tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10714903123185454862024-02-02T16:32:53.440-06:00Journey of the Stag WarriorThe Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071490312318545486.post-61052772691084691132011-05-30T13:30:00.006-05:002011-05-30T13:30:01.258-05:00Chapter 5: The Stag Warrior Reawakens.....The ground was cold and damp with dew. The smell of dandelions, and the sound of cicadas he heard as he awoke this particular morning told him it was spring, probably close to summer. His eyes fluttered for a moment, trying to adjust to the early morning sun. Why did it never seem to be cloudy in the morning? Just once, he thought, he would have liked to wake up without that fireball in the sky stabbing him dead in the eyes EVERY single day.<br />
<br />
"Screw this," he thought to himself, and rolled over and attempted to close his eyes again and go back to sleep. The sun however had OTHER ideas, as the sunbeams on his back warmed him beyond the point of comfortable sleeping, and within a few minutes he was sitting, with one knee up, and with the opposite hand, he propped himself up to survey his surroundings.<br />
<br />
His still cloudy, sleepy mind took a second or two to remember where he was at the moment, but then his gaze fell on a few stone outcroppings he had seen before he made camp. The thoughts realigned themselves and one word came to him: Singleston. This was one of the two large provinces in the land of Being, the other being Marrydom to the west. To the south was the smaller province of Couplesland.<br />
<br />
Most people traveled between the provinces as they progressed along their journeys, as he had been doing, but here in Singleston, there were those souls who had chosen to remain here all their lives, traveling only within the boundaries of this province, and were content to do so. In the center of the three provinces, not actually situated in any of the them, was the city called Meets. It was the place to go to find companions to take with you on your journey, and it was also one of the main places that those same companions (or yourself) would choose to leave one another behind, and continue on with other companions, or strike out alone. There had been many times when he had gone there, and found companions, but this time he had done the latter, and had taken his leave of several people whose journeys and his no longer converged. He had left Meets several weeks, perhaps months before, and had made camp here many miles to the east. Why had he slept so long? Or had he been awake, and just not been paying attention? His thoughts went back to where he had been up to this point, and to where he planned to go from here.<br />
<br />
Singleston was the province best known for its freedom to do as one pleased, the laws were quite lax, and as long as you did not harm anyone or their property, the law enforcing officers would leave you alone. Here there was no one to answer to, no one to explain why you did something, or why you didn't do something. Here you were free to socialize and befriend anyone you wished to, and no one said a word.<br />
<br />
There were various villages and towns scattered throughout the province that each catered to a particular form of entertainment, which was something else Singleston was known for, it could be an exceedingly fun place to be.<br />
<br />
Gambelot was a town situated on a hilltop, where the weather was always bright during the day, and at night, the sky was just as bright as the lights from the casinos, lots of casinos, beckoned all to come try their luck at games of chance. Streams of money seemed to flow from everywhere, and the people of the land of Being flocked to it. The sounds of coffers opening up and spilling their wares could be heard for miles. Ching-ching-ching-ching-ching! Some people got on a hot streak, and won often, and then they would make Gambelot their permanent residence, playing the games day after day, night after night, still hoping for more, waiting for that "big win". Still others would see their luck run out, but still make the city their home, as they would try to win back what they lost. Most people only stayed for a short time though, and maybe made or lost a little money, but had fun, which was really the point. The Stag Warrior had devised himself a little strategy upon his few visits there, years ago, which was of course to budget his funds. And, only betting a little at a time, thereby not losing a lot if he lost, but still having the chance at the big prize should he win. He had had a wonderful time on each visit, once winning a sizable amount of money, and on another occasion losing some, but much less than he had budgeted to lose. The memories of both occasions brought him good feelings every time they crossed his mind.<br />
<br />
Screamanshout was one of the largest towns in the province, at least in the area of land it encompassed, to accommodate the gargantuan structures sprawled throughout the landscape. Here one could be thrilled and amazed, and even scared out of their wits, just by looking at the town's main attraction, amusement parks, and their rides, hundreds of them, of all shapes and sizes. Huge steel girders held up every imaginable type of rollercoaster known to exist, twisting and turning back on themselves, one ride nestled inside and around the next, so that distinguishing one from another became impossible when viewed from afar. To enter here took nerves of steel, or, as some put it, a death wish. The safety record, however, was in fact quite exemplary, the death toll quite low. Considering the volume of patrons and the ongoing construction of even higher, faster, and of course, more expensive 'coasters, having only lost a few hundred people in the 100 or so years of the city's history was thought to be due to both a lot of luck, and the rigorous maintenance schedule that was mandated when the city was first planned out. As with all the other towns, people had decided to make their homes here, and stay for months or even years at a time. Every day they would try a new ride, or maybe bungee jump off the cliffs on the north end of town, and take the chartered planes and go skydiving. This was where you wanted to be if you wanted to go to a haunted house too, as there were several streets full of them. Their owners would periodically change the routes customers would take as they traveled through them, or the scary things that popped out at random intervals, to keep the people interested. This was one town the Stag Warrior had only visited for one day here, another day there, as he encountered it on his journey, but such thrills he did not find appealing for long periods of time, and he had moved on after having his fun, as did many others.<br />
<br />
The town he perhaps remembered most, however, much to his chagrin, was Boozeburg. He had been through there MANY times, at one point staying for the better part of 10 years. In Boozeburg there had been liquor stores and bars, and every type of alcoholic beverage imaginable could be bought and consumed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And all you needed to drink your choice of inebriation was having the money to buy it. This, like the other towns, saw patrons from all over the land of Being. The town itself was split in half, where one side saw sunlight all day during the day, and clear skies at night, whereas on the other side, the weather was often harsh, cold, and it rained a lot, making the entire place feel constantly damp and dreary. The smell of wine, spirits, beer, and various mixtures of vomit and urine would gag the unsuspecting passerby, and many a soul would avoid that side of Boozeburg at all costs. Men and women of all ages would sometimes spend every dime they earned from their employers buying and consuming copious amounts of alcohol, leaving their debts unpaid, their houses and relationships in disarray, and their children unfed and often unattended. This was often where those who were not happy with their journey would come to drown their sorrows in a glass of bubbly. Those who felt alone, having spent their whole lives in Singleton, and who had not found a lifelong companion at Meets were here. Those who lived in Marrytown and Couplesland however, sometimes came for a visit, to the sunny side of town, to celebrate together a happy occasion. They would come, have their party or celebration, and then leave the next morning. Sometimes however, some patrons would linger, keeping their companions stuck in Boozeburg as well, but only as concerned and often disgusted observers.<br />
<br />
The Boozeburg experience was not something he remembered fondly, the Stag Warrior himself had been one of those patrons first from Couplesland, and then later from Marrytown. His companion didn't seem to have a problem being there with him at first, but things got worse and worse for them financially, mostly due to periods in which he had no job during his stay in Boozeburg. His relationship with her soon began to deteriorate, and then, as he remembered it, he finally got up and left Boozeburg, but then also left her, she was just not compatible with him at all, and had he been paying attention, he would have seen from the start that she was not. Funny how the alcohol had him feeling good, but all the while he went there to drink it because he was not feeling happy with HER.<br />
<br />
