E3 Expectations for Nintendo

I read a statement from Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto that asked fans to be patient with the Wii U and to support them while they rally to pump out games. Well E3 is around the corner and I am excited by the buzz around them.

After reading that statement I went out and bought a Wii U. After owning it for about a month and owning only one game for it, “Batman: Arkham City” I can say that I am extremely impressed. I knew, when I went to get it, that I was going to like the system but I had no clue it would shatter my expectations. It's beautiful in every aspect. From the moment you open the box and find the HDMI cable to moment you realize that the all of the menus and content are sharp and Crisp, it becomes clear that Nintendo understand the point that they have to prove.

The first point of course being that this is a system for gamers. It is powerful and capable of keeping up with the competitors. Then you notice the wonderful Game Pad. A controller whose primary function is to play serious games, not motion games. This pad in addition to being a typical controller with triggers, bumpers, four thumb button and two analog sticks also has a HD tablet in the center. If you are comfortable with using a DS with two screens then you can use this; in games it functions the same way. It holds your gadgets, mini maps and other tools used in games. You can even hit the home button pull up the full function browser, go to gamefaqs to look up a walk through, and then return to the game.

Now point number two I took on faith and some are still holding out but it is my hope that we will get confirmation at E3 this year. With less than 48 hours till go time it is now Nintendo time to shine and make good on their promises. We need games and Nintendo has already confirmed that E3 this year will be 100% games but of course it is mostly shrouded in mystery.

What we already know thanks to Nintendo directs is that Nintendo now holds an exclusive partnership with Sega. Which includes bringing classic favorites from Sega such as “Sonic” and “Shinobi” to the virtual console but also a new “Sonic Adventures” game.

We also know that Classic Ip's will be making an appearance. “The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD” remake has been public knowledge for a while but the unconfirmed bit is whether or not we will be getting the removed content from the original added back in. Of course we also know that this is just to tide the fans over till the new Zelda content, which is apparently already in the works.
So pretty!

Other Ip's that are rumored to make an appearance is 3D Mario. I love the “Super Mario Galaxy” series but I really hope they move away from that and give us yet another wonderful and innovative game. We also know that this is the Year of Luigi and they have already been showing off the downloadable content for “New Super Luigi U”.

I personally need new info for Monolith Soft's new game “X” which is speculated to be an addition to the Xenosaga series. Hopefully we will get a whole bunch of that revealed.
Watch in HD if you can. This looks great!

We know that Retro Studios, known for their work on “Donkey Kong” and “Metroid” are working on a secret project for Nintendo. Personally, I hope that this is a true “Star Fox” sequel. Please breath life back into this IP.

And then there is “Super Smash Brothers”. This game should be a no-brainer; they just have to get it correct. I really want to see footage and content from this but alas all we have right now are rumors in the wind.

Other prospects I am excited about include:

-“Mario Kart”
-“Mario Party”
-“Metroid”
-New IP's
-New partnerships with 3rd part developers
-A rich RPG full of awesome.
-This has yet happen ever but please give us “good” Pokemon content for a home system.

Anyways, I love Nintendo. They were my first introduction to gaming and they ignited a passion that I have kept to this day and I will never lose. I really do wish the very best for them this year.
-Justin

Just a Little Update: Superman, Health, and Home.

Love geek life to me, encompasses everything that I love about this new chapter I am in right now. It did dawn on me though that I do not spend enough time talking about the geek or the life aspects of the blog.

Those components are just as important to me as my lovely girlfriend, Megan. That all being said I have decided that I want to take my understanding of the greatest super hero ever to a whole new level by reading Superman comics, a thing I have never done before. My understanding of Superman comes from cartoon network and even the occasional Saturday morning Cartoons when I was very young. I do not have all the details as of yet but I plan to soon. I shall ask reddit for comic arcs to be read.

Now as far as life is concerned I just don’t know where to start. So much is going on down here in my new home of Savannah. I have a new role at work, I’ve gotten lost once or twice…or much more than that but who’s to say really? Any ways, I attended a concert for new SCAD alumni. I went to Tybee Island and hunted for rocks. I have participated in the creation of reference footage for animation…twice. Megan and I were trapped out side in a thunderous downpour. Not to mention moving – twice, in less than a month.

I have wanted to write an article about almost all of these but have just been so overwhelmed. I want to focus on health. Now I know I didn’t mention it above but that’s because I forgot to and don’t want to add it back in but yes health.

Since I have been here I have prepared multiple fresh meals and even tried making things that I have never tried to make before. Also my new job has me basically working out for 9 hours twice a week and Megan and I are doing a lot of walking. My clothes already fit loosely. I plan to get a scale and post results and maybe even a few recipes that I like here in fact I know that I will.

The other thing we plan to do is highlight some the things we do to our new home. There is much going on. From decorating to planting an Herb garden. Hopefully we will see some stuff about that too.

Justin

New life, new town, new beginnings.

Listening to the new Daft Punk album.

I am done writing about my old marriage. Recently a friend of mine knocked me over the head for bringing her up and he was right to do so. I can’t keep letting her get in the way of now. It is way past time that I put that behind me and I will. Sorry Brent, I know you liked the story but it’s time I moved on.

I have so many great things happening right now in my life. I have an amazing girl, who is insanely hot, immeasurably geeky and so kind. I have a job and I am about to start school. I LIVE AT THE FREAKING BEACH! I have family that is so wonderful and supportive and my friends are great!
I guess in a word, I am thankful for what I have been blessed with.

In other news, We got our new apartment today!

A day at the beach gathering rocks.

We had a wonderful time today and ended up with some pictures and a couple of videos!

It's going to suck not being 5 minutes away from these people!

I will not be gone forever. I do not know why I am as sad as I am. I am happy to shut the door on the part of my life that is a 24 year old living with his parents but I am also walking away from so many good people; I don’t just mean my family. If you have read any of my blog posts you would know that I ended up in a really depressed place after my separation and divorce from Alexis. My friends saved me. I used to say more than they will ever know but I’m going to tell this story now.


Amber Grim was a relatively new girl at work; very pretty and very warm hearted. She has a kindness to her that is rare and delightful. She saved me. Her random invite to play poker at her boyfriends house started a chain reaction that would lead me to make friends with new amazing people. People so unique and fantastic that I couldn't help but like each of them.

Amber, I always looked forward to the weekends at Best Buy because I knew I’d get to see you. You would always brighten my day. I wish you the very best. Don’t ever forget how talented you are. It is as it always was, if anybody ever gives you a hard time call me and let me know. I’ll always have your back.


