#thecheckeredshirtcollection

If there are any at all...

0

Apr 21, 2017

Apr 21, 2017 at 9:16 PM UTC

Swingline

Keys To The Kingdom

If there are any at all...

1

I wrote the date at the top of the page. And nothing else. I flew into this day from the second flight and stayed up the entire day. And yet... I wrote nothing.

0

Apr 21, 2017

Apr 21, 2017 at 3:35 PM UTC

Swingline

~April 7th, 2017~

I wrote the date at the top of the page. And nothing else. I flew into this day from the second flight and stayed up the entire day. And yet... I wrote nothing.

5

So about an hour or so to go and not a moment of actual sleep to be had. Surprising that I'm actually still very much awake and living as much as I am. So I guess it's just something about the flights that keep me forever awake. So now that the traveling is almost over, what am I supposed to do now? Other than more waiting for the adventure that is the next 8 days. And sure, 1 hour isn't a long time on any given normal day. But this is a plane to Paris. And time seems to pass slower on any plane. So I guess I'm just waiting out the next hour for now. Not much, but enough to drag out the rest of this flight. Ugh. I do not like waiting. But what else is there to do? I guess there's only so much to do from here. So for right now, I'll get back to the writing when I'm in Paris. Only because I'm tired of writing the same phrases page after page. There's only so much I can write on this plane.

0

Apr 21, 2017

Apr 21, 2017 at 3:06 AM UTC

Swingline

Second Flight [Part VI] (And 6 Hours Beside A Guy)

So about an hour or so to go and not a moment of actual sleep to be had. Surprising that I'm actually still very much awake and living as much as I am. So I guess it's just something about the flights that keep me forever awake. So now that the traveling is almost over, what am I supposed to do now? Other than more waiting for the adventure that is the next 8 days. And sure, 1 hour isn't a long time on any given normal day. But this is a plane to Paris. And time seems to pass slower on any plane. So I guess I'm just waiting out the next hour for now. Not much, but enough to drag out the rest of this flight. Ugh. I do not like waiting. But what else is there to do? I guess there's only so much to do from here. So for right now, I'll get back to the writing when I'm in Paris. Only because I'm tired of writing the same phrases page after page. There's only so much I can write on this plane.

7

Usually, I'm pretty impatient about well... anything. Like this trip for example. I kind of wish we were already there. But at the same time, I'm not too eager to rush through today. Making this experience last as long as possible. Getting as much out of it as I can. Living like to the fullest sort of thing. And yet, this plane ride is becoming sort of draining. But plane rides are usually like that. Not much to be done about that. So for right now, I'll enjoy some time to lat back and try to relax. More air time above the ocean. There's really nothing more to be done about the time left on this flight. And writing seem like the best time killer I've got. But it's not that I'm bored of writing. It's just that I'd rather be singing or playing my uke. I could still be writing... But I'd be creating a song or poem or something new. Something good. (So like I don't know, the bachelor?) Something... (Yep. Definitely the bachelor.) But I have to continue to wait out the flight. But again, I'm not really complaining. I have the whole trip ahead of me.

0

Apr 21, 2017

Apr 21, 2017 at 2:45 AM UTC

Swingline

Second Flight [Part V] (And 6 Hours Beside A Guy)

Usually, I'm pretty impatient about well... anything. Like this trip for example. I kind of wish we were already there. But at the same time, I'm not too eager to rush through today. Making this experience last as long as possible. Getting as much out of it as I can. Living like to the fullest sort of thing. And yet, this plane ride is becoming sort of draining. But plane rides are usually like that. Not much to be done about that. So for right now, I'll enjoy some time to lat back and try to relax. More air time above the ocean. There's really nothing more to be done about the time left on this flight. And writing seem like the best time killer I've got. But it's not that I'm bored of writing. It's just that I'd rather be singing or playing my uke. I could still be writing... But I'd be creating a song or poem or something new. Something good. (So like I don't know, the bachelor?) Something... (Yep. Definitely the bachelor.) But I have to continue to wait out the flight. But again, I'm not really complaining. I have the whole trip ahead of me.

9

Seeing as we still have about 4-ish hours to go, I can only wonder what I can do in that time. 4 hours is enough time to watch a few good musicals. But I don't seem to have access to those at the moment. So my best options are to write, sleep, or talk. But the latter doesn't seem all that successful at the moment. (The bachelor is definitely a distraction.) So that's a bit nerve racking, but I'm managing. Other than that, music therapy is seeming like a really good thing. And yet, I don't feel all that different going to Paris. I mean, things could have turned out differently for different reasons. And that's just listing tons of possibilities taking everything into account. And sure, thing could've played out differently but this is what I've got. And honestly, I'm not complaining. I'm pretty okay with where I am and where I'm going. I mean, I'm on my way to Paris. So why would I even think of being the one to complain? This is gonna be a once in a lifetime thing. So taking everything into account, I should just enjoy it right? I mean, that works for me. To Paris! In like 4 hours... I can wait.