Shaking off his reverie, the Stag Warrior set his mind on where he was going next. There were a lot of other places to go in the land of Being, and Singleston was a big place. Now that he had a stable job, and was not going NEAR Boozeburg, he decided to set his sights higher, to "settle" less often, to go out and make something better for himself. Too many times before he settled for being with companions who were not traversing the same path as he, or being ok with living in conditions that he was not happy with, but now those days were over. "I want to learn to play the cello." "I want to have a place of my own." "I want to learn to cook good, nutritious meals." The thoughts came clearly and quickly.<br />
<br />
He got up, dusted off his pack, and began to walk, this time with a little more spring in his step.....this journey was about to take some turns for the better.The Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071490312318545486.post-72233825634827630492011-03-28T19:16:00.000-05:002011-03-28T19:16:25.419-05:00Announcing, Perth's Pointers.....Hi folks, just wanted to write a quick note to announce a new feature on my other blog, <a href="http://thestagwarrior.blogspot.com/">Perth's Pronouncements</a>, called "Perth's Pointers". I'm going to be posting tips on car repair, computer repair and upgrades, basic plumbing, and also tips on upgrades and accessories for many types of home electronics. So pop on over there and check it out, I've already posted the first "pointer", all about <a href="http://thestagwarrior.blogspot.com/2011/03/perths-pointers-1-do-you-have-more-usb.html">USB hubs</a>, what to know, and what to watch out for. And remember to follow that blog while you're there if you don't already, I'll be posting regular entries, chock full of all kinds of useful information, you never know what you'll see next!The Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071490312318545486.post-47362144333682469882011-01-20T15:58:00.000-06:002011-01-20T15:58:30.714-06:00I'm still here.....and finally, the review....Yes folks, the Stag Warrior is still here, it's just that I've been writing in my other blog, <a href="http://thestagwarrior.blogspot.com/">Perthro's Pronouncements</a> (formerly known as The Stag Warrior Speaks), when I have been posting anything, so if you are not a follower of that blog, and you would like to check it out, just click that link and you can catch up on all the happenings. I made a small modification to the layout here, the picture you see above was drawn and colored for me by a dear Facebook friend of mine who is an incredible artist. I thought it appropriate to put it here, as it really symbolizes my connection to my totem, the stag.<br />
<br />
In my last post here, back in November, I mentioned ordering something from the family of <a href="http://www.csnstores.com/">CSN stores</a> website, which I in fact did, I ordered a hobby knife set from them to work on a plastic model kit I acquired at the local hobby store. I have worked with them only a few days, but I can already tell you that they have more than met with my expectations. They did arrive a little later than I expected, but the fact that I ordered them during the week of Thanksgiving probably did a lot to delay them. The package I got was a little larger than I expected too, as it was in a large "bubble" style envelope. When I opened it I understood why, when I found the hobby knife set in a heat sealed plastic "casing", such as used to allow it to be hung on a display hook. When I opened it up, only a few of the blades and accessories were out of place, not unusual for it having been shipped, and I was able to put everything back in order in less than a minute. The wooden box was of a quality I expected, sturdy, strong, and should keep the set secure and intact. In trying out the various knives, I found them to be strong and as sharp as I expected they should be, my left index finger can attest to that lol. Overall I believe that I got my money's worth, it serves the purpose for which it was intended, and is constructed well enough that I should not have to look to buy another set of hobby knives for quite some time. Here are a few pictures so you can see what I've been describing.......<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDviDEV-R5gpiVpXFqrM0j8fcWWpM3N7qGgS82h9zFseceu5HI69P1DpuFOyZTMNsSnen54v-r8u2AAqRTcH9Jjjik5tc_BQ7IJYkDIhoY1WKfhTIhJp8OZrjZzz6kXy5FNWeo8SKdRXBn/s1600/0120111533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDviDEV-R5gpiVpXFqrM0j8fcWWpM3N7qGgS82h9zFseceu5HI69P1DpuFOyZTMNsSnen54v-r8u2AAqRTcH9Jjjik5tc_BQ7IJYkDIhoY1WKfhTIhJp8OZrjZzz6kXy5FNWeo8SKdRXBn/s320/0120111533.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVg8TDy3vN_r9dU6r4KWkBDTc2ySqYQ8B-Oe691wU-lIVNuPsnuSgZbfRknp-DDRhIajekcFwucWNKNbH4FqivHpKdfc3rdplBIfqXY82c60zGvpSN-ZUfSForCgaK9J7CSyyvtDP-J0h/s1600/0120111534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVg8TDy3vN_r9dU6r4KWkBDTc2ySqYQ8B-Oe691wU-lIVNuPsnuSgZbfRknp-DDRhIajekcFwucWNKNbH4FqivHpKdfc3rdplBIfqXY82c60zGvpSN-ZUfSForCgaK9J7CSyyvtDP-J0h/s320/0120111534.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The whole process of ordering the kit and getting it shipped was flawless, I got what I ordered and it was not damaged or missing any parts, I wholeheartedly recommend shopping with CSN and will be doing it again myself in the future.<br />
<br />
I hope you all are having a great day, and I will talk to you again soon.The Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071490312318545486.post-15377579120860827642010-11-22T07:56:00.000-06:002010-11-22T07:56:41.234-06:00Bella's having a giveaway!Hello folks, nice to see you again!<br />
<br />
Bella over at <a href="http://bellafoxglove.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-first-giveaway.html">Memoirs of a Crazy Witch</a> is having her first giveaway! It's a 55 dollar gift code to use at any of the many <a href="http://www.csnstores.com/">CSN stores</a> websites, there's lots to look over, so get on over to her blog if you haven't already, and check it out! While you're there, don't forget to become a follower, she's an amazing writer and a wonderful person. I thoroughly enjoy reading her posts, and I know you will too. So, what are you waiting for? Click that link up there and get going!<br />
<br />
Stay tuned for a review of a CSN product, I am ordering it today, so it's only going to be a few weeks until I do it, talk to everyone soon!The Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071490312318545486.post-92135581500182059782010-10-19T09:05:00.000-05:002010-10-19T09:05:02.733-05:00And now, I can shop online.....Hi folks, good to see you again!<br />
<br />
Now as I told you in my last post, a lot has changed in the 6 months since I started working again, and one of them is that I now have money to use to shop and buy things online.<br />
<br />
One thing I do a lot is to buy Facebook credits to use in various games, such as Happy Pets. While the games are fun without having to spend real money, they're a lot <u>more</u> fun when you have the capital to buy things from the games' store. There are some games that have their own form of currency, such as in Pet Society where they use "Playfish Cash" (because Playfish is the name of the company that makes the game), and in Frontierville they use what's called "Horseshoes" (basically because the symbol of the "cash" is a horseshoe). All of them are used in the same way, wherein you buy the credits or cash or horseshoes with your bank card or credit card, and then you are able to spend them in the game to buy the various items you want or need to further your progress within that game. I played a lot of games on Facebook before I got a job, but I'm having more fun playing them now that I have one.<br />
<br />
The other thing I've done since getting a job is to shop for and buy products online through various websites. One of my favorite websites to peruse before I started working was Newegg.com, a place for everything related to computer hardware. I used to drool over processors, hard drives, motherboards, you name it, and now I'm able to buy them should I so desire, it's a good feeling.<br />
<br />
There is another site, or should I say sites, that I have recently become aware of, where you can buy almost anything under the sun, and that's the CSN Stores family of websites. They sell everything from air compressors to <a href="http://www.allbarstools.com/">barstools</a> to car seats to desks to fitness equipment, I mean they have it all. You can buy briefcases, shoes, toys, even pet furniture, it's really a one stop shopping site. Their prices are very competitive, and in the near future I am going to do a review of one of their products here on my blog, so be sure to look out for that.<br />
<br />
That's just a few things I'm doing now that I'm working. In my next post, find out about the game called "Magic", it's a little unusual, but interesting at the same time........The Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071490312318545486.post-58929329979641536652010-10-18T15:13:00.000-05:002010-10-18T15:13:48.289-05:006 months later.......Hello folks, nice to see you again!<br />
<br />
It's hard to believe I haven't posted here in 6 months, it seems once I got my job I started posting in my other blog and left this one to just sit. Well now's as good a time as any to update you on the happenings.<br />
<br />
