(A Blog Every Day in May 2013 Challenge Entry)

Alright! This prompt doesn’t feel like it will be overly difficult or intimidating. I still should be getting these out a lot earlier than I have been. Cutting it close to midnight every time is for the birds! Owls to be more precise. This has been a crazy, hectic week. With work, A to Z wrapping up (and STILL catching up on blogs and comments), and cleaning/rearranging my apartment it’s been exhausting. Yet, I jump right back into the fire with the Blog Every Day in May Challenge. My wiring must be off.

So today’s prompt seems simple enough...

Day 3, Friday: Things that make you uncomfortable.

Considering I have Social Anxiety, I think I can cover this one. This is because most anything outside of the house (and routine) has the potential to make me feel uncomfortable; mostly situations dealing with crowds or strangers. Many of my friends believe this is a figment of my imagination, because when hanging out I can be very outgoing.

I describe this as being an Extroverted Introvert. When in the right situation (usually among friends/family) I feel very comfortable and, in turn, am very outgoing — sometimes annoyingly so. When in a larger group, or around strangers, not so much.

So these are some situations that make me uncomfortable — whether with close friends or not — in my daily life to life and/or social interactions.

Wanna Go to the Bar?

This is kind of the pinnacle of my anxiety. Tons of people and noise. I’ve never been one to handle things at a loud volume that didn’t involve music, and sometimes even then (naturally dictated by my taste in music). I don’t like loud voices, laughs, yelling, etc etc. Sometimes, within fun situations, I am not bothered by them. These factors can make or break who I date, as much as who I hang out with. All depends on the individuals I suppose.

The crowd factor I’ve been working on for some time. I’m way better than it used to be. I used to always believe people were thinking badly about me. “Oh god, look at this guy. Why does he dress like that?” “Yeah, I could steal his girlfriend away from him. No problem.” You get the idea. Finally, after a lot of... training myself?... I came to accept that no one was talking/thinking trash about me. Most people are too involved in their own lives to bother caring about those outside their own.

I still tend to avoid bars and/or parties unless I am with a group of people I am already comfortable with.

Check Out This Guy

Falling in line with the above, is when people of a group I am hanging out with feel the need to make fun of someone outside of the group. I understand sometimes someone walks into a place wearing this/that and you may share a comment (this makes me wonder if my fear above isn’t justified). Or, sometimes I ad-lib what is happening between a group of people.

Sometimes, though, people can go a bit far with it. Like being loud and calling attention to themselves where the individual they are mocking can hear. I believe they mock loudly just so said individual can hear. We have all experienced this, whether doing it ourselves or witnessing someone — of your group or others — engaging this type of behavior. Sometimes we laugh, at the expense of the poor individual being mocked.

This tends to happen more during the school years. As an adult, I don’t find it very humorous anymore. Maybe having suffered so much from my anxiety worrying about people doing/thinking the same of me, or just “growing up” I’ve come to have a great distaste for it. It can hurt feelings to an extent you’ve no idea, and for what purpose? Garnishing a laugh? I don’t mind — in fact, I love — teasing among friends; sarcasm, ribbing, vulgarity. When it comes at someone’s expense outside of the group, though, I become very uncomfortable.

I suppose it doesn’t matter in which fashion it’s done, discretely or openly, it still perpetuates negativity.

Take a Picture, It Will Last Longer

Staring. This can really creep me out. I don’t care if you are male or female (Or kid — Yeah, I will Me, Myself, & Irene you, punk! Okay, maybe not). I view staring as rude. I just grew up being taught that. Flirty little glances? Go crazy! Dead on, prolonged staring? Go back to Crazy Town!

You Have Really Nice Eyes
Uh... thanks?

Compliments — giving and receiving — can really make me uncomfortable. A lot of times I want to give compliments, but refrain. This is two-fold. One, I don’t want to be someone always dishing out a compliment (though, some women seem to eat it up) like I feel some men do to butter someone up for personal gain. Secondly, what if it is taken badly? What will she think if I say this? What if she thinks I’m stupid? What if it makes her not like me anymore? (I use her a lot, but the same with complementing men applies).

