The past few days

And so, these past few days, and weeks have been rather hectic! What with finals, last few days of work, and a short visit from my sister, and my cousin's wedding.... Ah the bliss!
After all that, I was on my way to the airport oh so early to fly out to Seattle, en route to Shelton, to see my family out there for a brief period of a day, before driving up to Vancouver!
It was a short time in Shelton, but a good time! And the time in BC thus far has been quite splended! Today, we went to Cypress Mountain to go snowboarding! It was not the greatest weather, but a terriffic time overall! And as for Starbucks... well we have gone many times since I've been here, and I enjoy my discout priveleges as well as getting a Vancouver Starbucks mug! :)
So... that is the brief synopsis of my season here in the North West, thus far!

Stay tuned!

All too often occupied with many things,
Audaciouslee

Oh, the Snow!

Oh, the snow which doth flutter here and there and grow
It falls upon the ground, a thing all so much profound
For though it settle a short while
I do wonder if it shall stay

What for a day of snow, for it doth make a splendid show
From whence it comes, yet still it must too go
For this my faint heart doth not know

But for now I look out upon my deck and see thee snow
And the warmth in my heart doth grow
Even though, I know the snow will soon go

Snow, snow, do fall as long as you may, before you must go
For I shall emerse myself in this seasoned bliss
And take thy kiss upon my vary cold and crack'ed lips

And so, as the season doth go, so I must too depart
Before I am too whisked away in its beautiful display
And so, to the so wondrous snow, we bid you goodday!

-Joshua Lee Foist

Marine Corps Ball 2006

Well, at last I return from my much so busy life! Pardon dear readers my brief absence from this dialogue. Alas, it has been a very busy couple of weeks and months! What with school, and work, and drill, and all the other thrills of life, I am at a loss for words to recount them all!
Yet, I feel still that I should briefly tell of my most recent of these adventures (roughly).
The Marine Corps Ball......

It was a rather hectic week for me returning from the Marine Corps Marathon drill weekend! I returned to work the following day (Tuesday) and then had class Wednesday! By the time Friday came, I had come down with a rather nasty cold! I skipped class, and slept in! That evening I had to head up to base for my Marine Corps Ball drill weekend!

Ironically, that evening I had to go to medical to get a flu vaccine! Unfortunately, my rather "mildish" cold was now kicked into high gear with this new addition. In short: it sucked!

But then, one of the highlights of the weekend, was were the base put us up! They put us up in the Crown Plaza suite out in Arlington! For those of you who know the Fort Worth area, you will know that the drive from base to the Arlington Crown Plaza (next to Six Flags) is about 30 minutes! A rather fun commute in the mornings!

Anyway, Saturday drill was rather uneventful, we had a squadron "Moto Run" which was not so Moto! Anyway, it was PT! Then it was back to Dallas for me to get all my stuff for the Ball! Unfortunately I was running a bit late, as was my date, but it worked out!

I would say it went quite well as a whole! I went with my friend Rachel, who works with me at Starbucks! She had never been to a Marine Ball before, so she had quite a bit of fun! I had a nice time too, showing her around and explaining the various traditions observed throughout the night!

And so, I must say in conclusion, that thus far, this was likely my most memorable and enjoyable Ball of the three I have had the honor attending thus far in my season in the Marine Corps!

Marine Corps Marathon 2006

And so at last.... the Marine Corps Marathon weekend arrived! It was a very hectic week for me with the arrival of my two dear sisters early in the week, and then two Midterms, and at last I was off to base for my extended drill weekend (aka the Marine Corps Marathon)!
We, were left JRB NAS Fort Worth, on a C-130 flight via Pensecola in route to Andrews Air Force Base (Washington, DC)! It was my (and many of those with me) first flight on a C-130! Certainly an adventure.

Upon arriving in Andrews, I had a small dilemma, as my friends who lived in DC were not able to pick me up directly from base - I would have to meet them at a Metro station. Unfortunately with all the last minute details, I was not able to meet with them until about 2AM (ah, the life)! So, instead, my "plans" (or lack there of) were changed to spend a rather enjoyable evening with my fellow servicemen, out to dinner and later a movie (Flags of our Fathers).
Alas, though it seemed as though the night would not end, through rain and confusion, my friends arrived to pick me up from base and head out to there place!

The next day, was rather uneventful, but quite nice, as by this point I was rather tired, so it was nice to be able to sleep in, and just chill! I spent the morning with my friend Joe chatting and catching up! We had a good time. Then, later that day his wife Rebecca came home, and Joe and I took their car out to the Marathon Expo to pick up my runner's package! Even though we arrived quite late in the afternooon, there was still quite a crowd there. We returned home sometime afterword, shortly after we made a Starbucks/beer run! Then upon arriving home we were met by a lovely aroma of pasta and spices (Rebecca had a feast awaiting us!)

