Baby Balooza

      My brother and his girlfriend finally had their baby. Contractions started Sunday and Aurora Paige was finally born Thursday afternoon. At the hospital, they had almost their entire extended family there. When the baby was being born, my brother's girlfriend's mother insisted on being in the delivery room and outside of the room, my mom, a great aunt, a sister-in-law, and a friend all had their ears pressed to the door to hear the baby's first cries.

The baby weighed 5 lbs 11 ounces and was 48 inches long.

      I worked 12 hours Wednesday night and when I got home at 6 Thursday morning, I got the call that they were heading to the hospital. I went directly to the hospital and ended up having to take a nap in the waiting room around noon because the baby still hadn't been born yet. She was born just before 6pm so when I hit the bed at 10, I immediately fell asleep. I have never been so tired in my life so I admire Aurora's parents who didn't sleep well the night before.
      Halloween is fast approaching and Friday I am going shopping for my decorations. I plan on going crazy at the Halloween store because anything I buy I can use for props in any movies I want to make later on. I've already made two bottles of fake blood. I had to make two because the first ended up a purple color so I figured for human blood I probably needed more of a red color. At least now I have some alien blood.
      I wrote my first script the other day at work. I have a couple filmmaking books that I bought when I first got my camcorder and I started reading that at work too. I'm hoping to be able to make a short film after New Years. I want to get a few more lights and I'm hoping to get a better camera before then. I have all of the equipment to build a light stand and I'd really like to build a dolly before I start filming a lot. I like my job because I have a surplus of time to think up ideas and write scripts.

Movie of the Day: What to Expect When Your Expecting

Song of the Day: The Song That Never Ends from the Lamb Chop tv show

 

And so the battle begins...

      I posted my short story titled Countdown today under the Written Works page. I encourage you all to check it out and let me know what you think. I've decided before I start such a daunting task as writing a novel, I really need to practice my skills more. Hence the short story. Most of the story is vague but it is for a reason, really. I am considering turning it into a longer story later and I wanted to save a lot of the details for later. The story is about a man rushing through New York City on New Year's Eve to stop an immediate threat. Without going into details, I think this would make a very interesting story to expand upon so I've posted it here to see what others think (and to see if my writing style is any good).
      Today I have to drive 60 miles to a site to work security at a site. Usually I would not complain because I love to drive but I don't get paid for the mileage, gas, or time it takes me to get out there. I think it would even be better I worked the day shift because I wouldn't be as tired coming home in the morning. The good thing is that I have tomorrow off so if I need to pull over and sleep on the way home, I won't have to rush back to go to work again.
      I went out to dinner with my parents, my brother, and my brother's pregnant girlfriend last night. We went to Crackle Barrel which was the first time I had ever been there. I thought it was really nice. I had lemon peppered rainbow trout and it was delicious. It came with three sides and a biscuit all for under $10. I was amazed at how much food you got with so little a price - you can't get that at a fast food place. Overall I had fun and I recommend the restaurant to everyone.
      While I waited for my parents to get to the restaurant, I went over to the shop next door, Jo Ann Fabrics. I found this cool flannel with skaters and peace signs on it. It was on sale for $2.99 a yard down from $6.99 so I got two separate one yard sections. I've been thinking of making pillows out of it but the last time I made a pillow was nine or ten years ago when I was a freshman in high school. Probably Friday I will go back and get a cheap sewing machine and some scrap clothes to practice on before I get too carried away. My crafty ambitions always come up short though. I first wanted to learn how to knit so I did and I made an odd shaped baby blanket for my brother's baby. I started to make a hat and I've already gotten board with it. I'm hoping that the plethora of stuff you can learn to sew will be enough to keep my short attention span focused.
   