Daniel. Oh Daniel what to say. I just left your house after grabbing my microphone and game. As I sat there in your driveway realizing that that might be the last time I go to your house in a while I couldn't help but feel sad. You welcomed me into your life, with all my awkwardness and bad jokes. Little did I know at the time I was about to be surrounded by bad jokes but it would be awesome. Daniel your wit and charm are unparalleled. Your ability to form puns and jokes as second nature is something I will never fully understand. You are easily the funniest person I know and I know you have an amazing career ahead of you. Just never give up.


I met Casey for the first time the very first time I played poker with everyone at Daniels. Casey was weird, unique, loud, adorable and I had a crush. Amber had given me a ride to Daniels that night and as she was taking me home. The first question I had asked her was about you. Well, romance wasn't in the cards for you and I but that didn't stop us from being great friends. We all like to give you a hard time. Your quirks and Caseyisms make that very easy to do but I've had the chance to see past that on multiple occasions and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that you have a massive heart. You are kind and caring and I will never forget your kindness.


Cody, you and I met for the first time on the fields of Justice and it wasn't till one day we were both hungry and decided to meet at Wendy’s for food that we had met in person for the first time. I recall you wearing a t-shirt with spaceship on it that was supposed to be some vague reference. You were curious if I would get the reference but of course I didn't. Luckily, our friendship wouldn't be based on whether or not I understood the picture on your shirt. I am always happy to know when you are coming into town. Our games of Magic just don’t feel complete without you there. You are stubborn and a natural born leader. I can’t wait to see what you will accomplish.


Josh, you are just too darn intelligent. You have accomplished more than most people my age and you have been one of my motivators to be better. You and I have had many an awesome conversations on topic ranging from games to science to life; I look forward to many more. It makes me so happy to think about what you will accomplish going forward. Your charm and kindness are contagious, never lose that. I wish you and your bride to be the very best.

Kyle you are awesome. A wonderful artist, respectful, talented, caring, protective, and nice. It’s good to have you at my six in any game or just in general. I know you've got my back. I’ll never forget our long discussions in the hot tub that day. You are incredibly level headed and driven. I know you will be known for great things and I can’t wait to see what you will do.


Jessel and Drew, I really didn't start to get to know y'all very well till recently and I am glad I did. You two are both wonderful people, full of life and ambition. I can’t wait to learn more about you in the years to come.

Jessel, I remember the first time we hung out. You hosted a movie night. You introduced me to Doctor Horrible and we discussed so many topics. I am so excited for you and Melanie. You two are wonderful together.

I don’t mean to be melodramatic but this is the most significant move I have ever made and I am scared, happy, sad, and excited all at once. I am going to miss all of you so much more than I can ever say. I truly loved the weekends at Best Buy, the nights at Daniels, the trips to Steak and Shake and the feeling of friendship I have felt from each of you. I know I will make new friends in Savannah but they can never replace you all.

-Justin
P.S. I don't care how bad it is you all deserve to see the pilot we made. I am going to finish it.

It's been awhile, cuz reasons.

Hello hypothetical readers! Since.... we don't really have readers yet.... Oh, who cares? I just like to write.

Sorry about the absence. The last month and a half or so kinda sucked royally for me. Kinda fell into a pit of despair that started to really take its toll. You know, standard typical clinical depression sort of stuff, as ya do. It kind of reached a peak on/around my birthday. I lost my all-important not-backed-up hard drive that day (lovely birthday present), and, yknow, three people died and a bunch more were injured in Boston. Two days later I was sitting in SCAD's shrink office because my brain was pretty much on strike and I couldn't go to the animation building or draw anything without having panic attacks.... which, with two of the most difficult classes with one of the most difficult teachers, is a very bad thing.

I'm doing better now, though. I dropped one of those most difficult classes, which sucks because that means $3500 of my student debt doesn't even reflect any actual education (except maybe the education of knowing my limits), but has been exactly the kind of slack I needed to relax and kind of heal a bit from everything. I'm still going to the counselor (though still haven't had my second appointment, thanks to scheduling issues on her end). I haven't seen a medicine shrink or a standard typical doctor doctor yet because of anxiety but I will soon.... hopefully. But I am feeling better. My agoraphobia is a little bit lesser (I went to Petsmart, Target, AND the grocery store today!),  and this week I got an A on an assignment I was convinced I was only going to get a C on. That helped my confidence a little bit.

Also, in less than a month, Justin (the other half of this blog) and I are moving into an apartment together!

The Wednesday before my birthday, Justin called me telling me he just saw a craiglist posting that was posted just an hour or so before for a rental in an area I desperately wanted. Even as bad as I was mentally at that point (this was 5 days or so before my birthday meltdown), I actually called the guy. It didn't scare me, which I typically try to take as A Sign. My roommate and I went and checked out the place on Friday.... and it checked off everything on my want list. Functional kitchen (as in more than one square foot of counter space, enough room in cupboards to store dishes AND food (gasp!), etc), that had not just a dishwasher, but was updated with stainless steel, built-in microwave, and a double sink. There was even room for my table and chairs in there! And then, surprise! Washer/Drier. In. The. Bedroom. (Well, in a closet in the bedroom). And then wifi included, water included, pet fee waived.... And just a mile or two from school. I went home, got my checkbook, and gave him the deposit. Lease was signed the next week, and that apartment will officially be home on May 25th!

As big of a worrywart as I am, even without the crippling bout of depression I've been battling recently, this isn't scaring me like it could. The only anxieties are have are superficial ones - anxieties about the logistics of moving everything during finals week, will we find a mattress, will Quinn be able to handle being an only child cat again? Will it be big enough? But those are very small voices in the back of my head. Louder voices are going "I can't wait to decorate. I'm going to finally start an herb garden. I can't wait to play Wii U with my wonderful amazing boyfriend. I am going to invite all my friends over and we're going to play Red Dragon Inn." It just feels right, yknow?

We don't get the apartment til the 25th, but Justin is going to be here on Friday. This is going to be an exciting new adventure. I can't wait to get started. <3

The Happiness Project - March. Get Things Done.

