The Runcible Blog
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Judo
I've been thinking a lot about Judo lately. On December 1st, my sensei promoted me to yellow belt, which was exciting if only because it matches my blue gi well. It's nice to see progress recognized, even if the belt system can seem very arbitrary (I've sparred with some yellow belts who were clueless, and some higher belt folks have forgotten basic things). The more I learn about Judo, the more subtleties I see that I've yet to internalize. For ......
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the art of redirection
GUY ON STREET, TRYING TO SELL ME SOMETHING: Hey, are you cool, dude? ME: nah. GUY: You're not? ME: nope. GUY: Uh, oh. You look cool, though... ME: *shrug*...
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happenings
I'm planning on competing in two upcoming grappling tournaments: NE Grappling Challenge at Bridgewater State on May 30. The rules and weight divisions seem favorable for a beginner like me. It could be interesting. NAGA East Coast Championship in Providence on June 27. This will be a much bigger event. I'll probably have no chance. I didn't think I'd be ready for a tournament, but my instructor, Mark, convinced me by saying, "nobody is ever ready for a tournament." It ......
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Catching the Ox
I seize him with a terrific struggle. His great will and power are inexhaustible. He charges to the high plateau far above the cloud-mists, Or in an impenetrable ravine he stands. holding onto desire I woke up this morning with the remnants of a dream left rattling in my head. By now, I've forgotten most of the plot, but I know that in the dream, there was apple juice and there was Katie. Those two things were stuck in my ......
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forgot to be angry
I woke up early this morning to the sound of my neighbor's blaring alarm. From what I can tell, he has an iPhone connected to speakers, and he's a heavy sleeper. The alarm went on for at least 5 minutes before he hit snooze. By that time, I was already wide awake and becoming angry at my inconsiderate neighbor. I thought about writing him a note and taping it to his door: "EITHER TURN DOWN THE ALARM OR WAKE UP ......
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Also sprach Dave
What was the first word you spoke today? Do you ever pay attention to that initial bit of wind tickling your vocal cords? Maybe it's more significant than we consider. After thinking about it recently, I believe my first word is usually "hello." Sometimes I sing when I wake up or during my commute, but more often than not, my mornings are silent until I arrive at work. If I buy breakfast in the cafeteria, I might talk to Mark, ......
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kicking impossible
I just finished my first week of kickboxing at Redline Fight Sports, and I'm feeling good. At first, I felt completely wrecked all over after an hour-long class, but I'm gradually recovering quicker and feeling like I got a work-out rather than a hurt-out. Kickboxing works all sorts of muscles that I never use; I had a mysterious soreness in my hip flexors that caused me to want to walk around hunched over because it was painful to straighten myself. ......
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missed it
This was a perfect moment, and I blew it. The girl was staring off with these beautiful, shining blue eyes, but you'd never know because the camera was set to -1 exposure compensation, and I exposed for the sky. The sky is 1 stop under, and she is probably 3 or 4 stops underexposed. There are many ways to miss the shot. Usually I miss it because I wait too long, and the moment dissolves before my eyes. Someone stands ......
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on war, culture, and labels
Reading the news about Israel's latest attack on Gaza lead me down several tangential thought paths while I was walking around earlier. Let's see if I can congeal them. Zwartboek neatly exposes war's moral ambiguity. Verhoeven hits the viewer over the head with the same theme: nobody in a war is truly "good." The sympathetic characters in the film often have ulterior motives for their good deeds, while the deplorable Nazis sometimes have redeeming qualities. We see, all too graphically, ......
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life during wartime
I've been without my primary email account for the past three weeks or so, and I can't say I'm missing anything. I have a couple other accounts and considered sending an email to everyone I know informing them of my other addresses, but who am I kidding? I look at missed connections and wonder if someone might've missed a connection with me, but then I realize that I never seem to leave the house these days, and when I do, ......
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notable event
Yesterday, I signed a form surrendering the parental rights to my one year old son, Henri, whom I've never met. There's a lot more I could say about it, but I won't. Maybe someday he'll come looking for me, punch me in the face, and listen to me tell the rest of the story....
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love at first sight
Earlier this year, I bought my first real acoustic guitar and remarked that it sounded lousy, but I liked it. Well, after noodling on it occasionally since then, I've learned that I would've been better off with a classical guitar because I never use a pick and have trouble with strings that are so close together (the bassist in me hasn't gone away). Also, the lousy Yamaha has continued to sound lousy, with frets that wear down at an alarming ......
