tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220739952011-09-05T15:29:22.651+09:00essays, photos, short stories, and what have you by: Reed Daiglebruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.comBlogger771100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-20471292424277905042009-11-21T09:12:00.000+09:002009-11-21T09:57:37.895+09:00

        $2 OFF all photo prints and merchandise, now through the end of 2009. Personal downloads are 1/3 the original price. Commercial downloads are 1/2 price. (Discount already reflected in pricing that you’ll see when browsing.)        Print sizes range from 4x6 to 24x36. Finishes come Glossy, Lustre, Matte, or Metallic. You can even get prints on Canvas.        Photo gifts include

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-10009459891561536302009-10-09T02:34:00.002+09:002009-10-10T11:45:30.629+09:00

It has been far too long since I’ve posted a blog. My last post was way back in May. Well, there’s good reason for that. I moved back to the US, as you may already know. It’s been a busy few months to say the least. So, here’s a quick rambling recap: I finished teaching English in Japan in July. My last classes were in the first 2 weeks of July. That’s when summer vacation starts for

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-18833489041356431712009-05-29T17:17:00.000+09:002009-06-16T23:20:52.637+09:00

        I’m finally getting back into the revision of my first screenplay, “Sabbatical.” In a previous blog post, nearly a year ago, I wrote that the Script Revision Was Coming Along. Well, perhaps that wasn’t accurate. It was only getting started, and it’s been a very slow start. The truth is that it’s been mostly on the back burner for months. Around the time I wrote that post, I was also

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-70075393813023381022009-05-16T23:55:00.002+09:002009-05-17T00:27:15.551+09:00

I had my first people photos accepted at a few stock photography sites. These are not the first people photos I’ve shot, but the first I’ve submitted as stock photography. A few weeks ago, I did this photo shoot with a friend of mine that agreed to be a model for my stock photography. The idea was for someone to look calm in the midst of a busy city at night. I was primarily thinking of a shot

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-5030029565718358952009-05-16T01:45:00.000+09:002009-05-16T01:52:24.101+09:00

        If you’re anything like me, you’ll find yourself with too many irons in the fire. And at the same time, you’ll waste too much time tinkering or researching. My current pursuits include (but are not limited to): prayer (which should be first, but truthfully I don’t spend near enough time doing); spending time with my wife and baby daughter (This week I did mostly that!); revising my

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-45033638705153266882009-05-07T19:10:00.000+09:002009-05-07T19:14:42.265+09:00

        In mid April, I signed up for yet another photo microstock agency. With Canstockphoto, I’m now set up on 8 microstock agencies. I wasn’t too interested in signing up with Canstockphoto previously. It didn’t look too promising, but it seems that, after a merger with fotosearch.com, it’s having a come back according to an article on microstockdiaries and one on the blog of the world’s

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-37779586388910519512009-04-09T18:05:00.001+09:002009-04-10T21:11:22.530+09:00

Another microstock agency I’d been attempting is Crestock. I signed up in mid-October. I’ve been submitting photos since then and finally, on March 27th or 28th, one image was finally accepted. I’ll be honest here; it took nearly 90 rejections to finally have this image accepted:I had thought several times to just give up on Crestock. The images I submitted have been accepted by other

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-78130810655356174032009-04-07T18:35:00.000+09:002009-04-07T23:38:22.940+09:00

        As I mentioned in my Junior High School Graduation post, the school year in Japan ends in March and begins in April. And there is a short time in between. This year there were only 10 days. Besides having to wrap things up from the previous year and prepare for the next year, many teachers also have to change schools. Every year, teachers are shuffled around the school system in the

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-64342888543713374692009-04-07T17:39:00.000+09:002009-04-07T23:38:03.304+09:00

最近、日本語文法を勉強しています。私に取って文法は一番難しいと思います。12月、日本語能力試験を合格しました。三回目！2006、点数が34点でありました。2007、点数が57.8点でありました。この前の試験はやっと68点でありました。毎回、文法は一番下。漢字は大丈夫よ。マークシートだから！漢字を書くことは違うですね。私はしばしば漢字の意味分かりますけど、読めません。僕は日本語が上手になりたいです。日本では後四ヶ月くらい。だからこれから一生懸命日本語を勉強するつもりです。最初の日本語ブログを読んでいただいて有り難うございます。

