7/19/2015
Well Friends,
Here we are at the end of this assignment, and it's time to reflect about my experience and what I've learned.
First off, this was not as bad or difficult as I thought it might be. I would have found it more enjoyable if I hadn't been so busy and therefore able to spend more time focusing on each individual journal entry. I found that I don't hate it. I could even see myself doing something like this on a regular basis if there were even a small number of people that enjoyed reading the random things I would talk about.
The biggest discovery I made is just how much I can get written if I give myself a timer. It doesn't have to be a complete freewriting exercise, which I find very liberating as a writing practice, but the act of giving myself a set amount of time provides a good deal of focus. If I find my mind drifting away from the task at hand it's easy to refocus since I only have 'X' amount of time left that I have to pay attention anyway.
If I were to critique myself it would be I don't think I gained any significant new writing tools. It's not poor quality certainly, but I don't think my writing ability grew significantly. I chalk that one up to a combination of lack of time, procrastination and a little bit of laziness if I'm being honest.
Would I do this all over again? Maybe. Having gone thru it I can say I would be far more consistent with trying to get an entry done per day instead of waiting to do several at a time and finding I had far more left to do than I intended at the beginning. I would also use a timer for all of my entries to provide focus for getting the writing done. I would also explore other writing/journal prompts and ideas from other sources far sooner than I did with this assignment.
Thank you to the small number of people that have probably read a few of these crazy posts, and the few comments that you've left. They are appreciated. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
David J Lee
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Jackpots...
7/19/2015
One more to go Friends,
Do you ever play the big lotteries? Not the scratch off tickets or the drawings with only three or four numbers, but the BIG lotteries. The ones that have life altering money involved. It's so much money if the jackpot gets big enough it's hard to fathom what that could possibly be like. I think that, more than the minuscule chance of winning, even a few dollars let alone the big prize, is why I play a few tickets every once in a while.
For the cost of a dollar I get to instantly start visualizing what the first things are I would do with Scrooge McDuck level money. Here are just a few things.
1. I'd start with giving some of it away. At least ten percent. Divided among my church, some of my favorite charities, and probably some random strangers that I found out were in some desperate need.
2. Next would be my family. I'd figure out what it would take to make sure my parents could begin their retirement ASAP. Then work my way down the list of siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins. My big thing would be paying off any debts they had. Not owing money to anyone is an amazing feeling. It's probably the best possible gift I could give them.
3. A new house, in cash, somewhere else. With a pool. And an archery range. And a secret room or two.
4. I'd make sure I establish a solid plan for what to do with all this money. The best places to invest it, and protect it. The last thing I'd want to be is one of those unfortunate jackpot winners that have their lives ruined by suddenly coming into a massive amount of money.
5. Then the toys. New cars, boats, jet skis, full size arcade games, maybe a small bowling alley in the basement of my house.
6. But then what. It would be time to find something meaningful to do with my life since I would be free from the daily grind of your average job. How could I help people? How could I help my community? Could I possibly figure out a way to impact the world? That would be the big thing, figuring that out. I think it's what most of us would want to do if we could break out of the necessary routines of our lives. If we had more than enough to cover all our needs plus a few toys. At least, that's what I aspire to.
Thanks,
D
One more to go Friends,
Do you ever play the big lotteries? Not the scratch off tickets or the drawings with only three or four numbers, but the BIG lotteries. The ones that have life altering money involved. It's so much money if the jackpot gets big enough it's hard to fathom what that could possibly be like. I think that, more than the minuscule chance of winning, even a few dollars let alone the big prize, is why I play a few tickets every once in a while.
For the cost of a dollar I get to instantly start visualizing what the first things are I would do with Scrooge McDuck level money. Here are just a few things.
1. I'd start with giving some of it away. At least ten percent. Divided among my church, some of my favorite charities, and probably some random strangers that I found out were in some desperate need.
2. Next would be my family. I'd figure out what it would take to make sure my parents could begin their retirement ASAP. Then work my way down the list of siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins. My big thing would be paying off any debts they had. Not owing money to anyone is an amazing feeling. It's probably the best possible gift I could give them.