I've been working at Walmart for 6 months now, and I've made some friends, and gotten used to walking 10 miles a night. I've just recently clocked it with a pedometer, it's really 10 MILES that I walk a night doing the floor maintenance!<br />
<br />
We first sweep the floor, each man doing a section of the store with those long dust mops you may have seen if you're ever in Walmart late at night, and then we each have a separate job to do. One guy is the "scrubber", and runs the scrubbing machine that cleans the floor, another guy is the "buffer", and runs the buffing machine after the scrubber has scrubbed the floor, and then there is the "side jobs" guy, who does various other tasks such as vacuuming carpets, cleaning the break room and offices, and sweeping and scrubbing in the receiving areas in the back of the store. He's also the guy that cleans the bathrooms if there isn't a fourth person to do that, which on occasion, there isn't. Oh and there's also a guy that does waxing of one or more aisles most nights, as there is usually SOMETHING that needs a new coat of wax on such a gargantuan floor.<br />
<br />
Anyway I've been trained on all the jobs and have gotten pretty proficient at them (all except the waxing, haven't done that one much), and I enjoy what I do, but I've also learned that there aren't any opportunities for advancement within the company if one stays with the maintenance crew. We have no managerial staff, and therefore answer directly to the co-manager of the store that is in charge on any given night. This means that in order to find an opportunity to advance, I will need to move to a different department, and the only other one available on third shift is among the stock crew. I have had a few chances to try my hand at moving freight, in hardware and in housewares, and I like it, and I hope I get the chance to do it again, and eventually move over to one of those departments on a permanent basis. It should provide me with the possibility of moving into a management position, and on third shift, it's not hard to do, as most of the crew seems content to stay where they are.<br />
<br />
That's about all for now, but I'll be back soon to write again, I've been away for far too long, and a lot has changed in the time I've been gone.The Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071490312318545486.post-82254349111562225622010-04-10T01:23:00.000-05:002010-04-10T01:23:57.263-05:00Update, and a rantHi folks, thanks for stopping by!<br />
<br />
Well, I'm done with orientation and "training", and I start tomorrow night actually doing my job. I'd like to say that for all the bad reputation Walmart has as a company, it sure seems to me that they really care about their employees. I could be wrong, but the policies they have, especially those on recycling, in my opinion, are unmatched by any other corporation. This might be a company I'd like to make a career out of. I'm not getting any younger, and I need a company like this where there are real opportunities for advancement. My mother thinks I should still be looking for a better job. With all due respect Mom, this is my life, and I'm going to live it my way. I have had enough of listening to others' advice, letting other people control my decisions, that was the main reason I left my very unhealthy relationship just over a month ago. Incidentally, it is ironic to me that in the entire time I was with my wife, my mother called me a total of 3 times in 19 years, 3, the rest of the times it was me calling her. Tells me that she did not approve of my relationship, and just never bothered to tell me. Anyway, the reason she called today was to ask me for my address, she wants to send me something. Which is something else she did very little of over the last 19 years. Oh sure, she sent things to the kids on birthdays and Christmas and whatever, usually gift cards though, and as for me, hardly a thing. Anyway, we'll see. I'm not really worried about it, just seems fishy to me. I'm not losing any sleep over it, that's for sure.<br />
<br />
I wanted to write this down so I could look at it later, life is really about to change for me, and there is a feeling of loss, but as my favorite saying goes, "There is no loss, only change." I've gone from being co-dependent and downright indecisive and being with a control freak, to being alone and in charge of my life. Someday a woman will come along that can handle both my extreme emotional nature, with ups and downs sometimes switching by the minute, and my overabundant gushiness. She will respect me for what I am, for who I am, even when "I" am a different person at least outwardly from day to day. I have a lot to offer, and it's a shame that people will still judge on the basis of appearance, I've met plenty that still do. I found out that I wasn't compatible with the woman I stayed with for almost 20 years, but in that time I also found out who I WAS compatible with, and that's a whole lot of people. It's just too bad that they all passed me over just because I'm not a "bad boy," because I'm not a cowboy, not country enough, I'm just the nice guy who they want as a friend. Always they want the big and burly treat them like shit types. All I have to say to that ladies, is, YOUR LOSS!! Oh and this sensitive "really nice" guy has done his share of treating like shit. I mean let's face it, I was the one that left HER, and broke her heart, yeah, real nice. Anyway, all I have to say on this is that somewhere, my lady is out there, and when the universe deems it's time, I will find her. I'm sick of being alone, I want female companionship. Whatever, too bad none are strong enough to stand with me, and not try to control me, I don't need control, I want and need a true equal. Someday maybe...............someday.The Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071490312318545486.post-44340572450472677672010-04-02T17:44:00.000-05:002010-04-02T17:44:00.188-05:00A job! Finally!It's official, pending the results of my drug test, which SHOULD be clean, after all, I don't do any drugs, I got a job!<br />
<br />
It's at Walmart, as an overnight maintenance worker. Pretty much means cleaning and polishing the floors, and cleaning up the bathrooms and the parking lot. I'm ecstatic to have finally actually landed a job! It's been so long, I don't know what to do with myself. Oh yeah, I know, go to work like everyone else!<br />
<br />
Anyway, there's still things pending with the OTHER job opportunity, well one of the other ones. Security clearances are pretty hard to get, if for nothing else than all the info that must be collected. There are some additions that I need to make, and then there's still no guarantee that I'll even GET the clearance, so I may not be able to work for them at all. Then there's the job at Advance Auto Parts that I may be getting a call about next week, but see that's the trouble, I can't take all 3 of these jobs, there just isn't enough of me, or time, to go around, as much as I'd like to work for them all.<br />
<br />
So, I suppose if things work out, and I do get that clearance, I'll take that job because of the pay. Although they may elect to keep me anyway, just not on that contract, even if I don't get it. So we'll see. But at least now I do know for sure I got at least one job. I'm so grateful to have been given these opportunities, the universe has truly blessed me. Stay tuned folks for updates on my first day, and just things in general, hopefully when my financial situation improves I will have something else to talk about, LOL!The Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071490312318545486.post-8991312055640477872010-03-31T17:53:00.000-05:002010-03-31T17:53:54.074-05:00Eggs of a different sort....I've got a dragon egg! I found this in a post by Bella on <a href="http://bellafoxglove.blogspot.com/">Memoirs of a Crazy Witch</a>. You go to the site, and pick yourself a dragon egg to raise, and post it on your blog or other site. See mine over there in the sidebar? Click on it and you'll find the site to get your own. Have fun folks!The Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071490312318545486.post-30608691837766085532010-03-29T19:02:00.000-05:002010-03-29T19:02:50.350-05:00An update on my job search!! Good news!!I got some calls today, I may just have a job soon! Check out my post on my other blog, <a href="http://thestagwarrior.blogspot.com/">The Stag Warrior Speaks</a>, for all the details!<br />
<br />
After so many months of putting in applications, of pounding pavement, and searching and searching, I am finally seeing some results. Now more than ever, I know that my move was for the best. Things are looking up, and I hope to be able to report in the next few days that I am once again gainfully employed.<br />
<br />
