Writing is something I love. I enjoy both writing my own fiction and reading almost any kind of fiction I can get my hands on. But I do have a problem, and yeah, it's the one you're thinking.
My biggest problem with writing is following through with it and finishing the story! I have countless works halfway finished but nothing seems to be good enough to add to them. It's like my characters were walking around, doing what they were supposed to, and then they just got bored and went back home! Don't they realize that the best part is coming?! No, they don't, and neither do I. There is a perpetual wall of writer's block that I run into, and I can never seem to get past it. I wonder if I have ADD, ADHD, or if I'm just looking for an excuse. Since I can almost always crank out a wicked 15 page final paper two days before it's due, I feel it must be the latter.
Another issue I run into often is that of the timing of my inspiration. I can stare at MS Word for hours during my free time and come up completely dry from the inspirational well of ideas; then I go to work or school and WHAM, countless ideas come spurting out of the recesses of my mind like blood from an arterial wound. Alas, inspiration is like a fickle witch who likes to curse me with her presence at only the most inopportune moments.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised by a witch though. We all know inspiration is a capable and crafty enchanter who makes herself relatively available to poor, unfortunate souls such as myself. After all, she can steal a princess and pump her full of hair growth supplements, feed her apples of sleeping death (they make great pies), she can even give her legs with convenient expiration dates. The problem comes when she laces a string into your deal and yanks on it. And she normally does that for weird reasons like your stealing her turnips or being rather attractive or cause your dad has an underwater kingdom. It seems that one should not be surprised by her actions against them. I mean, she's pretty formulaic (except for Glenda, who I think is just biding her time for something big). I need a sword of truth to stab her with, but then I suppose that the inspiration itself would be dead.
Hmmm...I'm not sure if anyone beside myself could follow that, but I like how it sounded so I'm leaving it. In fact, that very thought leads me to ponder one more big writing issue of mine. Clarity for me does not compare well with the clarity of others. Maybe it's because my brain likes shortcuts. Basically, I like to try and think a few steps ahead of myself sometimes, and it can get me into major trouble when doing something tedious like algebra or handling nitroglycerin. I give a part of a story I've been working on to someone and they look at it with questioning expressions and furrowed eyebrows like I handed them a portrait of their mother as a two headed dragon (not that that depiction would be far off for some people other than myself). When this type of thing happens, a small portion of my motivation gets destroyed and, eventually, I just can't seem to progress with the story. The confounded thing is that those same people come back and beg me to move forward with my work! After you told me it was confusing and convoluted? Really?!
Oy vey! Someone come and do my schoolwork, work, and social life please! Once I have those taken care of, I will have time to figure all this out and make these stories real.
No takers?
Nobody?
Oh well, I guess a dream is something only I can dream for myself, right? Maybe I should be writing something more important than a blog post, huh?
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Soooooo...how's your mom?
Mothers are unique creatures. Some are horrible while some are fantastic, and each child has an opinion about theirs. Is yours nice, or is she evil? Do you cry when she leaves the room, or do you cry when she comes in? Save for some people who can't think of anything good about their mothers, most of us would have to at least be thankful that they took the time to carry us to term. I know that I am thankful for much, much more than that because I was blessed with a wonderful mother. She put me and my siblings first, protected us when it was needed, and raised us to the best of her ability. She cared, and it was obvious. She does those little things that make you shake your head and go, "you didn't have to do that," to which, of course, she says "I know I didn't."
Yes, my mother is great, and I love the fact that she still bothers to care about such a foolish son as me. If that makes me a mama's boy, so be it. That means I'll know how to treat a woman when I get one, right? Well, maybe. I certainly know what women want to hear, but that doesn't always mean I say it. I feel they should hear what's on my mind, not what I know would flatter them...at least not every time.
My mother is one of 10 siblings. She grew up in the poorest of conditions with more issues coming down on her than I can bear to think about. She grew up tough and yet somewhat discouraged, coming to the downtown area from her country roots, working in a bank, and contending with roommates who were extremely tough to live with. Her story amazes me every time I hear it, and I wonder if there are any women in today's plush and entitled society that are anywhere near as strong as she has had to be. She is beautiful, but doubts it; she is intelligent, but sells herself short; she is compassionate, but let's her emotions cloud her better judgement sometimes. I will not say that she is flawless because no human will ever be perfect, but she's pretty close.