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-31501744615063388062009-03-16T17:59:00.001+09:002009-03-16T21:46:27.938+09:00

        Today was the graduation ceremony for the 3rd year junior high school students. In Japan, the school year begins in April and ends in March. It was a bit sad for me, because these students were 1st year students when I began teaching. And it will be the last graduation ceremony at this school for me since I’ll return to America in about 5 months.        A Japanese graduation ceremony

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-33159486454996595992009-03-13T21:12:00.000+09:002009-03-13T22:18:50.983+09:00

I’ve signed up with another microstock photography agency. This one is Yay Micro. It’s a fairly new agency. I had first read about it at Microstockdiaries (a very helpful blog about the microstock industry and various agencies) sometime last fall when I was starting out in microstock photography. I hadn’t really considered it until now. Today, my first five uploads were accepted. So, I now

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-89311160372848009342009-02-21T17:33:00.002+09:002009-03-13T22:30:52.180+09:00

I've been having trouble posting blogs during the past couple of weeks. I believe the problem lies with my hosting company, . I sent an e-mail to support nearly a week ago, and though they say they respond within 24 hours, I heard nothing. So, last night I called them. The guy, nice enough guy who lives in India I imagine, said that it seemed fine on their end. He says there's no problems

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-34694303575667239872009-02-14T21:50:00.000+09:002009-03-13T22:30:52.181+09:00

This blog post is just a test. I’m really getting tired of the hosting company for my site. Freeservers.com has given me a few headaches, and is continuing to do so.

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-63022634406678864282009-02-11T22:40:00.003+09:002009-03-13T22:19:47.672+09:00

Here’s to my friend Darius Deezle Harrison for taking home two Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 8, 2009. He was nominated for three and won two, as a songwriter and producer for:Best Rap Song - “Lollipop“ by Lil Wayne (featuring Static Major)Best Rap Album - ”Tha Carter III“ by Lil Wayne (Cash Money / Universal Motown)See the list of nominations and winners here: Grammy Awards Winners List -

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-48990817621030703112009-01-27T22:33:00.001+09:002009-03-13T22:20:12.818+09:00

        About 2 weeks ago, I finally joined the digital photography revolution. I’ve been a film hold out, waiting for the right balance of price and quality in a DSLR. Finally, the time came to sign up for the revolution.        My weapon of choice in this revolution is a Canon EOS 450D. My version, here in Japan, is called the Canon Kiss X2. In North America, it is known as the Digital

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-81746324750955142862009-01-12T15:22:00.000+09:002009-03-13T22:23:01.670+09:00

Well, I’ve finally set up a YouTube channel. I’m not sure why I’ve never set it up before, but alas, I’ve done it. I only have the two short films you’ve probably already seen. But someday, there will be more. Someday...Until then, enjoy those two films, over and over and over again. Or share them with your friends.Oh, and I’m also now on Facebook and LinkedIn. And of course, there’s always

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-65205201913751301832008-12-13T00:22:00.000+09:002009-03-13T22:23:12.394+09:00

I now have royalty free stock photography available here:Reed Daigle at Snapvillage

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-34942606409753691932008-12-01T21:44:00.000+09:002009-03-13T22:23:39.520+09:00

Ladies and gentlemen. The moment you’ve all been waiting for. The ultimate championship rematch between Reed Daigle and the JLPT Level 3! That’s right folks. It was 2 years ago that JLPT 3 wiped the floor with Reed’s face. But Reed Daigle, aka Bruised Reed, would not be broken! He came back last year for a close match, but didn’t have quite enough strength to beat back ‘ol JLPT 3.And so it

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-48661296327023536842008-11-27T22:35:00.000+09:002009-03-13T22:26:05.668+09:00

I sure wish I were back home in Louisiana for it. Instead, I had to work and eat Japanese school lunch. And Japanese school food is nothing like going to a sushi restaurant, trust me. However, I am thankful for being able to live in Japan. (And I did get to eat kimuchi nabe, which is quite tasty, for dinner. If you’re interested, I’ll explain what that is another time.) I’m especially

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-17221408397626161772008-11-04T23:02:00.000+09:002009-03-13T22:26:05.668+09:00

Go make your voice heard, my few faithful readers! I’ve already made mine heard, absentee style. Oh, and don’t forget that there are more than 2 candidates running.

