Merkavah - Drive the Lord's SUV!

So I wait for my friend to close up at work, and we walk down back to his place. It's a quiet night near Chi-town... and we got about a block down. We're just talking, having a good night after some music, some pool, you know... the good life.

And then we hear two pickups drive into the parking lot, then one guy running down the parking lot being chased by some Irish bloke.

"We're gonna kill the broad!"

The three of us heard is a clear as day, and thanked our lucky stars we were a block away. Called the cops, naturally. I didn't think they'd do anything, from my previous experience with po-pos here, but apparently they patrol the area quite well... because the guy who ran down the streets ran past some road blocks where the pickup couldn't chase him down, and caught up with a policeman.

One of my friends stayed behind to make a police statement, and I watched his back.

Apparently, according to the statement given to the police by one of the victims, the woman... they brandished a gun and she ran and hid.

It was completely intense. I don't know what's up with this town... I got jumped a few months back, now we've got people getting chased down in parking lots by a bunch of yobbos.

Jesus.

Fucking yobs man... jesus.

I don't know what to think about this town anymore. You don't get this kind of shit in the big city, you just don't. There are repercussions for being a complete yob.

But here?

Intense. Thank the lucky stars I was down the block. Thank the lucky fucking stars.

Big shoutout to G-money for standing his ground and calling the cops... and probably saving that woman's life.

Current listening:
Elton John - Someone saved my life tonight

Posted by Johann Kwan at 04:37 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

An e-mail I think I'll share here... I just wrote this to a longtime friend of mine. She's like a big sister to me.... but here goes. I warn you, I'm verrrrry intoxicated.

Just wanted to share some thoughts...

Love,
Johann

Posted by Johann Kwan at 02:24 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Was it all just a dream?

I recall a time in my life when I wanted to change the world. I wanted to do something, to never be forgotten. After all... being forgotten, is that not the most frightening thought for a young genius? To leave this world without leaving a single mark, to disappear for good.

Maggie, what have we done?

It still is frigtening. Even more so now, I suppose. I'm twenty, for christs sake. I never expected to reach this point in my life in the first place, and yet I'm here, and I've done nothing.

It'd be nice to think that I've made a mark. Even amongst my friends, whom I love so dearly. Friends pass in and out of ones life, though, and it's a frightening thought that perhaps, just perhaps, I'll be just another phase in their lives, long gone, out of mind for eternity. An embarrassing one, perhaps.

I'm fearing that moment where I resign myself to become a wage slave, friends simply mates from work that I keep around to drive off the insanity, people I could care less than two moments for, rather than people I will love and cherish my entire life.

There's another parade going on outside. The AIDS walk, actually. That's such a great analogy for my fears... people just come into ones life, make a whole lot of noise, and pass right on through... leaving no fanfare in its wake and leaving nothing, accomplishing nothing.

I like to think that the bonds I share with friends are bonds of love, bonds that will never fade. I like to think that if I've made an impact there, at the very least, I'll have made my mark upon the world, changed it in a fundamental manner.

I'm not sure I've done that.

Whatever did happen to the post-war dream? What happened to the new age we were supposed to have, what happened to individuals making a mark, no matter how small their role? The world seems so enveloping, so engulfingly humongous.

The parade has passed, and traffic has returned to normal. How fitting.

It's like the feeling of love. That's what I want, love. I want to be able to say, I love you, I love you, I love you... and have the same whispered in my ear... and for both of us to mean it. Even if it's with a friend, or a complete stranger.

I want to mean as much to others as they mean to me.

I want everyone to be heroes. I want heroes, period. I want the world to recognize the value of a single human being again.

Maybe I'm a dreamer, but is it so impossible a dream?

My friends... I love you, and I want to mean as much to you as you mean to me. If I've done at least that, then I'll be happy.

Posted by Johann Kwan at 07:08 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Oh dear god.

Richard Hammond is currently in critical condition at the hospital after a car crash at speeds exceeding 300mph whilst filming for Top Gear.

I really hope he'll be alright.

My thoughts are with the Hamster.

Posted by Johann Kwan at 01:44 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Seriously, the most orgasmic dinner and birthday I've ever had in my life.

Oh. My. God. I just found a substitute for sex. In fact, I just found something better than sex.

*melts*

Posted by Johann Kwan at 02:45 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Me: Friend is coming over soon and we're going out for some food and some booze.

Emily Karian: happppppyy birfday

Emily Karian: awesome

Me: thanks!

Me: Wish you were here, we could go get food.

Me: and booze.