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meanderings
Wait a minute
Before you read this entry, I'll have to ask you a question to determine whether you know me well enough. If you answer correctly,
you can read anything here. If not, then maybe we should get to know each other better?
The Bluest City
Even I was surprised to see that Barack Obama received 88% of the vote in Cambridge. Cambridge had a more lopsided turnout than any other Massachusetts city. Although living in an ideologically homogenous zone can lead to the laziness of groupthink, the election results further reinforce my belief that I've come across no other place I'd rather live than Cambridge. If only the rent weren't so damn high......
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hitting the road
Tomorrow morning I'll head out on my first solo road trip in five years. I'm heading to Minneapolis, eager to document the clash of ideologies outside the rich white dude convention. I learned a bit about underhanded police tactics four years ago and hope to avoid whatever tricks the St.Paul PD have ready to unleash. Good night, and huzzah....
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making friends
Sometimes the people most alive are the ones inches away from death. Tom's wife, Wanda, died a few months ago from alcohol poisoning.Although he's traveled around the country and lived in Colorado and Vermont, he loves Central Square, even in the winter. The only problem, he says, is that "everybody dies here." ... See my Tabblo>...
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try again
Two tears in a bucket, mother fuck it....
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my neighbors are pod-people
When the fire alarm sounded at 6:30 this morning, I was the only person in my building to exit (or notice, it seems) before the fire department arrived. The boiler in the basement overheated, causing steam to set off the alarm. The firemen asked if I was "in charge." No, I'm just the only one who woke up. Even though I've lived here for about a year, I haven't really spoken to my neighbors, and the only one whose name ......
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thinking about abortion
Last night I watched Lake of Fire, a fascinating (if long-winded) documentary about the abortion debate in America. I don't want to say much about the film except that even though perhaps more screen time was given to pro-life activists, the pro-choice intellectuals definitely had more thoughtful and thought-provoking stances on the issue. Only Nat Hentoff had what seemed to be a pro-life argument based not on religion. Because the abortion debate in America has as much or more to ......
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my favorite contrarian
I read all of Cliff Stoll's books 8 years ago, and I often channel his contrarianism about social networking, computers in education, and even my own choice of current occupation. He's influenced my life; it's a shame that his passionate questioning 10 years ago has faded into irrelevance, steamrolled by the billion dollar drive to get everyone connected and clicking away. With the impending failure of the OLPC, I wonder if anyone will take the opportunity to think about whether ......
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a good cat
R.I.P Crystal (~1994 - 2008) When I was young and stupid, I wasn't very nice to Crystal, but she always forgave me. Ever in search of familial love, she had a habit of sucking on people's earlobes. That was her way of getting to know someone. I think the best cats are other people's cats, which was true for Crystal when I moved away from home. She'd be eager to see me when I visited, if only to serve ......
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"i just want back in your head"
Wait a minute
Before you read this entry, I'll have to ask you a question to determine whether you know me well enough. If you answer correctly,
you can read anything here. If not, then maybe we should get to know each other better?
get me to a nunnery
Wait a minute
Before you read this entry, I'll have to ask you a question to determine whether you know me well enough. If you answer correctly,
you can read anything here. If not, then maybe we should get to know each other better?
introvert day
Happy (belated) Introvert Day...
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Coping With Loss
Or, how to lose 5 pounds in one week... Everybody handles loss and pain in different ways. I'm still trying to figure out how I should best handle these situations, but the approach I've taken in the past week has teetered between an introspective confusion and near-meltdown. Through a series of unfortunate circumstances mostly (entirely?) out of my control, I lost a great friend and companion for the foreseeable future and possibly forever. I've spent the last week cycling ......
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posted at 23:57 January 1, 2008
by Dave St.Germain -
0 comments
Tags: Life, Emotions, Love, low point
Tags: Life, Emotions, Love, low point
drip drip
This morning while standing in the shower, I observed a stream of water running down my forehead, dripping beads from my eyelashes. I felt each drop ramp off my lash and fall in front of my eye, bounce against my chest and find its way to the drain. The flow formed drops with a regular frequency; I tilted my head to quicken the drips, turning it into a tributary before me. I focused on the sound of running water while ......