0

Apr 21, 2017

Apr 21, 2017 at 2:30 AM UTC

Swingline

Second Flight [Part IV] (And 6 Hours Beside A Guy)

Seeing as we still have about 4-ish hours to go, I can only wonder what I can do in that time. 4 hours is enough time to watch a few good musicals. But I don't seem to have access to those at the moment. So my best options are to write, sleep, or talk. But the latter doesn't seem all that successful at the moment. (The bachelor is definitely a distraction.) So that's a bit nerve racking, but I'm managing. Other than that, music therapy is seeming like a really good thing. And yet, I don't feel all that different going to Paris. I mean, things could have turned out differently for different reasons. And that's just listing tons of possibilities taking everything into account. And sure, thing could've played out differently but this is what I've got. And honestly, I'm not complaining. I'm pretty okay with where I am and where I'm going. I mean, I'm on my way to Paris. So why would I even think of being the one to complain? This is gonna be a once in a lifetime thing. So taking everything into account, I should just enjoy it right? I mean, that works for me. To Paris! In like 4 hours... I can wait.

11

So, I guess I'll start by saying that I have not done much to accomplish my goal of staying awake. I mean, usually I can just will power my way through it. But that doesn't always work. And I don't expect it to. Second thing, I have no idea how to combat my sleep patterns. I mean it's sort of unpredictable and inconsistent. So maybe I will sleep just because. Not because I want to, but because I can. And my current situation is sort of battling that decision of "sleep of no sleep". Anyways... It's a process that I'd rather not go through at the moment. So the sleep aside, I think that excitement of getting to Paris is nothing short of overwhelming. but the curiosity of what it's going to be like is a weird thrill. Wondering what it'll be like to live there for a week. I'm still sort of nervous about it all and I'm still getting used to the though of it all. So I guess I won't have much more to say until we actually get there. And I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to get there.

0

Apr 21, 2017

Apr 21, 2017 at 2:19 AM UTC

Swingline

Second Flight [Part III] (And 6 Hours Beside A Guy)

So, I guess I'll start by saying that I have not done much to accomplish my goal of staying awake. I mean, usually I can just will power my way through it. But that doesn't always work. And I don't expect it to. Second thing, I have no idea how to combat my sleep patterns. I mean it's sort of unpredictable and inconsistent. So maybe I will sleep just because. Not because I want to, but because I can. And my current situation is sort of battling that decision of "sleep of no sleep". Anyways... It's a process that I'd rather not go through at the moment. So the sleep aside, I think that excitement of getting to Paris is nothing short of overwhelming. but the curiosity of what it's going to be like is a weird thrill. Wondering what it'll be like to live there for a week. I'm still sort of nervous about it all and I'm still getting used to the though of it all. So I guess I won't have much more to say until we actually get there. And I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to get there.

7

My average for staying awake can lie anywhere from 12 - 3 in the morning. Only earlier on a tiring day, or when I have nothing better to do. It can be a struggle depending on the day. Some days it's just not enough to put everything down and call it a day. So on those days, I stay awake for as long as I possibly can. And most days I don't win the war between myself and sleep. But I shut down the will to try after a few hours. But I try. Only so often do I actually succeed in abandoning my sleep for a day. But then the morning comes and I once again, become a groggy, tired, semi - functioning human being. So... Now what? Well, I'm left with about 2 option: Sleep and don't sleep. One definitely seems more appealing then the other. Only because I'm willing to accept a challenge. Like staying up for the next 24 hours. But, we'll see how that works out. It's gonna be some day. Or something like that.

0

Apr 21, 2017

Apr 21, 2017 at 2:03 AM UTC

Swingline

Second Flight [Part II] (And 6 Hours Beside A Guy)

My average for staying awake can lie anywhere from 12 - 3 in the morning. Only earlier on a tiring day, or when I have nothing better to do. It can be a struggle depending on the day. Some days it's just not enough to put everything down and call it a day. So on those days, I stay awake for as long as I possibly can. And most days I don't win the war between myself and sleep. But I shut down the will to try after a few hours. But I try. Only so often do I actually succeed in abandoning my sleep for a day. But then the morning comes and I once again, become a groggy, tired, semi - functioning human being. So... Now what? Well, I'm left with about 2 option: Sleep and don't sleep. One definitely seems more appealing then the other. Only because I'm willing to accept a challenge. Like staying up for the next 24 hours. But, we'll see how that works out. It's gonna be some day. Or something like that.

