Before we begin. Check out this picture I found of myself online from a time called 1999, from a film I helped produce called Lethal Force. I’m really proud of that film, it’s been on a lot of top-100 list of best underground/midnite movies ever. And I gotta say, hands down, it’s one of the funniest films I’ve ever seen. (even though I helped get it made). Big ups to super-filmmaker Alvin Ecarma, and his latest in-production film, Dodge Jackson.

Ain’t it grand to see pics of yourself from the waaaaaay back.
(Actually, minus the hat and glasses, I think I might look exactly the same.)
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today was pretty much a perfect saturday.

I went for a 6-mile run this morning, at the park near my parent’s house. I really dig this neighborhood, the trail just stretches and stretches and stretches. I did give another jogger a little scare though, I think. I didn’t realize that there was a part of the trail that lead directly to the bayou, with no way to get out. And she ran in that way and I was running too. She must have thought I was following her, and she doubled around and booked outta there. I was just lost. Ha, silly running etiquette. Don’t follow people off the trail if you don’t know where it’s heading.

Then I got to chill and read the newspaper and have breakfast with my mom, which always makes me really happy. My mom’s such a morning person and so full of frenetic energy, getting her to sit down and eat with me is somewhat of a rarity.

I had lunch at a new Taiwanese Vegetarian restaurant on Bellaire that my mom and her friends have been raving about. Good lunch, I got to spend it with a groovy pal who drove a looooong way just to hang with me. The food was pretty good, but nothing spectacular. Waaaay better than any Asian vegetarian food, or just Asian food, I’ve had in Austin. But still nothing compared to my new fave restaurant, Forest Garden or whatever it’s called, you know, next to Harajuku Loft. Or Supreme Master in San Jose. Or Buddai Bodai in Flushing. Or Kung Tak Lam Shanghai in Tsim Sa Tsui, Hong Kong. But, I guess that’s a little unfair, comparing Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong and NYC to ones in Texas. But company made it fun. Plus, we went to May’s Ice (remember that place?) for, what else, ice with a bunch of crap all over it. Delicious. I can’t wait to have it again in another 2 years.

After getting lost in Houston (again, I swear, growing up in this town, I’m shocked at how poorly I know how to navigate. I’m way more on top of my game in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Amsterdam, heck, even Ithaca, then I’ll ever be in Houston), we finally made it to the Museum of Fine Art, a place I recalled as being a sanctuary of culture and fine art. Hmm . . . .
I guess living in NYC, especially with an educator’s pass to check out all the museums, has kinda spoiled me. The Houston MFA, while it might be super-dope for Houston, really sucked. The best time was spent chilling on a bench staring at a skylight. Right, homegirl?

Oh well, museums are always cool no matter what, though. And I had a delightful time just getting some culture, and peeling back the layers of myself. I used to always say, nothing makes a Sunday afternoon more magical than a stroll in the park and through a museum. But, that was in the NYC days, when there’s never enough time to check out all the exhibits you want. I still remember being turned away at the Whitney because they were too crowded. Oh, I miss the Whitney.

After that, it was watching some awesome football with my dad. What a game! I was sweating, honestly. UT came back from a 19-point defecit to completely destroy OSU! Holy moly, they scored 39 straight points! (in football!) Man, I dig this school. (But only for their sports.)

Then, it was a family dinner. You know, it’s nice to eat as a family. It’s so rare, with me and my sis being all over the place all the time. I had a great time tonight, just drinking wine and eating my vegetarian noodles while interacting with my parents.

I always say, “can heaven be any better than a picnic on a beautiful day with all your family and friends?” It’s the simple pleasures in life that make the biggest difference. These memories I keep in my heart, the stolen moments I get to spend with loved ones, augmented by the magical cirucumstances of beautiful weather and general happiness.

I thank God I was able to eat and relax with my family tonight, it makes me feel complete. Plus the ice cream was really good.

And that’s a perfect Saturday.

teds

Tonight, I took out the family of New Orleans evacuees that I’ve befriended out to dinner at Kerbey Lane! It was a blast!

I’m reminded of what Gandhi said about service. You learn so much from helping your fellow man. (i’m paraphrasing, of course).

We had a great dinner. I listened to them wax about the differences between living in Austin and the ghettos of New Orleans. Trying to get used to the culture and food here, and lamenting on how life has a funny way of working out.