The energies of this whole situation only fill me with positive vibes, and once again I am reminded of the power of visualization and positive thinking. Good things can and do come if you truly see them happen, and then take the necessary steps to bring those thoughts into reality. I am extremely happy, and I wanted to allow every single one of you to share in my happiness. Have a great day!!The Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071490312318545486.post-88632568820795532162010-03-23T19:36:00.000-05:002010-03-23T19:36:51.123-05:00I read it in a bookToday my journey through life took me to Barnes and Noble, and to a book called "The Day You Were Born" by Linda Joyce. Now while I didn't have sufficient means to buy the book, I took some time to read the part that had to do with the day that "I" was born. What I found was the most accurate depiction of my inner workings that I have ever read. The book uses numerology and astrology to tell you in depth how you are as a person from just the date of your birth. Not the year, just the month and the day. As many of you know, my date of birth is July 2nd, which makes me a Cancer, and boy, did this book ever go into intricate detail about what makes up a Cancer, what makes them tick. Not only that, but then it gives each sequence of days a description of its own, and by sequence, I mean the numerology sequence of the numbers 1 through 9. I'm not completely sure how it works, but it starts with the first day of the month, with 1, and then goes through the ninth with nine, and I think then the sequence repeats throughout the consecutive days thereafter.<div><br />
</div><div>Hopefully I got that right, but the thing I got the most out of reading it was that I myself have some serious internal work to do. It said everything about me that I know to be true. I am eccentric, extreme, and most importantly, when it comes to my internal thoughts, there are no boundaries. It also said that I should learn to manage my fears, something I have NEVER been able to do.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Anyway, to make what I could turn into an extremely long story short, I will just say that I am about to embark on a pretty major internal overhaul. I'm going to make myself some rules, to assure that I create some internal boundaries, and to make myself accountable for what I think and do. I also intend to find who it is I really am during this process, and to start doing things differently than before, not to an extreme as is my norm, but just different. My thoughts have been my undoing for all this time, so it's time to change those thoughts, and become "me".</div>The Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071490312318545486.post-8007814498364088442010-03-23T03:21:00.000-05:002010-03-23T03:21:00.642-05:00My life, todayHello again, and welcome to my life. My new life as a single man. Well at least in living conditions, the paperwork has yet to be filed. It's going on three weeks since I moved out, and the adjustment is proceeding well. I didn't know I would be so petrified at first, having to do things completely on my own. I had become so accustomed to someone always being there to assist me, that I literally didn't know what to do when I finally had the ability to choose things for myself. However, the strings have not yet been fully cut, as, due to my continuing lack of employment, I am still relying on her for financial support. It gives me no pleasure to have to do that, as the whole point of moving out on my own was to have the freedom to do as I want, and not to have to rely on someone else to provide for me. But I am doing well looking for a job, my effort is good. There's still so much I have to do, such as actually get my own place, as for the moment I am relying on a friend to provide me with a roof over my head. That's basically all he and his girlfriend are doing for me, so for the most part, I can consider myself about 70 percent single, on my own.<br />
<br />
Why do I go on and on about this? Because for the last 38 years, I have not been single, not in the true sense of the word. Always there has been someone, always doing for me, or somehow providing for my needs, and therefore, I have always had someone I had to "answer" to, always had to consider someone else's needs before my own. Frankly, I got tired of it. So I left. Of course, that wasn't the only motivation behind my move. I have documented on this blog in the past my issues with my wife, mainly the fact that she and I are just not compatible in a romantic relationship. We fought tooth and nail over the simplest of things, and while that in itself isn't unusual, the fact that we have different views on just about everything that is important IS the reason we aren't compatible. Spiritual goals, lifestyle goals, the direction our children's education and location of that education, the list goes on. We agree on very few things. Add to that fact that she is the kind of person that MUST have things go her way or she is impossible to live with, and we find ourselves at the point we are now. About to get a divorce.<br />
<br />
There's volumes I could write about how I "feel" about this whole situation, but right now is the time for thinking. I've bogged myself down for too many years worrying about how I was "feeling" about things, and doing very little to actually change them. I can say that this is the right thing that I'm doing, for everyone involved, including my children. They will in the long run have a better life. Sure, they won't see me every day, but they still know that I love them, and that they are taken care of. I don't know what the future holds, but for once I can wake up in the morning and know that whatever I do, I do it because it was my choice, my decision, and not because someone else said I "had" to do it.<br />
<br />
With that I will leave you for now, it is late, and there are jobs waiting for me to apply for them when I awake in the morning. Have a good night and day, all you in blogland, and I will report again soon on what has transpired.The Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071490312318545486.post-40038910392926669362010-03-14T03:45:00.000-05:002010-03-14T03:45:23.221-05:00Apologies, and changesGreetings to all who follow, and apologies for my month long absence.<br />
<br />
Some of you follow my other blog, The Stag Warrior Speaks, so you are aware of my recent happenings, but for the rest of you, my life has taken such a turn that I can truly say I am never going back. I moved out of the house, and am actively searching for a job in my new home about an hour down the road whilst staying with some friends. I've done well in that endeavor after about a week of adjusting to what amounts to a "single" existence, and I don't mind telling you, I was a bit petrified.<br />
<br />
I've started my new life, my journey has found a new path, and so too will this blog. I have found that the "story" style of writing has not come to me as often as I would have liked. Therefore, changes are in order. I intend to sleep on it, and make those changes, whatever they may be, in a few days.<br />
<br />
Thanks for following, and stay tuned, as I am optimistic about what is to come.The Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071490312318545486.post-12643784348196798632010-02-09T14:01:00.000-06:002010-02-09T14:01:52.467-06:00Chapter 4: The OneThe Stag Warrior awoke to the bright sun in his face, as he did every morning. This morning was a chilly morning, and the ground was covered in a blanket of snow. The last week or so had been pretty brutal in the weather department, as two winter storms had brought frigid temperatures and for the first time in a very long while, had brought snow to the Stag Warrior's path. As a matter of fact, the snow that had fallen last week, causing him to find "indoor" shelter in a cave, had been the deepest snow he had seen since being a child.<br />
<br />
This time, the snow was barely enough to cover the ground, as the grass and shrubbery on either side of the path was still visible, so today's journey would not be hampered by the frozen precipitation. He glanced out to the path in front of him, still wiping sleep from his eyes, and saw his usual companions on their paths, going about their lives alongside of his, and knew all was well. Nothing unusual about today, nothing out of the ordinary would happen. Just he and his path, traveling along like everyone else did on their path.<br />
<br />
And then, of course, something unusual DID happen. <br />
<br />
Another person came to join him on his path, but this person, this woman, she was, well, not like anyone else he had encountered. He clothes flowed around her as she walked, her body so graceful in movement. She had the most beautiful face, brown eyes, dark hair, and the most gorgeous smile. Her arms, her hands, her feet, her entire body seemed to have been constructed from the very exact specifications of his dreams, she was everything he had ever wanted a woman to be. No one else had ever looked to him to be so perfect in form, so precisely crafted as though for him alone. But it wasn't just her looks that intrigued him, it was her mannerisms, her words, oh her words. She had a way of making him feel like royalty, like he deserved to be treated like a king. But it was her that was royalty, and she became his queen. She became his everything. <br />
<br />
She thought like him, she talked like him, she seemed to always know when something was bothering him. She seemed to find nothing wrong with him, seeing his "faults" as his best qualities. She adored his voice, his face, his hair most of all. How did he get so lucky? This woman was a goddess, a woman to be revered. His thoughts stayed on her, she was amazing. So many years he had traveled, so many miles, and no one had ever made him feel like this. So much love and adoration, so much passion, the passion of a true goddess. The words evaded him, how to tell her she was so wonderful? How to say "I love you" in words that truly could convey his feelings? The words were just not adequate. All the love in the universe seemed to be concentrated in this one human being, it was just unbelievable. He wanted to wrap himself up in it, to cover them both in it, she made him feel so safe and warm.<br />
