Blog Every Day In May 2013

(A Blog Every Day in May 2013 Challenge Entry)

*5/31/13 - For some reason I wasn’t able to log into Blogger yesterday, or this morning. In fact, only a few sites were working. At first I thought it was maybe my connection at a friend’s house, but the issue continued once returning home. I am a bit worried that the laptop is acting up. That will be Bad News Bears. I don’t personally view this as failing to complete the prompt as it was complete (yesterday’s being very short), but merely a delay due to technical difficulties. I’m just happy I’ve been able to log in this afternoon... if it continues to allow me to be. Which, so far, it isn’t allowing me more than 3 tabs open and Blogger isn’t loading again. GAH! So today will be another double-feature, or so I hope.*

I can’t seem to load the site to nab today’s prompt, but I know it deals with letting go, and my reaction to the statement. Currently there are some crazy conversations going on and it’s made it hard to focus on this post. I won’t go into details, but all guilty members that happen to read this will know who you are!

*Day 30, Thursday: React to this term: Letting Go

This Is Water

So letting go? After reading this prompt I kept thinking about a video I just came across the other night. This video highlights letting go of your own self-centeredness/importance over others and letting go of the petty annoyances in life that drag you down in a tailspin of negativity. Either way, I found the message(s) within to be profound and well portrayed.



What do you think?

*So, I found out the issue seemed to be that my old (and I thought dead) antivirus became jealous I had uploaded a new antivirus program. So it became... sentient... I will say... and reactivated itself outside of it’s already expired date. It was fighting for dominance over my system against Avast and it was blocking me from accessing the interwebs. Really weird.*

On that note, however... I had to let go of my issues with missing yet another daily posting for this challenge. It wasn’t the first, but it will definitely be the last (for 2013 anyhow). I get really anxiety-bound that I am missing a post, but this wasn’t so bad being it was a bit out of my control. Eventually I was 100% okay with it, as shit happens, and that’s okay.

Let’s move on to the next, and final, prompt:

Day 31, Friday: A vivid memory

That’s not too bad. I will even try to pull one from my childhood, which is time and again noted as a strenuous task.

Who Ya Gonna Call?

You may think this is another juicy tale about a haunting, but you’d be mistaken. This is just a brief glimpse into a vivid memory I have about an injury.

As a child — around the same time frame I stole a bunch of Christmas Lights off the neighbor’s trees and windows — I, along with my brother and friends, would play Ghostbusters. It was pretty much like tag. One of us was a Ghostbuster and the others were ghosts.

I remember the Ghostbuster would carry around a steering wheel from some broken toy and pretend to drive the car around catching up to the ghosts. This is what I was doing, laughing and being joyous, when I suddenly tripped and fell. I got back up to continue the chase, but I couldn’t; my knee was in pain. I never knew if I fell on a branch or on the toy steering wheel, but whatever it was messed my knee up.

My mother’s boyfriend at the time called me over just then to help him, as he worked on the car. He wanted me to push on the gas pedal so he could assess the issues the car was having. I tried explaining to him that I had hurt my knee, but he blew it off. So I got into the driver’s seat and tried to do what he asked. Pushing on the pedal, though, caused extreme pain and I just started crying. All the while he was yelling at me to give it more gas and push harder. I tried...

Eventually he came around to the door — still ajar — about to yell at me, but then he saw I was crying. I showed him my bleeding knee and he apologized for thinking my injury was minor. Soon after, he brought me to the doctor.

I just remember it looking weird, that flap of skin cut in a half moon on my knee. I had to get stitches, and I believe that is the only time I’ve ever had to do so. My life has been pretty much injury free. For a long time you could see the scar, but it has since faded and is now barely visible.

Another One Bites the Dust

May is over (er... ending...) and another challenge down! I think I can do with some down time now. Maybe get to that fiction I was supposed to be doing. I have a piece I hope to finish, which was meant for the Paper Darts fiction contest, but came up short. Starting it two hours before the deadline was not a good game plan. I will have to remind myself of that next time. Need to hit up some more After Armageddon too.

This was a fun challenge and met even more people for which I am very thankful for! The prompts were a little all over the place (and picture heavy), but I managed. I wonder if the host plans to continue it next year. I think this was their first go at hosting the challenge, which may explain some of the randomness. Maybe not.

Thanks to everyone following along and/or participating. Congrats to you all! May our June be more relaxing! I’ve a lot of catching up to do.

What did you think of the This Is Water video? Do you agree with the content? Can you recall a vivid memory? Have you ever broken anything (bodily) or needed stitches? Any June challenges that anyone is aware of? >.>
(A Blog Every Day in May 2013 Challenge Entry)

I am very proud of my picture story yesterday. This host can’t bring me down yet! Now we arrive at one of the prompts I’ve been most excited for. I wasn’t aware it was today, though. For some reason I thought it was the final post.

Today’s prompt:

Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. Use Grooveshark or YouTube to include them in the post

I’m not sure what Grooveshark is, so I plan on sticking to the ever prominent Youtube. Plus, it’s built into Blogger... so yeah...