It was fun, and I’m glad to see them in good spirits. They’re a loooong way from the uncomfortable despair of the Convention Center where I met them. And I think they’re going to do very well here in Texas. It makes me happy to know that I’m doing good just by being friendly, by establishing a relationship to someone in need as opposed to just giving them something without thought, a charge that I feel God has told me that I need to work on in my life.

This is why my mom is so happy all the time. This is what she does with her life, befriending those in need and staying friends with them over a lifetime. This one’s for you, mom.

Here’s my secret. Deep deep down, inside. I’m always just trying to do the right things my mom always taught me to do. I became a teacher because of my mom. I volunteer because of my mom. I like making movies because of my mom. Honest.
(I didn’t become a doctor though. Sorry mom.)
(Or marry a nurse. Sorry again.)

Now I have a sense of the true inner happiness my mom feels. It’s great, a sense of wonder and excitement about the beauty of humanity and the potential of kindness.
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Oh, and a good friend came to join me for dinner and absolutely made my day with an email she sent me. I am a lucky lucky teddy today.
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And I forgot, here’s a picture of me finishing the 10-miler the other week:

Can you believe I carried that ipod with me the whole way, and didn’t turn it on once! I was too busy talking to a friend of mine who ran the whole thing with me! 10 miles is a breeze when you’re talking about real estate and educational policy.
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One last thought. I had a strange dream the other day. For those of you who’ve read the old Punches Don’t Smell, you know how rare my super-intense dreams are. Well, this one was so much, that when I snapped out of it, I looked around my room here in Austin with complete bewilderment. I had no idea where I was, and it took a couple minutes before I remembered, yes, I moved to Texas, yes, I now live in this awesome house in Austin, yes, it is 2005.

The dream. Took place probably around 2002-03, a couple years ago. It wasn’t based on any specific memory, but it just involved the life that me and my ex had, when we were living together, when times were good, when I would wake up happy every morning to see her on the pillow next to me. I just remember everything felt like it was shimmering in natural light, and it felt so nice, so comfortable just to slip into that world that we created together. And it felt so real.

And it never existed.

The truth of the matter, there really weren’t that many good times. Here and there, some pockets of fun. But for the most part, it was stress and/or drug abuse. Honest.

But in the dream, it was so magical. When I woke up, I was angry that I had been ripped from that reality and slowly, as I realized where I was, that that life was long long ago, I started to really break down inside.

Oh well. Dreams, these super-intense dreams, really tear me up sometimes. What does this one mean? Hmm . . .

teds

I love it.
Checking the stats, I got 80 unique hits on this blog today. Who’s reading this? Who cares enough to waste their time listening to silly teddy talk about nothing?

Stupid Astros! Man, getting swept like that. It hurts. First the Yankees lose, then the Astros. What’s up, baseball? Why you always gotta break my heart like that?

Honestly, I got to see 2 games the White Sox played this season (against the then awesome Orioles waaaay back in July). They were on fire! That’s a stella good team. Big ups to the White Sox, they played a good season and deserve the championship.
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I was telling someone today that I love reading other people’s blogs, not cuz I care what they think, but just so I can check to see if they mention me.
So, here goes. I’m gonna actually mention some people in my life that mean a lot to me right now.

I talked on the phone with JH tonight for a long time. I dig talking to her, I really do. And I usually hate talking to people on the phone. With my ex, I dreaded getting that call from her every night before bed, cuz I knew it would be this long conversation about us that I really could do without.

This weekend, I’m gonna go check out my sister in Houston. But more importantly, I might get a chance to hang with AY, who I’m learning through her blog, is so so so cool, I can hardly take it. Honest, the girl’s so fly, I’m honored just to get her emails.

I feel bad that I havn’t emailed back my boy RJ in Korea. I’m actually a little bummed he doesn’t live in Texas right now, cuz I always thought we were very similar. Except he was smart and actually did things with his life, where as I used my mouth to talk big.

The best part of living in Austin has definately been reconnecting with my man TC and his family. I dig hanging with my boy, and especially his wife too, whom I feel is way cool.

How about EC, the man with the plan? I try and try so hard to become more and more like him. But it just ain’t happening. Maybe I should rock an earing too. Yeah, I like that look. Oh wait. I’m not 17 anymore.

I’m thankful that AY’s in my life. He’s always been like a big bro to me, and watching how he walks, I’ve kind of structured my own life too. However, I’m getting a little worried about his fetish for young girls. It was funny the first time, dude. What’s up with this now?