Then, it was off to bed for a somewhat early morning as Joe drove me out to the Metro to head off to the race! I was a little worried as I was running a bit late, but I was fortunate as there were many on the train heading in the same direction! And, even when I arrived at the site, the race was slightly delayed, so that gave me just enough time to stretch and head out to the starting line!

The race itself was intense! It was nothing like I had ever experienced before! The first three to four miles or more I was booking it! But, not long after the initial adrenaline high, I knew I would have to start focusing on a steady pace I could keep for the remainder of the race!
Surprisingly, I felt strong throughout much of the race, until I hit about mile 17 or 18! By then, I was not nearly as competative! I was simply determined to focus on putting one foot in front of the other! It seemed like the course I was on would never end, and even once or twice I considered walking or evening stopping for a short breath!
But this proved ill advice, and I pressed on dispite my growing pain!
By my 20, I was cramping up quite a bit! Yet, by this point I was back in downtown DC, and I knew I only had a short way to go - I was going to make it! By mile 25, I had just passed the Pentagon and fans were telling me the Iwa Jima Memorial was just around the bend, and I would be there! Well, that final mile never felt so long, yet I pushed for all I had left, not to mention throw a few elbows here and there to clear a path through the slowing mass of runners!
And at last, just a heartbeat before I was through I heard my name called out by my friend Jenn, who was there to see me race! And then, at last, I had crossed the finish line - I had made it!
Shortly after the run, and after the line for food and water, I joined my friend on the other side of the Memorial for a picture! To my surprise, after the picture was taken I saw the CMC (Gen Hagee) pass by me! Just after he passed, it occurred to me it would have been nice to have asked for a picture with him, but I was too tired to carry this out!
And so, the rest of the day, mostly I spent hanging out with my friend Jenn and her friend Courtney!
The next morning, my friend Joe drove me back to Andrews, where I joined my fellow servicemembers for the flight home to Fort Worth!
Thus concludes, or nearly concludes my Marathon story!

Getting the Blues
It seemed still as though my troubles over getting my dress blues were not quite over! As I waited for my roommate to pick me up from base, I headed over to the uniform shop on base to buy a new dress blue jacket! Unfortunately for me, with the upcoming weekend being the weekend of the Ball, I had a limited choice of jackets. And for me, it was fated that none of them should fit! So, my final hope was to order a pair that would arrive the following day at my house!
Yet, as I arrived home that following day from class, I was horrified to discover after attempting to put the jacket on, that it was too small! My only hope now was too pray that the blues I had altered would suffice for the Ball! And so, I went to work that day praying for a miracle!
The blues I picked up, were not 100% in regs, but the would have to work! And they did (thank God!)
After all this, I will still have to return the jacket I ordered in the hopes that sometime next year, I can get a jacket that will fit!

A day with the sisters!

And so, I must appologize to my captive audience who is ever on the edge of their seats waiting in great expection for the latest posting! Your fandom in much appreciated, yet I trust many if not nearly all can relate to what it is to be busy and beyond that... still busy!
Yet, I take a moment out of my busy schedule for you my dear gentle listeners, to entertain, if not at least inform you of my comings and goings, and whereverabouts!

Of late, I have spent my time between classes, and work, and work, and classes, and classes and work and.... (you get the pendulum effect!) But in addition to this, I have also, though not as adequately as I should like, have been training for the Marine Corps Marathon! Which, as I write is coming up this very weekend! So, stay tuned for the news of that success, or lack there in!

Also, I have been a bit stressed with the process of getting my Dress Blues prepared for the upcoming Marine Corps Ball; which, is the weekend following the Marathon! As some may recall, I had my Blues stollen, and have been in the process of trying to get my $20 Blues altered to fit a person of my size! Alas, I approach the edge of doom, as I see the Ball coming soon, and know that if I do not have my Blues in time, it shall be only Alpha for which I should not care to wear for such an evening affair!

You see, the "$20 Blues" are about just that, the were bought from a Marine buddy of mine who is just a slight bit bigger than I am! So, one can imagine what lengths the seamstress has gone to in order to make the fitting fall in line with proper procedures! However, I have been quite displeased with the altering process, and have decided to pay her for her services, and buy a new jacket that FITS!!!! Then.... I shall take it to an alteration service that is QUITE experienced in the art of altering Dress Blues! The pains for this venture shall be great, but I should think that in the end it will overshadow the pain of wearing such an atrocious assortment of alterings, that any sensible person would not undergo!

At any rate, in addition to all this madness, I did too have a most (yet brief) wonderful time with my two dear sisters, who were fortunate enough to spend a day in my flat! It was a joy to be with them, in particular my fellow Marine and superior officer, who has just returned from an overseas venture! This, was a great honor for me to have be dear beloved sister home (if even for a time).

And so, for the moment, I must make my exit with some haste as I have a Midterm to study for and thereafter take before departing for my flight to Arlington, VA!

Often if not nearly always in some tangled adventure of madness and wit,
Audaciouslee

Igor ; The not so 23 party!

