The future has come to pass...

I still am in shock as I look at the telltale purple bar, the numbers from every day's word count, the shouts of joy from many others going through the same emotions. I can't believe I won. As of right now, my novel is finished at 54,042 words. I never thought that I would get through it. Seriously, as much as I've been raving about it, and from the incessant Facebook and Twitter updates, I had my doubts. At first, I had a strong beginning, getting well over my daily goal, but after that first week it got much more difficult to keep writing. I think it was somewhere around the 27K to 33K mark, where I started saying, "What the hell am I doing? This stuff is crap! Who would want to read this? I should just stop now."

But then I saw others that were just behind me, and some who were just ahead of me, and I kept going. Euphoric is a good word to describe how I felt as I verified my count and won, on Thanksgiving of all days. It further intensified as I actually finished my novel last night. I'm still reeling from the fact that I FINISHED the novel. I always have a hard time finishing projects, but not this time.

Things I've learned:
- The 500-word baby steps that took 2 hours to write on some days were just as important as the 4K days.
- Keep a notepad everywhere you go. You never know when or where inspiration will strike, and it could save your novel if you write it down.
- Plot bunnies are everywhere. Sometimes, though, the best thing to do is to catch one with a carrot.
- MAKE A NOTE AND EDIT LATER!
- There are many approaches to writing a novel, and there is no right or wrong way. "Figuring things out for yourself is the only freedom anyone really has. Use that freedom."
- In the end, it doesn't matter how many words you have written, because they're always more than what you had before. Still, victory is sweet.

I still have to edit my novel, and it will take longer than writing it, but I have the momentum and support to do it. Adding another 40K to it and cleaning up the middle section will take some time, but it's sure gonna be fun!

I don't usually make plugs like this, but I just found out about this today, and it really sucks that we don't have cable right now, or that it airs on Tuesdays.

The first sci-fi show I ever watched, V, is being rebooted. "The arrival of the Visitors" will be on Nov. 3 at 8/7c on ABC.

Now, normally, I'm weary of remakes or reboots, but I WILL give this one a chance. First off, it's technically the 25th anniversary of the original airing of the show. Second, like I said, it was my first fandom (at age 4), so I need to see how well it'll be done. Mainly, though, there are two reasons I am wanting to find a way to watch this:

Morena Baccarin and Alan Tudyk!!

I will donate blank DVDs to people if they can record this for me!

So, some of you may not know this about me, but I've been a struggling author for many years. I started out with fan-fics in grade school and middle school, then I started writing original material in high school. I've always struggled with a novel I've been writing for over 10 years. I always seem to get stuck with a scene, or I'm constantly in edit mode. I've been trying to get back into it, even though I'm having a hard time figuring out just what medium would suit the story best.

When Birdie and I went to Kevin J. Anderson's writing workshop at Dragon*Con '07, he said something that I've really tried to implement: "Always have more than one project, so if you get stuck you can just switch gears and keep writing." I apparently was doing this before he said it, but it felt good to hear that reinforced.

I have a short story that I'm trying to polish up and expand on to see if I can get that published for actual money, and I've doodled down several poems just to try out the genre. I've had three poems published already, so I know I must be on the right track.

I also remember from the workshop that it's good to have a dedicated place to create, but at the same time have different ways to create when it comes to different parts of a project. With that in mind, I've created a new blog at a different web site dedicated to everything I write. I could have created a new LJ account (and I still might, just in case), but I think having a different site might help me get into a different mindset.

Why did I do this? You know, I sat at that question for a good while. The immediate reason is so I can easily sort what I have and put a timestamp on it. The overall reason, however, is that I'm tired of starting things and not finishing them. I don't know why, when it comes to stories, I hesitate to finish them. Maybe it's because I grow so attached to the characters that I don't want them to leave after the story is told. Maybe that's why I like short stories better, because the scene is what ends, not the story.

Anyway, I'm also going to try to write a bit every day. No, scratch that, I WILL write something every day. There's just no telling what it will be. To any of you who are interested in following, the website is right here: Deviations in Time. Everything is free to comment, and I think you can use your LJ account to comment on it as well.