If it weren’t for LM, the person I share an office with, I think I’d be completely lost. She’s the best reason I have for success here at UT, and I’m thankful that she’s such an awesome person. (and willing to listen to me wax about my silly life)

My kid sis, RK. So awesome to hear the way God’s working in her life and the way she ended up here! I think I scare her to death though.

Super-producer MF, who’s always got it locked and loaded for me. How am I able to spit those dope verses? Easy, cuz MF don’t play around when he’s running the studio.

My man, AH, who I honestly, am a huge huge fan of. I’ve always dug the fact that he’s extended his friendship with me, and even though I was friends with his wife first, I really dig him. Although, lately, I dunno, I feel like he might be letting work grind him out a little. We all go through a point when we lose some of our drive, I hope that ain’t happening to him.

Kids from the waaay back, like my partner in crime, BS, all married and doing his thang now. Me and him took over Amsterdam back in a time called 99, my first of many trips to the mythical paradise. I was always blown away with his humble geniusness, and it’s awesome to hear he’s still ripping it up.

Or my old roommate DS, who’s doing his thang on the West Coast. One of the first cats I ever met in college, and one of the best pals I ever had. We have probably absolutely nothing in common, other than our major and our love of good bud. But like always, it’s awesome to hear old pals still tearing it apart and doing the right thing. I was always impressed with his skills . . . and I can’t believe he’s riding a relationship that’s rolling on, 7 years now. Dang. Get married already, homeboy.

SL, who I really do think about all the time. But she hates me.

I know VC will never believe this. But I’m always a fan of her, even if there are shady familial issues clouding things.

Or how about the real AY, living the NYC life I never could. Apartment in the city? Single girl doing her thing? Every time I ever saw Sex and the City (okay, fine. maybe I did watch it a couple of times), I’d think, wouldn’t it be grand to actually live like that? Not like the real NYC life, where you’re working your butt off to make ends meet, everything is nasty and disgusting, you’re tired all the time from riding the subway, and all the nice bars always are too crowded. But AY’s doing good, and it brought true joy to my heart to hear that her walk with Jesus is growing strong again.

And speaking of strong NYC girls, what about EC, the girl digging on A-ha! I gotta be honest, I didn’t really like her when I first met her. I thought she rolled with a big lack of life experience. But as the years went on, I realize that she’s just not a braggart like me. She’s way calm and way cool. Chinatown kids always seem to rock that gritty, determined vibe. I hope I never fall out of touch with her. And maybe I can steal her away from the horrible school she works at to come work with me, cuz she’s a boss teacher. One of the best, ever. Hands down.

Wow, check out my beautiful god-daughter in New Jeru. Isn’t she adorable? I miss being in NYC, I don’t know when I’ll be able to see her next.
What is it about kids that makes time move so fast. Every time I see my god-daughter, she’s growing bigger and bigger. It feels like just a couple months ago, I was holding her in my arms. Now she’s huge! (actually, she was always a giant for her age. She looked like she was four when she was two.)
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So this new blog seems to be working out pretty well, huh?

Excuse me a sec, I’m just gonna think out loud for a bit:

Church, 2 services a week plus Sunday School and Small Group: 7 hours
Yoga, 2 advanced classes a week: 3 hours
Running, 3 times a week: 5 hours
Volunteer, tutoring once a week: 2 hours
Training, 2 times a week: 2 hours

Wow. So that’s 19 hours of my life a week that I’m devoting to extra-curricular stuff, plus working 15 hours a week on campus. That’s 34 hours a week I’ve already alotted, outside of school/homework/social time.

Hmm, that’s too much, honestly. Technically, since I’m taking 11 credits, I should be spending 33 hours a week doing school work. So, that’s 67 hours a week devoted already. Wow, no wonder I’m starting to feel a little overwhelmed. It’s almost like the old days, when I was working 70 hours a week.
(except this is a whole lot easier than working!)
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1) I resolve to remain single until next summer. For those of you who think teddy is flirting with you . . . you are wrong. I am not.
(especially you. yes, I’m talking to you, homegirl.)

3) Tonight, I was given the greatest compliment I’ve ever recieved. Someone accused me of being a “player”. Now, all of you who have known me for all my life . . . I’m letting you laugh along with me. Ha ha ha!
Honestly. Please, teddy a player? Not even close.
I’m the guy who gets scared stiff when I have to talk to a pretty girl, the guy whose nervousness around girls always makes situations too awkard. And honestly, i don’t even know how to hit on girls, as much as I like giving out advice to younger kids. I got no game. Honest.
But it’s flattering to hear. I love it.
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Halloween night. What’s good? Anyone wanna come to San Antonio with me to check the Dig Plans?

madteds

Here we go. Sayonara, blogger. I’m gonna host my blog all by myself, here on madteds.com, baby.

