Latest Trend…

13. January 2010 by admin.

Ps3 Lightning Edition, 37″ HDTV, Japanese Final Fantasy XIII…

Eh…

I’d rather have the sun, birds, and good herbs.

I found an appropriate hat for my travels…

Passport… check.

Gil… check.

Faith… check.

As I prepare for the next phase of my adventure, I consider what I really require to set forth…

A decent set of clothing should be sufficient.

My 1970 VW Bus which was thrown up into the universe like a spiral of chaotic energy by a chaotic-neutral character may be within my grasp again… Yet, wouldn’t a dragon be more fun?

Yes, I’ve said it…

The inevitable return of the dragon.

For those of you who are unaware…

2012 is in fact the year of the dragon.

Also, if you are anything like me, you realize that knowledge is the ultimate power, and to gain such power, is a blessing.

I serve Jah, Sovereign King of the Universe.

Jah Rastafari. Haile Selassie I.

I believe in many things.

Some of these are:

The Euphrates River will dry up and guide the chosen back to Eden…

THESE people will live in a perfect Earthly paradise…

Some people will become pure energy and ascend to higher realms…

Some may manifest bodies in multiple realms as more planes become existent on scientific terms…

It seems like just yesterday the world was flat, and tomorrow science & physics may prove many high-tailed, multi-dimensional, sci-fi themes to be closer to reality than previously thought by laymen (all though sluggishly lagging behind the advanced thoughts of philosophers, psionists and metaphysicists.)

I am blessed with visions, but cursed with an inability to express what I see in human terms… or maybe this is a protection?

In any event, the world is small and the universe is small, dimensions are generally small, and although I can touch something in a physical sense, in an ethereal sense, we’re light-years apart. Yes, I can touch you physically, but to know your mind thoroughly is beyond current human ability, although telepathy in the human realm has indeed existed perhaps since our creation.

Once we’re actually capable of leaving our homes, and our possessions, family, etc… we’re then able to open up to the countless possibilities the world, let alone universe can offer us.

When I’m done exploring this world, I shall move on the next.

When I have known all that can be known in time & space, that is in a limited expanse of time, viewed from the end of time, I shall enter in at the beginning, or some meridian and continue on with the creation of new things, new knowledge, new thoughts, and new ideas.

In the typical human mind, everything is entertainment… We recognize it every day, I feel pity for the ignorant person who begins their examination by internally judging another, while completely oblivious to the beautiful birds flying about or even a sunset taking place. One who would assume a person needs so many things to survive, versus one who in fact has everything they need within for any adventure great or small.

What am I getting at?

Nothing as usual.

Get out of the house and have some fun today.

That’s doctor’s orders.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Blah blah blah… And another thing!

29. December 2009 by admin.

Quite simply, I find the world completely amusing… I’m going to invent a country and create an exchange rate of money….

Yeah, so anyway…

What the hell is this ridiculous internet thing?

Do you know that I personally loathe the internet?

That is not to say that I love MMORPG, but the actual internet, social utilities like facebook and myspace, along with the infinite advertisements of the internet causes me to loathe it about as equally as I don’t have the patience to sit and watch a television for an extended period of time.

Did the internet really make anything easier? Or did it just make us realize how ridiculously time-consuming our situation is?

Paperwork? Forget it.

Junk e-mail? Yeah, right.

I remember there was a time when funny people would print out their emails as if it was important to file them…

Please, the United States is virtually at the point of disposable laptops.

While I utilize the internet mostly for music and research, I realize that being in Santa Cruz, with three bookshops and a library, with it’s myriad of live-music performers down Pacific Avenue, was internet enough for me… furthermore, you don’t need the internet to check out what’s happening, you’re already there amidst the activity.

What’s a druid to do?

Fortunately, although I live in New York, I don’t have to spend much time in the smog and pollution as I live near a National Park… Although the Sound brings up it’s debris from the polluters of the shores elsewhere. It’s sad, really… Every time I walk my dog, I bring bags… most of the time, I can fill them with garbage.

It’s a very real situation…

WE

WE, our generation, were born into a world that, if careful attention isn’t given to our rejuvenation of Earth, could easily become a fading planet. Forget the dinosaurs, anyone remember when we had to leave Mars and ended up on Mt. Caucasus?

WE, live on a system that trades leaves to each other… I will give you eleventy leaves if you give me sextuple rocks.

WE, were born into a situation that requires something more… As those who rule the world die, with their billionty leaves and rocks, they ‘leave’ these to their heirs, their offspring… Who rules us? I prefer to rule myself. Passport? ID? Yeah, I guess I need to have one for now, but seriously… I didn’t realize I was an animal and required a collar.

Pollution… Styrofoam. F8ck you and your stupid styrofoam. Yeah. I hate it. You saved 10 cents vs. going to the store that would have sold you a paper cup… And again.. Sold? Cup? Bottled water? What’s wrong with our water? It has decomposing plastic water bottles in it? Guess we better filter it and put it in a bottle again.

How much does 10,000 seeds cost? Anything. Cannabis. Apples. Something… Imagine walking across the country… ALL OF US… planting our choice of seeds along the way… in just a few years, the whole place would be a garden. No, we don’t need refrigeration, nor do we need to cut down a thousand banana trees a week to have a few bananas in our home… Why don’t we just grow them and eat them as we want them? Oh wait.. we’re forgetting about the people that don’t want to work, but want you to work… The ones who have enslaved us in the first place, call them reptilian, demons, senators, whatever.

So where do we go from here?

One country says a plant is illegal, another one laughs.

One man thinks he requires a hundred thousand dollars a year, another realizes that they don’t need a Mercedes and an eight thousand dollar per year latte habit.

Don’t get me wrong, sometimes coffee, sometimes tea… Even community works well when isolated and focused on…

But when a little village is suddenly required to come up with a million dollars in taxes for an imperialistic government, we realize that something needs to change.

Who’s right?

As far as war is concerned, I’m not looking to get involved at this point… hopefully as more and more people focus on their own wrongs to Earth and their immediate environment, they’ll be too busy fixing their own garden and restoring our paradise that they won’t want to be bothered grabbing a gun and shooting everyone that can’t pay the taxes to the heirs of spoiled families.

America…

I realize that sometimes I sound anti-government, this is not the case… In small numbers, a village might agree to build something together, but what happens when the villagers no longer run the show and everything is ruled by people who have never even set foot on your block?!?

I’m not being paid to clean-up the shore and forest near my house, but I enjoy being a free-spirit, loving life and nature. Does that mean I sue the government for not giving me money for it? Absolutely not. Almighty G-d watches over all and I feel completely content knowing that my actions are recorded on a higher level than Earthly stenography. (I’d like to give a little f-you to facebook here.) Some people are completely oblivious that there are obnoxious, nosy little humans who are interested in gossiping to each other that so-and-so wore this and that so-and-so did that… Although they annoy me, I don’t let it bother me… Go ahead and know that I like Dubstep, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Final Fantasy… I’ll even click share… But what about the people that DON’T realize that they’re constantly being recorded for quality purposes?

My advice:

If you want to get to Heaven where you never, never die…

Never, never steal…

Never tell no lie…

If you want it for your own…

You don’t have to roam…

All you’ve got to do…

Is praise the most high….

However you say it in your language…

Me? I love Jah and it is this relationship that I hold above all others…

Anyway… I just figured I’d update with a little bit of a rant…

For those of you that don’t know… I prefer to stick to pen & paper for my writing.

After all… The internet is just vanity.

Who cares that I wrote this?

Until next time…

ryanbrandes@live.com

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Recent Studies…

23. December 2009 by admin.

EARTH_TIME

00:04 - That’s enough sleep! Back to work, slave!

It is the cusp of the hour of the dragon and the snake…

Immortalized in incensed rememberings…

The silent prayers of the soul.

I finish my Elderberry Tea and enter into the Hour of the Snake to meditate.

