What I am doing these days.

My friend Ryan requested that I post from time to time, and so I will. Today I went disc golfing, which fits the recent trend of me hanging out with B before he sets off for Japan. Other than that, I'm putting quite a bit of time and thought into jujitsu as of late. Having graduated I've been able to go more consistently. I've made some progress and my progress has been recognized by my teacher who recently promoted me to first brown. I plan to work hard for the next year or so and hopefully test for my black belt before he gets stationed abroad. He says that he will be relocated by the army in early to mid 2010.

I've also spent quite a bit of time reorganizing and decluttering my/our living environment. I first took on my room and all that I had accumulated over the past couple decades. It is very nice now. Everything is in a sensible and accessible place (or in the dumpster), the setup makes the room feel spacious, it is a good environment for watching movies or drinking tea, and I am happy with the wall decorations and the 2 plants I have brought in to add some life.
I then took on the pantry. It is great now. I can see everything that I use, instead of having to search through piles. I adjusted the shelf heights to optimize functionality, organized, and even got rid of most of our expired foods.
I moved the tv to the living room and pointed the furniture toward it. I also hooked up my piano speakers to the tv for better sound.
I moved some furniture around in the game room and the guest room to the end that the pool table is free of obstacles and there is plenty of room for treatment/massage. The book shelves look nice in there now, instead of storage, the lack of tv gives the room the feel of a study.
I will finish that project, tidy up my sisters room, which i have been sleeping in, perhaps attack the garage, and maaaaybe the office. I really look forward to doing some stuff in the backyard. My garden is looking pretty good. I'd like to fill in the area behind the bbq to use as a sitting area and perhaps construct a japanese style shrine with a bell.
On the backburner is my plan for 'the big room', which involves filling the lowered area, at least in part, with tatami mats which could be used for practicing jujitsu.
Other things on the list are constructing a solar oven and perhaps elevating my garden.

Faith and I are doing well. She is quite busy with painting and work and has been excelling at both recently. She recently was awarded 4th place at a San Diego Portrait Society show, behind 2 of her teachers and one other man.