to say I'm going to work out every single day, like with the music, because muscles need some rest now and then, but I just gotta keep up with regular exercise and eating right, and push myself further every time. I'm going to snap a "before" picture tomorrow, then compare it to another come 2010.
THREE: Art
I didn't do too much in 2007, and I did even less this year. This needs to change. I am going to complete my outstanding projects, and develop the story and characters I've toyed with since I was a teenager. It's satisfying to complete an art piece, and I haven't felt that in a while.
There, those are the three. I want to keep this simple. It's challenging, but realistic. The trick is just doing this while also going to college - I start in February.
Come midnight, I'm going to toast myself and my friends for the things we've accomplished this year. It's been interesting, to say the least. |
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| Good Ol' Cullsy |
[Nov. 20th, 2008|09:25 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | Frustrated | ] |
My keyboard on my own computer stopped working yesterday. I was talking to good ol' Cullsy when the : key stopped working, eliminating most of my emotes! It was especially weird considering the ; key still worked. I tried it again in the evening after work, and none of the keys would respond. I switched the batteries twice, and that didn't work either.
Oh yeah, I'm on Corey's laptop right now. This keyboard is working; I didn't just copy-and-paste every letter here as needed. |
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| HBD 2 Corey |
[Nov. 13th, 2008|09:22 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | Refreshed | ] |
I got a great night's sleep - about nine hours, beating my usual of six. I know that's a bit long to sleep, but who cares, I haven't felt this refreshed in weeks.
It's Corey's twentieth birthday today. I bought him the Megadeth battle chest a few weeks ago, and I'm eager to finally give him the collection. They're one of the bands we saw in concert earlier this year, and this collection has sixty-seven songs and a DVD. I'm sure he'll like it. He also wants to get his hands on Wrath of the Lich King. I've got a reserved copy at work, so that's a guarantee for him too.
Well, I gotta brush my teeth and catch the bus. Gotta be at work in a little while. |
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| Post Political Ponderings |
[Nov. 5th, 2008|07:38 pm] |
[Current Music|Green Carnation - Pile of Doubt]
I'm neither a democrat nor a republican; I'm Canadian. As such, I don't support any American political party, though I am actually pretty happy that Obama won. Actually, I should rephrase that: I'm not so happy that Obama won as I am happy that McCain did not win. I don't really have anything against John McCain, but holy damn, it's frightening to think that if he got in, that hillbilly of a woman would have been just one heart attack away from ruling over the US. I'm not the only Canadian who feels that way; quite a lot of people I know feel the same way. In fact, people from countries all over the Earth are pretty jubilant about this.
The fact that the US election has generated worldwide attention is kind of interesting, because I doubt most countries pay attention to many federal elections outside of their own. I'll be watching American politics with intrigue now, rather than fear and repeated facepalms.
Y'know what I find pretty amusing about all of this? I read the comments of republicans posted around the place, and although there are many who are taking this with a lot of class and dignity, I see even more freaking out, acting as if OMG OBAMA WON THIS IS THE END OF LIBERTY AND THE WORLD. They're bawwwing like America is about to be destroyed. Sweet irony: now you know how the entire world felt about the last candidate your party put in to office. Think about that for a while.
On another political note, I heard that Prop 8 passed in Cali. That blows. I feel especially sympathetic for a couple of friends of mine who just lost their marriages. Prop 8 supporters: Way to go, you fucking homophobes, destroying something which in no way affected you. Hope you sleep well tonight.
While somewhat angry and sad, I've come to a realization which has kept me optimistic about the situation. This isn't the end, it just means the fight for equality goes on a bit longer. I feel certain that if the polling consisted of people within my age range, Prop 8 would have died by a landslide. My generation is much more embracing of alternative sexualities, and we're the ones inheriting the future.
Jakebe, Raleigh, and the rest of California, you have my sympathies. |
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