Currently Gaming PS2 Kingdom Hearts 2 By SQUARE ENIX USA INC. see related

We Will Survive!

And Hello to all those fans out there! It has been quite a while of non-updating on my part, and I must say that I am extremely sorry to disappoint you all for so long. But fear not!; this Xanga will not die without one hell of a fight, so keep tuning in if you feel I should continue divulging my life's story upon the world whether they like it or not!

I must first note that Xanga is fighting a losing battle. Even my friends that first introduced me to Xanga have fallen into the clutches of the dark realm that uses means far more evil and inhumane than biochemical warfare to expand its numbers; I am, of course, referring to the apocolypse that is known as MySpace. Many Xangas have bitten the dust lately, and I at times feared the same fate would befall me. However, through perserverence, I have held on to the light, and I will not waver again! On to more pressing matters....

This just in: Brian has Graduated! Yay for me! *personal victory dance* I feel this is a pretty good achievement, considering 13 years of hard work and an excrutiatingly painful last 2 years. But the struggle is finally over, I have surpassed the odds and basked in the sun of freedom. College is next, but I do not fear it. At first I felt sad about leaving a lot of friends, but I realized that I can just find them again later on if I try hard enough.

Something I have to get out of the way: Celia tore my heart right out of my body about 2 weeks ago. It hurts like nobody's business. Depression has set in a couple of times since then.

Eagle Rank has almost been obtained. Several setbacks are hindering me at all advances. I will not lose!

In the games realm, I can't put Kingdom Hearts 2 down. It's ridiculously awesome. If you've ever played Final Fantasy and liked it, then get off you butt and go get this game and its predecessor. You'll be surprised. Also, I've picked up Gran Turismo 3 again, and I have to say that it's much better when you actually know how to drive. The best racing game out there.

I won a portable DVD player at APE, so I've been buying more DVDs. I decided to get Final Fantasy: Advent Children the other day, and I don't think I've made a better decision in my life. First, the movie is superb; it's gorgeous and action-packed and amazing all at the same time. Second, as I was rummaging around in the bargain bins, I spotted the find of a lifetime: Evangelion: Death and Rebirth was sitting there for only $6. I almost laughed at my own good fortune. I believe that it is quite possibly the most in-depth and incredible series I have ever graced my eyes upon. It opens the end of the series beautifully, and begins the psychological war of a finale that I am literally dying to find. What I am looking for is End of Evangelion, and I swear to find it before summer ends.

I saw X-Men: The Last Stand last night, and I have to admit that, even though it was pretty cool in its own rights, I was disappointed. Couple of reasons as to why this came to pass. First, too many cool people died or lost their powers. Second, I really thought that there was going to be a surprise visit from Apocalypse, but alas, I was deceived. Third, a lot of cool mutants weren't there. What the hell happened to Nightcrawler? Why in God's name wasn't Gambit in this movie? Fourth, not enough mutant fights (involving them actually using their powers in cool ways). Well, there you go. I was sad, and that, as they say, is that.

I think that amount of ranting will keep you all satisfied for the time being. I have to get some stuff done now. Remember though, I enjoy feedback from anyone who actually reads this thing, to let me know that I'm still doing this for a purpose.

~Brian

Currently Gaming SSX 3 By Electronic Arts see related

Don't Blink!

Yeah, so the last week kinda flew past me. So much so that I didn't update. Woo. Oh well, here goes.

The Academic Decathlon contest was fun. I don't think I've ever laughed harder in my entire life. Kevin A. is more than likely the funniest person I have ever met. Well, I didn't bring home the gold, folks, but I managed to snag a few crumbs.

• Music: 10th out of 132
• Mathematics: 7th out of 132
• Science: 12th (?!?!?!) out of 132

I honestly guessed on most of the Science questions. Needless to say, I was pretty shocked. Well, whatever, it made me happy for the time being.

I GOT TO MEET DEMI DEC DAN!!!!! I even shook his hand!!! I even got his autograph!!!! The piece of paper he signed is worth a hefty sum of gold now. I stopped short at the prospect of cutting off a lock of his hair, that would've been awkward. The man is a genius of our time, ladies and gentlemen. That's why it was so awesome to talk to him. It was also the reason why Vamsi was making up a song that included the line "O Demi Dec Dan, I want to stroke your diencephalon!" (Yes, smart people humor, use a dictionary)

He gave us an alpaca figurine! It's crazy awesome. It even smells like it's living furry counterpart! Sw33t!

