This kitty's got claws...

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:52:13 GMT

[Private, unhackable]
You can't say it wasn't a long time coming.
[/Private]

Since everyone seems to be all abuzz about one of the things the papers are raging on, I'll touch on the other subject that's been assaulting the presses. While I sympathize for the Travolta family, am I the only one who sees how this is just another example of how obsessed humanity's become with fame? If it were an average teenaged boy who died in a bathtub, there'd be a small article about it on page twelve and that'd be over with. But because he happened to be the son of a world famous actor, he's been on the front page of a countless number of newspapers. Let the kid's spirit rest in peace, you jackals.

There's no love lost between myself and reporters, that much is true. But the fact that there are people who are so interested and now want to know every detail these bastards dredge up: it's just horrible. Aren't people entitled to a private life?

That's unfortunate.

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:36:06 GMT

I've received word that a friend of mine has disappeared. No, disappeared makes it sound so final... and "skipped town" makes it seem like he ran away from something. He doesn't run, so I just hope that he manages to make it back, since his absence seems to have left some people a little concerned. Understandably so, if I might add.

I suppose this means I need to go out and make more friends, since I don't really have too many of those. I'm sure that, with the approaching holidays, there will be plenty of parties and other such things that should get me out there. Heaven knows the Hallowen party was a bust, but hope springs eternal. I don't want to end up being the crazy cat lady who only cares about her work.

Halloween festivities.

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:02:03 GMT

There's apparently going to be some excitement going on in a place called 7th Heaven for Halloween. I've never been, but I don't know how I feel about fishing around for a costume so I can partake in the food and booze. I'm sure all of the good ones have already been sold.

I've been back at work for a few days, after getting over my injuries from the earthquake and then reeling from that horrible virus. I'm sure Ichigo appreciates not being alone with "these damn brats" anymore.

Let's not do that again, shall we?

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 05:51:31 GMT

Whatever that is that's going around, I caught it. And then I worked on throwing it out of my system. (Or throwing it up, depending on how I felt on that particular day.) My personal lessons had to be canceled, so I hope Ichigo fared well enough on his own. I just decided to shy away from any sort of contact with anyone outside of medical personnel until I didn't go around thinking I was a talking cat with super powers.

I've still got something of a cold, but I think I should be well enough to at least act in a supervisory position at the gym tomorrow. I just hope I don't pick up the paper tomorrow morning and see that this thing managed to claim more than a few lives.

Aftermath

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:45:09 GMT

Hit my head during the earthquake. No concussion, thankfully, but head wounds bleed an awful lot. Since I had my hair down, I didn't even notice the blood until I got home. Annoying, getting home only to have to go back out to a doctor to see if I needed stitches.

I actually cancelled classes for most of the week. I assume Ichigo could have taken over in some cases, but I'll ask him to do that if I'm not feeling better by tomorrow. Fencing while dealing with a head injury wouldn't be the smartest decision I could make.

Kenpachi, thanks for helping me out back there. I appreciate it.

We always have a choice between the red pill and the blue pill.

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 02:09:57 GMT

I spent the better part of my Labor Day weekend watching the Matrix trilogy and making my way through a box of chocolates. I'm not making much headway on the social front, but the sugar is triggering a sense of euphoria, so I tend not to notice.

And the fact that classes are going well and that my cat hasn't gotten sick on my furniture in a while also helps with the giggles.

Solitary.

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:28:22 GMT

I think, depending upon the number of students I'll get when the fall semester at the university begins, I may be looking for a second job. I certainly don't need the money, but I've been seeing a lot of empty slots in my schedule and don't like simply lazying about when I could be working. Actually, I wouldn't mind that at all, but being lazy means being forced to do more miles during my jogging to counteract the effects of too much CSI and Chunky Monkey ice cream.

I suppose I should look into being more social. Giving private lessons is nice, and I'm sure to meet more people when I begin teaching that one fencing class on-campus, but it'd be nice to have a few friends closer to my age. It's partially my own fault, since I tend to prefer being a loner anyway, but I'd rather not blame my troubles on myself. I'm only human, after all.

