Ode to My Brothers

Sometimes I strongly dislike my brothers, but who doesn’t have such feelings for their siblings. They can be rash, cause grief for the family, and sometimes there is some miscommunication. I know for a fact that I don’t talk with my siblings as much as I should, but I kind of forget. I ignore the time that likes to flow by until about 9ish at night. Then I notice and say to myself, “Well crap. There goes that idea of checking in with so-and-so.” (Dane I’m mostly talking about you.) It is surprisingly low priority for me to get in touch with my brothers. My mother and I call each other at least once a week, unless she or I have a problem and need to talk. I kind of had a hope that I would be more connected with my brothers when I moved out, but that doesn’t seem to be happening. It’s sort of strange. So instead, here I am, writing a very public post to tell you what I keep forgetting to tell you. And since it is on the internet, it will live forever and if I ever fall into your bad graces, just look back on this and remember that I still adore you as my brothers.

Dane, my friend and brother. We have known each other for the entirety of our lives. Though I guess you did miss out on a year and a half of mine, but there wasn’t a whole lot going on. We have had a lot of arguments that ended in wrestling matches, and if you remember, I won most of them. Well I won them because I was bigger. When you shot up and gained more muscle than me, I had to get smarter in how I fought. Which truthfully consisted of me making sure there was a table between us, or a door, and repeating scathing remarks towards you. However, with all that aside I must say that I have hope in the potential that you posses. You probably have more potential than I do, but you won’t reach it while procrastinating on the work you have. I know you can do it, I have seen you do it in spurts and jumps, you just need to work on the consistency of that drive. I know you constantly hear from all of us that we see potential in you, and sometimes I don’t think you quite believe it. But you do, and every time you come home and talk about your future, you sound like you totally have everything under control. Though you should take note that if you go into political science, I will probably be coming to you about information on candidates. Also, the main picture on my fridge is your senior picture. The day that it was sent to me I showed it off to my entire honors class and friends. I was super proud, not because I didn’t think you would make it, but because you accomplished something. You had achieved a goal that had been somewhat thrust upon you, and you achieved it well. You made such a big turn around, that I couldn’t be prouder. You might have thought that I wasn’t aware of what was going on in your life, but I did observe some things. Probably didn’t catch everything, but I was watching you.

Ryan! My buddy and pal. Of course, we haven’t known each other as long as Dane and Kevin. But I have seen you transform from this goofy kid to an avid and active sports fan. I am always bragging about how you made Varsity football to my friends, even if you only dressed down with the team and didn’t necessarily play in the game. It was still impressive. I can totally see you as a sports broadcaster, sitting there in a suit and tie, talking about who and what you think about a certain team. When this happens, I will have so much to brag about. Plus, it will probably become my favorite show on television. As proof, let me let you in on a little secret. While I was home for winter break, I rather enjoyed watching Sports Nation with you when you came home. It is probably the only time I would actually watch it and it was surprisingly enjoyable. Make sure you don’t get into any scandals though, they can be a little messy to clean up. Did you hear about the ESPN anchor that got suspended for the racist comment that they made? You probably already knew, I only saw it in passing, and I was a little disappointed. So don’t disappoint me, Ryan. I expect a great future for you, so don’t let me down.

And finally, little Kevin. My prodigy. I know that we joke that you were raised by me, but I think the entire family had a part in your growth. You were a collaborative effort, and possibly an experiment to see who would be the best caregiver when they were older. You are the best aspects of all of us, twisted into something that is just you. When you were still super little, Dane and I would fight over who got to sit next to you. I usually tricked my way into being the one to get the privilege, it was easy when both Dane and I had faulty memories when it came to whose turn it was. It was easy to play off of, and manipulate my way into the ideal situation. You are the mascot of so many of our high school groups that when you finally get to Highland you will be known on sight. I also don’t doubt that you will also be a needed member on the robotics team, though you do have to move a little faster than dial-up. You can smell the roses after you have finished the task at hand. Possibly look over your work to make it a dashing piece of work. Just speed up the process Kevin, we know you can do it.

