Busy Bee

Lots going on this month. Finally updated the site - I added a few hundred pictures from my trip to China. Also I changed the look a little bit, feedback is appreciated. I've got my black belt test in Hapkido coming up on the 22nd, which will go fine if I can remember all the moves and also stop injuring myself once a week. On the 23rd I leave for a 10 day vacation in Japan. I will be in Tokyo for most of it, with perhaps a couple days in Kyoto. In any case I'll be in Tokyo for new year's, which ought to be pretty wild. In other news I met a lovely girl, but it's unclear yet if she's realized that she's met a really great guy. Harhar. In all seriousness, and despite setbacks, I'm going to go ahead and hold on to my unwavering optimism/confidence/ faith in the mysterious. Life is short. Carpe diem! I'll conclude with a quote from my main man Kahlil Gibran, from his masterpiece, The Prophet.

Then a woman said, "Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow."

And he answered:

Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.

And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.

And how else can it be?

The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.

Is not the cup that hold your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven?

And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?