Ah well. Off to the supermarket for another Ben & Jerry's expedition. If I jog there and back, I'll null some of the calories.

Unwell.

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 04:48:52 GMT

I hate being sick.

I blame the AC at the gym.

Or the lack of ventilation in my building.

Or the fact that the average person doesn't wash their hands properly.

Damn, I just want someone to blame for the splitting headache, and for once, I've no one to blame.

I'm going to pray it's simply a 24-hour virus and use this time as an excuse to get caught up on Grey's Anatomy.

Boredom strikes.

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 04:21:12 GMT

I'm in need of new students. I didn't realize how many of my pupils had signed up only until the middle/end of August. It looks like things might be quiet in the fencing room in another couple of weeks, so I suppose I should go about advertising or something. We wouldn't want to run the risk of me having an abundance of free time. Then I just start getting restless.

Speaking of restless, there's a cat nuzzling up against me as I'm typing, so I suppose I should do something about it. Never a dull moment around here. And yes, that last line should be read with a healthy helping of sarcasm.

Thank goodness I know when to duck.

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 19:42:24 GMT

I'd like to ask a favor of my students. Refrain from caffeine or high sugar intakes before grabbing a foil. Trust me, your "enthusiasm" is not so much appreciated as it is dangerous. Especially when you can't wait for your teacher to finish equipping herself with the necessary safety precautions.

This is why I refuse to teach anyone under the age of fifteen. Unfortunately, not all fifteen-year-olds are as mature as they used to be.

Again?

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:18:47 GMT

There was apparently another date auction recently? Or was it advertised as a charity auction? While it was for a good cause, I could have sworn we just had one recently. Besides, I'm perfectly capable of donating money without getting something in return for it. The entire idea always confused me, as though humans need a reward for doing a good deed.

Still, I'll hope that it was fun and that everyone returned home with something entertaining to look forward to.

Fantastic.

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:50:38 GMT

Ariel is sick. That's not exactly pleasant, especially considering the fact that he gets sick in the most inconvenient of places. It's times like this when I wish it had been a gerbil that followed me home instead of a cat.

Like a lion in a cage.

Wed, 28 May 2008 04:49:33 GMT

Phone conversations with friends are always interesting. Especially when it may lead to a possible rendezvous. How very exciting.

I've discovered that I have an unfortunate case of insomnia. It's only unfortunate because I don't think now is a good time to jog around town at 1am. It's rather sad when I don't mind doing that in Brooklyn, but am hesitant to even look out my window here. This city continues to disgust me.

To echo everyone else in this city:

Mon, 19 May 2008 06:43:50 GMT

Saying that I'm nauseated would be an understatement. I'm so tempted to point fingers, but this sort of thing is so beyond my previous experience that I wouldn't even know where to start, and I don't have all of the connections I used to.

I'm sure there are some people who take comfort in that.

It's been a while.

Thu, 01 May 2008 20:31:31 GMT

I hope all of the students did well on their finals.

Ichigo, we haven't discussed summer plans yet. If you're going back home, let me know. Otherwise, perhaps we should talk about a decent training schedule. I don't know how hectic we'll be over the summer, but it never hurts to be prepared.

For those wondering, many of my fencing students have stopped taking classes as they head back to wherever it is they came from, so I have plenty of new open slots. As always, the first lesson is free, so feel free to drop by during one of my open appointments and learn the basics.

Things have been quiet lately. I can't help but think of it as a calm before the storm. Too many things have happened recently for it to suddenly stop now.

Alright then.

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:04:37 GMT

I was apparently tagged, whatever that means.

A) List seven habits/quirks/facts about yourself.
B) Tag seven people to do the same.
C) Do not tag the person who tagged you or tag "whoever wants to do it."