Maybe in the future I will make a follow-up post for this, expanding on points as I watch my brothers grow and flourish. I can see a glimmer of their future, and it is shining brightly, they just need to find the path that will lead them to the happiness that could be granted to them.

I know that an ode is supposed to be sung, so if you feel like it, you can sing this post.

 

An Interview with Nivar Woods

Nivar Woods lives in Pocatello, ID. He works in the National Guard as a 13D, a Field Artillery Automated Tactical Data Systems Specialist. During his free time he works on various books, and hopes that he can one day get them all published so others can enjoy his ideas and stories.

1. What inspired you to write your book?

This is a pretty tough question. I’m not sure any particular one thing inspired me to write my book. It was always more like a dream for me. Ever since I was about five years old I wrote and drew some things… although my drawing didn’t improve at all during that time, heh. Seems like yesterday when I finished my first picture book at the age of six. The Worm! Of course, this book never got published.

2. How many places did you send your manuscript to?

Honestly, I don’t think I kept track. I pulled up a list of publishers and wrote up an introductory letter with a summary of my book. I’d send that to each one, along with my manuscript if they were interested. Some publishers replied when interested. Others wouldn’t.

3. Why did you choose Author House?

No particular reason. They did offer a lot of services though. Once one of my books got published with them, they are open to receiving any of my other works. I’m grateful for this, because I’ve got quite a few books getting worked on.

4. Why did you choose the title Paradox?

I thought it was fitting. The title is much like “The Three Musketeers” in that the story isn’t REALLY about the Musketeers but they are in it.

5. Is there a writer that you look up to?

Can’t say that I look up to any writer, I read a lot of books. I’ve enjoyed everything from Stephen King’s works to James Patterson. On the other hand, you could say I look up to them all since I enjoy reading so much of everything.

6. What advice would you give new writers?

Hm. Don’t try and edit your own work if possible. Yeah, you can do the basic stuff… but I got caught up with every little thing that annoyed ME. I had about 4 or 5 people read my manuscript before I had it published, and they all loved it. None of them picked out what bothered me. I can relate it to an actor who dislikes watching themselves on a movie. They might pick out what they dislike about themselves, but other people don’t see it. One other thing: If you can’t write a lot at once, try writing one page a day. Within a year you’ll have a novel sized book.

7. What can we expect in the sequel?

Can’t spoil too much now, but I will say that it’s going to be crazy. The climax planned for it is a bit over the top currently, but I might just keep it that way. It might make the first books ending seem toned down by comparison. Which I’m looking forward too, since the first ones ending was almost non-stop action until the ending of the climax.

8. Will you branch out into other genres?

Possibly, I’ve been toying with the idea of writing a fantasy book that takes place in a more medieval setting. There’s definitely more science fiction ones coming along the route, and there’s a book I want to write that involves a major conflict between technology and magic.

9. How many books will be in this series?

It’s a trilogy, so three of them. There may be other books I write that take place in the same universe but from other characters perspectives and adventures.

10. What was the hardest thing about writing your book?

Would you believe me if I said that coming up with character names were the hardest? For some reason that was tough for me. I’m proud of the names I created and used, though. Other than that, I just wrote as I went along with it. I think that helped keeping it fresh for me.

Paradox by Nivar Woods
Aaron – an average eighteen year old boy – finds himself dragged into a conflict between a Superhero, and Conglomerate, in which he is propelled across planets and dimensions, and finds out what it means to be a true Hero in the midst of adversity. Paradox is the first book in a trilogy where Aaron meets a Superhero like none other, able to control the very essence of darkness. Soon he is pulled into a conflict that has spanned over time. A conflict between a hero and an organization called the Twilight Core, created from a conglomerate of businesses in their bid for the world. This will bring Aaron across the universe to other dimensions where life has been destroyed by otherworldly creatures, and ultimately define what it truly means to be a Hero.

