Long Time, No Blog

*blows dust off blog*
*puts flower in vase to spruce things up*

Sooo, hey guys!
I just realized it's been over two months since I last posted here.

Oops.


I blame the fact of trying to find a new job.
And buying and moving into my new house.


Also, I've been incredibly uninspired lately. Not for lack of trying. I've been forcing myself to stare at my screen (sans internet) for a few hours a weekend hoping something will come out. But nothing. Still, at least I'm trying.

Even my tv blog has fallen a bit. I don't know if its a lack of focus or writers block... or maybe a mixture of both. 

Today, Helen and I went to Beans and Brews to write. Only to result in me creating a new header and the internet dying a million+ times in our two hour stay there.

*le sigh*

(an accurate representation of me vs. my writing)

Achievement Unlocked! [A Short Story]

This story has been rattling around in my head for a while. I finally got it all written down (major thanks to Helen for proofing it for me). I got this idea as I watched Felicia Day's new webseries "The Flog". I thought, what would happen if someone measured their life in experience points?

Achievement Unlocked

Race: Human
Gender: Female
Level: 23
Job: Tavern Wench (Barista)
Skill Set: +6 Sarcasm, +5 Intelligence, +3 Charisma, -2 Timeliness.

Life is so much easier to judge in experience points.
Get a new job: +4 maturity.
Break up with boyfriend: -4 relationship, +6 depression.
Spend $60 on a statue of your favorite character from a sci-fi show: +8 nerdiness, -12 social acceptance.

People think I’m crazy for ranking my life as if I live in a video game. But it helps me keep track of where I am in my life. There are skills I know I need to level up and ones that I know are almost to their cap.

Keeping a running tally of how my life is currently rating makes me realize what exactly I need to be doing next in my life.

For example, I’m currently lacking a bit of experience in the social aspect of my skill set.
Which would explain why I’m volunteering at the art festival.
And by volunteering, I mean standing in the middle of the library amphitheater and handing out maps of what is going on where.

Did I mention that I made let an art student paint a Sailor Moon tiara on my forehead? People look at me like I’m crazy, but it gives me a bit of joy every time someone asks what it is and I explain that they need to watch this amazing show.

I’ve only been out here for two hours, and I already feel like I’ve gained at least four points in my social interaction skill set. I also feel this overwhelming urge to walk inside the library, jump on a computer and troll tumblr like the nerd I am. But I committed to a five hour shift at the festival and I will complete it (+3 integrity).

“Do you know where I can find the Comic Book Workshop?” I spin on a heel and face the voice.
A boy. Some would classify him based on first glance as a plain human with limited skills and not worth teaming up with to grind (levels, of course).
I, however, immediately notice the Choose Your Weapon t-shirt with various Dungeons and Dragons dice and recognize him as a kindred spirit.

“Great shirt!” I say before I can contain myself. The Plain Human smiles. Ding! Level gained in flirting. I feel the heat rise in my cheeks. Luckily, it’s warm outside, so hopefully he’ll think it’s just the sun. “Yeah, it’s in the literary arts section.”

The boy stares at me blankly. I blink back at him. Only then realizing that he is staring at my forehead.
My blush deepens.

“Sailor Jupiter was always my favorite. Though, I’ve always had a thing for brunettes.” He mentions before looking down at the maps in my hand. “Can I have one of those?”

No words. A boy that knows Sailor Moon? This doesn’t happen.
Ever.
I hand him a map and just stare.
“Thanks.” He smiles and turns, making his way over to the Literary Arts section of the festival.

“Sailor Jupiter is my favorite too. You watch Sailor Moon? Your smile is adorable.” I mutter a dozen possible things I could have said as he walks away. I mentally kick myself for my lack of brain-to-mouth connectedness. I take a deep breath and face the library again. Admitting my defeat to the boss known as, Nerd Boy Adorable-ness. This boss seems to be one that I just can’t take down. “-8 Self Confidence.” I say to my reflection in the mirrored windows of the library.

“My name is Zach, by the way.” The cute boy returns, the map crumpled in his hand. I spin around so quickly, my glasses nearly slip off my face.
“Holy frak! I didn’t even see you!” Again, my mouth and brain stop communicating.
“The correct response is ‘Hi, Zach, you’re adorable. My name is…’” he holds out his hand to me. I raise an eyebrow at it and slip my palm into his. His thumb is calloused on the edges, a sure sign of a video game geek.
“Aggie. Though I never said you were adorable.”
“You said my smile was adorable.”
“Not the same thing.”