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-30426419548009417252008-10-24T21:44:00.001+09:002009-03-13T22:23:59.020+09:00

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-10461206350533597102008-10-23T09:40:00.000+09:002009-03-13T22:24:15.462+09:00

        A man, forty-something, stares at his reflection in a mirror. “Something’s missing,” he says to his reflection.        He tightens his tie. His hands rest a moment on the knot.        He picks up his briefcase on his way to the door.        With his hand on the knob, the man takes a good look at his house.        The man stands on the platform of the bullet train.        The man’s

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-63307140073431823892008-10-16T22:06:00.000+09:002008-10-23T23:46:49.570+09:00

http://reeddaigle.smugmug.com/ I have set up my online photo store at the above link. You can order prints in many sizes in matte, glossy, luster, or metallic finish. You can even get them printed on canvas. Besides prints, there are T-shirts, mugs, mouse pads, and miscellaneous others. And you can also download photos in digital format in 1MP size or 4MP size. (Sorry, but the images are

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-65016805439738137742008-10-05T22:13:00.000+09:002008-10-23T23:45:28.315+09:00

I received my absentee ballot in the mail last week. I was quite surprised to see that Ron Paul was on it. The Louisiana Taxpayers Party formed to put him on the ballot. So, I actually have the choice I wanted on the ballot. Yes, I do realize that he’s unlikely to win, but his voice needs to be heard. And the Libertarian Party’s candidate, Bob Barr, who I’m not particularly excited about,

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-12199262487399637812008-09-26T20:32:00.000+09:002009-03-13T22:30:00.373+09:00

On Thursday, September 11, 2008, my first child was born. We had a girl. Her name is Masayo Sofie. And I was there for the whole process. It’s quite an amazing thing to see a child born, especially when it’s your own. It was also interesting to have experienced it here in Japan. Women in Japan normally go to their home towns to have babies. That’s what my wife did, and that home town is

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-45377039130281181742008-09-06T00:00:00.001+09:002008-10-23T23:46:49.570+09:00

I now have royalty stock photography for sale at:DreamstimeI am submitting to a couple of other sites, too. When I have photos available on those sites, I’ll let you know.

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-13617318450296292442008-08-31T02:11:00.001+09:002009-01-12T15:58:23.175+09:00

Visit Levees.org for more information

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-11021055155540067772008-08-28T23:59:00.003+09:002009-03-13T22:24:45.988+09:00

I hadn’t seen Bionik in a couple of years, probably since before Hurricane Katrina, but I will miss him.  Bionik was killed in a car accident on August 11th.  He stayed true to God and spit conscious positive lyrics. His music was great, and I pray it will continue to impact peoples’ lives. It’s sad to see him go at such a young age, especially since he was such a positive influence in hip

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-83568446870884530212008-08-18T23:52:00.000+09:002009-03-13T22:25:18.407+09:00

        I feel like I’ve had a breakthrough the other night on the revision of my screenplay, “Sabbatical.” I really like the direction of the story now. I think it makes more sense and is more together. I’ve cut out a couple of characters, quite a few scenes, and cut down on another character. The characters are more solid now. The new story line seems to flow much better and makes more

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-82822578016325992082008-07-22T22:24:00.000+09:002009-03-13T22:26:05.669+09:00

Here’s an interesting article about what happens to that information we put on social networks and other places online.The Internet--a private eye's best friend We’re in 2008 now, aren’t we? Well, before you know it it’ll be 1984.

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-58627328116663665262008-07-20T02:22:00.001+09:002009-03-13T22:26:05.669+09:00

Watch this documentary. And check out the site, America: Freedom to FascismIt’s important.

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-42701633033207307532008-07-12T15:38:00.000+09:002009-03-13T22:26:05.670+09:00

The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution:The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.Senate

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-4182718468655394502008-07-04T19:04:00.000+09:002009-03-13T22:26:05.670+09:00

“Good morning America, how are you?” to borrow a line from Willie Nelson from the song “City of New Orleans.” So, it’s fitting that with that I’ll say Happy 4th of July. America, I sure do miss you, especially the city of New Orleans. And yes, I DO know “what it means to miss New Orleans,” to borrow a line from Louis Armstrong.As I’m here in Japan, having worked on this day, I’m thinking of