So, thanks to winter quarter finals, my sleep schedule has flipped completely around to "nocturnal." So that, plus the sudden plethora of free time I now have (I don't have to go to Montgomery Hall and work on animation for 12 hours? Really? Are you sure? Okay.) I did laundry for the first time in a month (I have enough clothes for a month, but I have a lot of clothes I'm not a fan of. I used those up, too). I cleaned a little. But for the most part, I was on the computer. Big surprise there. However, somewhere between Saturday and Sunday I got sick of being surrounded by screens (I had four running at one point - imac on The Sims 3, laptop playing youtube videos, my phone on for texting, and my tablet for Candy Crush Saga while waiting for my Sims to wake up). I also couldn't really bring myself to clean more, because bleh cleaning. I am not a fan of cleaning. (I would say "who is??".....but there are people who enjoy it.... you know who you are.)

So, I paused The Sims, stood up, got some food, and thought "....maybe I should read something. Something not on the internet. Like a book."

And then I remembered that yesterday while I was cleaning the living room, I'd come across the Barnes and Noble bag I'd brought home a few weeks ago, with an untouched new book still sitting nestled inside with the receipt. A book called "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin

It was one of those I Had A Gift Card And This Was On One Of Those Mid-Aisle Displays And It Wasn't Too Expensive And I Couldn't Think Of Anything Else To Buy And It Could Do Me Good If I Read It And I've Considered Reading It So I'll Go Ahead And Get It purchases. I have a lot of those. I have a bookshelf full of either untouched or half-read books, mainly because if I don't engulf the whole book in one sitting like a Harry Potter book, I tend to forget it exists. (I'm probably the only child on the face of the planet who STOPPED reading thanks to Harry Potter, but that's a blog post for another day).

So I pulled the book out of the bag, went back to my room, sat down, and proceeded to chew through four chapters. That's almost 100 pages. Now, on Monday morning, I'm almost done.

It's inspiring. This is a book I kind of want to read again after I go through this time. It's actually a book where I actively wished I'd had a highlighter handy nearby or mini post its handy for some of the things she's written. One thing I love is that, in the introduction, she explains that this is a book retelling her own personal experience spending a year finding happiness, and that it is by no means the only way, and that everyone would have to come up with their own Happiness Project for their own struggles and their own way of living.

I want to do it.

So much of it is the little things we keep saying we should do but don't. Like how I say I should actively communicate with my friends more. How I should take the stairs instead of the elevator. How guilty I feel when I don't take my dishes to the kitchen. How I put off little chores til later and let them pile up. Ways of thinking and altering them (like saying "The Fun of Failure." It's all stuff I've heard before but have forgotten - or just downright turned away from. I don't know why.

I feel happier after reading this book. I want to give it a try. I really do.

I think one of the successful ideas of the book was not overdoing it, yknow? She had overall core rules that she followed ("Splendid Truths" like "To be happier, you have to think about feeling good, feeling bad, and feeling right in an atmosphere of growth", and "Commandments" like "Enjoy the Process" or "Lighten up."), but then each month, had a specific focus on one aspect she wanted to cultivate for growth. For example, in February she focused on love, and in April she focused on improving being a parent.

I've decided to pretty much start now. I have April planned out, but for the rest of March I have one resolution -- Get Stuff Done. I have a lot of things I've been putting off and putting off. I'm a procrastinator. This month, I need to get things done, and yes, I got some things accomplished before I read the book - I got my federal taxes done, for example. I emailed some people I've been meaning to email. I've taken steps toward getting my FAFSA stuff figured out.

But there are other things I've been putting off. I want to find a doctor (or two) so I can get a full round of physicals and tests and stuff done while I still have health insurance. I have to get background stuff done for Double Rainboom. I want to introduce Justin to more of my friends while he's here this week, but I haven't set up the facebook event yet (....true to my resolution, I just went ahead and did that right now). I've been putting off cleaning my absolutely disgusting car. I've been putting off dishes, and cleaning the kitty litter... I have to put my water bill in the mailbox. I tend to just put things off. So for this month, I'm going to take care of all those things now, not later. (Or, if something requires a later - like I like to clean my car at a gas station, because of the trash containers, or can't print something because printer is broken and roommate is gone - I'll make a note and do it sooner, not later).

So, I've got a Google spreadsheet that I can access anywhere. I've put rows for each day of March, and then columns of resolutions. "Do a chore at first thought"; "Get a doctor" (me and Quinn both need appointments); "Get FAFSA and taxes 100% done"; "If I think about calling/texting someone, do it"; "Contact and meet Student Ambassador Mentees"; "Apartment."

All of these will be tough for me, and pretty much all of them need to get done THIS MONTH. So, I'm going to do them. Because some of these things require multiple steps (I have stuff to print and stuff to mail and stuff to followup on for taxes and FAFSA, for example), instead of just putting an X in a box, I will mention exactly what I did for that box. If I get a column's task 100% done, I can blank out the rest of that column, so that way I can really sense the accomplishment. Maybe I'll replace it with a new task. We'll see. This is just to get me started, yknow?

So, what do you think? Any projects you need to get done but put off for awhile?

Winter Quarter

I want to try and actually type more about my day-to-day life in this here blog, and when I realized I was about to sum up my quarter in a single sentence at the beginning of a blog post about a book I'm reading, I realized, duh, why not just devote a whole blog post to it??

I go to Savannah College of Art and Design, and I just finished up my second winter quarter here. That's 6 quarters done, and 6 more to go. I am literally sitting at the halfway mark of my career here at SCAD, which is actually a little comforting, now that I'm thinking about it. It's much less "HOMFG" feeling than saying "I'M ONLY TWO QUARTERS AWAY FROM BEING A SENIOR OH GOD OH GOD!" But let's not think about that, shall we?

This last quarter, I took two classes (as I do every quarter now - 3 classes is standard). I had Principles of Screen Design with this guy Jan Carlee, and 2D Production with an ol' favorite, John Webber.

Screen Design was awesome. The class revolves the devices and techniques film makers, animated and live action alike, use to convey and strengthen their story. While I had friends who'd taken the class previously and hated it, I, personally, enjoyed the class immensely, and I think it was because, thanks to their complaints, I was able to prepare myself for what was to come. I already knew the teacher was a harsh grader, so I didn't get bent out of shape about a B, and rejoiced in the single A I got the whole quarter, because I *knew* I earned it. I already knew not to expect any in-class work session. I knew to expect 2.5 hours of nonstop film clips, and to have a class here or there that covered topics I either didn't care about or already knew about. I knew what to expect from the assignments, even knew what some of them were and knew how my friends approached the assignments. I worried about doing as good of work as they did, and I got upset if I missed a class and it turned out to be a class on something I really wanted to learn, like character design. But in the end, I felt like I did a good job, and when my teacher praised something I did, I *knew* he meant it, and I knew I deserved it. I need to get those assignments on my Vimeo so I can embed them here soon. I'll definitely do that this week. The class also had a lot of great people, and we had a great time. Easily one of the best classes I've had at SCAD yet.

