Yeah, guess it's time for me to go down this road yet again. I'm feeling the need to learn something and of all things, this keeps popping into my head. So the next question comes up - how to learn it? I have a bad history with school settings - so I am counting that out. I've tried having friends teach me, but schedule conflicts and such never allowed it to work. Home tutor is an idea, but you don't know if the person can "really teach" etc until you sit down with them. I already did a bit of the online types of training and those just don't fly for me. Plus, I need to read/write, not just speak it - most online and other ways to learn don't show both.

So, why is this comming up again (in no particular order)?
1) I plan on a trip to Japan in 2004
2) I have a software vendor at work which has software for Linux, but only in Japanese and I'm dying to try it ;)
3) I enjoy anime 'n such
4) It's just cool. The Japanese have SUCH a different culture compared to the US. One of the best ways to be able to learn more would be to learn the language.
5) I feel the need to accomplish something
6) I have people that I can check things against.

The amount of spam and self-replicating virii out there is really getting on my nerves. Each day I receive about 100 spams (directly to me), 20-30 virii (to an alias I'm on - they total over a few MB per day), and then the rest of the spams to lists. Unfortunately there are so many people out there who could care less about filling people's mailboxes with this crud that I see no end. So far the "Spamassasin" program works to catch about 85% or more of the spam I get with only a few false-positives. At least it files it to a seperate mailbox for me so I can deal with it when I am ready. Do we all really need to have 5 e-mail boxes? One for friends, one for mailing lists, one for spam/signup lists, etc? What will happen when the technology moves more toward e-mail pagers (as commonplace, I know they exist).. will we get paged every 15min with a new spam?

Java is my bird. He's an eclectus parrot. First off, I have to hand it to some friends of mine who brought me in touch with Java. These birds have a natural tendancy to be good pets for many reasons... overall they're quiet, small not-so-gooey poo, they can talk and they like just being with their owners. These birds also normally don't loose their feathers all at once like normal birds, they do their feather replacement year-round which helps keep the allergies down for those who are allergic to birds. These birds do have 2 basic needs that owners need to be aware of. They are social birds - you should plan to be around the bird (if not in direct contact) much of the day if possible (ie: don't plan on just taking the bird out for 30min per day and saying "hi" to it). They are also fairly large birds and really need to have a good sized place to hang out (if they must be caged).

In my case, Java is THE most well behaved bird that I have EVER come across. He is normally quiet unless he's telling me his food dish is empty. When being held he will NEVER bite someone hard (he will take a finger and gently push it away if he doesn't like what you're doing). He's been introduced to many people so far and has never bitten anyone or done harm. Even the vets and groomers have commented on it.

Java does have 1 problem. Ever since I broke up with a previous girlfriend, he's been plucking his feathers out. I believe it was in reaction to her leaving, but it's turned to habit at this point. I am having the vet run tests next week to have him checked out to make sure it's a psych problem and then we can figure out how to fix it.

Some of the best things about Java... I've taught him to go poo on command - he has about 15min between them and he knows to go before he gets out of the cage. Keeps mess to a minimum for type-A personalities, also makes vet trips w/ stool samples easier. He's also happiest just perched on an arm or shoulder and left to look around. He's not overly active and demanding - just needs to be out and with me. There's also this really neat food formula called Roudybush which helped his feathers grow brighter, produces less mess around the cage from un-eaten seeds and has allowed him to maintain a good/constant weight.

Relationships - amusing when you detach the emotions for a moment and think about them. I'm mainly referring to long-term relationships. The basic objective - find someone who you can live with long term, who you share enough interests with that you enjoy doing things with them, someone who's different enough not to get on your nerves by knowing everything you do and having nothing left to share, and then of course there's the emotional & physical attraction.

Ok, so moving further info this... the reason this comes up.. I found someone with similar thoughs regarding being optimistic, yet realistic views, no regrets.
The only thing that brings up a flag is the age thing. If you assume that in general about 10-12 years around your age is socially acceptable for dating.. since I'm 27 that'd be about from 18 - 37 [yeah, I know 17... lets not go there].
The thing about this new relationship is that both mom & the kids are within dating range :P ..so anyway, she wants to consider being closer..

There are a few complications to this when you think of long-term...

1st off, she is living across the country from me - and her kids live over there - would it even be realistic (or fair?) to consider having her move? ...meanwhile I just bought a home that would need to be sold and i'd have to move away from my family and such to join her. If these are both unrealistic, then continuing to try to have a long-term relationship should be put on hold and we should just work on being good friends.

There really are no dislikes though without the one age piece that feels a bit awkward. Likes? There are many - lifestyle choices, someone who is RESPONSIBLE, someone who seems to enjoy their job (although obviously jobs aren't always enjoyable 100%, but she has pride in what she does and seems to enjoy it overall), she's funny, has decent taste in music, she's independant and seems she could be just as at home at a 5-star hotel or 7 course dinner on gold plates as she could be at a lazy-8 hotel & fast food - this all makes me happy.

Anyway, enough writing for now - back to other stuffs