So far, WordPress has been impressive. I dig the emphasis on clean simplicity.

We’ll see how this goes.

So, it’s 2:46AM, and I’m just finishing the rough draft for a paper due tomorrow.
And I have about 100 pages more of research to read.
Plus 2 tests this week that I havn’t started to study for.
Jeez, why am I whining about this?

Sorry folks, I’m not gonna turn this into a bitch and gripe session.
teddy has a lot of work to do because he spent the weekend having too much fun and procrastinated the day away.
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Harumph.
Soon, I’ll be off of blogger and moving this blog once again. Stay tuned, Bat-fans.

I woke up this morning feeling great and did a power yoga session, doing some moves I havn’t done in a long time. My forearm handstand is finally getting there, which makes me glow. I was working on it a lot during teacher training, but could just never get there. Now, the class I’m taking at Yoga Yoga really emphasizes it, so I’m glad that I have the opportunity to work on it some more.

Did I ever tell you how much I dig my personal trainer? I have this 22-year old senior at UT who’s studying to be a trainer, and part of her student teaching is to be MY personal trainer for 2 workouts a week. I’ve already been working with her for a month and a half, and she’s got my body in amazing shape. I have muscles on my belly! I have muscles on my butt! I can sprint up hills without sweating!
But after a week off, I saw her again today. And it was awesome. She’s got me doing all these creative activites, like blasting up hills, throwing medicine balls all over the place, lunging into push-ups . . . just crazy stuff. I don’t know if all personal trainers are like this, but man, this girl rocks! I feel great, but it’s just fun to excercise with someone who treats it like a game, and is always pushing me to do more more more.
Plus, she always tells me that I’m the case study in her class, because of my yoga and running background, I guess I’m a little more atheletic than the typical trainees (or so she says). So, I get the advanced, creative workouts that she uses just to see if I can handle it.
I dig it, I really do.

Tonight, I met with my single men’s small group bible study. (that’s a mouthful, huh).
I’ve been meeting with them for a little more than a month now, so I’m finally getting to be pretty comfortable with all of these guys. I tell ya, it was intense tonight. We did some bible study, but mainly we talked about issues in our lives that we’re trying to resolve with a Christian perspective.
I’ve never been a part of a male-only bible study before. Heck, I’ve never really been a part of a bible study before period.
But within a circle of men, the conversation becomes unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Gone is the usual locker room talk, like, “boy, that jessica simpson’s really smoking” or “who farted?”. It feels good to be around boys who don’t have to resort to sophomoric crap to bond with other men, you know?
And inevitably, the topic of sex always comes up. I’m flabbergasted at the amount of self-control some of these Christian boys have over their own lives. Abstinence . . . complete abstinence. Even while in a relationship! Wow, I wish I had that will power.

I remember when Gandhi was talking about his own Brahmacharya, the Yogic concept of celibacy, the discussion shifted more on his wife’s self-control more than his. It’s a tough tough road to follow, especially if you’re married. Because you’re making a choice for someone else as well. I sure know that from personal experience.

But I guess the Christian view is, if you’re married, then do it all you want. Just make sure you’re married first!
I don’t know why I’m so fixated on this, I think it’s because I wish I had that same type of will power some of my Christian brothers have. I know it’s easy to do now, but I wonder if I’ll be able to say the same thing when temptation is right in my face.
I’ve walked away from it a couple times in my life, and I can honestly say, I’m a better man for it. But I’ve also done a lot of stupid things in my life that I regret, and I’m really trying to stop that. Really.
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Wow. Sorry to go so serious again.
I’m going to Houston this weekend to hang with my sister. I think we have an awful lot to talk about this time around. Oh yes indeed.

Hey, for those of you who ever saw my old blog, this is old. But if not, here’s one of my favorite pictures of myself ever. It’s me and my long lost twin brother who I found on the streets of Japan.
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man, I love my students.
I realized today why I’m going through all these feelings of loneliness and self-inadequacy.
It’s because I no longer have a classroom full of kids to rule, each and every day, listening to every word I say, doing everything I ask, and laughing at my corny jokes.