But first, capitalization of nouns? Perhaps they’re right.

http://german.about.com/library/weekly/aa020919a.htm

But first… you don’t look well… have you been in the well?

http://www.grammarbook.com/grammar/adjAdv.asp

Lots of credit goes to this dude’s Donatello page here:

http://progressiveboink.com/archive/donatello.html

OFFICIAL TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES PAGE (Curious about what I’m researching???)

http://ninjaturtles.com/
http://www.ninjaturtles.com/html/profile3.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelangelo_%28Teenage_Mutant_Ninja_Turtles%29

In comparison to:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelangelo (Possibly still alive in Santa Cruz living simply as, “Mikey” or “Peacemaker”.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donatello
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_da_Vinci
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raphael

If you ever do sacred geometry, do it correctly:

http://www.orthodoxphotos.com/readings/beginning/cross.shtml

Places to go… People to see…

http://www.holyfire.org/eng/index.html

Not sure how I dig this site, but I already knew that Spock was a Kabbalist.

http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/sociopolitica/codex_magica/codex_magica21.htm

Just reference notes:

http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/cab/cab07.htm

In short, x is horizontal, y is vertical…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartesian_coordinate_system

What to lambs eat? Forbs… A healthy diet of flowering plants… Spinach anyone?

http://www.sheep101.info/eating.html

Beat it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uqxo1SKB0z8

Great Astrology Reference Table:

http://members.chello.nl/r.kuijt/images/en_zodiac.gif

Try to win Wings…

http://www.gamesradar.com/f/win-wings-for-neo-steam-the-shattered-continent/a-20090618113741784003

For Steam…

Yisra’el <3

http://www.ahavat-israel.com/torat/calendar.php

Shabbat!

http://www.ahavat-israel.com/torat/shabbat.php

My Family Tree:

http://www.theoi.com/Pantheon.html

Basic

http://www.world-calendar.com/

maya maya maya maya? yes, you maya.

http://www.ancientscripts.com/maya.html

http://www.mayan-calendar-code.com/tzolkin-calendar.html

http://www.cis.udel.edu/~mills/maya.html

http://www.mayanmajix.com/TZOLKIN/DT/DT.html

Hebrew Calendar

http://www.hebcal.com/converter/

Islamic Calendar

http://www.islamicfinder.org/Hcal/index.php

Japanese Calendar

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2272.html

So sexy:

http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/5EList.htm

Pagan Calendar:

http://www.neopagan.net/NeoDruidismCalendar.html

http://pagancalendar.co.uk/

Chinese Zodiac

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_zodiac

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexagenary_cycle

Vietnamese Zodiac

http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/1198

Mesopotamian Astrology:

http://www.onereed.com/articles/nonwesternast.html

The Fundamentals of Galactic Astrology:

http://www.saros.zynet.co.uk/galast.html

http://www.astrology-numerology.com/sun-moon.html

Lunarium:

http://www.lunarium.co.uk/calendar/universal.jsp?location=New%20York,%20NY&ltt=40.43&lgt=-74.00&tz=America/New_York&dformat=US&geoFormat=degMin

http://www.lunarium.co.uk/planets/hours.jsp

http://www.lunarium.co.uk/astroschool/articles/planetary-hours-and-days2.jsp

:pca;

http://www.wunderground.com/US/NY/Calverton.html?MR=1

Time/Date Notation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Date_and_time_notation_by_country

Buddhist Calendar

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_calendar

And now off to a wake.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Final Fantasy XIV Online Beta Test Update

22. December 2009 by admin.

http://jp.finalfantasyxiv.com/ffxiii/

It seems that the Playstation 3 Final Fantasy XIII Lightning Edition (First Release) Japan Exclusive is shipping with the Final Fantasy XIV Online Beta Test confirmation code as well as a secret item that will be added once this code is activated…

If you haven’t applied for your Online Beta Test yet, GET TO IT!

http://www.finalfantasyxiv.com/

Japan:

http://jp.finalfantasyxiv.com/

My admiration for this company continues to grow every day…

It is the mission of the SQUARE ENIX Group to spread happiness across the globe by providing unforgettable experiences…

What does that mean to me?

Fiscal Year 2010: 180,000???

Yes, but that’s 180,000 Millions of Yen.

Hai.

http://www.square-enix.com/eng/company/officer.html

Yoichi Wada 1959.V.28. - Hello, Earth Pig… I’m Water Pig…

and he’s a Gemini like my favorite Nick ever, 5/23…

Keiji Honda.

Yosuke Matsuda.

Yukinobu Chida.

Makoto Naruke.

Ryoichi Kobayashi.

Norikazu Yahagi.

Ryuji Matsuda.

Nobuhiro Saito.

Yasuhiro Fukushima.

Next, to learn what their names actually mean.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Master Splinter’s Sagacious Sayings…

21. December 2009 by admin.

http://www.tmnt.com Greetings to you, my most noble student. Thank you for visiting my page. Below are seeds of wisdom, I hope that you will find the time to explore these words, and from their wisdom, find contentment. Remember that it is you and only you who can make yourself happy and rich in body and spirit. Practice with diligence and patience and you will find peace. On this page you will find the ages-old wisdom of Aesop, the time-honored teachings of Lao Tzu, the philosophies of Zen, ancient proverbs of the East as well as more recent knowledge from Western culture. These teachings serve to illustrate that wisdom holds no boundaries, be they seeds grown in the East or West. I humbly propose to you that the wizened individual holds no prejudices, but keeps the mind ever an open receptacle. In this, we strive to lift the veils from our eyes and find contentment. In contentment, we are rich. This is True. It is our duty to attempt to grasp the oft breezy caress within these words and build them into a foundation of knowledge as mighty as the great oak. In doing so we gain the ultimate power, the power of wisdom. Knowledge is mighty, but without wisdom, it is brandished like a club. It is wisdom we seek here. It gives me great pleasure to offer these insights to you, and I trust that they will help you along your path. At times, the knowledge herein may seem foreign to you… contradictory to what you believe… I ask that you consider this wisdom with patience and understanding. I also ask that you review these words with diligence. Although you may have read these passages numerous times in the past, time has a way of unlocking doors within our minds. New enlightenment will come with frequent study. This is as it should be. We are all students in and of life. Let us study together. I bid you peace and contentment until we meet once again.

One day, the fleet-footed Hare was teasing the slow-moving Tortoise for her lack of speed. The Tortoise frowned for a moment and then challenged the Hare to a race. The Hare laughed, looking at the proposal as a joke, and thus accepted the challenge. The race began, and as expected, the quick Hare immediately took a large lead. At the half-way point in the course, the Hare could barely see the Tortoise far off in the distance behind him, and so he leaped into a field of tall grass and began to nibble and play, enjoying himself and giggling over the audacity of the Tortoise to challenge him in the first place. As the Hare frolicked in the field, he grew weary in the afternoon heat and decided to take a quick nap; for even if the Tortoise gained the lead while he slept, he could easily make up the difference with his terrific speed. And thus the Hare fell fast asleep and dreamed of his great victory against his plodding (not to mention slow-witted) opponent. Meanwhile, the Tortoise maintained her pace, unwavering and unresting, straight towards the finish line. The Hare finally awoke from his nap with a start, and he was shocked to find that the Tortoise was nowhere in sight, behind on in front. Off bounded the Hare with all the speed he could muster, but when he arrived at the finish line, he discovered that the Tortoise was already there, waiting for his arrival with a smile on her face. Moral: Slow and steady wins the race.

Ability can take you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.

Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.

A bird does not sing because it has an answer - it sings because it has a song.

A closed mind is like a closed book; just a block of wood. - Chinese Proverb -

Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action.

A cynic is someone who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.

A drop of ink may make a million think.

Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn’t.

A fair face may fade, but a beautiful soul lasts forever.

A friend is one who knows who you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you become, and still gently invites you to grow.

A goal properly set is halfway reached. A goal without a plan is just a wish.

All sunshine makes a desert.

“All of your dreams will come true, if you have the courage to pursue them.” - Walt Disney -

“A long life may not be good enough, but a good life is long enough.” - Benjamin Franklin -

An angry person is seldom reasonable, a reasonable person is seldom angry.