Me: =)

Me: This division bell between me and all my NY kids is starting to bother me.

Me: it's really like they're on the dark side of the moon.

Emily Karian: well. i never really know which side is dark or light since it is always light over here

Me: Ah. Maybe I'm on the dark side of the moon.

Me: or maybe you're just on the other side of the wall.

Emily Karian: ill meet you there

Me: Alright, we'll exercise our right to some brain damage.

Me: (p.s. this music is good)

Me: =)

Me: One of these days.

Emily Karian: its great, great. old school slip stuff

Emily Karian: one of these days....see you, in the flesh?

Me: maybe on the run. In any colour you like.

Emily Karian: hah

Emily Karian: theyll be the happiest days of our lives

Me: Yep. It's a great day for freedom.

Emily Karian: haha you should see how long you can go talking to you friends in pink floyd titles tonight without them noticing.

Me: What do you want from me? I'm lost for words.

Emily Karian: i want you to bring the boys back home.

Emily Karian: namely - you!

Emily Karian: but, the show must go on. im feeling comfortably numb

Me: but I'm waiting for the worms.

Me: You're one of the few.

Emily Karian: well. shine on you crazy diamond.

Me: But when I come back, it'll be the hero's return. The post war dream.

Me: That's me, in the flesh.

Emily Karian: so. what shall we do now?

Me: Go to the great gig in the sky.

Me: and set the controls for the heart of the sun.

Emily Karian: i think im ready to say goodbye cruel world

Me: (and if anyone doesn't catch on after this long, they'd really be daft. It'd truly be a case of us and them.

Me: Not now john. You should keep talking.

Emily Karian: you should go eat your meat. how can you have any pudding if you dont eat your mean, johann!?

Me: I can have a cigar!

Me: (this is totally going to get on my blog. After all, the show must go on)

Emily Karian: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc9y5ayeeb4

Emily Karian: ..if you like history

Me: I'll watch it when this track is over, it'll be the happiest days of our lives.

Me: And I do enjoy history. It fills the empty spaces.

Emily Karian: i knwo, i wish i paid more attention in high school

Me: This is the best conversation I've had today. It really is the final cut.

Emily Karian: ive been mad for fucking years, absolutely years.

Emily Karian: ive always been mad. like the most of us. hard to ex[lain why youre mad even if youre not mad....

Me: =)

Me: It's truely a saucerful of secrets.

Emily Karian: my pal saw roger waters the othe rnight

Emily Karian: said it was really really good

Me: Yeah? Was he riding a bike?

Me: cause I've got a bike, and you can ride it if you like

Emily Karian: she, no...pigs on the wing

Emily Karian: well i wish you were here, but its time i learn to fly (to bed)

Emily Karian: AMAZING BIRTHDAY WISHES!!

Me: Goodnight. You're one of the few.

Me: Thank you. We shall party at the grand vizier's garden party sometime.

Me: (p.s.)

Me: I'm going to steal a picture from your facebook and make a "dueling pink floyd quoters"

Me: pictures

Emily Karian: oh do you have a personal invation to that event

Me: (picture.

Emily Karian: haha! ok

Me: No, I might have to wait outside the wall.

Emily Karian: well set the controls for the heart of the sun

Me: goodnight, fly on a pillow of winds

Emily Karian: take it liiighhhht

Emily Karian: bye

Posted by Johann Kwan at 02:58 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Danced my heart out last night again. I've missed dancing... haven't done enough of it this year.

All I'm going to bother saying right now. Too tired lately to write anything truly profound.

Posted by Johann Kwan at 12:56 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Apparently I missed out on a huge party.

Note: I really did mean to go. After all, I try to make it a point never to miss any Humanities parties...

But there was simply no way of getting home late at night and no one to split a cab with. Being that I had an interview to do this morning I guess it really panned out for the better.

Still, I should've hit up the party. *sigh*

I need a friend with a car. I miss my car.

Posted by Johann Kwan at 08:20 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

So, being short on time, I'm just going to give you a bit of news.

Ackpppthhh~!

The world disgusts me.

Shooting at Dawson College, Montreal

Air Force chief suggests testing non-lethal weapons on American civilians before using them on the battlefield

The Vatican condemns an abortion performed on a raped 11 year-old

Scary world, neh?

Posted by Johann Kwan at 08:22 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Steve Irwin's fans are taking revenge on Stingrays.

Revenge.

On Stingrays.

Kinda like in this comic.

Seriously. How do you say... missing the point?

Posted by Johann Kwan at 04:56 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

So, finishing my week-long stint as Arts Editor tomorrow.