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-31706854710122185902008-07-03T21:26:00.000+09:002008-10-23T23:48:05.758+09:00

I’ve quit using the Power Structure demo. I downloaded the demo awhile back to use on my next screenplay. I use Final Draft for screenwriting, but I was looking for something to help with writing the treatment and outlining and such. Power Structure was good, but it’s a bit too cumbersome for me. It’s very versatile, though, and perhaps if I could afford it now I’d buy it. The demo version

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-68636514347687627732008-07-02T21:59:00.000+09:002008-10-23T23:48:05.759+09:00

In these early stages of writing my novel, I’m trying to figure out which voice to write it in. I started out in 3rd person, but then it seems to have shifted to 1st. I need to learn to control it better, of course, but I also need to let go a bit and just get the first draft written. At my current rate, it’s going to take awhile anyway. Especially since I’m working on a screenplay, too.

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-43093789913423557762008-06-29T23:15:00.000+09:002009-03-13T22:26:37.702+09:00

Well folks, here’s two blog entries in as many days. Aren’t you impressed? Lately I have been writing much more than I’ve written in a long time. What is this incessant need to share thoughts. I can’t just write for myself? I think I’ve been bottling my thoughts in for a long time, and now I just need to put them out there. But, any time I spend writing blog posts I could be working on the

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-19826461007719344422008-06-28T23:17:00.000+09:002008-10-23T23:48:05.759+09:00

So, I started writing a novel recently. I wrote almost two pages today. Not great material really, but it feels good to just write it. I’m working on becoming more free in my writing. Instead of trying to have it figured out in my head before putting it down, I’m approaching it more and more as the work that it is. Come in, punch the clock, write some story material, then after some time,

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-7903642478930076272008-06-19T22:18:00.000+09:002009-03-13T22:26:56.032+09:00

La Vie En Rose A movie reviewOlivier Dahan’s La Vie En Rose uses a tumultuous narrative style to tell the story of famed French singer Edith Piaf, convincingly and passionately portrayed by Marion Cotillard. Though we see Piaf’s early childhood near the beginning, and her death near the end, her life story is shown in random order, jumping back and forth through time. Despite being a bit

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-21175265404680361102008-06-08T22:59:00.000+09:002009-01-12T15:59:24.867+09:00

My most recent article on Helium.com is this:Tips on How to Learn a Foreign LanguageI also recently added another short story. It’s link is here:Electric Family Check ‘em out. Thanks.

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-7813096545095826902008-05-17T22:17:00.000+09:002009-03-13T22:27:21.647+09:00

Check out the new short story at Helium.Last Days of a Severed Head

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-26510003824858868012008-05-05T01:55:00.000+09:002008-10-23T23:48:05.760+09:00

So, I’ve just started writing articles on Helium. Click here to see my user page. Maybe I can get a few pennies for my thoughts. My first article is actually a short story. And it’s a short story you’ve probably read on here. It’s Anxiety Opens a Door. There are 2 minor changes. One is thanks to my friend Rene. You were right about the “7”.

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-36805739955244495552008-04-07T17:35:00.000+09:002008-10-23T23:45:28.319+09:00

The Olympic torch recently passed through London. Its passing was met with protests. But if you read the article about it on the official Beijing Olympics site (the site is based in China), you will find no mention of these protests. The only mention of any trouble from this article was in this statement: “Chinese ambassador to Britain Fu Ying ran her leg in Chinatown, who was a hot topic of

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-31708229616708214212008-04-03T23:49:00.000+09:002008-10-23T23:45:28.319+09:00

Check out this article about the Real ID plan. Seems like some positive news. Hope they drop the Real ID plan. One can hope.Homeland Security blinks on Real ID: No hassles on May 11

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-77087235782078348362008-03-31T22:14:00.000+09:002009-03-13T22:27:59.728+09:00

Today, while grocery shopping at Marunaka, I heard a familiar song on the radio. This was grocery store muzak, of course, but on closer listening I realized it was “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” That’s right, you can hear muzak Nirvana when grocery shopping in Japan. It’s surreal to hear Nirvana, muzaked. I’ve also heard “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns n Roses. Oh, and when I say muzak in Japan,

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-19201826756677854062008-03-27T22:28:00.004+09:002009-04-18T23:48:56.859+09:00

