Tuesday, October 19, 2010

"No Sympathy for the Devil...Newsmen Tortured?...Flight into Madness"

Reading the front page made me feel a lot better. Against that heinous background, my crimes were pale and meaningless. I was a relatively respectable citizen — a multiple felon, perhaps, but certainly not dangerous. And when the Great Scorer came to write against my name, that would surely make a difference.
Or would it? I turned to the sports page and saw a small item about Muhammad Ali; his case was before the Supreme Court, the final appeal. He'd been sentenced to five years in prison for refusing to kill "slopes."
"I ain't got nothin' against them Viet Congs," he said. Five years.
Suddenly I felt guilty again.

----

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - HST

Thursday, October 14, 2010

1 week deadline

I'm going to be giving myself a 1 week deadline to finish up the second draft for Apolo Drakuvich and a day for proper formatting. I was crunching some numbers today and I think if I really work on this a week is very doable. We shall see.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Last puff: S.African famed smoking chimp dies

Last puff: S.African famed smoking chimp dies

The smoking didn't do Charlie in. He was an old chimp. He lived 10 years passed the life expectancy of chimps. Now he is going to be stuffed.

"Ros Intelos" Notes

I wrote down some interesting notes for my sci-fi novel "Ros Intelos". If you read from earlier posts, this is my other novel that is on the back burner. The good thing is that I have pretty good outline for the story and I've started several chapters. I'll probably continue to work on a more detailed outline to help make the writing process a little bit easier.

I'm trying to plan this novel out a little bit better than the Apolo Drakuvich one. I do have a lot of notes and ideas for Apolo D., but there was no real hardcore outline. Which I think is both good and bad. I'm learning each and every day. So some mistakes will not be repeated.

Several months back I bought a book on dictators for research purposes but I haven't read it yet. I hope to get some good info for the novel.

I'm really excited about this novel. It should be good. More details to come later.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Another day, another day

I wrote about a page yesterday. It wasn't even a full page. I have been busy this week at work so that has been preventing me from doing anything really productive. I'll do some more writing later on today. I keep thinking it is Wednesday today...It is only Tuesday.

Some dumb ass almost hit me this morning on my way to work. Nothing major, it just would have been a fender bender. The guy was trying to cross over three lanes. I honked my horn for a good minute so I think I woke the other drivers up. The guy still pulled ahead of me even though he was about an inch away. The guy didn't even have his turning signal on.

I jumped ahead of myself here. I actually got a call from one of the drivers from my work asking where his ticket was for his delivery. It wasn't a major deal. But he started the conversation off with "You didn't make my ticket." and I did. I had the ticket sent over to the Victoria branch store and sent an e-mail to the manager saying the ticket was there. The driver just didn't mention that he wanted it outside. I even told the guy that he could hand write the ticket. But I guess he forgot that part. The point is, this was not an emergency and I didn't need to hear about it at 6:20am.

I also didn't get invited to the farewell lunch at work for a guy who is moving to Austin. I'm a bit disappointed at the guy and the people in the office.

Well, that is it on the venting. Now I need to focus on the writing. Stay positive....stay positive. :)

Have a good day!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Too much farting around

I've decided that I will keep the title for my novel as "Apolo Drakuvich". This novel has been difficult to write for multiple reasons. This novel isn't exactly light. It is dark and gloomy (with hints of fun) and hopefully full of emotion. The idea of trying to get it right is also bothering me. I have come to the conclusion that I just need to do the best that I can and send it off to an editor.

The second draft should be finished this month. If I really stop procrastinating and get to work this second draft it will be finished soon. I think it has been good that I haven't rushed through this second draft. It would of course be nice to have it done already but I think quality is better than quantity. I have had more time to think about what I am writing and what message(s) that I want to send out to the world.

Now I just need to stop farting around and get to work.

I believe in this novel. I believe in myself.

Toshiba to launch 'world's first' glasses-free 3D TV

Toshiba to launch 'world's first' glasses-free 3D TV

Awesome! Just wait a few more years and we will have Holodecks. Well...maybe....:)

Friday, October 1, 2010

CNN's Rick Sanchez is a moron

http://www.politico.com/blogs/onmedia/1010/Sanchez_Stewart_a_bigot_CNN_run_by_Jews.html

"I’m telling you that everybody who runs CNN is a lot like Stewart, and a lot of people who run all the other networks are a lot like Stewart, and to imply that somehow they, the people in this country who are Jewish, are an oppressed minority? Yeah." - Rick Sanchez

WTF - Bin Laden urges action against climate change...