It is always in season for old men to learn.

Behind every able person, there are always other able people.

A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a person perfected without trials.

You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair.

Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without one.

Sow much, reap much; sow little, reap little.

If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come.

Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.

It is later than you think.

Great souls have wills; feeble ones have only wishes.

“If you doubt that you can accomplish something, then you can’t accomplish it. You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.” - Rosalynn Carter -

“Once learning solidifies, all is over with.” - Alfred North Whitehead -

“The man who is too old to learn was probably always too old to learn.” - Henry S. Haskins -

Whoever cares to learn will always find a teacher. - German Proverb -

Not to know is bad, not to wish to know is worse. - African Proverb -

One can pay back a loan of gold, but one dies forever in debt to those who are kind. - Malayan Proverb -

“Knowledge rests not upon truth alone, but upon error as well.” - Carl Jung -

“The less a man knows, the more sure he is that he knows everything.” - Joyce Cary -

“The more one penetrates the realm of knowledge the more puzzling everything becomes.” - Henry Miller -

Time goes from present to past.

Nothing comes from outside your mind.

When your effort becomes pure, your body and mind become pure.

When there is no gaining idea in what you do, then you do something.

In ancient times, when each of man’s limbs and organs did not work together as peacefully as they do these days, and each had a will of its own, a struggle occurred. The limbs and organs began to criticize the Stomach for enjoying a life of idleness and luxury, while the rest of the body spent all of their time working to feed the belly. So the limbs and organs decided to cut off the Stomach’s supplies in the future. The Hands were no longer to carry food to the Mouth, nor would the mouth receive any food, nor the Teeth chew any. They had not followed this scheme for starving the Stomach for very long when they all began, one by one, to fail and flag. The entire body began to pine away. Finally the limbs and organs realized that the Stomach, as cumbersome and as useless as it seemed, had an important function of its own. The rest of the body could no more do without the Stomach than it could do without them. If they wanted to keep the whole body in a healthy state, they had to work together, each to its individual talent, for the greater good of all. MORAL: Only by working together can the greatest good be achieved.

Four bulls were such great friends that they spent all of their time together. The Lion always watched them with hungry longing in his eyes, but he knew that he could never capture a bull with his allies about him. The Lion decided to set the friends against one another. So each morning the big cat would drink with a different bull, and tell him lies about what the other bulls had been saying about him. After a few days of this, the bulls began to quarrel with one another, to the Lion’s delight. Shortly, the Lion managed to make the bulls so angry with each other that their circle was broken, and they began to walk alone, without their friends to assist them. When they strayed far away from each other, the Lion fell upon them singly, and killed each one in turn. MORAL: The quarrels of friends are the opportunities of enemies.

One evening, a boy whose job was to look after some goats, gathered them together to lead them home from the pasture. The most prized of the goats stubbornly stayed on the meadow munching tall grass. No matter how much the boy called to the goat, she would not heed him. The boy became enraged at this, and he picked up a stone and hurled it with all his might at the animal. The rock struck soundly on one of the precious goat’s horns, and broke it off in the middle. The boy was mortified at what he had done, and fearful of what his Master would do to him when he saw how the goat had been treated. The child threw himself at the feet of the goat and begged her not to tell their Master what he had done. “Hmph!” replied the goat, “Even if I were to say nothing, my horn is sure to tell the tale!” MORAL: Facts speak louder than words.

There is no crime greater than having too many desires; There is no disaster greater than not being content; There is no misfortune greater than being covetous.

To hold fast to the submissive is called strength.

Straightforward words Seem paradoxical.

Highest good is like water. Because water excels in benefiting the myriad creatures without contending with them and settles where none would like to be, it comes close to the way.

Two crabs were walking along a beach, a mother and her young child. “My child!” exclaimed the Mother Crab, “Why do you walk sideways like that? Why do you not walk straight like the other creatures on this beach?” to which the young crab replied, “Well, mother… it appears to me that I walk exactly as you do. Go first and show me how, and I will gladly follow!” Moral: It is better to teach by example than by words.

A fox being chased by some hunters came upon a man chopping wood. He begged the man to shelter him, and the man offered the fox refuge in his cabin. Shortly, the hunters arrived and asked the man if he had seen the fox. The wood cutter stated that he had not, but as he did so he pointed to his cabin with a wink. The hunters, confused by this, went off. As soon as they were out of sight, the fox bounded in the other direction. “So, this is how you thank me for sheltering you, my friend?” the woodsman called to the fox. “Hah! If you had spoken with your fingers as you did with your tongue, I would not have left without thanking you properly! Friend? Indeed! Hah!” Moral: Actions speak louder than words.

A crow spent many hours decorating himself with feathers that had fallen from the peacocks. When he was finished, the crow visited the colorful birds and strutted about proudly, attempting to pass himself off as one of their kind. Insulted by his actions, the peacocks ran the crow off. When he returned to his village, the other crows laughed at him and demanded that he go live among the peacocks, since he so desired to be one. Moral: Be content with what nature has given you, or be prepared to earn contempt for trying to be what you are not.

In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind, there are few.

Be grateful for the weeds you have in your mind, because eventually they will enrich your practice.

Your mind and body have great power to accept things as they are, whether agreeable or disagreeable.

A man and a woman were arguing over which gender was of superior character. As they walked and quarreled they happened upon a statue of a man holding up the Earth. “See there!” exclaimed the man, “Surely men are superior to women, as this artwork depicts a man holding up the world!” The woman regarded the statue for a moment and said “That proves nothing at all, for if it had been sculpted by a woman, she would have made a woman holding up the weight of the world!” Moral: Consider the source of the evidence before believing it.

A man who claimed to be a Psychic and Wizard made a small fortune in the marketplace by pretending to know what was in store for the people who paid him for his services. He would tell them of romance or illness, fortune or famine, all with the authority of one who knows. One day, while he was proclaiming a couple’s future, a man broke through the crowd and declared that the Wizard’s house was on fire! At this news, the Wizard ran off as fast as he could, with the crowd quick at his heels. When they arrived at the home, they found that it was not burning at all. The man from the crowd stepped forward, and to the delight of the people, asked the Wizard, “How is it that someone who so cleverly tells other people’s fortunes can know so little of his own?” Moral: Those who practice deception are often most easily deceived.

One day, while the Donkey and Rooster were having lunch together in the meadow, a mountain lion came upon them. The Rooster started to crow madly, and frightened the startled lion away. The Donkey, assuming that it was he that had frightened off the big cat, gave chase and mocked the lion as they ran. After a few minutes, the pair had raced beyond the calls of the Rooster, at which point the lion turned on the Donkey and made lunch of him! Moral: Presumption begins in ignorance and ends in ruin.

Know contentment And you will suffer no disgrace; Know when to stop And you will meet with no danger.

The way that is bright seems dull; The way that leads forward seems to lead backward.

The violent will not come to a natural end.

Those who are of good faith I have faith in. Those who are lacking in good faith I also have faith in. In doing so I gain in good faith.

The further one goes, the less one knows.