It has been a little while since last we gather at this venue. And so, as my brain is so often speradic, let me review the past few "events..."

About a month back or so, our friend and former "guest/roommate" Igor, returned to Texas after spending the summer back home in Ukraine! It was a special time catching up, and seeing his pictures from his time over there! And, so with no further delay, at last, I present to you in 1,000 words or more Igor:

Okay, so that's the abriged version, but I trust that will suffice for now!


On to other things. This past weekend, marked the end of another year for me in my life and also transitioned into another. 23!
It was a hectic week with school and work, but the highlight for me was looking forward to having Friday off to celebrate my birthday with family and friends! It had been a tiring week (yes, I am intentionly being redundant for emphasis sake!)! When I got home Friday morning from school, I had a brief lunch, and then took a nap! Of course I had it all planned out: I was going down for a good two hours or so, with the plan of awaking with an hour of extra time for traveling and other random stuff!
It was to my great surprise, when I got a call from my uncle, asking what time I was planning on coming. I replied: "around 5:30." "Well, it's about quarter after 6 now!" Needless to say, I was quite shocked and embarrassed! Much of my Texas family were unable to come and those who could had a limited window of time! So, by the time I arrived there with my roomate, it was nearly 7:30! I was glad to see all those who had made it, yet we had to rush to the gifts so that everyone could leave! (Ah, the delight!)
This year proved to be a special birthday for me, in addition to all the other fun thus far, as many of you may recall the joy of getting my guitar stolen on the way to Knoxville (refer to earlier blog entry!) Well, my dear roommate, had put together a last minute plan: he sent out a massive email to some of my family and friends to see who was interested in going in a getting a guitar for me. And well, the rest is history! But, I must say a very GREAT THANK YOU, to all that played a part in this effort! It certainly made for a very special and memorable birthday, for which I a most greatful to all of you: both those who made it and were unable to attend!


Following the belated party/dinner, my roommate and I headed off to Gingerman (a splended Bar out here - a true beer snob favorite!) to celebrate with some friends! That too, though somewhat impromptu was a special time! And so, I thank you all for a special 23rd birthday!
All to often inadequate yet, more appreciative for the lack therein,
Audaciouslee

"GUYS!!!" She Cried!

Well, let me see, it has been many weeks since I was last on here, but first a story!

So, this would have been a few weeks back, when I was on my AT (refer to former entry for info regarding such things!) and my roommate called me up and told me about this new dance club he had joined up at SMU!

All I needed to know, was that there were lot of gals there, and they were in desperate need of guys! (So I was told!)

And so, after I returned from my AT, I was anxious to see this dance club for myself! So, that following week, I attended! Only, to be pleasantly surprised, and quite startled upon our tardy arrival, to here the words: "GUYS!!! come from the lips of a female dance instructor! All, I knew was, that whatever I had done to warp into such an enviroment was sheer genious, but I was certainly going nowhere soon! I had found my oasis!

And, so I continue to learn more and more dance techniques each week! Thus far, we have covered: Cha Cha, and Waltz. But, this is only the begining as we are scheduled to begin Salsa and Foxtrot next!

And so, I must say, I can't stop dancing! It's fabulous!

For those is are interested, you will have to check it out: Saturdays 1pm-4pm at the SMU Dedmen Athletics building across from the Mustang Stadium!

All to easily entertained,
Audaciouslee

Brushing up on the gray areas

And so, I am about half way through my AT....
Quick pardon, as I am sure the larger part of this audience would have no knowledge of what an AT is accept purhaps an older audience (of an earlier era) may think to oneself about the AT-AT walkers in the Star Wars Saga. But no no, young padawon, I do not dwell upon these things. In short, and to the point, an AT is simply a military abreviation for Annual Training, for the Reserve side of the house.

And so, a bit prolonged, I move on to the topic at hand. Those, gray areas, ah those gray areas....

Twas gray I say, that did enlighten me today
I pause, I sigh, and then I wonder why
What point is there in this, will I seal it with a kiss
What bliss, for this, it is not worth the chance
For I speak not of romance
So may I remove my mind from this trance
And breakfall into a basic warrior stance


...there in that final line, we see a glimpse into this work of mine. Tis not standard rhyme, though it is art, but from a different part. This is the Martial Art of the Marine Corps. And in this one may find more explaination for those gray areas


...I bore you no longer good audience, at last I conduct myself properly and give you good welcome into this past weeks adventures.


The past week and a half has been quite full - there's really no better way to put it! Although, I suppose I should back up a little to say the past month has been in that category as well! As I approached the end of July and looked toward August, I was quite anxious as to what the outcome would be. I had overdue bills to pay, food to find (to fill my mind if no tangible kind could be found), to work out a rather uncomfortable relational issue (a topic of wich I will only discuss with a few), upcoming classes to pay, sleep to get (whenever I may), and extra hours to get (to fill my day, and provide extra pay). And so, one can see, that for the last month... my life was not so.... easy!