Our hands were still held in a cordial handshake. I stare down at my hand and laugh. “Can I have my hand back please?”
“Depends, want to grab a cup of coffee?”
Coffee + cute nerd boy = excellent idea.
“I guess.” I say, trying to hide my giddiness behind nonchalance. “But I still have three hours to go of volunteer work.”

He released my hand.
“Then I shall see you in a few hours. You know where to find me.” He winks and hands me back the map I gave him. On it is a circle. A circle on the very spot I was standing earlier. An arrow points to it with words written around it saying, “Find her again.”

Date with Cute Nerdy Boy. Achievement Unlocked!

Wallpapers Like Whoa

I've realized that it's been a very long time since the last time I posted some graphic that I've made. They're mostly wallpapers from various fandoms (because I'm me... so yeah)

Wallpapers:


A wallpaper consisting of my favorite John Green quotes. Both from books and from his youtube videos.


When the Avengers came out, I had to make a wallpaper. It was begging to be made.
I'm pretty proud of it, if I do say so myself.


Yesterday, while trolling tumblr and listening to spotify (like the productive adult I am), Alex Carpenter's Time Lord Rock song Bow Ties Are Cool came on and I was struck with inspiration.


Claudia Donovan (from Warehouse 13) is my spirit animal.



Graphics:


It started out as a Tardis, instead it came out like this. I still really love it.


Alohamora!

How I Write

I know that everyone writes a little bit differently. I decided to explain how I get in the mindset to write. I wrote about my writing habits a little over a year ago, and feel like they've changed a bit. Though some things have remained the same.


You're Wearing That?!?
The thing about what I wear when I write is that it has to be comfortable. I'm less likely to write well, if I'm dressed up in my work clothes or wearing painful shoes. It's a matter of trying to fine the most comfortable thing that's clean and making it work. One thing that is a constant, is the bracelet I got from Helen for my birthday last year. It reminds me that I have friends who are supporting me and wanting me to succeed.



Om Nom Nom
If I'm at Beans and Brews, it a chai. Really, anywhere I write I get a chai, but Beans and Brews is the best. As I'm trying to cut down my soda intake, I've also become addicted to Snapple drinks and I've been forcing myself to drink more water.

I can't write on an empty stomach. Even if I'm just munching on banana chips or something, I need something in my stomach.


Where Are You?
(I very nearly titled this part "Where You At?" but it made me flinch when I read it.)
I usually write better when I'm not at home. Though I have gotten better at remaining focused while I am at home, I prefer to write somewhere else. During NaNoWriMo, I realized how much I love writing at the library. Specifically the one downtown. First it was just convenient (I worked just around the corner), then I liked seeing all the different people that came in and out of the library. Lastly, this library is the perfect place to write because it's not eerily quiet, but no incredibly loud either.

If not the library, then Beans and Brews. I've talked a lot about Beans and Brews, I just really love writing there.


Hey Mr. DJ...
I've never ever been so grateful for a music program. Spotify has been my saving grace for writing. I can search for movie scores and add them all to a writing playlist and just play it while I write. Recently this playlist has consisted of:
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief Score
Warehouse 13 Season 2 Score
Under The Tuscan Sun Score
P.S. I Love You Score
The Avengers Score
and
Stardust Score

It's all just so pretty.



What are some of your writing habits?

Camp NaNoWriMo

Here's the thing.
I write pretty slowly. I was lucky to finish NaNoWriMo last year.

Then today, I got an e-mail from the NaNoWriMo team, about Camp NaNoWriMo. For June and/or August. The idea isn't completely repulsing me, it also doesn't make me think that it would be too much to handle. It's more curiosity.

As exhausted as I was after Novembers NaNo, I still find myself a bit curious as to whether or not I could do it in a month again. With a new job, new hours, and virtually no TV, could I make it again through another 50,000 word novel?

So as of right now, I'm going to do it. If I fail, then I fail. It wouldn't be the first time, won't be the last. If anyone is planning on doing it too, let me know. Find me on the Camp NaNoWriMo site.