My teacher for that class, Jan Carlee, was pretty awesome, too. This guy.... he should write a book. The adventures he's had just because of people he met because he was in the right place at the right time.... it's almost unbelievable, and yet he has this presence and personality that just tells you, no, he's that guy. The guy to help a stranger on the street on the way to a rock concert, and it turns out it's the rock band's manager, and now there's a invitation to a huge private party with tons of famous people. Or the person that, the day he quits his job, someone randomly calls and offers him a new one. He's just tapped into that weird mojo that allows these things to happen, has the personality to not really give a shit what others think but also be a kind-hearted guy, and he tells his stories with such vigor and such humor even though he tells these stories over and over again.... Like I said. He needs to write a book.

So, yeah. I loved that class. My other class, though, 2D Production, was kind of the polar opposite. I liked my teacher and I loved having class with so many friends, but the class was a source of much stress. It's still a source of stress, and it's over! My main concern, and I think it not only hindered me but ultimately crippled me, was my confidence. See, 2D Production is kind of a test run for your senior film. You learn the process of making a 2D movie from start to finish. And considering up to this point, I've only had TWO ACTUAL ANIMATION CLASSES (not counting 3D because I'm a 2D animator), I definitely felt unprepared. Not just that, but I was coming off of a really bad, unproductive quarter sans animation classes (felt like a waste of time and money and made me feel guilty and terrible that I was falling behind). I was also aware right off the bat that I would be facing some of my weaknesses with animation (mainly inking). And I was aware that I had extremely talented friends in the class with me who I cannot help but compare myself to. Pretty much these four things combined into a cocktail of Augh.

I burnt out really bad. I stopped giving a shit about my film, started getting lazy, started hating it. I let mistakes go because I just didn't want to deal with them. I wasn't a big fan of the story, the character design, and of it, but I didn't have time to mess with it. Meanwhile, I watched my friends make amazing, well-animated, well-toned, well-colored, well-inked, well-storied films. I just felt so behind. I felt so inferior. Sure, my film wasn't the worst in the class by any means. But it certainly did not even fall into the top five. Not even close. And that's hard for me, not because I feel like I always have to be perfect, but because I'm scared that NOT being perfect means not getting a job.... and that thought is making me emotional so I'm going to stop talking about it. Point is - I'm not proud of my work in that class, and as a result, I've decided to take another quarter hardcore focusing on my animation and some of my lacking areas. My friends are taking Concept for their senior films in the spring. I'm taking it in the summer (with the aforementioned Jan Carlee, so THAT'll be exciting!). At least I learned from this that I need more instruction (I mean, I knew that from the start of the quarter, but I'm going ahead and accepting it now). Hopefully, this next quarter will see growth, and a sense of certainty about my place in this wibbly wobbly artsy filmy place that is animation.... (Dr. Who reference!)

But now, it's spring break!! And in approximately 31 hours, I will be seeing the other half of this blog in person as he steps off the bus in downtown Savannah! :D I can't wait!

What Would You Do For Your Kids Fears?

It's 7am. It's 7am and I haven't really gone to bed yet. I mean, I took a nap earlier, but I haven't full-on slept yet. I'm not sure if I will.

One thing that I'll probably touch on a lot in this blog is my anxieties. I have always been an anxious, nervous thing, from as far back as I can remember. Y'know Chuckie Finster from Rugrats? That was me. Full force. I once made my mother take us home from the movie theater before the movie even started, because I saw a fire alarm on the wall and was terrified it would go off during the movie. Fire alarms scared the hell out of me. I was scared of toilets that looked strange (read: didn't look like the toilet we had at home). It led to a lot of accidents, or us having to leave earlier than we wanted to. I was scared of my Berenstein Bears tapes. They made a scary noise at the end. I was terrified of electronics turning on without anyone pressing the on button. Like the computer just turning on as I walk by it.

Some of my fears from my childhood have stuck with me into adulthood. I don't like going into unfamiliar places. I think this stems from the time when I was 6, and my dad accidentally took us into a bar and grill that only served 21+. I was so ashamed and humiliated. Yes, even at 6. I just feel like there are places I'm just not allowed, and I can't stand breaking rules.

I don't like talking to unfamiliar people. I don't like feeling like I'm a bother on anyone, and especially if I don't feel like I know the social "rules" of a situation (which is hardly ever), I often just have to step away. This is the reason why I have issues texting people back if too much time has passed, or how I absolutely will never ever knock on someone's door if I have not been invited over.

I'm still afraid of bugs. I have the courage now to do battle against them, but I'm still scared of them. I'm still scared of talking on the phone. I'll do it if I absolutely have to, but this fear is so strong that I have problems calling family members without texting them to announce my intent to call them. (I think this is an extension of the "call for permission before stopping by someone's house" thing).

I'm still scared of being rejected. I'm still scared of failing. I'm still a little scared of flying, though nowhere near as bad as I used to be. I'm scared of scary movies.

But now... I'm realising I have so many new fears. Adult fears. Fears that didn't even bother me a few years ago, but I guess that just means I'm growing up.

I'm scared for my country. Being exposed to so many different people during my year between NAU and SCAD opened up my perspective and see so much of the terrible state our country is in. I see how the media has lied and manipulated us. I see problems everywhere, and no one fixing them.

I know something is wrong, but I don't know exactly what, or how, or why. A few years ago, I didn't really care much about politics (except education), and I didn't vote, because I knew one thing for sure -- most people had no idea what they were talking about, and the last thing I wanted to be was another uninformed voter just compounding the problem. But now I'm growing, and I'm seeing how these issues are actively affecting me, my family, my friends (ESPECIALLY my friends), and the children I want to have one day.... I'm realizing how much I don't know, how much no one knows, how much is probably hidden and how much everything just seems to run in circles but never change. The more I learn, the more I realize there's still so much more I don't know, and it seems like at least I'm trying to understand. I feel like so many other people in this country just believe what they're told to believe. And I panic that I'm making the same mistake. I only know one thing for certain, but it's not a realization that can make me any less afraid -- that this country has so many problems and I don't think they will be fixed without some serious change -- but of course, that word "change" is something this country really can't stand.