If nothing else, it should be fun to watch!

( 75 things you've probably never been asked before )

It was only a matter of time.

http://xkcd.com/548/

Amazon must be working with publishing companies in Ursa Minor.

Thanks to the genius of Wil Wheaton (no shit), I had to pimp this video.


Sony Releases New Stupid Piece Of Shit That Doesn't Fucking Work

If only we could get it on cable. But then, this is what the Intarwebz was created for, right?

I've been instructed to, when I get my own computer at work, I'll need to give people my AIM name and friend everyone who's on Facebook.

So what am I doing up at 6am?

My co-workers told me about Twitter as well, so I'm setting that up. Oh cheese and crackers. I'm also having an intimate relationship with coffee.

What would the Brits in my family think?

I know there are a couple of you out there that will point and laugh at me for saying this, namely suthrnbellechan because of your cosplay of it, and hawthornegem for showing it to me. Some of you will go, "Buh?" And some of you will just *facepalm* and shake their heads, specifically hesterbyrde because it's bad for me...

I've just seen the first episode of the anime, "Airgear."

It infused my face with concentrated shiny.

Damnit, now I have to watch the rest of it.

And get the soundtrack. (glares at the Lira)

I'm having a pout now.

-pick your birth month (see the list at the end of post).
- strike out anything that doesn't apply to you.
- bold (or italicize) what applies to you.
- copy to your own journal, with all twelve months under a lj-cut.

- NOVEMBER: Has a lot of ideas. Difficult to fathom. Thinks forward. Unique and brilliant. Extraordinary ideas. Sharp thinking. Fine and strong clairvoyance. Can become good doctors. Dynamic in personality. Secretive. Inquisitive. Knows how to dig secrets. Always thinking. Less talkative but amiable. Brave and generous. Patient. Stubborn and hard-hearted. If there is a will, there is a way. Determined. Never give up. Hardly becomes angry unless provoked. Loves to be alone. Thinks differently from others. Sharp-minded. Motivates oneself. Does not appreciate praises. High-spirited. Well-built and tough. Deep love and emotions. Romantic. Uncertain in relationships. Homely. Hardworking. High abilities. Trustworthy. Honest and keeps secrets. Not able to control emotions. Unpredictable.


( the months )

(all comments will be screened for your protection, anonymous posting is on)

I've had to spend a lot of time recently reflecting on myself. Reflecting on my decisions, my behaviors, my interactions. To tell you the truth, I'm having a hard time with what I'm discovering.

A few years ago, I stated that my New Year's Resolution was simply, "Don't regret to make a choice, and make choices without regrets." It's kind of the same philosophy as, "Life's too short to second-guess everything you do." Easier said than done, of course. Not just because it's hard to not second-guess yourself, but it's also hard to recognize the difference between a good quick decision and a hasty decision.

That being said, I've discovered that adopting this resolution has taught me something about myself that I never knew possible: I care so much about my friends that I'll be a veritable asshole to anyone to protect them, even if it's from each other. I'll do anything for them, even at the cost of my friendships with them, the cost of my own being. Plainly, it's what I do, because who else is willing to do it?

It took the help of a good, good friend to ask me a question that I'm still not sure how to answer: "What is going to make you happy?" My whole life, I've devoted all of my time, effort, and love into making others happy--my family, my friends, even total strangers I meet at work. Usually, I succeed, and it does make me feel good. There have been more times than not, however, that I have been unsuccessful, and even if there was nothing I could do for some of those cases, I still feel like it's my fault, that I failed them.

For a short time, I tried doing JUST what made me happy. I quickly, and with minimal damage, realized that doing so is a dangerous way to let my ego take control of me. I eventually found a good medium: I can still do as much as I can for everyone I hold dear, but I should have a backbone to stand up for myself as well.

Upon my reflections, I realized that I have done things I'm not proud of lately. I've taken myself out of the lives of others, because if I didn't I'd say something I would regret. I've smothered others with my attention, to the point that they're uncomfortable around me now. I've told people my observations, beliefs, or comments that may have been inappropriate, even if they needed to hear them, and in doing so, I've hurt them more than I could ever realize.