I recently took my political compass test again. A couple of years ago I found the link to this site on a friend’s blog. It’s a much better gauge of where one stands politically than a simple right/left measure. At the site, there is a test of about 50 or so propositions. There are 4 choices: strongly disagree, disagree, agree, and strongly disagree. The test takes about 3-5 minutes. You

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-5408158104655855322008-03-24T23:24:00.000+09:002009-01-12T15:52:23.221+09:00

        Her fingers slowly curled around the knob. An ever-tightening grip caused her knuckles to flush red and her veins to bulge. She clenched her frail jaw, gritting her tobacco stained teeth in dread of what was to come. Slowly, fearfully, yet deliberately, Betty’s thin pasty hands turned the knob. It was 12 years ago to the day that Betty had to face this same horrible fear. The knob

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-89440179576097657312008-03-10T20:07:00.004+09:002009-01-12T15:57:37.160+09:00

I was walking with two friends with bikes.This is Phil.And this is Rob.I like these images.Perhaps they make me feel nostalgic.How do they make you feel?

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-23731651100495238932008-03-01T22:55:00.000+09:002009-01-12T15:52:23.221+09:00

The beginning of Ray’s tunnel vision was finished. Ray drove forward, grasping for memories of Isabella. None would clearly appear. Some would fade in and out. As Ray exited the tunnel, he came to the same intersection from which he’d entered the tunnel. Ray hadn’t turned around when driving through that tunnel. He pulled aside, stopped, and shifted into park. Stepping out of the car, Ray

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-59529498028302052162008-02-25T21:36:00.001+09:002009-01-12T15:53:04.983+09:00

Please read this article and its related articles.The Real ID is soon to be instituted in the U.S. I don’t think it’s a good idea. And even if it is, in it’s current form, it certainly isn’t. I’m not too happy about having a national ID with access to my information which is stored on a state to state linked database system. I don’t like the government having more power to track its citizens.

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-40281362353318872052008-01-28T18:52:00.000+09:002009-03-13T22:31:22.978+09:00

A teacher, at one of the elementary schools where I teach English,makes instruments out of vegetables. And he plays them quite well. He has a few videos at his youtube site, http://www.youtube.com/heita3. He was on a Japanese TV show a couple of months back, too. Here is one of his videos:He also likes prog rock. I forgot how we started talking about it, but when I began teaching there a

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-6116632333656210852007-09-30T15:12:00.000+09:002009-01-12T15:52:23.221+09:00

Please read chapters 1 - 3 before you read chapter 4 of The End of the Tunnel at the Light.Chapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3and now Chapter 4I started this story about a year and a half ago. Unfortunately, I've only written 4 short chapters so far. I've been busy folks, but I hope to write more in the coming months. The idea is that I just sit down to write the next part, and then right away publish

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-28884562014877700172007-09-30T14:50:00.000+09:002009-01-12T15:52:23.221+09:00

“Isabella!” Though the image remained faint, the purpose of this journey became quite clear indeed. Not that the journey was anywhere near complete, mind you. In fact, this emotional journey through the tunnel had only been the very beginning of his journey.“Isabella!” Ray’s eyes seemed to cease blinking altogether as he recalled the memory of Isabella. Shutting his eyes tight, Ray leaned

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-14711616207744148482007-09-28T19:14:00.000+09:002009-01-12T15:57:37.160+09:00

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-7840319979752907822007-09-27T18:31:00.001+09:002009-01-12T15:53:04.983+09:00

The Bureau of Prisons will return the books it removed from chapel libraries, beginning immediately. However, there are still some exceptions for those books that are "found to be inappropriate, such as material that could be radicalizing or incite violence." It's still a bit disconcerting, but at least they've listened and responded positively to public outcry, both left and right.Here are links

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-8727436107819759182007-09-21T19:12:00.001+09:002009-01-12T15:53:04.983+09:00

Since I don't always have the time to write essays on issues, as I would like to, I'm at least going to link to articles I think are important or interesting.  So, here's one where the US Prison Bureau is cutting out religious books it deems are inappropriate for prison libraries.  And of course, it's all in the name of security stemming from 9/11.  What right isn't being trampled on in the name

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-64146898794097451512007-09-16T01:22:00.001+09:002009-03-13T22:30:00.374+09:00

