You Can't Stop the Signal

The Novel

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 03:23:43 GMT

I did it!!

Two years and God only knows how many hours into it, I finally finished the rough draft of my first novel. Clocking in at just over 70,000 words, it's bit rough looking and it'll be a long time editing, but the rough draft is done. I'm super excited.

Just to show the new icon

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 05:50:04 GMT

Normally I'm averse to stealing other people's icons, but I saw this on a group I'm on and had to take it for my own.

School Desicions

Thu, 01 Jun 2006 00:42:00 GMT

Well the school year is ticking down, but I already got my schedule for next year. Besides the classes that I teach now, they're also giving me a Shakespeare class for seniors, and a more prominent role in the teaching academy. It's a little extra work, but it'll help break up the monateny of the day I think. Now I just need to decide which plays to teach next year for Shakespeare.

I think the end of the year is beginning to get to me though. I've totally lost the ability to spell. Today in class I managed to mispell both differant and opposite in a three minute period while writing on the board. The closer you get to the end, the more your mind wants to check out I think.

Also had more than a few runaway issues to deal with lately, which was a little odd. Three differeant students ran away from home in the past month, although one has returned home since then. You have to go through a whole process though to see if their were any signs of why they ran away, and if you know where they might have gone. In this case, both kind of caught me by surprise. Both students who are still gone had been showing more erratic behavior lately, but I just chalked that up to end of the year symptoms. I hope they're alright, it sucks that they felt they had no choice but to leave their homes.

Other than that, not much happening. I think the rough draft of the screenplay should be wrapped up Sunday, which will help to get the production off the ground. A few more rewrites after that, but it should be a fun little yarn when all is said and done. I've actually warmed to the idea of zombies vs. cowboys.

24

Thu, 18 May 2006 00:52:56 GMT

Have I mentioned how much I love 24? Because I do. Plus, I was looking for a chance to show of my spiffy new icon, which I think only 24 afficienados will get.

The Da Vinci Code . . . I don't get the fuss

Thu, 13 Apr 2006 17:05:07 GMT

So obviously the Da Vinci code is the biggest book since sliced bread in America. It's been on the New York Top Ten since it's release years ago. That is a monstrous accomplishment.

Now that I'm taking the time to read it though, I'm kind of dissapointed. I find the book to be slow, plodding, and preachy. Which is odd, since I loved Dan Brown's first novel in the series, Angels and Demons. I've heard people say that if you read Da Vinci first, than Angels and Demons seems lesser in your eyes, and the oppisate must hold true as well I guess.

The whole science vs. religion and secret history of the Illuminati in Angels and Demons fascinated me. The whole Holy Grail and Jesus has a lovechild thing doesn't. And I'm not even offended by the idea, just its lame execution. Maybe it's because I've actually done research into the historical background of biblical texts (thank you college), but it seems obvious to me that Brown is setting up some paper thin arguments and cherry picking quotes out of context to support the mystery of the novel, which is offputting. It's hard to get lost in the fictional world when you see inaccuracies everywhere you look.

I'm halfway through the book right now, and I think I'm just going to stop altogether. I never do that. I'm not even all that interested in the movie now.

I usually pride myself on having a good idea about what works in mainstream culture and what doesn't, and on the surface I guess I can see why Da Vinci got so much press, but I'm shocked so many people actually enjoyed it. It's pretty sucky writing I think.

Game Request

Wed, 05 Apr 2006 14:56:55 GMT

Does anybody have a copy of the board game Cranium I can borrow for Friday? It's a minimum day at school, so I want to use it as a template to do a review game of what we've done so far before spring break.

Jack Bauerisms

Fri, 31 Mar 2006 23:17:08 GMT

I did one for Vin Diesal, so I might as well do one for Jack that a friend sent me. Most of the recycled ones I booted out though.

- If Jack Bauer was in a room with Hitler, Stalin, and Nina Meyers, and he had a gun with two bullets, he'd shoot Nina twice.

- Jack Bauer once forgot where he put his keys. He then spent the next half-hour torturing himself until he gave up their location.

- When life gave Jack Bauer lemons, he used them to kill terrorists. Jack Bauer hates lemonade.

- Jack Bauer once won a game of connect 4 in 3 moves.

- When Jack Bauer was a child, he made his mother finish his vegetables.

- Jack Bauer's favorite color is terror alert red. His second favorite is violet, only because it sounds like violent.

- When you open a can of whoop ass, Jack Bauer jumps out.

- In 96 hours, Jack Bauer has killed 93 people and saved the world 4 times. What the hell have you been doing with your life?

