The term Ninja in the dictionary is defined as 'A member of a class of 14Th-century Japanese mercenary agents who were trained in the martial arts and hired for covert operations such as assassination and sabotage.'
A lot of the recruitment for Ninjas was from the lower class of society, as to not draw much attention. Training to become a Ninja ahead of covert warfare started from childhood, much in the same way as a Samurai family. They were taught not only survival techniques but also physical trainings, from running, jumping, swimming and moving stealthy in order to accomplish their tasks. Several times in Hollywood it is a miss conception of not only what Ninjas do but also with how they work. Ninjas unlike Hollywood worked in packs in order to help with situations sucks as scaling walls, in which they would use one on top of the others shoulders. A lot of the time they did not wear the 'trademark' black outfit, but dressed up as several different people in society such as a priest to gain knowledge of the enemy. Here are several terms used for some of the activities they would preform:
Hitsuke - The practice of distracting guards by starting a fire away from the ninjas planned point of entry. Falls under "fire techniques" (katon-no-jutsu).
Tanuki-gakure - The practice of climbing a tree and camouflaging oneself within the foliage. Falls under "wood techniques" (mokuton-no-jutsu).
Ukigusa-gakure - The practice of throwing duckweed over water in order to conceal underwater movement. Falls under "water techniques" (suiton-no-jutsu).
Uzura-gakure - The practice of curling into a ball and remaining motionless in order to appear like a stone. Falls under "earth techniques" (doton-no-jutsu).
As a kid I was very interested in the Hollywood form of Ninjas. Men and women dressed in black sneaking around doing espionage work on their enemies. It always intrigued me. So when I was younger I would practice walking and jumping quietly, sneaking around and hiding unnoticed to the people around me. Of course they could have just been ignoring me.....but I guess we will really never know. Anyways, this past year I took a couple courses in Martial Arts, and I will admit it was pretty fantastic! Rolling, kicking, spinning. It was awesome. The only down fall however was that although I wanted to learn everything, it was in a class with 15 people and there for a lot harder to learn. So in time I will eventually take Martial Arts again in a one on one course and finally become the Ninja I always wanted to be. Muwhahaha.........
Oh and Katana Swords were very popular!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
M is for Movies
So I figure today a lot of people are going to be talking about either movies or music. However for me this is not just about what movies are my all time favourite, but also my point of view of movies as a whole.
As many of you know, my dream is to go into film. As a writer, visual and audio editor. These are the aspects that I feel I can exceed at, as well as keep me out of the spotlight but still in the credits. In film you have the actors and directors which most people see and associate with a great film. Yes they are talented but one thing they do not understand is that in order for that movies or television shows to have the full impact on people that it does it first needs a writer to give the actors something to read. The storyline is very important. If you didn't have a storyline with dialogue for each character you wouldn't have the show. The actors are not coming up with this stuff on the spot, they get into these characters created by the writer. After the filming is all done, in my opinion the next most important job other than the writer is the editors, for visual and audio.
How many times do you watch a movie and tear up or laugh? Do you think you would have the same effect if all of a sudden you have unwanted material in the video, or there was no sound, just dialogue? Would that video not get boring? The way the clips are placed together creates a storyline just like the writer. In a way the visual editor does the same job as the writer, just with visual effects rather than written. Music creates emotion, it give the movie its full impact. It manipulates the viewers emotions to feel the way it was intended to be through a certain melody. With having visual with audio, it creates the viewers to listen to the words of the song unconsciously to grasp the full meaning.
Today I had a simple seminar with the film school I will be attending in October, and two things came into my mind at the same time. One: Did I make a mistake by choosing Toronto Film School over Vancouver Film School just because it was closer to home? And Two: Can I do this? Can I get to the point in this career I want to be, with big time films or televisions shows? Or will I just be purely mediocre?
As for my favourite films. I would have to say my all time favourites are 'While You Were Sleeping' and 'Made of Honor' Two of the greatest chick flicks in my opinion. Both extremely romantic with a touch of humor to lighten the mood. What are some of your favourite films?
Also I would like to thank all my new readers. It means a lot to me that you keep coming back to comment on my blog, and it always feels good knowing that someone is reading your blog.
