Have you ever wanted to fly?  Those of us with the freedom to can.  With the freedom to fly, you can soar into the heavens, achieving whatever dream you want to achieve.

But suppose you can’t fly.  You try to, but can’t.  Your feet are glued to the ground.  There is no way that you can defeat the laws of gravity.  You know that you can’t fly, but why?  You are nearsighted.  Nearsighted of all the dreams that are before you.  Nearsighted of all the dreams that are around you and above you.  You want to fly, but how do you fly?

An idea springs into your head.  You may not be able to fly, but you can give others the ability to fly.  So you make it a dream to design the best “flying machines” in the world.  Flying machines that will give all the ability to fly and touch their dreams in the heavens.  You work on these machines really hard and are praised for your accomplishments.  You may not be able to fly, but somebody notices you in the distance.  They utter a profound declaration that blows over your eyes like the wind at the highest altitudes.  To you, you may not have been flying but in reality you were flying the whole time.  You were flying without even realizing it.  And when this realization hits you, your eyes become awash with tears.  You flew.   You touched the heavens.  You made their dreams possible.  All thanks to your “flying machines”.

If you haven’t guessed by now, this is a setup for tonight’s anime movie.  The Wind Rises,  another classic written and Directed by Hayao Miyazaki.

 

Muse:  The Wind Rises?  It’s pretty good, having seen it last year…

I know.  I like how it turned out.

Muse:  I also like how it’s a historical movie. It follows the life of Jiro Horikoshi, designer of the Mitsubishi A5M fighter aircraft and its successor, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, both used for the Empire of Japan during World War II.

With that, the movie takes place during the early 20th century.  It’s another historical movie, like Steamboy.

Anyway, I think we’re done talking about the movie.

Muse:  Done talking about the movie? Alright.  I’m going to read now.  Let me know when it comes on, as I want to see it with you!

I certainly will.  Don’t worry.

Today’s high is going 35 degrees and the silver lining is seeing The Wind Rises later tonight.

To those of you who love to fly, I hope that you all have a fantastic day.

 

Muse:  With all his talk about flying, I’m creating my own special aircraft.  There.  Time to test it out!  This is going to be fun!  Now boarding Muse Airlines…

So far, this Saturday has been quite peaceful.  All is quiet at my new abode.  I had my breakfast and I’m all ready to go for the day.

Since I want to enjoy myself today, I’m going to cut this one short.  You should enjoy yourself, too.   Check back tomorrow for another wonderful morsel of bloggy goodness!

Today’s high is going to be 36 degrees and the silver lining is having a Saturday off to enjoy.

To those of you who are enjoying this Saturday, I hope that you all have a fantastic day.

 

Muse:  I’m enjoying this Saturday, too!  And tomorrow, the anime movies begin.  I can’t wait to watch them with you!  Time to continue reading my book…

Having finished work for the day, I am now ready to relax.  It’s Friday afternoon and my brother’s all moved in.  He hasn’t come home yet, but he should later on.

With the weekend underway, what should I do?

 

Muse:  I know what I’m going to do!  Take over Hyrule!  HA HA HA HA HA!!!

Dark Muse, or should I say Zalassa!  I know that you’re in her!  Get out of her, now!

Muse:  Why don’t you make me?  I’m up for the challenge against a puny man!

*Muse flashes and instantly transforms Hyrule into a gray land shrouded in darkness*

Muse:  And that is only a fraction of my power!  Getting rid of you should be easy!

So this is how it happened, huh?  In the future, every hero of that era is defeated.  During the Second Calamity, the very last hero is slain.  So this is how it starts?

Muse:  How else would it start?  The king wants all heroes eliminated, including you!

???:  That is right!

Muse:  Ganondorf!  King!  I was about to take care of…

Ganondorf:  Enough!  Zalassa, you can come out of her now!  I want the Muse imprisoned!

Zalassa:  That will not be necessary, your highness.  As you can see, I control all of her wisdom as long as I possess her.  If I leave, she could retain her powers…

Ganondorf:  Very well, but do remember that you are the extension of my power!  To fully control her wisdom, I will need you to return to me.

Zalassa:  Let’s not forget that puny hero.  We need his courage for the Triforce to appear!

Ganondorf:  That hero will be but a distant memory blotted out from time.  Just like all the other heroes that I have done away with.  Just wait.  Wisdom, Power, and Courage are all gathered together.  Behold!  The very last moments of this era of Hyrule!

