The Opening

I left my window open
Was it the same over there?
It's been fun.
The snatches and glimpses.

I still don't know you.
Probably never will.
Thanks for being an inspiration.
The Benjamins are rolling in!

I opened the door. You were grateful.
That's how history began.
Lights was the beginning.
Then came the kulture.

All this time. It's been a game.
If school is a game, I've almost won.
Next up: the Bonus Round!
Do I get extra points?!

You wanted to!
You wanted to!
The angels didn't deserve to die
They weren't angels at all.

My suicide is a calculated one.
It's one where I die to live.
Don't live to die.

Rough Rants / Titles / Songs

This life will be the death of me
A lit'l bit 'o this to kill my own skin
__________________________
I knew you for a while
It's gone downhill from there
When will you see
That life without Him is vanity
A puff of air, a blink, a flash
__________________________
Why can't we all just get along?
I finally got around to writing this song

Daiwa Sweepfire Saga: 1000b and 1500b

So after checking out the (most inexpensive) models of some of the light and ultralight reels at my local tackle shop (TB), I was shown the Daiwa Sweepfire 1000, which was selling at the shop for $28.99.

After checking out eBay and after research about line, capacity, and rod/reel balance, decided to buy the 1500b for $20. The seller sent me the wrong model (the 1000b), and after correspondence, decided to let me keep the 1000b (for his mistake) and sent me the 1500b for free.

This all came about mainly because this seller is a top-rated seller, with all positive feedback (meaning no negative or neutral feedback). This was a blessing in disguise, as he wanted to keep his 5-star rating no matter the cost.

So in the end, I received 2 reels for the price of one, giving me more versatility for trout. I still plan on using both for trout, but now have the option of using the 1000b for 4 or 6 lb. test, and the 1500b for 4, 6 or 8 lb. test if I need it. The 1500b fits the medium action rod that originally influenced me to buy the 1500b over the 1000b, so now I simply have to buy an ultralight rod to match the 1000b and I'll be set!

DJYS (or TYJ!)

10.29.2011 - LPD - Best single day of fishing action ever!

So last Saturday we (Jer, the bro, and I) headed out to the dam, brought along the kayak and inflatable raft, and had the single best fishing days of our lives.

Arrived at about 7:30-ish and got on the lake at around 8-ish. Cast around and didn't catch a thing 'til we got to the mouth.

Jer hooked up with 5 fish even before we had a bite, but then we got ours. Most were 8-9 inches, but in my estimations we caught over thirty (30!) fish that day! It was crazy!

We caught no browns whatsoever, but this may have been due to our 10 lb. test...

We're definitely looking into the P-Line Floroclear (4 or 6 lb. test) to rig up for our reels. Nick suggested this and I've seen some good reviews of this line, and he and I both think that we would've gotten the bigger fish had we been fishing with the clear P-Line, as I could easily see our 10 lb. Berkley Big Game test in the water in front of the lures.

All in all it was an epic day, topped off with an Orient Express outing to celebrate a day dear to my heart.
Here are some pics from that day, dear reader:

1st trout off a lure: 10.23.2011

This Rainbow Trout was the first I've ever caught off a lure.
The bro caught his FIRST FISH ever off a LURE on his FIRST cast of the day.

1 John

1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Pier Fishing DAY 1: Coast Guard Pier

So I've had the fishing itch for a long time now, and seeing as it's a little bit of a drive to any good freshwater fishing spots, I was stumped. Last Saturday was Fleet Week, and as you can tell (dear reader) from post before this that I gleaned quite a lot of info from Denny. So I thought, why not try pier fishing?

So I look up some piers and decide to head out to Coast Guard Pier in Monterey. Line in about 2:55, and within 5 minutes get a small black or blue perch. Within the half-hour I get 5 of these guys, all too small (about 6 inches). Then the Coast Guard people say they're shutting down the pier for about an hour and a half for "flare exercises." We all go in front of the black gates and start fishing. This is when I started talking to Wind, Alex, LaMarque, Terry, and finally Sergio. Got a lot of good stuff from the locals. That's what Stevie G. said: "Talk to the locals!"

Anyway, they finally open the gates and we all go back. We had discussed two different strategies:
1. Casting in the gap between the rocks and kelp
2. Casting over the kelp and letting the tide bring the rig in.

