Alex Vernon.com

As I mentioned in I’m lost I really need to start creating things. Plus I need to occupy myself so I don’t go crazy, especially since I don’t have a steady job yet. So to accomplish this or at least start on the path I have signed up for a Photography class at PCNW. I have taken some photo classes before (check out The Showcase School if you’re in Atlanta) but have never learned black and white. I’ve been shooting digital for some time now and this would be a nice change. Learning how to develop my own prints will be a lot of fun as well. I have also signed up for Spanish lessons. I have been wanting to learn Spanish and Japanese for some time, I’m starting with Spanish though since I figure it will be easier plus it’s more useful as well. Then in March I’m taking some Go lessons. Go is another thing I’ve wanted to learn for years and I’ve bought books but never had the discipline to teach myself. Taking a class and having people to play against should help me a lot. Finally I also purchased a guitar. A Simon & Patrick Woodland Spruce for the curious. BTW the picture does not do it justice, it is beautiful. Playing guitar is also something (start broken record track) I’ve wanted to do for years. One of my roommates plays and I also have some self study material. I almost signed up for lessons however I thought better of it because three classes a week then four in March might but too much strain on my assaulted brain. I will probably take some lessons after my photo and Spanish classes though. So there we have it, music language and art I also want to start sitting (Zen) and take Aikido again to round things out. Aikido is going to wait a little while though or at least until I can see how I handle my schedule. As I’ve said before I’m tired of thinking about things and not following through. I have decided (sorry Dubya) to stop fucking around and get some things done. Now to see if I have the discipline to measure up.

Last night I came to the conclusion that I’ve been partying too much and have not been getting enough physical activity. I have become soft physically and mentally, plus I have been spending way to much money and drinking more than I should be. To rectify this situation I am going to start taking Aikido again and I am also going to begin Kendo training. I took Aikido before a few years ago for a few months but fell out of practice. My purpose is not to become a Bad Ass, if that were the case I would train in Muay Thai and Brazilian JuJitsu. I want to start training for a number of other reasons including discipline, confidence, benevolence and to get in shape. I plan on starting Kendo in Janurary and checking out an Aikido dojo tomorrow. I am approximately 200 lbs. right now, I plan on losing some weight and then adding muscle. My ultimate goal is to weigh between 220-230 lbs. then go from there. Of course I need to start getting ready (especially for Kendo) and my plan is listed below.

Initial plan:

Stop smoking (again)
Start taking the stairs again at work (stopped when I started smoking again)
Start walking and sprinting with my dog, working up to longer periods of running multiple times a week
Try to meditate everyday
Work on abs and with dumbbells three days a week

-Alex

Here’s some cool stuff I stumbled upon this weekend.

First up, a trippy Zoom Quilt, this is very cool.

I was looking for a website for a band called “Long Knives” and found this site on viking weapons and armor. The illustrations are a little lack luster but the content is good.

For those who ever wondered how Japanese blade shapes changed over time this is the site for you.

Here is a wicked Half Life 2 case mod.

And finally watch the stylings of the Afro Ninja!

-Alex