It's interesting to meet people in the college atmosphere and then watch them go out into the world and do really, really cool things. Here's one of my friends, Garret Gibbons, who it turns out, is a remarkably talented cinematographer/director. Check out his Steampunk themed music video that he directed for a band called Theoretics.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Cougar Fans
I've been reading some of the post BYU-TCU game write ups and am kind of blown away by how stupid and vindictive some Cougar fans can be. How easily they can turn on the hand that has successfully fed them for the last six years.
No, Bronco does not need to be fired.
No, Bronco does not need to be fired.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Writing Research
Today's random research topics:
History of Lingerie--Women's undergarments have undergone a complete revolution since the 1960's (they've gotten a lot smaller, basically). The idea that underwear should be sexually oriented is completely created by the current generation. Before the 60's it was designed to be functional and/or comfortable.
Pocket Watches--They've been around much longer than lingerie (which kind of seems odd if you think about it). Pocket watches are recorded as far back as 1462. The original ones only had hour hands, the minute hand didn't come around for another couple hundred years.
Cities--Ancient Rome had a population of over 1,000,000 peoples. . . before Christ. Basically, really huge cities have been around for a really long time. This surprises me because I didn't think the ancient infrastructures could support that many people. How did they supply all the food?
History of Lingerie--Women's undergarments have undergone a complete revolution since the 1960's (they've gotten a lot smaller, basically). The idea that underwear should be sexually oriented is completely created by the current generation. Before the 60's it was designed to be functional and/or comfortable.
Pocket Watches--They've been around much longer than lingerie (which kind of seems odd if you think about it). Pocket watches are recorded as far back as 1462. The original ones only had hour hands, the minute hand didn't come around for another couple hundred years.
Cities--Ancient Rome had a population of over 1,000,000 peoples. . . before Christ. Basically, really huge cities have been around for a really long time. This surprises me because I didn't think the ancient infrastructures could support that many people. How did they supply all the food?
Climax
After what seems like years, probably because it has been, I am actually entering the final climactic scenes of the fantasy novel that I hope will launch my career as a full time author. It's been a difficult labor of love from the beginning, and a good portion of the time I was writing blind. But as things are coming to a close it's interesting to see how pieces are falling into place, how different segments of the story are matching up, and how the story is lending itself to a natural sequel.
It's also quite interesting how the writing process is becoming easier and easier. Most of my writing over the past couple years has come from writing a few sentences, or even words, after hours of staring blankly into a computer screen. But now, it's crazy. I got up this morning and in the process of getting ready to go to the gym I wrote almost 300 words. Last night, right before I went to bed, I plucked out another 300 or so, without really trying. Writing is much easier when you have a sense of purpose and a clear vision. That's the fun part. But nobody ever tells you about the points in between, when you are pulling out your hair trying to figure out how to develop character without being boring (I'm not saying that I've succeeded in that), or how to make a three day journey between two cities engaging (or that either).
Writing is hard, it's work. But you know what? It is worth it. Because when everything comes together, magic happens.
There's still a good portion of work to do. I think these final scenes will expand beyond their allotted word count (25,000), and the editing process will be significant (though I think it will go much, much quicker than the actual writing process). But here I am, staring at the writer's equivalent of the light at the end of the tunnel, and I'm quivering with excitement, because I can't wait to see what happens when things in my mind finally play themselves out on the page.
There has been a lot of self doubt, but right now I'm loving this choice that I've made.
Speaking of editing: After my initial editing process to fix continuity issues and clean up some scenes, I plan on distributing a few manuscripts for some reader feedback. If anybody is interested in doing a serious critique, send me a message through facebook or comment on this post. I'm only going to do five or six, and I've a few people in mind already, so not everybody is going to be able to do this. But who knows, maybe you could be a proof-reader for the next great fantasy novel!
It's also quite interesting how the writing process is becoming easier and easier. Most of my writing over the past couple years has come from writing a few sentences, or even words, after hours of staring blankly into a computer screen. But now, it's crazy. I got up this morning and in the process of getting ready to go to the gym I wrote almost 300 words. Last night, right before I went to bed, I plucked out another 300 or so, without really trying. Writing is much easier when you have a sense of purpose and a clear vision. That's the fun part. But nobody ever tells you about the points in between, when you are pulling out your hair trying to figure out how to develop character without being boring (I'm not saying that I've succeeded in that), or how to make a three day journey between two cities engaging (or that either).
Writing is hard, it's work. But you know what? It is worth it. Because when everything comes together, magic happens.
There's still a good portion of work to do. I think these final scenes will expand beyond their allotted word count (25,000), and the editing process will be significant (though I think it will go much, much quicker than the actual writing process). But here I am, staring at the writer's equivalent of the light at the end of the tunnel, and I'm quivering with excitement, because I can't wait to see what happens when things in my mind finally play themselves out on the page.
There has been a lot of self doubt, but right now I'm loving this choice that I've made.