Movie of the day: Journey to the Center of the Earth

Song of the day: Rain by Creed

A Monkey Throws Poop and So Do You

     Summer is nearly at an end. I can tell because it is freaking cold outside right now. I can literally see my breath and I need a sweatshirt to stay warm. This is in stark contrast to the other day when I was outside moving my grandmother's stuff in 86 degrees. I ended that day with a headache, a sunburn, and a puking tantrum from the heat. I personally love the fall. Reason number one is OB-viously (Harry Potter reference) because HALLOWEEN is in the fall. As most of you know, this is my favorite holiday of the year. You don't have to put up with your family, you get to dress up, you get free candy, and you can go to haunted houses. There is nothing better. I am holding off on decorating for it so soon - I think I can make it to the first of October before I start decorating. I am also uncertain of my costume this year. Last year I was a zombie and I really enjoyed the fake blood so I will look around at the costume shops when they open but I may stick to my zombie outfit.
      In other news, my grandmother died last week (which was why we were moving her stuff). Now I officially have no grandparents left. She had dementia and she was in a nursing home for the past five years. I hadn't seen her in two years because the last time I visited, she didn't know who I was and I took it hard. When she died, I think I was better prepared because I had so long where the grandmother who knew me was already gone. At the funeral, I found out that I work with my mom's uncle and cousin. I've actually relieved the cousin on a site during shift change. My mom asked me to make a video for the funeral of all the pictures we had of my grandmother. Going through the pictures was nice to see my grandmother young - before I was born, but it was also a little awkward because she lived with the father of her child and his wife. Describing the family tree on my mom's side is so confusing I needed twenty years to understand it.
      My brother and his girlfriend are in the final stretch. They had the baby shower in August and they are now all prepared for the baby to be born. It is suppose to be a girl and they've decided to name her Aurora Paige. It took me a little while to warm up to the name Aurora but I like it now. I would still prefer Paige to Aurora but it's not my kid.
      I moved out of the apartment with my brother so that his girlfriend could move in and give my room to the baby. I am now back at my parent's house and they are driving me insane. They fight constantly which is usual (they did it my whole childhood). It also makes it harder because I work nights I have to sleep during the day. My dad complains that I'm lazy because I sleep all day. I usually try to ignore everything he says but when I've worked 12 hours overnight and sleep 6 hours only to wake up to his mouth yelling about something or other, I am not in the mood to fight with him. I want to move out but I barely make enough money to pay the minimum payment on my student loans let alone fork out an extra 500 for rent. To make matters worse, my job is up in the air because fracking in Pennsylvania has slowed down. I'm lucky if I can get three days in at work. This means a smaller paycheck and less money to be saved for moving.
     

      Now that I've gone through my trials and tribulations of the past couple of weeks, I had today off and took my truck out on the back roads. I ended up getting stuck in the mud because the truck bottomed out on some ruts that I thought were shallower than what they really were. This is what it looked like when I had my brother come pull me out.

      This is the same truck that needs a new clutch and transmission but I was bored and wanted to do something today. In this town, there really isn't that much else to do.

      In my complete geekout over finding the show Firefly and falling in love with it, I started searching other projects that the actor Nathan Fillion has acted in. This search led me to Castle. I love the idea of a mystery writer following a NYPD detective around and the fact that Nathan plays Castle is just the cream cheese icing on the red velvet cake. The show is hilarious and I've watched all four seasons now. I've even bought the Niki Heat books that are written by "Richard Castle". I also watched White Noise 2 which Nathan starred in. I thought it was a good movie and it even had me jumping and saying an expletive word when a ghost pops out at Nathan's character in his living room. 

      All of the Comic-cons are gearing up right now and in the desolate area where I live, the closest one is in NYC (where I wouldn't drive for the life of me) or Ohio. This time of year always makes me wish I lived in California or Georgia but my goal for next year is to go to dragoncon in Atlanta so I will keep my fingers tied and my bank account supplied.

Movie of the Day: The Dark Knight Rises

Song of the Day: Back Down by Game Rebellion feat. J. Period

Life goes on

Well I finally got a new cell after I dropped my last one in a river while I was fishing. I had the choice between an android and an iphone and i picked the android. I hope it ends up being a good decision.

I also decided to sell my Rav4 and my Neon to get something newer. It was a hard decision for me because I've had my car since my first day of college so it will always have a place in my heart. It was also the first thing that ever won me a trophy - it won me 4 actually.

I am on my way to NYC so I will have an update later about how the trip went.

I Think Your Geek is Showing

This will be quick because I have to leave for a work trip.