Recently, I gave one of the hardest, most heartfelt, compliments I’ve given someone in a long time. It was supposedly greatly appreciated, but was met with silence for weeks thereafter. Talk about a confidence booster!

As for receiving them, it just revolves around the whole self-reflection/self-love thing. That insecurity always trudging into the path of accepting kindness and love. Not necessarily of accepting it, but believing it (wait, is there a difference?). I never really know what to say. Rarely do I say anything back in return, but “Thank you.” Sometimes I am too uncomfortable to do even that.

Ah well, it can lead to awkward situations, which increases how uncomfortable everyone involved may become.

Do you, or anyone you know, suffer from anxiety? Have you experienced any of the above situations and found them to be uncomfortable? Ever given a compliment only to have it backfire? What makes you uncomfortable?
(A Blog Every Day in May 2013 Challenge Entry)

Damn these questions! I was thinking it would be a breeze for me, but I was definitely wrong. They should be easy. Like this next prompt:

Day 2, Thursday: Educate us on something you know alot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic)

Oh, that should be fun and easy! I should have no issue talking about something I know a lot about, or explaining one of the million-bazillion things I’m good at! Then I start to think... What do I know a lot about? What am I really good at? And enough so that I can “educate” someone about it. I like to think of myself as more of a Jak-of-All-Trades. I dabble in many things, but not really an expert in any.

This reminds me of my interview for the new company that took over my current property. Name five things you are good at and/or positive traits. I can’t think of the question anymore, but it was along those lines. Could I do that? Nope. I think I came close... with four? That fourth took some time to get out.

Well, let’s try this anyway...

How to Make the Perfect Omelet

First, you will naturally need an egg; preferably a half dozen. You don’t want to drop any. No, that wouldn’t be good.

Secondly, you will need a pan. A round one would be best.

Third, a stove... or some apparatus to cook on.

Uh...

Fourth, utensils like a spatula, fork, bowl...

Hmm...

Fifth... I think you need milk...

...and a coconut...

Then... you put the egg in the coconut and drink it all up...

Yeah, no... Okay, so I’ve never made an omelet. Let’s try something else...

How to Unleash Number Five

In case you haven’t been following along, A handful of friends and I have been marked for death by a curse. The Curse of the Dark Babies. We are marked in sequential order as something bad happens to us. I am Number Two. Four and Five were undetermined, but I know without a doubt who Number Five will be. If need be, he will attempt to use Number Four as a bargaining chip, thinking it may buy him some time and appease the Dark Babies. They will pretend to comply, but he will be taken like the rest of us.

So I thought I would share the secret tactic to unleashing this fine (subjective)  gentleman’s (also subjective) argumentative powers (fact)! I am good at it.

Wait... everyone is likely good at this...

In fact, I don’t think you really need to do anything to make it happen... it just happens automatically... no lessons needed...

BAH! Moving on to...

How to Tell a Non-Offensive Joke

A Zebra died and went to Heaven.

Upon reaching Heaven, the Zebra went up to God and said:

“God, I have to know,” he began, “am I white with black stripes, or black with white stripes?”

God took a deep breath and replied, “Well Zebra, if you are white with black stripes, you are what you are. If you are black with white stripes, you...”

Oh wait...

This is actually an offensive joke to some. So this wouldn’t actually count either.

OMN (Oh My Nuts, for the less initiated)

So, no omelets... no lessons on how to rile someone up... no good, clean non-offensive jokes...

What the hell AM I good at?!?!

And So Ends Another Episode...

...of Wasting Time with Jak.

I’d like to thank you for you all for your time and patience. It’s greatly appreciated!

So, I’m good at wasting time. I may even dare say an expert at it... but let’s not jump the gun.

The lesson is up there, somewhere... read between the lines.