3. A new house, in cash, somewhere else. With a pool. And an archery range. And a secret room or two.
4. I'd make sure I establish a solid plan for what to do with all this money. The best places to invest it, and protect it. The last thing I'd want to be is one of those unfortunate jackpot winners that have their lives ruined by suddenly coming into a massive amount of money.
5. Then the toys. New cars, boats, jet skis, full size arcade games, maybe a small bowling alley in the basement of my house.
6. But then what. It would be time to find something meaningful to do with my life since I would be free from the daily grind of your average job. How could I help people? How could I help my community? Could I possibly figure out a way to impact the world? That would be the big thing, figuring that out. I think it's what most of us would want to do if we could break out of the necessary routines of our lives. If we had more than enough to cover all our needs plus a few toys. At least, that's what I aspire to.
Thanks,
D
At the Fair...
7/19/2015
Almost there Friends,
I feel a twinge of regret for you, if you have never been able to experience a State Fair. They are a site to behold. I think an accurate description would be if a theme park like a Six Flags was a travelling salesman, or a gypsy.
The people watching is a thing of wonder. So many bad clothing and hair choices. So little time to see them all. The rides seem fun, and they sound fun, but with the added mystery of questionable safety. When was the last time this thing was inspected for possible damage? Now, to be fair, I have lived in my city all my life and there has always been a fair at the end of July, and to my knowledge there's never been a significant safety issue with a ride. But the air of danger is there.
Then there is the food. Oh the glorious deep fried concoctions to behold. Deep fried Snickers, Oreos, Twinkies, and dough. They just deep fry dough. And it's amazing. I have eaten all of these at one time or another without shame.
I remember being taken to the fair the day after my brother was born. It was great, just me and my dad. I got to ride either an elephant or a camel that day. I'm pretty sure it was a camel.
But Friends, if you are lucky enough. You too, may witness the spectacle that is a demolition derby. I didn't see my first one until I was in my thirties. I had been missing out. The seven year old in me was witnessing live what it was like to actually get to crash cars together; and not just ram the same two Hotwheels together over and over again. There was mud and fire and shirtless drivers with mullets hoping out of their now disabled vehicle in spite of the danger to their well being because they were pissed off about being eliminated. I will never be the same. If you get the chance. Go see one. It's worth your time.
Thanks,
D
Almost there Friends,
I feel a twinge of regret for you, if you have never been able to experience a State Fair. They are a site to behold. I think an accurate description would be if a theme park like a Six Flags was a travelling salesman, or a gypsy.
The people watching is a thing of wonder. So many bad clothing and hair choices. So little time to see them all. The rides seem fun, and they sound fun, but with the added mystery of questionable safety. When was the last time this thing was inspected for possible damage? Now, to be fair, I have lived in my city all my life and there has always been a fair at the end of July, and to my knowledge there's never been a significant safety issue with a ride. But the air of danger is there.
Then there is the food. Oh the glorious deep fried concoctions to behold. Deep fried Snickers, Oreos, Twinkies, and dough. They just deep fry dough. And it's amazing. I have eaten all of these at one time or another without shame.
I remember being taken to the fair the day after my brother was born. It was great, just me and my dad. I got to ride either an elephant or a camel that day. I'm pretty sure it was a camel.
But Friends, if you are lucky enough. You too, may witness the spectacle that is a demolition derby. I didn't see my first one until I was in my thirties. I had been missing out. The seven year old in me was witnessing live what it was like to actually get to crash cars together; and not just ram the same two Hotwheels together over and over again. There was mud and fire and shirtless drivers with mullets hoping out of their now disabled vehicle in spite of the danger to their well being because they were pissed off about being eliminated. I will never be the same. If you get the chance. Go see one. It's worth your time.
Thanks,
D
Captain's Log...
7/19/2015
Welcome Aboard Friends,
Let me tell you a little bit about the time I got to be Captain James T. Kirk.