Speaking of editing: After my initial editing process to fix continuity issues and clean up some scenes, I plan on distributing a few manuscripts for some reader feedback. If anybody is interested in doing a serious critique, send me a message through facebook or comment on this post. I'm only going to do five or six, and I've a few people in mind already, so not everybody is going to be able to do this. But who knows, maybe you could be a proof-reader for the next great fantasy novel!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Manchild Syndrome
Look, I recognize that there is a problem with my generation of men. Studies such as this one are numerous, and nobody is denying their credibility. I myself happen to fall partially* into this category, which is probably why these articles get my goat enough to distract me from writing my epic fantasy to fire off a reply into the black hole of the blogosphere.
My main issue with these studies is that they are falsely attributing the blame for the epidemic of the "man-children" (thank you Onion) upon the men themselves. I don't believe this is fair, or true. Women are to blame! Ok, so maybe that's a bit sensationalist, but I think there is a sliver of truth here. No! More than a sliver, half-the-freaking-pie!
It only stands to reason that as women become more dedicated to education and careers that less of them are going to make themselves available to marriage and raising children. Oh, they say they want a man, but unless he is a Norse god, or some exotic looking model, he just isn't good enough to choose over a good career. Without women to devote themselves too, men have nothing. Seriously, men don't work because they love it more than anything else. Men work because of duty, providing for a wife and family is what we do. We're made for this, but without a devoted woman in our lives there's really no point. Work ethic stems from devotion to a cause and, frankly, in our society the only cause worth a man's devotion is a family. But as women become less interested in that ideal more and more men are being left out in the cold, and they're being blamed for it.
Yes, I kind of have a serious issue with the way Feminism (with a capital f) has undermined the male sex. I've written about this before. Sure, women can vote, own land, and get educated and stuff like that. Women should be free to pursue their dreams, the same as men. But until women place family first, over all their dreams, they shouldn't be blaming men for not doing the same thing.
* Technically, I am a manchild because I don't have a job, wife, or kids, I'm not going to school, I tend to stay at my residence, and yes, from time to time I play video games, and I'm approaching 30. However, let me add this in my defense: I do not live with my parents, I work for the government during the summer, I'm writing a novel, I go to the gym every day, I'm cleaner than the average manchild, and I often live in the wilderness for weeks at a time. Just sayin'.
My main issue with these studies is that they are falsely attributing the blame for the epidemic of the "man-children" (thank you Onion) upon the men themselves. I don't believe this is fair, or true. Women are to blame! Ok, so maybe that's a bit sensationalist, but I think there is a sliver of truth here. No! More than a sliver, half-the-freaking-pie!
It only stands to reason that as women become more dedicated to education and careers that less of them are going to make themselves available to marriage and raising children. Oh, they say they want a man, but unless he is a Norse god, or some exotic looking model, he just isn't good enough to choose over a good career. Without women to devote themselves too, men have nothing. Seriously, men don't work because they love it more than anything else. Men work because of duty, providing for a wife and family is what we do. We're made for this, but without a devoted woman in our lives there's really no point. Work ethic stems from devotion to a cause and, frankly, in our society the only cause worth a man's devotion is a family. But as women become less interested in that ideal more and more men are being left out in the cold, and they're being blamed for it.
Yes, I kind of have a serious issue with the way Feminism (with a capital f) has undermined the male sex. I've written about this before. Sure, women can vote, own land, and get educated and stuff like that. Women should be free to pursue their dreams, the same as men. But until women place family first, over all their dreams, they shouldn't be blaming men for not doing the same thing.
* Technically, I am a manchild because I don't have a job, wife, or kids, I'm not going to school, I tend to stay at my residence, and yes, from time to time I play video games, and I'm approaching 30. However, let me add this in my defense: I do not live with my parents, I work for the government during the summer, I'm writing a novel, I go to the gym every day, I'm cleaner than the average manchild, and I often live in the wilderness for weeks at a time. Just sayin'.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Logic?
Does this article on climate change even make any sort of logical sense? Somehow, looking back at my understanding of history, I always though that warmer temperatures enabled ridiculous growth in plants and animals. Apparently not. My bad.
The End of the Wheel of Time
Brandon Sanderson just posted on Facebook that he is sitting down to write the final 10% of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time. . .in the next two weeks. Now, I know for a fact that Brandon is shooting for around the average length of Robert Jordan's books which is around 300,000 words per book, which means that he plans on writing 30,000 words over the next 14 days. He's crazy.
If I was writing consistently at my full production capabilities it would take me 6 weeks to hit the same mark. And I'm quite sure that his writing will be a much better quality than mine. . .sometimes I feel like this choice that I've made to pursue a writing career is really, really stupid. I don't know if I'm really capable of pulling it off. What am I going to do if it doesn't work? I have all my eggs in one basket, and it isn't a sturdy basket by any means.
Anyway, Brandon Sanderson makes me feel slightly jealous. He's an excellent writer, he produces a new manuscript every time he sits down at a computer, and he's finishing what will probably be the greatest, most epic, fantasy series of all time. Actually, slightly jealous is quite an understatement.
This wasn't where I was originally going with this, sorry. Sometimes I sit down to type things and just end up lamenting my inadequacies as a writer, blech. When this happens I tend to just gloss over my original point, which is now what I will proceed to do.