I'm scared for my future. I'm scared that I wont ever be good enough to get a job. I'm scared that I don't deserve a good job. I'm scared I'll live my life below the poverty line, begging my dad to help me the rest of his life, because of my insecurities and self-confidence issues.

I'm scared of never getting decent health insurance. That I'll trip and fall and break my wrist and end up 80 grand in debt. And i know that's not an exageration - my teacher told me last week that he broke his pinky. His goddamn pinky. And ended up with a bill totalling 80 grand.

I'm scared that what good work I do will never be good enough. That even when I'm proud of myself, it'll never be good enough for me to get a job, or get a raise, or get recognition. I tried so hard this quarter to do well as a Student Ambassador. I did three or four times as many events as we were required to have to maintain "good standing." Hell, I got the "good standing" amount before the quarter even STARTED. I took on jobs that were outside my comfort zone. I approached my supervisor with other projects for us to get involved in, and was told by one of the coordinators that I should apply to be a coordinator. But then student ambassador of the month awards come around... they give it to someone I've had to yell at for slacking off on the job. They give it to people with less events done than I have (and make a point of talking about how many events they've done). I feel like I've given my all, but it's not good enough, and it never will be. I can't stop feeling like this will never change, no matter how hard I try. That even when I feel like not only am I doing my best, but I'm doing a better job than others, that I'll always be overlooked or forgotten.

I'm scared that a large portion of my family hates me. I'm scared that the day will come where I get married, and a huge chunk of them wont show up or even send a card my way wishing me luck.I'm scared that even those who I know do love me for all that I am wont want to shell the cash or take the time to come see me that day. Hell, I'm scared I could totally kick the bucket and they wouldn't even come to my funeral. They have more important things to do.

I'm scared that I'll never find my place. That I'll keep jumping from apartment to apartment, from crappy job to crappy job, earning 5 grand a year and wondering when my life will begin. I'm scared that I'll never be happy. That this country and this world will only get worse, no matter who the fuck is in power or who the fuck gives a shit. I'm scared to bring children into this world. I'm scared of my mother or father getting cancer with their terrible health insurance.

I'm scared. I'm easily as scared as I was when I screamed at the top of my lungs for my mom to take us home away from the fire alarm. I want to scream at the top of my lungs. I want to get away from here. But I can't.

I just wish I didn't have to care so much. It seems like the people who don't give a shit what anyone else thinks are the people who get somewhere. Those people who will step on others to get themselves up. I care too much and I'm too afraid.


I just want to scream.

And I wish instead of being afraid of all this, I was afraid of fire alarms again.

Insomnia

It's currently.... 4:00am. I have to wake up around 8:00, roll out of bed, throw on some wrinkled clothes, scarf down some leftovers, and hightail it downtown to a student ambassador meeting. But I can't sleep.

This has been happening a lot lately. My sleep schedule is out the door. I'll feel tired, but the moment the light goes out and my head hits the pillow, I just can't... stop... thinking.... And I think about everything. I mean everything.

I've been thinking about my future. It was kinda prompted by my last post. I've just been thinking of all those things I want to do, want to try, want to experience, but currently can't. I want a sewing machine. I want to learn guitar. I want a couch. I want to travel. I want to get back into reading. I want to make a quilt. I want to do something with my life rather than eat, sleep, go to school, bathe.

I've been thinking about Justin. I've been thinking about the days when he and I will be living in the same zip code. In the same home. Being around each other longer than a few days at a time. I want to introduce him to my friends. I want to watch tv next to him. I want to cook dinner with him. I want to explore Savannah with him. Hell, I want to explore the world with him. I want to hug him again. 10 days....

I've been thinking about religion. I'm about to start working on a student film documentary, about college students struggles to understand their relationships with religion, and it just has my brain churning, since I'm kinda in a bit of a struggle myself. It's probably something I'll talk about more in the future, but not now.

I've been thinking about politics. About the state of our country and the world. About how much we don't know. About what's going on we don't hear about because no one wants us to know about. I wonder if things will ever change.

I've been thinking about my place in the world. My relationships with people. My tendency for isolation.

I've been thinking about my past. Those terrible moments in 8th grade, or 9th grade, or at NAU. The loneliness, the heartache, the uncertainty. But also the good times.

I've been thinking about my family. How far away they are, both literally and figuratively. How much I miss them. How I don't really feel as much at home when I visit. Home is getting further away from me.

I've been thinking about art, and work, and life. I've been thinking about children. I've been thinking about bills. I've been thinking about the chores I haven't had time to do. Like laundry. I really need to do laundry.

I've had songs stuck in my head. Happy songs. Sad songs. Songs about love. Songs from my childhood. No sooner do I free myself from one song then another one finds me.

It's just been kind of a roller coaster. If I'm not up late having a panic attack about all the bad in the world, about my own shortcomings, about my own fears, then I'm up late dreaming of a future that's continually uncertain and still so far from my grasp. The future with a house, a job, a family. An art studio. A couch. A garden. A future with more experiences, more travel, more trials and errors, more love, more life. I just have felt, for so long, that I've just been waiting.... waiting for my life to begin. I kinda wonder if that feeling will ever go away. I think I'm closer than I was a few years ago, but it still seems so distant.

What can I say? I'm impatient. I just want to know, now, what the future will be.

I think I'll try going to sleep again. I think I'll leave the light on, though. Maybe it'll force me to keep my eyes closed.

20+ Big Things To Do Before I Turn 30

It's Megan's turn! I even changed the format of this thing just a smidge so you can tell who's posting right from the get-go! :D Smart, right? Thought eventually, I think I'm going to put together special post headers, to make it even more apparent. :)

So... I turn 25 in a month. That's a big deal yknow? That's a quarter of a century! By all accounts, I'm an adult! And, well, I kinda thought it'd be an awesome idea to put together a list of big goals to achieve I before the big 30. Five years is a long time, but then again, it'll probably go by super fast....

1. Graduate art school and find a stable full time job in art or animation that I thoroughly enjoy.
Kinda self-explanatory, but probably also the biggest most important thing on this list.

2. Be 100% independent from the folks. Being a college student, I rely so much on my parents still, and having relied on them for so long starts to make me feel guilty and terrible. I can't wait for the day where I'm finally on my own.

3. Run a 5K - like, without stopping. Considering my self-confidence in myself is so low I have a hard time being seen wearing sneakers in public, this will be a doozy.

4. Plant a garden of some kind,  even if it's just a little herb garden on the windowsill.

5. Take an epic road trip,  preferably to New England. I love me a good road trip, and hey, while I'm on this side of the country, why not? I also have a lot of friends up there.

