Category Archives: Random Stuff

Summer Update

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Hi Everyone! I’m a bit of a late updating this month. I usually try to post something a bit earlier, but life has been busy! Well, busy doing everything but writing. But! I have been thinking about some really cool ideas for book two rewrites–so there’s that. I’m actually excited because it’s going to clean up a portion of the story that I wasn’t quite happy with, and I actually could not stop thinking about–so yes! It’s going to make the story flow so much better.

Anyway, other than that, the day job has me beat. And the time I’m not there, I’ve been using to decompress with family hanging out watching Ted Lasso! Ya’ll seen that? It’s good. Best comedy I’ve seen in awhile. And I’m a softy for movies where they transplant an optimistic, lovable American into some other country, and Jason Sudeikis nails it.

Oh, I saw Suicide Squad, too, on HBO Max. It was pretty good! Gory, but good. If you didn’t like the first one, you should give this one a chance, it is definitely better. And way more outlandish, but in the best way. In a fun way.

Well, I think that’s it from me this month. Keeping it short and sweet. Well, shorter.

Have a great one!

Work, shows, and stuff

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Hi Everyone! Hope y’all are having a great summer. Mine has been crazy! The day job has been taking up all of my attention–having to work 12 hour days. It’s been hectic and a little frustrating for sure. Unfortunately, not much to report on the book front this month. I’ve been trying just to keep my head above water. When I’m not working, I’m trying to relax to keep myself from burning out.

On a good note-I’ve watched some quality shows whenever I’ve had the opportunity. For those of you looking for something to watch I’d recommend Loki on Disney+. The show has gotten a lot of flack for being confusing, but man! I don’t think so at all. It’s a fun, fast paced, and Tom Hiddleston is excellent. Is it weird with all the time jumping? Yes. And having several different versions of Loki? Sure! But it’s a fun, different, and entertaining.

What else did I see? Hmmm, well I saw Mare of Easttown–and whoa. If you’re looking for drama and mystery, it will definitely fit the bill. It’s about a small town detective that is investigating a murder. But at the sametime going through some shit. Kate Winslet is really, really good. Like really good. She deserves all the awards. All of them.

Anyway, that’s all I’ve got for this month. Hopefully next month there will be something to report about book 2. Until then!

These strange times…

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So, how is everyone doing during these strange times? I hope you are all doing well and staying safe. Especially those of you that are still working and putting yourselves at risk daily so that the rest of us can get our groceries or other essentials–ya’ll the real MVPs.

So what’s going on with me? How have I been spending the COVID-19 shelter at home thing? Well, aside from watching the news everyday and witnessing our president contradicted daily by CDC doctors–I’ve been working from home and staying indoors and away from people. I only wander out to grab groceries. So basically trying to do the whole social distancing thing.

I might be having a bit of a vitamin D deficiency when this whole thing is over with.

Most of my time consists of working, exercising at home, or watching TV. And writing, too, of course. Especially those first few weeks–I was just writing up a storm and getting a lot of words in. Now, it’s a slow drizzle. But progress is still being made so I’m happy about that. Did I mention I have a title? I’ll let you guys in on that soon.

But really–it’s crazy to think how far we’ve come from just a month ago (when I was at Lost in Wonderland) to now. People were out an about with their families having fun. Now, all the stores are closed. Gyms too. Bars. Clubs. All closed. Some of you social butterflies must be really feeling the heat right about now. Cabin fever is a real thing, and I’m sure it’s a challenge right now to do the right thing. Which is stay home.

It’s so simple. Just stay home. Watch some Netflix or read a book. Learn to play an instrument–Musicians Friend delivers by the way, so no need to leave your house. Or just chill. Just relax. This is the best time to do one of my favorite things in the world.

Just do nothing at all.

Jiu Jitsu and all its suckage

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It’s been an age since I’ve written about jiu jitsu. Could be because attending class has been a bit hit or miss the last few months. Anyway, yesterday I had the hardest time finishing a roll because some dude’s feet smelled so bad. And I mean bad. So bad, like, the smell was on the mat and on my gi. It just stuck to everything.