My store the week before my AT was getting remodeled. So, for the next three days it closed down and then re-opened! However, the process of closing and opening, was not as simply put, as those previous lines did flow. You see, the night before we closed, it was my privelege (if it could be put that way) to work the closing shift with my boss. However, this shift was far from standard. It began as a normal 8 hour shift. But then, as the store closed, a new shift began! (and so your interest can be clarified). We had to remove a lot of things from the floor of the store and from the cabinets, etc. Basically, the majority of the store had to be cleaned out and stored in the back (a point on which work did not lack)! By the time we both were through, it was clearly quite past two! In fact, it was now invading upon three just as I past off to sleep, and sleep, and sleep...

I say I slept, and slept I did, for what may have been nearly a day- for you see, I was quite tired; and, thank God my services were not required in the remodeling process! No, there was an entirely sepparate team required for that care.

And so, I bring you to the end of this venture. Your still in the gray, wondering what time of day, will it be when all this extra information stops stalling me.

Quick, pardon it won't hap again, nay, I bid thee, at least stay for tea, for it comes close of three.

So, I was privy to a couple days off of work, but I was still quite busy! Yes, I was a busy little bee! I had to go to school to make the first payment on my classes, so as not to lose them intirely before departing for my AT. I remember better, now as I re-read this past line, that it was not until my first expected day back to work, that I headed up to campus!
Yes, you see I wasn't able to make the partial payment until a specific date (the 1st of August, there abouts)! So I went up to campus and was able to hold down my classes for another month, until the next payment was due - there abouts! But, I was a bit distracted as I returned home, I should have come straight home, but no.... there were other things to be done!
I needed to complete some old unfinished business. As, some may recall, in an earlier session, I spoke of when I lost my baggage, or should I say... my baggage was lost (and in truth it is quite so, for it was not of my doing - entirely... herein I pass off my blame)!
And so, I went down to the bus station to fill out a claim for these things of which (as I said before) I was not to blame! It took a bit of time (in fact, much longer than I had planned - but of course one cannot forget, I am not always the most punctual or the most "planned" person around)
Yet, to move on more swiftly with the tale, I will only say that it seems good shall prevail (I hope) in the part of this extended visit to the bus station!

I called my boss, and said with what words as I had loss, that I would be late (hoping to avoid some further debate) But it was great, because, she was in no finer a mood, and so she did not think it rude that I told her of this fate (on my part) that caused me to be late.
It was arranged that a "Partner" would pick me up at the train station (near work) and take me there to my job. And when we arrived quite crude was the appearance of the inside space. It was not "aweful" in an ill fashion, for in fact, it looked quite promising! The only flaw in the matter, was that the work was not quite (if nearly) at all, complete! And so for us, our work would be some feat! (Sp?)
It was but later decided, that we should meet again, a bit later (or earlier, as some might see it fit!) Rather than putting things back in there place right then, we decided to start work after ten. Quite right, we decided (without much of a fight) that we would not start work that night but early the nest morning (2AM to be precise)! The true thrill of this, was that yet again my boss and I, were drafted for this great re-opening shift! Don't misunderstand me! There were more than three at work at two, but by five, when we would open our doors again, one would find only two. Too tired, and not nearly enough wired, were we, but open, that was clear to see (I think)!
(I depart further comments on this except to say that I got off around noon-at least I presume it was so...)

And so, Friday at last arrived (my "day off")! I was expecting to head up to base at some point that day, but when I called the base lodging, I found out that they had me scheduled for the following night. And to me that sounded just right! So come the next day, it was nearly past mid-day, before my buddy and I headed away!
The only true problem we had, was when we arrived at the bachelor's enlisted quarters (BEQ). We had not been told beforehand, that we were expected to pay "up front" for fourteen nights! You see, typically on a standard Drill Weekend, the base covers the cost of lodging, for those who live at least 50 miles off base! But for an AT, they use a different source of funds! So, I reluctantly gave the lady at the BEQ my card, but bid her not to charge it until the end of my stay, for until then, I would not have the means to pay!
Come as it may, I was able to get a room that day, even though I did not then pay for my room!

And so, apart from that minor adventure, my AT had begun!
(There are many details for which I could account during the span of the past week, but for your sake and mine, I will keep it to but a few)
Come Monday, I began my training in MCMAP (Marine Martial Arts Program) to get the next belt (that being gray - at last one finds some resolve at the end of the day)!
This past week was physically quite a challenge! Although off and on, I've been training for the upcoming Marine Corps Marathon, I was still a bit humbled by my level of fatigue at the end of the very first day! It was not nearly the end of the first day (I believe) that our training appeared to be over, as there were a few casualties (but none being overly sever)! Yet, it was thought that we would not be able to continue! But, before my head had found rest in it's bed, I received a call from my sergeant saying that the training would continue, but would be a bit delayed in progressing the following day.
We met a bit later the next day (I suppose, it was Wednesday) and first we filled out medical forms and each one was seen by the doc before, all were admited back to the ROCk- to train (or for some if not everyone - "push through the pain!")
So, it was a rough five days! Starting at around 0630 and going until 1630 or sometimes later, we continued to train regardless of the prolonged "Black Flags" (Those bidding warning, that "all outside physical training was unauthorized until further notice," due to the heat index)!

