What this blog is really about

As much as I like socks (and I do), this blog is not about socks.  This blog is about myself, A.J. Yasuda, venturing forth into Ohio to secure a Masters degree in the hopes of one day becoming an Director or Vice President of Student Life within the upper echelon of a university or college.  Currently, that dream is one thesis, 5 quarters, and one doctoral degree/dissertation away.  So I'm getting closer!

This blog is also about what I do and think while in Ohio.  For starters, I moved from Seattle, Washington to attend the Ohio State University.  Ohio has some unique things that Washington does not, namely a lack of topography.  As someone who finds joy in skiing I've had to refocus energy into my other interest, bouldering.  That being said, at this point I've put off skiing in Ohio altogether in the pursuit of training to boulder in Athens, Ohio (and beyond) and sport climb in the Red River Gorge.  So, in summation, this blog is about my life as a graduate student as well as my training regiment for bouldering...and my thoughts on anything that pops into my head.

At this point I've been in Ohio for nearly five months.  In that time I have found some things that I appreciate about Columbus, namely a low cost of living (compared to Seattle), very friendly people, a lively arts and music scene, and flat roads for biking fast to and from campus.  I also found a private bouldering gym hidden in the backalleys of Columbus that has become my new training ground, and through which I'm meeting new people who will hopefully join me in climbing trips.  I've also discovered good food, bars, and friends who I would be lost without.  These people are integral to my sanity here in Columbus, because without them I would just sit in my apartment or just sit in a bar.  These people are, in no particular order:  J.T. York, Tall Bear, Dandy Woo, Cardmaster Cider, Frenchie's Choice.  J.T. York actually gave everyone their nicknames in his own blog, and inspired me to start my own blog as well, so you can see how these people are influencing me already.

That's all for now!

 

My first post...about socks!

 Socks. Socks are a stereotypically unwanted gift that most children dread around Christmas time. Socks are the last thing that, as a child...or even an adult sometimes, you want to see inside a gift wrapped box. Why? Well, as a child I thought that socks were a boring gift. Socks were not electric, did not light up, did not change color, and did not raise my esteem on the playground. Hence, socks were an unimportant article of clothing to me for years and years. But then in high school I found running socks that had fun pictures on the ankle. My personal favorite was a red, white, and black pair that had a samurai on the ankle. Another says Corona on the ankle and Got Cerveza on the sole. I still have those socks.

Around Christmas I went looking for gifts and settled on a pair of socks for Squeezy Wheezy; a pair of black socks with an intricate peacock design along the calf. I thought they looked pretty and would look elegant on her. Interestingly enough, she also bought me a pair of socks. She bought me a pair of socks with a cartoony, godzilla-like creature stomping around the Golden Gate Bridge. They are terribly cute and fun. I'm wearing them now and as I look at them I can't help but think that I wish I had more cool socks as a kid.

As a child, the only thing worse than socks at Christmas time are any other types of clothing...in particular sweaters. As a child and teenager clothes were the last thing on my mind around any period of gift giving each year. Even in college clothes were an afterthought to grades, parties, girls, skiing, roommates, friends, classes, people, food, and anything else. The only times clothes came to mind were when I had to dress for something...like class or work. Now clothes are an integral part of my life. I have to dress to a standard for work and for conferences and meetings and classes. Ties, sweaters and sweater vests are becoming a new found interest of mine as I look for ways to dress up without looking boring.

Lately I've found a strange satisfaction with pairing ties and shirts. It's satisfying to look into a mirror and see a subtle pattern or accent in your tie pop because it is complemented by the color of the shirt. As an undergraduate I could never have appreciated this. But now I strive to make my outfits look stylish. I guess I am just vain.

That's all for now!