<br />
All this, and more, now were in his daily thoughts. Feelings of love and passion, togetherness and joy. Every new day brought even more love and even more joy. Her name was on his lips, her face in his mind. "Micaela, I love you", came from his lips even when she couldn't hear it. What a beautiful name, for such an amazing woman. She was the One. She would be his, for forever and a day. And forever is such a deliciously loooooooong time.The Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071490312318545486.post-50202208347965758112010-01-12T03:22:00.000-06:002010-01-12T03:22:26.553-06:00Chapter 3: CompanionsThe Stag Warrior peered down his path, the view obscured a bit in the distance, the dust swirling still, as it seemed to do all the time, being lifted and sifted through the trees dotting the edges of the thoroughfare. He had been walking his path for some time now, several weeks in fact. The monotony of the walk had set in, nothing but rock after rock, tree after tree, this section of his journey seemingly stretching on forever with no visible change of the terrain. Ennui had taken over his mind, day after day the same thing, and he began to wonder if this was even worth doing.<br />
<br />
About that time when all his mind was dreaming up were thoughts of stopping, thoughts of just sitting down somewhere, making shelter, and staying put, he looked up and what he saw snapped him out of his reverie. There was what appeared to be another path, intersecting his own, and yet also a part of it, as though there were two paths, but one destination. Yes, that was it, a path quite close to his own, parallel to his, and here the two became one. This required some investigation.<br />
<br />
Before he had moved three steps further the being appeared. At first only a shadow, as the swirling dust had the effect of providing a sort of shield to normal vision, but then shortly, as he drew closer, he could make out the form of someone quite like himself, yet slightly different. This being was from another town, another tribe perhaps, and was not male. As he approached her, he could see that she had been walking a long time as well, her clothes even more dusty than his, if that were possible, or maybe that was just the dull tan and brown color the attire appeared to be. She wore a waist length denim jacket and jeans, along with hiking boots, and a black bandanna on her head that covered some of her long red and very curly hair. She carried a pack much like his own, a rucksack, except hers was smaller.<br />
<br />
There was something familiar about this woman, and a memory he had placed in the back of his mind long ago suddenly came back to him, and as he finally reached her, and saw her face, he knew. It was her. No one else had those grayish green eyes. She had been a friend, a companion, years ago, when he was on a different path, and had traveled with him for a time, and then she was gone. Now she had returned, after so much time, so much distance traveled, her path to join his once again. He was elated! His boredom had vanished, now here was someone who knew, someone who cared, and who would be his companion on this path like she had been on his last.<br />
<br />
He talked with her at length, catching up on her individual observances and experiences since they had last traveled together, and as it turned out, she was quite knowledgeable about this path, having traveled it for many years more than he, and she prevailed on him to follow the direction she pointed out. He did so, with her right beside him all the way, and as they walked together, the winds stopped howling and became only a whisper of their former ferocity, and the dust began to settle just a bit, making other paths visible, on either side, parallel to the one they were on, as hers had been.<br />
<br />
He began to see more intersections up ahead, where some of those paths crossed theirs, other people were there also, and even behind, why had he not seen them before? He now realized they had been there all along. He had not seen them, or rather ignored them, thinking this path was his alone. There were others walking the path as they were, some faster, some slower, some ahead, some behind, but all going somewhere. Small groups he could see, several people together walking, paths crossing and uncrossing, people coming and going. Everyone on a journey. As they walked others joined them, some old and familiar faces, others new. New friendships were made, and his path became that of many others, some for a short time, as their path took them in another direction, but others stayed, and walked with him as she did. Always guiding him, helping him see the obstacles ahead, always there when he lost his footing, or failed to see a danger ahead.<br />
<br />
He began to feel a change in his thinking. This path was not just his. Everyone had a journey of their own, but it did not mean it had to be a lonely one, a solitary one. People were everywhere along the path, there were friends to be made, relationships to forge, for his journey was not just a transition from a starting point to some obscure destination far away, it was and is an experience of humanity. It was now a joy to wake up, see the sun rise, and greet the day knowing there were others on the same road as he, tackling the same obstacles, dealing with the same storms. Companions were always available. One just had to look up and see them, greet them, and invite them to walk along for as long as they were able. <br />
<br />
No one man, no one person, was ever truly alone.The Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071490312318545486.post-7122913220475421832010-01-08T22:15:00.001-06:002010-01-08T22:17:44.672-06:00New blogHello there, just wanted to let everyone know that I have decided to start a new blog. I intend to use this one for only my "chapter" posts, and my new one for everything else. The new one is called "<a href="http://thestagwarrior.blogspot.com/">The Stag Warrior Speaks</a>". I've written the first post over there already, so please, feel free to click the link and go check it out.<br />
<br />
Thanks and have a great evening.The Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071490312318545486.post-87007500005495410372010-01-06T02:39:00.000-06:002010-01-06T02:39:30.066-06:00Chapter 3 is coming, and a thank youJust a quick note tonight to let everyone know that Chapter 3 of The Stag Warrior's journey is in the works, and should be "on paper" in a few days time. I have been meaning to write something to let everyone know that the saga will continue, but as you'll see below, I have new incentive to write it. It's been a learning experience and one of deep inner contemplation at times. I learn from myself as I write, more each time, about who and what I am, and who and what I wish to become. My life in the "real" world is no different than that of anyone else, but I find that writing that way helps me to focus, and to process my thoughts in a more imaginative way. Imagination and visualization go hand in hand, and if it can be imagined, it CAN be done.<br />
<br />
I got the surprise of my life yesterday morning reading "Turn-around Tuesdays" at <a href="http://wiccamoms.com/">The Soccer Mom's Guide to Wicca</a>. Fae had posted an entry about the first two chapters of my saga, but that wasn't the surprise, as she had informed me in advance. She gave me the biggest compliments in her descriptions of me and my blog, and Fae, all I can say is, thank you so much for making my day with your kind words. I am "a quite talented writer"? Wow! You have made The Stag Warrior's journey, on this day, just that much brighter. Thanks again.<br />
<br />
And for anyone who has not checked out Fae and Juniper's blog, please do, they are both TRUE talented writers, and have a lot to offer. Just click the link above and it will take you to their home page.<br />
<br />
Blessings to all of you on YOUR journey!The Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071490312318545486.post-28332701582621986372009-12-31T12:31:00.000-06:002009-12-31T12:31:45.014-06:00Calling all followers!This is my last post. Yup, my very last. I will no longer be posting after today. No more posts for the rest of the year. My next post will be next year. In 2010. Fortunately, next year starts tomorrow, at least that's what the calendar says. So I guess that means you'll be able to see my next post pretty quickly. And now that I have your attention, I would like to request a favor. If this post appeared on your blogger dashboard, and you were able to click on it and arrive safely here in my blog, please leave me a comment with simply the word "Yes" in it. If not, let me know in perhaps a few details how you arrived here to read this. I am curious after I changed my URL, or "blog address", to see if everyone can still come and see me in the normal fashion. Now, with that out of the way, my last post of the year.......<br />
<br />
<b>New Year?</b> <br />
<br />
New Year's Day, comes once every year, the first day of the "new" year. The start of yet another day, another month, and yes, another year. But what about the day after that? Or the day after that? Can it not be said that that day too, is the anniversary of another year? The same day appeared last year on the calendar, in the same place, as did the Earth itself appear in the same spot in it's orbit one year earlier. What about July 2nd? It's the first day of the second half of the year, why is that day not celebrated as the grand and glorious halfway point?<br />