1. I drink milk like it's water.
2. I can be obnoxious.
3. I like my privacy.
4. I try not to think about the past.
5. I thought I was going to be a cop my entire life.
6. I don't watch television, but I'll watch shows that have come out on DVD. I like watching things on my own schedule.
7. I'm actually much more relaxed than people give me credit for.

I'm afraid that everyone I know who would actually do this has already been called to do so. Kisuke and Mustang, I'd be interested in knowing your answers. And Edward too, as I know rather little about you. And whoever else is interested.

Screws fall out all of the time; the world's an imperfect place.

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:01:41 GMT

I've gotten wind that the semester is winding down at the university. Maybe this means a reduction in students for me... and the possibility of relaxation? Doubtful, but I'll entertain the thought nonetheless.

I've become something of a recluse lately. With the crime rate going up faster than you can say "corruption," I doubt anyone would blame me.

//Private to Kenpachi//
I followed up on the lead you sent me. I did manage to dredge up some information, though I'm afraid there isn't much to report. The address is that of a young woman who said that the van belonged to her father. When I tracked him down, he claimed to have sold the van to "a tall man with a deep voice" and could remember no other details (I'm under the impression that age has taken its toll on him, or perhaps this person wore such clothing as his features would be forgotten). Unfortunately, the transaction was made in cash and there was no paperwork, so I would think that the trail stops there.

Looking back on the man's past, he has a fairly clean slate... he formerly worked as a custodian for one Sousuke Aizen, but has since retired into obscurity. I apologize for not having answers for you. I'll continue doing what I can, but thought you should know at least this much.
//end Private//

The streets are silver and red.

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 18:16:18 GMT

To say that I'm shocked and aghast at the crime wave and strange "accidents" that have been occuring lately would be a severe understatement.

Kisuke... or Urahara or whatever you're calling yourself these days: we should talk. Soon.

Kurosaki, I spoke with the owner of the fitness center, who is surprised by the amount of people that signed up for the fencing course. He said that the budget would allow for me to take on an assistant, should I find it necessary. If your schedule allows it, I would appreciate an extra pair of hands....

In other news, Ariel is making me wonder if they market straight jackets for cats.

Survey.

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 22:47:36 GMT

Full name: Yoruichi Shihoin
Nicknames: I don’t know of any, but if I did, I probably wouldn’t care to repeat them.
Age: 31
Sibling's names and ages: None.
Pets: A cat named Ariel.

Favorites:
Colors: Dark purple, rust.
Animals: Cats and any other animals that show signs of intelligence (this will occasionally include humans).
Actresses: Minnie Driver, I suppose.
Actors: Brad Pitt, pre-Brangelina. And Steve Buscemi doesn’t get nearly enough credit.
Movies: Seven, The Matrix (but only the original), and Good Will Hunting.
Types of music: Classical, heavy on the piano and light on the strings. I'll also listen to just about anything so long as it won't drive me insane.
Bands/Groups: I like a little of everything, but nothing stands out at the moment. Name a band and I’ll tell you if I like them.
Video games: I don’t really play video games. Unless you count the Tetris on my cell phone.
Foods: I’m a glutton and admit to eating just about anything. I tend to like spicy food the most, though I have to have sweets after a lot of spice.

Love Life
Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?: No.
If so, who are they?: N/A
Do you love them?: N/A
Do you have a crush?: I loathe this word, and no.
Would you rather be single or taken right now?: I’d rather be single, unless someone manages to crawl into town and absolutely takes my breath away (though I’m fairly difficult to impress).
How many people have you dated this past year?: One.
How many people have you kissed in your life?: Who keeps track? More than one, less than 100; that’d be a fair estimate.
Have you ever had a hard time getting over someone?: No. Sometimes you simply need to move on, as there’s nothing else to be done.
Are you friends with your ex/exes?: The ones that are worth remaining friendly with, of course.
Have you ever cheated on someone?: I hardly have the time for one person, much less several.
Have you ever been cheated on?: Unfortunately, yes. Unfortunately for him.
What do you look for in your ideal mate?: Someone who can keep me from getting bored.
Biggest Turn-ons: Unpredictability and willingness to occasionally break the rules for the greater good.
Turn-offs: Weakness and being boring.
Best quote to sum up love: Since I don’t believe I’ve ever been in love, I’m not the best source for this.