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE6901DG20101001

So it seems that Bin Laden now cares about the environment. Perhaps...just perhaps. If he didn't kill so many people, we wouldn't be having these wars....causing so much destruction.

This has been your Friday WTF the moment.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Action 4 Investigates Officers in Trouble

http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=499412

This is a poor title. Doesn't anyone edit these things?

---- Reports of Arrests of Jailers or Peace Officers ---- An interesting article. I wonder what the numbers are for the nation?

567 for 2010 (as of June) in Texas seems high but I am not surprised. How many jailers/Peace Officers are there in Texas?

Monday, August 9, 2010

The edit and second draft

I skimmed through the first draft with mixed feelings. I've made some minor corrections and made little notations. I feel the first part of the novel was a bit slow and akward but it does pick up some. The ending needs to be redone but I've already figured out how I want it to end.

I am now on a mission to expand the novel. There is a lot of work that needs to be done. :/ This is not a surprise. I was expecting this and now is the time to make the changes and fixes that are needed.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Second Draft

I am starting to work on the second draft of the Apolo Drakuvich novel. I'm am giving myself 8 weeks to finish it up. I want to get it edited once I finish and then try and get it published.

The plans are as follows:
* Reread the novel
* Do a rough edit
* Expand on what I have
* Cut what I don't need

I will also finalize the title and my pen name.

Then I will cross my fingers and hope for the best.

This is the first real post in quite some time. I will be updating more often. I've been busy buying my first home and staying busy on that front.

Now it is time to concentrate on the book.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Mini Hulkster

Met an awesome Hogan look alike in Berlin! (he's like 5 feet ... on Twitpic

"Met an awesome Hogan look alike in Berlin! (he's like 5 feet tall)"

I thought this picture was funny.  Perhaps I should shave my head and go blonde and be a mini hulkster too.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Rasslin update

I just found out my extreme rules article is #1 when you search for "Extreme Rules" ppv in google news.... :P

I was wondering why I had 700 views over night.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Can you tell the difference?


















One is Jeffrey Dean Morgan and the other is Javier Bardem....or is it Javier Bardeam and Jeffrey Dean Morgan...or is it just the same person??? :P

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

"Oh...FUUUUUDDDDDGGGGGGGGGGEEEEE"

This video is fake you fudger...Scarface school play...played by actors. Directed by the people who did the Lady Gaga stuff.

Get Messy With Your First Draft - Write a Novel | Writing - Everything.com

Get Messy With Your First Draft - Write a Novel | Writing - Everything.com

Stephen King

"the real difference [between J.K. Rowling and Meyer] is that Jo Rowling is a terrific writer, and Stephenie Meyer can't write worth a darn. She's not very good."

Ohhhh Edward....:P

:)

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

FOXNews.com - Terrifying Sea Critter Hauled from Ocean's Depths

FOXNews.com - Terrifying Sea Critter Hauled from Ocean's Depths

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Wrestlemania 26

John Morrison states it well when he said , "Who's champion now? Cena? Ugh. Boring." Perhaps now, Morrison will get the right push he needs instead of the wrongful squash he was delivered at Wrestlemania 26. Overall, the show was boring. It was 4 hours of rushed good matches and slow boring matches. The taker and HBK match was good but not as good as 25. Oh well...

Monday, March 29, 2010

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Pen Name Generator

I found a cool website to generate a pen name.  Check it out.


My name is: Jack Goldstein

How big a deal? Ask Joe Biden

This is an article from AP - How big a deal? Ask Joe Biden

WASHINGTON – Leave it to Vice President Joe Biden to add a little, ahem, flair to the signing of a health care bill affecting millions of people.

"This is a big f------ deal," Biden told President Barack Obama after introducing him at Tuesday's ceremony at the White House.

Biden appeared to be offering that perspective to Obama privately, but his remark was captured on audio and video.

The episode quickly got buzz on the Internet.

Biden has a reputation of verbal slips, and he knows it.

The White House response to this one? Embrace it.

"And yes Mr. Vice President, you're right," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said in a post, or "tweet," on Twitter, the social networking site.


Here is the video on youtube...LOL

Bill Gates, Toshiba in early talks on nuclear reactor

Bill Gates, Toshiba in early talks on nuclear reactor

Awesome...give him one!