But alas, come the end of Friday, we all (the entirety of our group) stood in formation to recieve our medals of appreciation for our short (yet difficult) investment of training for the gray belt.
And so come the end of that day, all were in proud display, as each one, walked away wearing that grand, glorious, gray!

All too often, outdated, yet far from overated,
Audaciouslee

A spontaneous evening affair at the Alpha Beta Kappa Sorority

And so there I was, but just a few weeks ago. And I suppose as one begins to work their way down these lines I write, they must wonder: "what on earth could convence me to trade a 'quiet' evening for a more aluring one at the Alpha Beta Kappa?"
Ah, there-in you will find your answer, if you have but a little patience, good listener.

It was a rather uneventful evening shift at Starbucks. Uneventful, except for the slight change in scheduling. Traditionally, I would have stayed the rest of the night until closing time at the coffee shop. Yet, this evening was different, this evening I was to end my shift earlier, at around 8 o'clock rather than the reutine: 9:30, 10:30 and anywhere else between! A mere difference of an hour or two however, can make quite an impression, and if one is not too careful can transpire into an obsession.

Of course, this is all hypothetical jargon mind you (I'm striving to draw you in good listener - but I think I'm revealing too many of my cards for you to see it so clearly before you).

True, I retired from work early and began to make my way toward home. On this reutine journey home I passed by the local University of the Southern Methodist denomination. While walking past this school, I came to a fork in the road, in which I turned onto another street which intersects three sororities. It was on this very evening, while briefly on my cell phone, that I was distracted, by a woman across the street, outside the Alpha Beta Kappa building.

She was inquiring if she might be able to borrow my cell phone, for a short while! I was in no hurry, and thought to myself, "why worry, this may not be so bad after all." In short, she was an aged woman, not quite of the Alpha Beta Kappa age. In fact, she was quite along in years among this very sorority. For she had lived there many a year, not to excede at least a good 10 or more. Truthfully, she was the 'house mom!'

During this time of year (the summertime) the sorority house is closed. In exception to the residence of one person - the elderly lady (the 'house mom').

It was in fact on this particular evening, that this dear lady found herself in a slight rash (if I can use that loosely for the sheer sake of rhyme), that is to say that upon taking out the thrash, she discovered herself imprisoned outside her comfortable home.

The security on this established estate was quite advanced - and here-in lay her fate. For in this particular estate, one merely extended the signiture of their thumb upon the door, and if they were a member of it's many halls, one would indeed find themselves welcomed within these walls, beckened here inside, for here they may reside. Yet fate found a match, and here was it's catch: that on this very eve there should be none that could achieve a signature worthy of it's design.
For in fact, the power was low, and because of this short, one could not go, within this mere estate, and so it was the lady's fate, that she must wait, (quite late) until another solution would present itself.

For all her calls upon my phone, it would not help, she was quite nearly, all alone. Yet for me and my small device, this perhaps might still suffice. And so with humble advice, I offered to call a locksmith and have this business quickly attended.

As such occasions often are found, we two were many an hour bound outside those walls of the Alpha Beta Kappa ground. Until nearly it was quite late, at last I received the call, that the locksmith was not far and that he would soon be where we are (only gramatically wrong for the sake of rhyme -ah why waste the time!)

And so about an hour and twenty, as dark had grown a plenty, there arrived a gentlemen whom if not under such employ would be oft mistaken for a robber boy. He had the tools of such, and too he charged a greater sum, but this was not the case. For in fact (I think) he was only a locksmith (though, the former is more climactic!)

At last it seemed our worries were no more, and this poor lady would soon be in door. Yet for the other trial that awaited, yet this is oft debated, for it was not really a trial I suppose but merely a prolonged excitement. For what was thought a 'quick job' turned into nearly an hour.
By this time the lady had nearly lost faith in the work of this supposed "skilled" locksmith. But at last before nearly an hour had past, he was in, and so this minor sin was revoked, still more in fact we were welcomed inside.

And so it was to my surprise at the end of this attraction that this woman bid me good night with such satisfaction, I shall not soon forget as evidence will permit, that I did find myself one night at the Alpha Beta Kappa site.

An anonymous affair all too often anyware,
Audaciouslee

Jumping to July oh my!