Paradox is on sale from AuthorHouse and Amazon.

 

Guilt Free Chocolate Day

While thinking about Valentine’s Day, I caught myself thinking, ‘Wow, I can eat chocolate without regret.’ While an odd thought in and of itself, I realized that it was true. Anytime I want to eat something that is even slightly sweet, I have to give myself a reason. ‘I’m tired today’, ‘I got an A on my test’, or ‘That was a hard practice’. Even though these don’t seem like very good excuses, they are the usual thoughts that go through my mind as I decided if I want to eat that delicious looking cookie today.

Not surprisingly, one of my guy friends was perplexed when I specified that today I didn’t have to have an excuse to eat chocolate. He couldn’t understand that to most girls, at least the ones I generally know, give a reason before they place that succulent piece of chocolate into their mouth. I explained to him that society, as a whole, has bombarded us with the stereotype that we need to be skinny, so we agonized.

He then asked another question. ‘Why can’t you just stop at one?’. Well for one thing, I usually eat chocolate while watching television or while I am doing something. After eating that first piece, the excuse warps to ‘one more won’t hurt’. Which it doesn’t, since I do it in spurts and sometimes go without chocolate for weeks. He still didn’t understand, but I learned something about myself.

I needed an excuse to eat chocolate.

Well except on Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day. These holidays give me a guilt free pass.

But why should I feel guilty? I haven’t done anything wrong. All I did was eat a bit of chocolate or candy, it wasn’t like I punched someone in the nose. To gain weight takes a lot more factors than just eating a bit of sweets, I shouldn’t have to justify to myself why I need it.

After all, the motion is quite simple. Open mouth, insert chocolate, close mouth, let melt, and swallow. Takes no effort, and I am not injuring myself. Sure, if I just sat around and only ate chocolate I would be hurting myself. But I’m not.

That’s it, no more excuses! Everyday shall be no guilt chocolate eating day!

 

How My Logic Works

It doesn’t really.

Some people have no idea what I am saying, though others understand exactly what I am trying to say. It is a very strange give and take of who knows me and who doesn’t. Those who don’t know me won’t be able to follow my train of thought that is going on a weirder route than the Polar Express. It definitely wierds people out, and makes them think I have no idea what I am talking about. Well newsflash I do, you just don’t understand me.

Though if I say that my writing is any better it is not. Sometimes I read the metaphors, and figures of speech, and I just have to go WTF mate. Then realize this is probably what other people think when I open my mouth. I feel bad about making fun of them, though they should realize that I will be vague and specific at the same time. And sometimes it is hard to understand them too. they say things that just don’t compute in my brain. Though that could be because I am not the best listener when there are other things going on, or I am not interested in the conversation. Wow, I am starting to dislike myself a little bit.

Have you ever gotten into an argument where both arguers are on the same side, but they don’t realize it. I do all the time. It’s one of those misunderstanding things. Though I usually pick up on it about five sentences in. The way to tell is if they say the exact same thing, only with different words. It gets frustrating, because they think you are saying one thing, when I know we are saying the same thing. It makes for an odd predicament.

Will I change my way of using logic in everyday speech, no. Will I continue to be tied for won and lost arguments and debates, yes. Will I, along with the other billions of people on this earth, ever be understood, maybe.

 

Stage an Interview

Now the majority of you that read this blog probably know me in real life. Well, you would know that I had an interview to be the Master of Ceremonies for the Spokane FIRST Robotics Regionals. Now, I didn’t think I would be considered for Master of Ceremonies, since I am a second year university student, and probably wouldn’t be as cool as say a UFC announcer. Which there was actually a UFC announcer at the interview. Which weirded me out, because these robots don’t fight, though I would guess he would have the voice for it.

Anyways, when I have an interview I have to go through stages. It’s a type of ritual, and if I don’t go through it, I feel like I have missed something. Something important, something that was needed.