Zalassa:  Before you bring an end, my king, I will do what you wish.  I will return to you!

*Zalassa enters Ganondorf and begins flashing brightly*

Ganondorf:  What…Huh?  What are you doing to meee…?

*Ganondorf continues to flash, and his face morphs into the face of a woman*

Zalassa:  Yessssssss…He fell for it…

*Zalassa continues flashing, transforming into gigantic beast with dragon wings and fangs*

I’ve heard and seen enough.  Zalassa, you are going down!

Zala:  WEAKLING…ZALASSSSSA IS NO MORE.  FEAR ZALA, THE DEMON QUEEN!

So our pig demon is now a dragon demon?  You’re nothing more than a copycat of Ganon…

Zala:  HISSSSSSSS…GANON IS A WEAK PATHETIC FOOL!  HIS FORM IS MINDLESSSS…MY FORM UTILIZES WHAT HE LACKED…WISSSSDOM!

So what?  We get a female Ganon that’s more intelligent.  I’m tired of your stupid and arrogant speeches.  You no longer have any power.  One Privilege…

*Zala flashes, causing the One Privilege to come out of me and into her in a powerful flash*

Zala:  ENGAGE?  HISSSSSS!!!  I NOW HAVE ALL THREE: WISDOM, COURAGE, AND POWER!  NOTHING CAN STOP ME NOW! FAREWELL, LAST HERO…

*Zala flashes, destroying me in a blast of powerful energy*

*everything goes to black*

 

Huh…Ughnn…Where am I?

*glances around area to see a golden landscape covered in golden light*

The Creator:  You are in the Sacred Realm.  I brought you here after Zala killed you.

So am I alive?

The Creator: You are very much alive.  I breathed life back into you.  Now, listen to me.  I am going to give you a powerful sword that is going to vanquish Zala, no matter what she does to you.  Her powers will not be able to stand up to such a privileged weapon.

*a powerful flashing sword descends from the sky, wrapped in golden light*

A gold sword?  What is this sword of legend?

The Creator:  Behold…I bestow upon you the Legendary One Sword.  It has the power of the One Privilege, but no ordinary one.  This One Privilege is my own making, and it has the blessing of the Triforce and Hylia’s too…

*holds sword and brandishes it*

I can feel the power flowing through my body.  Zala will fall in one strike.  I will not swing twice.

The Creator:  One swing is more than enough.  Now go!  You are the very last hero that can save Hyrule!

*gets teleported to the future, to a gloomy Hyrule covered in thick purple smoke*

I remember this place.  This was where the Second Calamity took place…

Zala:  HISSSS…YOU AGAIN?  HOW DID YOU COME BACK?!!  SSSSSSSSSSSS!!!  EVERY LASSSST HERO IS GONE, EXCEPT FOR YOU!  I WILL DESSSSSTROY YOU AS BEFORE! SSSSSSS!!!  I AM THE CALAMITY ZALA!!!!

Well then, “Calamity Zala”, prepare for a new Calamity…My Calamity!

*raises sword skyward, causing a powerful pillar of light to flow downward into it, like a waterfall*

It’s time you meet the fate of those villains who are defeated by heroes that herald happy endings!  Farewell, Calamity Zala!

*waves brightly flashing sword at Calamity Zala*

*Calamity Zala vanishes and another form appears*

Let me guess…I killed the Windblight form…Three more blights, I guess…

*strikes Waterblight Zala, Fireblight Zala, and Thunderblight Zala, killing each blight in one hit*

Now for you true form. Begone!!!

*strikes Calamity Zala, making her vanish once again*

Let me guess…You’re going to transform into your Dark Beast form…

*appears in vast field, with a gigantic dark beast form of Zala roaming around*

This is it.  Hyrule is getting all of its heroes back.  You, and every incarnation of you will be put to rest.  One Sword, ENGAGE!

*blasts powerful beam out of One Sword, causing a deep wound to penetrate Dark Beast Zala*

Zala:  NO…IT CANNOT BE!!! I LOST…BUT THE KING WILL LIVE ON.  AS LONG AS THERE IS DARKNESS IN THE HEARTS OF OTHERS…HE…WILL…ENDURE…AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

*Zala flashes and vanishes, in an explosive beam of light*

Now I need the Triforce to put this right…

*raises one sword into the air*

Triforce, come forth!