My wife is moving in tomorrow!!  I got married on May 12th, and my wife's been living at her family's home about 3 hours away.  Well, she's finally finished at her job and is moving in tomorrow, after 4 months of marriage!  We did see each other a few times, but not enough.  We also went to South Korea for a few days in August, which I'll put some photos up later of that.I do plan to make more

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-7044148703474788212007-08-01T01:13:00.001+09:002009-03-13T22:28:43.413+09:00

I'm nearly finished feature length number one. I have off for the next 3 weeks, so I'm focusing in on the screenplay.  I just met my goal for this first day of vacation. I just wrote 4 pages, so I'm at 60 full pages. My deadline to finish is August 18. Of course it's a slightly arbitrary deadline, but it's necessary to have a self-imposed one if there's no other available. Self-discipline in

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-61353925325902866752007-07-30T17:53:00.001+09:002009-01-12T15:53:04.983+09:00

Please help demand an independent investigation into the levee failures in New Orleans.  The last investigation was done by the Army Corps of Engineers.  So, the people that built the levees investigated themselves.  There needs to be an investigation by someone other than the Corps.  For more information, click on the above link.  Thanks. 

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-58009968480956517422007-06-14T22:18:00.000+09:002009-03-13T22:29:07.042+09:00

While I do think that America acts too much as the world’s bully, I do realize that as the most powerful and richest nation, we have a responsibility and an opportunity to be a great example and leader in the world. Many would prefer, and sometimes I am tempted as well, to become more isolationistic. When we go around trying to tell the world how to handle its affairs, yet we are obviously

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-66067900469071643592007-04-26T21:33:00.000+09:002009-03-13T22:29:22.073+09:00

I felt my very first earthquake today.I was in class 1F (1st year JHS), giving my self-introduction (it’s the first time in this class this school year – the Japanese school year starts in April), when the windows and the doors started shaking. There wasn't much shaking other than the doors and windows, though. A few windows were open, and the door was open a crack, too, so I actually thought

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-91451181794143569812007-03-15T19:25:00.000+09:002009-03-13T22:31:45.525+09:00

We are about 1 week away from the end of this school year. The Japanese school year starts in April and ends in March. Well, many of my students at the junior high school where I teach English wrote me notes and some drew pictures. Some almost make me cry, and some make me laugh, and some make me cry with laughter. Well, the Mr. Reed portraits are usually the best. Without further ado, I

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-36884276158998915002007-03-11T17:47:00.001+09:002009-01-12T15:57:37.160+09:00

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-43922591084805596652007-03-11T17:43:00.001+09:002007-03-11T17:43:49.418+09:00

Hello readers,I'm just testing this uploading blogs via e-mail thing. Not much else in this post.

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-72585223172398562452007-03-04T15:20:00.000+09:002009-03-13T22:32:51.803+09:00

I’ll start by saying that Wikipedia, the free open source (Is "open source" the correct term? I'm not sure.) encyclopedia, is a wonderful site for research and has become a favorite stop of mine. Having said that, I’ll go on to say that I would never use it as a final source in any essay or research writing. Many of you (as if there were actually many reading this blog) may know of Wikipedia

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-83662603759986412262007-02-23T22:06:00.000+09:002009-01-12T15:52:23.222+09:00

On and on he drove, deeper and deeper into the tunnel; deeper and deeper into the recesses of Ray’s memory. “Wha, Who was that,” Ray responded to a faint vision across his inner eyelids. Ray’s foot reacted by slamming into the brake pedal. His Miata felt Ray’s foot signal and abruptly stopped. All that Ray had just driven through came rushing at the back of his head, closing in around his

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-1169125327836740892007-01-18T21:43:00.000+09:002009-03-13T22:33:20.704+09:00

Pigs must be flying through a frozen hell. Or maybe The Onion has taken over all news sources. Whatever the case may be, THE SAINTS ACTUALLY HAVE A CHANCE TO BE IN THE SUPERBOWL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you kidding me? Now I just need to find a place here in Okayama-ken, Japan that will be showing the SuperBowl on a big screen. And I've never been a huge football fan, but perhaps I'm a

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-1168258756258790462007-01-09T12:22:00.000+09:002009-01-12T15:48:18.480+09:00

I guess I was about 7 years old. I was in my parent’s room, which was in the front of the house, looking through the window. I could see a tiny bird seemingly stuck under a bush. Its mother was looking around for it for a while. If I remember correctly perhaps they were chirping back and forth, but the mother bird couldn’t seem to find the baby bird. I felt a bit worried that she wouldn’t