1. Disbelief
This usually comes with the email or phone call, usually an email though. I generally stare at the email for a bit, wondering if this is a trick or not. Yes, I do sometimes wonder if this entire world is a figment of my imagination and that strange people are controlling my surroundings. Plus, I have gotten prank emails before. Anyway, I generally stare, open, read a few times, then go to the next step.

2. Excitement
Generally there is a scream, declaration of happiness, or lots of bragging that follows the understanding that I am getting something I would enjoy to have. There is usually a post to Facebook, so all my friends can validate my existence, along with a text sent to boyfriends/roommates/people I know who aren’t on Facebook, so they can join in my joy of being chosen and validating my growing ego.

3. Nervous Energy
This step will show up the night before, or several hours before, as I realize that this is going down. I start making lists, making sure I know what I am taking, what I am not taking, mapping the course I am going to take, and all around keeping myself busy. If I allow myself to stall than I will start doubting myself. Doubting myself is not the way to go. One will probably find me talking quite a bit in this stage as I rationalize my nervousness and doubt.

4. Calm
When I am faced with the interview, as in I am in the interview or about to enter, a calm washes over me. I am breezy, nice, coherent, and not sarcastic. So everything I am not when I am around people I know well. Like any interviewee I try to show my super shiny side, while hiding the dull rough spots that will be shown after I get the job. They don’t need to see those yet.

5. The End
At this final stage a lot of things happen, like picking apart the interview, doubting myself, and rejoicing that I made it through with little to no embarrassment. I know that after all is said and done, I can’t do anything more, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t pick it apart. Wishing that I had done something different, worrying about how much better the other interviewees were. They were a lot more shiny in my perspective.

As you can see, a lot of people go through this along with me. I am rather vocal in all stages, though mostly in 2, 3, and 5. However, I have been told that others go through something very similar. I just hope I get the job, though if I don’t, they have other places to put me.

 

Chuck Do That Tango

I must start off by saying that Chuck is a real creep, he reminds me a little of the cook from 2 Broke Girls. Of course he isn’t completely, he does have his moments, like helping Chuck out with fixing computers and motivating his team. Though on the other hand he wants to have a bromance with Chuck. Like showing up at Chuck’s place uninvited and asking why his ‘girlfriend’ was there. Oh Morgan, you remind me of one of my guy friends, though he was trying to get me to date him. It didn’t work, because at the time I was dating my first boyfriend, and afterwards he wasn’t tall enough. Sorry guys that are shorter than 5’9″, you won’t cut it. If it makes you feel better, Morgan wouldn’t make the cut either, he looks shorter than 5’9″.

I have to say that the opening credits of Chuck are one of my favorites. Of course, this is in line with Castle, Big Bang Theory, and Young Justice. The little stick figure running and being awesome takes my heart. It makes me want to take a typography and animation class, it is so well put together. I am so jealous. Not to mention the song in the background, catchy and appropriate. I have a soft spot for Cake, especially when I found out they did a cover of Mahna Mahna. They won the world in my eyes.

I have to say that I am not impressed by Yvonne Strahovski’s performance so far. I haven’t seen her in a lot of things, but she seems to forget how to act every once in a while. Like when she tells Chuck that he will be all right, it seems really forced. I didn’t buy it. I really didn’t, and I just found her fake and understood why Chuck doesn’t like to trust her. And why he has no problem trusting Casey. The guy straight up wanted to kill him and didn’t hide it. He also doesn’t do half-truths, and seems a bit more realistic in his acting. Though I have to say that Zachary Levi does a very good job of showing terrified. I can see myself being him, and not knowing what to do. Also, Captain Awesome! He is awesome. I loved his tango scene with Chuck, made my night.

Before I leave to watch another episode, I just have to comment, couldn’t they make the closing credits as awesome as the opening credits. It would sell the show completely for me. But until those credits become so awesome they blow my mind, I will have to give this show 4 1/2 stars. Sorry Chuck, but I have to.