I know that not all parental relationships are easy. I know that not all mothers are amazing or superwoman or even nice. I know all of that, but they brought us here. The reason you're reading this blog, the reason I'm here to write it is because God saw fit to make woman and that woman saw fit to bring you here. She did not destroy you, though there are some that have tried, and she is the reason you are here. Others may be the reason you made it, others may love you more than she ever will, but this day is simply to give credit to the women of the world who took the time to bring another life into it. Give her credit for that if you cannot give her credit for anything else. And, for those of us that have them, let's remember what a blessing a good mother is on this weekend celebration.
Thank you, Moms. Thank you, Mom. Ah, the madness (both good and bad) we have put each other through, and oh, how much more there is to wreak upon one another. Don't go anywhere anytime soon, okay.
Happy Mother's Day everyone! May we reflect on the journey of each of our own lives on this day because it was our mothers who made our lives possible.
Yes, my mother is great, and I love the fact that she still bothers to care about such a foolish son as me. If that makes me a mama's boy, so be it. That means I'll know how to treat a woman when I get one, right? Well, maybe. I certainly know what women want to hear, but that doesn't always mean I say it. I feel they should hear what's on my mind, not what I know would flatter them...at least not every time.
My mother is one of 10 siblings. She grew up in the poorest of conditions with more issues coming down on her than I can bear to think about. She grew up tough and yet somewhat discouraged, coming to the downtown area from her country roots, working in a bank, and contending with roommates who were extremely tough to live with. Her story amazes me every time I hear it, and I wonder if there are any women in today's plush and entitled society that are anywhere near as strong as she has had to be. She is beautiful, but doubts it; she is intelligent, but sells herself short; she is compassionate, but let's her emotions cloud her better judgement sometimes. I will not say that she is flawless because no human will ever be perfect, but she's pretty close.
I know that not all parental relationships are easy. I know that not all mothers are amazing or superwoman or even nice. I know all of that, but they brought us here. The reason you're reading this blog, the reason I'm here to write it is because God saw fit to make woman and that woman saw fit to bring you here. She did not destroy you, though there are some that have tried, and she is the reason you are here. Others may be the reason you made it, others may love you more than she ever will, but this day is simply to give credit to the women of the world who took the time to bring another life into it. Give her credit for that if you cannot give her credit for anything else. And, for those of us that have them, let's remember what a blessing a good mother is on this weekend celebration.
Thank you, Moms. Thank you, Mom. Ah, the madness (both good and bad) we have put each other through, and oh, how much more there is to wreak upon one another. Don't go anywhere anytime soon, okay.
Happy Mother's Day everyone! May we reflect on the journey of each of our own lives on this day because it was our mothers who made our lives possible.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Hearts on sleeves and missing bones
Recently I read this article from MSNBC.com:
'Avengers' Cruel to adoption community
All I have to say to it is this,
Really?!
There are children dying of AIDS, African people starving, countries still recovering from horrible natural disasters (partially because donated funds have been lining the wrong people's pockets), and this is the best MSNBC can come up with to report to us? If this is news, them Comedy Central , not to mention all the other late night comedians, should be on trial. I suppose that one of MSNBC's 10 commandments is that thou shalt not poke fun at others who are overly sensitive and refuse to overcome their stereotypes. Instead, they demand you limit yourself and everyone around you so that you may not say certain things without setting off a mine field of consequences.
Really? Whatever happened to the high road, to rising above taunts and narrow minded nay-sayers? Oh right, people started suing each other because they started wearing their hearts on their sleeves. This is one fad our court system just can't seem to shake. There's a plethora of sue happy idiots who want a quick buck, so they sue because they put coffee between their legs, because they think that cruise control is auto pilot just because it's installed on something bigger than a sedan, or because someone said (although we edge closer to 'implied' every day) something about someone else's whatever. I will restrain from going into further detail so I do not get crucified for saying this.
I understand that people have been discriminated against in the past for some really ridiculous stuff, but have we as a nation not managed to get over that yet? I don't understand why race, color, nationality, or gender are still making the front page. I mean, doesn't this kind of action feed back into the division or segmentation of the human race? Isn't the line in the sand being drawn by fear and legislation instead of verbal taunts and physical actions?
There is the matter of excessive teasing and bullying and harassment, but a one-liner in a popular movie is not worth getting your panties in a wad about. I do not think that adopted people will become psychopaths when they grow up, but it is funny to spin the stereotype. If the complaining parties took time to think about it, then they would realize that it doesn't even make sense when coming from the god of Thunder, does it? Why would he joke like a mortal? He talks like Shakespeare for Pete's sake!