I caught all 6 of my little black/blue perch using the first strategy, and then about 1/2 hour before closing time (the pier closes at sundown), I tried the second strategy, using squid only (I'd caught 5 of the six perch on bloodworms, and the other one on squid). I cast over the kelp, got my line tight, and about 30 seconds later this guy got on:

It's inevitable that you're going to get snagged, but you just have to try to roll with it and watch your line and the kelp, making sure you know where your rig is in relation to the kelp and rocks at all times. This is why (so far) I've seen that only one pole is needed for this type of fishing. The bites can be very small, and sometimes the small fish peck at your bait so much it'd be impractical to have more than one.

The diversity of ethnicities of the fisherman (locals) who I talked to was quite interesting. Here's the rundown:
   LaMarque: African-American
   Sergio: Mexican-American
   Alex: Caucasian
   Terry: Asian-American
   Wind: Old Chinese Guy (in a motorized chair)

SF Fleet Week 2011: Jets and Fishing Tips

Woke up at 5:45 ante meridiem. Ate breakfast and after Jer came to out house, we headed out.
Get to our spot across from the Marina Green (after parking under the bridges about a 15-minute walk down) which happened to be quite packed out, and one of the first things I see is an Asian guy with a super-thin 8 or 9-foot fishing pole. So I go over there and start talking with him.

As it turns out, Denny is from Hong Kong, here for 2 half-year stays in the States while his sister gets her art degree. I picked his brain for as much info as I could. Here are some tidbits of info:

1. He was using yellow (not sure what type...his accent was pretty thick) 20-lb. braided line, and a 20-lb. fluorocarbon leader.
2. His hooks were about a size 12. (This was because he was targeting perch and smaller such fish.)
3. He started with 2 hooks above a small egg sinker, then switched to a sliding weight (still lightweight), swivel, then hook.
4. He stated that the former rig is for more advanced fisherman because it's more sensitive to the bite, but that the latter rig is easier and is better for novice fisherman. This was because the first rig is more direct to the pole and thus more sensitive, while with the second rig you tend to feel the bite less, and (I'm guessing) the fish might thus be on longer, meaning it's probably on when you start reeling in.
5. He's had the same experience where the fish will bite/swallow the bait, but stay next to the bait, so you don't even know he's on. You might wait forever until you think there's nothing there or you want to check your bait, but then you find out he's on. This has happened before in my experience with rainbow trout.
6. Most of the smaller fish tend to stay close to the shore around the rocks, because the crabs and smaller bait fish tend to stick around the same area. It's very logical, as much of what he said was...you just have to think like a fish.
7. Therefore, over-casting is often unnecessary and a waste of time. However, when going for the bigger fish (such as striped bass), it's good to cast as far as possible.
8. He usually uses a bobber (I thought he was saying "bubble" with his thick accent) when fishing, as it's much easier to find the fish this way. This is the way he usually finds them:
     a. Adjust the bobber to the depth where the sinker and bait are touching/dragging along the bottom. This way, the fish have the highest chance to see it. He stated that "90% of the time, the fish you're targeting are going to be bottom feeders." This is different from what I'd think of when using a bobber when going after trout (you want the bait maybe a foot or two below the surface) or bass with a worm.
     b. Using the clock/angles method, cast out short, longer, longest (etc.) Keep in mind that you're also adjusting the depth of the bait along the bottom.

Here's a photo of one of the perch Denny caught:

That's all I can think of for now...oh, and the Super Hornet had a SICK shock cone on his high speed pass.

Here are some shots I took fr/ Fleet Week:

SCRIPT for Copyright: Cooper Std
SIZE: 72p

For posterity...

Italy: 2008
Fishing: 2009
Volleyball: Fall 2010

Knee Pads = More confidence?

So I'm on my school's Intramural volleyball team, and the way the team's set up will have me playing the position of libero. I had no idea what the libero did, but after some research (googling and such), I've got some good info.
The libero gets most of the free balls, serve receives, and basically all the balls he/she can get to. You've gotta be a stellar passer and oftentimes have to set if the setter gets first ball. You also have to be a good digger and cover for the swingers, so this job includes getting horizontal for many points.
Reading this, I bought some Asics Rally knee pads at Big5 for $17 and change. Wore them on the court tonight and loved them! They're really comfortable, and didn't really slide down my legs at all (it was minimal movement if that), and in addition, we stayed on the court for the first 2 hours! It was pretty SICKKKKKKK.
I found that I'm more comfortable and confident anticipating and diving for more balls because I know I've got knee protection. Before, I used to give maybe 85 or 90% off of free balls, but now I'm going for every ball I can get to, which is what the libero is supposed to do.
Next up is dedicated volleyball shoes, which run anywhere from about $80 and up. It's an investment for sure, as I'd only be wearing them for volleyball and specifically in gyms.

