(A Blog Every Day in May 2013 Challenge Entry)

Better get this in just in case the storms rolling through take out the power. I want to avoid missing two days in the same weekend. That would suck! I'm extremely happy we have the thunderstorms coming through, though. I love them, and I've been waiting for some good thunder and lightning.

Today’s prompt:

Day 19, Sunday: Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them

Huh...

Well, I literally just did this a week or so ago so I’m going to cheat some.

BEDiM Day 5 / A to Z Reflections goes into all of the blogs I’ve been following for a while. So take the time and check it out (if you haven't already) and maybe give a glance at some of the listed blogs!
(A Blog Every Day in May 2013 Challenge Entry)

GAH! My personal challenge of not missing a day of posting has come to an end. Devastation! While the majority would barely bat a lash at this, it leaves me feeling a bit sad. I thought of multiple reasons I could claim lead to this plight. While it wasn’t the best of days, nothing in particular played any major role other than my sleep deprivation.

I went to take an hour nap, and an hour nap turned into a five hour nap. Slept through my alarm and everything. It may be a bad sign that when I woke up I frantically checked the time specifically to know if it was past midnight and if I missed a blog post. I may be addicted! It was a personal goal, though, to make each and every day, just as it was during the A to Z Challenge in April.

So remain calm! I am still here! I’m sure many of you went into a frenzied panic and called in Missing Persons reports, but all is well! My grandmother often says it’s good we aren’t the drinking sort, or we’d be drunk all the time. Had I been the drinking sort, waking up at 1am discovering I was late for a blog entry would have caused me to hit the bottle and spiral down into a pit of self-loathing. Okay, that may be an exaggeration...

I will try to bust out two day’s worth of the BEDiM Challenge today.

Yesterday’s prompt:

Day 17, Friday: A favorite photo of yourself and why.

Man, this lady loves taking photos... I think she even states that, but I just don’t take them. This factor is making this challenge all the harder! If I were the drinkin’ sort...

Bad to the Bone
Is that the fateful fridge?
Born to be Wild
These aren’t my favorite pictures, but I like them a lot. I don’t believe I actually have a favorite. Oh SNAP I do! I will share that one also if I still have it.

Anyhow, look how badass I am. By this time in my life I’ve already smoked a cig, ate a feast of pot brownies, possibly tripped on acid, likely pimp-slapped a bitch or three, and possibly created a lovechild or two. It’s all really hard to say. If you’ve been following along you know which of the grouping are true. Point is, I was set to walk the path of a badass.

That’s me with my Uncle Joe, and I have no recollection of this whatsoever. I blame the pot brownies. Actually, I blame the pot brownies for all my lost childhood memories!

DAMN YOU CHOCOLATEY DELICIOUSLY DEVIOUS POT BROWNIES of FORGETFULNESS!

Lucky I’m not the drinking sort...

So, it seems apparent to me that it was my lot in life to become a badass. A life of tattoos, motorcycles, bar fights, drugs, alcohol and all other devilish shenanigans. My course was set. Then something must have happened, because I turned out almost the exact opposite.

I turned into this:
Circa 2000 Hood Down -The Fav I spoke of-
Circa 2013 Hood Up

Look at that Emo scrub. So much lost potential. I think I forgot what I was meant to be and ended up there (and ultimately here, where I am now). I really like this picture, and in fact, I still own that hoodie. A hoodie many shunned and tried to make me forsake and destroy! This was likely due to the condition it eventually came to be in over the years. Mainly the left sleeve being almost completely split open. But I showed ALL of them! Not only did it serve as my jacket for years in that condition (even shoveling through harsh winters), but I recently had it repaired and it’s now in tip-top shape. Well, minus a hole or three.

I guess I don’t love this picture... I just love my damn hoodie.

Maybe someday I will be able to tap into that lost reserve of Badass Power buried deep in my soul and unleash it into the world. Then again, that may not be a good thing.

Let’s move on to today’s prompt:

Day 18, Saturday: Tell a story from your childhood. Dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt.

Of.Fucken.Course.

You’re killin’ me lady.

A False LOST  Memory

Hmm... something smells good — chocolatey — I wonder what it could be.

*Presses face to stove window*

I seeeeeeee you... whatever you are. You will be mine.

*Unknown lapse of time...*

Finally they are done! That took forever! Oh goodie, it looks like brownies! That’s it parental units... take the baked goods and share them with your child. I demand it! Yes, yes... cut them up and make them look pretty. Not that it matters, but I do rather like perfectly square-cut brownies, even if  they come out the backend all the same.

Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie... don’t you see my arms reaching up, hands open, demanding to be satisfied by the warm, gooey sensation of a freshly baked brownie? What... What is this? What do you mean they aren’t for me? Who the bloody hell could they be for? Do you seriously plan to eat ALL the things and starve your firstborn son?! This is an outrage!