I’m not going to waste my time trying to explain it all after the fact.

;-)
(A Blog Every Day in May 2013 Challenge Entry)

So right out of the gate I almost fall behind on making an entry. I guess this is partially due to the fact that the very first question isn’t an easy one for me. For many it may be childsplay, but for someone who doesn’t remember chunks of his past — and rarely talks about it — it’s a tough one. I’ve noticed a few bloggers I’ve visited use a lot of pictures. You won’t exactly have that perk here, but it’s for the best; trust me.

I suppose I will start out each post with the assigned prompt for the day.

Day 1, Wednesday: The story of your life in 250 words or less (or one paragraph... no one will be counting your words... probably)

I, Jak: A Memoir

One cold, blustery Winter eve, a baby named Jak (but not) was born. His heart was golden, but his soul was torn. He was the most bestest, cutest runt that you ever did see. He was a badass who had his first puff of a cig at the tender age of three.

Rumor has it, he checked into Stonerville around that same time. Breaking into his parents pot brownies with little fear of the crime. No need to raise a ruckus, no harm no foul. At least I can say I experimented with drugs younger than most, with a howl.

Eventually, time passed and I was confronted by the Big Bad Wolf. Now it seems sometimes trauma makes my memory disappear in a poof. But still Little Jak grew, he learned, and he dreamed. Someday he would become a writer, overcoming his vile writer’s block as futile as it seemed.

Struggles with Good and Evil would sometimes surge deep inside. Most often, Truth and Justice prevailed and cast Darkness aside. Now his soul seeks out love and light. Two attributes he would continually deny and put up a good fight.

Sometimes the words Jak speaks can be a bit confusing. It’s a shame more don’t know Jak Speak, but it’s all so amusing. There may be a link in the past explaining why this is how he came to bloom. Hushed rumors whispered he’s tripped on acid in the womb.

I’ve also a cat named Crooks.

The End.

True Story.

So The May Challenge is Underway

Hopefully there are little tidbits to be found in there (and I didn’t just imagine them). Definitely not a full blown life story, but enough of one, given the 250 word count. I’d like to think I took a unique approach.

I hope the prompts get easier! Otherwise the above statement will be my catch phrase. Okay, who am I kidding? It already is one of my catch phrases.

Either way, it’s on! Let’s do this!

Did you enjoy this partial life story? If doing the Blog Every Day in May Challenge, was this question hard for you?

A to Z 2013 ENDS & BLOG EVERY DAY IN MAY BEGINS

So the A to Z (2013) has ended and I got all my letters in on time (I am very proud of myself for that!), and I was looking forward to relaxing. Catch up on some blogs I came across during the challenge, write some fiction, and look into some podcasting equipment.

There is also that Fiction Contest I would love to write a piece for and submit. I’ve had an idea tumbling around in my head even before I learned of the contest, and am glad I hadn’t yet written and posted it on my fiction blog. I fleshed it out some, and while nothing spectacular, I think it will be a fun project.

Blog Every Day in May

Then as I was browsing through my feed today, I came across mention of another event called Blog Every Day in May. It was created by a fellow blogger Jenni at Story of My Life: The Blog. Basically it is as titled. You post a blog each day (Sundays included *groan*) of May using the daily prompts she has assigned for you. I would post them here, but felt it made more sense to direct traffic to her site as she is the host/creator of the challenge.

The prompts are pretty generic, and not overly complicated. The rules are lax, and it will be more laid back in nature (not that A to Z couldn’t be laid back... I just know it wasn’t always that way for me).

Sorry I hadn’t come across this earlier where I could have shared the info sooner, so that those interested would have a heads up. I’d imagine most will opt to steer clear after the A to Z, but you can still jump in anytime and go at your own pace. It is asked if you do participate that you place the badge on your sidebar (like mine) or the end of each post associated with the event. The code to do so is within that announcement post above!