All of this begs only one real question. Where is Madam Pomfrey and her handy flask of skele-gro? Americans need to grow a backbone pronto!
'Avengers' Cruel to adoption community
All I have to say to it is this,
Really?!
There are children dying of AIDS, African people starving, countries still recovering from horrible natural disasters (partially because donated funds have been lining the wrong people's pockets), and this is the best MSNBC can come up with to report to us? If this is news, them Comedy Central , not to mention all the other late night comedians, should be on trial. I suppose that one of MSNBC's 10 commandments is that thou shalt not poke fun at others who are overly sensitive and refuse to overcome their stereotypes. Instead, they demand you limit yourself and everyone around you so that you may not say certain things without setting off a mine field of consequences.
I understand that people have been discriminated against in the past for some really ridiculous stuff, but have we as a nation not managed to get over that yet? I don't understand why race, color, nationality, or gender are still making the front page. I mean, doesn't this kind of action feed back into the division or segmentation of the human race? Isn't the line in the sand being drawn by fear and legislation instead of verbal taunts and physical actions?
There is the matter of excessive teasing and bullying and harassment, but a one-liner in a popular movie is not worth getting your panties in a wad about. I do not think that adopted people will become psychopaths when they grow up, but it is funny to spin the stereotype. If the complaining parties took time to think about it, then they would realize that it doesn't even make sense when coming from the god of Thunder, does it? Why would he joke like a mortal? He talks like Shakespeare for Pete's sake!
All of this begs only one real question. Where is Madam Pomfrey and her handy flask of skele-gro? Americans need to grow a backbone pronto!Mornings
Ah, the fresh air, the bright sky, the chirping birds, the groggy zombie like humans wandering to their cars while guzzling coffee. *inhales deeply/coughs as a trash truck drives by* Yep, this is a new day, and I could have slept the entire thing away without a second thought.
Being in college and pulling all nighters, I have learned to have mixed emotions about the morning...especially the early variety. Frankly there are many mornings where I hated the fact that the sun was coming back up. I guess I can understand vampires' feelings on that score now. Sometimes, the night is just too short! Especially when you have a 15 page paper due at 9:15 and a class to sit through at 8:00.
But let me get a little more serious now. There is really no better time of day than the early morning. Watching the sun set is amazing, but watching it rise is like watching two kids make a pinky promise. A promise just happened; there's a new day out there, go do something with it! The sad part is that the promise of a new day is that if you don't go to work and spend the day there, you will not be able to pay your bills tomorrow.
And yet, in spite of the sad stuff I just mentioned, the morning is still glorious. People should enjoy it! Look at the sky when you're at a traffic light, I'm sure the person behind you will kindly remind you when the light changes color. Wave at children waiting on the bus, and don't worry about their parents giving you evil looks, they probably just think you're a pedophile. Enjoy those moments, they are fleeting, just like the rest of your life.
Do you feel the pressure to make something of yourself today? No. Me either. Let's go to work everyone! Oh, and good morning.
Being in college and pulling all nighters, I have learned to have mixed emotions about the morning...especially the early variety. Frankly there are many mornings where I hated the fact that the sun was coming back up. I guess I can understand vampires' feelings on that score now. Sometimes, the night is just too short! Especially when you have a 15 page paper due at 9:15 and a class to sit through at 8:00.
But let me get a little more serious now. There is really no better time of day than the early morning. Watching the sun set is amazing, but watching it rise is like watching two kids make a pinky promise. A promise just happened; there's a new day out there, go do something with it! The sad part is that the promise of a new day is that if you don't go to work and spend the day there, you will not be able to pay your bills tomorrow.And yet, in spite of the sad stuff I just mentioned, the morning is still glorious. People should enjoy it! Look at the sky when you're at a traffic light, I'm sure the person behind you will kindly remind you when the light changes color. Wave at children waiting on the bus, and don't worry about their parents giving you evil looks, they probably just think you're a pedophile. Enjoy those moments, they are fleeting, just like the rest of your life.
Do you feel the pressure to make something of yourself today? No. Me either. Let's go to work everyone! Oh, and good morning.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
...and so this is blogging, as opposed to Christmas I suppose.
Blogging...*sigh*...I never thought I would see the day I cared enough to try this, but the day has dawned and is actually on its way out right now. The Sun is slipping around to check on China and the clouds are turning back to their off-whitish color instead of the radiant gold they were a moment ago. What a day, and what a time to start this kind of thing.