Of course I’m crying! Why wouldn’t I? You are denying me ALL the things! I need them! What is this?! Where are you taking me? Put me down this instant! Give me a brownie for fucksakes!

Sure... I’ll stay on the couch and starve while you go do your feasting without me.

*Sneaks to kitchen entryway*

I see, you plan to save them and eat them later. All by yourselves, without me, while I sleep. Well, we will see abo... what? What are you doing? Why are you putting them up on the fridge?! This is madness! How am I supposed to... How the hell can I...

*Scurries to the fridge after parents leave the kitchen and gazes up*

I seeeeeeee you... my precious brownies. You will be mine.

*Unknown lapse of time*

If I pull out these drawers I think I should be able to climb up to...

*Unknown lapse of time. Sitting on counter; hands and face smeared with chocolate*

OM NOM NOM NOM! ALL the brownies are mine! I control ALL the things! I will eat ALL the things!

Oh my nuts, these are amazing! Holy Fucken Tiddlywinks!

NOM NOM NOM!

What’s that? Is someone coming?

*Pauses and listens*

OM NOM NOM! They can’t steal my brownies, they are mine! ALL MINE! Why am I shaking? Am vibrating with power?

Muahahahahahahaha!

I am Master of the Universe! I WILL EAT ALL THE THI...

*Blackout*

Do you have a favorite picture of yourself? Yeah, I’m not touching that second section ;-)
(A Blog Every Day in May 2013 Challenge Entry)

So tonight has been fairly interesting. Been visiting some friends I’ve not hung out with for a long time. It’s been a lot of fun so far, but taking a quick break to make my daily entry.

Today’s prompt:

Day 16, Thursday: Something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it.

First World Problems

I have to be honest, I don’t think I have very many hardships that aren’t self induced. My main materialistic hardship is money. Most in my family have never had luck in money. I should say, at least my side of the family. Or... however you would explain it. It seems the half of the family that is detached from those I’m mainly associated with have had quite their fair share of luck when it comes to income/money.

There was a family divide — before my time — between my grandfather (now passed) and his brother. I’m not exactly sure what caused the wedge, but I essentially know no one from that half of the family. I don’t even recall their half having family reunions. I’ll have to ask about that.

Either way, what I do know is that I rarely have any excess cash on hand. This is how it is for many people, though, and a lot of it is the result of my lack of ambition/motivation to change it. I’ve always just sort of skimmed by on the bare minimum.

I know many others have it way worse, so I do my best to not complain.

No More Pets, Except For Birds

While I may feel devoid of any serious hardships and dealings of bad luck in life, the same can’t be said for my friend’s daughter. She is five years old, and it’s been one hell of a day for her. From the moment we arrived it’s been one trauma after another.

When getting out of the car she ran up to us and saw a wasp. Suddenly she let out a scream, as she made sure to keep track of where the wasp was flying. This wasn’t just a short, sharp scream, but one that continued until her nemesis buzzed off.

Within the next ten minutes she was mauled by her own pet cat. She was holding it when the neighbor’s dog came up, scaring the cat, causing her pet to scratch her arm, stomach, and shoulder while frantically attempting to escape her grasp. We were alerted by her screams, once again, piercing the silence of this beautiful, Spring day.

The scratches were pretty superficial, but to a five year old they were like the end of the world. Some highlights (in order that I can recall):

“I never want to see that dog again!”
“Oh my god, oh my god, OH MY GOD!”
“This is the worst day ever!”
“I’m afraid that I’m not going to live.”
“No more cats, no more dogs. I don’t need them! No more pets, except for birds. I like birds.”

To that last comment her father, a friend since high school, replied, “But birds can peck your eyes out.”

Smooooooth.

Between each statement given, she was screaming at the top of her lungs and crying. I couldn’t help but laugh when she wasn’t around to see/hear me doing so. I found it hilarious. Sad at first, because the scratches had to have hurt, but the reactions were so over the top I couldn’t help it.

She contemplated many things during the traumatic experience. Perhaps she should get rid of the cat. Maybe she should become the pet killer. That one was a little scary... All pets were evil, but eventually their new dog Freya was exempt from this accusation.

Eventually she got over it. Neosporin was applied to her battle scars and she was once again reverted to her playful self.

So regardless of what hardships I may feel I have in life, there are some that have it worse. Like those with pets... that aren’t birds.

Do you feel you have any specific hardships currently in life? Have you ever had a traumatic experience with a pet?

BEDiM 2013 : DAY 15

(A Blog Every Day in May 2013 Challenge Entry)

Let’s see what we have lined up after our “Happy” list.

Today’s prompt:

Day 15, Wednesday: A Day in the life (include photos from throughout your typical day - this could be "a photo an hour" if you'd like)

Well, considering I’m old-school and have no personal cell phone (let alone a smartphone), the taking of pictures just isn’t going to happen.

I’ll just share my day, which is pretty uneventful.