To put it bluntly, I’m used to be treated like a king by my students.
And now that I don’t have students, I’m going through a sort of breakdown, transitioning hard back into the real world.
It’s not cool, I tell ya. Not cool, I got really into that rush of power each and every day.
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Three times this week I grew misty-eyed, which is very very unlike me. Honest. I wish I could cry more. You know, in Aryvedic thought, it’s good to cry to let out emotions that get trapped inside your body. But I just don’t really cry that often. I even tried really hard to cry when it was the last day with my students, because I wanted to show them how emotional I was inside and how much they meant to me. (And I even found out that other teachers were asking whether or not I cried on the last day of school). But I couldn’t. I tried really hard, when I was hugging my kids for the last time. But anyway.

1) Hearing the Beauty and the Beast musical numbers at my roommates’ students choral performance. Why the heck am I getting misty eyed over Beauty and the Beast songs? Something’s going on inside me that I don’t know about.
“be our guest, be our guest . . .”

Bwaah ha ha ha ha

2) At the same show, the students then sang a bunch of ABBA songs from Mamma Mia. When they launched into Dancing Queen, I could feel my heart stop.
Why does this song kill me so much?
It’s so silly and bouncy, yet it conveys so much tragedy and emotion for me.
That’s why it’s always my default karaoke song, you know. For those of you who havn’t seen me sing this drunken karaoke style, you’re in for a treat one day. I never brag about my skills . . . but, baby, I own this song.
“dancing queen . . . only seventeen”

Sob sob sob honk

3) At church this evening, whenever the hymn Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing comes on, the words, ” Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love;”
always hit me hard.
I remember a pastor telling me that Robert Robinson, the man who wrote these lyrics in the 18th century, predicted his fate with this song. In later years, he turned away from Christ, and ended up destitute. I’m not sure how much of that is true, but it always gets to me.

Because I know it’s me.
I’m prone to wander, I can always feel it.
I’ve strayed far far away, and I know, I can get up, and wander off again.
It hurts so much sometimes, the knowledge of my own inevitable self-destruction.

When I was 10 years old, I told my mother that I had a vision of myself as an old man. I had been married 3 times and was fighting a battle with alcoholism.
She said I was crazy. I said I wasn’t trying to be funny.

But, part of this vision has already come true, and it’s always lurking there in the back of my mind.

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Okay, this is getting too deep for me.
Let’s talk about what a great fun weekend I had, seeing lots of friends, making new ones, and getting lots of emails from a very specific individual who’s really really cool and I’m just getting to know.

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Have a great week, everyone.

So, I just threw down this heart-wrenching post about throwing game at girls and why it’s so hard to remember the heartache you go through when you start a new relationship, because years later, it’s so comfortable.

And how I’m resolved to stay single until I fall in love, I mean, truly fall in love, where I get nauseous and feel butterflies in my stomach and act irrationally.

But, stupid blogger ate my post.

So, instead, I’ll just say I had a very busy day. Yoga, tennis, going to the UT football game, watching my roommates students sing a musical review, and going to a bar to hang with some cool kids. Long long Saturday. Full of fun, and a little misplaced game throwing, which Albert had to lean over and warn me about.

But, I’m too tired to rewrite the eye-watering, soulful text I already poured out. So I’ll just shout Go Longhorns! (and Astros too, even though they lost today)

And groovy shout out to all the girls out there who’ve ever fallen for teddy, but I’m just too stupid to realize it. Well, actually, I don’t think that’s ever happened.

Let’s change that. Shout out to all the girls I’ve ever fallen for, nonstop, but you don’t even know that I’m there. yeah, break my heart, baby. You know I love it.

peace.

p.s. a real shout out to to my kid sis, who made me happy today.

Oh, I miss my students so much.

Years ago, I started a xanga for my web-design class, basically giving them my lessons through a xanga blog. I didn’t realize that all my students would still check it, some long after graduation, to see what I was up to. I rarely put any personal info on it, but it was so nice to see my students leaving me cool little comments.

But I hadn’t touched that blog in almost a year. So, after getting an email from one of my former students, I decided to throw a test message up there to see if anyone still checked it. I got 6 comments! Just like that, I couldn’t believe it.

It makes me feel all warm inside.
Wanna see my “misterchao” xanga? Here it is:
http://www.xanga.com/MisterChao

Enjoy the dorky character or “MisterChao” I play when I’m teaching. It’s actually quite fun. It’s just me, except I constantly encourage rather than mock. And I’m wearing a tie.
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Great day, today. Full of fun.
1. I played a great tennis game today, in some hot hot sun. Full of drama. The second set, I lost on a tie-breaker. And even though it was doubles, it was completely MY loss. My selfishness, inability to get the ball over the net, and distracting shouting, destroyed me and my partner’s game. But it was fun! A heated match, all the way to the very last point. I dig it, and I got to play with my old homeboy too. Thinking back, I don’t think we’ve played tennis together in probably 10 years!