      I went to the midnight showing of The Avengers. It was AWESOME. Everyone got a free comic book from the local comic shop and there was a raffle for a few other items. I really really wanted an Iron Man comic that was a raffle but I didn't win anything. The movie was so good though that I completely forgot about not winning. My favorite quote now (that keeps popping in my head) is from Tony Stark talking about Agent Coleson, "Phil? His first name's Agent."
      Yesterday was Free Comic Book Day and I had to pick up balloons for my mom and brother's graduation party so I made an unscheduled stop at the comic shop. It was so crowded there were lines to the wall where the free comics were (on a normal day, there might be a total of 3-4 customers in there). Out of all the free comics, there were only a couple that were actually worth reading. I think this just depends on my preference but I really only enjoyed reading a few out of the giant stack of free comics. I'm also disappointed that the Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics are taking an entirely different direction from the television series. The comics now have parts that take place in space fighting aliens. A vampire slayer should not be fighting aliens in space, she should stick to killing vampires and demons on Earth. You don't see Sam and Dean in Supernatural flying out to space to fight aliens.
      Yesterday we had a graduation party for my mom and my brother. My mom graduated from a two year college and my brother graduated from a four year college. The day party was filled with raunchy sex jokes from some of my mom's friends while the after-party had a bonfire  encompassed by my brother's drunk friends. I actually ended up drinking 6 Seagrams and 1 Mike's Hard Lemonade. This was only the second time in my entire life that I have been drunk (the first time was on Saint Patrick's Day in Daytona Beach over Spring Break). I don't usually get hangovers but end up with an aching body and over tiredness (which is how I feel today).
      Now about the trip for work. I am usually scheduled to work only 3-4 days a week. Yesterday during the party I got a call from a guy at work asking if I wanted to be put up in a hotel to work for a week at a site that's a couple hours away. I agreed because I need the money and I usually don't get that many chances to work extra days. It will take me about three hours to get to the middle of a national forest where I will have no cell service. I will be working days all week, staying in a hotel room, and getting paid to eat. It will be like a short vacation where I have to sit twelve hours in my car, reading or watching a movie while I make sure no one tries to steal or vandalise anything. I'm a little nervous but it's mixed with a little excitement too.
     
I'm not sure if I will have internet at the hotel or not so this may be my last post for a week.

Song of the day: Shoot to Thrill by AC/DC

Movie of the day: The Avengers

When Life Gives You Lemons, Squeeze The Stupid Things in Someones Eyes

      Well I have had a hectic week. My awesome job called to let me know that the site I was suppose to keep secure this week was shut down so I didn't get to work at all this week. I had to apply for partial unemployment for this week but still won't get paid because there is a waiting week and this is it. I'm a little upset because I had just set up my budget to get my bills in order. Good news is that I worked 72 hours last week so it should help pay what is behind. If I'm not on the schedule next week, I might sell everything I own and move. My parents friends live down near Wilmington, North Carolina and if I move, that is probably where I will go. I know normal people would probably be panicking or freaking out right now over not working but I found inspiration from Sarah Centrella's blog. She was a stay at home mom of three when she found out her husband was having an affair. He left her with the three kids homeless with a car payment. She sold everything she could on craigslist, moved into a tiny apartment, and got a crappy job that barely paid the bills. She made something called a Vision Board where she put everything she truly wanted (a trip to NYC and Las Vegas, stay in the Paris Hotel, ride in a limo, etc). After a couple years, she realized that everything on her board had come true and she was finally doing well for herself. This is my plan. My motto is 'Life gets better'. I've always been an optimistic person and I think this helps me stay calm after losing a job or not having enough money to pay bills. I feel that worrying about everything is not going to help anything (other than if your constipated, you might be relieved of it). If I do start to get down, I try to find a movie or a cd that will put me in a better mood.

      I've been eating salads and trying to go out walking to help me lose weight. My goal is to get into shape to join the military. I can't quite decide what branch I want to go into though. I've been looking into joining ever since I graduated high school but I've never had the determination to get into shape (I need to lose 50 lbs just to be within the weight limit for the army). My goal is to be in shape and joined before my 25th birthday next July. This gives me a little over a year to reach my targeted weight, build muscle, and figure out what branch I should join. It helps because I have a cousin join the Air Force, two friends from high school joined the Army, one friend from high school was trying to join the Marines, and one of my parents friends was in the Coast Guard. I am leaning toward the Army, Navy, or Coast Guard. I'm not really that interested in the Air Force and I would rather be a male joining the Marines than a female (females can't be snipers). The security/police sector is what I'm hoping to get into since it was my major in college and it's what I am doing now. At least I have plenty of time to decide.