9

~April 6th, 2017~ I can only imagine what France is gonna be like. But the curiosity is definitely there. We leave one day, and fly into the next. And I would consider this some weird form of time travel. Hours behind on some flights, hours ahead on the next. What a day, and it's not even over yet. But here I am, close to high haven once again. And nothing more to be done except wait. But that's not exactly a bad thing. I can be patient for awhile. I can manage that. At least for now. So I'm not entirely sure when this flight crosses over into tomorrow. But I mean, is that really worth sleeping through? Maybe, maybe not. But I'll definitely attempt to pull off the world's worst "all nighter". It's worth a shot right? I mean, it's something to do. So this flight may be the weirdest crossover between days. But that's okay with me. Only now, can I really understand the influence of time and flight and varying amounts of sleep. Speaking of...

0

Apr 21, 2017

Apr 21, 2017 at 1:50 AM UTC

Swingline

Second Flight [Part I] (And 6 Hours Beside A Guy)

~April 6th, 2017~ I can only imagine what France is gonna be like. But the curiosity is definitely there. We leave one day, and fly into the next. And I would consider this some weird form of time travel. Hours behind on some flights, hours ahead on the next. What a day, and it's not even over yet. But here I am, close to high haven once again. And nothing more to be done except wait. But that's not exactly a bad thing. I can be patient for awhile. I can manage that. At least for now. So I'm not entirely sure when this flight crosses over into tomorrow. But I mean, is that really worth sleeping through? Maybe, maybe not. But I'll definitely attempt to pull off the world's worst "all nighter". It's worth a shot right? I mean, it's something to do. So this flight may be the weirdest crossover between days. But that's okay with me. Only now, can I really understand the influence of time and flight and varying amounts of sleep. Speaking of...

10

When you are working on that really important history project, before you can even begin, there is always that one person who asks: "So how much is this worth? How much will this count towards our mark?" Ugh. Welcome to the Bauer state of mind everybody! All that matters in life is how successful you are. And as long as your average is a constant 100%, you do not need to worry about anything else. What a life huh? These people are the perfect people for office job life. Nothing but numbers, no life, no soul. Nothing else matters to them. And singling these people out in high school is the saddest thing, and the most hilarious thing I've done. Because these people brag at 100% and cry at 99%. Wait, what?! How can you not be satisfied with anything less than overdoing it? I mean, you go on and live your life. But I'll stay here with a more than satisfactory 85%. I can work with that.

0

Apr 20, 2017

Apr 20, 2017 at 8:43 PM UTC

Swingline

The Bauer Complex

When you are working on that really important history project, before you can even begin, there is always that one person who asks: "So how much is this worth? How much will this count towards our mark?" Ugh. Welcome to the Bauer state of mind everybody! All that matters in life is how successful you are. And as long as your average is a constant 100%, you do not need to worry about anything else. What a life huh? These people are the perfect people for office job life. Nothing but numbers, no life, no soul. Nothing else matters to them. And singling these people out in high school is the saddest thing, and the most hilarious thing I've done. Because these people brag at 100% and cry at 99%. Wait, what?! How can you not be satisfied with anything less than overdoing it? I mean, you go on and live your life. But I'll stay here with a more than satisfactory 85%. I can work with that.

13

There's a guy I know who once used an entire 2nd period class to draw out his entire family line on the white board. He explains in great detail the divorces, the half siblings, the brothers he truly cares for. And you forget that somewhere in this family tree, he exists. And he talks....and talks.... It gets to a point where you forget he's monologing. He stops talking about and slowly begins talking about his view on love and relationships. I forget that he comes from a somewhat messed up family. I mean, I'm still optimistic about love. So much so that I forget that people don't see the world the way I do. And he is... not as optimistic about love. Or rather, he just doesn't see love as an opportunity worth chasing. He explains it as, "I can develop feelings for someone, but I don't act on them because I don't see the point." Or something like that... And well, I can't think like that. So I'll leave this mindset here. I guess it's something worth talking about. I guess...

0

Apr 20, 2017

Apr 20, 2017 at 7:34 AM UTC

Swingline

The Sansom Mindset

There's a guy I know who once used an entire 2nd period class to draw out his entire family line on the white board. He explains in great detail the divorces, the half siblings, the brothers he truly cares for. And you forget that somewhere in this family tree, he exists. And he talks....and talks.... It gets to a point where you forget he's monologing. He stops talking about and slowly begins talking about his view on love and relationships. I forget that he comes from a somewhat messed up family. I mean, I'm still optimistic about love. So much so that I forget that people don't see the world the way I do. And he is... not as optimistic about love. Or rather, he just doesn't see love as an opportunity worth chasing. He explains it as, "I can develop feelings for someone, but I don't act on them because I don't see the point." Or something like that... And well, I can't think like that. So I'll leave this mindset here. I guess it's something worth talking about. I guess...