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fancy that
I just learned conclusively that I'm not even remotely gay. That's good to know....
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Nerve Ends Hanging Out
From my hero, Don McCullin: Every time I went to war, I came back a little more damaged. I'm quite a resilient person, and I've got a lot of hardness in me when called upon. But there's another side of me — not actually soft, but as if my nerve ends are hanging out. I met the photographer Eugene Smith once. When someone asked me what he was like, I replied that he was a man whose nerve ends were ......
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posted at 23:04 November 15, 2006
by Dave St.Germain -
1 comment
Tags: Life, Emotions, Music, Broken
Tags: Life, Emotions, Music, Broken
the results
I processed the photos from yesterday's New York jaunt. I was a little disappointed at first because I felt that I didn't capture enough of what I wanted to see; I barely even saw the subway, for instance. It would've been nice to get more night shots, and I hoped to find more interesting people to shoot. I guess I'll have to return soon. Gary Winogrand shot 10 rolls of Tri-X every day for years and left behind thousands of ......
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nyc 11 2006
I just got back from New York, and man, do I stink! two days of the same clothes, including 7 hours of walking around the island lugging probably 20lbs. of photo gear. pictures forthcoming......
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fascinating and scary
No wonder society has a flawed perception of what it means to be beautiful....
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temporary theme song
I am just a new boy, Stranger in this town. Where are all the good times? Who's gonna show this stranger around?...
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yippee
I just got back from my first drum and bass night with Eddie and Pavel. I have to admit it was fun. I'll have pictures soon, but first, sleep. Why is typing so difficult right now? hmmm... whatever. good night! Update: Here's the tabblo of my experience....
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the thrill of life
Last night I mentioned to my broham and sojo that I was secretly hoping to be mugged the other night on my walk home. I said that I wanted to know if my will for self-preservation outweighed whatever petty motive a thief could have for trying to rob me. I postulated that self-preservation would probably win the day, all other things being equal. I remember strolling down the street at nearly 3 in the morning, with eyes scanning the empty ......
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plunger
My toilet has been clogged since yesterday. I meant to get a plunger today, but I forgot. And I've really got to go!...
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Sick
For the past 3 days I've had serious ear pain. I thought it was an ear infection, but after a trip to the emergency room, it turns out that I don't have an ear infection or strep throat, but I have some kind of viral infection either in my ear, or throat, or lymph node on the left side. So, I couldn't get any antibiotics, and the advice was to go home, rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take tylenol. ......
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the right sentiment
With a few simple edits, this prayer makes a lot of sense. Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith (clarity); where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be ......
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lousy way to start the day
Wait a minute
Before you read this entry, I'll have to ask you a question to determine whether you know me well enough. If you answer correctly,
you can read anything here. If not, then maybe we should get to know each other better?
Breasts
Ah, breasts. Here's an article about the evolution of breasts found via reddit. I learned so much about human nature (and myself!) after reading about why women have those wonderful, floppy bags of fat......
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Chance Encounter
I noticed a man walking his strange-looking black pug ahead of me near The Druid on Cambridge Street. When I passed him, I looked back and recognized his face. me: Do I know you? him: [skeptically] No, I don't think so... me: What's your name? him: Errol... me: Errol Morris! Errol: Yeah. me: Nice to meet you! [shakes hand] Well, I don't know you, but... [walks away] Errol: [turns down Oak Street] ...And Jackpot. me: Jackpot? He's cute. Errol: Thanks. ......
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Working For Tabblo
It's pretty close to official: I'm going to be working at Tabblo a week from Monday! Needless to say, I'm quite excited, but considering it's 11:20 on a Friday night after a long short week, I won't go into the details of my excitement about the future. I'll say more later, but in the meantime, chickety-check me out on Tabblo. Then, try it out for yourself!...
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Corrupted Card And Matching Shirts
We match! Somehow, one of my CF cards got corrupted the other day before I could copy the pictures to my computer. After a brief panic, I ended up trying (and then purchasing) Photo Rescue to recover the files. The weirdest part was that there were dozens of other files that the program found on the card -- some dating back more than a year! Even though I format the card in the camera regularly, a lot of those old ......
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The Value of Funerals
The sudden death of Coach O on Tuesday has made me think not only about what he meant to me but of the entire grieving process. First of all, Peter O'Sullivan was one of the few people -- never mind teachers -- I respected greatly during high school. As my track and cross country coach for four years and Sophomore Geometry teacher, I got to know him as a humble man of integrity. Like many of my track-mates, there were ......
