So, I've been living at my new place for almost two months and I'm quite enjoying it. :) It's so much better to live with people you know and trust, rather than some random people you don't know. My room is more spacious and usable than the other place. I just need to keep tabs on organizing it... It's got a little out of hand in the past week. I blame work and various other things. Hehe.

I'm thinking of restarting my BlogCore account on YouTube and getting more material up. I need to make my web presence more known, but I'm not completely sure how to do that. I guess the answers will come in time.

Also, I'm quite happy that my summer is going quite well. Staying in Welland was a good choice, I think. I may be mostly broke, but I just got myself a second job, doing what I enjoy. Or at least something related to what I enjoy. I'm working in a 1-hour photography shop in the mall. So good! I am no longer making food for other people in the back of a kitchen! :3 I am taking in film to be developed, enlarging and cropping pictures, and selling cameras and related products. I've only worked two shifts so far, and have really just been watching, listening and learning, but it's been good. I'm working another two shifts this week, and I can't wait 'til I get better at this whole retail thing. :D

The other job I've been working has been at Little Caesars as a sign shaker outside. Apparently, I'm the best shaker they have, so I get to work at least five days a week, where everyone else works four or less. They are only 4-hour shifts, but it gets me by, especially with the camera sales job.

In other news, my little brother is on a month and a half long vacation in Ireland. He's only a little guy and I'm really quite proud of how he handled leaving us at the airport. I just hope he's having an awesome time over there. He's visiting our many relatives.

I'm kind of missing home right now, and I miss some of my old friends. I haven't really talked to Chris, Jac, and a few others all that much since I left. Gord, Matt, and Dan have come down to Welland for movie nights a few times, and those nights have been quite fun.

Anyway, I'm working at 11am, so I should get some sleep. I'll try post some more. Kinda helps me remember stuff that's happened recently.

- James

Moved In... Mostly

Pretty much moved into the new place. We call it The Turnip. It definitely feels more home-like than the other place. I'm very happy that I got out of the other place. I'm living with a few of my friends from the first year of school, so that probably has a lot to do with me being comfortable.

I'm still at Pizza Hut. It's been a few weeks since I started. But so far, I'm not getting many hours. Trying to get another job over at a photography shop. I really want to get it because it is related to my interests.

Anyway, I'm kinda tired, so I don't really want to type much more. I'll update again in a few days.

I've been home for a few days and going back to Welland tomorrow (well, today). Needed to get a bed for one of my friends at school. He's been sleeping on the floor or on a couch at his place and isn't comfortable, so I decided to help him out. I can only get him a mattress for now, but it's better than what he's been using.

I met up with a few unicyclists that just moved into Tottenham for the summer. We did some unicycle jousting with some giant homemade q-tip things. They are a little heavy and they are probably going to work on that. But it was great that I could hang out with them... too bad I'm not here all summer. Kinda makes me want to move back to Tottenham until september... maybe.

I've been training at Pizza Hut for a short while. Been getting short shifts so I learn how things get done. I've learned most of the basics including making the dough. Man, you have to be efficient at that.

I was hoping to hang out with Catherine for a bit while I was here, since she was home at the same time. She came back to get her wisdom teeth removed, so it's kinda understandable if she doesn't feel like a bit of a visit.

That's the extent of things that I can think of happening right now.

My computer power cable finally died, so I'm using my friend's for temporarily to check stuff out online. I was looking at some old blogs of mine and Cath's (I think I deleted mine online, but backed them up somewhere on my computer). I think it's neat looking back at what we went through on a semi-regular basis. I kinda miss feeling like I could say somethings on my blog that I might not normally say. You could say that I'm censoring myself a bit. I want to open up and say what I feel about certain people again, but I worry about people's reactions. I tend to think much more about what kinds of things I put online. Sure, I have some personal information out on the internet somewhere, but putting up emotional stuff seems almost childish or immature in a way. It's not that I disapprove of it being done, but I don't know how to be as open online as I was. What makes the whole not putting my feeling out there on this or any blog kinda silly is that I'm not even sure if anyone actually reads this. But I guess that's the whole idea for putting stuff out there... just in case there is that one person who actually cares to read.

Now, onto some recent news:
I'm done my first year of college! Yay! I passed everything... well, there's one mark I'm trying to fix so I do. But other than that, I'm moving on to second year in my broadcasting course. I was also nominated for what is known as a "Grafiti Award" at my school. It's kinda like a miniature version of the oscars, but for the broadcasting students. As I said, I was nominated for an award and I won! I won in the first year photography contest. :) I was pretty confident that I was going to get it, then I saw what some other people had presented and became doubtful, but they announced my name and I went down to collect the award. I feel I have to thank my film teacher, David Niven, for introducing all of us to film photography and composition. He is by far one of the best teachers I have ever had. Thanks Niv-dawg!