 

New Pet Project

So, I have recently started watching Chuck. My roommate and various other people have mentioned that I should watch Chuck. Saying that I would enjoy the show. Until now I have never gotten around to watching it, then I watched it. Chuck is absolutely fantastic, and I am rather excited that it is done. I won’t have to wait for new episodes, and I can watch from start to finish without having to worry about cliff hangers. Oh the bane of my existence, cliff hangers. Then I got a grand idea. I would start dedicating posts to Chuck. It will give me something to do as I watch, instead of my usual half-paying attention to a show. Plus, it will give me something to write about, and if it turns out to be super fun, I will pick various other shows that have run their course and write about them.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not reviewing the episodes. There might be some review, but the review will appear in probably the first paragraph and then my speculations. I’ll probably talk about characters, plot, or insight I gain about myself. I am actually rather excited for this.

So I have only watched the first two episodes, but I was hooked in the very first scene. Chuck and Morgan are trying to escape Chuck’s birthday. I have had this feeling before, some of my earlier birthdays I have wanted to escape and never look back. However, his sister catches him and brings him to the party where he breaks down and talks about his ex-girlfriend. Of course things go downhill from there. Explosions and secrets are at every turn, making the heart pound.

I approved of the skater guys reaction as they watched this car drive like no tomorrow down the stairs. Though I couldn’t help thinking that Chuck’s boss was going to be pissed, especially since in the second episode he did damage to the other car entrusted in his care. I just have to wonder, how did Chuck’s boss react. He must have lost some faith in Chuck, and now that he wants to be assistant manager? How is he going to pull that off if he has wrecked two Nerd Herd cars in just a few days. If I was his boss, I wouldn’t even have him as the assistant manager. Sorry Chuck, being a living super computer for the NSA and CIA isn’t going to cut you any slack.

And what was that with him not trusting Sarah even though she had tried to protect him in the pilot. Sure he saw her kill some people, but she is the CIA. That is her job. I wouldn’t have trusted the guy who had wanted to kill me, is part of the company that manufactures those detonators, and had his own car blown up. How did Chuck know that he hadn’t planted it on himself. Goodness gracious, though Sarah did kind of overreact. Chuck is at a very interesting crossroads right now, he doesn’t know what’s going on. He’s still in the rationalization stage, give him some slack. Argh! At least the characters should get better. I am only on season 1 after all, they are still getting their legs stable.

Chuck has certainly intrigued me, and although I don’t have a ton of specific thoughts, besides how much I would be freaking out if I was forced to fly a helicopter for the first time, I intend to have interesting thoughts, and dig deeper into my psych as I continue to watch. There will probably be strange and potentially boring insights along the way, but I hope you take my hand and come with me. Come with me on this magic carpet ride that will potentially scar you for life.

Do you still trust me?

 

How long?

The one question that is asked the most in my classes, “How long do you want it?” Now this may seem like an innocent question but it is asked in all my classes. Being an English Major makes it so I have to write a lot in class. And I mean a lot. I have at least one paper per week, if not two. Now they aren’t long papers, but they are fully thought out papers, that should be proof read before being handed in. However, we don’t need a page limit. If you cover all your bases than it should be long enough. It’s like having your mom come and yell at your professor for giving you a B, instead of the A you deserve. That is all the page limit is doing, we don’t need it. As potential English Majors, we should know when to end a paper, or when to keep going.

What seems to escape my class mates is that if the professor doesn’t ask for a specific page length, then you can get away with a bit less. You don’t need to put in all the B.S. that you would usually put in a paper to cover the five pages that are required. It gives me more room to be concise and save paper and ink. Oh ink, how utterly expensive you are, I despise you so much. Though, I do get some print credit, so I print the longer stuff off the school provided printers. It seems more professional when I do that, and with better color. Maybe I should give my classmates more leniency, but they are in university. If there isn’t a minimum length then they should be rejoicing like me. I don’t have to put in filler or B.S., I can get straight to the point. This is a God send. Thank you professors that don’t have page limits, you are the ones I love.