This isn’t going to be easy. Trying to single out five songs that speak to me, is like placing down all my favorite cookies in front of me and telling me I can only pick and eat five of them. We know from my previous post how that would end. I would eat ALL the things. Much like I want to share the abundance of songs that connect with me.

I’ve decided, since I wasn’t able to do so during the A to Z, I will share a handful of my favorite songs and artists throughout the next few weeks. Most music I listen to recently has become associated with my writing, so I thought I could share them and explain the scenarios and/or representation of each.

For this post I will attempt a nostalgic theme.

Stories Through Music

The Offspring - Come Out and Play
The Offspring I feel is one of those bands that my entire group of friends loved when growing up. When I hear them I always remember back to the days when we would party and just act stupid on a weekend (or daily) basis. To be honest, the entire SMASH album was played over and over and over again. When it came down to picking one song, it was between Bad Habit & Come Out and Play. I felt Come Out and Play best represented our teenage angst and shenanigans.

Local H - Fritz’s Corner
Local H is another of my all-time favorite bands. For a 2 member band they kick ass. In fact, they are still around around and kicking some ass last I checked. I loved seeing these guys live. This was one of my favorite songs they would play, along with High-Fiving MF. Both times seeing them they were performing at outdoor festival concerts, so it would be nice to see them at a smaller, enclosed venue. I was obsessed with this song (still am), and I’d like to believe when my friends hear it they still think of me (just as they did back in the day).

Our Lady Peace - Superman’s Dead
Another song, and band, I was (am) obsessed with. I’ll admit that over the years I’ve fallen out of touch with Our Lady Peace, but there was a time I would be jamming out to all their newest CD releases; singing, dancing, acting out music videos. The lead singer’s voice is so unique I can’t help but love it.

After going mainstream I kind of drifted from their music some. Not that it was less meaningful, but maybe it just didn’t quite resonate the same with me. It may sound bad, but this was around a time when the music became seemingly more “God” or religion influenced (This is akin to losing interest in Billy Corgan with Zwan). I’ll have to maybe give it another go someday.


Random Jak Fact 622: I may have recorded a Youtube video of me singing this song a good four to five years ago or so. This was done after not having heard the song in some time, and attempting to sing from memory. It was met with... mixed critique... which is to be expected as I’m not a singer. I don’t think it's up (publicly) anymore, sorry folks. At least... I really hope it isn’t.

3 Colours Red - Beautiful Day
This is a song from an album I randomly bought while living in AZ. It always evoked emotions in me. It’s a good thing, because it was about the only good song on the album. Anyhow, this song could (and potentially still could) turn me into a blubbering, crying baby for almost no apparent reason. Back in AZ I'd just play it over and over. Later in life I directly associated it with a break up I had with someone I had dated for only 3-5 weeks. I can’t even remember the length of time.

This relationship was an intense one, but it sputtered just as fast as it flared. It was important, however. While the feelings at the time could be classified as infatuation, I’m still uncertain. It allowed a brief pulse of what I’d later define as being Love. Remember, I never much believed in Love and all that mushy bullshit. This relationship was the turning point for me being more open to the idea — the possibility — that it actually may exist on some level more than just the fanciful romanticism of fictionalized realities.

So, this song represents that awakening in my soul. From there... it was all down-fucken-hill.

Trouble I say. Trouble.

Align - At the Basement Door
Align is a band that I’d imagine no one — short of possibly fellow locals — has ever heard of. They were my favorite local band, long since defunct, and I saw a handful of their shows while they were active. I cheered when the lead singer used the phone-mic, bought their CDs, still own and wear one of their shirts (it’s one of my favs), and I just happened to know people who knew them.

One of my best friend’s sister lived with the lead singer’s — then — girlfriend (or fiancée). So not only would I get to listen to their music, but also party with them now and again. I think during the party period the lead singer was in a band called Marble. I, and others, thought they sounded a bit like Green Day. Yeah, no... he passionately hated that comparison.

Align was a band I thought had a lot of potential and this song felt like one that would get them noticed. Unfortunately, they disbanded years ago; each finding a home in new bands. I get upset whenever I’ve learned they had a reunion show I missed. That makes me a Sad Panda indeed.

Anyhow, this song reminds me of the days after graduating where I’d party (advancing to college parties without having to attend!) and go to various music shows with friends. A lot of good times were had, even if one night a member of Marble wanted to punch me in the face! Who doesn't?!

Are you familiar with or do you like any of the songs listed above? What songs/music trigger memories or speaks to you? Do you go to (or have you ever gone to) live shows? Any favorites?
(A Blog Every Day in May 2013 Challenge Entry)

As anxiety-bound as I was about yesterday’s prompt, I really enjoyed writing it. Once I was in the motions of writing, it just started to pour out. I was hoping for something similar today, but no such luck.

Today’s prompt:

Day 28, Tuesday: Only pictures

Well, this is an epic fail area for me. These picture-intensive prompts are like my Kryptonite. I will just have to find some randomness and see what comes up.