Jury Selection to Begin in Mayor's Case

Jury Selection to Begin in Mayor's Case

Current Brownsville Mayor Pat Ahumada to go on trial Monday for allegedly $26,000 check made out to a vendor into his own bank account.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Betty White

Betty White's New Sitcom 'Hot In Cleveland': Signs On For Season Of TV Show

Betty White just seems to be a real nice lady.  The SNL episode that she will host on May 8th should be really funny.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Shutter Island

Go watch Shutter Island!!!!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Novel Math

Total word count as of this afternoon for Apolo Drakuvich : 23,052

I went through each chapter's word counts and I have decided which chapters needed some extra wordage which adds up to about 6,000 words.  If I can do this then I will be able to get to about 30,000 total words for the novel. 

I really want to finish the first draft of this novel by the end of the month and if I work really hard at it, I should be able to do it. 

I was aiming for around 30,000 originally but that is considered a short novel or novella, which isn't a bad thing.  But to be considered a novel it needs to be around 50,000.  My plan is to boost up the chapters and get to the 30,000 word point.  Then I will go from there and decide what I need to add.  I will feel a lot better once I hit that 30,000 mark. 

Monday, March 8, 2010

weekend writing

I wrote about a thousand words over the weekend.  I really like the spreadsheet that I created.  It has really helped organize the chapters a little better.

Another Monday...I'll have some time off from work next week and I am looking forward to that.  :)

Friday, March 5, 2010

Man Run Over and Killed in Harlingen Street

Man Run Over and Killed in Harlingen Street

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This article has no information.  The name of the man killed is not revealed nor is the woman who killed the man.  If you are going to report this, at least give some NEWS on the incident.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Novel update

Apolo Drakuvich word count: 19,870

I'm past the honeymoon stage (10,000 words) and now I'm at a decent point in the novel.  I wrote a chapter that I didn't particulary want to write or finish and that has thrown me off, but I'm not worried about it.  I put all of my chapters and word counts into a spreadsheet so now things are a little bit more organized.  Now, I just need to keep writing and stop worrying about what I am writing.  I'll revise and edit later...I really need to wrap up the first draft...it is time....

Time to get my butt into gear.

:)

$100,000

Congressman Ron Paul returns a whopping $100,000 of his office budget to the US Treasury

Monday, March 1, 2010

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Residents Upset Over Plans To Build Halfway House

Residents Upset Over Plans To Build Halfway House

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I would like to point out something that is driving me nuts.  The quotes that these "journalists" use are terrible.  Why can't the Mayor of Brownsville speak correctly?  I understand the concern for the children but there is no mention of the concern for the exconvicts.  How are these people...yes people....not animals... expected to become good and moral citizens?  There is no mention of this in the article.  You can't expect people to come out normal after spending time in prison.  They did there time, now allow them the opportunity to try and succeed in life.   

KRGV and KGBT use fear of people and turns it into crappy news reports.

The whole idea behind ACTION 4 news is insane.  This is the news...they are not cops.  They are not health inspectors.  It is not the job of journalists to solve your problems.  It is there job to REPORT the news and not MAKE the news.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Aww...

My Official Nickname Is: Lonely Guy
Get your own nickname at GetNicknames.com


What a sucky name generator...

I am also known as: Sparkly Tinkerbell

Monday, February 22, 2010

Undertaker in flames

I watched the WWE PPV Elimination Chamber with my girlfriend last night at Buffalo Wild Wings and I happened to notice something a bit different.  We saw the Undertaker run to the ring.  I've never seen the Undertaker run to the ring.  He has his opening sequence and he takes his time walking in and then rolls his eyes back and takes off his hat.  This is the norm for every PPV, every match he is in...even the house shows.  So, when I saw the running last night, I was surprised.  Well it turns out he got burned during the pyro sequence.

Undertaker Burned In Pyro Accident at WWE Elimination Chamber

I didn't see him go up in flames because of the crappy big screens at BWW.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Small Plane Crashes Into Texas Office Building - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

Small Plane Crashes Into Texas Office Building - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

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work

Work is not my prison.
I will not be a slave to the day job.

I offer to y'all some quotes from Office Space
----
Peter Gibbons: So I was sitting in my cubicle today, and I realized, ever since I started working, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that's on the worst day of my life.


Dr. Swanson: What about today? Is today the worst day of your life?

Peter Gibbons: Yeah.

Dr. Swanson: Wow, that's messed up.
-----
 
Peter Gibbons: It's not just about me and my dream of doing nothing. It's about all of us. I don't know what happened to me at that hypnotherapist and, I don't know, maybe it was just shock and it's wearing off now, but when I saw that fat man keel over and die - Michael, we don't have a lot of time on this earth! We weren't meant to spend it this way. Human beings were not meant to sit in little cubicles staring at computer screens all day, filling out useless forms and listening to eight different bosses drone on about about mission statements.


Michael Bolton: I told those fudge-packers I liked Michael Bolton's music.