Anyways, I got some good swings in tonight, and a sweet kill (tip) on left front over 2 blockers.
'Twas an eventful night!

Manning...UP: the 3rd brother?

Man up.
"Just between you and me, I've got something to say.
I want to get it straight before the sun goes down."
If you're in the wrong, make it right.
God won't forgive you if you've got something between somebody and you know it's your fault.

Learn to say, "I'm sorry." Admit your mistake.
If marriage is in the future, you're going to have to do it more, so learn now.
The learning process...it never ends.

Practice what you preach, and learn that it's not the weak but the strong who admit they're wrong.
That there is forgiveness and healing and restoration that come from Him Who knows you and everything about you.
Do it. Just do it. Learn to do it.
I'm in the wrong. I'm sorry. Let's move onward and upward.
"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead." Philippians 3:13

Let's move on.
It's a new day.
His mercies are new every day, every morning, and how we need them each and every day!

Just as you are. Just as he is. Just as I am.

No longer as an interest.
No longer as the one.

I saw no alternative.
I'm sure you didn't want me.

Was it true then?
I'm guilty of the same things.
We're in the palm of a hand making a fist.

Maybe you were born for this time, this day.
Maybe your hands were made to bring healing.

Watching and waiting.
Will it happen? Will this happen?
Is it set in stone? Predestined to happen whether one likes it or not?

Learn to breathe. Learn to crawl.
Make it a habit.
Make it something you believe in, not something told or taught to you.
Make it yours. Own it. It's yours to take.

Faith without action is dead, as it's written.
Don't forget what you saw in the reflection, in the glimpses past.

The tongue is the rudder, and words the tool.
The Psalms to deal with God, the Proverbs to deal with men (B.G.).

Now that I have seen I'm responsible.
I will tell them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Just sever all ties. It wasn't meant to be.
You've done all you can, now let it be.
Intercede. Ponder. Don't give yourself away.
Guard your heart. It's the only one you've got.
It's the only one you've got.

Volleyball: Progress?

So I checked out YouTube and got my feet going in the right order: four step approach should be right left right left, with each step getting wider apart, except for the last step. For the three step, eliminate the first step with the right foot.
On the last right left step, you bring your hands back into "crane style" position and explode upwards with both hands pointed skyward.
As you're bringing both up, the swinging hand (or right in this case) pulls back from the wrist, creating a 90 degree angle with the arm. The fingers of the hand should be as spread out as possible to create the most influence on the ball.
Tonight I got some much better swings in, but still need to remember to swing hard every time (provided you've got the set to do it).

PS It pays to be next to a good setter, improving your game a lot faster than not. Joe had some sweet sets tonight (as well as the bro).
Still working on getting the crane back though...

School: Fall 2011

So my last semester of school for my BA has started and it looks to be a memorable one: 3 singing/vocal classes, capstone (the final project for liberal studies majors at my school), a kinesiology for kids class, and an online music class.
The most interesting class thus far has been the vocal training class. We're learning how to control our inhalation, exhalation, breath control, diaphragm control, and all that good stuff. Gospel choir and the advanced vocal ensemble are equally if not more so enjoyable as it's basically just singing and learning new music.
KIN should be a breeze and the online music class shouldn't be too bad (I think I've found a loophole... : ]).
Getting the capstone topic wasn't as bad as I thought thanks to the help from the instructor (Do Je Ye So) as I think I've got a legit topic and have the right connections...we'll see if it happens.
: ]

How do you play Dark Horses???

SF WS

Jooootaaaaaaa!!!

So the cousin came over fr/ Las Vegas (July 30 to August 6) and we had a crajeeeee time:

Saturday: Picked J up at Frisco and went to Chinatown (Chinese Rice Crispys are: SawKayMaw)
Monday: Up at an obscene hour and went to Yosemite, wiping us out whilst hiking all over...
Tuesday: Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk
Wednesday: Monterey Bay Aquarium and Castroville french fried artichokes
Thursday: Vallejo's Six Flags Discovery Kingdom*
Friday: California's Great America

*So we're in Discovery Kingdom and we ask to pose w/ Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. I tell my cousin (not meaning it obvies) that she can't be in the picture. Bugs Bunny then sucker punches me (no lie!)! It was a playful punch to the midsection, so I (instinctively and without malice or hate) punch him (if it indeed was a him in the suit) back. The problem was, I punched a little too high: his head SPUN a little less than a quarter turn, hitting my cousin on the other side. A chorus of oos and ahhs of horror and disdain comes from the crowd waiting in line.
The lady in charge of Daffy and Bugs says, "WHOA! .Don't punch him back or they won't take a picture with you!" He (Bugs) then sucker punches me AGAIN.
So we take this picture

...and then I gracefully say my sorry and he (Bugs) pats me on the back.