6. While on the topic of "On this side of the country" -- Disney World and Wizarding World of Harry Potter. 

7. Pay off my student loan debts. Even with parental help, I'm still racking in a good amount of student loans. I'd like to pay them all off by the time I'm 30.

8. Have a booth at an artist alley of a comic convention. This has been a dream of mine for a long time. I hope to one day do it, even if I have to split the cost with 4 other people.

9. Go to CTN Expo. This is a huge animation expo, the biggest in the country for my industry. I gotta go.

10. Buy an Expedit bookshelf from IKEA. No, seriously. This is a big thing for me. I mean, seriously, look how gorgeous it is!

11.Dye my hair a crazy color. I've always wanted to, and I figure I should do it while I still have the chance!

12. Be okay with selling artwork and taking commissions. This is definitely a confidence thing. I really want to be able to make money off my art, not feel like it's only MAYBE good enough to give away to family members....

13. Take more pictures, and start documenting my years in a more permanent fashion. This definitely goes hand in hand with the blog - my favorite blogs are loaded with beautiful pictures, and just right now, I'm without a camera (note to self - waterproof doesn't always mean waterproof, because shockproof doesn't always mean shockproof). Once I get a new camera, I want to start making "yearbooks" of my life, so I can look back on them. Yay shutterfly!

14. Go to New York City. This is pretty much a given, right?
 

15. Go white water rafting again. My dad has taken me on whitewater rafting trips a bunch of times, and I loved them. I'd love to go again.

16. Visit another country, preferably in Europe. If I don't get to visit by the time I'm 30, I may add it to my bucket list for the future to do a house exchange with a family in Europe - that's totally a thing, yknow!

17. Get a dog. I really want a dog. A *real* dog. Like a lab or a shepherd or a retriever. Someone to take walks and play fetch. Who can have a doggy door, lol.

18. Get into thrifting and DIY projects. Again, I know of so many blogs where they go yard saling (is that a word?) or thrifting, bringing home junky ol' pieces of furniture or home decor, and fixing them up new. I *really* want to do this, but I just don't have time, money, or the room for it all now.

19. Learn to play guitar. I've been playing musical instruments for as long as I can remember. Viola, steel drums, clarinet, piano. October 2010, I picked up my first ukulele as a kind of transition from viola to guitar. I've got the ukulele pretty much down. I want to take the next step, and learn guitar!

20. Find myself a home. Since I graduated high school 7 years ago (wow), I haven't lived in one place for more than a year at a time. And I'm not just talking moving from apartment to apartment. Most times, I was moving hundreds of miles away, and sometimes that move was for only a couple of months (dorm to my mom's house and back, for example). My life has felt so stuck on hold, and it's because of this that a lot of other items of this list exist (namely 4, 10, 17, 18, and 19). I hate having to go "Man... I really want to learn to play guitar.... but guitars are so BIG! What will I DO with it in x number of months when I have to move again?? *sigh* I guess I'll just wait...." That's been my mentality for SEVEN FRICKEN YEARS. And I'm done with it. I want a home. I want a place that's mine. That's not just a bedroom in a communal living arrangement like a college dorm, but a place I can really call my own. A place to LIVE in, rather than STAY in. I just can't even comprehend the concept of it. Being able to have my bookshelf of animation books in the living room. Being able to put stuff on the walls and not have to double check with my roommates that they approve. I want a place of my own. I want to find a home. I hope I can have that by the time I'm thirty. Even if I'm still renting. I just want more stability.... I want to feel at home.

So yeah. Those are my big goals for the next five years. They are by no means the only goals, and I'm sure as life traverses on my priorities will shift a bit and some things might become higher priority than other things... BUT I BETTER GET THAT EXPEDIT BOOKSHELF GORRAM IT!!!

UPDATE:
So, of COURSE, I keep thinking up other things I want to do.... so I'm just gonna catalog them here as I come up with them.

21. Buy a sewing machine - and actually use it! There are so many sewing projects I want to do - hell, I have a space bag full of cut-up sentimental t-shirts I want to turn into a quilt. The problem is - I don't have a sewing machine (let alone time and money for materials). Someday, I want a sewing machine.

Part 5: The Destruction of a Southern Spine!

Hey everyone,

I have been pretty sick and I just haven't felt up to posting. Cough, fever, sinuses, and just general flu sadness. I know it's kind of pathetic but between work and fighting this craziness I have just been super tired. Thank you to my amazing girl friend, Megan, who was so caring the whole time.

So today I feel like being southern, so I have Darius Rucker's “Southern State of Mind” on infinite loop and I am starting to feel much better. Last time I gave y’all a chunk of the story Mary-Sue had just moved down from the north and she was renting an apartment that she wasn't really staying in. She instead had agreed to split the rent with some douche bag at her job.

One little detail I left out last time was that I happened to know this guy from earlier in high school. I hated him at the time he was a bully; he constantly harassed me. To tell you the truth he was so low on my priorities list that I do not even remember what the pathetic fly used to do to me but at the time I remembered him very well.

Any ways back to the story. Mary had all but moved in with us. She was staying every night and eating food with us. My mom had kind of pulled me aside a few times and very simply asked me why she was here so much and I am sure that I just made a bunch of excuses for her. Actually that is exactly what I did I wish I could remember any of those finer details. I hope I wasn't to belligerent with her. Now I know a lot of this seems kind of grown-up so let me remind you that at this time I was a senior in high school and only 17.

My folks did not allow us to stay in the same room when she stayed over. She had to sleep in the living room. While I got my bed. That didn’t last very long. Me thinking that I was being a gentleman always let her take my bed. She quickly took advantage of this and would kind of passively guilt me into sleeping on the couch while she got the bed. It got to a point where I very specifically remember a time where I broke down in tears because I was so tired and just wanted a bed to rest in – I know pathetic.

I feel bad for my parents and family through all of this. My parents tried so hard to get me to see what she was doing. They were afraid that if they made the wrong move they would push me away even further than I was already drifting. I knew I wasn't happy and I saw what they saw and every now and again I would break down but that is a different story.

Any ways Mary had yet to be evicted because rent was being paid but mostly by the douche bag. I had a bad feeling about this guy and I knew I didn't want him there. Mary and I decided we would make a surprise visit to make sure he wasn't doing anything that would get us in trouble. We drove over while he was at work.