<br />
My point is this. Every single day of our lives, or of the life of this little blue ball on which we reside can be thought of, from a certain point of view, as a "new year". Think of it like this. How many of us were actually born on January 1st? A percentage of the population to be sure, but for the rest of us, our own personal "new year" starts at a much later date on the calendar. Can it then not be said, again, from a certain point of view, that EVERY day on the calendar is New Year's day? It's the beginning of a new year in a sense for many people, and as I said, each new day is in fact the same day the earth itself was in the same position in space the year before. Well taking into account leap year, and deviations in orbital speed, ok, well, I'll leave that one to the guys with a degree in orbital mechanics. What I'm really talking about here is the perception of "new" beginnings.<br />
<br />
New Year's Day is the day everyone looks to as the beginning, when in fact if we stop and think, every day, every hour, every minute, and yes every second is the beginning of something for someone. Right now, on this, the last day of the calendar year, a small percentage of the population is celebrating their birthday. So for them, it's a new year. Some are getting married today, the beginning of their new lives together. There are probably people starting a new job today, for some of which may turn out to be a lifelong career. Still others are starting the process of obtaining a college education, which will lead to a degree. Every day of the year, someone is starting new. Next year, on this same day, they can look back and say, yup, this is the day it all started.<br />
<br />
For me this thought process started with of all things, as one might expect, a glance at a calendar. Not your hang on the wall through that little hole calendar, but one of those fancy cover up your desk varieties that gives you the number of days that have passed in the year, next to how many days are left. Of course I got curious, and decided to look at my birthday, to see what "number" day I was born on. To my surprise, I found that it said my birthday was day 184, and that there were 183 days left in the year. Yes folks, that's how i discovered that July 2nd is the first day of the second half of the year, or it was that year at least. But it got me thinking. Did anyone know? Did anyone care? Why should January 1st and December 31st get all the glory? Or hell, why not break it down into quarters, and bring April and October to the party? Of course this is all pretty ridiculous, and would really get out of hand in a hurry, but my thoughts began to center on why the need at all to celebrate a "new" year? Clearly many days can be considered for the beginning. I mean why not make April 1st the first day of the year?<br />
<br />
Now of course if you are a pagan, like me, you are saying, wait, hang on, I celebrate MY new year on Samhain. Not at all a day on the Gregorian calendar that coincides with the start of a "block" of the year, and not even close to the supposed "starting" point. But how many of us really do see it as our "new" year? This is my first year as a pagan, so please don't kill me if I am wrong, but it seems to me, just from reading posts here on blogger, that many pagans still actually celebrate the new year on January 1st. Granted it makes sense to do so, as it IS a new calendar year, and should be celebrated as such, but the gist of what I'm trying to say is more along the lines of not picking a day to celebrate, but to see every day as the start of a new year.<br />
<br />
All in all it boils down to this. Let's celebrate the new year every day of the year, find something new to start, something new to accomplish, someone new to meet. Because someone like you, like me, is today considering this day, not tomorrow, as the start of a new year. And maybe we should too.The Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071490312318545486.post-6540059638336923052009-12-28T23:43:00.068-06:002009-12-29T00:28:05.538-06:00A ventFirst things first, I can not believe it's been over a week since I posted anything. The holiday is partially to blame, being busy and all, like everyone is around such times. But there were other reasons, and in this post, I intend to explain myself.<br />
<br />
Christmas these last two years has been especially tough for me personally. I was laid off from my job at the end of November last year, so as you can imagine there was not money to buy presents for my children. Thankfully, both of the schools that my children attend, the middle and elementary, helped us and provided presents for them to open on Christmas day. So they did have presents, last year, and this year. I should be happy, and on one hand I am, but on the other hand it just makes me feel like crap. I'm their father, it should be ME giving them gifts, ME providing a good Christmas, not their SCHOOL!<br />
<br />
It's not like I haven't tried. I AM looking for a job. Have been now for over a year, ever since I was first unemployed. There just seems to be no jobs, or none that my resume seems to make me qualified for. On one end, I am underqualified, not enough experience, no certifications, too many gaps in employment. On the other hand, I am overqualified, I have an associate's degree, I am 38 years old, and have a job history on my resume that says "He really doesn't WANT to work at Mickey D's, plus, we'd have to pay him too much."<br />
<br />
So, what do I do? Put a gun to someone's head, and force them to give me a job? If you asked my wife, the shrew that she is and has become, that's exactly what I need to do. You know, because of course, since I've been without a job so long, that makes me a bum, a no good loser who will never again have gainful employment. Mind you I don't believe for one second that I am a bum, or a loser, but in the eyes of a spouse, it kinda DOES make you look like one being out of a job so long.<br />
<br />
Something else related to that has been bugging the shit out of me too. The laws in this state require you to live apart from your spouse for a year before they will grant a divorce. A reasonable law, makes sense, I mean if you really want a divorce, you probably don't want to live with that person anymore. But, without a job, I have no income, no way to pay rent somewhere else, let alone to pay for the divorce itself. Each day that goes by, still living with her, means that year of time away gets longer, and longer. I could have been almost done with that year, had I found a job already. DONE! But no. No job, no new place, no new life. I have mentally let go of everything, and started on my new path. Ok, great. Now, to find a way to physically make it happen. I can tell you this. It certainly doesn't look like it will happen anytime soon.<br />
<br />
Well, there it is. My venting is done. I don't spend too much time going on about "oh woe is me" these days, as it is generally counterproductive, but even the greatest warrior has to sometimes vent his frustrations. Things may change tomorrow, or next week, or next month, who knows? It will happen at the right time, when preparation meets opportunity. So for now, my friends, thank you for listening, and I hope everyone has a joyous and prosperous New Year. Love and light, and brightest blessings to all of you!<br />
<br />
The Stag WarriorThe Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071490312318545486.post-17165225224360983272009-12-20T03:35:00.000-06:002009-12-20T03:35:25.429-06:00A NoteI thought I would take a minute and talk about my transformation from Rayden Darklighter to The Stag Warrior.<br />
<br />
As you all know, since I have mentioned it on more than a few occasions, I only recently became a pagan. Of course the longer I say that, the less recent it gets. It's been 9 months now, hardly recent. But anyhow, when I first became a pagan, like many, I just HAD to have a "cool" craft name. Now mind you at the time I didn't see it that way, just that I was getting a new name to symbolize my entrance into this new exclusive club of those who work magic. As you can see I had a lot to learn.<br />
<br />
Since that time, I have done more and more soul searching, learning about myself, and the things I needed to do to become "me". Before that I was all ego and selfishness. I still have tons to learn, and in my current situation, without the ability to practice as I would like, I will remain a "newbie" on some things for longer than most. I have learned that the person I am is not just a gushy bag of emotion, but a person who has a lot to offer the world at large. I do not give in to my bouts of extreme emotion, I keep them under control, and channel that energy in a productive direction. There is a purpose for me being here, one being my understanding of the human condition. It allows me to really comprehend the intricacies of what it is we are all here doing, as spiritual or energy life forms having a human experience. Every person has a journey they are on, their own personal journey through this life, to learn whatever lessons each chose for themselves while still on the spiritual plane. It is this journey, this condition, that I am now more aware of than ever before in my life.<br />
<br />