- In kindergarten, Jack Bauer killed a terrorist for show and tell.

- People with amnesia still remember Jack Bauer.

- Jack Bauer was conceived by torturing other sperm until they gave up the location of the egg.

- Jack Bauer's family threw a surprise birthday party for him when he was a child. Once.

Pics for those who care

Fri, 31 Mar 2006 03:37:20 GMT

I know viewing other people's pictures can be a pretty boring thing, but for those who want to take a peek at some of the sights I saw in Germany and Prague over winter break, just click here.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AaNHDRw2bMWLjI

Rumblings and Such

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 23:25:13 GMT

Pretty good weekend all things considered. On Friday I went out for drinks with some friends for work, and along the way, might have come up with some plans for the birthday this year (they involve a double decker bus, a keg, and many bars).

Afterwards I went to poker and did really well. I came in second place, mostly due to exhauastion and the fact that I actually felt my brain snap at one point after having been up for over twenty one hours. It's an odd thing to actually feel yourself go momentarily insane, luckily it appears to snap back after a bit.

Saturday was my lazy day. Slept in, did a bit of writing, and took in a double feature of Inside Man & Thank You for Smoking. Followed that up with going out salsa dancing with friends. That's right people, I was salsa dancing. Maybe not well mind you, but at least I gave it an honest effort which should count for something.

Sunday was my productive day. I graded all my papers, went to church, worked out, did some critical analyzation of my writing, and other such mundanities. One of those days you can look back at and say, way to go with me.

Today was kind of interesting at school. I'd say a good quarter of the school did a 9 AM walk out in protest of a new immigration law that was put forth. Of course, a good half of the kids who walked just wanted a free day from school. This was somewhat unfortunate as we had our WASC committe from the state here to appraise our accreditation, but we weren't the only school district to suffer from this, so no real harm done. I actually had the WASC committee come observe me as a featured teacher at one point, but I think it went alright. The observer was certainly complimentary as he left.

Tonight, do a bit more writing and watch me some 24. I need to see Jack torture his ex-girlfriend. Good times.

Query

Wed, 01 Mar 2006 00:40:45 GMT

I'm thinking about heading out tonight for Mardi Gras. Yeah it's a Tuesday, but Mardi Gras. Anybody game?

I don't get it

Tue, 28 Feb 2006 08:35:33 GMT

I just got done watching The Island, and I have to say I don't get it. This movie got a ton of negative flack in the press when it was released, but really, it was pretty entertaining. Nothing new or revolutionary, but it was definitely a three star movie. Ewan McGregor is fun, Scarlett Johansen is brain meltingly hot, and their are some kick ass action scenes. What more do you want in an action flick?

Vegas Anyone?

Fri, 10 Feb 2006 17:10:41 GMT

So I have a weekend trip to Vegas next weekend. I'm rooming with my friend Alexis and her husband Nate. The problem is that Nate forgot that he had his law degree finals when we booked the trip, and he has to stay behind to study. Since I would hate to see Alex have to pay for two people while only being one person, I was wondering if anyone wanted to jump into the hotel room?

It would be 55 dollars for two nights (Friday night and Saturday night) and we would head back on Sunday. Also, we rented two large vans (there are twenty two teachers in total going) so transportation there and back would only cost an additional $15.

We're staying at the Greek Isles just off of the strip (within walking distance of New York, New York).

We would leave on Friday, February 17 and be back on Sunday February 19.

Anybody potentialy interested?

And the verdict is . . .

Thu, 09 Feb 2006 04:39:37 GMT

I just back from the doctor's and it turns out I've come down with a case of pneumonia. I'm not sure how one contracts this in Sunny California, but I have. Needless to say, I'll be taking tomorrow off of work.

It Fits

Sun, 05 Feb 2006 08:56:51 GMT

Your results:
You are Derrial Book (Shepherd)

Derrial Book (Shepherd)		80%
Dr. Simon Tam (Ship Medic)		75%
Malcolm Reynolds (Captain)		65%
Zoe Washburne (Second-in-command)		65%
Kaylee Frye (Ship Mechanic)		65%
Inara Serra (Companion)		55%
River (Stowaway)		55%
Wash (Ship Pilot)		45%
Alliance		35%
Jayne Cobb (Mercenary)		20%
A Reaver (Cannibal)		0%

Even though you are holy
you have a mysterious past.
You aren't married.
Have you taken a vow of celibacy?

Click here to take the "Which Serenity character am I?" quiz...

Damn, Vegas is expensive.