As for recent unicycling news, I am having some doubts as to whether or not I will be able to accomplish my trip due to a few things. My first concern is employment. I just got a job at Pizza Hut and I am going to see how that goes. I think it'll be simple enough, but the problem comes where I have to book time off. You see, I don't don't know how well they are going to react to me asking for two weeks off in the next few months in order for me to do my trip. I suppose if I am a really good worker, I'll be able to pull it off.
Second concern is my right knee. I think I tore some sort of ligament or muscle about a month ago, and apparently there isn't much I can do but wait for it to heal. At this point, it doesn't really affect my cycling, but I'm not sure if it will pose a threat when I'm on the road. It's something I'm going to have to wait out, too.
Third is planning. I have no idea what the hell I'm doing in this department. >.<' What to bring, how to pack properly, and whatever else is still a mystery to me. But I think I'll be able to solve that before I leave. I plan to leave the first week of August.
Fourth concern is where I'm going to stay... It's looking like I'll have to bring a tent with me. Ask whoever you know along or near this route if they have a couch for me to crash on for one night. in the first half of august: www.tinyurl.com/unijay2
If anyone has questions or knows of anything else I should be concerned about, please comment.

In the mac lab again. My sunday and monday became one yesterday because I was fixing up a photoshop assignment due today... I came back today to finish and submit it when I found out that all my work didn't save. So, I have to a half-ass job to get the thing finished... and as I look at the clock, it turns to the time it's supposed to be due. Freaking rendering.

Yeah... I need to get more sleep, too. I feel like crap, even though I'm not acting like it. I've been stressing my body out for the last few days and it sucks.

I'm going to go hand more resumes out tomorrow... I still haven't heard anything about a job. This sucks! I am quite qualified to do all these small jobs I've applied for. I think I'll have to fix my resume up some more to get what I want.

I kinda want to head back home soon for a visit.

Hey, sorry for the delay in posting. I have a crap load of work going on in school.

I have a film shoot tomorrow at a conservation area. Should be good. We did a shoot on saturday and it went well. We just need to get a few more shots in before Mike goes back to Orillia for his placement.
TV isn't going too well as far as I'm concerned. Spending too much time on lighting and arguing. It's kinda getting on my nerves, but of course, I'm a camera operator for this project, so I don't have to worry about too much more than framing. What we are working on is our pilots and we chose to have ours almost all bluescreened. I think post production is going to be very time consuming.

On the job front... Next to no one is hiring. I keep putting out resumes but no one seems to be calling. I don't understand. I'm probably going to talk to a few managers tomorrow. Hopefully they'll be hiring for the summer soon. I need a job for three reasons right now; too stay where I am, to save for school, and to be able to ride my unicycle to Montreal and possibly back. Without a job... I'm pretty much toast, me thinks.

Right now I'm in the midst of rearranging and tidying up my room (yay). Need to get laundry done soon. Bleh. Things just have to get done at some point.

Anyway... That's it on my plate right now. I'm putting some of my favorite photographs on the wall where the headboard is on my bed. I'm really enjoying looking at some of them and I can see my eye for good composition is becoming better. (WOO!)

Yeah, mac sucks.

Words brought to you by Sarah. This Mac keyboard is crap.

Anyway... I'm up past 5am helping keeping Sarah  sanity as she finishes her project. I'm probably not getting any sleep tonight. Er, this morning.

Things are getting busy with TV and Film. I need a job still. *explosions and maddness everywhere* 

I'm tired... More blogging later.

New Rent and Dance Parties

Well, it's almost 3am on a Thursday. Just finishing off my lead class discussion about Tasers. I think it'll go well... I'm probably going to be BSing my way through it for the most part, but I think I know what I'm talking about.

Friday night, on my birthday, was interesting. I had a few drinks for the first and last time. I wouldn't say it was a bad experience, but alcohol is not something I want to be involved with. I thought I'd just take the fact that my friends were willing to pay for me and use it just to see how well I'd handle it. It was an experiment for myself. I didn't get too drunk that I wouldn't remember it, so I know what happened.

Still planning on going to Montreal in the summer. I signed a lease to a new apartment, so I have to plan the ride before or after I move in... As I think of it, after might be the better choice, that way I can do it without having to worry too much about a deadline other than the beginning of the next school year. So, I guess I'll be planning the ride for early August. Also, I was talking with the TWIG crew and Mike "The Birdman" Dodd might be able to get a camera for me to vlog my trip as well as blog it. I've been thinking of getting a smaller computer for the trip, too. I like this one, but it's very big and I don't think i use it to it's full potential. I might end up selling it after I get it fixed. There are a few neat subnotes I've been looking at that have a much longer battery life, too.