      I finally broke down and read The Hunger Games. I was surprised by how interesting I found the story (at first I thought a child fight-to-the-death was the dumbest idea ever but I found the author did a good job making it a possibility in this future country). I went to the drive-in and watched the movie after I read the first book. I think they could have had a better director; some of the camera shots are so shaky they make you dizzy with motion sickness. I also found there was a huge lack in character development and I think it's because there was so much to tell that some developmental prospects had to be left out. I can't wait to read the next two books but I have to wait until I'm working again before I have the money to splurge on them. I am also facinated by the town that was used for District 12 in the movie. Henry River Mill Village is a town in North Carolina that is privately owned and was used for Katniss's hometown in the movie. The owner is now trying to sell the 72 acre town for $1.4 million because so many people are visiting now that it's famous. I find the town kind of charming but the greater feeling of awe overcomes me when I think of people actually owning their own town. I think it would be the coolest thing in the world to own your own town. This is my new dream before I die, to own my own town.

      In other movie news, when I went to the drive-in to see The Hunger Games, I also watched The Lorax (two movies for the price of one). I LOVED this movie. It was based on the story by Dr. Seuss and the music was amazing. The basic theme is the basis for Earth Day (Plant a Tree!). I liked how a movie for children is trying to get across such an important message instead of just another mind numbing movie. Also, The Avengers comes out tomorrow. I'm such a nerd that I am going to catch the midnight release tonight. I'm excited because I'm an Iron Man fan and so far the previews look amazing. More on that next time though.

Song of the Day: Let it Grow from The Lorax (sorry about the video but it had the best version of the song)

Movie of the Day: The Hunger Games

The Opening of Pottermore

      I think anyone who's read this blog knows that I am not a religious person. This is why it irritates me when I  hit next blog on blogger and it continuously sends me to a religious site - usually Christian. It is either a site for a Christian family praising their god or it is for a ministry or church group. I really want to know how these sites are similar to mine. I see no resemblance to it in my ramblings about atheism, Harry Potter, family, and work. To Blogger: stop sending me to these sites, Thank you.
      Because I work weird hours now and rarely have the time or money to get out and mingle with my peers, I have recently joined Eharmony - don't judge. I think it is kind of exciting to know that I could meet someone from anywhere in the world online while I'm stuck in this stupid little cow-town. I want to move but I have neither the money nor the job that would relocate me. My dream town would be near Wilmington, NC. I have a friend who lives in Shallotte, NC and from the pictures I've seen of it, the town looks really nice. The good thing is I am gaining experience at the job I currently hold and it will help me if and when I decide to move since  security officers are needed everywhere. For now, I will just have to keep saving up my money until I can afford to move elsewhere.
      In other news, I started working on my story again. I've been perfecting my map so that I have a reference to work from. I've also started working out a history timeline; it is more like a history of the planet but it provides a basis for me to know more about the world I'm writing about. I like how I started writing and then I felt like I was taking a history lesson, the history of the planet just fell out of my brain onto the page. By the time I finished up this morning, it looked like I'd copied parts of an actual history book. I found this approach the most helpful and easiest to work on so I may take the same approach to other aspects of my story, from the characters and animals to places and significant objects.
      I got the inspiration to continue my story after J.K. Rowling's site Pottermore opened over the weekend. I was working the night shift Saturday when I got a text at about 4:30 am stating that Pottermore had opened to the public. When I got out of work at 5am, I was extremely excited. I rushed home and instead of catching up on sleep, I played on Pottermore until about 9 or 10 when the struggle to keep my eyes opened had reached an all time high and I  fell asleep shortly after lying down. Pottermore is fun for about the first day. I loved reading J.K Rowling's notes but I felt that there should have been more for all the hype the site was getting. Not to mention that out of the 7 books, only the 1st one is currently available on the website. For the excruciating wait the fans have had to endure for the site, I was expecting more. More of what? I'm not sure exactly but after getting through the first book on the site, I felt after the hype it was very anticlimactic.
      I probably won't have any more posts for the week because I've volunteered to take on more hours at work. And also my allergies are acting up making me very irritated with the world in general.

Movie of the Day: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Song of the Day: Joey by Sugarland (DON'T drink and drive)