Riftwave.net - Kevin's web log

It is with a mixture of sadness and veneration that i write this particular entry today. My friend, Natalie is entering the Peace Corps. She has been assigned to my motherland, Jamaica, and leaves this week to start her training. Today, she and a few friends held a somewhat impromptu picnic outing at a local park. I went, thinking I would make a requisite appearance and take leave after a few words of well-wishing since after all, she’s really only moving away for a while (if you look at it from a practicaly standpoint). However, I was surprised because when it came time to say goodbye I felt a lot sadder than I do than when a friend moves away (be it for work or for marriage).

For anyone who reads this space (probably 3 people including myself) but isnt aware of this fact, Natalie is an unrequited crush of mine from years past (college days). As such, our friendship has had a few interesting periods and swings where its been very strong, and other times when it has been pretty weak… including a recent episode where it went from the former to the latter in the span of 3 minutes.

Nevertheless, the truth is that I have a soft spot for my friend (it takes a conscious, concerted effort for me to hold a grudge) and am extremely grateful that this latest parting, though temporary, was on such good terms. It means a bit more to me than I’ll ever admit .

Natalie, good luck over in Jamaica. Remember that the green in the flag is for the countryside, the yellow for the sun, but the black is for the hardship. You’ll be missed in your absence, but thought of (and hopefully communicated with) often.

At his moment i’m in Arkansas headed down I-40 towards little rock. Its summer and again i’m headed to the Songham World tae kown do competition that I went to last year with my pal, Liz. We decided to split the car trip up this year into two 5-6 hour jaunts this year instead of driving 10 hours straight as we did before. Also, thanks to my splendiferous comsumption habits since our last trip, I have some neat toys that i have brouht with me…. which include this laptop (hand for typing log entries, watching dvd’s, movies, listening to mp3’s, transferring photos off of my digital camera or even playing video games), and my portable dvd player.

Currently, it is 12:44PM (eastern time, 11:44am local) and we are about 110 miles outside Little rock. We are headed to the competition arena late this afternoon to watch one of Liz’s instructors test for his 4th degree black belt. I’ve seen black belt tests before (back in my karate days in high school), so it will probably be a fairly run of the mill affair in terms of fun&excitment. I might be surprised though, who knows. More later tonight or tomorrow. I’ll post this from the hotel if I can get a ‘net connection

-kevin

I have really been spinning my wheels (figuratively) lately. My hours at work are slowly being pruned, so it is time to at least find another part time thing (though a good full time gig would be much more preferable). I have been sending the resumes out, but haven’t heard anything at all back. I will have to start making phone calls next week. I apply so much that it is difficult to keep track of all the places I send resumes to. (Monster says almost 300 resume views since 2001) . I still haven’t taken the GRE (as I have no idea what i would study were I to go to grad school).

The only likely thing to come my way is a part time gig doing customer service for a local soft drink conglomerate (hint: its not pepsi). The pay is LOW, but i might have to take it anyway.