My goodness! I just looked at my most recent blog entry since this one and it was way back in March!
I won't (for my own sake) go back that far, as I'm a bit exausted (as it is) as I write this!
However, let me reflect on the last few weeks, and touch on what came before those...
I no longer am working at Pier 1 Imports! Toward the end of March, I found that my hours were quickly turning into hours away from work rather than at! Therefore, I thought it was to seek a new investment of my time, one with perks, and pleasures, and noontime, leasures (okay I'm tired, wired and in need of much better humor, but bare with me a short while longer!)
Around April (the 1st to be precise), where fools are found (virtually) all around, only on April the 1st (tis the worst).... I began my first day (at Baristic pay) at Starbucks! Overall, it has been a success, a job where less has found more meaning, and I am more relaxed than I have been before, on the clock! Since I've been at Starbucks, I've been able to start performing some of my music (on two occassions thus far) and to my surprise and delight it has been quite successful! I am scheduled to start performing regularly every other week at my store. So if you happen to be in town stop by the Snyder Plaza Starbucks on Hillcrest and Milton on Wednesday nights!
I suppose the other great tale reflects on the picture which is included in this posting! I recently had the oppertunity to attend two old high school classmates' wedding a little over a week ago! It was quite an experience to say the least! The months, days, and weeks went by until I had but a day before to book a ticket to Knoxville, TN - on a greyhound!
It began the day before, I was in a hurry to head off to work and play my guitar there, but also had to book my tickets on the bus! I also was still last minute working out the details with the groom about who would pick me up and where I would stay, etc (not the most organized plan I can assure you). Well, at last I made it to the front of the line and when presenting my Military I.D. I expected (as I was told over the phone earlier by a greyhound customer service employee) that I would get the flat rate discount of $198! As it turned out, this proved to be more trouble than I had expected. The women there did not understand English so well and gave me leave to see her boss about it! Unfortunately, it was a similar case as before, and the gentlemen could not find the price I was giving to him. (This for me was frustraiting as I pointed out to the man that he could find these rates on the bus website) After a phone call and a bit more coaxing, the discovery was made that indeed, there was a flat rate of $198! And so I was on my way to Starbucks to begin another glorious day! The day following was quite early as I got off work late from Starbucks and had to pack all of my things and be ready to leave around eight in the morning! I made it there to the bus station with my backpack, lunch sack, (overpacked) garment bag, and my guitar! Yes, I was quite a sight!
I shall jump ahead a bit (for my own interest sake) to the arrival in Knoxville! I was a bit delayed by a couple hours, yet this proved successful as I would be waiting at the station originally for about 6 hours! The first glitch in the trip began here. I got off my bus, to find, no baggage or belongings to be found! Somehow, they were lost, and now I was left to make it to a wedding with a backback and one set of clothes (the ones I was wearing - shorts and a t-shirt)! I spoke with the customer service there (if such a thing can be found) and was told to wait (awhile) and to wait, until they could connect with the other bus stations on the way to Knoxville! Alas, the hours wore on till my ride arrived, and still no word on where my belongings were placed! (I must pause a moment to add that where boarding my bus in Dallas, I was not aware that I had to check my bags in. I was in a rush and desiring to avoid a long line, imagining that all I needed to do was tag my bags with my name, address, and contact number. Yet, this too was not so...)
And so, now I was reaping the benefits of this small misjudgement. Fortunately, upon arriving at the hotel, where the rest of the wedding party resided, there was a last minute cancelled reservation, that opened up a room for me there at the hotel! So at least I had my own room!
The next day, the day of the wedding, I continued to call the bus service, but with ill success! The ending verdict: I would have to borrow a suit from one of the family members, who had a spare and borrow (from the groom no less) a pair of dress shoes. I arrived in a white suit, and sneakers, and quickly, stole across the parkway to the groom's jeep, and switched out my sneakers with his dress shoes.
The wedding proved a success, and I was soon back on my way to Dallas the day after! Upon arriving, there was still no word on the location of my belongings! The day following my return, I happened to be near the bus station, and stopped by to see if anything had been found! To my surprise, I found my missing garment bag! However, I also quickly found, that it had shrunk severly in size! My dress blues (which were inside) and my suit and blouse, were all gone! My guitar (as of today) still is not here; and, I imagine I will not reaquire that again!
Needless to say, it was all a great lesson in patience and persistence. Yet, still I discovered that though many, things of mine which I might usually hold dear, I realized that in the end these things are quite trivial to the bare essentials!
I left the adventure thankful to have made it to the wedding "presentable" and captured some of the moments on film, and to have returned home!
As of now, I am quite tired and in need of rest, as I closed last night at my store and also opened this morning! So I retire for awhile to catch up on a little sleep!

Disasterous Dancing Day!