I don't know what I'm trying to say here. This was supposed to be one of those "anonymous-only" things where you can tell me anything you've ever wanted to tell me, and I'll never know who you are, but it's gone further than that. You can still do that if you'd like, if it'll make you feel better. I promise to listen to you.

So, I promised amishgirl418 that I'd fill this out for my next post, and now that I can BREATHE from work I can do it. So, here it is:

1.) Where did you ring in 2008?
At the Ness's house, with Birdie's friends from church orchestra.

2.) What was your status by Valentine's Day?
loved

3.) Were you in school (anytime this year)?
The whole. Fucking. Year. Although, in retrospect, I probably shouldn't have been for the last semester.

4.) How did you earn your keep?
2 jobs, a student loan, mutual funds (and don't forget the rice pudding!)

5.) Did you end up in the hospital?
Nope, but almost had to go at the end of the year.

6.) Have you ever encountered the police?
Yes. Stupid speeding traps. (same here, Erin.) Got me in my apartment complex on an idle Tuesday.

7.) Where did you go on vacation?
...... *sigh*

8.) What did you purchase that was over $500?
My Daisy. I loves my Daisy. *hugs the MacBook Pro*

9.) Did you know anybody who got married?
*looks in a mirror*

10.) Did you know anybody who passed away?
Not really knew them, but I know there were quite a few.

11.) Have you run into anybody you graduated high school with?
A couple of times. John-boy was in the wedding, and Nick usually came by the store.

12.) Did you move anywhere?
Nope.

13.) What sporting events did you go to?
Charger Hockey and Stars Baseball ^_^

14.) What concerts did you go to?
oh wow.... did I really not go to any concert that year?

15.) Are you registered to vote?
Yes.

16.) If so, did you vote?
Yes, I did, although it doesn't make a difference how I vote in a red state.

17.) Where do you live now?
Huntsville, AL

18.) What did you do on your birthday?
Early present was seeing Jeff Dunham. People were sick on my b-day, so we did a joint party with Eeeegeee.

19.) What's the one thing you thought you would never do but did in 2008?
Have a breakdown in front of my parents for stressing me out too much.

20.) What is one thing you regretted this year?
I try to live life without regrets. It makes life more interesting.

21.) What's something you learned about yourself?
Sometimes, it's better to stop thinking and just be.

22.) Any new additions to your family?
Nope.

23.) What was your best month?
You would think I'd say October because of the wedding. I'd actually say November because, with the exception of working the day after Thanksgiving, the whole month was the most peaceful one of the year.

24.) What from pop culture will you remember 2008 by?
The death of Gary Gygax, creator of Dungeons & Dragons.
http://xkcd.com/393/
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0536.html

Sure, kinda morbid and geeky, but ask any "Wheel of Time" fan about 2007, and they'll cry.

25.) How would you rate this year with a scale from 1 (worst) to 10 (the best)?
Started as a 6, climaxed as a 9, ends at a 3.

I went to bed at midnight. 3:30am came and I woke up. Not in a coughing fit this time, but I was wide awake, and I never got back to sleep. I said, "This is gonna be one long fucking day."

( And it was. )

*sigh*

We now return you to our regularly-scheduled reality, already in progress.

Because it's 1am and I can't sleep because of the coughing:

Movie quiz!

1. Name a movie that you have seen more than 10 times: Monty Python and the Holy Grail (and I'll probably never see again because it's all in my head)

2. Name a movie that you've seen multiple times in a theatre: Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is the only one I can remember.

3. Name an actor that would make you more inclined to see a movie: Keira Knightley, Karl Urban, Morgan Freeman, Patrick Stewart

4. Name an actor that would make you less likely to see a movie: Tom Cruise, Will Ferrell

5. Name a movie that you can quote from: Just one?!!! Star Trek VI, because I loved the political intrigue.

6. Name a movie musical that you know all the lyrics to all the songs: Fiddler on the Roof and Aladdin

7. Name a movie that you have been known to sing along with: Same as #6

8. Name a movie that you would recommend everyone see: GalaxyQuest. It's like the characters are MST3K'ing themselves in their situations. It also kinda falls into the "sci-fi for people who don't really like sci-fi" category.