What I originally had in mind was something more along the lines of how sad I will be when this series is finally finished. There isn't another fantasy series as grand or immersive as The Wheel of Time, though some will argue for George R. R. Martin's Game of Thrones (which I quit reading after 3 books--I just got bored, it's much more gritty and much less magical. The TV series looks awesome though).
Robert Jordan's work wasn't flawless (there's some definite bogging down in the middle of the series, I personally get sick of reading about post-Faile Perrin, and post-Andor Elayne) but it does come the closest to matching the grandeur of Tolkien. Jordan's world is rich and expansive, and he weaves together about a billion plotlines to tell his story, which is awesome (though it can be cumbersome).
So, I will be sad when the series is finished, I've been reading this series since I was in High School, way back in the 90's. And it's been part of my life since because I read it almost yearly (which I will continue to do after it's finished). Anyway it's weird, this will actually be the genuine last book for the series--most people thought it would go on forever. Bittersweet? Yes.
If I was writing consistently at my full production capabilities it would take me 6 weeks to hit the same mark. And I'm quite sure that his writing will be a much better quality than mine. . .sometimes I feel like this choice that I've made to pursue a writing career is really, really stupid. I don't know if I'm really capable of pulling it off. What am I going to do if it doesn't work? I have all my eggs in one basket, and it isn't a sturdy basket by any means.
Anyway, Brandon Sanderson makes me feel slightly jealous. He's an excellent writer, he produces a new manuscript every time he sits down at a computer, and he's finishing what will probably be the greatest, most epic, fantasy series of all time. Actually, slightly jealous is quite an understatement.
This wasn't where I was originally going with this, sorry. Sometimes I sit down to type things and just end up lamenting my inadequacies as a writer, blech. When this happens I tend to just gloss over my original point, which is now what I will proceed to do.
What I originally had in mind was something more along the lines of how sad I will be when this series is finally finished. There isn't another fantasy series as grand or immersive as The Wheel of Time, though some will argue for George R. R. Martin's Game of Thrones (which I quit reading after 3 books--I just got bored, it's much more gritty and much less magical. The TV series looks awesome though).
Robert Jordan's work wasn't flawless (there's some definite bogging down in the middle of the series, I personally get sick of reading about post-Faile Perrin, and post-Andor Elayne) but it does come the closest to matching the grandeur of Tolkien. Jordan's world is rich and expansive, and he weaves together about a billion plotlines to tell his story, which is awesome (though it can be cumbersome).
So, I will be sad when the series is finished, I've been reading this series since I was in High School, way back in the 90's. And it's been part of my life since because I read it almost yearly (which I will continue to do after it's finished). Anyway it's weird, this will actually be the genuine last book for the series--most people thought it would go on forever. Bittersweet? Yes.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Pins and Needles
I think everybody that knows me well knows that I have a soft spot in my heart for Gothic Rock. There's something uniquely powerful about crunchy electric guitar chords, and a pounding double-bass pedal, backed by ethereal female vocals. If you are new to the genre, good bands to check out are Within Temptation, Sirenia, and The Birthday Massacre. H.I.M. also represents the genre well, though with a male vocalist.
Anyway, my purpose here is to talk about The Birthday Massacre's latest (not necessarily new anymore) album, Pins and Needles.
It is AWESOME!
I don't write music reviews, normally, but I feel compelled to share with the world how much I love this album. I just finished listening straight through and I can safely say that I enjoyed every single minute.
The Birthday Massacre hasn't always been solidly in the Gothic Rock genre. While their lyrics and style fit, their music has always had more of an electronic/synth quality that set them a little bit apart from the genre. However, with this latest album they've become much more aggressive with the electric guitars, which seems a natural direction for them to go. The electro/synth is still there, but with this new crunchier aspect, the entire sound of the band is lifted into a much more dynamic direction.
I'm not going to go through the track list to name my favorites because they are all excellent, and I don't really want to waste my time doing so. Suffice it to say that I give my heartfelt endorsement to this band, which has never recorded a song that I haven't liked. And this album is their best yet.
 |
| Album cover |
Anyway, my purpose here is to talk about The Birthday Massacre's latest (not necessarily new anymore) album, Pins and Needles.
It is AWESOME!
I don't write music reviews, normally, but I feel compelled to share with the world how much I love this album. I just finished listening straight through and I can safely say that I enjoyed every single minute.
The Birthday Massacre hasn't always been solidly in the Gothic Rock genre. While their lyrics and style fit, their music has always had more of an electronic/synth quality that set them a little bit apart from the genre. However, with this latest album they've become much more aggressive with the electric guitars, which seems a natural direction for them to go. The electro/synth is still there, but with this new crunchier aspect, the entire sound of the band is lifted into a much more dynamic direction.
 | ||
| Cool look, eh? |
I'm not going to go through the track list to name my favorites because they are all excellent, and I don't really want to waste my time doing so. Suffice it to say that I give my heartfelt endorsement to this band, which has never recorded a song that I haven't liked. And this album is their best yet.
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