In my life. Hmpf. Something that means only this form, this existence. As Rayden, I took a lot of time bitching and griping about the others, the people around me on their own journey, and how what they were doing "made" me into what I was. My patron god, Cernunnos, the epitome of warriors, would have none of that. It took me a while, but once I started really listening to the signs around me, I realized that it was not a warrior's way to act as I had been. Warriors get up and do the job they are required and choose to do, without fear, and without excuses. They know the risks, they know the dangers, but they go and do. Even to the point of laying down their own lives so that others may live. So, my name became The Stag Warrior. I chose to leave my prior existence behind, and forge for myself a new path, one not influenced by fears and indecision. I chose to have the courage to accept myself in this body with its advantages and limitations, and to work through the lessons I chose for myself as a spirit, to be a warrior spirit, with the heart of the stag.<br />
<br />
This journey has just begun. Along the way there will be obstacles, some of which I have already conquered. There are many that are still in front of me. One step at a time I will take them on, because they are mine to conquer, to overcome, to process through. Mine alone, for this is my journey. Others will walk with me, others will help and guide me, but ultimately, only I can make it to the end. I will then revert back to the spirit that I am, having finally accomplished what I set out to do, in this, my human experience. This time around.<br />
<br />
To that end, the first obstacle I must overcome, past my mental state that I touched on in my last post, is to remove myself physically from the situation at hand. It is necessary to do so in order to "move on", but in more mundane terms it is required by the state in which I reside of one who wants a divorce from their spouse to live apart from that spouse for a period of one year. Therefore, I am making plans to do just that. I have neither the capital nor any resources to accomplish this at the present moment, but there are options available to me that I am working on to gain what I need.<br />
<br />
In closing, I would like to wish everyone a most blessed Yule, and may you and yours be safe and happy.The Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071490312318545486.post-79740704432721130902009-12-18T23:00:00.000-06:002009-12-18T23:00:16.213-06:00Chapter 2: Obstacles<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The path lay before the Stag Warrior, long and windy, stretching into the distance. Mountains were clearly visible, valleys between, surely these would need to be traversed. Thick forests of thorny bristles lined both sides of the path, boulders of various sizes blocked the way. There was a thought in his mind, one he battled to suppress. This path, this journey ahead, it was a little daunting, this would be the hardest thing he ever did. Taking the first step those few days ago now seemed the easy part. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Just then, he felt something pulling at his leg, causing him to lose his balance and fall roughly on the dusty ground. Seems he had been dragging something along behind him, and he had come to the end of whatever the "something" was. Of course the "something" turned out to be the rope that he now "found" attached to his ankle. He knew this rope well. It was tied at the other end back where he started, joined to a substance, an object he had been dragging along with him for years. It was big, and heavy, and he had been tethered to it for so long he tended to forget the rope was there. Now, as he wanted, no, needed, to continue on this path, with no turning back, he began to work the knot of the rope, desperately wanting to be free. It was a thick rope however, hewn of the best hemp, and the knot would not loosen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Searching in his weathered and beaten and now very dusty pack, he dug out a hatchet, short, but sharp, with the handle worn and brittle on the end, some of the wood having been lost from years of use and abuse. Placing the rope on top of a stone, he began to hack at it, one thread at a time, shearing it off. Years of weighing him down, slowing him down were going to come to end come hell or high water. Millimeter by millimeter, swing after swing, he began to cut himself free. Shreds began to fall. Some collected at his feet, others were caught up in the short gusts of wind that blew, to be carried off, never to be seen again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Finally, after what seemed an eternity, and after countless blows, the rope was severed. He sat for a moment, taking a deep breath. It was done. The last vestiges of what he was, what he had been, were now away, gone, no longer to plague him. What was left now was the knot, and only the knot. He would remember, but not be hampered on his journey.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He smiled. He got up, dusted himself off, and set out again. Toward the boulders, toward the forest of bristles, and the valleys, and mountains. This would not be so bad after all.<br />
</span>The Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071490312318545486.post-32534544696369880532009-12-15T23:39:00.001-06:002009-12-16T08:56:01.950-06:00Chapter 1: The First StepThe Stag Warrior stirred, the morning sun hitting his sleeping form as he lay on the rocky ground, his pack under his head as a pillow. The rays crept up his body till they reached his face, to his eyes, and at that he awoke, squinting. The day had arrived. Time for his journey to begin.<br />
<br />
He had been waiting for this day, he had just not known it before. All his life he had been prepared for it, been taught what he needed to learn to survive. All the trials, the tests, all to culminate in this moment. The day he set out on his own. The day he cut all the ties, all the burdens, and left to forge his own way. His spirit guides, his totem animal, the stag, to walk with him, his thoughts one with their energy. <br />
<br />
Many years he had been with others. Never having his own path, never creating his own destiny. It had become a comfort of sorts, to walk the path of the others, to have the security, to know that someone would always be there to bail him out, to save him from the difficulties the journey brought forth. Always, allowing others to control the direction his path would take.<br />
<br />
But this journey, this morning, would be only his own. Oh, there will still be others with him, but this time, only he to determine his destiny. He got up, aware now of the chaos around him, its presence constant, so as to be idle background noise, the troubles of everyday life like a sandstorm beating his face, but only to the point he blinked a bit. Then he gazed out, out there, to the unknown. The path was waiting for him, he only need to take the first step. Leave everything else behind, take that first step to a different path than the others.<br />
<br />
The doubts swirl in his mind like the sandstorm around him. Where will he go? What will he do? What obstacles lay ahead? In his mind's eye he brushes all the doubts and fears aside, and then...........<br />
<br />
He takes that step.The Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071490312318545486.post-71391305253401093972009-12-12T20:23:00.000-06:002009-12-12T20:23:15.881-06:00New look, new title, new name<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">No, it's ok folks, you haven't stumbled into the wrong blog, it's still me, the former Rayden Darklighter, and this is the former Rayden's Rants.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I decided to change my whole blog, the layout, the title, my button, and most importantly, my name. I have entered a new chapter in my life, actually the way I see it my life has just begun. My blog will continue as it has been, as a place for me to write down my thoughts and opinions as I journey down my path, the path of the Stag Warrior. No longer will I refer to myself as Rayden Darklighter in these posts, as that part of my life is behind me. I am the Stag Warrior, on a new journey through life, ready to embark on a new chapter, a new fork in the road if you will.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I welcome you to join me as I chronicle the Journey of the Stag Warrior.</span>The Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071490312318545486.post-17376810885143418832009-12-10T00:50:00.000-06:002009-12-10T00:50:03.654-06:00A Yule survey<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Well it's been a few days since I posted, but Bella over at <a href="http://bellafoxglove.blogspot.com/">Memoirs of a Crazy Witch</a> tagged me with this Yule survey, so I'm posting early, well early for me. lol </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This one looks like fun.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1. Have you started Yule shopping yet? </b><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">No, but usually I would have, this year we don't have any extra money, we'll see what happens.</span> <br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">2. Tell me about one of your special holiday traditions? </b><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">When I was a kid, my parents had this ceramic Nativity set that on every Christmas Eve, we would put the baby Jesus in the manger and sing Christmas carols. Now, since this year Yule is new to me, I will be looking for new traditions to start.