A Day in the Life

After waking up from a lovely three hours of sleep, I say hello to Crooks — he always lays with me whenever I finally turn in — and get out of bed. Normally I’d just wander around in my boxers, but as I had company I put on some sweatpants and a shirt. I really hate wearing pants. Even comfy sweat/pajama pants. In fact, whenever I come home and am alone (or with intimate/familiar company) the pants come off; sometimes I ask if it’s okay first.

So as soon as my company left, off they went.

I peruse the interwebs. This includes email, Facebook, my blog, and the blogs of others. I reply to comments left on my blog and when able attempt to comment on others. Then I contemplate (at least during May) what I will write about today. This current challenge offers prompts which helps, but I usually don’t set out to writing until about 9pm. Lately 10pm. I’ve been lucky that these prompts have allowed for shorter posts.  Two hours for me to write something up, read, and edit isn’t very much time.

It isn’t long before my pantless relaxation is interrupted by my apartment buzzer. The voice on the intercom is familiar, but it’s a distant familiarity. I ask for a moment, in which I take the time to put my jeans back on and fuss with my hair.

At the door I’m met with an old tenant who was in the area and looking to move back into the apartments. We share a simple exchange. I explain there are no openings that I‘m aware of, but offer her the new property management’s office numbers. They would have a better grasp on any upcoming vacancies. A curt thank you and farewell, and I’m back in my apartment; depantsed. That isn’t a word, but for today it is.

I’m not looking forward to today.

My grandmother’s sister just passed away, and I plan on visiting her (actually I’m there... here... right now as I type this) to see how she is doing and to get information on the upcoming family affair. Seems I’ve had a lot of these in the past six months. Too many, really.

I shower, feed my cat — offering him his routine treat whenever I leave for an extended period of time — pack up my laptop, and head out. On the way I pick up lunch, which is also part of my Grandma Day routine. Though, usually Grandma Day is Monday. Given the circumstances taking place earlier this week, it was shifted to today.

Over lunch my grandmother and I exchange thoughts, feelings, and information. My great aunt’s wake will be tomorrow, the funeral Friday. I’ll have to discuss this with my brother. We had plans to visit a friend tomorrow, but it may work out in the end. I’m prone to skip the wake and attend the funeral. This all will be taking place out of town, so if having to choose one or the other I pick the latter.

9:30am. That’s when I will have to be at my grandmother’s to go along with them to the funeral. Depending on how things go Thursday — likely it’s going to be a late night — the thought of getting up and functioning well before then seems fairly daunting. I will do what I have to, though. I can sleep in the car. I usually don’t have a choice in the matter either way. The falling asleep in the car, that is.

So now I’m currently at my grandmother’s writing up this daily entry. This isn’t exactly a typical day, but close enough. Usually there is a lot less solemn conversation. More fun and laughs.
As for the rest of my day?

I may go visit a local book/card shop that I used to frequent. I’d like to write some fiction, but the somber mood isn’t too conducive. Or is it? I will likely hit the gym tonight after I head home. Fucken gas is $4.19 now. Fuck my nuts, that’s ridiculous. Note to self: try not to drive much this week, or through Memorial Day weekend.

The gym would do me some good to get my mind off of things. We will see.

I really want to work on fiction, so maybe I’ll give that a go. Not long until the midnight deadline for submissions into a contest I have been planning on entering for weeks now. Damn this Blog Every Day in May Challenge!

I’m sorry; it’s not your fault. It’s not you, it’s me. Fiction motivation lapsing. Should have written it in the moment when the idea was fresh and surging in my mind. It’s still there beating, trying to live. Have to help it breathe. There’s been far too much death already.

BEDiM 2013 : DAY 14

(A Blog Every Day in May 2013 Challenge Entry)

This has not been a particularly happy day, but happiness is what this post is associated with.

Today’s prompt:

Day 14, Tuesday: Ten things that make you really happy

That isn’t so bad. I’m sure despite this week’s beginning tidings I can come up with a simple list of things I enjoy. Really happy, though? I’ve had difficulties with this question before.

Succulent Pseudoism

  1. Sex
  2. More sex
  3. Sex inside
  4. Sex outside
  5. Sex in public places
  6. Sex in private places
  7. Kinky sex
  8. Normal Sex
  9. Even more sex!
  10. ALL the sex!!!

Not a fan of sex in a car, but I will take one for the team if having to.

Seriously, though, for things that truly make me happy I will try to dig a little deeper.

A Little Deeper

  1. Friends
  2. Family
  3. Art/Drawing
  4. Writing/Reading
  5. Music/Movies
  6. Laughter/Making people laugh
  7. Helping people
  8. Gaming (board/card/video)
  9. Hugs/Cuddles
  10. And you guessed it... Sex

This is just a small list of things that make me happy, and not sure how prominent sex would actually be on that list, but I had a motif to uphold! And I don’t know about you, but I generally feel damn good afterwards ;-)

What are some things that make you happy?

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