Peter Gibbons: Oh. That is not right, Michael
 
-----

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Ros Intelos - Female Space Nazis

General Joe Levine - Pictured Below

I've put my sci-fi novel on the backburner lately, but I've still been thinking up some ideas for the novel.  The novel is based on several "movies" I made using The Movies Game for PC.  Basically, you get to set up and run your own movie studio and you can make movies.  One of the first movies I made was called "Female Space Nazis" followed up by several sequals and prequel (Female Space Nazis II and Female Space Nazis RETURN).  These were short and fun little films.  I decided to make a longer movie (about 22 min) called "Ros Intelos".  This was to be a more serious attempt at a movie.  Unfortunately, the computer I was using to make the movies crashed on me and I never finished the film.

Ros Intelos is a multi-generational leader whom resurrects the dead and travels through time to secure “his” reign.  He is a leader of the known galaxy and has been for over five hundred years.  Ros Intelos destroys any useful technologies and keeps humans as slaves and ressurects the dead for his army.  There is a resistance on Earth with a hero, General Joe Levine.  Not particularly a good leader, but he has fought the undead Nazi army with some success and  this gave the people of Earth some hope.

Levine is on mission to recover an item known simply as "the weapon" of which he does not know what it can do, but does know that it will help the resistance.  The mission does not go well, and Levine ends up facing Ros Intelos alone.

Ros Intelos tells Levine information that will alter his life forever.  He tells Levine that he is Ros Intelos.

So, what does Levine do?  Is it true that Levine becomes Ros Intelos?  How and why?  etc.  What makes a man change?  Well, we shall see.

Change and inner demons is a big theme in the book.   

Anyway, that is the idea behind Ros Intelos - Female Space Nazis (title to probably change).

I'm working on my Apolo Drakuvich novel...details will come out sometime towards the end of month.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Pranav Mistry: The thrilling potential of SixthSense technology | Video on TED.com

Pranav Mistry: The thrilling potential of SixthSense technology Video on TED.com

Rotten Love

I wrote this poem back in my lonely days.  "The decaying heart" line really sticks out to me.  This poem was published in my collection of poetry titled "The Wind Changed As I Lay Dying". 

Rotten Love


The decaying heart
Just sat alone, useless
Only a few beats left
Unused, gone to waste

Love is rotten
When it isn’t in reach
When not touched
All is forgotten

Friday, February 12, 2010

Stupid iPod

I need to add a word on the previous post but I can't do it with this program. Anyway...the word is "work".

Please add to previous post.

Thank you and good night.

Corpus

Took the day off from to relax and decided to take a trip to Corpus Crispie.

Corpus Crispie, the land of the crunchy foods (or something like that).

I'm sure glad to be off from the day job. It has been such a drain lately. I am going to attempt to write some on my iPod touch before I go to bed. I really need to write more often.

I am doing good on the writing, but I know I can do a lot better.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Novel Idea: Cell-Phone Books

Novel Idea: Cell-Phone Books

"Ezbeanz LOL @ work today. ROFL!" A novel

Palin is bad for the tea parties

Ron Paul vs. Sarah Palin for the Soul of the Tea Parties

Sarah Palin is bad for the tea parties and for the movement itself.  Check out the article above and let me know what you think.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

words

Wrote about 800 words so far today in the morning and then cleaned and dusted my office.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

GHOST File #1 - Collection of Sightings

GHOST File #1 - Collection of Sightings

cool vid of ghost pictures

What??? Tea Party movement takes aim at Ron Paul

Tea Party movement takes aim at Ron Paul.

Check out this article.  I'm sorry, but without Ron Paul there would not be these tea parties today.  It makes no sense to back Palin over Paul.  Oh, and these quotes from Rachel Maddow just pisses me off.  She kept refering to the tea partiers as "tea baggers" with a slight chuckle.  Oh yes, how funny....grumble...

quotes for today

Three quotes from Chuck Palahniuk
-----------------------------------

I wanted to write about the moment when your addictions no longer hide the truth from you. When your whole life breaks down. That's the moment when you have to somehow choose what your life is going to be about.


---
 
If you don't know what you want, you end up with a lot you don't.

----

Maybe we have to break everything to make something better out of ourselves.


---

-----

Friday, February 5, 2010

word count

Word count for yesterday - 2/4/10 - none - zero - nadda

Ugh...I finally finished a project I was working on for my boss so now I can focus on my writing...

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Novel updates

Starting tomorrow, I will be giving daily updates on my novel(s).  If I have haven't written anything for that day, I may just simply state 0 words written.  In any case, I'll be giving a mini progress report.