Other uni news... I was interviewed by my friend Mike for a story he's writing for the Niagara College newspaper. We talked for a good two hours about unicycling and I believe he got most of it on tape... That'll be interesting to sift through. He also took some pictures of me riding. T'was good.

On the 21st, the day after my birthday, Mike, Ken and I went up to Toronto to participate in the Toronto Subway Dance Party. It was one of those flashmob things. I helped out as one of the leaders of a train car full of people. We started off with one person dancing and then as we stopped at each station, we had more join in until we were all dancing. The great thing about it was that there were a few people on the trains who had no idea what was going on. We were all dancing to music on our mp3 players, so it looked like we were dancing to music that wasn't there. The group "Improv in Toronto" organized it and it looks like they are going to organize another one in the summer. Definitely going to that one, and hopefully there will be an even bigger crowd of people.

Ah... Another year closer to death

Well, it's mah birthday! 21 today! I am currently in the Radio Lab at school and waiting for my music spotlight project to export as an mp3 mixdown file. Listening to Daft Punk, too. Although, that's not very surprising.

We shall see what becomes of the day as it progresses... Apparently I get a party. But I should sleep soon as it is 12:30 ish.

I had a pretty good weekend. Catherine came down and stayed a few nights. We hung out with some of my friends; Jaz and Zach for the most part. Cath and I had some pretty good conversations and I hope she had a good time. I'm going to see her again on Saturday. Ken and I are going up to Toronto to participate in the second annual TTC Subway Dance Party and we'll be meeting her there. It's going to be awesome.

Going to be taking and scanning more pictures with a still film camera.

Still jobless and looking for adventure

Well, I'm still looking for a job. Not too much else going on. I have another alpha meeting tonight that I'm going to try work around. I missed last week due to something else I had to do (I can't recall what that was...). I plan on going to another part of town tonight to pass out resumes. Going to try Giant Tiger and the other stores around there.

And a few good links:
This guy, Graham Hughes is trying to set foot in every country on the planet in one year. Think he can do it? Subscribe to him and follow his journey.
http://www.youtube.com/user/thatgingerscouser

Then there's Rob Lilwall, who cycled home to London, England from Siberia. It took him about three years to do.
http://www.cyclinghomefromsiberia.com

And while you're at it, check out my new website: http://www.niagaraunicycleclub.com/

I'm really inspired by these people. I'm promising myself that I am going to go on some epic adventure at some point in my life. The Niagara to Montreal ride will be a taste of what will come in the future.

Man, the last few days have been awesome to ride. I broke out my 36er and I've been riding around Welland. The downside is that its been quite wet... It was raining all day yesterday and I couldn't get out to do anything. But I'm going out tonight to ride a bit before the alpha meeting, and as I said, I'm going to go hand out resumes and pretty much beg for a job.

I might have a place to live lined up for next year. AJ is trying to get me to live with him and a bunch of people from the TWIG. I think I'm going to go for it, even though it's a little more expensive than my current position, I want to live with people I'm familiar with and I know I'll get along with.

I broke mah beard!

So, I shaved my beard last week... Big mistake. I really don't know why I did it. I think it was more peer pressure than anything. A group of girls asked me to shave it because they thought I would look better without it. Why did I listen? WHY?! Guh... I've spent the past several years being my own entity and not letting anyone tell me who I should be or what I should look like. The beard, although not covering much of my face (goatee), was part of my overall look that I wanted for myself. They said I'd look younger without the beard. Granted I do appear younger, I realize after the fact, that I don't like that look. To me, having a beard gives some sort of perception of wisdom or authority. I don't get why more men don't grow out their beards... Is it because of happenings similar to what I experienced? Are most women really not attracted to a long beard and do they convince their "potential mate" to get rid of it before anything happens? Really... I had been growing that goatee since before the summer in '08. I enjoyed the feel of it being on my chin... the shadow it cast in my silhouette... how it was weighed down when I lifted my face out of the water when I swim. So many memories down the drain... Litterally. But now, what's done is done. I can't glue it back on, so I've started growing it again. Hopefully it will grow more prominant and shapely.