The Grasshopper had spent his entire summer singing, dancing and playing. He had even went so far along in his merriment to taunt and tease his friend the Ant, who had spent her days and nights gathering food. “Ho there, Ant!” the Grasshopper had laughed, “What a fine day it is to dance! And yet you waste the time by doing chores! Do you not know how to enjoy life?” The Ant, tired from her work, nonetheless shook her head and continued. “I’m working,” she said as she continued her tasks “There will be plenty of time to sing and dance when the chores are finished.” To this statement the Grasshopper merely laughed and danced some more. “You collect more food than you can possibly eat in a day! The world is plentiful, dear Ant! Do not be so greedy!” he cried as he spun himself in circles. The Ant shook her head sadly and continued her tasks. She worked diligently as summer turned to fall and then to winter. As the snow fell and the blizzards raged, the Ant found comfort in her home stocked well with food and supplies. One day a knock came on her door, and she was surprised to find the Grasshopper outside, half-starved and freezing. “Please, dear Ant,” he begged “Please give me some food and shelter!” The Ant looked upon him and said “Grasshopper, I worked very hard all summer long and gathered enough supplies to feed and shelter myself for the winter, but I fear that I do not have enough for you as well… what did you do all summer long?” To this the once merry Grasshopper replied “I sang and danced and played, all through the days and into the nights! It was a wonderful time!” The Ant shook her head mournfully and said “If it was so enjoyable a thing to be doing, perhaps you should continue to do so now.” The Grasshopper, shivering and weak, cried “I cannot! I am too cold and hungry! Have mercy, dear Ant! I will repay you in kind tenfold this summer!” The Ant, seeing that the Grasshopper had learned his lesson, invited him in and gave him food and shelter. She had worked harder than she had admitted, just in case an emergency such as this might occur, and had ample supplies for the both of them. The following summer the Grasshopper helped the Ant with the chores each day, which left each evening for the both of them to enjoy singing and dancing, and never again did the Grasshopper find himself out in the cold during the winter. Moral: Do not neglect the future in times of plenty, for tomorrow you may find that you need what you have wasted today.

A dog, carrying a bone in his mouth that he had stolen from the kitchen of his master, came upon a small pond. Looking into the pool, he saw a reflection of himself, which he mistakenly thought was another dog also carrying a bone. A bone as fine as the one that the dog currently had! Thinking that he would very much like to have both bones, the dog thought to scare this other dog off by barking at him. Growling and gnashing he let out a terrible howl, and as he did so, he dropped his bone into the pond, losing it in the murky depths. Moral: Be content with what you have.

It is wisdom which is seeking for wisdom.

One who lives each day lives a full life.

If you lose the spirit of repetition, your practice will become quite difficult.

If your practice is good, you may become proud of it. What you do is good, but something more is added to it. Pride is extra. Right effort is to get rid of something extra.

An old man living in a destitute and barren town buried all of his money at the base of a tree in his back yard. Each night, he would lift the cover on his treasure and delight upon his possession of it. One brightly lit eve, a thief happened upon the old man as he gloated to himself about his great riches. After the miser had gone to sleep, the thief removed the cover and took all of the old man’s treasure. The next night the old man, finding his treasure gone, cursed and spat and shook with rage. A curious neighbor came by to inquire what had upset the aged one so, and upon hearing the story, said “Since you did not spend this money anyway, you have not really lost anything. Go each night and pretend that the money is still there, and you will be as well off as ever.” Moral: The value in money is not in having it, but in using it wisely.

One who knows contentment is rich.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

How My Brain Works… (In other words, yeah…)

20. December 2009 by admin.

Eh, a bunch of disorganized notes from the brain of Ryan Brandes.

Study your Hiragana and Katakana here:

http://www.gyford.com/japanese/

Excellent Japanese Flash Card Resource:

http://www.studyjapanese.org/index.php?option=com_fc_trainer&Itemid=37&task=showCards&test_mode=drill&folder_id=9

Japanese-English / English-Japanese Kanji/Katakana/Hiragana Dictionary - “Most excellent, Wayne.” “Most excellent, Garth.”

http://www.saiga-jp.com/cgi-bin/dic.cgi?m=search&sc=0&f=0&j=&g=&e=be+happy&s=&rt=0&start=1&sid=1261273069_97950

Tongue Examination Reference - I’ve already recommended the tongue-brush with a link on facebook, but continue exercise your tongue and keep it clean and healthy! An unhealthy tongue is a sure-sign of unhealthy esophagus, stomach, intestines, rectum, whatever! The best medicine is preventative medicine. Be the doctor as gardener, patient as garden; rather than doctor as mechanic, patient as automobile.

http://www.tiscali.co.uk/lifestyle/healthfitness/tongue/index.html

God’s TIme Piece:

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=110

Remember the order of the Chinese Animal Zodiac and Hours in TIme?

Rat
Ox
Tiger
Hare
Dragon
Snake
Horse
Sheep
Monkey
Rooster
Dog
Pig

Next, we’re going to learn what the hours are in relation to the bodily organs.

11PM-1AM Rat - Gallbladder - Translates to ‘Spirit’ in one form of Japanese kanji.

–noun Anatomy.
a pear-shaped, muscular sac attached to the undersurface of the right lobe of the liver, in which bile is stored and concentrated. - dictionary.com
23-01Rat -
01-03Ox - Liver (Give it a rest!)
03-05Tiger - Lung (*420*)
05-07Hare - Large Intestines (Plop, plop.)
07-09Dragon
09-11Snake
11-13Horse
13-15Sheep
15-17Monkey
17-19Rooster
19-21Dog
21-23Boar
23-01Rat -

Brush up on the history:

chinese zodiac chartAccording to one legend, in the sixth century B.C. Buddha invited all the animals in creation to a race, only twelve showed up: the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Lam, Monkey, Cock, Dog, and Pig, and according to their places in the race, Buddha had given them each a number starting with the Rat who was the winner of the race.

This legend, of course, is by far the least credible of all explanations of the origin of the Chinese zodiac. Because the “twelve earthly branches” which correspond with the zodiac, was already in existence as early as the Zhou era, long before the advent of Buddhism. A parallel decimal set of symbols called “ten heavenly stems”, corresponding with yin-yang dualism and the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water) was in existence in the Shang dynasty as the stems were part of Shang rulers’ names. The Zodiac, or the “twelve earthly branches” is probably deviced together with the ten heavenly stems.

As a duodecimal numeral system, the twelve earthly branches is probably evidence for trade between early tribes that later contributed to the Chinese civilization on the one hand, and the Mesopotamian civilization, which perfected duodecimal arithmetics, on the other.

The Chinese zodiac, though not entirely identical with the Greek zodiac, nonetheless shares with it the duodecimal system and the idea of using animals as numerical symbols. This is a hint for the triangular relations between early Chinese, Mesopotamian and Greek cultures.

When the Bulgars, an early Turkic tribe within the Hun tribal federation that invaded Europe at the end of the Roman Empire, brought with them the very same Chinese zodiac. This is a probability that the Chinese zodiac is of northern Chinese origin, commonly shared among Altaic and northern Chinese tribes.

However, nowadays the Thai and Tibetans use the same zodiac with slight modification, probably due to millennia of contact with the Chinese civilization.

ratRat

* 31 January 1900 - 18 February 1901: Metal Rat
* 18 February 1912 - 5 February 1913: Water Rat
* 5 February 1924 - 24 January 1925: Wood Rat
* 24 January 1936 - 10 February 1937: Fire Rat
* 10 February 1948 - 28 January 1949: Earth Rat
* 28 January 1960 - 14 February 1961: Metal Rat
* 15 February 1972 - 2 February 1973: Water Rat
* 2 February 1984 - 19 February 1985: Wood Rat
* 19 February 1996 - 7 February 1997: Fire Rat
* 2008 - 2009: Earth Rat
* 2020 - 2021: Metal Rat

According to Chinese folklore, this sign can be quite complex and people who are born under this Chinese sign possess strong leadership skills and are intelligent, charismatic, artistic, charming, persuasive, attractive, generous to loved ones, and ambitious. On the negative side, rats can be exploitive, dangerous, dreamy, deviant, selfish, cunning, psychotic (rats tend towards mental instability), lustful, stubborn, manipulative, frail, and vain. Rats are said to get along well with “monkeys” and “dragons,” and to get along poorly with “horses”.

Rats are a symbol of good luck and wealth. They are clever and intelligent. This sign is very ambitious and strong-willed, and they are keen and unapologetic promoters of their own agendas, which often include money and power. Rats are naturally charming, seductive, and persuasive. They are energetic and versatile and can usually find their way around obstacles, and adapt to various environments easily. A rat’s natural charm and sharp demeanor make it an appealing friend for almost anyone. The Rat likes to know who is on its side and will treat its most loyal friends with an extra measure of protection and generosity. However, they also have long memories and will rarely forgive or forget an enemy. Rats are strongly family oriented. Although they are often hoarders and can be miserly, they also are very generous to their family and friends. Rats have a great capability for accumulating and holding on to items of value.