I've been busy working a project for my boss so it has been eating into my writing time. 

100-pound rodent kept as pet

100-pound rodent kept as pet. Check out these pictures... :)

I have a wonderful....oh so....great idea!  I have a little mouse who has been given the title Oliver II roaming in my office.  Oliver II is named after Oliver I, of whom met his match with the mouse trap.  Not too sure if they were related.  Anyway, I am going to leave a bunch of cookies all over my office floor in hopes of plumping up my new sidekick.  Why kill the little buggers when you can make monsters out of them!  MUAHAHAHAHA! 

Take that death cat!


My goal for Oliver II:  200 lbs
Doctor casts new light on cat that can predict death

SYDNEY (Reuters) - When doctors and staff realized that a cat living in a U.S. nursing home could sense when someone was going to die, the feline, Oscar, was portrayed as a furry grim reaper or four-legged angel of death.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Henrietta Lacks’ ‘Immortal’ Cells

Henrietta Lacks’ ‘Immortal’ Cells

An interesting read...

Prisoners, Ex-Guard Claim Abuse at Hands of Cameron County Jailers

Prisoners, Ex-Guard Claim Abuse at Hands of Cameron County Jailers

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Yeah, this doesn't suprise me one bit.  Just pisses me off.  It is a belief these jailers have that they are above the law.  That they can do whatever they want.

Case for 800-Pound Murder Suspect Moving Forward

Case for 800-Pound Murder Suspect Moving Forward

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"We're friends. That's what friends do,"

Are you feeling a bit down today?  Do you feel like the world around you is wrong and there is little hope for mankind?  Well, fear not my friends!  I was thinking  today about a news story that I watched on Headline News about a year and a half ago about a young boy age 6 rescuing his drowning friend who was 5. 

And when asked why he saved his drowning friend, the boy replied... "We're friends. That's what friends do,"

I encourage all to read this story and please...PLEASE watch the video.  It will make you smile and give you hope about the future. 

6-Year-Old Saves 5-Year-Old Friend From Drowning

Kinky Friedman says run for ag chief is serious | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Dallas News on Yahoo! | The Dallas Morning News

Kinky Friedman says run for ag chief is serious | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Dallas News on Yahoo! | The Dallas Morning News

Posted using ShareThis

Monday, January 25, 2010

Me


Immortal Beloved

I just saw Immortal Beloved last night with my girlfriend and I really enjoyed it.  I didn't know much about Beethoven except for his music.

When Beethoven dies a letter is found stating that he wants everything to go to his immortal beloved.  The problem is no one is really sure who Beethoven's Immortal Beloved is.  This movie shows Schindler's (Beethoven's secretary) quest to find out who this person is.






















Friday, January 22, 2010

"I look so good sometimes I just want to kiss myself."

John Morrison is one cool dude.  Morrison is a wrestler for WWE.  He does all kinds of flips in the ring and he says a lot of funny things.  Watch the youtube vid.... lol.

"I predict....that HHH...will spit some water"



"We don't have loofas in the palace of wisdom."


"Hello, I'm John Morrison and I like to squeeze things."

"An update on Festus: Festus is still a bald, fat virgin."

"Rugs are oriental. People are Asian."

"Earlier today we found Kelly Kelly's cellphone laying in her purse in the women's locker room."

"Hello, I'm John Morrison, and you can bounce a quarter off my abs."

As CM Punk: "My mom dressed me like a girl 'til I was 18. To this day, I still pee sitting down."

"Hi, I'm John Morrison, and I once spent the night on a houseboat with Joan Rivers."

"Hi, I'm John Morrison and I drive a hybrid. Do you care about the environment, Miz? I do."

"Dreadlocks are so 1995."

"They tell me I'm a sexual jedi."

"My highschool's janitor's name was Joe. Joe was a dirty, dirty man."

"Hi, I'm John Morrison and if I had a nickle for everyone in Wrestlemania better looking than me... I would have no nickles."

After seeing Hawkins and Ryder: "...Give them both a roll of nickles."

JM: "Hi, I'm John Morrison, and this year I'm gonna be voting for both Clinton and Obama."

MM: "...You only can vote once."

JM: "...We'll see about that."

As Finlay's brother: (Singing) "We drink all day and we smell like pee-peeee!"

(Pounds his chest twice) "Go environment."

"Hi, I'm John Morrison, and last Thursday I went surfing naked. While most people would be arrested for indescent exposure, I was awarded the key to the city of Manhattan Beach."

"We can't smell what The Rock is cookin' at the palace of wisdom."