</span> <br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">3. When do you put up your tree? </b><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Well, I seem to recollect as a kid we did it soon after Thanksgiving, but my wife's family has done it for years on or the weekend of her birthday (Dec 5), so that's when we do it now.</span> <br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">4. Are you a Black Friday Shopper? </b><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I've only been out in the early morning shopping on Black Friday once, and for the life of me I can't remember exactly why, but I do know it had little or nothing to do with any sale. I do remember being morbidly entertained at all the people scurrying about making purchases on things that would be on "sale" again in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Funny how no one ever thinks of that. Like that "sale" price is the rock bottom price they will sell that item at before Christmas finally arrives.<br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">5.</b> <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Do you travel at Yule or stay at home? </b><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I can't remember the last time I traveled at ANY holiday.<br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">6.</b> <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">What is your funniest Yule memory? </b><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I would have to say the night I found out there was no Santa Claus. Not funny? Oh, well, to me it was. I was asleep like a good little boy on Christmas Eve, about 5 years old, when I woke up just in time to hear my father ask my mother "Are you gonna get the presents?" Talk about fortuitous timing. To this day I remember it as the luckiest moment of my life, when I verified what I had suspected for quite some time in my short life.</span> <br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">7. What is your favorite Yule movie of all times? </b><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I'd have to go with "Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer" followed by "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". Oh, and don't forget "Frosty the Snowman".</span> <br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">8. Do you do any Yule baking and what's your favorite treat? </b><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Baking? Um, well, I did make a pie once, which did turn out to be edible. I love pie, especially pumpkin. But the one I really love is Edwards brand Hershey chocolate creme pie, oh the chocolatey goodness of that baby.....<br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">9. Fake or real tree? </b><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Fake, although growing up we did have a real tree or two. I wouldn't dream of having a real one now, because the tree usually doesn't make it to January.</span> <br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">10. What day does the actual panic set in to get it all done?</b><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> Panic? I don't panic, things just don't happen fast enough, lol. Actually, I usually have everything figured out at least a day or two before, so there isn't a "panic".</span> <br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">11. Are you still wrapping presents on Yule Eve?</b><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> Sometimes yes, sometimes no.</span> <br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">12. What is your favorite family fun time at Yule? </b><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">When everyone is opening presents and you can't see the floor for the wrapping paper, and you can't hear yourself think for the squeals of delight.............</span><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">13. What Yule craft do you like best?</b><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> I used to love stringing popcorn, but with this crew, it's a disaster of monumental proportions, so I haven't suggested it this year, yet.......<br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </b> <br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">14. Yule music? Yes or No, and if yes, what is your favorite song? </b><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">There's this CD I have, called the Porter Music Box Sound of Christmas, it's beautiful, lots of everyone's favorite carols, played on a large music box that sounds more like bells, I play it incessantly this time of year, reminds me of what I heard as a kid.</span> <br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">15. Do you plan to finish all your shopping?</b><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> Why yes I do, and thanks for asking, if I ever get it started.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Well, there you have it. Since Yule is a new holiday for me this year, and as I am still currently in the closet, it will probably be next year before any traditions emerge, but for now, I must find the 5 other blogs I must tag. I apologize in advance if you have already been tagged.<br />
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">And heeeere they are:</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.goodmourningglory.com/"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Good Mourning, Glory</span></a> <br />
<a href="http://deepinsidemybroomcloset.blogspot.com/">Deep Inside My Broom Closet</a><br />
<a href="http://witchofridgewood.blogspot.com/">Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic</a><br />
<a href="http://lostinastralspace.blogspot.com/">Lost In Astral Space</a><br />
<a href="http://jenandollie.blogspot.com/">rambling of a newbie pagan</a><br />
</div>The Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071490312318545486.post-71044466795380704162009-12-06T03:27:00.000-06:002009-12-06T03:27:30.919-06:00My day, some randomness<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'm here again, late at night, with no one else in the house awake, listening to music, and contemplating my day. Spent time with the kids today, got the tree up and decorated, all in all a good day.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I would be lying if I said that the impending holiday hasn't got me just a tick depressed without a job, and the income to buy them presents. I know it's not all about presents, but to a kid, that's ALL it's about. "What am I gonna GET?" When I was a kid, that's all I thought about leading up to the big day. My kids are no different, and it bothers me that I won't be able to go out and buy them stuff to put under the tree. But I know they will be provided for, and will not be wanting for things to unwrap, but still.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I've been thinking a lot about running an ad in craiglist for laptop repair, and I'm working on a pricelist to be better prepared for questions any potential clients may have. I want to undercut the local competition, which won't be hard for some of the prices these businesses charge, but reading some of the ads already on craigslist, it may be harder than I thought. But I am confident that if I put a good enough ad together, I should be able to drum up some business, and more importantly, some income in the next few months.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It's been refreshingly cold here lately, I'm really having fun with the temperatures dropping, summer is just way too hot. I hope it snows soon, I think it's the most beautiful thing, fresh snow on the ground undisturbed.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I've got a couple of random rants here for ya, gimme some feedback on these if you want, I'm seriously curious about this stuff.........</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">When you go down the highway, and you see a sign that says "Speed checked by detection devices", are you supposed to think they are using a radar gun, as opposed to, say, the naked eye? "Yep, that there car sure looked like it was goin fast, reckon we should pull him over Officer Bob!" Just saying, isn't it a given that the speed of our cars is checked with SOME sort of detection device? I mean why do they have to spell it out?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Another disturbing, or perhaps pleasant (depending on who you talk to) trend that I've seen recently is filmakers making trailers for their films which are different than the actual film. In other words, the scenes in the trailer differ from the scenes in the film, or worse, don't appear in the film at all! Am I the only one that thinks this is annoying? I mean I get all hyped up for weeks before a movie comes out, and expect to see what I saw in the trailer when I go see the movie, and then nothing! I understand the need to keep moviegoers in suspense, but honestly! And the worst part is, a lot of the time the trailer is funnier than the movie! What's up with that?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ok enough of that, it's late, and I need to go to bed, talk to you soon!</span>The Computer Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338071923698653047noreply@blogger.com1