As many of you know, my dream is to go into film. As a writer, visual and audio editor. These are the aspects that I feel I can exceed at, as well as keep me out of the spotlight but still in the credits. In film you have the actors and directors which most people see and associate with a great film. Yes they are talented but one thing they do not understand is that in order for that movies or television shows to have the full impact on people that it does it first needs a writer to give the actors something to read. The storyline is very important. If you didn't have a storyline with dialogue for each character you wouldn't have the show. The actors are not coming up with this stuff on the spot, they get into these characters created by the writer. After the filming is all done, in my opinion the next most important job other than the writer is the editors, for visual and audio.
How many times do you watch a movie and tear up or laugh? Do you think you would have the same effect if all of a sudden you have unwanted material in the video, or there was no sound, just dialogue? Would that video not get boring? The way the clips are placed together creates a storyline just like the writer. In a way the visual editor does the same job as the writer, just with visual effects rather than written. Music creates emotion, it give the movie its full impact. It manipulates the viewers emotions to feel the way it was intended to be through a certain melody. With having visual with audio, it creates the viewers to listen to the words of the song unconsciously to grasp the full meaning.
Today I had a simple seminar with the film school I will be attending in October, and two things came into my mind at the same time. One: Did I make a mistake by choosing Toronto Film School over Vancouver Film School just because it was closer to home? And Two: Can I do this? Can I get to the point in this career I want to be, with big time films or televisions shows? Or will I just be purely mediocre?
As for my favourite films. I would have to say my all time favourites are 'While You Were Sleeping' and 'Made of Honor' Two of the greatest chick flicks in my opinion. Both extremely romantic with a touch of humor to lighten the mood. What are some of your favourite films?
Also I would like to thank all my new readers. It means a lot to me that you keep coming back to comment on my blog, and it always feels good knowing that someone is reading your blog.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
L is for Luck or Lack There Of
The way my morning went I had this topic by 10Am.
I have got to be one of the most unlikely people there is alive! If you have ever seen the movie 'Just My Luck' with Lindsay Lohan you would understand my situation. It was that bad! Wait..... it was worse! I couldn't pass it on to someone with a kiss. Just my luck exactly.......
So to begin off my morning I had to get up early, which anyone who knows me knows that me getting up early is not a pretty thing, but I got up early in a worse way than usual. I was nervous. Extremely nervous. For one reason, a test. Not a test of faith, although I guess it could be looked at as that, but a drivers test. Here in Ontario we have the beginners (G1) then after we get some driving experience we have to go for our G2 in order to be able to drive by ourselves. However after a certain limit of time you have to finally go for your final evaluation. THE G!!!! It sounds all magical I know! Who can resist the big 'G.' Trust me you must resist. ITS PURE EVIL! Just like whats under the island on LOST, Dooms Day, or the RING. Anyways enough of my nerd references.
So my test is about 40Min's away from where I live, so hopping in my car I take off. Once I get to Orillia and enter into the office to sign in, I realize that I need to get my car information. Heading back out I find out that I locked my keys in my car! Yeah I know, bad luck right! Don't get me started. So after freaking out to my parents while they are at work, I call a tow truck. A half an hour later they show up laughing at the irony of the situation and unlock my car. With a quick "Highlight of my day" comment and a little chuckle from the tow truck driver I happily sign in.
After waiting 40 Min's in the office to get a driving instructor, I learn that my driving instructor has a student. Or trainee is probably more correct. So starting off stressed out, she list off the rules and we go on our way. I nail parallel parking, 3 Point turns and even driving on the highway. I was flying high! Why was I so nervous to begin with? However when we pull into the parking lot she tells me I failed. Why? Because something my drivers ed teacher forgot to tell me was that apparently before you make a left or right hand turn (NOT A LANE CHANGE) a turn, you have to check your blind spot as well as your mirrors. I got the mirrors part but the blind spot? Seriously? She told me that I did really well with the blind spot when changing lanes but with the accumulation of the other turns that I fail. Also the fact that when she got me to do an emergency stop to make sure I can preform it if needed, I didn't know where to find the four way flashers on my new car. Not that she gave me enough time to put them on before she made me pull out.
So feeling very upset, not emotion, but ANGRY. I waited for these two moronic women to get out of my car and speed away. Irony? Yes. But hey what would you do if you just found out you failed after paying $75 for the test and an extra $40 for the tow truck to unlock your car?
With the accumulation of everything that happened in the morning, I gained an unpleasant stomach and a nasty migraine. Which left me calling into work sick, losing out on approx $50! Awesome! So know there is a little taste of my luck.....or lack there of.