Fri, 13 Jan 2006 02:16:41 GMT

So I've been helping some of my friends organize a Vegas trip for this February. Now I love me the Vegas, and have been there often, but I've never really been one to plan for it. I gain a whole new appreciation for how expensive the place is. We can't even find a room on the center strip for under $200 a night.

As it is, we think we might book the Sahara for $106 a night. Squeeze three or four people in there, and the hotel fees aren't that killer. We're leaning toward President's Day weekend.

Might have to go to the casino a few times to help secure funds for the Vegas trip.

I'm Back

Wed, 04 Jan 2006 06:02:46 GMT

So after 28 hours of travel via planes, trains, and automobiles, I'm finally back home. And Exahusted. Time to get adjusted to the jet lag again.

The Adventure So Far . . .

Wed, 28 Dec 2005 12:05:11 GMT

So far Germany has been a blast, with a few highs and lows. The high so far was spending two days in Prague, which is just a breath takingly beautiful city. Seriously, there's something that just comes over your mind when you walking aboutin streets thousand of years old, and seeing Gothic architecture that's older than the country you live in. It's real history, one that can be felt and touched. I do confess, that I am a Eurorat at heart.

Before that, it was mostly hanging out with the family. My brother lives in a small little miliatary housing complex in Germany. It is at least a good one hour ride to anywhere relevant, so the time was a little slow. I love my family, but I can take only so much screaming baby, paranoid parents, and siblings who know every button to push on your soul. I was beginning to feel a little claustrophobic.

Luckily, we're actually on the sight seeing portion of the world tour now, which is immeasurably better. Today I'm going to Nurenburg, and then for the next three days, I'll be in Munich. We're going to see mad king Ludwig's castle, see the sights and sounds, maybe do some WWII stuff, and just have a good ole time.

I haven't found my fraulein just yet, but I did meet a nice Czeck girl in the club on Tuesday night, so that's not bad so far yet. We'll see how New Years pans out.

The one big thing I realized is that I left my cell phone at home. Now I did this on purpose, since I can't use it in Europe, and I didn't want to risk losing it. However, I forgot to arrange a ride from the airport for when I get back. Since O'Haire is notorious for delays, I didn't know what time I would be getting into Los Angeles on the 3rd, which would vary who I asked for a ride from. And I don't know anybody's cell phone numbers by heart. The only one I know is my home phone, so I just have to hope that Kira or Adam will be able to give me a ride when I know what time my plane is getting in.

Everything is a blast so far, and I hope everyone is having a good holiday season and is looking forward to New Year's.

Auf Wiedersehen

Tue, 20 Dec 2005 18:42:09 GMT

I'm leaving for Germany now.

Just wanted to wish everyone a truly happy holiday season before I go.

Wed, 14 Dec 2005 15:44:10 GMT

Three more days of work until Winter Break.

Six more days until I leave for Germany.

Tick. Tock.

Huh, I didn't know I was a black man

Sat, 10 Dec 2005 23:41:31 GMT

"It's my way or it's the highway!"
You are THE LEADER.
The current situation has brought out the best in
you, bringing your intelligence and decisive
nature to the fore. When others are losing
their heads you're using yours, organising and
planning and trying to restore order to this
insane world. Without you, any group is just a
collection of individuals with no unity or
direction.
Typical skills: Organisation, authority, tactics.
In your free time you: Inspect defences and
equipment.
Chances of survival: High (others will lay down
their lives for you)
Secondary class: THE DEN MOTHER

After The Zombie Apocalypse, Which Role Will You Fit Into? (11 possible results!)
brought to you by Quizilla

Jeez, you become the cruel dictator of one little country . . .

Tue, 06 Dec 2005 15:37:38 GMT

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa,

This year I've been busy!

In February I put gum in raykat's hair (-12 points). In May I didn't flush (-1 points). Last Friday I ruled Asscrackistan as a cruel and heartless dictator (-700 points). Last Tuesday I stole samuraislider's purse (-30 points). In November I signed my organ donor card (28 points).

Overall, I've been naughty (-715 points). For Christmas I deserve a spanking!

Sincerely,
Timmy_Ritz

Fun Facts about Vin Diesal

Fri, 02 Dec 2005 05:55:21 GMT

Taken from an e-mail a friend sent me:

If you rearrange the letters in Vin Diesel it reveals his credo: "I End Lives."

When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night he checks his closet for Vin Diesel.

When Vin Diesel goes to donate blood, he declines the syringe, and instead requests a hand gun and a bucket.

There is no "I" in team. There are two "I"s in Vin Diesel. Fuck you, team.

In an average living room there are 1,242 objects Vin Diesel could use to kill you, including the room itself.