We opened the door and the place was a sty. It wasn't destroyed but there was stuff every where. Including ashtrays and beer bottles. It was strictly a no smoking property. I took some time to look around further. I found pot and bongs and all kinds of stuff that would have reflected on us and not him. Legally he wasn't supposed to be there. I disposed of all of it and left a note that I'm sure was harshly written. HA, I should have called the cops. I am sure I didn't so that Mary wouldn't get in trouble. I remember the note left some kind of ultimatum and it informed him that we'd be back.

We would be back and in only a few weeks or so and what we would find would be just unreal.

-Justin

The Kick in the Rear

I consider my self a hard worker. I felt like I did a great job every day at work. I thought I was passionate but I discovered that perhaps I wasn't as passionate as I could be; I proceeded to get an attitude with my boss and he knocked me down a few levels. I was humbled and sometimes in life we need that kick to remind us that we can always do a little better than the day before.

There was one aspect of my job that I was only devoting 50% of my effort towards and it showed. So they talked to me about it and set some expectations that I didn't agree with so of course I did what every cocky little guy does and I went looking for trouble. Oh and I found it the very next day.

I had an opportunity to rub it in there face how stupid this particular work practice was and I was going to take this chance and run. Sadly enough I think at the time all of this was kind of a sub-conscious notion. We had this customer come in and ask for the cheapest item we had and I smiled ear to ear. I was going to in my mind genuinely try and use this tool that I was expected to use. I jotted a couple of notes and kind of half-assed my way through the ridiculous practice. Well, after a mere ten minute interaction the customer left with out purchasing anything. I was left with a tool with just a couple of notes on it. I felt like the customer was impossible to engage, that they were shy and behind barriers that made my job hard and that was my excuse for a pathetic job done. It was the customers fault. I held on to that tool for most of an hour waiting to roll up on my bosses and show them that I had “tried” to use this tool.

The chance rose and I approached. I held out my form and said beaming with pride. “Look I tried!” I exclaimed. My boss looked at it and smiled. I continued “They didn't buy anything. He said what he wanted and I wrote it down-”. My boss stopped me. “Why” he asked. I was confused. “Why did you write it down?” “That’s what he wanted.” I stammered, caught of guard. My boss proceeded to try and make this a teachable moment and role play with me. I cut him off. “Am I in trouble” I asked kind of harshly. “Did I say you were?” he asked. “Well no but I couldn't engage this person.” My defenses were raised. I was about to make a mistake. My boss very politely and with zero condescension continued to try and teach me something. I interrupted again. This time my voice raised and full of spite. “none of this would have worked; I was there.”

He cut me off this time and told me and another manager to meet him in the office. Oh crap I thought. I knew I made a bad choice. I just knew it and I was right too. We got in that office and he all but tore me a new one. It was the most straight forward talking to I had ever had and I could tell he was upset but he maintained his composure. He didn't yell. He had tact. It was about the time that he accused me of lacking passion that I began to cry. I knew I had passion I loved my job. I had to excuse myself. I went to the restroom to dry my face and then promptly returned. I hated crying in front of others. I apologized for being emotional and said “I wear my emotions on my sleeves.” and without skipping a beat he responded “It's okay; people that care usually do.”

That meant so much to me because I did care and I do still care. I like my job. I take pride in my work. I sat there listening while he talked to me about being passionate and doing my job fully. That it isn't my choice to decide how much of a job I can do. That it is either try my best to do 100% of the job or 0% of the job. No in between.

I had the next day off and I reflected on his words and couldn't get them out of my head. He was right and I was very wrong. I fervently believe now more than ever that sometimes we have to be kicked in the rear to do our best. We have to be guided some times and that is okay. There will always be somebody that is better or has something to teach; we just have to be open to it and recognize it when it shows it's self.

There is not a doubt in my mind now that I was trying to prove a point and that I was looking to be right and it made me look foolish. No, that isn't completely true either. I made myself look foolish. I often wondered, why is pride a seven deadly sin. What is so wrong in knowing that you are good. Well, this is why. Some one will be better and more so someone will try and help and you may just miss the point altogether. Thank you, boss. I will not forget it.

Justin

Digital Paint

It's time for Megan's corner! :D

So, before I went to school for animation, I dropped out of school for painting. Just shy of graduation too, because I realized just how little I knew about actually supporting myself with my art. I could paint a picture (little thanks to my school, actually), but didn't know how to actually make a living off of it.

At the time, I would go to school and paint realistic (or surrealistic) pictures, or draw from models, or whatever, and then, in secret, at home, using a cheap Wacom tablet and a questionable version of Photoshop, I'd draw fanart pictures. Mainly Teen Titans and Avatar, but other things as well. It was my escape.

Now, I'm drawing cartoons all the time, and I'm thinking "Man.... I just want to paint a pretty picture."

So I did.

I came across this picture on this blog and just felt inspired. So... that's what I did. Now, back to homework!

~Megan

The apartment or the first time that I should have stood up for my family but didn't!

I am sorry that I have been delayed. I wasn't really sure what was and what was not worth telling. I have decided to condense some of the exposition.

Things were going pretty well in our long distance relationship and our plans were moving forward accordingly. Mary sue had been down to visit once and things went well enough. My family seemed to like her. We went and visited the college she had picked out and then she went home. Less then a month later she moved 800 miles to live with me in Georgia.

She had chosen a small apartment complex on the out skirts of town. I helped her move in and everything was great. Except that she never stayed there. She was at my house with my family and I everyday and night. In hindsight I know that she over stayed her welcome and things were about to go badly; the powder keg had been placed. My family was tolerating it; they are so strong. I love them so dearly.

But wait, there's more! I doubt that I have ever told anyone this but this really happened. Mary had started a job at the local Cracker Barrel and become friends with some guy. A pathetic excuse of a dude whose name I really can't recall. Anyway, Mary was kinda struggling with rent and at this point I was having to support her with the money I was earning at circuit City-wait no, this was when I worked at Office Max. Alas, I was in-love and was completely ready to start throwing my hard earned money to the wind. Let me get back to the point. Her and this guy decided that since she was never there he could stay there and they could split the rent. Yes that is right you heard me. She was not going to be there and she was going to give this “dude” free rain over the place. So long as he kept a room for her and she kept a key. No guests and follows ALL RULES set down by the apartment complex.

So lets recap. Mary cannot pay her rent in full with out my 16 year old self helping and some guy living there while she isn't there but wait! If she isn't there; where is she? That's right you guessed it my house with me, my two cousins, my sister and my mom and dad. YEP!, 7 of us in a 2,500 square foot home but I loved her and I made excuses for her. My parents maintain there composure for a long time but a different bomb is getting ready to burst.