You would be surprised how often these days occur.
I have got to be one of the most unlikely people there is alive! If you have ever seen the movie 'Just My Luck' with Lindsay Lohan you would understand my situation. It was that bad! Wait..... it was worse! I couldn't pass it on to someone with a kiss. Just my luck exactly.......
So to begin off my morning I had to get up early, which anyone who knows me knows that me getting up early is not a pretty thing, but I got up early in a worse way than usual. I was nervous. Extremely nervous. For one reason, a test. Not a test of faith, although I guess it could be looked at as that, but a drivers test. Here in Ontario we have the beginners (G1) then after we get some driving experience we have to go for our G2 in order to be able to drive by ourselves. However after a certain limit of time you have to finally go for your final evaluation. THE G!!!! It sounds all magical I know! Who can resist the big 'G.' Trust me you must resist. ITS PURE EVIL! Just like whats under the island on LOST, Dooms Day, or the RING. Anyways enough of my nerd references.
So my test is about 40Min's away from where I live, so hopping in my car I take off. Once I get to Orillia and enter into the office to sign in, I realize that I need to get my car information. Heading back out I find out that I locked my keys in my car! Yeah I know, bad luck right! Don't get me started. So after freaking out to my parents while they are at work, I call a tow truck. A half an hour later they show up laughing at the irony of the situation and unlock my car. With a quick "Highlight of my day" comment and a little chuckle from the tow truck driver I happily sign in.
After waiting 40 Min's in the office to get a driving instructor, I learn that my driving instructor has a student. Or trainee is probably more correct. So starting off stressed out, she list off the rules and we go on our way. I nail parallel parking, 3 Point turns and even driving on the highway. I was flying high! Why was I so nervous to begin with? However when we pull into the parking lot she tells me I failed. Why? Because something my drivers ed teacher forgot to tell me was that apparently before you make a left or right hand turn (NOT A LANE CHANGE) a turn, you have to check your blind spot as well as your mirrors. I got the mirrors part but the blind spot? Seriously? She told me that I did really well with the blind spot when changing lanes but with the accumulation of the other turns that I fail. Also the fact that when she got me to do an emergency stop to make sure I can preform it if needed, I didn't know where to find the four way flashers on my new car. Not that she gave me enough time to put them on before she made me pull out.
So feeling very upset, not emotion, but ANGRY. I waited for these two moronic women to get out of my car and speed away. Irony? Yes. But hey what would you do if you just found out you failed after paying $75 for the test and an extra $40 for the tow truck to unlock your car?
With the accumulation of everything that happened in the morning, I gained an unpleasant stomach and a nasty migraine. Which left me calling into work sick, losing out on approx $50! Awesome! So know there is a little taste of my luck.....or lack there of.
You would be surprised how often these days occur.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
K is for Kayak
So I had a really hard time with this one, so I am just going to write and see what comes up.....as usual.
A Kayak, made of solid wood or even fibre glass will get the job you want done. Whether it is for a nice little trip on the lake, or for a nice long adventurous trip. However the problem with Kayaks is how easily they can flip. With just a slight movement the one or sometimes two passenger boat can be capsized. It is this common scenario that people have to wear life jackets when using a kayak. Now the purpose of a life jacket as everyone knows it too keep the individuals head above water.
Every human is like a Kayak. We are strong and sturdy but with a little uproar we can easily capsize and make a mess of our everyday life. The life jacket we where to protect us, is our morals and beliefs. If we don't have those then how can we every survive and keep our head above water with everything wrong in this world. The water at first startles us, but in the end we find it refreshing and grow from the experience.
So how did I do for winging it?
A Kayak, made of solid wood or even fibre glass will get the job you want done. Whether it is for a nice little trip on the lake, or for a nice long adventurous trip. However the problem with Kayaks is how easily they can flip. With just a slight movement the one or sometimes two passenger boat can be capsized. It is this common scenario that people have to wear life jackets when using a kayak. Now the purpose of a life jacket as everyone knows it too keep the individuals head above water.
Every human is like a Kayak. We are strong and sturdy but with a little uproar we can easily capsize and make a mess of our everyday life. The life jacket we where to protect us, is our morals and beliefs. If we don't have those then how can we every survive and keep our head above water with everything wrong in this world. The water at first startles us, but in the end we find it refreshing and grow from the experience.