A valuable lesson for Rats is to learn to consider others below themselves, at least sometimes, and to avoid forcing their ideas onto others. Rats are fair in their dealings and do not expect the same from others in return, and can be deeply affronted if they feel they have been deceived or that their trust has been abused. Sometimes they set their targets too low, whether in relationship to their friends or in their career, but as the years pass they will become more idealistic and tolerant. If they can develop their sense of self and realize it leaves room for others in their life as well, Rats can find true happiness.

In middle age, if everything goes smoothly, Rats will be able to achieve their life goals. Traditionally, Rats should avoid Horses, but they can usually find their best friends and love interests in Monkeys, Oxen, and Dragons.

Ideal jobs for rats include detective, spy, artist, musician, writer, lawyer, broker, politician, psychiatrist, pathologist, and crime laboratory scientist.

oxOx

* 19 February 1901 - 7 February 1902: Metal Ox
* 6 February 1913 - 25 January 1914: Water Ox
* 25 January 1925 - 12 February 1926: Wood Ox
* 11 February 1937 - 30 January 1938: Fire Ox
* 29 January 1949 - 16 February 1950: Earth Ox
* 15 February 1961 - 4 February 1962: Metal Ox
* 3 February 1973 - 22 January 1974: Water Ox
* 20 February 1985 - 8 February 1986: Wood Ox
* 7 February 1997 - 28 January 1998: Fire Ox
* 26 January 2009 - 14 February 2010: Earth Ox
* 2021 - 2022: Metal Ox
* 2033 - 2034: Water Ox

The Ox is the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work. This powerful sign is a born leader, being quite dependable and possessing an innate ability to achieve great things. As one might guess, such people are dependable, calm, and modest. Like their animal namesake, the Ox is unswervingly patient, tireless in their work, and capable of enduring any amount of hardship without complaint.

The Ox person needs peace and quiet to work through his/her ideas, and when he/she has set his/her mind on something it is hard for him/her to be convinced otherwise. The Ox person has a very logical mind and is extremely systematic in whatever he/she does, even without imagination. These people speak little but are extremely intelligent. When necessary, they are articulate and eloquent.

The Ox is not extravagant, and the thought of living off credit cards or being in debt makes him/her nervous. The possibility of taking a serious risk could cause the Ox sleepless nights.

Ox people are truthful and sincere, and the idea of wheeling and dealing in a competitive world is distasteful to them. They are rarely driven by the prospect of financial gain. These people are always welcome because of their honesty and patience. They have many friends, who appreciate the fact that the Ox people are wary of new trends, although every now and then they can be encouraged to try something new.

It is important to remember that the Ox people are sociable and relaxed when they feel secure, but occasionally a dark cloud looms over such people and they engage all the trials of the whole world and seek solutions for them.

tigerTiger

* 8 February 1902 - 28 January 1903: Water Tiger
* 26 January 1914 - 13 February 1915: Wood Tiger
* 13 February 1926 - 1 February 1927: Fire Tiger
* 31 January 1938 - 18 February 1939: Earth Tiger
* 17 February 1950 - 5 February 1951: Metal Tiger
* 5 February 1962 - 24 January 1963: Water Tiger
* 23 January 1974 - 10 February 1975: Wood Tiger
* 9 February 1986 - 28 January 1987: Fire Tiger
* 28 January 1998 - 15 February 1999: Earth Tiger
* 2010 - 2011: Metal Tiger
* 2022 - 2023: Water Tiger

Tiger people are difficult to resist, for they are magnetic characters and their natural air of authority confers a certain prestige on them. They are tempestuous yet calm, warm-hearted yet fearsome, courageous in the face of danger yet yielding and soft in mysterious, unexpected places. They enjoy life full of challenges and unexpected events, like visiting unusual places and meeting interesting outstanding people. Other people in their area are easily attracted by the tiger’s enthusiasm and course of life. Tigers find pleasure in the unpredictable, and while other people would rather make a backward step, they are not afraid to explore the new and unusual. But it is not that simple to interest the Tiger. What they really need is first-hand experience. Usually open and frank, these people are likely to withdraw and can be aggressive when trapped. As soon as the Tiger has regained their sense of security their confidence also returns, enabling them to set out once more. These people usually tend to trust their instincts, though there is another side of their personality, which assesses situations thoughtfully before they launch any actions. Their friends usually secretly admire their determination and optimism, though sometimes may find it complicated to share the Tiger’s enthusiasm and can be pushed away and left behind. In spite of the fact that Tigers can be courageous and generous friends, if they are not able to achieve what they want, they can be inflexible and self-centered. So if your friend was born in the year of the Tiger, there will be highs and lows in your friendship, but the friendship itself will remain firm.

Ideal jobs for tigers include entrepreneur, military officer, politician, musician, writer, poet, artist, theater director, stockbroker, athlete, film star, trade union leader, company director, stunt person, explorer, and teacher.

rabbitRabbit

* 29 January 1903 - 15 February 1904: Water Rabbit
* 14 February 1915 - 2 February 1916: Wood Rabbit
* 2 February 1927 - 22 January 1928: Fire Rabbit
* 19 February 1939 - 7 February 1940: Earth Rabbit
* 6 February 1951 - 26 January 1952: Metal Rabbit
* 25 January 1963 - 12 February 1964: Water Rabbit
* 11 February 1975 - 30 January 1976: Wood Rabbit
* 29 January 1987 - 16 February 1988: Fire Rabbit
* 16 February 1999 - 4 February 2000: Earth Rabbit
* 3 February 2011 - 22 January 2012: Metal Rabbit
* 2023 - 2024: Water Rabbit
* 2035 - 2036: Wood Rabbit

People born in the Year of the Rabbit often make ideal diplomats or politicians. A Rabbit person has grace, culture and beautiful manners. Although Rabbit people get on well with everyone, at heart they are basically reserved creatures, and are only really happy when they are engrossed in some sort of scholarly or intellectual activity. They are just too sensitive for the world around them. They are not able to thrive in a competitive or aggressive environment, and it makes them anxious if someone forces them to take risks. Their inner world is simply too delicate for unsettled or unpredictable situations, and they tend to create a peaceful and comfortable atmosphere on a hunch. This character trait makes them very hospitable and attentive people, who take care of those around.

The average Rabbit person emphasizes the importance of small details. They pay attention to everything from colour, design and furniture to food and conversation. And only when they are sure that everything has been arranged as they wish can these people relax and have fun.

Person born in the year of Rabbit often lead a conservative lifestyle where one of the most important things is their security. This quality has a negative side also: opting for safety over risk, they may miss good opportunities. This does not imply that these people are frivolous or irresponsible, for when they truly believe in something, they are serious, perseverant and capable.

Calm as they are, it is not easy to provoke Rabbit people. They are sentimental and compassionate. They can be moved by the personal problems you share with them.

dragonDragon

* 16 February 1904 - 3 February 1905: Wood Dragon
* 3 February 1916 - 22 January 1917: Fire Dragon
* 23 January 1928 - 9 February 1929: Earth Dragon
* 8 February 1940 - 26 January 1941: Metal Dragon
* 27 January 1952 - 13 February 1953: Water Dragon
* 13 February 1964 - 1 February 1965: Wood Dragon
* 31 January 1976 - 17 February 1977: Fire Dragon
* 6 February 1988 - 5 February 1989: Earth Dragon
* 5 February 2000 - 23 January 2001: Metal Dragon
* 2012 - 2013: Water Dragon
* 2024 - 2025: Wood Dragon

The Dragon is omnipotent. He is flamboyant, attractive and full of vitality and strength. In China, the Dragon is the sign of the Emperor of China or the male element Yang. The Dragon is the symbol of power and wealth.