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-1163153980372449642006-11-10T19:19:00.000+09:002009-01-12T15:50:00.901+09:00

This end of a tunnel, mind you, was never there before. Ray was certain of that. There were two other things of which Ray was certain. One was that he was utterly exhausted. The other was that his curiosity was stronger than his fatigue.As Ray entered the end of the tunnel on Lone Nun Boulevard, he suddenly was overcome with melancholy. The tunnel was dark, as tunnels tend to be, but it was

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-1162645448988458402006-11-04T21:58:00.000+09:002009-03-13T22:33:53.575+09:00

So, yesterday I went to Hiroshima and saw the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Atomic bomb dome. This building was one of the very few that remained. Of course it's only the shell and rubble that remain. When I get my film developed I'll put up some of the pics. I don't know much of what to say about it. It's sickening and astonishing. I think around 140,000 people were killed because of

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-1162643897176330382006-11-04T21:38:00.000+09:002006-11-04T21:40:23.246+09:00

Hello folks,I finally have internet at my apartment and am quite settled in here in Japan. So I will finally return to adding words here. And hopefully this time around I'll write a little more often than before.

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-1153434570772535142006-07-21T07:29:00.000+09:002006-07-21T07:39:17.960+09:00

Dear bruised reed readers,Sorry it's been a while since I've written anything here. I am getting ready to move to Japan in about 2 weeks. I worked on a couple of movies during June. So, I probably won't write much until I've settled in Japan. Then, I promise to write more. In fact, it's part of the purpose of going there. Besides assistant teaching English, I'll be writing scripts, essays,

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-1144831659599521162006-04-12T17:47:00.000+09:002009-01-12T15:48:18.481+09:00

There are many times just as many reasons to doubt as there are to have faith. In some ways it is a matter of choice between the two. For instance, imagine taking a plane trip across the ocean, which I’ve done several times. Each time I want to take a plane somewhere, I am faced with a choice whether I want to board the plane or not. I either have faith that the plane will arrive at the desired

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-1140568021390933832006-02-22T09:19:00.000+09:002009-01-12T15:50:00.902+09:00

At the end of the longest day of his life, Ray slumped back in the driver’s seat of his Miata. After dosing into a slight power nap, the sort that rejuvenates only for a little while, Ray decides he ought to get home and crash. The seat is readjusted into pilot position, and Ray is on his way home for a night of wild slumber. The route home, driven every night, passes by with no

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-1140567544080825312006-02-22T08:51:00.000+09:002009-01-12T15:50:00.902+09:00

The following post, "The End of the Tunnel at the Light", is the beginning of a developing story. I came up with this beginning, and that's all I have so far. As I think of the next part, I'll post it. Please feel free to comment on it and put your 2 cents in for how you think it should develop. Perhaps it can be a bit of an interactive developing story. In any case, enjoy and stay tuned for

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-1140563592549021202006-02-22T08:09:00.000+09:002009-01-12T15:43:43.258+09:00

Cracked and faded blue paint peels away to reveal the old worn wood from which this gazebo I sit in was made. I sit with the sun warming my face, kept cool by a slow breeze. Behind me are sounds of ducks washing and splashing with flapping wings, surrounded by birds’ chatter. Automobiles pass around far enough in the distance that the air wafts fresh through my nose, as the small lake's current

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-1140325681726637992006-02-19T14:05:00.000+09:002009-01-12T15:55:03.398+09:00

“The concept of order and security is substituted for justice as the end and foundation of law when judicial technique becomes sufficiently developed.” (1)Our modern society is dominated by technique. That is to say that the most efficient means of carrying out our endeavors, be they military, economic, political, or judicial, has become the ends. It is not merely the case that we simply use

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22073995.post-1139298061053217442006-02-07T18:36:00.000+09:002006-02-07T16:41:01.060+09:00

Well, here is the start of my blogging. I'm not going to write too much right now; I'm just setting this up. I will tell you what you can look forward to, though. I will share my thoughts on anything and everything from theology to politics, travelogues to photos and their captions. Well, that's all for now. Please come back and read my further thoughts and musings. Thank you.

bruised reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05805504596317313499noreply@blogger.com0