So how did I do for winging it?
Monday, April 12, 2010
J is for Journey
A great way to look at life is as a journey. Gods way of showing you what life is all about. Our journey could take us in different directions depending on our choices. Sometimes its great, but at times challenges sneak up to scare us. Jealously can creep in and mess things up, Joy can show meaning to the meaningless. Its part of human nature for us to go through different scenarios to get to the person we are or are going to be.
Jealously. That's an ugly thing, but believe it or not we all have a jealous bone, and its not just in romantic relationships, it can be in all forms of relationships. From work and family to friends. Depending on how you handle the situation thrown at you is how your tough journey will end. Since I have never really been in a romantic situation I really wouldn't know all the jealously type rage some go through. However I have felt jealous over guys I don't have dibs on, or jealous that some of my closest friends may like someone more that me. Its foolish but its true. You always want to be the person that makes someone laugh till they cry, if that person is not you it can royally suck.
Joy. Many times in life you will feel the odd sensation of 'flying high.' Don't be alarmed I know this is a weird and strangely not a common feeling, but its good. Life throws in a freebie every now an then, which is a nice surprise! Its in those moments that life makes sense! You don't feel like getting hit by a mack truck or dream of getting shot just to have an excuse to like being alive.
All life journeys are crazy and sometimes you may feel like just laying on the road and saying I give up trying! Which in many ways is how I felt the past few weeks, and to tell you the truth I have no idea why, but we all have a strange quirks. For example I get my energy from my friends, if they are not there, my journey drags to a dead end.
Hmm, now for the task of coming up for tomorrows topic.
Jealously. That's an ugly thing, but believe it or not we all have a jealous bone, and its not just in romantic relationships, it can be in all forms of relationships. From work and family to friends. Depending on how you handle the situation thrown at you is how your tough journey will end. Since I have never really been in a romantic situation I really wouldn't know all the jealously type rage some go through. However I have felt jealous over guys I don't have dibs on, or jealous that some of my closest friends may like someone more that me. Its foolish but its true. You always want to be the person that makes someone laugh till they cry, if that person is not you it can royally suck.
Joy. Many times in life you will feel the odd sensation of 'flying high.' Don't be alarmed I know this is a weird and strangely not a common feeling, but its good. Life throws in a freebie every now an then, which is a nice surprise! Its in those moments that life makes sense! You don't feel like getting hit by a mack truck or dream of getting shot just to have an excuse to like being alive.
All life journeys are crazy and sometimes you may feel like just laying on the road and saying I give up trying! Which in many ways is how I felt the past few weeks, and to tell you the truth I have no idea why, but we all have a strange quirks. For example I get my energy from my friends, if they are not there, my journey drags to a dead end.
Hmm, now for the task of coming up for tomorrows topic.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
I is for Invisibility
Now I don't mean so in the creepy way Clay Aiken sings or the scientific all new level creepy of 'Hollow Man' with Kevin Bacon. I just mean in the way, that I never really disappear, but in some cases just became invisible to people.
Now normally I am pretty good at this. I can go throughout my house, or even work and many times people don't even know I was there. For example: At work I am known as "giggles" now don't ask me cause personally laughing just isn't my thing all the time. However because I did not laugh at all during the long hours of the holiday weekend a lot of my fellow employees did not know I was working. I was having a "mediocre" day, as I have been for the past two weeks.
Although I try and stay away from a lot of people this following week though, they just keep noticing me. Those are the times I wish I would just disappear. It would make it so much easier to go through the day, packing peoples groceries without feeling the pressure to talk to anyone, or fill in the awkward silences. Yes becoming invisible would be kind of lonely, but would it not be great to be able to disappear and reappear when you wished? Having a bad hair day? Disappear, supervisors trying to find you? Disappear. Trying to run away from an awkward situation with the opposite sex? Disappear. If only life were that easy. Instead we have to suck it up and stay 100% visible. One thing I have learned however, is never wear a hat. It just seems to draw more attention to your face rather than take it away! Damn hats, why do I love them oh so very much.
Now normally I am pretty good at this. I can go throughout my house, or even work and many times people don't even know I was there. For example: At work I am known as "giggles" now don't ask me cause personally laughing just isn't my thing all the time. However because I did not laugh at all during the long hours of the holiday weekend a lot of my fellow employees did not know I was working. I was having a "mediocre" day, as I have been for the past two weeks.