Okay, I just have to vent for a moment! Today, Saturday, was my jazz dance class. This week, our usual dance instructor was not able to make it, so we had a substitute! Let me just say, oh my! It surely was a day to remember. The dear lady was VERY talented (no question there). And she had a heck of a resume: (background dancer for Byonce [sp?], Justin Temberlake, just to name a few)! Yet, in spite of all this talent, her teaching skills....well let's just say not as first rate. For one, when we were going through the warm up for about 15-20 minutes, the music was so loud, you couldn't hear a word she was saying, and of course she was moving very quickly! She had a lot of energy (which was good), but I felt like she could teach an empty class and have the same results! Sadly, I did not enjoy the class, as a whole, as I didn't gain much! It was so fast, I was not able to appreciate the moves and feel like I was growing! Yet, I suppose it was a good lesson in personal discepline and determination.
All to often amazed,
audaciouslee

"This is what I am saying!" - Igor

And so we must come back to our ever inthusiastic appartment addition- Igor! Today was my day off and so, I decided to fix some waffles. Later on as I was finishing up my other roommate got up followed by Igor. What, I find the most "entertaining" about Igor is his desire to understand things. Life in America is very different from Ukraine! We often live very different lives, which can at times cause tension. Today I spent a good 30 plus minutes discribing to him the difference between different super markets - why we we choose to spend more money to buy higher quality products verses, going to a "sub-standard" super market, where the quality is much lower. It was a challenge for me to describe several times in various ways the reasons for why we shop at the higher quality stores, where we buy fewer products, when we could get more of the "same" products at a cheaper price. Of course, he seemed in the end to understand, but I suppose it is still a mystery to him why we do the things we do. If nothing else, Igor has taught me to appreciate the things I have and to look at life in a whole different way. If not for him, I may not be eating as healthy as I am now, as I have nearly turned 100 percent vegeterian, since he's stayed here.
And so, I continue to enjoy his company, and look forward to the many other adventures we will share together while he is here!
- Always Amazed Audaciouslee

Furnature Fever Forbid!

And so I shall tell you the account of how these cushions did find themselves elsewhere
For "frakencouch" forbid, it's furnature fever now that this old contraption is rid
Though it evokes much sorrow, I shall not think on it long the morrow for I shall be
Sitting most grandly upon my throne of threescore, the collection which both matches and attracts many, and so I prolong ne'er longer
My tale doth hereafter descend!

At the beginning of last week, I received a call from my aunt telling me that some folks from their church were getting rid of a couch, a loveseat, and a chair. Knowing how much our "frakencouch" (a construction of three couches, indeed) was in great need of sprouting wings and flying far from our fortress of furnature, she gave me the information I needed to get in touch with these fine folk!
As it turned out, that entire week, we were unable to pick up the furnature as both my roomate and I were quite busy with classes, plus we had no truck to transport it all! So, we had to postpone the trip until the weekend... Sunday!
On Sunday, we took a Uhaul to their place and picked up the furnature. Although it was a bit of a task taking the time to drive out there, we where quite excited to be driving home at last and looking forward to soon seeing this fine assortment in our own appartment!
The chair and loveseat fit quite square through the door, the couch however was quite a chore! By this time is was around 8pm and we were quite ready for a good meal and a comfortable relaxing evening on our new furnature. Unfortunately we discovered that it would take a bit longer, even with the front door removed from the appartment, we still couldn't squeeze through with the couch.
Picture the scene now....
On a wee catwalk, stand three roomates with their new couch on end. If one looks but a little closer, they will observe them hard at work unsrewing three of the six couch legs. However, these are not ordinary legs, but hand crafted remedies for what were once professional grade legs! Each is constructed of about three layers of wood blocks, which are attached together by four long srews - that being four screws per layer! And so the evening progresses as these three chaps uncrew each block from this once beloved thing!
After about an hour or so, at last, we were able to manage removing the last of the three legs, which were crucial in the process of fitting the couch through the door. The couch now was indeed in our din and in but another quarter of an hour or so the legs were re-srewed "with care" into this chair!
As for the much anticipated meal, it too had to be postponed for a "quick" run to the store and then produced a meager meal of soup... how sensational!
Such is the tale of these three who did remedy a couch and thereafter rested long upon its prospect for it soothed somewhat the soreness of such splendid work!
As is often overlooked, adequately audaciouslee

Joyous Jazz Journies

And so if I hadn't already mentioned, this semester I'm partaking in a jazz technique I dance class! I am thrilled to finally have the opportunity to do this! It meets every Saturday for three hours! My first class, there were about 14 of us in the class and only one other guy. This last class, it was just me and the ladies...... fortune forbid!!!
But, one must practice if one hopes to perform well in the jazz performance at the end of the semester. More details there. Untill then keep dancing!

"An audience of adolescence often ignore authority all-together"
- an audience often attracting,
audaciouslee

Justifying January

It is unfortunate that my many accounts are so "convieniently" spaced apart. That is mainly do to my idle time, or lack there of, being spent elsewhere.
And so I shall justify january, by summarizing these last few events.