Why would he sucker punch me? Not really sure...I was talking to my cousin anyways...I know it was a playful punch, but the guy (or girl) in the suit should be ready to take a hit if they throw one first. It was laughs. At the time I probz could've been kicked out of the park, but being as it was at the end of the day (near closing time), they were pretty slack.
Anyways, it was a pretty hilar situation, and I really didn't try to hit Bugs hard...his head just spun around, so it made it look like I really punched him really hard...good times. It was pure instinct. Split reaction time...had I tried to, I'm sure Bugs would no longer be with us.

Anyways, it was fun to see the cousin and get to know her a little bit more.
Good times.

Key Phrases:
What's dat one?
Look at my feet baby. Look like I have four feet - like an animo.
A wee lit'l baby

                                                                Jota y yo

DARK HORSES

I cannot wait for the new SF record to come it...should be epik!

Whispers in the Dark!

Biggest Stiped Bass Thus Far...

Finally decided to check out the main reservoir after getting a great fishing report fr/ Roger @ the Hollister Bait and Tackle shop. He gave us the what's up and a spot where he said, "I'd go." There's probably a conflict of interest between his sportsmanship as a seller of fishing paraphernalia and wanting us to do well and his personal feelings as a fisherman and his personal fishing spots.
We checked out a spot off the 152 (horrible, foul-smelling, and full of line-grabbing "seaweed" that wouldn't let go), and afterward got to the spot. The bro picked up a 24 incher at about 6:00, then I hooked up w/ mine at 7:30. 

How...

So how does this work?
Throw it together and see good results.
Spend hours and tears and I don't see the Spirit.

Tell me, teach me how to do this.
How do I know when, and how?
This isn't my job, but it's a call.

Get wisdom and insight.
They won't let you down.
Try is all I can do.
There's no rhyme and no reason as far as I can tell.
So how...?

First Solo Fishing Outing

So I went on my first solo fishing out to the Forebay (much to the, er, chagrin, of the parents), and came back with this!

I was out there from 4:00 to 11:00, and got 2 bites and 2 fish on. The first is seen above, and the second came off due to a faulty hook that was disfigured due to the fish above, which I failed to replace (bummer!).

He fought well. The way we set up is with the sliding weight holder on the main line (10 lb. test), snap swivel, 15 lb. leader, and size 1 or 2 hook. 

Definitely ready for more this summer!

Part 1: Tutorial: Whispers in the Dark: Skillet

1 hour of sleep in the last 36 hours...

Makes you think.

Makes you need to feel alive.

Makes you think about thinking about feeling alive while thinking about sleeping. 

Makes you wish you hadn't procrastinated for the last month.

Makes you wonder why you're writing this and not sleeping, or at least dozing, even. 

Makes you wonder if grades are really worth the effort.

Makes you wonder why you don't need to avoid trying not to love sleep.

Makes you wonder why your body wants to shut down.

Makes you wonder why the body needs sleep.

Makes you wonder why the body needs a coma-like sleep for a third of it's living life on this earth.

Makes you think sleep is a waste of time, yet so necessary, for some reason. 

Makes you write on this blog while procrastinating even more

Makes you wonder why you're writing about procrastinating while procrastinating.
Makes life plain weird.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Just believe

Change is good and bad. Good change is good.
Acceptance is what everyone wants, but compromise of principles must not happen.
Faith, hope, and love are all a part of your life, as understanding of others is as well.
I'm as real as they come, or so I've thought.

It's come back to salvation. It's come back to compatibility.
It's come back to light and darkness. It's come back to us.

I want to...

Be free.
Surf.
Play music in front of crowds.
Impact lives in the positive way.
Travel to lands I've only seen in photographs, to lands of nevers and forevers.
Be honest, vulnerable, and inspiring.
Live life in the driver's seat, not passively in the back.
Be so much.
See my friends and relatives saved.
Be with you.

YT Collab #1!!!