I'm a moderate fan of Star Trek. I've probably seen most of the all time best original series episodes but I have come nowhere close to seeing every episode, of any of the Star Trek series. So of course several years ago when I heard that some theatre friends of mine were putting on a live parody of the series I had to go. It was a blast. The jokes were great. Capt. Kirk got all the ladies. Tribbles and dead Red Shirts were everywhere.
Then I got asked to play a 'guest star' role in an upcoming episode. It was wonderful. It would turn out to be one of the best decisions I could make, agreeing to be in that one episode.
What I thought would be a one time thing quickly turned into regular 'guest star' roles. I made lots of new friends. It was a great way to be able to perform on a regular basis that didn't require all the work that normally goes into a live theatre production. We did a new show every month, and because we didn't memorize our lines, we only needed to rehearse once a week.
This is where I would meet my wife. She stabbed me on stage before we even went out on our first date.
Then came the time that our current Capt. Kirk was leaving. I volunteered/hinted that I would or could be Capt. Kirk and I got the job. So to speak. It was a unique and wonderful experience to be able to step into the shoes of a favorite character of mine as a kid, and still as an adult. Turns out, I do a fairly entertaining Shatner-esque Kirk. I even moved a few people to tears once or twice. I'm really proud of that one.
Like all things, the time came to move on to other things, and to my surprise, was hard to do. It wasn't easy leaving something I had loved doing for the last two plus years. But it will always be one of the best times I ever had.
Thanks,
D
Welcome Aboard Friends,
Let me tell you a little bit about the time I got to be Captain James T. Kirk.
I'm a moderate fan of Star Trek. I've probably seen most of the all time best original series episodes but I have come nowhere close to seeing every episode, of any of the Star Trek series. So of course several years ago when I heard that some theatre friends of mine were putting on a live parody of the series I had to go. It was a blast. The jokes were great. Capt. Kirk got all the ladies. Tribbles and dead Red Shirts were everywhere.
Then I got asked to play a 'guest star' role in an upcoming episode. It was wonderful. It would turn out to be one of the best decisions I could make, agreeing to be in that one episode.
What I thought would be a one time thing quickly turned into regular 'guest star' roles. I made lots of new friends. It was a great way to be able to perform on a regular basis that didn't require all the work that normally goes into a live theatre production. We did a new show every month, and because we didn't memorize our lines, we only needed to rehearse once a week.
This is where I would meet my wife. She stabbed me on stage before we even went out on our first date.
Then came the time that our current Capt. Kirk was leaving. I volunteered/hinted that I would or could be Capt. Kirk and I got the job. So to speak. It was a unique and wonderful experience to be able to step into the shoes of a favorite character of mine as a kid, and still as an adult. Turns out, I do a fairly entertaining Shatner-esque Kirk. I even moved a few people to tears once or twice. I'm really proud of that one.
Like all things, the time came to move on to other things, and to my surprise, was hard to do. It wasn't easy leaving something I had loved doing for the last two plus years. But it will always be one of the best times I ever had.
Thanks,
D
The Stage...
7/19/2015
Only a few more left to go Friends,
I love acting. It's one of the biggest passions in my life. It's also perhaps, the biggest thing that makes it hard to go back to school. Even more so once I start going to school full time this coming fall semester. Oddly enough there was a time in my life when I didn't realize this. In large part because I was dumb with my money as a young adult, and there isn't a whole lot of time for artistic pursuits when you're working multiple jobs to get out of the stupid hole you've dug for yourself.
There is something special and wonderful and amazing about being on a stage. Regardless of how large the role is. I've had every size role too. I've been the hero, the villain, the friend. I've been an abusive jerk of a boyfriend with no lines. I wouldn't trade those moments for anything.