"Hi, I'm John Morrison, and I think so deep, I eat religion and cr@p out enlightenment."

About Evan Bourne: "It's amazing how he can defy gravity... and charisma."

"MR. FUJI!" (throws powder in person's face)

MM: "This week we look at Sunday's pay-per-view, Backlash."

JM: "Or as Lena Yada would say: Backrash."

"I'd first like to say it's very considerate of Edge to include Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder on his new t-shirt." (picture of Edge's shirt with two girls on it comes up)

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Word count for today

Word Count for today: 1,706

Not bad...not bad at all.  I had a hard time trying to figure out what I was going to write about.  But I finally got into the groove of things. 

Spread the fun around...

Don't forget to bookmark this site.  You can also share ezbeanz.com on facebook.


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Thanks!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Chupacabra or Gopher?

A chupacabra sighting? Mysterious, hairless creature found on golf course 

A hairless creature shows up, dead, on a golf course in Wise County, Texas.  Why can't they find these lovable creatures alive?

Oh...they don't exist?  I see...then what is this bald animal that likes to play golf?

Has anyone seen Caddyshack?  I think Bill Murray finally won!


Monday, January 18, 2010

Courage


Monday, Monday...

I've been bad!  I haven't written anything in a week and I feel bad about it.  I have been busy scanning pictures for a project for my boss at work and I was packing and cleaning over the weekend.  Oh, and I have been playing Fight Night Round 4 for the Xbox 360.  Bad Geoff, bad Geoff!

It is probably good to take a little break from writing.  I've been coming up with some ideas for the Apolo Drakuvich book that have been bugging me for a while.  A more detailed outline should have been written from the start, but I guess this how we learn and grow.  There are a lot of hadwritten notes that I jotted down when I first had the idea for the book, but I have changed so many details that these notes are just not as useful as they were to me at first.

I watched Defiance with my girlfriend last night.  It is a good movie to watch.  I love movies that are based on true stories.  I picked up on some ideas for my sci-fi novel Ros Intelos AKA Female Space Nazis. 

I'm trying to think up some better titles for the novels and I probably should give a brief synopsis of the books here in the blog.  Eh, I'm not ready for that yet.  Ros Intelos, needs a lot of work still and it is on the back burner at the moment.  I'll probably release a little summary for the Apolo Drakuvich book maybe sometime this week.

Note to self: Get more sleep...

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Days like these

It is days like these where I have to have faith in what I am doing and in myself.  Some days are easier than others.  I must be persistent and have patience. 

Thursday, January 14, 2010

"I'm crap at Rock Band."

Do you suck at playing the drums on Rock Band Beatles?  That's ok!  Ringo Starr sucks at it too.


"I'm crap at Rock Band."

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Conan O'Brien Says He Won't Move

This is the statement from Conan O'Brien released today:

----------


People of Earth:



In the last few days, I've been getting a lot of sympathy calls, and I want to start by making it clear that no one should waste a second feeling sorry for me. For 17 years, I've been getting paid to do what I love most and, in a world with real problems, I've been absurdly lucky. That said, I've been suddenly put in a very public predicament and my bosses are demanding an immediate decision.

Six years ago, I signed a contract with NBC to take over The Tonight Show in June of 2009. Like a lot of us, I grew up watching Johnny Carson every night and the chance to one day sit in that chair has meant everything to me. I worked long and hard to get that opportunity, passed up far more lucrative offers, and since 2004 I have spent literally hundreds of hours thinking of ways to extend the franchise long into the future. It was my mistaken belief that, like my predecessor, I would have the benefit of some time and, just as important, some degree of ratings support from the prime-time schedule. Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both.

But sadly, we were never given that chance. After only seven months, with my Tonight Show in its infancy, NBC has decided to react to their terrible difficulties in prime-time by making a change in their long-established late night schedule.

Last Thursday, NBC executives told me they intended to move the Tonight Show to 12:05 to accommodate the Jay Leno Show at 11:35. For 60 years the Tonight Show has aired immediately following the late local news. I sincerely believe that delaying the Tonight Show into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. The Tonight Show at 12:05 simply isn't the Tonight Show. Also, if I accept this move I will be knocking the Late Night show, which I inherited from David Letterman and passed on to Jimmy Fallon, out of its long-held time slot. That would hurt the other NBC franchise that I love, and it would be unfair to Jimmy.

So it has come to this: I cannot express in words how much I enjoy hosting this program and what an enormous personal disappointment it is for me to consider losing it. My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of The Tonight Show. But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction. Some people will make the argument that with DVRs and the Internet a time slot doesn't matter. But with the Tonight Show, I believe nothing could matter more.