Our cover of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova's song "Falling Slowly."
Break Even Music and Kenneth Lee/Akintomeatloaf


Break Even's Channel:
http://www.youtube.com/BEMusicRecords
Break Even's Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Break-Even-Music/175135705831893

ADD me on FACEBOOK!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Kenneth-Lee/116481955086378
iBlog @
http://www.awayken.blogspot.com
Check out my own Music!
http://www.myspace.com/afterettica
Ask Me Anthing!
http://www.formspring.me/thennek

: ]

EQ: Video Editing Audio

So through my (however painful) trial and error, the first collab video will be up shortly.
The main thing was fiddling with the audio and the difficulty with videos that are not synced properly. You can get by with badly-synced video, but the audio is what takes the cake.
Also, not having a full-blown audio editing software program doesn't help. I've mainly used Audacity (free) for my own recordings and music, but having real-time linear audio editing within the video program is both a blessing and a curse. Having one is the blessing, syncing the audio with less features is the curse.
But what do I want for free? : ]
Basically the moral of the story for me was to record all levels (live audio) at a high frequency, either in actual recording or using Audacity to amplify the tracks. Then you can bring levels down to their proper levels. Just as resizing an image down is much easier than resizing an image up in size (because of resolution and sharpness), so also audio that's recorded loudly can be toned down easier without the crackling associated with audio too low and then amplified - you'd basically have too much BG noise as well.
But whatevs. It's going to be a great video, and I hope you guys love it!
: ]

P.S. Also, it's good to lay out how each video will look on the final video beforehand...this way you'll know which videos to layer on top or behind, and can position yourself correctly in each video to make a video where no "dead space" is left from overlapping videos.

The Gospel

ABANDON - "HERO"

Day 10: First YT Collab-B.E Music (youtube.com/BEMusicRecords

It's been an interesting (and groundbreaking, even,) experience working with other YouTubers (Break Even Music) from across the States, roughly 2,300 miles away from my hometown. It's been 10 days and I've learned much from the experience thus far. Exempli Gratia: collaborating is a fairly long process when working with music, parts, harmony, software, etc. It is definitely more time consuming for the fact that when making your own videos you have your own time schedule where you know when you can schedule recording/editing sessions, but the other YTer(s) have his/her own schedule as well.

Overall I believe that this will be a rewarding experience. Our first take of the video sounded great. They harmonized well with what I had put out there as the first version, and then we communicated through various channels until we were able to get a sense of how we wanted the song to go.

Check out their channel: youtube.com/BEMusicRecords

I'll be recording new vocals hopefully later today, sending it through YT to them, and then they'll be making their video based on my vocals.
Then I just have to record piano, bass guitar, and strings, and we'll have our first YT collab evarrr!

: ]~Kenneth

SNEAK PREVIEW!

The *obvies unedited* version of "Falling Slowly." I've still got to add the harmony part (BEMusicRecords), bass, piano, and strings...

Garlic Shrimp ReeSipe

Soak shrimp in water (if defrosted ya, no need).
On lo, butter in (~3/8 of a cube)
Then diced onions (medium heat only)
Then diced garlic
Then shrimp ('til light pink all around)
Add red cayenne pepper (cover shrimp well) (heat off)
Add yin-si (cilantro)

Voice/Vocal Cord Damage

Sister Lyn gave a tip for singing: apparently you can damage your vocal cords when looking up when singing higher. I was doing this only to back away from the mic so my voice wouldn't blast away into the mic. The suggestion given was logical: place one foot back so that you can back away from the mic; don't look/sing upward to get away from the mic when singing higher notes. Keep the mic level with you mouth.

Good knowledge.
Introduced "You Hold Me Now" and "His Glory Appears" today. Good songs.

: ]

Legend of Attila Suit

You have a choice.

MAKE IT NOW.

Either He was a lunatic, a liar, or He was Who He says He was. (C.S.L. paraphrased)

We all have a choice. 

Eternity is at stake. 

Today is the day of salvation.

Today is the day when it all makes sense. 

Today is when you either find life or rejection.

Life isn't a game. This is real. This is true.

Salvation is first for the Jews, then for the Gentiles.
Don't put it off. Forever happens to be a long time.
Today could be the first day of your life.
Learn to breathe. Learn to crawl. 

DYTM-First Combo EVERRRRR!!!