*Triforce descends out of the sky, in a beam of golden light*

Now, I have to lay my hands on the Triforce and it will grant my wish.  Restore peace to Hyrule and revive every fallen hero in history.  Triforce, grant my wish!

*Triforce flashes, and fills the land with a blinding golden light*

Whoa…I’m getting sleepy…

“Kyle!”

Huh?

Muse!

Muse:  You have been asleep for quite some time.  You did it.  The Triforce heard your wish.  You ended both Great Calamities and brought peace back to Hyrule…

And I see Hyrule Castle, with no purple smoke!  No malice anywhere!

Dark Muse:  That’s right!  Tee hee!

You caused quite a bit of trouble as Zalassa…

Dark Muse:  *sigh*  I know…But it was part of the transformation!  I’m now a tween Lolita girl that loves to collect bugs!  Tee hee!  If you have any bugs, bring them to me!

I’ll keep that in mind…Agitha…

Muse:  I think that Ganondorf corrupted her transformation with his power.  After all, the Triforce did appear on her hand, didn’t it?

Dark Muse:  It did!  But there’s no Triforce now.  Tee hee…

Well, with another happy ending, I’m going to enjoy the rest of my day.

Muse:  So will I.  I’m going to find Impa.  Come and visit me, okay?

Certainly.  Are you ready for a bunch of movies?

Muse:  Anime movie week, right!  I am!

Dark Muse:  So am I!  I would love to be part of the action!  Tee hee!

Okay.  I visit you both later and you, Miss Parasol Lolita, I won’t about the bugs.  See you later!

*teleports back to reality*

I will now enjoy what’s left of the day.

Today’s high is going to be 36 degrees and the silver lining is the weekend finally being here.

To those of you who are excited about the weekend, I hope that you all have a fantastic day.

 

Muse:  It’s nice that Hyrule is safe again!

Impa:  It is.  There is peace again.  Hopefully this peace will last a long time…Eek!  A ladybug!

Dark Muse:  Another one?  Hooray!  I have another guest that I can invite to the ball!  All it needs is a mate.  Mr. Ladybug, where are you?  I have plenty of bug friends in my insect kingdom for you to meet!  Come out, come out!  Cute little Ladybug.  I want to hug you to pieces!

Having finished work early today, I am now in the midst of moving my brother in to my new place.  I have been moving some furniture and some other odds and ends.  Mainly our couch, his computer desk, and his bed.

My grandma also has some dinner for us and my parents.  We’ll be going over there to get it.  After that, I’ll be enjoying the first evening with my brother.  So welcome home, brother!

Today’s high is going to be 34 degrees and the silver lining is my brother finally moving in to my place (now our place).

To those of you who have ever helped someone move in, I hope that you all have a fantastic day.

 

Muse:  I can totally relate to your moving in!  When my sister moved in, I had to help her with all the things that she had to move.  Overall, it was a pretty easy move…Tee hee…That reminds me.  I have not see her in a while…

 

Meanwhile…

 

Zalassa:  So she misses me?  Don’t worry.  You will see me very soon.  The king will have the Triforce very soon!  HA HA HA HA HA…

Having just finished work, I helped myself to a hearty meal of chicken McNuggets and a small French fry.  Work was busy today, as the entire day was spent trying to determine the logistics that I would be handing in a work process at work.  This is a very important process, and it will be under my ownership.  Having that said, it is very important that they get this right as this will ensure a smooth flow for the coaching program for all of our learning events at work.

And on top of it all, I managed to do this on fumes.  I am ready for bed now and very tired, so I will be going to bed uncharacteristically early.  That’s it for now.

Today’s high is going to be 34 degrees and the silver lining is being able to rest after a busy day at work.

To those of you who are glad that the week is halfway over, I hope that you all have a fantastic day.

 

Muse:  I’m glad you’re all finished.  Get plenty of rest tonight.  Your body needs it!  And…*yawn*…I need it.  I should’ve stayed up so late last night reading that book…

In cutting to the chase, I have a Toastmasters speech contest tonight.

Depending on the circumstances, my brother may or may not be there, since he had to work at the post office today.

Like usual, I will have my dinner after the meeting.  I will have Taco Bell for dinner.  Following dinner, I will head back to my place.  Bedtime will follow.