The thing I find the most interesting is how many people don't know they could act. Acting probably falls into some sort of sub category with public speaking; being that most people find the idea terrifying. I find it one of the easiest places to be. If you're on stage, you know what you're supposed to say, where you're supposed to move to, and when you have to leave. And you've done it over and over and over again. In some ways it can be easier than having a real conversation. What most people don't realize is acting is about ninety percent just having a regular conversation, which we all do almost everyday. All the big hilarious, dramatic, emotional moments are a small portion of what go into acting, and most anyone could be coached or directed well enough to be able to do it. The big thing it comes down to is confidence. Do you have the belief in yourself that you could get in front of those people or in front of a camera and recite a handful of lines, like you are having a conversation? Once you have that belief in yourself, the rest is pretty easy.
Thanks,
D
Only a few more left to go Friends,
I love acting. It's one of the biggest passions in my life. It's also perhaps, the biggest thing that makes it hard to go back to school. Even more so once I start going to school full time this coming fall semester. Oddly enough there was a time in my life when I didn't realize this. In large part because I was dumb with my money as a young adult, and there isn't a whole lot of time for artistic pursuits when you're working multiple jobs to get out of the stupid hole you've dug for yourself.
There is something special and wonderful and amazing about being on a stage. Regardless of how large the role is. I've had every size role too. I've been the hero, the villain, the friend. I've been an abusive jerk of a boyfriend with no lines. I wouldn't trade those moments for anything.
The thing I find the most interesting is how many people don't know they could act. Acting probably falls into some sort of sub category with public speaking; being that most people find the idea terrifying. I find it one of the easiest places to be. If you're on stage, you know what you're supposed to say, where you're supposed to move to, and when you have to leave. And you've done it over and over and over again. In some ways it can be easier than having a real conversation. What most people don't realize is acting is about ninety percent just having a regular conversation, which we all do almost everyday. All the big hilarious, dramatic, emotional moments are a small portion of what go into acting, and most anyone could be coached or directed well enough to be able to do it. The big thing it comes down to is confidence. Do you have the belief in yourself that you could get in front of those people or in front of a camera and recite a handful of lines, like you are having a conversation? Once you have that belief in yourself, the rest is pretty easy.
Thanks,
D
Breakfast Champions...
7/19/2015
Good Morning Friends,
I hope four and a half hours of sleep has served you as well as it has me; because I'm exhausted right now.
Of all the meals of the day, I love breakfast. Specifically pancakes. Everything that goes along with pancakes too; eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, biscuits and gravy. It's all good. Anytime of the day. I think it's even better when it's outside normal breakfast times. There is something special about being with a handful of friends and grabbing breakfast at one in the morning and then losing track of time because the moment everyone is having is so special.
Pancakes, I love pancakes. I've actually been so busy lately it's been too long since the last time I whipped up a batch. I don't make them from scratch, I prefer finding a good, premixed batter. This makes it easier to have spontaneous pancake parties. Who needs to get a bunch of friends together to go out to a bar or a club, when you can just have everyone over for pancakes? Yes, this is what I used to do. Regularly.
One of my favorite pancake parties, we assembled what I like to call 'pancake lasagna'. There aren't any noodles or spaghetti sauce involved, it's better than that. I started by making extra large pancakes. These would replace the noodles in a traditional lasagna. Then for the layers between the pancakes, a glorious combination of sausage and marscapone with brown sugar mixed in. The next layer, bacon and pepper jack. The final layer was back to the sausage and marscapone. Then, once the last pancakes had been laid on top of our creation, hashbrowns and copious amounts of syrup poured over the whole thing.
It was an undeniable success. Now that I'm thinking about this. I think I need to do something with waffles soon.
Thanks,
D
P.S. Evidence...
Good Morning Friends,
I hope four and a half hours of sleep has served you as well as it has me; because I'm exhausted right now.
Of all the meals of the day, I love breakfast. Specifically pancakes. Everything that goes along with pancakes too; eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, biscuits and gravy. It's all good. Anytime of the day. I think it's even better when it's outside normal breakfast times. There is something special about being with a handful of friends and grabbing breakfast at one in the morning and then losing track of time because the moment everyone is having is so special.