11

Joseph is a gifted mind, given a coat by his father, and visions by God. After getting out of prison, Joseph is brought before the Pharaoh , as the Pharaoh believes that Joseph is a "dream interpreter". Joseph explains that he does not interpret dreams, he just tells what he sees in his visions, and that the visions are from God. Pharaoh continues on to tell the 2 dreams he's had constantly: One of 7 good ears of corn eaten up by 7 bad ears. And the next of 7 healthy cows being swallowed up by 7 sickly cows. Pharaoh has had so many of his royal interpreters try to decipher his dreams and none of them could do it. So when he heard about Joseph, he found himself all out of options. And Joseph delivers with this interpretation. The 7 good ears of corn and healthy cows represent 7 years of feast, 7 years of plenty. And the 7 bad ears and sickly cows represent the 7 years of famine that will follow after. And Egypt may not survive if nothing is done. So what can be done? Joseph comes up with this plan: During the years of plenty, take all the grain that Egypt has and store 1/5 of it underground. And then during the years of famine, give the 1/5 back to the people. The plan saved Egypt from starvation and Joseph was made second in command to Pharaoh, and he continued to lead Egypt to great success. This concept of "storing the fifth" can be applied to happiness as well. When things go wrong, or the world is completely against you, find something you know makes you happy... And store it somewhere you can find it later. A good movie, your favourite comfort food, a conversation with an old friend. Something that calms you down and brings you back home. And right now, I may not be in the middle of a 7 year famine, but I am working through a starvation of my own. So I am picking up the nearest shovel and I am digging for my stored fifth. Problem is... I still have no idea where it is.

0

Apr 20, 2017

Apr 20, 2017 at 4:49 AM UTC

Swingline

The Joseph Effect [Part I]

Joseph is a gifted mind, given a coat by his father, and visions by God. After getting out of prison, Joseph is brought before the Pharaoh , as the Pharaoh believes that Joseph is a "dream interpreter". Joseph explains that he does not interpret dreams, he just tells what he sees in his visions, and that the visions are from God. Pharaoh continues on to tell the 2 dreams he's had constantly: One of 7 good ears of corn eaten up by 7 bad ears. And the next of 7 healthy cows being swallowed up by 7 sickly cows. Pharaoh has had so many of his royal interpreters try to decipher his dreams and none of them could do it. So when he heard about Joseph, he found himself all out of options. And Joseph delivers with this interpretation. The 7 good ears of corn and healthy cows represent 7 years of feast, 7 years of plenty. And the 7 bad ears and sickly cows represent the 7 years of famine that will follow after. And Egypt may not survive if nothing is done. So what can be done? Joseph comes up with this plan: During the years of plenty, take all the grain that Egypt has and store 1/5 of it underground. And then during the years of famine, give the 1/5 back to the people. The plan saved Egypt from starvation and Joseph was made second in command to Pharaoh, and he continued to lead Egypt to great success. This concept of "storing the fifth" can be applied to happiness as well. When things go wrong, or the world is completely against you, find something you know makes you happy... And store it somewhere you can find it later. A good movie, your favourite comfort food, a conversation with an old friend. Something that calms you down and brings you back home. And right now, I may not be in the middle of a 7 year famine, but I am working through a starvation of my own. So I am picking up the nearest shovel and I am digging for my stored fifth. Problem is... I still have no idea where it is.

19

Alright, alright... Let's me be honest when I call myself out for being a narcissist. Because I am a narcissist when it comes to things like music, or poetry, or worldview. In short, I'm pretty terrible. But in my narcissism, there is a bit of a God complex. Feeling like I am invincible and unshakable. Like no one is above me and like nobody can possibly be in my way. Like I am in control of everything. Like God. But definitely not like God. I try to pull myself away from that kind of thinking because it dehumanizes me. It makes me something I don't want people to see. It doesn't matter if I enjoy the insanity while it overtakes my body because eventually I will come to realize that this is not the life I want. That I am better than this. I mean... Am I not better? I don't know. God? Can you tell me?

0

Apr 20, 2017

Apr 20, 2017 at 5:30 AM UTC

Swingline

The Major League God Complex

Alright, alright... Let's me be honest when I call myself out for being a narcissist. Because I am a narcissist when it comes to things like music, or poetry, or worldview. In short, I'm pretty terrible. But in my narcissism, there is a bit of a God complex. Feeling like I am invincible and unshakable. Like no one is above me and like nobody can possibly be in my way. Like I am in control of everything. Like God. But definitely not like God. I try to pull myself away from that kind of thinking because it dehumanizes me. It makes me something I don't want people to see. It doesn't matter if I enjoy the insanity while it overtakes my body because eventually I will come to realize that this is not the life I want. That I am better than this. I mean... Am I not better? I don't know. God? Can you tell me?

17