Today’s high is going to be 29 degrees and the silver lining is being able to unwind after a busy day.

To those of you who like to unwind with Tuesday evening activities, I hope that you all have a fantastic day.

 

Muse:  Time to head off to my club as well!  From what I heard, the speech contest is going to be busy!

And by chill, I mean literally.  This morning, it was only 7 degrees outside.  To anyone who had to deal with the brutal cold, you can all rejoice now.  As I am typing this, the temperature is currently in the 20’s.

With work over, I am going to have a very easy dinner.  Ramen noodle soup is a perfect thing to have on a cold day like this.  And everyone.  Do celebrate.  You made it through the toughest day of the week:  Monday.

With an easy dinner, I will also be taking it easy for the remainder of the day.  That’s about it for this one.

Today’s high is going to be 26 degrees and the silver lining is making it through this chilly Monday.

To those of you who have ever endured single-digit temperatures before, I hope that you all have a fantastic day.

 

Muse:  It was very cold this morning.  When I felt the cold, I crawled right back into bed.  Time to take it easy…

 

Meanwhile…

Zalassa:  Yes Muse.  Take it easy.  It won’t be long before I have all of your power.  My great king…he will be pleased!  HA HA HA HA HA…

Moving, for my brother, that is.  Well, sort of since he’s moving officially on Thursday.

For today, I got up and went to church. I went to the second service. My parents, grandparents, cousin, and his wife were there, so I was able to go to the service with them. After that, we all had breakfast at Stackers.  My brother joined us.  After that, I went home, changed, and went back to my parent’s place to help my brother get ready to move some of his things for later in the week.

Now that I’m home, I’m going to take it easy. I will make my dinner and will take it easy for the rest of the day.

Today’s high is going to be 25 degrees and the silver lining is having a little bit of time to relax.

To those of you who have been enjoying your Sunday, I hope that you all have a fantastic day.

 

Muse:  Phew!  I think I’ll relax now.  Time to have dinner…

Having looked outside, we have around 3-4 inches of snow on the ground.  Ladies and gentlemen, we have a snow day.

And what does that mean for me?  While I have no snow to remove in my driveway (snow removal and lawn care is included in my apartment), I will be getting the snow off of my patio.  I will also be cleaning the place.  Anything that needs cleaning will get cleaned.  I will then chill for the remainder of the day.  That is pretty much this day in a nutshell.

Today’s high is going to be 36 degrees and the silver lining is enjoying a peaceful day off at my place.

To those of you who are enjoying this snow day, I hope that you all have a fantastic day.

 

Muse:  There’s so much snow!  I think that I’ll make some snow angels and build a snowman!  I think I’ll have some hot chocolate and watch Frozen afterwards…

And with that, you’re going to get a short entry, since I’m a little tired tonight.

Work was good, as usual and I was able to get my water deposit paid for with the city.  For tonight, I’m going to take it easy.  Time to enjoy the weekend!

Today’s high is going to be 26 degrees and the silver lining is the weekend finally being here.

To those of you who are glad that it’s Friday, I hope that you all have a fantastic day.

 

Muse:  The weekend is here at last!  Time for some hot chocolate and a good book…

To summarize today as a whole, work went pretty well.  I worked, went to the dentist, and then came home.

I will now get ready for my sister’s birthday dinner. She will be turning 32, and me and my family will be celebrating that at Big E’s.

Today’s high is going to be 31 degrees and the silver lining is celebrating my sister’s 32nd birthday.

To those of you who like celebrating your family’s birthdays, I hope that you all have a fantastic day.

 

Muse:  Your sister’s turning 32?  Tell her that I said happy birthday!

When you reach the end of a busy work day, there’s nothing like cooking a fresh meal.

For me, I like to draw my inspiration from Ignis, a spectacled character from Final Fantasy XV who cooked various dishes for Noctis, the prince of Lucis.  Although quiet and reserved, Ignis was proficient at preparing delectable dishes for the Lucian heir to the throne.  His approach was precise, always devising new ways and ideas for any dish he could improve upon in the future.

So effective immediately, I am assuming the Ignis role at my apartment.  Although my cooking skill is not even close to what he can do, this is something that I will work on, and “level up” over time.  My brother will be the Noctis when he moves in.  I guess it’s only fitting (after all, Ryan means “little king”).