When Vin Diesel was born, the nurse said, "Holy crap! That's Vin Diesel!" Then she had had sex with him. At that point, she was the third girl he had slept with.

Vin Diesel once walked down the street with a massive erection. There were no survivors.

Vin Diesel is the only man to ever defeat a brick wall in a game of tennis.

There is no theory of evolution, just a list of creatures Vin Diesel allows to live.

When Vin Diesel jumps into a body of water, he doesn't get wet. The water gets Vin instead.

Crop circles are Vin's way of telling the world that sometimes corn needs to lie the fuck down.

Vin Diesel has always been able to find Waldo, except for one time. He found himself stumped on the last page of Where's Waldo Now?, not being able to find the Waldo without a shoe. He threw the book down and screamed, "This is BULLSHIT!" They're all wearing shoes." He then proceeded to eat the book and exclaim, "IF I CAN'T FIND WALDO, THEN NO ONE CAN!" The book he ate belonged to a child that he had borrowed it from. The child began to cry and Vin ate him for good measure. The incident has since been refered to as Christmas.

Vin Diesel coined the phrase, "I could eat a Horse" after he ate every last unicorn in existence.

Vin Diesel once beat Super Mario Bros 3 without even touching his Nintendo controller. He just yelled at his TV in between bites of his "Filet of Child" sandwich, and the game beat itself out of fear.

Vin Diesel has two speeds: walk and kill.

You are what you eat. That is why Vin Diesel's diet consists entirely of bricks, steel, and the tears of small children.

Vin Diesel is the reason why Waldo is hiding.

Vin Diesel can set ants on fire with a magnifying glass. At night.

Vin Diesel is not lactose intolerant, he just refuses to put up with lactose's shit.

Vin Diesel doesn't believe in rubber condoms. Instead, he sticks his penis in a girl, and uses that girl as a condom while fucking another.

Vin Diesel can divide by zero.

In fine print at on the last page of the Guiness Book of World Records it notes that all world records are held by Vin Diesel, and those listed in the book are simply the closest anyone has ever come to matching him.

Vin Diesel played Russian Roulete with a fully loaded gun and won.

The eternal conundrum "what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object" was finally solved when Vin Diesel punched himself in the face.

Vin Diesel was the hunter who shot Bambi's Mother. He then wore her carcass like it was a coat while he made his rounds at the local children's hospital.

If you were to lock Vin Diesel in a room with a guitar, a year later you would have the greatest album ever, it would sweep the Grammy's. When asked why he doesn't do this Vin replied "Because Grammy's are for queers." Then he ate a knife to show the seriousness of his response.

To attain inner peace, Vin Diesel eats Buddhists.

Vin Diesel invented black. In fact, he invented the entire spectrum of visible light. Except pink. Tom Cruise invented pink.

On his birthday, Vin Diesel randomly selects one lucky child to be thrown into the sun.

How to Kill A Mockingbird?

Wed, 30 Nov 2005 05:35:54 GMT

Prepare for the awesome.

Mockingbird

I just fell face first into drama

Tue, 29 Nov 2005 21:30:19 GMT

One of my students has been missing from class the past week, so I pulled aside one of his friends to find out what was going on. Apparently he was hooked on rock, weed, and all sorts of pills. So his mother shipped him off to Mexico for him to get cleaned out.

Bad enough, but then his friend told me that one of this kids suppliers is another student in my class. So now I have to deal with that. Sigh, the real world can be a bitch somtimes.

We are playoff bound

Tue, 29 Nov 2005 04:12:36 GMT

So we weren't able to play football today, since we couldn't get enough guys out there at Six today. Had to forefit. Kind of blows, especially since we have a six o'clock game next week as well. Although next week we're playing kind of a crappy team, so I since a win coming.

The good news is that we are definitely going to be in the playoffs. When we joined the league late, we were promised makeup games, but the league can't accomodate that promise. To make up for that, we are being given an automatic wild card slot in the playoffs.

My dream is coming together. This will truly be like an 80's sports movie, or Dodgeball. We are a rough team of scrappy characters and malcontents, initially devastated by crippling losses and moral defeats. However, this team of pluck is given one last chance to make good, and to end with glory. I'm telling you, we are simply one power ballad infused training montage away from the championships.

We just need to make a couple of key pickups. The first step is to get some big boys on the team. I'm talking eat three meals at dinner kind of big, and with the skill to back up that largeness. We have a lead on a few individuals, so we'll see if we can make that work. There's also a teacher at my school who used to play for the Patriots in the NFL. I should see if Deon Lampert wants to come play some flag football. I suppose he could be helpful on the field.

First though, the montage. We need a montage.