It’s Tuesday and the music themed blog hop is still underway, but I’m sailing under the radar for another week. I’m not very familiar with much music from before my time. Having to pretend I existed during those periods would actually be a lot of fun — sure I could make stuff up — but I will just make myself believe that the 70's weren’t as awesome as everyone living them wants you to think.
Therefore it was destined that I would be born seven days into the 80's; the same amount of days it took “God” to create the world*. This includes his much needed day of rest. So while he was kicking back, sipping a martini — shaken, not stirred — I came into the world kicking and screaming.
More Bees?
Not exactly...
While laying low, I ventured out — exploring the blogosphere — during this blog hop and came across Kristi’s post at Finding Ninee. She has quite the vivid memory of her angsty pre-teen years. I won’t spoil the surprise of the topic, but within the post her musical choice was the song Tragedy, by the Bee Gees. This instantly made me remember one of my favorite A Bad Lip Reading videos. So in her honor — okay, maybe this will be more of a disgrace to some; I apologize in advance — I will share my own Bee Gees video for my musical theme. Just like her magical dangling Christmas lights, I will share some “Magic” of my own.
“Magic Man” - A Bad Lip Reading:
Oh My Nuts, I love that video! I could listen to it over and over! There may be something seriously wrong with me. I can’t just share one video, though. I have to get in at least one more, so I will also post my other favorite music video by A Bad Lip Reading.
Those of you familiar with, and a fan of, Michael Bublé may want to cover your eyes... I have to say, though, if the artist gives praise and keeps a good attitude about the video, I have faith you can too ;-)
“Russian Unicorn” - A Bad Lip Reading:
Awww yeah... my evening feels a little more complete! If liking either of these videos I would recommend checking out some of their additional work. They also do movie/political/random clips which can be quite hilarious.
Thanks for stopping by!
*Let me live in my own make-believe universe **It’s awesome, don’t be jelly ***Asterisks are “in” right now ****Just trust me, my shit is always right sometimes
Did you enjoy any of the videos? Are you already familiar with A Bad Lip Reading? If so, any personal favs from them?
A
month ago I attended a Birthday BBQ. It was a lot of fun, but one of
the best moments of the night (for me) was when some of the guests found
out who I was.
“You’re Jak?!”
When
someone exclaims that I’m torn on how to answer, because the reasoning
behind it could be negative just as much as it could be positive. I’d
only met some of them one other time roughly a year ago during holiday
events. Did I offend someone? I swear a lot and speak “off the cuff”...
occasionally. Were these people “Friends” or “Foes”? It’s important to
know these things.
Turns
out they’ve been receiving notifications (via Gmail) when I make a post
on my blog. I found that odd, considering I never had them added to my
social networks like Facebook — let alone Google+. So my settings have
been sending out emails to people outside mutual circles. The cool
thing? They didn’t really care, they just never knew who the hell I was.
So
I joked about being the most famous person they’ll never know, made
some new friends, and experimented. Finishing up a blog post while at
said BBQ, I posted and waited. Moments later I heard chimes on multiple
cell phones of friends and guests at the party. I laughed maniacally;
mission accomplished. I’m easily amused.
Skip
ahead to another party amongst a different group of friends, though,
and I was met with a different tone. I received my first — officially
voiced anyhow— complaint. I was asked if I could change that setting;
turn it off. I felt bad, but after contemplation I figured there were
ways to stop receiving said notifications... I’d seen the option myself
when receiving notifications from fellow bloggers. So I explained this,
but for a few weeks have been contemplating changing those settings.
I
understand how it could be incredibly annoying during daily blog
hop/challenges. Now with those ending, and my posting being a lot more
infrequent, I haven’t worried too much about it. IF, however, it really
pisses off the majority of my readers... then that’s a different story. I
can just take a tally and make a personal “circle” for people
specifically not interested in receiving email notifications when I make
a post. The goal isn’t about irritating people, that’s for sure, but a
lot of times — with following so many blogs — I wish more I followed
used the email notifications. It would help me keep track of where I’m
at and who I have yet to catch up with in terms of visiting.
Many posts are lost in my “feed” now.
Regardless
of what is decided, I will always send out a notification for my
fiction blog. The time lapse between entries there is usually weeks, if
not months. So that one people will just have to suck up and endure!
Basically,
I’m leaving it up to individuals to let me know if they want to be
removed from circles I send notifications to, and believing in their
ability to stop the notifications on their end (which I’d imagine most
have done already).
INCOMING!
If
you haven’t already stopped notifications and would like me to shift
you to a non-notified Google+ Circle let me know. If needing help
figuring out how to regulate the notifications from your end, I’m sure
with our powers combined we can come up with a solution.
So it’s Tuesday and there is supposedly a music blog hop (Twisted Mix Tape Tuesday) that people participate in. I love my music and would love to give it a go, but it seems there is a specific theme/guideline they are using.
Basically they are working their way through the various decades — currently entrapped in the 60’s (or earlier) — where you make a “mixed tape” to someone as though you were living within that decade and have no knowledge of music beyond that time period. It’s a great, fun concept and I like it a lot, but feel a bit ill-prepared. I should have researched a tad bit earlier. Most know my knack for procrastination, though, so this likely doesn’t come as a surprise.
I’m going to go off the reservation a bit. It’s not that I dislike rules or lack understanding of their place; I just hate following them. No, but really, I just wasn’t prepared, so this week I will blaze my own trail — so to speak — while retaining the spirit of involving music in some fashion.
But first a completely unrelated story.
Bee All You Can Bee
Yesterday was Grandma Day. I visited and we caught up on current events from the past week, and I read her a handful of my BEDiM entries being we got behind last month. It was an early day, however, because my brother wanted to grill. On the way over to my brothers I had a close encounter of the bee kind.
I was almost to my destination, cruising down the road with my window down, taking in the evening breeze when all of a sudden there was a buzz and...
*THWACK*
From out of nowhere I was smacked upside the head (in the ear more specifically) and for a moment I thought I was going to die. Die by swerving off the road and flipping my car. But I lived, and my vehicle remained straight and true on the road. Then there was a buzz. I cringed, and was maybe gripped by fear. The buzz sounded again and whatever the source... it sounded huge. I was certain I was about to engage in another epic battle with a June Bug. I can’t recall if I recounted my first combat story; I will link to it if I happen to find I have.
Needless to say, I hate June Bugs.
Panic overtook me and I tried to remain low/scrunched over/etc for some reason. Maybe I thought I would have a better chance that way? No freakin’ idea. Instincts were kicking in. Another Buzz and I tried looking back to find out what I was dealing with, because I couldn’t recall if June Bugs, you know... buzzed. In my first battle with a June Bug it maneuvered silently. Chances were good I was dealing with a bee, not that that made it the situation any better; I am afraid of bees and wasps. Don’t judge!
Finally I got to my brother’s house and evacuated the vehicle. Looking through the back window I saw my arch nemesis for the evening: A giant bumble bee. The sucker was huge! It was dazed and confused... grooming itself and buzzing around the back window now and again, but unable to find its way out. I showed it to my young nieces and the friends they had over. It was quite the spectacle to them. Hell, even to me. I was against killing it. I understood we both happened to be at the right place at the wrong time, so I left the windows open for it to eventually escape and be on its merry.
At the end of the night, I have to admit, I was afraid it may still be in the car. Thankfully, “Flight of the Bumblebee” Part 2 never came to fruition; all was quiet and peaceful.
Hey, Look at that! Worked music into the story! I’m such a genius almost always never that I scare myself sometimes. And here I thought I would have to create a song on a whim. Perhaps, in due time, I still will...
Now that’s really scary!
The Sounds of Armageddon
Now down to business.
I thought for my music theme I would highlight a couple of songs that have given me inspiration for various pieces of work. I will likely make this a series that I partake in periodically (possibly sans the randomly interjected, unassociated stories). Consider this Part One of The Soundtrack of Imagination series! Today I’m specifically focusing on my Post Apocalyptic/Sci-Fi story: After Armageddon. First off is the song that I view being inspirational for the series as a whole. A theme song perhaps?
Imagine Dragons - Radioactive:
I’ve no place specifically in the story that this song represents yet. So far, when I listen to Radioactive I see a montage of scenes taking place throughout the story; like a trailer of sorts. If you see me listening to this song (or the After Armageddon playlist) on Facebook/Spotify you can be sure that I’m focusing on that fictional piece. It amps me up!
Next up we have a song I’m sure many are familiar with.
Michael Andrews, Gary Jules - Mad World:
I love this cover of the Tears for Fears song. The first few times I listened to it some pretty strong emotions were evoked (and still are). The first time hearing this version was from Donnie Darko, a movie I’m very, very fond of.
This is the song I listened to while writing Chapter Three of After Armageddon. The song will likely encompass a majority of the events that take place in that section of the story. Naturally it’s placed in a spot where a very traumatic event is unfolding. I feel the song allows me to lock into that state of mind, imagining myself in the situation first hand. The hope is that it fuels my ability to pull the readers into the character’s shoes, allowing them to experiencing what he/she is.
So those are two of the songs that play a significant role inspiring my After Armageddon fiction. I hope you’ve enjoyed!
Next Tuesday I hope to be on board with the music blog hop. Feel free to join in on the shenanigans!
Have you ever been kamikazeed in the ear by a bee while on the open road? *Sigh* Didn’t think so... Do you have specific songs that inspire some of your creative works?
After
the A to Z 2013
and Blog Every Day In May 2013
Challenges I decided to take some time off. It’s been a week and in that
time I’ve focused on getting back into an exercise routine, caught up
on some work, contemplated my fiction (though not writing any), and
debated where to touch base with my next — this — entry. Also, I’ve been
catching up with fellow bloggers and have only completed the task with 2
½ people out of 12+ I need to learn how to stay on track and read
faster...
If
you’ve been following along for a while you’ll likely be familiar with
the fact that I sometimes have random bouts of emotional bursts.
I won’t point out the specific posts this time around, but if wanting
to you can inquire and I will share the needed links. A similar outburst
occurred last weekend while listening to music; more specifically
watching a music video. I meant to write this post right away, in the
moment of it all, but I’m a master procrastinator.
Triggered By Turtles
The
video above is the one that triggered the emotional reaction out of the
blue. There I was... minding my own business, just discovering that a
band I’ve heard a good amount of hype about — Trampled By Turtles — was
actually a local band, checking out one of their videos for the first
time and...
*THWACK*
I
was bitch-slapped in the Deep Limbic System and began crying like a
little baby. Trampled By Turtles had violated me emotionally and I never
saw it coming. Nor did I have a say, apparently, in the situation.
Blindsided, my cup filled up and runneth over with tears. I’m not
embarrassed about crying; I think its a healthy release that we should
experience when needed. I was more upset that I wasn’t exactly sure why it was happening.
I
began thinking of past relationships and just life in general, as I
went to curl up in the fetal position in bed. Okay, not quite, but I may
as well have. I was bombarded with thoughts of not having accomplished
anything significant in life, not having a family (paired with the exact
opposite thoughts of not being prepared/ready for, or even desiring,
one right now), believing it was time to stop pretending I can make any
sort of living writing; buying/selling gaming cards; or any other
“hobby” endeavor, and what exactly I planned to do in the long-term in
regards with my life. It was all rather depressing really.
To that I say both Fuck You! Trampled By Turtles and also... Thank you! It’s a real mixed bag-o-crazy over here sometimes in the deep recesses of my mind.
There
were more thoughts and emotions all intertwined with the ordeal, but
having a week pass did a number on my memories associated with it. In
fact, being the genius that I am, I decided to once again subject my mind to
TBT’s emotional abuse in order to channel some of the
same triggered reactions.
Yeah...
I cried again ya bastards... don’t judge! At least I didn’t go run off
and hide in my room for hours, though! So in your face!
Did
I learn anything? Any lesson? Come to have an epiphany? Not really.
Eventually the charged feelings subsided and I leveled out. Of course I’m going to make millions writing and indulging in my other extracurricular, hobbitastic activities!
Some people never learn...
10 Things of Thankful
As
I was catching up with fellow blogger entries this week, One (A Fly On Our Chicken Coop Wall) posted about a blog hop
a friend of theirs set up. I fought with myself for a while and
eventually decided to join in on the fun, thinking originally it was a
daily thing. Thankfully it’s only a weekly entry. I apologize for not
having this posted a few days ago as planned, thinking some others may
like to join in. I’d imagine you can join in at any time.
The
hop occurs on Saturdays and involves listing ten things you are
currently thankful for in your life. This is in encouragement of
embracing and sharing some good ‘ol positive vibes. If participating, I
believe they ask that you visit the two people before (or after, or
around) your placement on the link list and that you use their
banner/badge, which I’ve used above.
Be
warned, however, I’m lacking some of the information like where to
specifically list your link. There are multiple locations to submit your
entry’s link, so I have a little research to do. I
may be all over the place at the start, but should be fine once I
understand the details more fully.
Without further ado... my listing of things I am thankful for:
I’m
thankful that this blog hop is only weekly (as explained above) and not
daily. Part of my debate with participating revolved around the fact
that I think I may be too pessimistic to come up with 10 things a day.
Sad, I know, but honest! This should be more doable...
*Two Hours Later in Spongebob style* My newly made friends during NaNoWriMo and fellow bloggers met since I began this blog; most during the A to Z Challenge.
The
patience of my fellow bloggers as I barrel through and catch up
with their past (and current) posts. I’m at about a 15% completion
rate!
Music
that can trigger my emotions and make me think, regardless if negative
or positive. To be able to feel the vast range of emotions on the
spectrum is truly a gift, in my opinion.
Hopefully this isn’t cheating... but having that full spectrum of emotions!
The
clown my grandmother (in AZ) made when I was a child I still have
dangling from my lamp. Clowns in general creep me out; even this
crocheted representation she painstakingly created back in the day.
During the emotional burst last weekend I eventually trudged out to the
living room, leaned back against the wall, and dramatically slide down
into a sitting position. When the Emo attack was letting up I looked up
and saw the crafted clown smiling over at me. this in turn made me smile
and laugh. Then daily life resumed as normal.
For
the hobbies that I partake in that randomly spawn ambitious dreams and
fuel my creativity. Now if only my motivation would catch up to speed...
My
friends and family who share along in and/or support the above
endeavors. There are plenty out there who would rather scoff and
ridicule such things, but those types of people are very few and far in
between in my life.
My cat Crooks who is always there to help comfort me in my times of need... when he deems it fitting... *sigh*
My grandmother (in MN) who is actually always there to help comfort me in my times of need; loving unconditionally.
Have
you heard of Trampled By Turtles? Do you have a specific song or artist
that can trigger some powerful emotions within you? Anything you are
currently thankful for in your life?
*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? >.>
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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…
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!