You're so cold, keep your hand in mine...

Breaking Benjamin - So Cold

Crowded streets are cleared away, one by one
Hollow heroes separate as they run
You're so cold, keep your hand in mine
Wise men wonder while strong men die

Show me how it ends, it's alright
Show me how defenceless you really are
Satisfied and empty inside
Well that's alright
Let's give this another try

If you find your family, don't you cry
In this land of make-believe, dead and dry
You're so cold but you feel alive
Lay your hand on me one last time

Show me how it ends, it's alright
Show me how defenceless you really are
Satisfied and empty inside
Well that's alright
Let's give this another try

Show me how it ends, it's alright
Show me how defenceless you really are
Satisfied and empty inside
Well that's alright
Let's give this another try

It's alright...

Around this time a year ago, I was scouring the US charts for some new music when I came across a (relatively) little-known band called Breaking Benjamin. This was the song that got me hooked onto the band. Even from the beginning, this song stood out from all of the other stuff I downloaded. Needless to say, they've quickly become one of my favourite bands, if not my actual favourite out of the whole bunch of stuff I flood my ears with. And so, I've decided to post this as kind of a reminder of where I was this time last year, and as a testament to the band's staying power, in terms of constant iPod earplay.

On a more serious note, I'd also like to offer some semblance of remembrance for everyone who lost their lives four years ago, and those still living with the aftermath of 9/11. I can remember exactly where I was and what I was doing the minute the breaking news showed up on my late-night TV (computer room, just finished doing Year 8 Geography assessment). May the future be filled with the happiness that the past ripped away seemingly oh so long ago. May they rest in peace. Anyways, later days.

- marty..

EDIT: Dang, 38 seconds too late.

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Sneaker Freaker

"I'll show you how to do this, son!
How you want it?
My jeans is $300
These ain't Diesel, nigga
These is Evisu..."

- Jay-Z - Show You How

Priorities. After all the prerequisites at the top of the list (i.e. [in no particular order] religion, family, all my friends, a certain someone, etc.), I've come to realise that the next item down on the list is...my sneaker addiction. Actually, it's debatable on whether the next item is actually basketball or my sneaker jones, but that's a different story. Anywho! Although I'm not even remotely close to being the biggest sneaker freak of all time (there are people out there with hundreds, even thousands of pairs of kicks), I'd like to think I've built up a decent collection for my age. At the moment, I've got 17 pairs in my room, and I can count at least 5 more around the house that I can borrow off my bro (way bigger sneaker freak than me) or my dad. Favourite sneaks:

• black hi-cut Chucks (classic cool)
• pink Chucks (got them WAY before pink on guys got annoying and overdone)
• pink checkered Vans (see previous shoe)
• white on white AF1's; blue & white AF1's (tie; both classics, again)
• black Lacoste (favourite out of all 3 Lacoste shoes 'cause it's so different and 'cause it's Lacoste)
• Air Jordan XVIII (15th birthday present, can count on two hands the number of times I've worn 'em)
• all-white K-Swiss Chilton II's (kicked off (pun intended) my sneaker addiction way back on December 15, 2001...and they still fit me! )

As much as I love my shoe collection, one thing was always missing: I've never had one of those rare, super exclusive shoes. The shoes that stop sneaker addicts on a dime when they're walking down the street and catch even a half-a-nanosecond glance of 'em on some lucky sonofabitch's feet.

That was, until I got home. I came home today (after the Squad Sniper Winter Warfare, but more on that in a second) to some of the sweetest kicks EVER. Because of my impending graduation and my brother getting a job recently, he decided to buy me a relatively rare pair of Evisu sneakers. They're not one-of-a-kind, per se, but they're pretty exclusive: there's only one pair in each size. So, I don't think there's anyone else walking around with size eight-and-a-half Evisu's on their feet. Match them up with my sweet as Evisu jeans, and an appropo apple green shirt (preferrably Polo or Lacoste), and SHAZAM!