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One Month Project
One Month is the "experiment" I mentioned the other day. The basic idea -- take one self portrait a day for one month. Tada! I hope to develop some theme as I go. If it works out, I might continue somehow. If not, I'll throw it all away and never mention the project again......
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23
I'm 23 today. To mark the (non)occasion, I'm starting a little photographic "exercise" that'll become apparent soon. Stay tuned!...
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Sentimental Journey
When I stopped in Lawrence yesterday I checked in with my grandfather. He's still kicking. It seems like nothing has changed back home. He gave me some no-nonsense, septuagenarian relationship advice: "when you meet the right person, you'll know. until then, keep looking..." Life must be so much simpler once you have more than 70 years under your belt. I've been thinking about lots of stuff lately, and my visit to the old homestead brought back a few memories. It ......
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posted at 12:16 March 17, 2006
by Dave St.Germain -
0 comments
Tags: Life, Sentimental, Love, Photography, Emotions, lee lee
Tags: Life, Sentimental, Love, Photography, Emotions, lee lee
Recap
Wait a minute
Before you read this entry, I'll have to ask you a question to determine whether you know me well enough. If you answer correctly,
you can read anything here. If not, then maybe we should get to know each other better?
pictures from indiana
Well, I added some pictures from our recent trip to Indiana. There are some gaps, and I felt like I took more pictures on the plane (I didn't), but I think what I have is decent... Anyway, Check em out!....
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april comes in with a squish
April is off to a jolly start, with pranks on the 1st; Barnes and Noble loitering and much people watching/ridiculing with lee lee on the 2nd; and Davis Square cafe squatting, burrito eating, and movie watching on the 3rd. Oh, and I tried Red Stripe. (Yay, beer...but isn't it supposed to taste good? maybe I missed something) Inching toward my 22nd year on the planet, I figure this one might as well be the best one yet. Of course, I'll ......
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posted at 19:03 April 5, 2005
by Dave St.Germain -
0 comments
Tags: Life, Love, Sentimental, lee lee
Tags: Life, Love, Sentimental, lee lee
Cut To The High-Speed Chase
Here's the deal: I've met someone whom I really dig, warts and all (not literally). We seem to think alike -- she could be my doppelganger (which, from reading the definition, is probably not the right word to use, ever, but it hasn't stopped me yet). And although it's early, I feel that it'd be difficult to grow tired of this person. My "only" problem is that I don't know how to proceed. If it were up to me, I'd ......
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permanent honesty
Chong-Jik "Honesty" First off, I don't shave very often, but I've only ever used a Mach 3 razor, until now. And I never had any problems with it (no missing limbs so far). Since the blades were getting old, I wanted to replace them but ended up buying the cheaper Sensor 3...because it's cheaper, and I'm cheap. It looks pretty similar -- three blades, some other suspension thingys, plastic doodads. But it's junk! It doesn't work as well and causes ......
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Entering the city with bliss-bestowing hands
Kakuan, a Chinese Zen master in the twelfth century drew the ten ox-herding pictures to describe the phases of Zen training: Searching for the ox: The ox has never been lost. What need is there to search? Discovering the footprints: Not yet having entered the gate, nevertheless he has discerned the path. Perceiving the ox: If he raises his eyebrows by keeping his eyes wide open, he will become aware of the fact that all things are nothing other than ......
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Scarred For Life
Friday night I decided to get poked with an ink-filled needle at Masterpiece Tattoo in Salem. I wasn't sure what to expect of the pain because everybody responds differently. At first, during the outline, it felt like a razor was scoring my arm slightly (I actually know how that feels). It wasn't too bad, but about ten minutes in, my ears started going blank, and my eyes started to fade out into blue. I felt like I was going to ......
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Mystic Rivaaaah and a story
A car burns on Bennington St. The old man and I went to see Mystic River Saturday night. It was wicked pissa. I especially enjoyed hearing all the culaful accents. Oh, those actors tried so haaaahd to mimic the Boston vernaculaah, so I shouldn't criticize them too much. But, man, were those brutal attempts. Laura Linney (Annabeth Markum) should win the academy award for worst accent. She sounded like she had just gotten off the boat from Cliched-Irish/Catholic-ville. (boy, that ......
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