Disgusting right?

Well, they really don’t tell you about what you’ll go through when you first join jiu jitsu. You just sort of learn as you go, and if it doesn’t scare you off, then you stick around and just deal with the suck.

And there’s a lot of suck.

I’ve had sweat drip in my eye and my mouth. I’ve finished rolling and was drenched with other people’s sweat all over my gi.

I’ve smelled so rank that I couldn’t wait to get home to wash, and literally splashed water over my upper body, shirt and all, to try to wash the smell off.

These are the things you go through when you’re in jiu jitsu.

These are the things I tell my friends who aren’t in jiu jitsu. Who are grossed out, and suggest I try something else for exercise. Because why? Why would anyone put themselves through it? To be all up in another person’s sweaty, smelly space?

Of course, they don’t understand–even though there are times when it sucks, the reward is worth it.

When you finally nail that arm bar you’d been wrestling so hard to get. Or pulling off the kimura, omaplata, or triangle. Or hell, just surviving seven minutes without getting choked out is an accomplishment in and of itself.

So, no. I won’t quit jiu jitsu and join taekwondo.

I’m good just where I’m at.

Hamilton 2019

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Around fall of 2015, I went New York City on vacation, and at the time Hamilton was all the rage. Personally, I had no idea what the musical was about, but I really wanted to check it out. Unfortunately, the tickets were well over a thousand dollars and way, way to pricey for me. But I did promise myself that when the Broadway show came to Texas, I would buy a ticket, and get myself to the show and see what all the fuss is about.

Flash forward–and here we are in 2019, and finally, Hamilton came to town. Now first of all, not much has changed since 2015, I really don’t know much about the musical other than it was based off an Alexander Hamilton biography. That’s it. I wasn’t familiar with any of the songs, I hadn’t read any reviews, I just had a clean slate–a blank paper of which to scribe my own conclusions.

So what did I think of the musical, you ask?

It was amazing. Like, seriously amazing. From the opening of “Alexander Hamilton” to the last song, “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story”, it was non-stop energy. This had to do with the fact that most of the music was hip-hop with rapped versus that were catchy, educational (who knew Alexander Hamilton lived such a dramatic and interesting life?), and full of such passion that I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed at times. I admit, I cried. I cried quite a bit. Not because there were maudlin parts (there were), but because there was just so much. So much emotion. So much life. I can tell you, I’ve never experienced a live performance that moved me as much as this musical.

If you ever have a chance to experience Hamilton, I suggest you do. I assure you, you will not regret it.

Hamilton-poster

New Year Rant

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Happy New Year everyone. I hope you had a good holiday, and I hope those of you that made a New Year’s Resolution made a realistic one.

I didn’t. Never do. That whole New Year New Me thing isn’t for me, and it’s rather irritating.

I’m gonna be honest, this post might be a little snarky, but that’s because I’m just so tired of all the people advertising themselves like the one thing they need more than life is a relationship. Tired of all the corny motivational New Year New Me memes. Like, why can’t people just focus on themselves, work to better themselves, and not post it all over Facebook? Motivational pep-talks are best had in person anyway, not on social media.

Ugh! It’s just all so corny. And goddamnit! God gave you brown eyes, you’re not fooling anyone with those green contacts.

TV at the moment…

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This post may contain spoilers. Beware.

I just finished watching season two of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and it was excellent! For those of you who have never watched this show, I really suggest giving it a try. It’s super funny, has great characters, and has a great story line. It takes place in 1950s New York, and focuses on a young woman who happens to discover she has a talent for stand-up comedy. In an era when woman shouldn’t say certain things, Midge, the main character, defies the social norms in a way that’s extremely fun for viewers, and in other ways can be a bit shocking–either way, hilarity ensues.

Another show I wrapped up fairly quickly was The Ranch. This season was pretty good too, and discovering how the show handled Rooster’s leaving was interesting. I thought they did a good job of writing Danny Masterson off the show, although I was surprised they decided to kill his character off. I wasn’t expecting that after last season’s finale. I really thought Rooster was going to just disappear into the sunset. I will say that the only disappointment I had for the show was that it ended with more Colt and Abby drama. Can’t those kids get their stuff together?