I will mark each entry to the challenge with BEDiM followed by the specific day's number. I’d like to also post some standard issue blog posts throughout this challenge. I should be able to, as I plan to keep most of the BEDiM posts relatively shorter than most. They may not be as in-depth as some of my other entries, but I want to know if I can keep up with it (and to fuel consistent daily writing).

Sure, I may be sleep deprived and unaware of what I’m getting myself into, but to quote myself modifying a movie quote from an earlier post:
You know what ol’ Jak Cryton always says at a time like this?

Ol’ Jak always says, “Oh My Nuts!”
Have you heard of the Blog Every Day in May Challenge? If so, are you participating?

A to Z 2013 : UNDERACHIEVER

(An A to Z 2013 Challenge Entry)

I’ve spoken about this topic briefly in my first posts when I began blogging. I wasn’t the type of underachiever that would cause a scene in class (with exception of Spanish class) and be disruptive. The “bad boy” (that would be hilarious) who skipped class, smoked in the bathroom, and got into fights (though, those were — are — the type of guys a lot of women seem to swoon over; I blame Hollywood lol). I didn’t throw aside my homework and get terrible grades.

I did, however, try to do the bare minimum that I could. I never found school particularly hard, just boring. It didn’t help that I grew up in a small town with a graduating class under 100 people, where the lack of fun, creative classes was rampant. Art, Photography, Music, were classes many picked partially due to their ease. Some considered them slacker classes.

These weren’t slacker classes for me. I loved to draw, take pictures, and sing. So learning about these various topics was exciting for me. I guess I viewed Home Ec as a slacker class, but over time I really liked learning about cooking and crafts. Regardless of the class, I put in the least amount of effort needed.

Greater Expectations

Hmm... It’s possible that I’ve used that header before.

I may have put little effort into school, but I ended with good grades (minus that final year where I really slacked off... oops). Usually a Straight A or B student, honor rolls, finished all my homework, good test scores, blah blah blah. Everyone expected me to attend college. It never seemed to be my calling, though. I never felt a strong desire to go to college. The cost and thought of endless nights studying were enough to deter me.

I’d have to say I think most of my brothers are also underachievers. Only one (besides me) attempted college, dropped out (like myself), and eventually took massage therapy classes. I still classify him as an underachiever, though, being he takes the perceived easiest route to make money. I sometimes call him Easy Money.

Only a handful of us are happy with where we are at, and I believe that is what differentiates some underachievers from others. Some people don’t care where they are at, some enjoy it and are truly happy, while others loathe their place in life. Big dreams of moving up the corporate ladder, turning a hobby into a career, etc etc. Sometimes you just want more. I want more. To all of those who don’t give a damn, that is fine. Kudos to those who are happy, that is wonderful and I am, therefore, happy for you.

“This Will Never End ‘Cause I Want More...”

For myself? I want more. It feels like I have a void within — not of a spiritual, absence of “God”, nature — manifested by the lack of happiness associated with my place in life. I am content, but want more. I want to be a writer, to be doing what I am passionate about. I’d love having a gaming shop selling/buying cards, and I could write while doing that. Even blog/write about that specifically if wanting. A lot of my hobbies would blend together and have synchronicity.

I am attempting to take the steps to make this dream/goal a reality. This blogging is a move in that direction. I hope to get back into my gaming, and this time simultaneously begin my other blogs on those topics. I’ve also plans to start podcasting. It seems Blogger isn’t the best format to place a podcast on; the standard codex (did I say that right? Or is it just code?) isn’t supported and many tedious workarounds have to happen to make it possible. Then there are the Youtube videos, which I may start with my brother at some point.

It definitely seems like this may be biting off more than I can chew, but many of the alt blogs/podcasts/videos would be sporadic as material becomes available. In the end, though, they will hopefully all flow together and offer a variety of outlets where I can create without becoming completely bogged down with one genre/topic/aspect.

