[A Whole Month?]

I missed all of October. Dang.

Well, as most of you know, I'm an introvert by nature, but I can be extroverted depending on the situation. I'm training to be a photographer/associate at the portrait studio and I can turn on the charm for my job so well I surprise myself. Mainly because it's all genuine--I love interacting with people when I've prepared myself to do so. I love learning new things and the codes and all. After an extended "weekend" I return tomorrow for my second week of training. I get to dress gothic and how I like (because most of my wardrobe seems to fit the dress code) so I'm really enjoying this job.

My manager is such that I can be a good witness to her, also, through how I am. I am very happy with my job because I am blessed with chances to glorify God and to stretch myself to talk to people (and wear make up every day).

However, since I'm introverted by nature, when I get off work I basically die. I'm emotionally and physically exhausted because I busy myself so much, I don't get very hungry to eat much.

Once I become an associate and can photograph and sell things on my own, I have a good knack to sell stuff because of the artistic eye God gave me. I can determine and show the customers what they probably want but don't know how to get it. Hopefully I can be hired full-time after the holidays are over, too, I like this job so much.

Thank you for praying for me for my job situation if I wrote you about it. We have an insane holiday season coming up ahead of us, considering how the economy may affect some people. Even the president could affect the season, too--if we have a Christian president we won't have to celebrate Ramadan or somesuch (I do realize Ramadan isn't in Dec.).

I'm also excited because three of my top-tier favorite J-rock bands are releasing their albums stateside!

Dir en Grey's "Uroboros" drops next week on the 9th/11th, and a CD, CD/DVD, and CD/DVD/45 set is gonna be available! Girugamesh released "Girugamesh" and "Music" will be out probably in another month? But even so, Versailles -Philharmonic Quintet- will release their CD/DVD special release of "Noble" on Nov. 21. Yay for Hot Topic! If it weren't for them and music publishers getting the rights, I'd have to import this stuff at $30 a pop, not including shipping, because the Japanese charge stupid amounts of money for CDs and always have. Instead, it's $11.99 and such. Definitely do-able prices.

Good thing I have a job, huh?

I still can't believe that Dir en Grey's 3rd ALBUM is about to be released in the US. You can't buy this stuff in-store anywhere else but in the US, some places in Europe, and Japan. Thank you, internet. Without you, many, especially me, would have a clue that rock music is still alive somewhere.

Speaking of Jrock, my toppest tier favorite Gackt is releasing a new single soon.

Called "Jesus".

And I'm actually NOT the only Christian J-rock fan anxious about how the name of our savior is gonna be treated. Some bands kinda get blasphemic (it's why Hyde from L'arc-en-Ciel is on my "pretty grey" list for their single "Hurry Xmas" where they go "Thank you, Jesus" in it. JESUS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR COMMERCIALIZATION YOU JERKS! HE'S TE REASON YOU HAVE AN "XMAS" TO CELEBRATE UGH) or go with a Nazi schtick and just go off the deep end. Gackt has done some pretty risque, weird stuff before. He hides it pretty well if you don't comprehend veiled symbolism. His last single was called "Redemption" but it was from the viewpoint of a woman whose lover going off to die inevitably in war.

Even so, on the cusp of his entrance into the US (he's high on the cast list on a movie coming out with Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson, and Josh Hartnett in February 09 and his music is already on iTunes) he could really soil his boots on the way in with a song called "Jesus" that has the potential to be really blasphemous. I would not want to stop listening to him because he's retardedly talented (makes average ppl look like retards with his genius), but I would feel convicted if I didn't and wouldn't be standing up for the morals and convictions I uphold. I'd be an intentional hypocrite. The single releases on 12/2 or something, so I may hear it around Thanksgiving and we'll see what happens from there.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, I only get it and Christmas Day off for holidays with PictureMe. Which is good--I may not have to suffer my aunt's soup kitchen/house any this year. Their patronizing haughtiness always makes the food taste bad.

I hope everyone who voted is satisfied with their decision. I look forward to the political satire dying down and the commercials quitting. Comedy is no longer comedic if merely inundated with political satire. Especially done by not-funny people and not-funny writers on SNL.

THAT CRAP PREEMPTED "CHUCK" AND "HEROES" AND "BOSTON LEGAL" THOSE LIMEY WADS!