Last, I saw The Ballad of Buster Scruggs on Netflix. This movie is a collection of Wild West tales by the Coen Brothers. The tale that was my favorite was Meal Ticket, which starred Liam Neeson, and a completely unrecognizable Harry Melling, who played Dudley in the Harry Potter movies. It was a strange film, but it was the end that got to me, and had me thinking about it for days.

Anyway, that’s all from me this week. I hope you guys are enjoying the holiday season! I’ll see you at the same time, same place next week.

Movies and TV at the moment…

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This week was a good one. The day job is going pretty well, I spent some decent time with the family, and I also got to do a little bit of writing. Not bad, I say. Not bad at all.

I also got to see the new Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. It was excellent! At least I thought it was, anyway. I can appreciate a character like Newt that isn’t your typical hero. I also appreciate that he happens to be on the autistic spectrum, which makes for a completely different dynamic in the way that his story plays out, especially his past relationship with Leta Lestrange. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t seen it, so that’s pretty much all I say about it right now.

Narcos: Mexico also premiered on Netflix this Friday. I’m three episodes in, and I’m enjoying it as much as the other Narcos series. Michael Peña did a great job as DEA Agent Kiki Camarena. And it’s got me so hooked, I’m a little disappointed I promised my mother I’d watch it with her, because I can’t binge the way I’d like to!

Another show I’d suggest watching is The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix. It’s weird, but a good weird.

Ok, folks! That’s all for me this week. If you have any movie or TV show suggestions just comment!

Some random things…

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Now it’s November, and I’m pretty sure the holidays will arrive then pass in a blur. Before we know it, it’ll be the New Year and I’ll say: What happened to 2018?

But until then, I just want to soak in the last few months of the year, write, and enjoy the gloomy weather that’s hit South Texas.

If you’ve never been to Texas, let me just say, sometimes it just seems like the perfect setting for horror or fantasy. Like for instance–the fog was rather thick this week, and there were times I felt like I was in Silent Hill. Other times, it’s non-stop rain, which usually isn’t our norm–but still, pretty gloomy.

Things I’m also doing–spending time with family. It was my Dad’s birthday this week, and we took him to see Overlord, which was not as good as I expected. I thought it was written by JJ Abrams, but it actually wasn’t, and I could tell–It didn’t have that special “Human” feel that Abrams manages to pull off. The heart that is apparent in many of his films. Don’t get me wrong, the movie tried, but it was a facsimile of what I’m used to.

Also, if anyone cares how I’m doing in my two Fantasy Football leagues: I’ve got ZERO chance of winning one. Ok, not zero chance, but I’d have to win out and hope for many people to lose, so not much chance there. The other league I’m not doing so bad! I actually have a chance to go to the playoffs.

Alright then, that’s pretty much it for me for now. I hope you guys are enjoying the beginnings of November.

Six Flags and the NBA…

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We’ve had a bit of bad weather here in south Texas. It’s been raining pretty much all week except for today, so my brother decided to take a trip to Six Flags to experience all the Halloween Spectacular stuff–which is pretty fun, especially for the kiddos.

I had originally intended to go but had to pass because yesterday I spent the evening at the Navy Ball, and this old lady is tired and can’t possibly have two late nights in a row. So instead I decided to stay in and relax.

I’m also watching some NBA basketball, which is my first favorite sport after football. If anyone out there cares, I’m a huge Spurs fan. And although San Antonio traded their number one player, I’m still very hopeful that they will do well this season. And I hope that they demolish Toronto the two times this year they will play them.

In other news, its been a slow writing week. I had a lot going on in my personal life, and it has pulled me out of the mood to write. As we all know–it happens. We all go through it, but I’m hoping that things will calm down, and I can get back to trying to get some good writing done.

But if not, I’ll be wasting my time watching NBA games. Or trying to ignore my brother while he gives me a hard time for not going to Six Flags like I promised.

All in all, it’s not the worst way to waste my time.