So after much trial and error, much deliberation and meditation, I figured out how to (due to the constraints of my pocketbook and programs) put effectively and synced videos onto one video. Here's the product, Switchfoot's hit song "Dare You To Move" which so happens to be (pretty much) my favorite songggg!
Enjoy!

DYTM COMBO! - LIMITED VIEWERSHIP!

So after making the video and posting to YT, I found I highly disliked the vocals that I did. (I mean, of course I know I can't sing, but in this case it was worse than bad.)
So here's the video that'll only be up until my other (and somewhat better) version comes up!
...a Facebook "Like Page" and Blogspot Exclusive!
: ]

Corel: Videos on Videos Ability (Part 3)

I've thought about the idea for a fair amount of time after getting shut down last time. Why not separate the audio from the videos, align them correctly, and then align the videos (and mute them) with their matching audio?
I tried it, and voilà, it worked! 
I hadn't had the time to figure out how to do it, but since I'm on break, and after downloading AoA Audio Extractor, it worked like a charm!
My next post will be the fruit of my labors.
: ]~KL 

New Fire - Sent By Ravens

Have FAITH and BELIEVE

People believe in everything. Even atheists believe in their atheism. I believe in something, in Someone. It's imperative, I say, to have a hope and a future, a faith that there is something greater, so much bigger than anything we can imagine. BELIEVE in Him, put your FAITH in Him. Then, and only then, will you find that which your heart seeks after.

Lifehouse: "Broken" and "You and Me"

Life Lesson #2: Friends

Apparently, it's better to have less or no friends than "bad" friends. The old adage says that bad company corrupts good morals. I'd say that this is also true for the Christian's choice between the narrow or the broad path. Different friends will give you different inputs into how life should be lived, and each will sway you this or that way into which path you should or ought to choose, but ultimately YOU are the one in charge of your life. This is your life, and there's no one to blame but yourself when the end comes and God judges you.
Also, it's okay to have acquaintances who are not of God with whom you can have recreational activities, but draw the line at fellowship. 


"What relationship does light have with darkness, or darkness with light?"
I've seen enough in the short time I've lived to see others led astray through these friends. I just hope that desperation does not lead to death.
~KL

New Bowling Balls (Part 2)

So after we went to all the trouble of finding a ball that fit us, the bro and I ordered one each. Then the guys says they discontinued that line of balls, so we go back and order another set. Today we went over and what did we find? He ordered another set of balls for us because those one that we'd ordered had also been discontinued! So I ended up w/ a Brunswick Slingshot (Silver/Black) for $120 and the bro got a Storm Hy-Road for $160.
He got his fitted and drilled first, and boy does that thing hook! I think the problem lay in the dryness of the lane, which thus resulted in much hookage-ness.
I got mine and had a grand 'ol time. It held and then hooked well into the pocket on the dry lane, but I'm really worried that when I get to my school's league nights with plenty of oil on the lane that my ball will just slide and slide, much as it did in this last Wednesday's session.


The Bro's Form (with the "Hy-Road" clearly visible):

 My form (with the "Slingshot" visible):

400 Subscribers!

<3: ]~KL

That feeling...

Scene:
You see an ant in your bathroom and squish it.
30 seconds later you see another ant struggling to bring the injured ant home.
You then squish both ants.

This feels so wrong.
: ]

Hometown SNOW!!!

So a couple of days ago it snowed in my hometown, an occurrence I had never seen in my 22+ years.
The twice-per-lifetime occurrence is documented in my 6.5-minute film.

To be, or to be.

Who are you?

Who will you be?

Who are you becoming?

Is this the way you saw it when you were innocent?
When all you knew were truths upon truths?

But today, today...

Today is today. 

Today is all you have.

Today is where the past returns.

Today is where the future rears its head, waiting for you to make your move.

What is your move?

What is your next move? 

Will you take the queen? the pawn?

This isn't a game.

I know you want to be so much.

To be more than the wars of your fathers.

Time tells all. Times screams all.

LIGHTS: Savior

The night is deafening when the silence is listening 
And I´m down on my knees and I know that something is missing. 
Because the back of my mind is holding things I´m relying in 
But I choose to ignore it because I´m always denying them. 

I´m a bit of a manic when it´s not as I plan it 
Cause I start losing my head and then I get up in a panic 
Remember when we were kids and always knew when to quit it 
Are we denying a crisis or are we scared of admitting it? 