There has been speculation about my going to another network but, to set the record straight, I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next. My hope is that NBC and I can resolve this quickly so that my staff, crew, and I can do a show we can be proud of, for a company that values our work.


Have a great day and, for the record, I am truly sorry about my hair; it's always been that way.


Yours,


Conan

City goals for 2010...

It's good to set goals.  Instead of spending millions on a high school stadium, spend that money towards improving the education of the students.  Ah, yes, what kind of goals do we have for the city? "The primary goal is to improve the quality of life."  I have a feeling Lara was interviewed on the spot without much time to think about what he was saying.


City, school district officials set goals for 2010

By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ

Managing Editor

sanbenitonews@sbcglobal.net


The City of San Benito and San Benito Consolidated Independent School District (SBCISD) have opened the new year in much the same manner that 2009 ended: in a forward-moving fashion.

According to city and school district officials, projects and objectives initiated in years past will continue to see progress made with some perhaps being completed in 2010; moreover, a number of new initiatives will also unfold in the coming months.

Manuel Lara, city manager for the City of San Benito, said that street repairs, as it has been the case in the past, remains the priority. But there's also a significant movement within the city to establish more entertainment-minded projects, starting simply with park improvements and the repairing of the Newman Building at the municipal airport property, where commissioners hope to someday soon house a multi-use civic center.

“The primary goal is to improve the quality of life for the citizens of San Benito. As far as major projects, we're going to improve streets as we've gotten several of those projects going,” Lara said. “We're also going to improve entertainment at our family parks. We're interviewing for a new parks director, and we're going to spur up the Resaca so families can enjoy that site as well as visitors and tourists. Not to mention we're looking at the fairgrounds and doing a master plan for the project there.”

He added, “This, again, will give us additional family-quality facilities for entertainment and gatherings of all variations. It could be quinceañeras, dances or weddings. We just want to have a variety of options for the citizens of San Benito.”

Concerning infrastructure, the city manager said the city may partner with other entities in alleviating San Benito's damaged drainage system, which has experienced a number of problems since Hurricane Dolly swept through the area in 2008.

“We're having some major drainage issues, and we'll be looking at addressing those issues. We will also be looking at partnering with other agencies, including the county and drainage district, to build good communication with our taxing entities and those who have a major impact in San Benito,” Lara said, furthering noting, “Along with that, we want to be actively involved in economic development, working with the county and neighboring communities to attract business to the Valley. We see 2010 being an exciting year for the City of San Benito.”

SBCISD Superintendent of Schools Antonio G. Limón said the fight rages on in the district's goal to be considered recognized or exemplary by the state. In the past, principal reassignments, the incorporation of curriculum-based initiatives, and the improvement of facilities (such as new science labs and the use of MacBooks in elementary campuses) are just some of the efforts district officials have implemented toward that goal.

According to Limón, TAKS scores in Math and Science, particularly the latter, continue to hold the district back from a recognized or exemplary rating. Still, Limón said progress continues to be made and has confidence that the 2009-2010 school year may be the year. After all, the superintendent said the district has been a few points shy of its goal in the past.

“Our goals for the new year are what we said early in September when we started school: We continue to intend to be a recognized district if not an exemplary district, and to have our TAKS scores in the 90s,” Limón said, adding that, for the first time in years, no SBCISD campus is listed on the Texas Education Agency's (TEA) lowest performing schools list.

“We have some good news as we continue forward with the new year, providing the best education for our students as possible,” Limón said.

Two quotes from Jack London

"Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes, playing a poor hand well."

---

"The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time."


- Jack London

Monday, January 11, 2010

Quote of the day

“The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.” - Hunter S. Thompson

Friday, January 8, 2010

Municipal Judge Booked into County Jail

Municipal Judge Booked into County Jail

Elsa, TX Municipal Judge Hilda Caceres allegedly forged a name on loan applications.
A 25-page indictment against Caceres was unsealed today. It states Caceres knowingly used the name Norma Delgado on a property deed. She was charged with forgery and tampering with government documents.

I'm thinking of a number...

Mind-reading systems could change air security

Nobody is going to want to fly anymore at this rate.  Why isn't anybody talking more about privacy issues.  I don't want anyone poking at my brain or looking through my clothes and it isn't because I'm hiding something.  It just isn't any of your business!

Some other articles on the topic:
U.S. to push foreign governments to use full-body scanners at airports

Full-Body Scanners 101: How Naked Is Full-Body Scan Naked?