9. Name a movie that you own: A Knight's Tale.

10. Name an actor that launched his/her entertainment career in another medium but who has surprised you with his/her acting chops: *shrug*

11. Have you ever seen a movie in a drive-in?: No. It just doesn't appeal to me.

12. Ever made out in a movie?: When I was younger, because we didn't get a lot of big movies in that little town. Product of environment, I guess. Haven't done that since I moved here.

13. Name a movie that you keep meaning to see but just haven't gotten around to it: Steamboy! I got it as a Christmas present one year, and never had the time to watch it.

14. Ever walked out of a movie?: No, but I wanted to once. I went to see Unbreakable, and 30 seconds before the end, I declared the movie was epic fail, but it would have been pointless to walk out at that point. I just told the people behind the counter very graciously and through no fault of their own that the movie blew rust off of an old truck fender.

15. Name a movie that made you cry in the theatre: I think Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.

16. Popcorn?: Used to, but I hate how my lips feel afterwards. Not good for after-movie snogging.

17. How often do you go to the movies?: Depends on the year. Sometimes twice a year, sometimes six times a year.

18. What's the last movie you saw in the theater?: Twilight. Can't believe I fanboyed all over the place. With my wife. Will see again. Damnit. And Alice is waaaaaaay hot. ^_^

19. What is your favorite/preferred genre of movie?: In the theater, definately sci-fi or lots of action, but the characterization better be worth a damn or it's pointless. Pase in Coint: Body of Lies with Leo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe. Good action, but fell short in likable characters, and that just killed the movie for me.

20. What was the first movie you remember seeing in the theater?: Twister? Mortal Kombat? I didn't really get to watch movies until I started driving myself.

21. What movie(s) has/have changed your life?: I would have to say Dogma and The Matrix. I tend to take a lot of things at face value, and I feel both of those movies taught me to question everything, and decide for myself.

WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names): William Cable
NASCAR NAME: (first name of your mother’s dad, father’s dad): Arthur Charles
STAR WARS NAME: (the first 2 letters of your last name, first 4 letters of your first name): Rochar
DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal): Purple Duck
SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you live): William Huntsville
SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite alcoholic drink, optionally add “THE” to the beginning): The Blue Relaxer
FLY NAME: (first 2 letters of 1st name, last 2 letters of your last name): Chrs
GANGSTA NAME: (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite cookie): Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Macadamia Nut
ROCK STAR NAME: (current pet’s name, current street name): Keraglen Rime Village
PORN NAME: (1st pet, street you grew up on): Christy Wesley

Woke up, checked Monaco's website, ordered 2 tickets to the 9pm showing of Twilight, in the exact middle of the theater.

Maaaaaak, bitches.

I know I should probably post something about the wedding here, and how married life has been since teh weddingz0r.

I'm sure I will soon.

But for right now....

Can someone please tell me why Monaco pictures has decided to be complete numbnuts and not start preselling Twilight tickets?!!! When Rave and Hollywood 18 have been selling it for nearly 24 hours and offering a free iTunes download?!?!!?!111oneone!!

I mean, Christ, people. I may never get hopped up on a paranormal movie ever again. That is, until someone decides it'd be a great idea to make Laurel K. Hamilton's "Guilty Pleasures" into a movie, and then I'll have to carry my wife to the movie in a 5-gallon bucket, because she'll be an oozing puddle of fangirl.

There, I'm done. Now to go find the pillow before I have to go to work tomorrow.

~Hamlet, Act I, Scene IV

The long and the short of it, we've lost two people at work, and we'll probably lose a third soon. Most of the others have a second job or school or both.

I wish we could find people that would actually work.

- Bold all of the following TV shows which you've ever seen 3 or more episodes of in your lifetime.
- Bold and italicize a show if you're positive you've seen every episode of it.
- If you want, add up to 3 additional shows (keep the list in alphabetical order).

( TV Show Meme )

For anyone who would like more information about this, these are the links I suggest:
All Things Considered from NPR

Yahoo News and Associated Press

BBC News
CNN.com

( Dear Sen. John McCain... )