Although I try and stay away from a lot of people this following week though, they just keep noticing me. Those are the times I wish I would just disappear. It would make it so much easier to go through the day, packing peoples groceries without feeling the pressure to talk to anyone, or fill in the awkward silences. Yes becoming invisible would be kind of lonely, but would it not be great to be able to disappear and reappear when you wished? Having a bad hair day? Disappear, supervisors trying to find you? Disappear. Trying to run away from an awkward situation with the opposite sex? Disappear. If only life were that easy. Instead we have to suck it up and stay 100% visible. One thing I have learned however, is never wear a hat. It just seems to draw more attention to your face rather than take it away! Damn hats, why do I love them oh so very much.
Friday, April 9, 2010
H is for Heroes
Everyone has their own heroes, from fiction characters such as Batman, and Superman to people that actually lived and breathe such as Ghandi. Either way heroes have created peace in us some way or for some reason.
My personal favourite superhero would have to be Superman. Yes he is fictional but he is the 'man of steel!' He brings hope to the people of metropolis and in many ways brings hope to little children who read the comics or watch the cartoons. For a lot of people Batman is there favourite superhero. Now I am not judging.....well maybe I am, but Batman really isn't a superhero. After reading a lot of Batman comics in the past couple months I have come to the conclusion that Batman is just a spoiled rich kid who is angry at the world and decided to become a man wearing a Bat suit. He has no strength or super power. He just has fancy toys and money. To add to the fact is he is just plan cocky! What do people see in him? Hes a jerk. Superman yes has a weakness as every superhero does. Its Kryptonite, but at least he has super powers. Fire out of his eyes, super speed, strength and hearing, not to mention flying and the fact that bullets bounce off of him!
The Hulk just has anger management problems, he's big, menacing and has strength. Spider man is a weak kid, who just so happens to get bit by a radioactive spider. Why does everyone scream when the see a little spider.....(including myself) but when 'Spider man' comes its all praise? There is no difference! He's just a giant spider! Kind of gross if you think about it.
As for all the rest of the heroes. Well they are not that great to begin with, that's why they don't have a movie out about them. I mean yes there is the Green Lantern, the Green Arrow, Aqua man, Superwomen, Flash, Captain America, etc. How often do you hear about them? Not very much, because the world would rather hear about the 'Man of Steel,' the freak in the bat suit, or the disgusting flying insect.
As for people that actually exist. Well I would have to say my heroes would be my family. They are awesome all around, and I personally look up to them all. They have been a great influence in my life and continue to be there for me no matter what.
This is what I think about in my free time. Interesting isn't it!
My personal favourite superhero would have to be Superman. Yes he is fictional but he is the 'man of steel!' He brings hope to the people of metropolis and in many ways brings hope to little children who read the comics or watch the cartoons. For a lot of people Batman is there favourite superhero. Now I am not judging.....well maybe I am, but Batman really isn't a superhero. After reading a lot of Batman comics in the past couple months I have come to the conclusion that Batman is just a spoiled rich kid who is angry at the world and decided to become a man wearing a Bat suit. He has no strength or super power. He just has fancy toys and money. To add to the fact is he is just plan cocky! What do people see in him? Hes a jerk. Superman yes has a weakness as every superhero does. Its Kryptonite, but at least he has super powers. Fire out of his eyes, super speed, strength and hearing, not to mention flying and the fact that bullets bounce off of him!
The Hulk just has anger management problems, he's big, menacing and has strength. Spider man is a weak kid, who just so happens to get bit by a radioactive spider. Why does everyone scream when the see a little spider.....(including myself) but when 'Spider man' comes its all praise? There is no difference! He's just a giant spider! Kind of gross if you think about it.
As for all the rest of the heroes. Well they are not that great to begin with, that's why they don't have a movie out about them. I mean yes there is the Green Lantern, the Green Arrow, Aqua man, Superwomen, Flash, Captain America, etc. How often do you hear about them? Not very much, because the world would rather hear about the 'Man of Steel,' the freak in the bat suit, or the disgusting flying insect.
As for people that actually exist. Well I would have to say my heroes would be my family. They are awesome all around, and I personally look up to them all. They have been a great influence in my life and continue to be there for me no matter what.
This is what I think about in my free time. Interesting isn't it!
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