It would be right to say that people born in the year of the dragon have a natural charisma and are certainly gifted with power and luck. It is unlikely for them to escape unnoticed from a party or to take a second place in a competition. The dragon person has an active mind and shows an unfeigned interest in the world around him/her. This person is also self-confident enough to know how to create a necessary impression. Because they are larger than life themselves, dragon people like to do everything on a grand scale. They are egotistical and ambitious, almost to the point of megalomania, and will stop at nothing to get what they want. A person born in this year wears the crown of destiny, and is capable of great achievements if he or she knows how to harness his or her tremendous energy, intelligence and talent. While these people enjoy being the centre of attention, they also have a brave and charitable side to their personality. If a dragon’s friend faces a problem or dilemma, he or she will be there to offer help, and when others leave the field of battle the dragon takes a step forward to solve the problem with authority and dignity. Dragons set a high standard of actions for themselves as well as for other people and are surprised when others cannot cope with a task; they are so carried away by the process that they fail to see other people’s weaknesses.

Ideal jobs for dragons include managing director, salesperson, advertising executive, barrister, film producer, architect, astronaut, artist, film star, and war correspondent.

snakeSnake

* 4 February 1905 - 24 January 1906: Wood Snake
* 23 January 1917 - 10 February 1918: Fire Snake
* 10 February 1929 - 29 January 1930: Earth Snake
* 27 January 1941 - 14 February 1942: Metal Snake
* 14 February 1953 - 2 February 1954: Water Snake
* 2 February 1965 - 20 January 1966: Wood Snake
* 18 February 1977 - 6 February 1978: Fire Snake
* 6 February 1989 - 26 January 1990: Earth Snake
* 24 January 2001 - 11 February 2002: Metal Snake
* 10 February 2013 - 30 January 2014: Water Snake
* 2025 - 2026: Wood Snake
* 2037 - 2038: Fire Snake

The person born in the year of snake is perhaps the wisest and most enigmatic of all. He/she can become a philosopher, a theologian, a political lizard or a wily financier. Such a person is a thinker who also likes to live well. The snake-person loves books, music, clothes, and fine food; but with all their fondness for the good things in life, their innate elegance gives them a dislike for frivolities and foolish talk.

Snake-persons like communicating and like interesting conversations; if the conversation becomes repetitive their attention may soon wander. It is almost impossible to fix their attention for long talking about every day habits. They prefer to focus on new, interesting and evolutionary ideas in general.

These people have a special talent that enables them to judge situations correctly. They are alert to new possibilities: when they have an idea of what to do and how to do it, they will pursue it persistently and energetically. In Chinese astrology it is believed that they are self-confident and willing to listen to someone else’s opinion, but don’t necessarily take it ‘on board’. Refusing to listen to constructive advice, they may be prone to getting into needless trouble.

Although it is difficult for such people to take advice, they are patient with others when it comes to giving a helping hand, and their ability to look at a problem from a variety of angles is extremely useful. When faced with a dilemma, snake people, as a rule, act with speed and conviction, since they believe intensely in what they are doing and rarely waste time or energy on projects lacking in good potential.

horseHorse

* 25 January 1906 - 12 February 1907: Fire Horse
* 11 February 1918 - 31 January 1919: Earth Horse
* 30 January 1930 - 16 February 1931: Metal Horse
* 15 February 1942 - 4 February 1943: Water Horse
* 3 February 1954 - 16 February 1955: Wood Horse
* 21 January 1966 - 8 February 1967: Fire Horse
* 7 February 1978 - 27 January 1979: Earth Horse
* 27 January 1990 - 14 February 1991: Metal Horse
* 12 February 2002 - 31 January 2003: Water Horse
* 2014 - 2015: Wood Horse
* 2026 - 2027: Fire Horse

The horse personality is often willing to give as well as expecting a lot of liberty. These people are extremely independent and confident. The horse person is very quick-witted, inquisitive and determined, it is right in there with you before you have had a chance to finish what you are saying: he’s on to the thought in your mind even before you’ve expressed it. In general, these people are gifted. But in truth they are often more cunning than intelligent - and they surely know that. They adore being the centre of everyone’s attention, but they prefer to be recognized for their skills and are easily flattered. On the other hand these people have an honesty and genuine warmth which attracts lots of people and helps them make new friends. People as a rule confide in a horse person because he/she is sincerely interested in their thoughts and feelings and is able to help with both wise words and an action, but there is a small problem about it - the horse person is so excited by new discoveries that it is difficult for them to keep a secret. This is not something that arises out of malice or revenge - sometimes they just cannot help themselves.

It is easy to inspire such a person by new ideas and he/she tends to act on them without delay, carried away by the excitement of the moment. But it is also important to remember that there is a danger for a horse person to be too impulsive and it may cause some problems in the future. And if they do not see the result of their efforts, it is rather natural for them to turn their attention to a new project and head off once again, brimming with new ideas. The horse person is always ready to offer good advice and can be very persuasive, but his/her confident and carefree approach hides inner doubts. Those who know such a person will recognize this, and offer the support and reassurance he/she needs.

Horses should beware of the Rat, as any relationship with this sign is said to be extremely trying for the horse. Of all relationships between Chinese zodiac signs, a relationship between a rat and a horse is said to be the worst (this relationship from a historical point of view, climaxed or was at it’s worst at the height of World War II, when Germany governed primarily by the sign of the rat threatened the destruction of the Jews (Israel, which is governed primarily by the horse). The rat is way too calculating, dictatorial and possessive for the free-spirited and independent horse. A relationship with a rat can potentially break down the horse’s free-spirit and cause rage in the rat - as neither will be willing to yield to the other. However, horses get along great with Tigers and Dogs.

Possible professions for people that are born on the year of the horse are that of an intelligence agent, a writer or novelist, an actor or a model.

sheepSheep

* 13 February 1907 - 1 February 1908: Fire Sheep
* 1 February 1919 - 19 February 1920: Earth Sheep
* 17 February 1931 - 5 February 1932: Metal Sheep
* 5 February 1943 - 24 January 1944: Water Sheep
* 24 January 1955 - 11 February 1956: Wood Sheep
* 9 February 1967 - 29 January 1968: Fire Sheep
* 28 January 1979 - 15 February 1980: Earth Sheep
* 15 February 1991 - 3 February 1992: Metal Sheep
* 1 February 2003 - 21 January 2004: Water Sheep
* 2015 - 2016: Wood Sheep
* 2027 - 2028: Fire Sheep

The Sheep, or Goat, oddly enough, is thought to be the most feminine sign of the zodiac, perhaps because this is a very creative sign. The Sheep is artistically talented and has a great sense of fashion. Chances are that this type will prefer to be a designer or painter, or go into the kind of profession where he/she can make the most of his/her gift for creating beautiful things.

These people are considerate creatures - they think before acting, and try not to hurt anyone’s feelings. If it ever happens that the Sheep person causes unforeseen problems, it is very likely that he/she will step forward to rectify the situation. This side of their character helps them maintain a healthy social life as well as enabling them to deal with life’s ups and downs.

Sympathy is very important to these people as is the approval of people they respect. However, they sometimes require too much attention and impose too much on those who are close to them.

Sometimes they are too sensitive for the real world; they often misinterpret situations. People born in this year are insecure. They need to feel loved and protected. They are easily drawn into complex predicaments. This being, so, they usually shy away from confrontation, pull back when faced with heavy decision-making situations, and blatantly refuse to take an unpopular stand in a conflict.

monkeyMonkey

* 2 February 1908 - 21 January 1909: Earth Monkey
* 20 February 1920 - 7 February 1921: Metal Monkey
* 6 February 1932 - 25 January 1933: Water Monkey
* 25 January 1944 - 12 February 1945: Wood Monkey
* 12 February 1956 - 30 January 1957: Fire Monkey
* 30 January 1968 - 16 February 1969: Earth Monkey
* 16 February 1980 - 4 February 1981: Metal Monkey
* 4 February 1992 - 22 January 1993: Water Monkey
* 22 January 2004 - 8 February 2005: Wood Monkey
* 2016 - 2017: Fire Monkey
* 2028 - 2029: Earth Monkey

The Monkey is the most versatile sign of the Chinese zodiac. Such people are often inventors, plotters, entertainers and the creative geniuses behind anything ingenious, including mischief. They have natural quick-wittedness which enables them to understand what is happening and then make a right decision. Even during a conversation a person born in this year is aware of what is going on around him/her, and then makes a mental note of who said what and stores it away for future reference. In general, with their agile minds and multiple talents, monkey type of people can master any subject. They are reliable and honest people so that any secret is safe in their hands. These people are also honest in their dealings. Monkey people are very good at problem-solving. Wherever you are, whoever you may be, if you’ve got a problem pick up the phone and dial-a-Monkey. Monkeys know how to listen closely and work out solutions at the same time.