-Justin

Post-Valentine's Day Gushing (and some Ukulele playing)

Justin already wrote about our wonderful Valentine's day, but I thought I'd take the opportunity to talk a little bit about HIM. :) Cuz... that's what I wanna do, and I'm the Megan, so no arguing.

Top Five Six Things I Love About My Man

1)      He’s a geek. Of course this is number one. Just look at the title of this blog! While it’s long been known that I’ve been attracted to the specimen “Geekius Nerdicus,” Justin and my tastes just line up so perfectly. He loves video games and movies, he loves science and learning. He’s intelligent. He has a desire to cosplay as Malcolm Reynolds. He loves doing impersonations. His favorite Muppet is Beaker. Just… everything. I love it.

2)      His zest for life. This one is hard to explain. I guess… the way he lights up when he is in good company or talking about something he’s passionate about. The way he wants to spread joy to other people. Just the very manner he carries himself that is warm and inviting. His small adventurous streak that makes him enjoy concerts and aquariums and travelling and hiking. All of it. I just love it. 

3)      His patience. Good god, this man is patient. No matter how many times I phone him up panicking about one thing or another, no matter how many of my anxieties bubble to the surface, he has never once told me it was too much. He’s there for me. He is one of the only people ever in my life who has been there for me so thoroughly.

4)      His lawful good nature. Justin loves Superman because he is so much the embodiment of truth, justice and goodness in the world. He’s that kind of person. He just wants to be kind to everyone. He believes in the good things of this world and trusts in the goodness of others. He’s an optimist. He just wants the best for everyone. He’s a big ol’ bear. Oh, but don’t mess with anyone he cares about. Or else you’ll get the claws. I love that he’s so protective, and stands up for the right thing.

5)      He’s gorgeous. Oh come on, I couldn’t not mention this. He denies it, but seriously, this man is so handsome I pinch myself to make sure I’m still awake. Everything from his curly hair to his Joseph Gordon-Levitt eyes to his shoulders to his height to his arms to his feet. And when he smiles? That’s when he’s the most handsome. Hands down.

6)      He loves me for me. Everything about me. This is hugely important, because I don’t think I’ve ever have had this happen before. Justin will pause and look at me on skype, with blemishes all over my face, and my hair a rat’s nest, wearing a ratty old t-shirt and Cookie Monster pj bottoms, and he just smiles and goes “You’re so pretty!” And he means it. I know in my heart he doesn’t just love me despite my faults. He loves me AND my faults. He loves me for me. And I love him for him.

Of course these are not the ONLY things I love about Justin. I’m sure if I wanted to, I could name a bajillion other things. And I’m sure once I’ll post this I’ll be like “OOOH! NO WAIT! I WANNA ADD THIS!!” But these were the things that popped to mind first and foremost.

Oh, and as an added bonus – here I am, playing a song, for Justin, on my ukulele, as a delayed Valentine’s present. I only did two takes, and yes, the cleavage is to distract you from my blemished face and my terrible singing...and my messy room.... ^_~ <3

A Very Foxy Valentines Day

I am going to do a thing now where when I am working on a post for our site I am going to grab a song that I like and put it on infinite looper while I work. As I am sure you can guess the first time I did this it was with Rusted Root's “Send Me On My Way”. Well this time I have chosen “Killing it” by Foxy Shazam. If you have never heard of this band you should check them out. They have been a favorite of mine for the last year and I fully intend on seeing them in concert. Any ways now on to the main event the reason you are all here: Obligatory Valentines Day post!

It has dawned on me that neither myself or Megan have said why we are doing this blog. Her and I have been together for 5 months and we are a long distance relationship. So in addition to us talking on the phone or Skype we decided to take a Vlog Brothers approach as well and do a blog as a third major means of communicating ideas and video to each other and of course anybody that would like to view it!

I promise one day we will both recount how we met but right now I'd like to detail our Valentines day with each other. Megan had this wonderful idea that we should have a date even though we couldn't be with each other. She suggested that we get the same kind of take out, Set up our web cams, have dinner “across from each other”, and finally watch a movie on Netflix. Which of course I was completely on board with doing. It was perfectly dorky and a whole lot of geeky.

Thus the plans were made we were to meet online at 6:00 with sushi from our favorite places, some chocolates and one of my favorite movies Clue. It was really fantastic; I ordered a spicy crunch roll and it came with nine pieces of sushi and she got her Philly roll and California Roll.

It was the best Valentines day I had ever had and it is pretty much guaranteed that it will be a tradition to go and bring sushi home as opposed to going out. I am so very thankful for the happiness she brings me. I love you Megan and Happy Valentines Day.

Justin

Voice acting, DnD, and lead - errr graphite.

So my wonderful girlfriend Megan, you know the other person who writes here. Well she is a fantastic artist and an animator. I won't post her work because I am sure she will post her own. NO- I Got it. MEGAN! Post some of your personal favorite animations and some your own works for the world to see! Do it! DO IT NOW!!!!!!!!!......... <(^ ^)>. Oh wow I am not sure what just happened, I tend to spaz er- Well I tend to get side tracked and ramble. you know to just go off on a random side not e that really has no baring on the conversation at hand. Speaking of hands you have two of them. She is fantastic and she asked me to record a voice for one of her projects. I had expressed interest in doing that before but I never had until about 20 minutes ago. It was a whole heap of fun. Though now my voice kind of hurts but I would say that it is totally worth it! Also random note my joke was taken from me yesterday by the devious Daniel so if you see him or whatever make sure you congratulate him on his really creative video that he made! Even more random note if you get the chance to buy pencils you need to pick-up the Ticonderoga #2. It may be quite simply the greatest pencil in the history of all things. I was sitting the playing Dungeons and Dragons with my buddies the other night and every time I had to make a note or erase something I just got down right giddy. I haven't played Dungeons and Dragons in such a long time and it has been really fun so far. Our Dungeon Master has been great. We played a mini-game that let us be gods of the world we are playing in so that we could know the lore of our realm. It has been great. We randomly generated our character with dice and trait generators. I am a level 1 Dwarf Cleric. I belong to the Order of the White Feather. I am sweaty and brave. I have proficiency in singing, rope use, heraldry, and Seamanship. It is pretty neat. -Justin P.S. In before mid-night! Goal of one per day is going well!