2. I learned to Salsa today. 2 hours of intensive beginner Salsa dancing. I learned a lot. Boy, I tell ya, that Salsa sure is a sexy dance. All that torso-swinging, hip-shaking, booty-bouncing fun, all while pushing and pulling a girl back and forth and all around you. Wow, why didn’t anyone ever tell me about this stuff in high school? (to make me happy, they even told me I was amazing for a beginner. but I’m sure they tell that to everyone. even the fat people.)

3. I actually fused two things in my life that I have trouble with: studying and hanging out. Tonight, I went to a dope vegetarian punk-rock coffee shop, and studied with a good pal who I’m beginning to really dig more and more. I call her my kid sis, mainly cuz she calls me her big brother. I got to hear all about her love life and catch up on gossip, plus I read 40 pages of research articles and outlined a paper. Thank you, I’m gonna pat my productive self on the back.
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Hey, when all those H-town rappers keep talking about “free pepsi”, what the heck are they talking bout?
I pick up almost all their references: purple drank (hah hah, codeine laced cough syrup), DJ Screw (the legendary mix-tape legend), and battle of the bands (yes, nothing like watching my uncle’s alma TSU’s marching band. Think Drumline). But what’s “Free Pepsi” all about? Am I hearing it wrong? And what’s a Candy Car?
– curious teddy

Yes yes y’all.
I said it once, I’ll say it again. Man, it is great to be single. I love it.
Want more details? Huh? Do ya?

Nah, no dice, baby. It’s still early, we’ll see how things fall.
I’m leaving it at that. (email me if you really wanna know)
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Today.
I woke up.
At noon.
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Man, grad school is bad for sleep loving teddy. Without having to be at work each and every day, I’m taking sweet liberties with my schedule and reverting back into stay up all night, sleep all morning teddy. Man, it’s wrecking my morning Yoga routine and quiet time. Not to mention, my whole eating schedule. I ate lunch at 4PM today, what’s up with that.

Oh, I forgot to say:
Happy Vegetarian Month!
This is the first time I’ve ever heard about it, and I found out from a flyer posted at the campus cafeteria announcing their vegetarian specials for this week.
Thank you, thank you. I’ll take all the vegetarian love you care to throw me.
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So today, I feel on top of the world. I had 2 girls throw some serious flirting at me. Yeah, 2 of them. My head almost exploded, honest. That stuff rarely happens to teddy. And by rare, I mean never.
In the past, when a girl flirt throws some flirting my way, I usually kill it horribly by saying something like, “my eyebrow ring used to get infected all the time. then one morning after a tequila bender, i noticed that it had ripped outta my face” or “do you know any good electrical contractors that won’t rip me off?”. Yeah, real smooth talk. That’s what I’m about baby.

But honestly, it feels so nice to act like a kid again, and nonchalantly flirt with girls. Especially cause I don’t really care anymore. Like, it’s okay, you know? I guess that’s what happens with time.

On the left is a picture of the brand new running shoes I bought last week to run the 10-mile race. They’re great shoes, but my right index toe is all bruised up! Am I wrong to blame the shoe? Stupid shoe, bruising my toes.
But my left foot’s all good. I even went to the running store and showed them my toe. They offered to trade my shoes in, but instead, I just ended up buying some nice $4 socks. Funny how at the running store they always convince me to just buy more stuff. I even bumped into a girl there who looked really really familiar, like I might have known her in college or something. So, being typical teddy, I stared at her for a second, then walked off.
Ha!
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Want to hear one of my educational theories?
Everyone is born smart.
It’s the circumstances they’re born into that can cause them seem dumb.

Want to hear another one?
Wisdom can not be measured. Nor can true intelligence or original thought.
The only thing we can effectively measure is how good you are at regurgitating information.

How about a third?
The only way to truly understand any particular concept is by teaching it to someone else.

Heck, here’s another one.
Everyone enjoys learning something new.

Oh, and one more.
Mathematical thinking is most effectively taught when treated as a natural language.

One last one.
Teaching is the singular greatest profession. We should all hope to become great teachers, to pass on the knowledge that we attain.
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