Yep, I lost the election. It was a farce, but I've done all my complaining about it already.

I've already said my "fuck it"s and gotten really drunk about it.

It's all good.

On the bright side, I've been getting to see old friends again. It's been real nice. It's nice to have friends there in my time of need.

By need, I mean: Needing to get really drunk with people I love. =)

I'm in no mood to write anything pithy or profound at this moment. I'm just tired out from working a half-week to get a full week's worth of work done.

I've been passing out on the floor in my living room the last few days, moving only to the bed in the morning.

That should tell you how fucking exhausted I've been.

Posted by Johann Kwan at 10:40 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

So when I heard that Uwe Boll was challenging critics to a fight, I fully expected people who couldn't box to be chosen.

Looks like I wasn't wrong.

I'm still waiting for a decent pugilist to get in the ring with Uwe. That would be exciting. I'd watch that. Of course, I watch pro boxing when nothing else is worth watching too.

Ahhh... the art of pugilism.

Posted by Johann Kwan at 10:11 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

While I've been hired for the week for arts editor... and it's been rough (yet awesome)... the big day is going to be tomorrow.

Tomorrow I find out if I won the election...

I'm going to drink myself stupid tonight.

Posted by Johann Kwan at 08:17 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Damn I'm a nervous wreck. Election results don't come in till next week and I really, really want this job.

In other news, Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, passed away.

But I'm sure you knew that.

Also, Lost Girls Collected isn't coming out in Canada.

Le sigh.

Posted by Johann Kwan at 03:07 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I feel like a useless human being... and yet... also one of the most accomplished. To get my mind off of the whole fact that I won't find out if I won the arts editor election till next week, I've been playing Silent Hunter III. Nothing saps up more of your time than commanding a U-boat.

Half the time it's just sailing around looking for merchant ships to sink. Not the most fun thing in the world, but it takes up my time and stops me pacing around the room like an expectant father.

Anyway, here are a few screen shots of what a typical day out in the Atlantic ocean is like for an enterprising German Leutnant such as meself.

The story starts with me sinking a couple of merchant ships outside of Gibraltar. I'd perched there to pick off ships sailing out of the Med... they'd have to come through Gibraltar and I'd be waiting. It worked, somewhat. Sure, I sank a few ships, and feeling real smug I started sailing around Gibraltar thinking, "hey, what's the worst they can do?"

After all... it was windy, the seas were rough, and there was no chance in hell they'd spot me.

Perching smug on my conn tower and making sure my watch officer was okay with getting soaked to his bones, I stood feeling unstoppable, invincible.

Then the planes came. Depth charges hit the water with loud slaps, followed by muffled explosions as the water around me suddenly became very dangerous. I went belowdecks and ordered an immediate dive to periscope depth. What the planes couldn't see, they couldn't aim at.

Within minutes my sonar operator started screaming sonar contacts right and left. The chief engineer secured the sub for silent operation and I glued my eyes to the periscope for the first sign of enemy contact.

Sure enough a destroyer came into sights, and blasted right by us.

I had the torpedomen fire a parting gift for it out of the aft tubes. Chances were the two torps would miss by miles, but at least the eventual explosion would draw attention to a different area.

But it didn't. The destroyer didn't hear the fish coming towards its backside and with the first impact, the thing split right in two.

Still, my moment of victory was short lived. Even as we left at a slow 3 knots from the scene of the crime, A Hunt-class destroyer came into sights, and started searching the area. Sonar pings echoed in the water, thankfully with us well outside of its range.

A Hunt-class Destroyer... steaming around searching for me.

This is a view of my navigation map, where I plan out my attacks. The red lines are hostile sonar contact directions. The black lines are merchant ship contact directions. It would be good to note now that the merchant ships are all headed away from this scene, and the warships steaming right this way. The red blip around the circle that I drew (denoting the destroyer's patrol path) is the Hunt-class destroyer which is hunting for me near the sinking wreckage of the one I sank. Don't ask me what class that was, I wasn't paying attention to that detail.

The skies were filled with torpedo planes patrolling the area, and more warships were coming, but I turned to make fight. Well... not quite yet. I exited the game after I turned around and got a crappy feeling that since the destroyer was going round in circles, hitting it with a torpedo was a one in a million chance.

So I took some screenshots instead and just quit. =) Hence this post. Mostly to fill up blog space, since I don't want to talk about the election... I'm too nervous. =D

The U-108 of the 2nd Flotilla. In other words, my baby.

Posted by Johann Kwan at 02:25 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)