And my fiction? That goal will be to continually work on it, as well. After the A to Z, I will have an easier time following/writing blogs, commenting/replying, and writing fiction when there aren’t daily postings. Perhaps some I follow will continue daily, but I am assuming the majority will downshift to one or two postings a week, maybe three. The overwhelming stimulation of the event will have at least died down.

So, these are a handful of my creative goals in the coming weeks. We’ll see how far along I get. I hope to upgrade from an underachiever.

From an underachiever to an underdog, because seriously... let’s be realistic here. And besides, I’ve always rooted for the underdog!

Have you ever considered yourself, or anyone you know, an underachiever? What are some of your short term goals in the coming weeks? Long term? Do you (or have you) dabble in podcasting or creating Youtube videos? Do you root for the underdog?

recent CHRONICLES

Featured In I, Jak
Hello, Friend
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Hello, Friend
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It’s been a long while. I briefly discuss some of this year’s shortcomings, and in doing so, find it’s just more of the same.

Then I attempt to give a more positive spin…

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Extra Life Game Day 2021
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Extra Life Game Day 2021
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Extra Life Game Day 2021 has arrived! It’s Year 8 for myself and I am looking forward to once again raise money for Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. Team Cryton Crusaders is ready (kind of) for the annual fundraising event involving a 24-Hour Gaming Marathon! I kept last year’s fun, but likely impossible Milestone to reach!

Learn more about the challenge where my team and I play games and heal kids!

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recent ENTERTAINMENT

Featured
102 | TRAILER TUESDAY | 102
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102 | TRAILER TUESDAY | 102
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Welcome to Trailer Tuesday, a weekly Generation Jak blog series where a multitude of movie, video game, and sometimes even book trailers are highlighted for your viewing pleasure!

This week's Featured Trailers:
Jessica Jones Season 2 - Teaser Trailer | Ready Player One | Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom | Alita: Battle Angel | Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse - Teaser Trailer

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101 | TRAILER TUESDAY | 101
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101 | TRAILER TUESDAY | 101
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Welcome to Trailer Tuesday, a weekly Generation Jak blog series where a multitude of movie, video game, and sometimes even book trailers are highlighted for your viewing pleasure!

This week's Featured Trailers:
The Shape of Water | Wormwood | All the Money in the World | Avengers: Infinity War | Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom - Trailer Teaser | Batman Ninja

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recent DREAMSCAPES

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A to Z 2017 [FLASH FICTION]: REFLECTIONS
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A to Z 2017 [FLASH FICTION]: REFLECTIONS
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This year's A to Z Challenge is over, but how did I fare with another attempt at producing Flash Fiction and Poetry throughout it all? Did I run into the same complications as last year?

Join me as I reflect on the challenge and the thoughts about my continued participation on Dreams in the Shade of Ink.

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A to Z 2017: ZACHARIAH
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A to Z 2017: ZACHARIAH
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Dreams in the Shade of Ink is back with more Flash Fiction for the A to Z Challenge 2017! Last year my segments throughout April painted a puzzled tapestry of prose and I hope to provide some new, entertaining stories that you'll enjoy!

Come share in my inky dreams full of fiction, sprinkled with poetry!

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recent META

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A to Z 2017 [MAGIC MIXER]: REFLECTIONS
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A to Z 2017 [MAGIC MIXER]: REFLECTIONS
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The A to Z Challenge 2017 is over and it's time to reflect on how the event went! There were booster pack openings, there were storylines and mechanics to observe within the world of Magic: The Gathering!

Join me as I discuss the ups and downs of this year's Magic Mixer theme.

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A to Z 2017: ZENDIKAR
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A to Z 2017: ZENDIKAR
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This year for the A to Z Challenge 2017 Meta MTG presents the Magic Mixer! What's that mean? Your guess is as good as mine... What I do know, however, is that this year's theme is obviously still all about Magic: The Gathering!

Join me as I attempt to highlight a different Magic set each day of the challenge in different ways, from pack openings to discussions about a set's storyline and/or mechanics!

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