Although these people are trustworthy and unlikely to hurt someone out of spite, they would never let people escape if they have behaved badly or damaged monkey’s reputation. Their stamina and determination to achieve their main goals can make these people appear vain or manipulative. It means that monkey type of people should be careful so not to damage their friendships. It is important to remember for this type of people that it would be wiser sometimes not to pursue their goals and simply let things pass.

Monkeys have flexible principles and serene self-confidence so they are completely content; but they usually manage to complicate the lives of others. After yet another plan or project has gone wrong, they are seldom there to help clean up the disorder and confusion that they leave in their wake. Monkeys can handle that too; with their charm and persuasiveness they can make people believe that just knowing them is a privilege!

When it comes to the opposite sex, it is a privelege for the monkey zodiac; this is because of their great socializing abilities and attractiveness. Although not all monkeys have the attraction potential, when there’s a handsome and beautiful monkey, its something that is the fairest and rare.

roosterRooster

* 22 January 1909 - 9 February 1910: Earth Rooster
* 8 February 1921 - 27 January 1922: Metal Rooster
* 26 January 1933 - 13 February 1934: Water Rooster
* 13 February 1945 - 1 February 1946: Wood Rooster
* 31 January 1957 - 17 February 1958: Fire Rooster
* 17 February 1969 - 5 February 1970: Earth Rooster
* 5 February 1981 - 24 January 1982: Metal Rooster
* 23 January 1993 - 9 February 1994: Water Rooster
* 9 February 2005 - 28 January 2006: Wood Rooster
* 2017 - 2018: Fire Rooster
* 2029 - 2030: Earth Rooster

People born in the year of the Rooster are usually very observant. They are brave, resilient, sexy, and tenacious but can also be quite self-absorbed, pretentious, and overly romantic. Most of the time, they are very accurate and precise with their observation.

These people certainly love to find themselves in the spotlight, they love entertaining friends and adore meeting new people, and even unexpected and uncertain circumstances are not a barrier for them.

It is almost impossible to find someone born in this year looking dowdy or untidy. The fact is that these people are usually the best dressed and groomed of all other people. They are actively interested in clothes, colours, and accessories, and are usually very critical of their own appearance as well as of the appearance of those around them. People born in the year of the Rooster like to be noticed and flattered. Such a person might dress a little flashily with this in mind, but in his heart, he/she is completely conservative. Roosters always appear attractive and beautifully turned out. They are sociable and love to receive attention. Others may criticize them for being exhibitionists but the fact that they are compassionate, wise, and have a brave nature which comes to the fore when others need their help, makes up that deficiency.

It is difficult for these people to accept advice because of their strong independent spirit. These people are often confident in their own judgements and choices. There are times when these people may be too straight-forward which can cause some problems in relationships with others. So it would be wise sometimes not to express their opinions in order to keep the peace.

dogDog

* 10 February 1910 - 29 January 1911: Metal Dog
* 28 January 1922 - 15 February 1923: Water Dog
* 14 February 1934 - 3 February 1935: Wood Dog
* 2 February 1946 - 21 January 1947: Fire Dog
* 18 February 1958 - 7 February 1959: Earth Dog
* 6 February 1970 - 26 January 1971: Metal Dog
* 25 January 1982 - 12 February 1983: Water Dog
* 10 February 1994 - 30 January 1995: Wood Dog
* 29 January 2006 - 17 February 2007: Fire Dog
* 2018 - 2019: Earth Dog
* 2030 - 2031: Metal Dog

The Dog is the most likeable sign of the Chinese zodiac. Like his animal namesake, he is loyal with a capital “L”. He is the one who people are most likely to turn to when they need help. The dog person will come through every time. That is because he/she is sensitive to others and empathizes with them, particularly if someone has suffered an injustice; he/she reacts quickly with the same feeling as though he/she had been personally offended. Friends know that they can rely upon their Dog friend to keep a promise or remain cool in a crisis.

Dog types are honest, intelligent and straightforward. They will take on any responsibility that is given to them and you can be sure that they will do their job well.

People born in this year tend to be easily upset and shocked more often than the other signs.

The dog is loyal, unselfish, and idealistic. They can sometimes be worriers and overly critical. Dogs go best with tigers and horses. Their secret friends are other dogs, tigers, horses and rabbits. Dogs get along worst with Dragons, whom they perceive as arrogant and all flash with no substance.

pigPig

* 30 January 1911 - 17 February 1912: Metal Pig
* 16 February 1923 - 4 February 1924: Water Pig
* 4 February 1935 - 23 January 1936: Wood Pig
* 22 January 1947 - 9 February 1948: Fire Pig
* 8 February 1959 - 27 January 1960: Earth Pig
* 27 January 1971 - 14 February 1972: Metal Pig
* 13 February 1983 - 1 February 1984: Water Pig
* 31 January 1995 - 18 February 1996: Wood Pig
* 18 February 2007 - 6 February 2008: Fire Pig
* 5 February 2019 - 24 January 2020: Earth Pig
* 2031 - 2032: Metal Pig
* 2043 - 2044: Water Pig

The Pig type is usually an honest, straightforward and patient person. He/she is a modest, shy character who prefers to work quietly behind the scenes. When others dispare, he/she is often there to offer support. This type of person is reserved with those they do not know too well, but as time passes and they gain confidence, those around them may discover a lively and warm-hearted person behind that mask of aloofness. Despite those born in the year of pig having a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, they have few close friends who understand them and share their inner thoughts and feelings. It is easy to put trust in pig type; he/she won’t let you down and will never even attempt to do so. Such people simply want to do everything right according to social norms.

It is important to remember that these people are not vengeful creatures. If someone tries to take advantage of him/her, the pig type tend to withdraw to reflect on the problem and protect themselves. All they need in such situations is a little time to find a constructive way to respond. The people of the pig type are conservative creatures of habit. They dislike being made to travel too far from familiar surroundings, unless it is a trip to the country. They love nature and are never happier than when they are out somewhere, far from the city.

There is a tolerant and peaceful side to their character. Such people are never afraid to allow others their freedom of expression; they do not want to cause arguments and if there is any way to avoid arguing, they will probably take this option. They are not weak, however, and if the situation forces them to fight these people will rise to the occasion, whether it is to defend themselves or those close to them. People of the Pig type are the most admired by others.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://ava7.com/images/chinese-zodiac/chinese-zodiac-chart.gif&imgrefurl=http://ava7.com/2006/11/chinese-zodiac.html&usg=__LBLPcllWUYCuHB7u4N0v3IhcM9Q=&h=300&w=316&sz=12&hl=en&start=2&sig2=QwVMMQanEbXLeALOi-rVYg&tbnid=wWVkYoFX9d7QjM:&tbnh=111&tbnw=117&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dzodiac%2Bchart%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den&ei=MzYuS57lJsql8Aao_aGKBw

Is your time efficient enough?

http://www.spacearchive.info/military.htm

Take a break:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHqJwwe0DsA

Pericardium

http://biology.about.com/b/2007/05/04/what-is-the-pericardium.htm

Do you know enough about your SPLEEN?

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-does-the-spleen-do.htm

I love this Chinese-based reference here:

http://deepesthealth.com/2008/the-importance-of-the-spleen-in-studying-classical-chinese-medicine/

Doesn’t hurt to check your wiki… *AHEM* …OUR wiki.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spleen

Google your spleen and get back to me at ryanbrandes@live.com if you’d like to contribute to the research project.