Speaking of Fonzy, the guy went on a Bape spree (may not look like it on monitor, but that phrase rhymes) today. Bapesta shoes, two Bape shirts and an pwnage Bape jumper. Sheez, I damn near blew up when I walked into his room and saw the Bapestas. These kicks are R-A-R-E!

Anywho, I think I'm sounding way too materialistic right now. Hope not; I love my sneaks, but I know they don't make me better than anyone else. They're just a passion of mine.

In other news, Team Squad Sniper was out and about again today, invading Macquarie. After the University open day (gathering intelligence), it was off to the Winter Warfare! On a personal note, I was REALLY surprised that I could actually make my way around the ice today! To the fellaz who've been ice skating with me over the last six years, you guys all know how BADLY I suck at ice skating, so me being able to skate properly today was a welcome surprise. Anywho, battle scars were earned by Corey (who was named the new captain today, by the way), Di and new recruit Ericka. Corey and Di were actually double stackers today (ouch), but aside from the scrapes and scratches (and Corey's jeans, and Di's 'droaked' jumper), no major casualties suffered. Operation Winter Warfare was pretty much a success. Thanks for the fun, Squad!
Anywho, it's off to intelligence training (read: "suffering through Physics and English") before I, the newly-promoted Major of Squad Sniper, hit the sack for some serious R&R. Tomorrow, I've got my Grandma's arrival from the old country (yaaaayyyyy! ) to look forward to, as well as the final bits of revision homework to not look forward to. To anyone wishing to tax today's pics, apologies in advance; it's a bitch trying to take photos while skating. Anyways, later days!

- marty..

P.S. We count!

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Express blog: 10 minutes or less

Haven't been here in a while, so I decided to pop in for a quickie blog. Anywho, yesterday was heaps fun, despite it being the last Parra Thursday and all. No more 15 minute walks to OLMC, passing around the footy (or in my case, watching everyone else pass around the footy) and generally causing chaos around Parra. No more, as Kate put it, large groups of red/green and blue/yellow walking to Food Court 1 and bumming the time away. No more scrambling to try and make it to the early bus, then ending up taking the 4:20 anyway (most likely because, even though the bus was there, we were too slow/lazy to make it). No more using 'too tired from having fun at Parra' as an excuse not to do homework. Even though those days are gone, I've still got a lot to look forward to, so I guess I'm bittersweet about it.

Anywho! The day itself was pretty fun. Trained it to Parra by myself (lost track of the guys thanks to someone in Year 11 borrowing my stuff and me having to chase him up for it), but ended up getting there before they did anyway. Then, after my usual routine of scouring JB Hi-Fi for new music, me, Karl and Ariel went to the field. The guys were already playing, so I got the old (and by old, I mean, buy me a new digicam PLEASE) digicam out and took a BUNCH of random pics. I have to say, I think I've mastered the art of random photo taking. The evidence in the photo album speaks for itself. Highlights include: ginormous group photos, a TON of random pics, the ball got stuck in the tree AGAIN thanks to Julian the Prettyboy, human pyramid and post-pyramid destruction left me smiling AND aching...oh, and got a sweet card from Di! (Happy 8th of the month for yesterday, by the way).

Photog session yesterday was fun, and next week's video session for the final Thursday EVER looks to be even better. I'm DEFINITELY bringing the handycam for that; apparently there are big ballgames (both Foot and Basket) scheduled. And damnit, if I'm leaving Patties, I'm damn sure looking to leave a lasting impression captured on videotape, fingers crossed.

I'm beat, and this quickie blog's turned not so quickie - I've gone overtime by approximately fifteen minutes. So I'm guessing it's off to the homework desk for me. I'm rationing my homework this weekend (which to me includes Friday night); since I've got something to do for all six subjects, it's gonna be two a day (or night, whatever). Anywho, here's hoping to get through everything I need to get through, then get enough sleep for Macquarie open day tomorrow. Anyways, later days!

- marty..

