Hi, Remember Me?

It's been a while since I made an 'actual' post on my blog, so I decided I should get on my ass and type one up. Some would say I should get 'off my ass' and do one, but standing and typing have never worked very well for me.

If there is one thing I have learned this year is that if you plan on doing a Podcast novel, rule #1 is to make sure you have the whole thing already written and ready before you even record your first episode. While improvising the minisodes worked fine, I knew I couldn't do the same with the real deal. In the case of mine, I had three chapters completed with many more 'partially' finished (read: I took the time to type out the transcripts of my minisodes, so all I had to do was fill in the blanks), but it only partially helped. The reason for this is that I don't get to work on the written part as much as I'd like, as not only do I need the right setting (no ringing phones or other extremely distracting noises ... like the guy putting siding all over the place here), I have to be in the mood. It's not that I get writers block, but I get a serious case of the writers laze. Look up Kevin Smith's explanation of this if you don't know it. I'm sure that someone out there has uploaded it to YouTube by now.

The other thing I have learned is that fans can get rabid, both in good and bad ways. While its nice to have them out there looking forward to each new chapter, telling me how much they like the story and so on, its kinda odd how quickly they will turn on you if a chapter is late, or something happens they don't like. It's like they forget I'm human and not a machine who's sole purpose is to pump out vocalized script, or a vocalized script that follows their every desire for the story. Last time I checked, it was my story, not theirs. Like everyone else, I work, I sleep, I deal with daily crap and my mood to do things swings mostly due to the extremities of the aforementioned aspects of life. Also, when I write, I write a story based on where my mind takes it. I'm not psychic, so I can't read what you think Lane, Ryan, Johnny and Derrick should do today. Welcome to reality. Also, while I've never said to myself, 'I'm not going to do a chapter his week', I get this hint that some feel that I do. Relax, you know who you are, I'm puttin' them out as fast as I can. Besides, Hell to Hell isn't the only horse I'm trying to train at this point in my life and life itself can get in the way at times. While I could do what others have done in the past, and that is release a shorter chapter, I rather get them out as I planned. Entire chapters at a time. I know the smaller candy bars are called fun size, but their not really all that much fun are they.

Before I kill that horse, moving on.

One of the joys in my life, that being playing tons of Rock Band, has also recently been placed on hold thanks to the ever so unpopular Red Ring of Death situation that visited me this week. Go figure that it happens the same week that Rock band receives two Duran Duran and Devo songs. Yes, part of me is still happily stuck in the 80's dancing to tunes by Oingo Boingo, Freur, The Cure, Depeche Mode and many others. Regardless of this fact, Rock Band, while to some is a time waster, is one of the few things in my life that makes me happy. Not that I feel like happiness can only be found in a video game, but its something that if I'm in a bad mood, its easy to pop in and pound the lame ass aspects of life away. Trust me, it works and it doesn't make me a violent rampaging psycho cop killer, like the media wants you to believe. In fact, I think its the only thing keeping me from being a rampaging psycho killer.

On the other hand, its a strange feeling. I don't miss playing games in the addicted way, I'm not breaking out into sweats and shaking like some claim I would once daddy Microsoft took the white turd away, but I miss the fact they help me deal with life and put a smile on my face, make me cheer, or even emotionally involved with the stories they tell. Some people read books (I do to), watch TV (I don't all that much), or do housework (what's that?) to find a center in life. Me, I like to play games. Without it, I'm starting to realize why so many people drink (even though I haven't gone down this path ... yet).

On the other hand, I've been having some fun, so don't get me wrong. The 5000th episode celebration for Radio From Hell delivered time and time again, and the party at Squatters was awesome. Also, for whatever reason, the Weird Al aspect of my mind has been warming up and I'm thinking of doing some kind of idea in the future with it. Of course, that idea mostly surrounds posting it here, but we'll see what happens with that. The first one I have deals with Beautiful People by Marilyn Manson ... but I'm calling it Beautiful Meatball. That's all I'm giving away at this point, though I will also say its not 100% me. It's inspired by Kerry Jackson over at X96. You can blame him later.

On a final note, the odd thing about having so many things rearranged around here is that I watched all of Season One of Heroes again, a week earlier then planned. Wanted to watch it just in time for Season Two to hit DVD, so I can have all the story fresh in my mind when Season Three starts. Guess when the laze sets in again this week and next, I'll just have to watch Spaced instead ... again. Not like I mind.

Guess its time to check out the other blogs I normally hit then do soem other things. And if I feel up to it, I'll post more soon.