I don´t want to know 

I just want to run to you 
And break off the chains and throw them away 
I just want to be so much 
And shake off the dust that turned me to rust 
Sooner than later I'll need a saviour 
I'll need a saviour 

It won´t ever change if you want it to stay the same 
I really hate it but I know it´s hard to choose if you´re chained 
And when it´s all you control cause you´ve got nothing less to hold 
You´re getting tighter and tighter it´s getting harder to let it go 

I don´t want to know 

I just want to run to you 
And break off the chains and throw them away 
I just want to be so much 
And shake off the dust that turned me to rust 
Sooner than later I'll need a saviour 
I'll need a saviour 

Stand me up and maybe I won´t be so small 
Free my hands and feet and maybe I won´t always fall... 
Save me 

I just want to run to you 
And break off the chains and throw them away 
I just want to be so much 
And shake off the dust that turned me to rust 
I just want to run to you 
And break off the chains and throw them away 
I just want to be so much 
And shake off the dust that turned me to rust 
Sooner than later I'll need a saviour 
I'll need a saviour

Corel: Videos on Videos Ability (Part 2)

So apparently Corel is great. That is, it's great if you've got a pretty powerful computer behind the program. The bro's got a pretty good computer which runs everything we've got efficiently except for Corel when adding 2 or more videos onto one video, which was the main function I was hoping for in a video editing program. I can place up to 6 videos on one video, but I can't sync the audio correctly without the audio skipping, and thus my hands are once again tied, although for entirely different reasons than before. Adobe Premiere, when wilt thou come (at a better price)?
 : ]~KL

Q->A

S: How are you not married by now?
K: I'm very selective.
C: LOL.

Dares

I dare you to be free.
I dare you to be holy.
I dare you to live life unto Him.
I dare you to love.
I dare you to be pure.
As none I see exist.
I dare you to swim against the tide.
To strive after that priceless pearl.
To run through that extra mile
That is never crowded.
I dare you to live as though you had one shot, and only one left, in the chamber.
One shot at this is where you stand.
I dare you to be you.
I dare you to be more than your fathers; more than the sins of your fathers.
Who will stay the gap?
Who will answer her call?
Bring me to life.
Bring us to life.

Volleyball

So I've been going to back to my junior college for some volleyball action w/ the bro, and it's been real! I've been playing for less than 6 months, and it's a really fun sport/experience. I've been learning a lot since playing over in the rec center:
Learning how to set is one that I'm still working on, but I got an awesome backward set to a left hander perfectly. 'Twas legitttt...
Still learning the 6-2 rotation. Got some good pointers on where to go/what to do when in certain positions.
For example if you're in right front and the ball is on your side, you line up farther back to get ready to hit, but the second the ball goes over to their side, you have to go up front to block.
Also, I got a great up off of a spike which was a direct result of Rod's instruction, and interestingly enough, Rod's the one who hit it! So basically he said when blockers go up to block, set yourself (if you're in the back row) up to where you're ready to hit the ball in between the blockers should the ball come to you through that window thru the blockers. That's exactly what happened. Rod hit it right through the blockers and I got a great up through his tip.
Thanks to all for making my (learning) experience a great one!
: ]~KL
Thanks for the Goldfish, K.!
; ]

Sunday, February 13, 2011

God met me in worship today.
That is all.
~KL

Corel: Videos on Videos Ability

So I got some sweet software from my uncle (thanks Uncle J.!). It's by Corel (which I'd never heard of) and it's the Photo & Video Ultimate Bundle. Here's the Amazon.com link:
Anyways, the photo editing software is pretty legit, with a fairly easy-to-use interface similar to that of Adobe Photoshop Elements which I have also.
But the video editing software was wayyy less intuitive than need be, and I really had to try to figure the software out...anyways I finally did and there are some pretty nifty things you can do with this software! One of the main things that I was hoping for was the ability to place multiple videos onto one video. As a musician, I've always wanted to show a video where I'm playing all the parts (and maybe even singing) on different instruments and I've finally found one (that's free)! It's probably not as good as a Photoshop Premiere, After Effects, etc., but it's good enough, and it's going to be fun with this new program!
: ]~KL

Life Lesson #1: Don't Hate

So basically I found myself making fun of a certain person because of his/her lack of ability in a certain area, and God humbled me in a big way the next time around. I did way worse that day than ever before...
I repented.
Next class I did wayyy better.
Pride comes before a fall, and the humble will be lifted up.
A very true statement is that.
"God bless be encouraged!" (D.Towner)

RED: "FACELESS"

100,000 Views!!!