Waiting until March 2010 to play Final Fantasy XIII? Sucka.

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/105/1055980p1.html?_cmpid=ign40

Japanese Version hit stores December 17th, 2009.

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/105/1055980p1.html?_cmpid=ign40

As our soul transcends we fade from one body to merge with the next…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimi_Hendrix

Converting anatomy and physiology to Japanese, although I find this list limited…

Find Gallbladder!

http://www.pmcguam.com/resource/japandic.htm

Another list of Japanese Dictionaries…

http://www.worldlingo.com/en/resources/japanese_dictionaries.html

List of all the countries in the world:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_countries_are_there_in_the_world

Do you know about Stonehenge? This is the GMT +0 Time:

http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/europe/uk/england/county/wiltshire/index.htm

OH Jamaica!

http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/caribb/jm.htm
http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/caribb/caribtimezones.htm

No it’s Sunday!

No it’s Monday!

Nuh-uh Sunday!

Monday!

Sunday!

Mon!

Sun!

http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/dateline.htm

Tropics Info

http://www.experiencefestival.com/tropic_of_cancer

(Forget it… I’m gonna get StarTropics

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zodiac

no.     symbol     long.     Latin name     English translation     Greek name     Sanskrit name     Sumero-Babylonian name[14]
1     ♈     0°     Aries     The Ram     Κριός     Meṣa     MUL LUḪUN.GA “The Agrarian Worker”, Dumuzi
2     ♉     30°     Taurus     The Bull     Ταύρος     Vṛṣabha     MULGU4.AN.NA “The Steer of Heaven”
3     ♊     60°     Gemini     The Twins     Δίδυμοι     Mithuna     MULMAŠ.TAB.BA.GAL.GAL “The Great Twins” (Lugalgirra and Meslamta-ea)
4     ♋     90°     Cancer     The Crab     Καρκίνος     Karka     MULAL.LUL “The Crayfish”
5     ♌     120°     Leo     The Lion     Λέων     Siṃha     MULUR.GU.LA “The Lion”
6     ♍     150°     Virgo     The Virgin     Παρθένος     Kanyā     MULAB.SIN “The Furrow”; “The Furrow, the goddess Shala’s ear of corn”
7     ♎     180°     Libra     The Scales     Ζυγός     Tula     zibanitum “The Scales”
8     ♏     210°     Scorpio     The Scorpion     Σκoρπιός     Vṛścika     MULGIR.TAB “The Scorpion”
9     ♐     240°     Sagittarius     Centaur The Archer     Τοξότης     Dhanus     MULPA.BIL.SAG, Nedu “soldier”
10     ♑     270°     Capricorn     “Goat-horned” (The Sea-Goat)     Αἰγόκερως     Makara     MULSUḪUR.MAŠ “The Goat-Fish”
11     ♒     300°     Aquarius     The Water Bearer     Ὑδροχόος     Kumbha     MULGU.LA “The Great One”, later qâ “pitcher”
12     ♓     330°     Pisces     The Fishes     Ἰχθείς     Mīna     MULSIM.MAḪ “The Tail of the Swallow”, later DU.NU.NU “fish-cord”

I don’t know about you, but I like to stay in between these lines most of the time… Although I loved going outside barefoot in the snow today.

http://geography.about.com/library/misc/blequator.htm

Did I mention the importance of your spleen?

http://deepesthealth.com/2008/the-importance-of-the-spleen-in-studying-classical-chinese-medicine/

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Ice Goddess…

20. December 2009 by admin.

Yarrrrr! This just in! She be a blizzard of a hell-beast straight from ye mother’s belly she be… Her nostrils breathe a fury of ice shards, her frozen tundra of death will swallow ye up and bury ye to yer thermals. Yer ship’ll be sea-wrecked had ye not been behind yer cozy computer.

Actually, I’m just having a fun hell of a time. Just went out through the blizzard down to the water to observe the forefront of the storm from the cliff’s view. Fender Dog and I had such a good time, but first…

This just in…

Weather Report by Ryan Brandes:

There will be a chance of light flurries.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

How to register for Japanese Version of Final Fantasy XIV Beta! ^_^

18. December 2009 by admin.

Hello! ^_^

Welcome to my guide on how to register for the Japanese Version of Square-Enix’s Final Fantasy XIV Beta Test!

First, it helps if you can read hiragana and katakana the two scripts of the Japanese language.

http://www.gyford.com/japanese/
http://www.studyjapanese.org/flash-card-trainer
http://www.saiga-jp.com/

For free email that supports Japanese, I used http://www.jmail.co.jp

天国

http://analogical-dictionary.sensagent.com/MW2873400/ML-ja-en/

Kanji is easy to begin looking up once you know what you’re looking to read and/or write…

As you decide on what you want your avatar to be, figure out how to translate it.

My English avatar has been Seraph Enoki

天使　tenshi is the Japanese kanji for a celestial being, guardian of Heaven (Elysium) etc, so I went with that as the best translation.

龍　ryuu is the word for dragon, but this kanji character is for a dragon that guards the Celestial CIty

天龍視　天使りゅう　天使龍

榎茸　enokidake is the Japanese mushroom

天使榎龍竜

So now I’m working with something like…

tenshi enoki ryuu

榎天使龍

龍天使榎

Finally, after laying out my name in kanji characters, it means something like:

Dragon Guardian of Heaven, Seraph Enoki

OR

Guardian Dragon Angel Enoki

However it’s translated, I think the message is easily recognized.

And in romaji it is:

ryuu tenshi enoki

One Word: ryuutenshienoki

OR: ryuu.tenshi.enoki

Either way, now to test some email applications.

My gmail and live email accounts both work with the Japanese kanji, so that’s nice since they are both free.

Finally, I register in Japanese Beta.

http://entry.ffxiv.com/

I select ‘Japanese’

I click the ‘here’ link and scroll to the bottom, agree to terms and continue.

I enter my email and a second time to confirm, continue…

Check email, click on registration link.

Continue by creating an alphanumeric name no more than 16 characters, check availability; red hiragana means it is taken or you can’t use that combination of characters.

Green or black means it’s okay.

Mine was ryuutenshienoki

Then enter a password more than 8 alphanumeric characters.

Enter it again.

Birthday in Year / Month / Day format.

Then select a question; I did the first one by default and just made an answer that I’d always remember… which you havbe to write in Japanese.

If you still don’t know how to write or type in Japanese, you can email me at ryanbrandes@live.com

Submit

Confirm your information

Submit

Last step, read user agreement (^_^)

Accept

Submit

Next, you select male or female.

Last name or surname and first name

Again, a surname and first name… character name?

Japanese zip code; I used the zip code in Tokyo where Square-Enix is located 151-0053

State Tokyo looks like this: 東京都

City is Shibuya-ku or しぶやーく

Street is Yoyogi or 代々木

Building is Shinjuku Bunka 辛苦区文化

Let’s see if that works!

Okay, finally after some tweaking…

Zip must be entered in alphanumeric

Second name must be entered in katakana, not kanji

Hiragana must be entered for city and street…

Once you get all that, you should be good to go!

詳細情報の登録が完了しました。

スクウェア・エニックス Crystaのチャージは、メニューの「スクウェア・エニックス Crystaをチャージする」より行えます。

Completed registration information.

Yey! ^_^

You’re now registered for Japanese Final Fantasy XIV Beta!

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Square-Enix Final Fantasy XIV Beta Application

17. December 2009 by admin.

You need to know about this now!

Square-Enix’s Final Fantasy XIV Beta Application is now open.

To apply, go here: http://na.square-enix.com/newsletter/ff14_091216/

You can register for North America and/or check  back later for my guide on how to register in Japanese.

Later!

^_^

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Adjusting to Japanese Time…

16. December 2009 by admin.

Hello world.It’s been a long time since I’ve truly addressed you.It seems I’m usually up in my head a lot.Turning over my thoughts and ideas; marinating genius.I embrace my boyish dreams.こんいちわ！Invest in Square-Enix.^_^

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »