Wow, I really suck at this journal blogging dealie.

Anywho, it's been a year! Lots of fun stuff to report on, but most importantly, it is only a few days away from November 1st!

Yes, that's right. Once again, I'm entering National Novel Writing Month. This time, I have a bit larger of a goal: To completely finish the novel in the allotted time, not just get to 50k. It's gonna be loads of fun, just you wait and see. Might even think about getting it published if/when I finish it!

Anyways, that's all for now! Talk to you in a bit!

My profile:

http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/83620

The Daily Chronicles: Soar
June 11, 2008

The sleek lines of metal and polycarbonate glistened in the naked sunlight. The movement, the stately cruise of machine and technology, was a silent one, and to any onlooker that managed to keep up, it would have been a chilling effect. As it was, inside the cockpit, it was all the pilot could do not to get himself lost in the silence. Only the constant beeping, the blink-blink of warning lights and instrument panels, kept him from drifting off.

The machine itself was a work of art. The result of untold years of engineering, experience, and laboratory testing, it now cruised the skies at speeds previously thought unimaginable, and it did it with a majestic flair that couldn't be matched by any other ship in existence. Flying it in a straight line was a dream. Taking it through a dogfight was like wrestling a bear. The pilot, nearly obsolete as the aircraft flew itself, came in to play only then, and when communications were issued to him.

"Viper one, Viper one. Approaching target zone, can you confirm visual on target?"

The pilot paused a moment, flicking on his targeting computer and checking through the cameras. The image that came to him was a composite of infrared, radar, untouched video, and even sonar. They all combined to create an image of unsurpassed clarity and resolution, which was now clearly showing the target building ahead and below him. "Roger that, Colony Three. Target has been sighted. Requesting clearance for weapons free."

"Weapons are free, Viper one."

He knew his mission, and with little more than a few flicks of switches and pushes of buttons, the plane had simultaneously locked on the target, maneuvered the bombs to the drop bay, and armed the warheads. Nothing else was required of him, save to keep from grasping the thick control stick and wrenching it away. The final distance was closed in a matter of seconds, and as soon as they were in position the bay doors opened. Aerodynamics thus disturbed, the plane shuddered hard and slowed. Below, the warhead whistled on it's way down, before rockets kicked in and drove it home.

The Daily Chronicles
June 2, 2008
Word or Phrase of the Day: Cult

==================================

"So, what does this have to do with a Temple of Doom again?"

"Just, shush, watch the movie."

"Hehehehehe. 'Hang on to your potatoes!'"

"Token Asian kid. Gotta love it."

"Come over here, I'll hang on to your potatoes."

"G-gah! Stop it, I'm trying to watch! You haven't seen this either."

"Fine, have it your way..."

Time passes.

( More beneath the cut... )

Finished.

Yep, thats right. I got that winner's icon, and that certificate, and I'm all bubbly and happy about it. ^.^ Final found was 50,286. The novel itself isn't finished, so as soon as the sight of large amounts of words doesn't disgust me anymore, I'll get working on that.

In the meantime, I have some smaller projects to keep me busy.

What's been happening so far? Lemme see:

-Bought a Joystick

Yessir, I did. the Saitek X52 Flight System. I've been playing a lot of combat sims, mostly because I dream of flying, and since that probably won't ever happen I'll just fill my head with space travel and computer games.

Current games are Freespace 2, and Vendetta Online. Vendetta is this kick ass Space Combat MMO. The formula is brilliant, and they gameplay is fun. It's one of the major drains on my time.

-Playing Orange Box, mostly TF2

This is the OTHER major drain on my time. Team Fortress 2, Portal, and Half Life 2 are taking up a good chunk of my online play. TF2, in particular. I managed to find a furry server, so I'm there all the time. They're a good bunch, and they all use mics without being total cocks, so there's a lot of banter and cooperation. It's a good time.

My level development is going to be focusing on TF2, and I've already got the basic design for a new map. Gonna have to get cracking on it.

-Trying for a job at THQ

I think I mentioned this before, but oh well. THQ is based here in Phoenix, and they're hiring for temp game testers. It's a good introduction to the industry, and I want in. My friend Mo already works there, I've given him a copy of my resume and applied online. Hopefully this works out, because I really wanna give this a go.

-Recent Party for Quo

Happy fun time! Quo had a birthday recently, and we all went to his house for a surprise party. He actually curled against the door when we jumped out and yelled, it was cute as hell. A good time by all, met a bunch of new furs and talked with others, got some contact info and whatnot.

Quo came over after the party. Much fun was had.

-Oh, moved into a new house.

Yanno, I probably should have mentioned this earlier. ^.^;;

So I've finally moved in with Ego and Kanid. We got a house in Tempe, an absolutely awesome place and location. We're all moved in, and we've been here for about two months. It's been fun.

Eventually I'll get around to pictures of the place, and you can all see it! We have a pool and a backyard, and lots of space inside, it's great.

Thats all for now, I'll see if I can't update a bit more often.

So as anyone who sees this now knows, It is National Novel Writing Month.

As such, the same as last year, I have become a hermit and am writing furiously. As of this moment, I have over 10k of words.

For those who want to keep track of me, and possibly read an excerpt, go here!

>>>>>>>> http://www.nanowrimo.org/user/83620 <<<<<<<<<

Go ahead and post support and what not, what you think, all that fun stuff!

We'll see if I update any more!

Arg, I wanna play!

Yea, quick turn around, I know. I'm at work, and I just found out that the Tempe Paintball place finally got the go ahead. They open the 1st, and their grand opening is the 4th-6th. I'm probably gonna wind up their, with Traakon and possibly Gary. Phantom time! Booya!

My new office worker mate person thing also plays, albiet hasn't in a while. So I'm taking over his mind with talk of it, and local games and stuff.

Hopefully I can make it to the Plague of Zombies game later in August. I should be able to swing it. *nodnod* It's not until later, and I have all the gear already, so I don't have to buy the sleeping bag and stuff again. Well, maybe a stuff sack.

Here's hoping!

So my paintball addiction has slacked off recently. Why? First, I'm spending a lot of time playing pool and working. Second, I'm saving for Comic-con. Third, I've been trying to find a new apartment so Ego and I can move in together. Fourth...I'm getting sucked deeper into video games again.

Right now, I'm playing the open beta of World in Conflict!

>>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.worldinconflict.com <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Get it now, it's teh awesomeness. Except for you Jake. We know you don't like RTS. =p

Also, I've been working on my level design skills and stuff, making levels for the Day of Defeat server I'm a regular at. Not a clan member, but thats super hard to become. Right now, I'm known and liked there, and I'm working with others to develop new content. If you play, you should check out Battlefield MARS, it's where I am. My handle is Toby.

In other news, I'm a geek. Only geeks listen to songs about the Mandelbrot Set.

Thass all for now, I have stuff to bitch about, but a three second attention span, so buh-bai!

http://www.progpowerusa.com/

I wanna go. So very very badly. But it's way the feck in Georgia, and I don't have the monies. >.<

In the meantime, I can watch the video below and wish...

Yesh, I've set up the damned things on my new 'pooter. :3 They make me happy. I need more backgrounds that span them both without going off the screen. Which reminds me, I've got a killer idea for a dual-monitor desktop involving the movie 300.

Saw that movie last night, by the way. Fucking amazing. I'd read the comic before, and busted it out again before seeing it. They did an amazing job of adapting it and making the Spartans just FEEL kick-ass. The entire movie was just...gyaa! Awesomeness!

Um...I'm waiting on my new stock harness, the damn thing better be in today. I'm also waiting on my 10rnd tubes, hopefully they get here in a reasonable amount of time. The auction ended on Wednesday, there was a few day delay, so they should get here. Oh wait...I never mentioned that before, did I? I bought a new paintball marker! ^.^ A CCI Phantom, Vertical Stock Class. Yes, it's a pump, and yes, it has a slow rate of fire. The name of the game is movement. It'll help my game, and save money on paint and air. I even have pictures of the sexy thing!



\

Isn't it so smooooth and shiny!?

Anyways, hopefully my new harness for it comes in soon. I want to get playing with that bad boy as soon as I can. Ego might start joining me, too. Which would be nice, because not only would I be playing with him (teehee), but I would have rides to games an stuff!

Anyways, more later!

Mmmff...I feel like bleh-ness. I might have picked up a bit of what ailed Ego...

Which honestly doesn't surprise me, considering the large amounts of contact we've had. =^.^= Worth it!

Anyways...as I stated yesterday, I met two new furs from school! :3 One's a badger, the other's a tiger. The badger's name is Jack, the other's name is...um...can't really remember. I'm so horrible like that...*fails* But there was general hang-outyness. Played Bloody Roar and Soul Caliber, then went to Denny's, then went and watches Snakes on a Plane. I swear to god, that movie gets better every time you watch it. Samuel L. Jackson is the secks.

Mah phone is still unpaid. Stoopid website. Might be without it for a bit until I get it to work. Sorry, everyone who is trying to call me!

Oh...I randomly came in this morning to find my Pyramid-O-Pepper strewn about the room. Lindsey says she might have knocked it over when she left last night. Oh well...it was getting too big anyways. For a few minutes, though, I thought some of the guys from the storefront might have done it. My slightly bleh mood this morning didn't really help things.

I've sent a PM to the guy I'm buying the marker from. Apparently, he hasn't been online since the 24th. I dunno if it's shipped yet. Guess I'll just wait for a reply, and hopefully get the marker soon. Might wind up not playing this weekend. *mewfs*

But what can you expect, it's a Monday. And I'm still doing Data-Entry. So yea...not the best of mornings. Especially since I almost didn't come to work today.

But the day is bound to get better. :3 I'm meeting a couple of furs from school, and general geekiness will ensue. This makes me all happy inside. And possibly the pants. Happy pants. Fhwee. ^.^

The paintball marker still hasn't shipped yet. I got the paypal send out just fine, the bank processed it without many problems. I just need to mail this Fraud Claim, and I guess that means that everything is all set for me to forget about. Still gotta order another set of W-2's, though. Somehow lost my set from this job. Cursed black hole that is my room. Anyways. The marker. I might be going to a game this weekend, and if I get a chance, it will be tested. :3 If not, I need to air up and grab some fresh paintballs. And if I go to Tucson, I might not go at all. Time will tell.

Anyways. back to work.

Bleh. Yays for wasting time at work!

I'm working on what could possibly be the worst part of making this website: filling in the store content. Lots of products, and generally it's not that bad. I can copy and paste most items, edit the pictures, have lots up really fast. But these wheels have a lot of specs, and they're in tables. So I have to edit everything myself, and filling in the tables. Essentially, Data Entry. Not fun.

Also, I've been fighting with the bank as of late. Apparently someone got ahold of some of my account information. Actually, just my card information. Which is weird, since I still have my card on me. I basically wound up Four-hundred and Sixty dollars in the hole. FOrtunately, I filed a fraud claim, and everything is alright now. I've just been credited for what was spent illicitly.

Which is good, because I have some unpaid bills. First, to turn my phone back on...which is gonna be fun, since I have to use a check. And the website keeps yelling at me. *Sighs and droops*

Well, at least I have funds. And I got payed today. Which means I'm getting a new marker! Yep...CCI VSC Phantom, Dust Black. 200 bones. Well worth it, too. Those can go for $300. I need to deposit mah paycheck and get the man his money. I can't wait to play with this thing. ^.^

Anwyays. Thats all for now. Just a quick update from work.

Again, as the title says. I got this second LCD screen with the PC I got yesterday. It makes me happy. Plus, the images I can get for backgrounds are cool as all hell. ^.^ They also want to make me get back into photoshopping. I want to try my hand at making space dioramas and wallpapers and stuff like that. I have one in the works already, it's based on a kick ass thing I've started hearing more of recently.

It's called the Rocket Racing League, and it's something ripped right out of science fiction. It's exactly what it sounds like, a bunch of pilots racing jet aircraft around a track over the desert at high speeds and close quarters. The mind boggles, I'm awash in story and RP ideas, and I've been inspired to try and get a pilot's license. Yea, I'm a geek, and I aspire to one day fly and compete in one of those. Maybe one day...

I've started checking back into the paintball world. Apparently, Tippmann released a new marker, the Aedes has come out, and I'm still working on my mag. I wanna get an cocker at some point. Of course, I wanna get back out and play again at some point. I dunno what's happening with our team at this point. It's pretty much gone down the crapper, which is a shame. I enjoyed playing with these guys. Oh well, live and learn. Maybe we aren't completely dead yet, anyway. We have to get back to our roots, though. Just play for a while.

Oh yea, about the new job. Just after NaNo started (I didn't win this year, but still did pretty damn good, in my opinion), I found a position as assistant web designer with SDHQ offroad. I make a hell of a lot more than I did at Auntie Anne's, and will be getting more after my 90 days.

Oh, another random note. Keep away from the hookah bar on Rural and University. Blech. The one on Apache is so much better.

Until later!

It's as the title says, folks. I am a random animal, and I update randomly. This newest update is brought to you by Firefox, and by a handy little addon called "Performancing", which lets me update the blog of my choice without having to log in and all that fun stuff.

Which means more chances for me to be lazy!

Anyways, this is short, since I've been out all day. Was helping my coworker/boss-ish person (not quite sure what she is, actually, since I'm her assistant) pack so she can move this year. I got a free PC and food out of the deal. Works for me!

It's late, so I'm off. I'll be updating more often from now on, hopefully. Ta!

powered by performancing firefox

So, six hour of flying, two bacon egg and cheese bagels, and a crowd of grabby children later, and I'm finally home back in MA!.

Oh wait...that's right. You had no idea. My bad.

Essentially, its that time of year again, the time of year where I make a trip to go gather presents and cheap adrenaline thrills from the place of my birth. Er, side of the country of my birth. You get the idea.

It's Christmas time! What better way to spend it than to go home and visit family, most of whom will probably freak when I let them know what's been going on with me! Can you think of anything better? Neither can I! ^.^

Essentially, last night was one big party when I got home, first at my grandmother's, then back at a party my sister secretly planned out for me when I got here. There was much drinking, and a variant of beer pong that involved vodka. Fun times!

Anyways...I'll see if I can't give a jumpstart to my updating while I'm here. Laters everyone!

So, day two is drawing to a close. Thankfully, I hit the milestone I wanted to hit.

Thats right! I broke 10k! To be exact, I hit 10028.

Thank god for actually PLANNING out my novel this year. Granted, not much planning, but the scribbled notes I made while bored to tears down at the kiosk are worth a lot, apparently. Things are just starting to get good.

People on the chat are asking why so many words so fast. I don't know about the otehr people who are already past 10k, 15k, or even already done. (Yes, people are already done.) But I'm doing it becuase I KNOW that later, I'm gonna miss a few days. Such as this weekend.

Yea, this weekend I'ma be gone the whole time. I have a paintball game, a two day scenario up in Prescott. It will be draining my account, but it will be so totally worth it. I could use this break, I haven't played in about two weeks.

Anyways...yea. Time for bed. So much rum and coke has made me sleepy.

So yea, it's just after midnight on November 2. I have a bunch of rum and coke in my system, and I have just finished the first day of National Novel Writing month.

Grand total word count for today?

8146 words.

In one day.

Fuck YES, I am so doing this this year.

I'll update on non-NaNo things later today, when I get home from work. I'm just so happy with this start. ^.^

Might as well try and keep recent with this thing. Especially since, once again, I plan on attempting National Novel Writing Month.

Yes, once again I will be making an attempt at becoming a novelist and such. At least this time I'm actually planning stuffs. And it's a storyline that's right up my alley. Perfect genre, perfect setting, perfect antagonist(s). I'ma get up a second LJ for that, password protected of course. Just in case I manage to wangle First Publishing Rights. Unlikely as that is. Also, possibly a website. Just because I can. Look for more soon!

Anwyays...today was actually a productive day. Last night there was much barbacue and alcohol and Grave Robbers from Outer Space. Awesome, simple, easy to play and insanely fun card game. After we all geeked out, most of us collapsed. I was lucky enough to have a snuggly partner when I did. ^.^

Next morning, most of us left, while the rest moved to UAT to have a meeting for the game project I was on. One meeting, a trip to Carl's Jr, and then more speculation about certain aspects later, and we wound up back at the apartment to do some dialogue work. When I say we, I mean Matt and myself. Matt's boyfriend Mo stayed at the school to motivate the others. We actually got some work done, I'm happy. ^.^

Anyways, I'm back home now. Updated will be random, and hopefully full of everyday life. Sorry if stuff gets boring, I'll try and put spins on it all. Ta!