Went to the Rodeo on Sunday. I pet a cow and it "Moo"ed at me! My life is complete. Clay Walker must've put some Mexican Jumping Beans in his pants because he could not keep his pelvis under control. I really didn't need to see all that.

OK, I'll be back some other time, I'm tired. I also have to write a satire about using Clay Walker and his hip thrusting to fill all the potholes of the world.

Oh, and don't forget: Drum Show Tuesday Night! Buy tickets! Have fun!

~Brian

"No, I can't hear nothin', 'cause I got my head up in the clouds"

Currently Listening Robot Rock By Daft Punk see related

On My Way to the Moon, Be Back Never

As a result of updating somewhat frequently last week, I've had some extremely bad days this past week. It's just really hard to be optimistic when no one else gives a crap about cheering you up in the first place. Well, it doesn't matter. Important stuff is coming up to keep me sufficiently occupied.

Tomorrow (being Friday) and Saturday, I will be participating in the United States Academic Decathlon Texas State Finals competition! That's a long title. Nine (now 8 because of certain quitters) of our school's finest and most brilliant minds will be battling it out brutally against over 40 of the toughest teams in the grand state of Texas, all for the title of State Champions, and a chance to test their wits at the National Competition. This year's central theme is "The Renaissance: Renewal and Reform," and it has proved to be an extremely expansive subject. Right now, I have more binders full of information on this subject than all of the material I've accumulated in my entire high school enrollment! Since it's a decathlon, there's ten fun-filled parts to this competition, so I'll fill you in.

First off, about 2 weeks ago, we took the first portion of the race: the dreaded "Essay." We're put into a little room, wait until a certain hour, then pound away for 50 minutes on a mind-numbingly hard essay. They give us three choices for prompts: one from either Renaissance literature, short works, or Super Quiz (a part that deals with random questions from every aspect of the topic). We have to write a well-organized essay in a very small amount of time. Well, that's over and done with, and I have to admit, I think I kicked essay ass when I wrote about John Donne and his choice of writing known as "metaphysical conceit." Hoo-ah!

Friday, we'll be leaving school to go to the contest site in Aldine. This day will be devoted to Speeches and Interview. First, we'll dress up all fancy, then practice alot. Then, we'll be interviewed by 2 or 3 people, just regular questions about life, college, school, yadda, yadda, yadda. All we have to do is be careful about posture, tone, etc. After that, we'll get a break, and get ready for the Speeches. All this year, we've had to write a speech about any topic, and memorize it for competition. It has to be 3.5-4 minutes long, and be well thought-out. We have to recite it for the judges while standing, maintaining good body language, posture, etc. Now for the Impromptus. They give us a sheet with 3 prompts on it. We have a minute to choose a prompt and devise a 1.5-2 minute speech about the prompt in our heads, and give that speech right there on the spot. Hence, the "impromptu." All of these events are taken individually. No friends to look at or cheer you on. That's it for Friday's activities.

Saturday is quite a bit harder in most respects, considering all the other 7 events are held on this day. We go back to Aldine at 6 in the morning, and prepare for the worst. 30-minute tests on Mathematics, Music, Economics, Social Sciences, Language and Literature, Art, and Written Super Quiz are all given in a row, redefining the phrase "mental exhaustion." The testing rooms are arranged so that there's one kid from each school in a room, so no friends again. After that torture, it's time for the real fun! Super Quiz Relay time! We all line up by school in front of a crowd of people and the testing area. (This is the only "public" portion of the competition. TV cameras and fans alike will be present) We go up, one by one, and answer 5 Super Quiz questions each, with your individual score announced to everyone! The good thing is that after this part, it's all said and done with! Whew!

Well, that'll be it for the update. I will not be attending the Sadie Hawkins dance, because I'll be metally destroyed from Saturday's events, but I won't say "no" to some Laser Tag invitations, or something else fun. Call at night if anything's goin' on. OK, I'm out.

~Brian

"H is for Heaven and Hell; now let's hear it for Death!"

Currently Listening Demon Days By Gorillaz Feel Good, Inc. see related

A Vicious Circle, Indeed

Wow, two updates within a week of each other! Simply amazing. I must be having an off day. Oh well, I'm not even sure why I'm posting, so this one may not be terribly long.