Morals/Beliefs
What religion are you?: Agnostic.
What do you think happens when you die:? My heart will stop beating, I’d think. And some may cry while others dance a jig.
Do you believe in God?: I only believe in what I see, and I’ve seen some fairly deplorable things.

What do you think you'll be doing in...
A week from now?: Teaching, I imagine.
A month from now?: Talking to the President of the university to see about becoming a part of the Mishima faculty for next semester.
A year from now?: Teaching at Mishima U, perhaps.
5 years from now?: Taking on an apprentice (Mr. Kurosaki, perhaps?)
10 years from now?: Watching said apprentice surpass me, if I’ve done my job right.
20 years from now?: Seeing some change in the world.
50 years from now?: With any luck, I’ve had died well before this point, doing something noble.
And now, a hungry cat is beckoning me away from the computer. Ta.

I've never had a pet quite like this.

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:03:30 GMT

It appears that my new charge has a tendency of finding very strange things and hiding them behind his litter box. First it was a silver fork, then a small stuffed animal that might've once been a turtle, and now I've uncovered what looks like a battered copy of a Harlequin novel.

Either someone is sneaking into my apartment and leaving some strange form of riddles, or my cat is something of an eccentric.

It's hard to say no to a man with gorgeous eyes.

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 06:10:12 GMT

Looking through the recent entries of most of my internet friends, I've noticed that a good deal of them are rather fond of dogs. While that's all well and good, it leaves me to wonder if I'm the only cat person on this side of the country.

I discovered him while I was on my way back from my jog tonight. He followed me home, which is odd for a cat. Since it's a little chilly out, I took him into my apartment. I suppose I should take him to an animal clinic to get him checked out and put out an ad in case he belongs to someone. After all, he looks far too precious to be a stray.

Work continues to go well. I'm almost completely out of open slots and may consider working overtime. I don't mind it, since a good deal of my students show a lot of promise. I couldn't be more pleased. Well, I suppose I could be more pleased, if I can find a local place that makes a decent pizza. The ramen place across the street is fine, but it makes me regret having moved from New York City to a small college town.

Amusing turn of events.

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 20:02:32 GMT

The date auction turned out to be something of a spectator sport. I lost a bid, but am rather satisfied with the one I acquired. We shall have to make arrangements for that.

As for the one I lost, a pity. Arrangements should also be made for a face-to-face encounter somewhere down the line. We're long overdue for a chat, old friend.

Putting my social life aside, work is going rather well. Many students in the area have taken an interest to fencing and seem much more serious about it than New Yorkers or others from a largely urban area. Very interesting.

Joy.

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 22:03:49 GMT

I love intimidation. It makes me feel so very vindicated. Someone is actually worried enough about my presence to warrant bullying. I smirk at how juvenile it is.

This town has been trapped in some kind of forcefield. Nothing within it changes. Which means that I still know all of the right buttons to press. A shame that certain people can't say the same, eh?

Some call it conceit. I call it self-awareness.

Every new beginning is some other beginning's end.

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 03:22:59 GMT

Though I had a blog while working in NYC, it somehow doesn't feel right to update that one anymore. I didn't really have any friends, and I'm assuming that I'll have students and whatnot here (and if not, my mother will be happy to hear that poverty will force me to move back in with her). To that end, I think the big move calls for a fresh start everywhere, including cyberspace.

So yes. If you've found me, you're a very lucky person. Many people have been trying to locate me for years and are still unsuccessful.

More wit to come eventually, I suppose. Right now, I'm still feeling a little scatterbrained from the longest solo road trip of my life and lots of unpacking, so I think I earned a few hours worth of CSI, followed by a quick jog.