Update! Yea, guess it took long enough. I just haven't been up to the whole LiveJournal thing as of late. Not to mention all the other stuff that's been going on with me. So, actually, I have a lot to update on, and no real idea where to start.

Guess I'll start with where things are kinda the same. I still work at Auntie Anne's. I'm writing this in the kiosk, actually, hence the ChickenScratch moniker. I've gotten a raise by now, I make about $7.25 an hour. Which is still a large, regrettable step down from the $12 I made at 2Wire. That's alright, though. At least here I'm not going insane. Well, not too badly. I'mn actually debating a better job, though. At least searching for one and seeing whats available to me. I'm finding that I need a car more and more. That, and I have bills to pay and fun stuff to pay for.

Like paintball! Yea, I still play. I've finally found a team, one that I helped a bit to start. We're the Desert Light Dragoons, and we're scenario/mil-sim paintballers. Out ultimate goal is to participate in the 2007 SPPL, and until then we plan on heading to lots of scenario games. Things are a bit rocky, though, and if I keep updating, I'm sure you'll hear me bitch about something or other. It's fun, though, and I love having a dedicated group of guys to play with.

Now then...that's pretty much everything that's the same in my life at the moment. Lets look at the shiny new things!

First and foremost is Ego! Yea, I've finally got another boyfriend. Ego is a few years older than me, and much closer than Jake was. He lives in Tuscon, about 2 hours south, and since we have a lot of mutual friends in Phoenix, I get to see him fairly often. Often being, at the moment, every week to every few weeks, give or take some time. You'll hear about him lots more in the future! I adore him, and make sure he knows it. ^.^

Anyways, to continue. I also have a new roommate! His name is Mac, and once again, he's a UAT student. Our room is currently a bit mess, mostly due to my severe lack of passive organizational skills. I have paintball gear and other stuff lying everywhere. I'm always tinkering or some such thing with my gear. When I get home today, I'll probably clean up a bunch, possibly purchase some shelves in the mall. I'm fairly sure my alarm pisses Mac off, though. I usually work the morning shift, so I'm up around 6:30 to 7. Mac is up around noon. There's juuuuuuust a bit of grumbling going on, which is alright by me. At least it's teaching me to wake up as soon as the damned alarm goes off.

The apartment is pretty much the same, Shawn and Ben are still here. We've cleaned it up a bit, got it kinda organized. Out kitchen still needs work, as we have this tendency to mess it up rather hardcore.

[3:50]
Break is over, and I've just finished a storeroom run. I managed to break another cart while hauling all the crap back to the store. Good thing, though. Dealing with all of that made more time fly by. I only have an hour left, huzzah! The mall is getting more packed now. I'm actually getting customers. Still not as many as I did in the summer, though. I do see some familiar faces, though. The lady from Perfummania likes to call me "love". ^.^ This makes me happy. So does Anne, the old lady at the t-shirt kiosk. Guess they think I'm nice. How little they know. >=3

Gyaa...time is crawling. I keep getting few customers, and thinking about stuff I need to do. I need to get out and play some more paintball. Haven't gone much this month...maybe the guys are up for impromptu practice this weekend. Time will tell.

Anyways, thats all for now! Hopefully, I get to update more often in the future.

So I'm in sunny, much-less-sweltering-hot San Diego! I arrived yesterday, and just spent three hours at Preview Night of Comic-Con 2006. I go to work there in the morning. Mmmm...it's so big and full of things to buy. It makes me wish I wasn't dirt poor.

Which brings me to my story of how I got that way. See, on the way to San Diego, along Interstate 8, one of Shawn's tires decided to blow out. And we had to lie on the side of the road, and replace it. Lemme tell you, the roadside is fucking HOT in the middle of the desert at noon. And using a black metal jack doesn't help the hands much.

Then we drove to the nearest town, and bought three tires. I payed for it, since Shawn wasn't sure he had enough in his account. I got set back $90. Which just about emptied me, as I found out later that there were some charges from about three weeks ago that JUST got processed.

So now I'm broke at Comic-con. Kinda depressing.

I'll finish this update later. I'm gonna go watch Munich.