Ah, well, until next time, eh?

P.S. My friend Jimi (from the vk band Laverite) is in a couple j-rock videos that released recently. If I haven't attacked you on Faceook with them, here they are below. Definitely listen to Becca's "I'm Alive"... I like the Christian undertones. XD Also, he's the guy stage left. You can barely tell it's him.

In the second, Tommy February6's "Papermoon"... He's the Scarecrow from Wizard of Oz. XD

Being fluent in Japanese really helps a guy, huh? ;D Encourage him, too, because he's also a brother in Christ in a reaaaaally dark country.

Currently Listening I'm Alive By Becca I'm Alive see related

[Don't walk in my shoes, they won't fit you--Instead, look around you at the Shoe Carnival]

I've heard repeated comments on different fronts that are ALL on this same sentiment that sickens me to my core.

Many have said that "Palin is not a good choice because she couldn't keep her kid from getting knocked up"...

It's ignorant to say that Palin's daughter was knocked up because the mother "couldn't raise her right". It's correct in saying that teenagers are wily little buggers and have a free will the same as those who say she wasn't a good parent because of exhibit a.

There are few exceptions to the rule, but I tell you this as frank as necessary--Find me someone you know, better yet, you are RELATED to, that hasn't fucked around and made a "mistake" in the eyes of man that became a true blessing from God. If you can, with sound understanding, offer such reproof. In either case, read on.

With teenagers, anyone who has any slight hindsight, or have been in a room amassed with such creatures, you come to know such as fact: You can take them to church, you can show them upright morals, the best ways of doing things, the most effective way to drive a car, ... teenagers will still decide what THEY want.

Teenagers are not programmable.

Teenagers are like iPods for DIY programmers--we wanna put our music on ourself and not use their stupid program iTunes that can't read/establish Japanese font, even though the US iTunes store sells Japanese-language music and if you know how to hack past that crap and just drag and drop your files, let me know but I digress...

Her daughter is now revealing that she actually has a functioning ability to make decisions and "screw ups" like nurturing a life that will enter the world, instead of bashing it over the head. I'll use a Bible example. As much as Mary was probably chained up (since women weren't allowed to learn or speak up in discussions), God had a miracle in store for her. And I promise you, these circumstances occured regularly in old Israel--but ended with a stoning. I thought America, of all countries, so progressive, would be beyond such considerations? Stoning by media! Ingenius!

I would rather have Palin's little girl be a man about it, keep the child, marry the father like the couple intends, than sneak off and have an abortion because they got "scared." I'd love to see some other person up there able to withstand how much the media is stomping on their lives. No one wants to admit it, but children born out of wedlock doesn't happen enough, considering abortion rates. Palin's resolve in all of this abuse reveals to me a resolve that can encourage a nambypamby nation like America... if we LET her.

Also, thankfully, by other people's standards, my grandmother was a horrible choice for VP; otherwise, I wouldn't be here.

I would be one of countless stupid "lumps of tissue" some stupid Americans call it, rather than use the term "dead baby in the trash can".

Which presidential candidate are you voting for? Why?

[Nobody Asked, Everybody Suffered]

From Richmond Times-Dispatch, Monday, July 7, 2008 ~
Dear Editor, Times-Dispatch:

Each year I get to celebrate Independence Day twice. On June 30 I celebrate my Independence Day, and on July 4 I celebrate America's. This year is special, because it marks the 40Th anniversary of my independence.

On June 30, 1968, I escaped Communist Cuba, and a few months later, I was in the United States to stay. That I happened to arrive in Richmond on Thanksgiving Day is just part of the story, but I digress.

I've thought a lot about the anniversary this year. The election-year rhetoric has made me think a lot about Cuba and what transpired there. In the late 1950s, most Cubans thought Cuba needed a change, and they were right. So when a young leader came along, every Cuban was at least receptive.

When the young leader spoke eloquently and passionately and denounced the old system, the press fell in love with him. They never questioned who his friends were or what he really believed in. When he said he would help the farmers and the poor and bring free medical care and education to all, everyone followed. When he said he would bring justice and equality to all, everyone said, 'Praise the Lord.' And when the young leader said, 'I will be for change and I'll bring you change,' everyone yelled, 'Viva Fidel!'