...bass tones beckin...cymbols clang...piano push.... singer smoothly slides into song..."feeling of jazz'' -audaciouslee's atmospheric analysis on winston marsalis

Over the past week or so I had hoped to get a job at Starbucks, as my hours at Pier 1 had dwindled lower than I should like. It was the weekend of drill up at Fort Worth, and I was ill prepared...
We had an Alpha's inpection at 1730. I had scheduled too many things that day (Friday) In short, the interview was delayed to the following week, the uniform was crudely ordained in a matter of minutes and I flew toward the car as my roomate, agreed to drive me to base, as my buddy from base would not be able to this time. I called my Sergeant to let him know of the situation. Fortunately when I arrived at around 1745 I was pleasantly surprized to find a few other Marines running late as well.
In summary, though ill planned, the inspection ended on a positive note. The next morning we had our safety stand down (covering such topics as: DUI's, equal opportunity, and sexual harassment).
Alas, the drill weekend ended early Sunday evening.
Onto other things:

Enter IGOR stage left

A couple Sundays ago, a request was put out in our Sunday school class for any guys who were open to housing an exchange student from Ukraine for a couple of weeks. We volunteered. So come later on that week, I arrived home to be greeted by Igor, our latest temporary roommate.
A note on Igor:

Eager Igor instructs inthusiasticly an audience of anonymous individuals on essential organic etiquette in an everyday environment illustration...
-an analogy from audaciouslee's observations of Igor's healthy living habits

This latter illustration is a comical look at Igor's passions for proper living a healthy diet of organic foods. For the past few nights Igor has instructed my roommate's and I on what foods are healthy and what are not. Of course my roommate an I are in the fault for not always choosing wisely which foods to eat and when and how to eat them, but who's perfect anyway?
Enough on that for now, we may come back to that later if there's time.

That pretty much brings us back to the present, where I sit at the computer typing all sorts of nonsense to fill this quiet void of curiousity in my brian.

In regards to the Starbucks position, alas it too failed! I had a good interview with the maneger there this past Thursday, and expected an answer in 48 hours. That turned into late Monday afternoon, right before I headed off to work I was awakened from my wondering thoughts as my phone rang out "vertigo" only to be the Starbucks maneger saying, sorry but at this time your availability is not enough for our needs. It was a bit of a slow walk to work, but my spirits were lifted as I reflected on the possibilities of what a more humble life would look like for the following weeks. Survival is sure, stubborness nearly as much, and yet humility finds a way of creaping in at the most unpleasant of times.
Always alert of the unknown obsticles,
audaciouslee

Februarian Follies

And so it seems yet again like we're flying forward furiously, for februarian follies find us yet again. It is the month the romantic remenisis (sp?) on those earlier valintines for whom there was not time to catch in cupid's quiver. It sends a shiver of hope that was lost, all it cost was his heart. And so he starts again, even though it may be his cruel friend who allures him around the bend.
Fromwhence foes flourish, fie fiend, fly for Februarian follies follow...

Springing toward school again

Tasteful tuesday...
to begin a new year back in the old school groove again is surely essential; although, on the horizon things look a bit grim. What I mean by this, is that it will be a full year! The morning began awkwardly awakened by the amusement of Nora Jones singing "Sunrise." Surely the sun could have risen a bit later! But of course, life is not always so delightful.
And so I began my first day back to school at Collin County Community College, or as we locals refer to it as Quad C. This semester I am only taking two classes: History 1301 and Jazz Dance Technique I. One must have a historical perspective as well as an artistic apreciation when pursuing education. You simply cant be too boring.
And so, despite getting off on the wrong foot with my History class (I had to re-register the first day of class), I was able to get the old pendulum to swing yet again!
On other grounds, I was successful thus far in moving closer still toward a part time job at Starbucks! After the quick decline in hours at Pier 1, I discovered that there may be other things brewing in the atmosphere that my just perk me up a bit more. (I suppose it is a bit much to attempt two in one sentence, but who's really paying attention anyway?)
So, after a fairly relaxing afternoon in this unusually comfortably cool weather, I look forward to my wee few precious hours of work these evening at Pier 1.
Until then I shall live life "more creatively" and "more restfully,"
As evening hours approach asumptuously,
Audaciouslee

Christmas in Dallas 2005 (Mum, Dad, and Sis) 

Journeys in January

It's been a mild break since I last retired to writing. And yet before it's too late I find the new year has come and is soon carrying on without me.
Last year was a full year, many memories, many adventures surely, and... many choices for which I hope to learn from and depart into another wasteland!
My sister and my folks were able to spend the holiday with me, which was very special indeed as my dear lovely sister begins a new journey come the in of this month in the desert (aka Iraq). I still struggle with the thought of her going there as I remain domestic as a Reservist. (more on that later)
Anyway, it's Saturday and I have a few hours to kill before I head off to work at Pier 1.
And so this may be perhaps the only snapshot in January, seeing how consistent I have been thus far in updating this blog. But fear not, it's a new year and so, as is often said resolutions are made...let us hope and pray in some form or way the are more adequately kept as we journey in january and the months following this year....
Adequately aware,
Audaciouslee