I should be a little nicer to my peers, but that has stopped for my poetry peers. They don’t even look at the class schedule that she gave us to see what is due. Wouldn’t you look at something like that at least twice a week? It boggles my mind that people wouldn’t look at it, just in case she forgot to mention something. Which actually she doesn’t remind us about assignments, papers yes, but not small assignments. Remember I am in university, and my peers are still relying on the professor to tell them everything. This doesn’t bode well for them when they have to meet deadlines in the real world. Most employers don’t remind you until the day of.

Shame on those who don’t read calenders.

 

Why I Draw Half a Face

I like to think that I am a professional doodler. It is loads of fun to decorate the edges of my notes with scroll work that takes up more of the paper than the notes actually take. Thankfully I haven’t needed to hand in the majority of my notes, or my professors would be wondering if I actually listened. Sometimes I don’t, since I can only sit and listen to someone for so long before I start drifting, dreaming, and puzzling out the life that surrounds me.

I have to truthfully say that my doodling became professional in my sophomore year while attending my World History class. Best class ever, and actually the last one that specific teacher taught. He retired after that year. I promise it was not because of us. But he had us take notes and hand them in, however he gave us the pieces of paper that we were supposed to write on, and on these pieces of paper there were designated doodle areas. Obviously he didn’t want to have us doodling all over the place, and gave us an area to do it in. It spiraled from there.

Now, I like to draw fake looking eyes, though I generally only draw the right eye. Why? Well I am right-handed. Being right-handed makes drawing things on the right much easier. At least to me. Most of my drawings have a right orientation, being that anything I draw on the left either looks better or worse. They never look similar, it bugs me. I need them to look somewhat similar, plus I draw in pen, so there is no erasing. Well I could get the erasable pens, but that would be boring and they are gross. They don’t erase very well in my opinion. Shame on them!

For now, I shall be rightest since it is easier to draw on the right side.

 

Moving the Story On

I am really bad at this writing a post everyday, but I just get those blah days. However, I have gotten to the point that if I do not post at least once a day, I start getting antsy. I feel that I am letting down the millions of imaginary readers that I dream up for myself. Don’t we all want millions of adoring fans? No, well I can’t bring myself to think I am so lowly as to only have a couple thousand. Peasants have only thousands of adoring fans. I need millions. Thankfully they are all imaginary, or this entire planet would have been decimated a long time ago.

As some of you may know, I do text based role play. Like the text-based that has pictures and is about three paragraphs long. This is extremely helpful for developing characters and putting them in situations that I might not think up myself. Many of my characters that I use in my stories were helped along because of role play. Of course this could be slightly detrimental to them, since I will get used to other writing for the characters that are interacting with my character. However, most of them are too worried to move forward with the plot.

Unfortunately, most role players are too scared to move other people’s characters. Since there is generally a rule of ‘No god-modding’, which essentially means you shouldn’t take control of someone else’s character. This can cause a slight problem, in that they won’t move the story forward. This gets on my nerves, since it becomes harder to write the usual amount for me. There are only so many times I can write Norio’s giant ego towards his dragon status, or Elsie’s dislike for showing skin, or Clara wondering if her dolls need new clothes. I have gotten to the point that I will have my characters grab a hold of whoever I am interacting with, and drag them. Or bring in one of my other characters if I have multiples. But sometimes it makes me hate life to pull such underhanded tactics.

It is not that they are bad writers, quite far from it. I generally join role plays that are considered semi-literate to literate. This just means that the role plays have more thought out posts, usually not dipping below two or three paragraphs. Of course, I have joined some role plays that want you to count the sentences in a paragraph, but paragraphs don’t have a set sentence count, regardless of what your English teacher taught you. In creative writing, a paragraph could be made of one sentence, and some are a couple of pages long. But what they are expecting me to do is base a post from a summary of my post.

I am only human people, why do you expect so much of me?