P.S. If it's not too much trouble, I'd just like to ask if people could offer a prayer or two for my grandfather back in the old country, 'cause he's not exactly fighting fit at the moment. A couple of prayers here and there would be very much appreciated. On behalf of the family, thanks a whole heap.

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Team Squad Sniper

Today was pretty awesome. Aside from having to wake up so early (there's a 7:30 in the morning now?) and hunger pains making for a pretty cranky morning, the day was actually a LOT of fun. Woke up pretty early for a freakin' Saturday...again, who came up with this 7:30 in the morning? Anywho, Christian gave me a lift to Blacktown Station, where we saw Di on the train. Congratulations again Di, you were actually early. Anywho, met up with everyone else at Parra Station, then it was off to UNSW for open day. The train ride there was pretty fun; everyone pretty much sat down on the floor. I baggsed my usual corner seat. The open day started out fun enough; stuff I remember: I was piss-scared to talk to the Psych teacher guy one-on-one, EVERYONE was scabbing freebies, we saw a bunch of school mates here and there, TP had some funky hula hoop technique that got her two free drinks, had my first meal after nearly 18 hours of involuntary hunger pains, Christian came up with two HI-LARIOUS quotes...

Christian: I can't promise to bring you guys back alive, but I promise you this: I will bring you back alive.

Christian: Dead or alive, we're bringing you back alive.

...and so on and so forth.

BUT, the day got really fun after we left the open day. Inspired by Christian's quotes, and after all the ADFA talk that had been brewing since the morning, Squad Sniper was born, with Christian de Leon being named squad leader. Celina pretty much summed up the whole Sniper Squad story in her blog, but I've decided to retell my ordeal as a soldier MIA.

After the formation of Squad Sniper, the first mission was to board the bus back to Central Station. The bus stop was China'd out (i.e. overpopulated), so the mission was pretty dangerous; there was definitely a chance that someone from the squad would not be able to board the rescue vehicle. After a lot of pushing and shoving, everyone was on board the bus, with the exception of myself (Intel) and Gin (Special Officer of Higher Command). I saw to it that she made it on to the bus safely. However, miscommunication with the bus driver meant that I was stuck outside the rescue vehicle. It then sped off, with Squad Sniper's Intelligence left back at the rescue point. Thankfully though, all was not lost. Using my special Intelligence skills, I was able to procure a native (codename: 'One') who provided the information necessary for me to make my way to the rendezvous point. Navigating through the inhospitable foreign environment (infested with thousand upon thousands of hostiles), I was able to survive, arriving at the rendezvous point safe and sound. Along the way, I slayed mighty dragons, rescued fair maidens and saved the entire world from a terrorist attack. That, or I fell asleep listening to my iPod, I can't remember. Thank you, Squad Sniper for the heartfelt, touching salute. It was much appreciated after my terrifying, but ultimately triumphant ordeal against the forces of, umm, lostness.

Anyway, after a number of card photos (still can't believe I went through with them) and some videogaming action, the Sniper Squad disbanded for the day. The five remaining members (myself, Squad Leader Christian, Medic Corey, Special Officer of Higher Command TP and Sanitations Officer, I mean, Demolitions Officer Celina) went through with Operation Eat at Hungry Jack's. Mission was deemed a success from all accounts. Corey left soon afterwards; the remaining four went shopping (purchased: Chevelle and Death Cab albums, black Paul Frank shirt) then made their way back to their respective base camps.

And so, that was today. Team Squad Sniper, est. 03/09/05. Soldiers, remember the inspirational words of our fearless squad captain:

Dead or alive, we're bringing you back alive.

Anyways, later days!

- marty..

P.S. For anyone wanting to tax, sorry in advance for the Squad Sniper pics looking so dodgy. Please place all blame on the scanner.

EDIT: Kicking myself for not knowing Death Cab released a new album, the very same album I held in my hands at Utopia, only to place it back on the shelf. *kicks self* *doubles over in pain* *goes to room* *does Maths homework in disgust*

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