What’s on the menu tonight?  A parmesan mozzarella rotini meatball pasta with green beans.  It’s not much, but a perfect starting point for a novice.  I want to get the basics down in cooking the noodles (and of course not overcooking them.  There is a balance in this whole process…)

And of course, the goal of every recipe would be to improve upon it the next time that I make it.  Who knows?  Perhaps I may substitute the meatballs and make shrimp meatballs from Italian bread crumbs.  How would a spaghetti and shrimp meatballs sound?  The possibilities are endless!

Anyway, I will start cooking my meal and I’ll let you know how it turns out.

Today’s high is going to be 34 degrees and the silver lining is cooking a fresh meal at my apartment.

To those of you who like to cook masterpieces, I hope that you all have a fantastic day.

 

Muse:  That spaghetti and shrimp meatballs sounds good!  I think I’ll be making that tonight!  Time to gather the ingredients…

 

Besides the change that I have already experienced so far, my Toastmasters meeting at work today was quite interesting.  I gave a presentation about managing change.  More specifically, I talked about managing change for Tuesday Talkers: A Club that has been a President’s Distinguished Club for 16 years in a row (Perhaps longer.  I couldn’t find any data that went further back…).

For Tuesday Talkers, I have always seen it as a club that other clubs should strive for.  The model club that leads by example.  With so many wonderful leaders in the club over the years, it has served as the source of the club’s ongoing success.  With the merger of Dow and DuPont, and the split into three companies (Dow, DuPont, and Corteva), this has affected the club’s core membership.  The layoffs and restructuring.  The loss of valuable members due to job changes and other things happening in their lives.  This is and will be a challenge that will test the strength of this club that was built on a solid foundation.

In the speech that I gave today, I outlined a plan that would keep the club strong.  This plan, of course, would only be effective if we have the support of the members.  As the core membership gets rebuilt, this will be the key to the club’s future.  A legacy needs to be established for this club from the members that made it successful in the first place.  A lot of those members don’t attend the club anymore, but their wisdom that led the club would be a useful thing to pass on to the future members.  This is a new age and a new era, and the club needs to change with that era.

My goal is to try to keep Tuesday Talkers as the club that I remembered when I first heard of it.  The rumors of it achieving President’s Distinguished every year and having an outstanding program for those who join it.

With the speech done and my sister’s birthday card bought, I will now take it easy for the rest of the day.

Today’s high is going to be 40 degrees and the silver lining is giving a good speech at my club today.

To those of you who have ever had to manage change before, I hope that you all have a fantastic day.

 

Muse:  I know all about that. In one of my clubs, I’m noticing the core starting to dwindle.  I better start making a plan for that one…

Yeah.  I said it and I’ll say it again.  Mondays ROCK!

Now before you all gang up on me and throw me into a dumpster, I want to make one thing clear.  I was only joking.  If your sarcasm detector was off, it’s either time for a tune-up or a new one.

If anything, I hope that I was able to make you smile, or least have you generate some kind of positive emotion on this drag of a week.

If you’re reading this now, you’ve done it.  You have made it through the grinder.  Your bad case of the Mondays has been cured.  So get everything ready for tomorrow and indulge in your favorite hobby.

For me, work was pretty typical of what I expected for a Monday.  My 4.15 mile workout got me ready for the work day.  Toward the end of my work day, I was able to tour a newly renovated facility at the corporate headquarters.

With work over, I will focus on the goals that I want to accomplish for this year.  Get my book published for the whole world to see.  There will be more on this in the not so distant future.

And before you ask me if I had a bad case of the Mondays,  here is my reply.  I have had all my Monday vaccines so it’s impossible for me to have a bad case of the Mondays.  Thank you for asking.

Today’s high is going to be 35 degrees and the silver lining is having the rest of this Monday to enjoy.

To those of you who have not had your Monday vaccine, I hope that you all have a fantastic day.

 

Muse:  I got my vaccine and it works!  No more bad Mondays!  But do be careful!  The side effects of the vaccine may include excessive amounts of happiness and optimism…

With today being a quiet day of reflection, I decided to make this one short today. Time to prepare for tomorrow.

Today’s high is going to be 22 degrees and the silver lining is having this day off to unwind.

To those of you who are enjoying your Sunday, I hope that you all have a fantastic day.

Muse: That was a fun speedrun last night! The bidding was crazy, wasn’t it? That was a lot of fun…