So yesterday was Valentine's Day. It really is a good ol' holiday if you have friends to share it with. I received many treats from friends, and Celia got me a cute, little, squishy bear and a cookie cake with "I (heart) You" on it! I spent the day not paying attention in class and consuming food when able. I got Celia a box of chocolates and a card. This was more of a follow-up from our date on Saturday, where I gave her a giant man-size teddy bear and a dozen pink roses. I definitely had a good day, and I managed to go to bed at a reasonable hour.

I can sympathize with the people who do not have a significant other to share their love with on Valentine's Day, but they really need to cut this "Singles Awareness Day" crap. Valentine's Day was meant for people to celebrate their love for each other, not to complain about how you don't have a date and ridicule others who do. I saw a lot of this yesterday, and it just plain pissed me off. Thank you to certain people that I know who celebrated "S.A.D" in a non-complaintative way, that's alright with me. Anyways, moving on...

Life has been a bit odd lately. No, it doesn't really have anything to do with the my recurring dream (it finally went away), it's just that I've been tossed around much more. You know how people say "life is like a roller coaster"? Well, it seems that nearly every day has been like that as of late. As much jostling goes on, I've noticed a pattern in it all: as life starts to get really good, part of that good will actually trigger something bad, which, in effect, drags me down. At some point, the opposite occurs, pulling me back up to the good level. Lather, rinse, repeat. I feel that I have appropriately dubbed it the "Icarus Effect." Remember Icarus from Mythology? Well, he basically had the same plight, except he was literally flying, decided to be a moron, and ended up dying due to his stupidity. Instead of crashing and burning, I tend to teeter on the extremes, but regain control. Anyways, what I'm really trying to say here is that I've been having some pretty crazy days.

I've been in a really creative mood these past few hours. I'm just itchin' to go do something outstanding, something interesting, something time-consuming. I've done all my puzzles, finished the crosswords, drawn some funny faces, organized my music, and even cleaned out my sock drawer. Now I'm just utterly bored. I've got nothin' to do. Whatever. I'm just rambling now, sorry. I'll leave y'all alone. See ya.

~Brian

My Kingdom for a Wink of.....

Many of you out there know about my somewhat disturbing sleep habits. If there's important work to be done, then sleep is nowhere to be found for me. As of now, I'm approaching my 46th consecutive hour of sleeplessness, proving that I can function normally under such stressful conditions, although my spelling tends to mar a little bit. Wanna know my record? You sure? 157 hours. Yes, that's right folks, 157 hours, or 9,420 minutes, or 565,200 seconds of mind-numbing sleep deprivation. It was a terrible week....but I lived. I came home that Friday exhausted, immediately went to bed, and woke up Saturday evening. But believe me, it's no fun, and I wouldn't have done it if I didn't feel it was necessary. Anyway....

Lately, when I have been sleeping, I've been having this rather strange dream. Normally I sleep like I'm dead to the world, where noise the equivalent of a dump truck driving through a nuclear power facility can't even wake me. In these cases, very rarely do I remember any dreams that I imagine, and if I do, eerily enough, they depict scenes from my future. I'll be having a conversation with someone and BAM! it's like "Whoa, this is from my dream two nights ago!" like some sort of freaky deja vu. But I've gotten used to it. But recently, I've had the same strange dream a couple of nights in a row. I wouldn't think anything of it if not for the fact that it was extremely vivid and repetitive.

In this dream, I start off as a bystander, watching the dream from afar. There is a tall man there, wearing a black coat. He is standing at the extreme edge of a perilous cliff of a great chasm. He is looking down into the pitch-black abyss, where no bottom can be seen. The grass around is a pale green, and wind sweeps this desolate place in violent gusts. One of the most notable features of the dream is the sky. It is dotted with dark black clouds, but the sky itself is purple; a shade of purple that seems to dull all emotions and make the air feel heavy. Every time I try to focus on the man, the same thing happens: I all of a sudden become the man himself.

He is still himself, but I see what he sees and feel what he feels. He keeps looking down at the gorge, but I can feel no emotions. All of a sudden, he turns around, and I glimpse something red, but some unseen force topples the man over backwards. As he falls into the abyss, all I can see is the menacing sky, but the emotion that the man has is not fear; it is an overwhelming feeling of sadness. Time seems to stand still, and yet I continue to feel his despair and regret. It is then that I wake up, feeling terribly melancholy.

I don't know why I keep having this dream, it doesn't feel like it has anything to do with me. I wish I could get rid of it, so I'm writing it down here to try to get it out of my system. If you have any advice or feedback, feel free to leave any sort of comment, but it's not mandatory. I just need to see if it will go away now. Alright, that's enough for tonight, see ya.

~Brian