I have been reading quite allot of Joseph Campbell's The Power of Myth lately.

Campbell says that life is suffering. Further, he says that the suffering we endure, we ourselves create. It is this suffering that defines who we are; it is the fire that hews us from the stone. When we come to realize that suffering is not something done to us, but by us, to cause growth it opens up a big realm of possibilities and thoughts. What does it mean that I grew up a fat tormented child? Why did I do that to myself, and perhaps more importantly, what about that defined who I am today. That suffering did not destroy my otherwise pristine life, it was my life; it is a part of me just as important as my morality and logic.

What problems have you made for yourself to become yourself? There is some food for thought.

At times I know this space is filled with my problems and more than often, with nothing. I am going to try to remedy this with more frequent updates and deeper insights.

I am going to begin with a serious recommendation for V for Vendetta. I just saw it for the second time in three days and it is by far the best movie I have seen in some time. Apparently the film was designed as a pretty direct attack on the Bush administration, but I think it paints with a bigger brush against governmental oppression in general.

Computer was having some seriously odd problems this morning but I am getting a whole hell of books in the mail today. I will let you know how it goes.

Ohhh, and I am having lunch with Mel today. At the very least that always goes interestingly.

Wired News: E-Paper's Killer App: Packaging

I firmly beleive that E-paper is the way of the future in regards to traditional label advertising. Within 5 years I dont have a problem seeing E-newspapers floating about.

Read more at www.wired.com/news/tech...

Thanksgiving

Everyone went home for Thanksgiving this weekend and I am currently one of three people left on the floor. To say that campus is eerie would be like calling the Yeti mischievous.

I spent the better part of Wednesday tearing into Neil Strauss’ book, The Game. It is a great read and honestly not since reading How to Succeed with Women have I felt so ready to get out there and start courting again. It is, without a doubt, and exhaustive process and without the support of a few wings I don’t think I am ready to take it on quite yet. I think my best option is to wait until a few friends get back into town. One guy in particular, SexyHair, who is in my Japanese class, might be worth hitting a few bars with.

I have for some time been hoping to get out and around town to hit a few local hotspots in Austin and today presented itself as an ideal opportunity with lots of open parking spots and nothing else to do. I hit the Crown and Anchor pub which has possibly the cheapest eats I have seen here in Austin: 3.75 for a hamburger and fries including tax. There was a pretty cute waitress there that I regret not talking to. I need to come up with some exercises to kill my fear of rejection. We don’t live in tribal communities anymore thus being rejected by some random waitress isn’t going to really affect me. This is a prime example of my logical brain not being able to talk to my heart.

No Potter for me

So the group is out seeing the new Harry Potter film and I am stuck at home with an ear infection. I wish things were better but it has given me some time for introspection. I walked the campus a bit this evening and took a trip out to the fountains at the LBJ, a spot I like to go to think.

I find myself being very tired of being tired. I must admit I haven’t felt very good this semester about a number of things and I don’t know if it is because of genuine problems or mere ghosts in the wind. I feel the groups I used to spend allot of time with are distancing themselves from me and I don’t know how to bring them back. I miss my old RA allot. He always seemed to be around when I wanted to talk and despite the fact I get to see him twice a week still, we don’t really get to hang out and shoot the breeze these days. When I find people I like I tend to stick to them and I feel very much like I drive them away.

As far as the 10th floor crew is concerned I feel like they are very much dedicated to their own goals these days. In recent years I have been building up a considerable animosity towards women and the introduction of a fresh load of them has tossed my friends into wildly chaotic states. I feel like as if I have been singled out as unacceptable and in the process of being excised. I realize that I am perhaps generating this reality for myself, but I feel more and more like I am the last person to be notified of the goings on these days. Caravans of people I feel I used to know very well come in and out of my room talking of things I know nothing about and not uttering a single word to me in passing. I didn’t even find out about Harry Potter until this evening. The worst fear I can imagine is disappearing and being forgotten.

My Father and other matters

Things are more or less patched up with my father. The armistice we are currently engaged in is shaky at best with each side testing the other to see if the old structures, that framework of favors and niceties, still remain intact. Sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t. “Them’s the brakes!” as they say.

So I was in Houston over the weekend for Oni-Con. The convention went much better than I expect. The head of guest relations at the show and I had a bit of a row last year over quite an unusual happening and we parted rather sourly. I was really expecting her to hold a grudge against me but she was imminently civil and put on a very good show. However, the hotel the convention was held at was terrible. A full account of their transgressions I cannot fully relate but for instance they unannounced set a $20 per day per vehicle parking fee on the hotel parking lot under the threat of tow. If you attended and had the same issues that I did I highly suggest either contacting the Houston Better Business Bureau or writing a review of the hotel. Griping aside the show was very good and I got to see many friends that I haven’t run into in some time. Of particular mention are Mr. Kyle Hebert whom I have known for sometime and who I wish much luck in LA too, Mr. Dan Woren who is a most excellent chap with humor like a cool autumn breeze, Mr. Taliesin Jaffe whose knowledge of the strange and obscure impresses me more and more every time I see him, and finally Mr. Mike McFarland whose warmth and joviality is second to none. My neighbor Greg rode shotgun with me to the show and I was lucky enough to stay with he and his family for the duration of the show. A whole lode of friends from back home in Louisiana came to Houston for the show including Grady, Bob, Jon, Peter, Hunter, and Bridgette. It was very good to see all of them. Grady and Bob ended up staying with Greg and I for the majority of the show and their company was greatly appreciated. Cherry of Limit Break Cosplay was kind enough to hook I and a number of the Mechacon crew of up with complimentary badges so many kudos go to her for that. I did have a lot of fun and I hope to return to Houston next year hopefully to a different hotel.

Things will be very hectic this week because I will be writing my entrance applications for UT Orientation Advisor, Resident Assistant, and Connexus Bridging Disciplines but I will try to find the time to write about my experience with the National Lampoon campus tour.

-Blake