So yesterday [the 4th of February, 2011 (which is pretty much 1 year and 3 months since I started YT)] I passed the 100,000 view mark on my YT videos!
Thank you guys so much for your support!
God Bless!
: ]~KL

Not at all!

A smile doesn't tell all
As I think you know
Appearances can be deceiving
And a death is no joke

And yet I found
Amusement there
But nowhere in there
Did you find
A hint of rising corners

Heart Song (DEMO)

So I worked on a song a while back and never really finished it, so here it is...it's fr/ Lindsay Faith's blogspot: http://www.lovelindsayfaith.blogspot.com/

Midnight has fallen, your words had me calling you
Back, wanting you back here with me
Minutes turn to months and I can't fast forward time
Waves of time crash down on me and I can't breathe

Find more artists like After Ettica at Myspace Music

Giving up the Ghost: Katie the Dog :K

Today at 12:52-ish p.m. my childhood friend died. She was 16 years old.
Katie was the best dog we've ever had. Chased all the balls, pulled us on roller blades, went to the beach and dug out (and ate) all the gophers we could ask for.
RIP Katie <3

School: beginning of the end / Baritone-ness

Today was the 2nd day of my 2nd-to-last semester of college. Was quite a day. Began chorale, which is shaping to be a great add...I get to learn how to sing, meet new peeps, and figure out how to perform in a group...got to jam w/ some cool kids (Lucas) and several others whose names escape me...it'd been quite some time since I'd played w/ some competent musicians...I haven't felt that feeling of being "in the zone" as some call it for some time...

Also did a voice check (if you will) of sorts and found out I'm a baritone (which I assume is near the middle btw the tenors and basses). I'm assigned as a bass but have the option (fr/ the instructor) to move to either the baritone or the tenor, as I have the range (close enough) to where the tenors live.
: ]~KL
Should be a fun semester!

GIF: 1st!

So I was playing around w/ Photoshop Elements and this is the first GIF I made.
It's from the "My Obsession" cover.
: ]~KL

300 is a good number.

It's the name of a perfect game in bowling, a movie, and now the number of subscribers I have...

SKILLET: "My Obsession"

New Bowling Balls for the Bro and I

So today the 3 men of the house swung by Clem's and purchased 2 bowling balls, and as my father said, he bought his first when he was 18, for ~$69 or $89. My bro and I each bought one ball, with him going with the Brunswick Avalanche Solid while I went w/ the Brunswick Avalanche Black/Electric Green Pearl. 

Knowing we bowl mostly after league finishes on Wednesday nights when the lanes are fairly dry, we went w/ the medium hook and oil pattern balls. Each cost us $120 + tax and drilling. 

While online the prices are considerably lower, we paid the retail price for Clem's expertise, knowledge, etc. 'Twas a new experience for the bro and I, as we had never bought a brand-spankin'-new ball before [(as our balls were always either given to us or bought second hand (thru Craigslist)].

As a result, mi padre gets my reactive ball (which we didn't know was reactive at the time) but was a bit too heavy for me at 14 3/4 lbs. My dad had been throwing his ancient rubber ball that weighs 16lbs.+, and my brother had been throwing the green plastic ball from uncle J. at 16 1/4 lbs.! My new ball is ~14 lbs. and the bro's at 15lbs. Should be quite interesting the first time throwing it out there to see the weight/speed/breaking differences in our new weapons!

We anxiously await our new acquisitions! Pictures coming for suresies!

: ]

~KL

How to play Skillet's song "Rebirthing."

Kip-Ups: proof?

1st Kip-Up!

Yep, at 4:50 I, Kenneth Lee did my first kip-up.
: ]

Skillet - "REBIRTHING"

1.11.11

Bowling Notes:

1. Find Mark: 2nd set of dots, 2nd fr/ right.
2. Get ball in: Push thumb in all the way; cup ball so you can see serial #s; index finger up
3. Relax arm, not trying to muscle ball and allowing for a free swing
4. Keep eye on mark
5. Follow through into lane w/ hand behind ball
6. Watch pins explode once ball hits the 1-3 pocket.
7. Hand slaps all around.

January 1

So it's 1/1/11. Had some dim sum and apple cider for new years. Although I spent new years on the road w/ the family 'cuz we had to drop my sis off at the airport, it wasn't too much of a letdown. Just finished a cover of Hawk Nelson's new single "Crazy Love" which can be viewed below. Super stoked for this new year, which I believe I clarified in an earlier post.
Happy New Year!