Pancakes, I love pancakes. I've actually been so busy lately it's been too long since the last time I whipped up a batch. I don't make them from scratch, I prefer finding a good, premixed batter. This makes it easier to have spontaneous pancake parties. Who needs to get a bunch of friends together to go out to a bar or a club, when you can just have everyone over for pancakes? Yes, this is what I used to do. Regularly.
One of my favorite pancake parties, we assembled what I like to call 'pancake lasagna'. There aren't any noodles or spaghetti sauce involved, it's better than that. I started by making extra large pancakes. These would replace the noodles in a traditional lasagna. Then for the layers between the pancakes, a glorious combination of sausage and marscapone with brown sugar mixed in. The next layer, bacon and pepper jack. The final layer was back to the sausage and marscapone. Then, once the last pancakes had been laid on top of our creation, hashbrowns and copious amounts of syrup poured over the whole thing.
It was an undeniable success. Now that I'm thinking about this. I think I need to do something with waffles soon.
Thanks,
D
P.S. Evidence...
My cat is a dork...
7/19/2015
Last one before I catch some sleep Friends,
Here we go.
First off, I love my cat. He's adorable and cuddly and not a jerk like some cats can be. He does like to cuddle on his own terms though. Unlike some cats, he's not a big fan of being held. Average hold time is ten seconds. Now, an open and available lap, that's a different story. He will hop up in your lap and stay there for what seems like hours if you let him.
Now, I know all of that is fairly normal for a cat. Here is where he starts to turn into a dork.
He's terrified of your average plastic grocery bag. This is how it started. He was playing with one of these bags while I was putting some groceries away after coming back from the store. This was of course cute and adorable. Until he got his head caught in the handle of a bag. Now he has a plastic bag for a cloak, and it's stuck around his neck. It was about this time that he also set new records for speed and distance run inside the house. To this day, even the rustling of a plastic bag will make him stop for a moment in his tracks.
Item number two. He is terrified of a kitten half his size that we got about six months ago. We have some theories as to why our two cats don't get along but nothing concrete. What we do know is, they don't like each other, and my cat runs from the new kitten; like she's made out of plastic bags.
Number three. I become a world champion pet abuser when it's time to give him his flea medicine. It's the liquid kind that goes on his back in that shoulder blades area. I can get the medicine applied just fine, but once it's on he avoids me like I'm someone that's beat him all his life. Maybe he's just hoping to get role in a Sarah McLachlan video about rescue animals. Never mind that he's never had to live outdoors or even in a none climate controlled environment. Dork.
Thanks,
D
Last one before I catch some sleep Friends,
Here we go.
First off, I love my cat. He's adorable and cuddly and not a jerk like some cats can be. He does like to cuddle on his own terms though. Unlike some cats, he's not a big fan of being held. Average hold time is ten seconds. Now, an open and available lap, that's a different story. He will hop up in your lap and stay there for what seems like hours if you let him.
Now, I know all of that is fairly normal for a cat. Here is where he starts to turn into a dork.
He's terrified of your average plastic grocery bag. This is how it started. He was playing with one of these bags while I was putting some groceries away after coming back from the store. This was of course cute and adorable. Until he got his head caught in the handle of a bag. Now he has a plastic bag for a cloak, and it's stuck around his neck. It was about this time that he also set new records for speed and distance run inside the house. To this day, even the rustling of a plastic bag will make him stop for a moment in his tracks.
Item number two. He is terrified of a kitten half his size that we got about six months ago. We have some theories as to why our two cats don't get along but nothing concrete. What we do know is, they don't like each other, and my cat runs from the new kitten; like she's made out of plastic bags.
Number three. I become a world champion pet abuser when it's time to give him his flea medicine. It's the liquid kind that goes on his back in that shoulder blades area. I can get the medicine applied just fine, but once it's on he avoids me like I'm someone that's beat him all his life. Maybe he's just hoping to get role in a Sarah McLachlan video about rescue animals. Never mind that he's never had to live outdoors or even in a none climate controlled environment. Dork.
Thanks,
D
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