• But nobody asked about the change, so by the time the executioner's guns went silent, the people's guns had been taken away.
  
• By the time everyone was equal, they were equally poor, hungry, and oppressed.
  
• By the time everyone received their free education, it was worth nothing.
  
• By the time the press noticed, it was too late, because they were now working for him.
  
• By the time the change was finally implemented, Cuba had been knocked down a couple of notches to Third-World status.
  
• By the time the change was over, more than a million people had taken to boats, rafts, and inner tubes. You can call those who made it ashore anywhere else in the world the most fortunate Cubans.

And now I'm back to the beginning of my story.

Luckily, we would never fall in America for a young leader who promised change without asking, 'what change? How will you carry it out? What will it cost America?'

Would we?
Manuel Alvarez, Jr.

This is a GREAT thing to think about, because when we get idealistic, we wonder how it's gonna happen a little too late.

Just ask Jewish refugees from the 1940s, and they could probably quote this entire article.

I just answered this Featured Question; you can answer it too!

[Ineffectivity]

I'm somewhat confused about something...

I've had tons of know-it-alls coming through on here and on LJ commenting how wrong I am for being a Christian. I'm not sure why. It's not like they ever make any valid points on why I should "quit" or something, but they just... I don't know why, but waste time commenting on my journal. I often don't reply other than with scripture or just a simple statement of truth and go about my email checkery and eBay wanderings but it is often a highlight of my day, and then I lament it. There's probably something better these humans people usually have more sense than to waste time, so we'll just stick them in the 'somewhat-sentient being category' can do.

Instead, they grace my claimed webspace with nothing more than hateful comments! I'm actually let down. I thought I'd get some praise or something, maybe like, gifts or candy, *snicker*

Yeah, salt and light, that good jazz, but how are these comments bashing Christianity and my relationship with Jesus helping them in any way?

I dunno. Americans, people, are very destructive creatures. Self-destructive, especially.

So, more people, comment on my webjournals! Bring it! Because then, I'll be thinking of you, praying for humility God will use to show His power and then His love to show His glory.

Not mine. Ever.

And never yours.

So, big bad Americans, Britains, Australians, Germans, Czechs, ANTARCTICANS--Bring your ugliest and ignorant comments and embarass yourself in the process.

Overall, you'll just make me look more popular than I actually am, lol.

So be silly, hate me as you hate yourselves, and enjoy your debauchery. 80 years of base sin can't compare to greatest eternal celebration of God's Glory.

[Back home]

I'm having a lot of trouble with reverse culture shock.

I can't raise my eyes from the floor in a Wal-Mart. The shelves look like they could fall over and sqaush me. They're so close together in Japan, if a shelf unit fell, it would stop on the one right next to it and just hit me with some items.

I can't look at the excesses of morbidly obese people here because it makes me sick.

I can't talk about spiritual matters with Christians here because they wanna make excuses for why they can't or shouldn't fulfill their commissions.

I can't encourage Mum against satan abusing her through my aunt. Mum's heart valves are getting worse and she may need surgery soon.

I can't look at the sky too long or I fear of getting swallowed by it. I haven't seen it so huge in 3 months. Buildings block out most of it in Japan.

I can't watch much TV since I've gone so long without watching it.

I can't each much at mega bars (hallelujah) because my stomach is smaller but then I feel sick because the oils and fats and grease everywhere make it awful, too.

I can't eat much sweet stuff without feeling sick (or eating anything for that matter)...

I just feel like I could fall apart. God is holding me together. When I think about the amazing things He's done and is still doing in Japan, I know there is hope for the Japanese. And when there is abounding love for the Japanese, there is abounding love for the sick and ailing church in the US. And when there is evidence of His abounding love for the church in the US, I know there is safety, love, and provision through Him where I am now.

I miss the "suffering" in Japan so much... And also, I won't make deadline for Journeyman to leave in February. So... I've got however long it'll take to lose 15 lbs more and fill out Step 3, instead of psychotically rushing to be done by Aug. 12. But God has a purpose and I'm ready to see what He does.

Currently Watching Iron Man (Single-Disc Edition) By Robert Downey Jr. see related