Thursday, January 7, 2010

This is why I like Fox News




Watch and listen...LOL...This is from the late night Fox News show Red Eye.  Yes, the Fox NEWS network.  While this is entertaining, I'm not sure why it is on a news network.

Random news articles

Some interesting news articles on the web.


United Airlines pilot 3x over the alcohol limit

This guy wears womens clothing to try and outsmart the cops...

Don't spit in China or you could be evicted

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

stab a kid in the heart and get eight years (eight years of what, the title does not state)

Just for the record, I do not believe anything the San Benito News writes.

This is just wrong...Some young adults got into a fight and one gets stabbed in the heart and dies...

Herrera gets eight years

There is no direct link to the article so you will have to scroll down to read it.

My new favorite site (website)

My favorite paper (newspaper) "San Benito News" has a site (website) sbnewspaper.com.  I love the piss poor writing and the little ( ) filled with information best left out in most of the articles.  I guess these guys don't know how to paraphrase.

Here are some highlights from an article on the SBnews website.  I don't know when this article was published because there is no date posted with the article.  There are no dates posted with any of the articles on the website.  That's ok, dates aren't really important anyway.  Read on if you like...The actual article is online.

SBCISD accountability rating released


By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ

Managing Editor

sanbenitonews@sbcglobal.net


The San Benito Consolidated Independent School District (SBCISD) was rated “Academically Acceptable” by the TEA

SBCISD Superintendent Antonio G. Limón states the San Benito school district missed being recognized by two percentage points in Science.

“We have three exemplary campuses, nine recognized and four acceptable. We would have been recognized as a district if it wasn't for Science, because we had 73 (percent passing) and we needed to have 75,” Limón explained.

That damn science...(ok I added that...it would have made the article a tad better).

These are the increase percentages on scores from the TAKS test given in the article.
Writing - 65% to 70%
Social Studies - 65% to 70%
Mathematics - 50% to 55%
Science - 45% to 50%

Which means the students don't excel at anything.  I dunno, last time I was in school a 70% was a D...um....barely passing.

Then there is also a long quote from the Region One Education Service Center of which I am assuming is just filler to make SBCISD look better.


But if you scroll down on the website you can see a nice little article titled: Greyhound season tickets to go on sale

Our edumacation may suck but greyhounds football rocks!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Total Word Count

I am currently working on two novels and I started working on them back in 2009.  I have been working on Apolo Drakuvich longer and I started Ros Intelos towards the end of the year.  The total word counts will be updated from time to time.


The titles are going to change...
Ros Intelos (aka Female Space Nazis) - 6,155 total words as of today

Apolo Drakuvich (aka San Burrito) - 11,991 total words as of today



Which book will I finish first? Not sure...

Can you tell us more about the books?  Yes, but later...

Why are you writing two books at the same time? Because I want to.  When I run out of ideas for one book I switch to the second book.  My brain can rest on one book while I work on the other.  :)

Isn't that a bit much? I don't think so...

The P.E. Sting


This is a poem that I wrote back in high school.  I was having issues with P.E. at the time.  I hate running.

The P.E. Sting


We run and tumble everyday
I wish we could go out and play
Powerful and forceful is their threat
Sun and work causes beads of sweat

Hatred and fear rises among us
But they don’t care about the fuss
How can anyone enjoy the workout?
Everybody just starts to pout

Run a lap then another
Keep it going man, Oh brother
Sickness and faintness among some grow
So hot outside you’d wish it would snow

Exercise, exercise till we collapse
I wish we could go in and relax
Trouble, trouble runs even more
Your muscles are so sore

“Take it in!” is what we like to hear
Everybody stops, and builds up a tear
P.E. is over for the day
But watch out, because tomorrow you’ll pay

From: The Wind Changed as I Lay Dying

Monday, January 4, 2010

Word up, YO!

Daily Word Count:

Saturday: 900 (I should have written more on Saturday but I spent most of the day napping.  I did finish the chapter I was working on so I am pleased with that.)

Sunday: None
Sunday was kind of a weird day but I did think up some new chapter ideas.

Monday (Today) - Nothing yet...plan to write late morning or in the afternoon.  (Update - 700 words and did some research)

Note to self: Geoff, buddy...you need to start increasing your daily word count.  Please, can you do that for me?  Great, thanks!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Saturday writing

After a full recovery from new years celebrations, I am ready to start writing again. I wrote about 1200 words on the 30th and 31st. Work was busy on Thursday because I had to close out the month. Anyway, I should be able to get a good amount of writing done today.

I am also reading Choke by Chuck Palahniuk. I am really enjoying it. The style of the book is quite simple and effective. I like it!