Night Photography is cold in the winter

So, I'm in my current events class right now, watching some presentations. Basically Guantanamo sucks. Don't go there.
Anyway, just been hanging out around my apartment for the most part. Paying rent and living... Need to get a job still. I've handed out a bunch of resumes and I need to hand out more. I doubt I will have enough money to survive the rest of the year if I don't have a job.
Went to Handlebar Hank's Roadhouse yesterday with a bunch of people. Got some pizza and wings... hot wings. Good stuff. Zach's gf is in town visiting him from some small town up north. She's pretty cool to hang out with and to talk to. Gave me some good advice about some things, too.

The night before, I did some photography. I went out at 10:30pm and attempted to shoot some photographs of the Welland bridge. I'll post some images when I get them developed. I like night photography. Experimenting with light in the dark is fun, and with film, you never know what you are going to get until they are developed. Maybe I'll get a good SLR digital camera at some point... But I have other expenses to worry about.

Well, I put out some more resumes and filled out more applications today. (Yay!) Hopefully I have a job soon. I feel like I can't really do anything fun at the moment because I can't afford it... I wanted to go snowboarding over the Christmas break with my brother, but it costs too much money. XP

If I didn't mention it in the last post, I'll mention it in this one. I'm planning a big unicycle trip from Niagara Falls to Montreal. It'll either be by myself or with one or two people. I'm hoping that "Unicycle Max" DeMilner will join me, as well as Levi. I may need a support driver to carry equipment, though. (any takers?) Well, I have much planning and saving to do for this. I want to do it for as little money as I can... I may just resort to trying my chances at camping in the woods. (any donation made would be appreciated. :-) )

In other news, we did our first interview for my TV course today. It went decently, but we all have a lot to work on. It was basically a fifteen minute piece with two inserts and between the inserts was a live-to-tape interview. To put it really nicely, I hope things go better this week. We have three more to go.

Alright, time for some interesting links...
Catherine just showed me this one: http://bikefurniture.com/
And I Stumbled Upon this: http://dvice.com/archives/2009/01/bring_the_bike.php

So, I'm going home this weekend. Gonna see what I can do about my pearly whites at ye olde dentist.

I'm going from St. Catharines to Toronto where I'm going to meet with Catherine and hang out downtown. I should probably get some batteries for my camera... Then sometime in the eve' I'm going to Yorkdale to be picked up by my dad.

School is going alright at the moment. I'm getting involved with www.thisweekingeek.net but I'm not sure if I'm really any use at the moment. I haven't been sleeping well and I can't concentrate on stuff I'm supposed to do. Bleh.

Also, feeling a bit lonely at the moment. Not the emo "life sucks and no body cares about me" kind of lonely, but I just want to get more involved with what others are doing. I don't drink, so I don't show up to parties where drinking happens (at least not very often) - I don't feel like I can relate to those situations. I like my small group of friends, but I'm still afraid of not fitting in. Guh... Also, as far as girlfriends go, I have none. I don't know what I'm doing about that. I'm just passively looking for someone, but there are some characteristics of some of the people I've been semi-interested in that have been off putting. Either they smoke, they gamble, they drink, or they seem too promiscuous. I just can't seem to find someone that isn't into any... Feh.

Anyway, tonight I went to an Alpha course. It's one of those Christian courses that teaches about the basics of Chistianity and helps to answer some questions. I'm a Christian, but I need a refresher. I guess I've been getting out of touch of who or what I am as a Christian. There are things that I want to improve upon myself and things I want to stay away from. Temptation to do certain things can sometimes be overwhelming. Anyway, after the course was over I let people try out my unicycle and it was quite fun. I was interviewed for a short while by a girl named Britney. It was quite fun answering all these questions about unicycling and why I got into it and such.

I'm going to be starting up a website soon for the Niagara Region Unicycle club that I'm starting. Gotta get someone to help with my webdesign... Maybe Jessa will help? We'll see.

Migrating from LJ

Just posting some stuff from coretechs.livejournal.com

Jan. 16th, 2009

location: School

mood: okay

music: The Heat 90.1 FM. Niagara's New Rock

Yeah, just posting to say that everything is going pretty good so far. I rode the lobster and it was probably the best thing I have ever done. I can't believe that I had the opportunity to participate in the most epic unicycle race ever.

So anyway, I'm at college now. I'm doing mah thing with broadcasting.