Now, just to be clear, I am giving this a dry run. If I hate it, I hold complete control over whether or not I continue from this point onward. Now, as I was saying, er starting to say, before I so rudely interrupted myself. I am Keith. I am in college. I am filled to capacity with all kinds of moods, emotions, and angst. I will share most of them with you if I feel like it (see right there's a moody comment already).
I am a very random person who likes very random things. I will talk about random things here if I think they deserve mention, which, if we're honest, will be most things because most things deserve at least something of a mention. I mean, they can be ridiculed at the very least, right? Sure they can. I knew you'd agree. Now let's get on with this fiasco.
I know what you're thinking. I've introduced myself and now you want me to say "How about you," right? That is the next question in all the romantic comedy scripts that follow a grievously predictable formula nowadays, correct? Well, pull the emergency brake there buddy. Let's NOT talk about you. After all this is my blog, and that has nothing to do with you, so why are you trying to change the subject? Sheesh, this is why I hate people. They tend to think the world revolves around them. I'm pretty sure that it revolves around me, the catch is that I haven't convinced the rest of those silly planets to follow suit. The key is to get the Sun to hang around you, the rest will soon follow like cheerleaders around jock-like centers of gravity, the poor dears.
I think I should warn you, I am highly opinionated and get hot around the collar a bit too easily sometimes. It is a problem, I am working on it. Please don't bark at me if I was foolish enough to lose my cool. I'll put myself on ice faster than you could manage with any barbed retort you deem clever enough to throw my way. You may disagree with me, but keep it respectful and I will force myself to do the same.
Now that I have assured that several of you will not bother following me, I will go ahead and say that I am a Christian dude who is conservative in nature and behavior. I try not to be stereotypical, hypocritical, or narrow minded; and will appreciate your not being that way as well. I will go ahead and tell you that you cannot shake my faith though. I may post my testimony up here so you will all know why, but you can trust me when I say that I think God is God and there is no one else that can be substitute for Him.
Also, funny things are funny things, so I will take them in a lighthearted and often semi-offensive manner (in other words: I will poke fun, so man up). Serious things will be taken on with a serious air so you can tell when I'm about to get down to earth with you. Anything else that's worth knowing you'll come to know eventually. So take a chill pill, get ready for whatever I think you should see, and don't bother being rude. I'm trying not to be after all.
Now, just to be clear, I am giving this a dry run. If I hate it, I hold complete control over whether or not I continue from this point onward. Now, as I was saying, er starting to say, before I so rudely interrupted myself. I am Keith. I am in college. I am filled to capacity with all kinds of moods, emotions, and angst. I will share most of them with you if I feel like it (see right there's a moody comment already).
I am a very random person who likes very random things. I will talk about random things here if I think they deserve mention, which, if we're honest, will be most things because most things deserve at least something of a mention. I mean, they can be ridiculed at the very least, right? Sure they can. I knew you'd agree. Now let's get on with this fiasco.
I know what you're thinking. I've introduced myself and now you want me to say "How about you," right? That is the next question in all the romantic comedy scripts that follow a grievously predictable formula nowadays, correct? Well, pull the emergency brake there buddy. Let's NOT talk about you. After all this is my blog, and that has nothing to do with you, so why are you trying to change the subject? Sheesh, this is why I hate people. They tend to think the world revolves around them. I'm pretty sure that it revolves around me, the catch is that I haven't convinced the rest of those silly planets to follow suit. The key is to get the Sun to hang around you, the rest will soon follow like cheerleaders around jock-like centers of gravity, the poor dears.
I think I should warn you, I am highly opinionated and get hot around the collar a bit too easily sometimes. It is a problem, I am working on it. Please don't bark at me if I was foolish enough to lose my cool. I'll put myself on ice faster than you could manage with any barbed retort you deem clever enough to throw my way. You may disagree with me, but keep it respectful and I will force myself to do the same.
Now that I have assured that several of you will not bother following me, I will go ahead and say that I am a Christian dude who is conservative in nature and behavior. I try not to be stereotypical, hypocritical, or narrow minded; and will appreciate your not being that way as well. I will go ahead and tell you that you cannot shake my faith though. I may post my testimony up here so you will all know why, but you can trust me when I say that I think God is God and there is no one else that can be substitute for Him.
Also, funny things are funny things, so I will take them in a lighthearted and often semi-offensive manner (in other words: I will poke fun, so man up). Serious things will be taken on with a serious air so you can tell when I'm about to get down to earth with you. Anything else that's worth knowing you'll come to know eventually. So take a chill pill, get ready for whatever I think you should see, and don't bother being rude. I'm trying not to be after all.
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