A Story Through Pictures

BEDiM 2013 : DAY 27

(A Blog Every Day in May 2013 Challenge Entry)

ACK! I’m a bit sore from a late night workout this weekend. Took a day for it to set in. something about onset delay blah blah blah whatever. Oh my nuts. At least it’s a good sore, and I’ll hold faith that the payoff will be worth it; once I’m rockin’ that George Clooney body I’ll never have. Taking a second day off, though, doesn’t sound too bad.

Random Jak Fact  #112: I once told a friend that I would make a great butler, and that I would look just like George Clooney, only... hairier. And that was the only difference.

Today’s prompt:

Day 27, Monday: A letter to your readers

Where to Begin

Dear Jakker Trackers,

You may not realize you are Jakker Trackers, but that is exactly what you are; my sidebar proves it. I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for taking the time to follow along and listen to my random rambles. Random may be an understatement. You all are either robots, zombies, or gluttons for punishment, considering how long my rambles can go on for. I appreciate the patience and time you’ve all spent getting through these posts. I love your comments, and building interactions and dialog with you all. I look forward to it!

Soon you will ALL be familiar with Jak-speak! Then I shall take over the world! I mean we... >.> Yes, we... Along with my army of bush babies!

I’ve stated that while this blog — and the writing involved — is for myself, it’s also for you. To open bits and pieces of myself, exposing my innards to the world... Fuck that’s gross... Figuratively... Sharing some of the more closed off parts of my being — my soul — with those caring to listen. But, I will be brutally honest on the flip end: if you decided to stop listening, that’s okay too, I would continue on. I’m well practiced in talking to myself, why not writing to myself?

Did that ruin the moment? I hope not, because I’m a brutally honest kind of guy. If taking offense, you may have accidentally wandered into the wrong place. This isn’t a field of tulips in which we tiptoe around in fear of stepping on one. Sometimes those suckers get crushed, and that’s okay. That’s life.

That being said, I’m beyond grateful for the friends I’ve already made since I began blogging just months ago. Also, those made during NaNoWriMo 2012. Most everyone has been supportive and it’s been a great experience. The rough patches were smoothed over and hiccups worked out, just as the ones to come will be. There will indeed be more roadblocks along this journey, and again, that’s okay. Whether alone or with help I will overcome them. Though, I’d much prefer you to be there with me.

I’ll apologize (maybe this should have been the post for my BEDiM apology) for falling behind, once again, with comments and reading on my end. I feel dirty about it really, but I’m one damned slow reader. I’d like to think that once I get to the entries you are sharing with the world, that it’s evident just how grateful I am to be engaging within your own communities.

I sometimes wonder if there are blogger conventions or meetups. Those type of social interactions have existed within gaming, podcasting, and vlogging communities, so why not blogging?

Once the BEDiM Challenge wraps up I’ve a handful of topics I plan to touch on, but I’m also curious if there happens to be certain subjects my readers may wish to have discussed. Subjects/topics they would like to know my thoughts and/or opinions on. Maybe questions they — you — have for me. Feel free to share, if so.

With how randomly lost my posts probably get in the daily mix, and with how late I post, I may bring this topic up again.

Thank you again for following along and partaking in this journey with me. It means the world to me, and I’m looking forward to our future together! Once I... we... take over the world, that is! Along with the bush babies, hereafter referred to as the Bush Baby Brigade, there will be no stopping m... us... no stopping us.

Yours truly,

The Jak

A.K.A. Slowplay
A.K.A. EmoJak

Are there any subjects you would like to see discussed in the future? Are you a robot, zombie, or glutton for punishment? Do you know anyone who could smuggle me an army of bush babies? I’d really hate to go round them all up myself. I know... lazy becomes me.

BEDiM 2013 : DAY 26

(A Blog Every Day in May 2013 Challenge Entry)

The holiday weekend is almost over, but it’s been a fairly busy time. Gaming with friends, visiting family, working out, and random fun has made for a good time. I think tomorrow I may end up visiting more family. I definitely can’t argue with another BBQ. That makes three in the past month. It would be nice to just relax at home, though, and do some catching up on blogs and writing.

Today’s prompt:

Day 26, Sunday: Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you'd like.

Well, I read a lot online. Most of my intake lately has been other blogs when finding the time. I feel so far behind again. No daily challenges in June please. I’ve been falling behind on replying to comments even. This weekend being really busy didn’t help much. Need to get on it.

I shared a blog post awhile back with my Facebook writing group. It’s been a few months since reading it — need to look it over again — but I recall liking it. I wouldn’t have shared it otherwise. It’s a post giving the bloggers opinion of the publishing industry and writing. Just be warned it’s NSFW (it’s listed as such on the blog). The author is vulgar and more in-your-face.

I’ve never  dealt with the hardships of attempting to get published, but hope to someday. There’s a good chance a handful of you will be way more familiar than I. Still an enjoyable read, nonetheless.

Let me know what you think:



If reading the blog post, any thoughts? Do you have any articles or blog posts associated with writing and/or publishing you recommend?