I really should keep my blog updated more often. I have a twitter page now. You can find it at http://twitter.com/coretechs. As I write this, it's the second week into the second semester and things are going quite well... Except that it's 2 am and I'm in school finishing an assignment due tomorrow. Gotta record sound clips for movies and give 'em to my radio prof tomorrow. I had some Rockstar earlier, so I should be able to get this done before I crash...
Anyway, back to work,

James

Posted at 02:09 am | Link | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend

Feb. 27th, 2008

New Uni Tomorrow (or later today)

music: Tiefschwarz

Alrighty, my new 36-inch unicycle is going to arrive tomorrow and I am so stoked for it. I'm going to write a review on it along with my experience getting on. I think I'm going to film the assembly and take before and after pics of the assembly. Then I will probably film the first few tries of getting on the thing. It's going to be way bigger than I'm used to, but I have practiced a bit by putting my 19-inch unicycle on a curb and jumping up onto it, so hopefully, I can freemount.
Anyway, I'll post pics as soon as I can!

- James

Tags: unicycle coker coretechs snow 36

Posted at 01:57 am | Link | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend

Feb. 15th, 2008

Things are starting to come together

The time is soon coming when I shall have my new unicycle :3

I have most of my team, my uni is pretty much handled, I have started a bit of training too. I need to strengthen my abdominal and my leg muscles. I'm realizing now that I'm not as built as I used to be, but I know what exercises I need to do to help. My days of karate and all those push ups and sit ups have sort of diminished since I stopped a few years back. I'm glad I'm doing this to keep me fit for the most part... Just need some strength training.

I talked with Adam Cohen of JustOneWheel.com and arranged for him to send me a new Nimbus Nightrider Pro. It's going to be awesome! It should be arriving next week, so I'll have a full review on the blog.

In other news... I went to Toronto last weekend and stayed over at Catherine's place. We met at the Seneca York campus on Friday and she showed me around her classroom. I thought all the drawing in there were pretty amazing. I really want to see more.
On Saturday we went downtown and had good fun going down Queen St. and Chinatown. We had some good sushi and looked in comic book and manga stores. The we watched Cloverfield, awesome movie. Then when back to her place, talked, had pasta and watched some Saturday Night Live.
I went home on Sunday around 3. All in all, I'd say it was a really good and fun weekend. :D

Tomorrow, I'm going down to Niagara College to be tested and ranked to get into the broadcasting course I want. Pray for me and wish me luck.

Had another driving lesson today. First freeway lesson, I was sort of nervous, but remained calm and confident. It was easier than I thought it would be. Soon, I will have my license and be able to get a job outside of this small town. :)

Posted at 01:04 pm | Link | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend

Jan. 18th, 2008

Looking for Sponsorship

mood: optimistic

music: Justice - D.A.N.C.E.

I may eventually be sponsored in part by my old co-op placement. Basically I'll advertise for them by wearing a cycling jersey with their website on it or something. Need to work things out with that. Got some good tips for who to try get sponsorships from. :D
Talked to Ben Dunn and my brother about perhaps being a candidate for our fourth team member for Ride The Lobster.

Also, I'm in the process of figuring out where I want to go for school. Looking into film, radio or recording. Hopefully I'll get this all figured out before the deadline.

Posted at 03:12 am | Link | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend

Jan. 17th, 2008

I have returned

Well, it looks like that "tomorrow" from my last post has come almost two years later. A lot has happened in that time... And I'm not going to post it due to just writing about now.

Lets see... Recently, I have been starting to get ready for an event in the summer that I will hopefully participate in. It is the first event of it's kind and it has the unusual name of "Ride The Lobster". To plainly put it, it is an 800km relay race that will take place over five days in June. But that's not the best part. The best part is that it is all being done on unicycles. Also, another fine bit of it is that it is all going to be done in Nova Scotia.
I started unicycling exactly five months ago minus a day. I can't believe how well this sport works for me. It's unusual, fun, and very healthy. I have two unicycles in my arsenal at the moment: A basic beginner 24-inch wheel, and one with a 19-inch trials wheel. Within the next month I plan to have a unicycle 36-inch wheel in order to participate in Ride The Lobster.

I suppose I'm going to use this LJ account to post my progress in working toward the race and various other things.

My to do list before the race:

- Get 36-inch unicycle (commonly known as a "Coker").
- Do my two-day qualifying ride.
- Put together a four person team with three riders and one support.
- Figure out getting there and back
- Work toward getting a sponsor.

I think I already have my riding team set up except for the support person. Eric Evenchick from Ottawa and Nick Allred from somewhere in the US about an hour away from Washington DC. Anyone who is interested in being a support person to help us during the race... Please contact me :D

I have contacted JustOneWheel.com and I could either get my uni now with a steel rim or wait until February for the "Top Secret" aluminum rim. I'm choosing to wait for the aluminum rim because it's a lot lighter and a lot better to handle. Sure it costs a little more, but it's worth it so the wheel keeps straight and the speed I'll gain due to lost weight.

For those of you reading this who don't know much about unicycling, just know this: It's not just for the circus anymore.