Blog Challenge: The Advice Column

Taking on my second blog challenge, and this time around it's about what advice I would give fellow bloggers. So I figured I would take a small parenthesis from my regular stuff to probably "serious up"a little. So here's a few things that I follow and could find useful for sharing with others.

1. Not Every Post Is A Winner

In blogging, there will be posts that are better than others. That's only natural. Don't get discouraged if there are times when a particular post doesn't turn out as good as you hope. That's what the next post will be, a chance to improve. There will be good posts and there will be bad posts, but don't get discouraged. Keep doing what you do.

2. Appreciate Your Audience

Whether you have 35, 200, or 3 followers, don't take them for granted. Any audience is better than no audience, so take any audience as a good thing. People are reading your material, so where there's at least one follower, more will come.

3. Have Fun With It

Make sure you're enjoying every time you blog. It adds a bit of quality to your posts when you're enjoying it, rather then when you're doing it just to meet a deadline or something.

4. Accept Constructive Criticism

Happens to all of us. We all get criticized at some moment for something we do. But we can't let that get the best of us. And with constructive criticism should always be noted, no matter what. I had someone tell me I needed to work on my writing style a bit, so I did try to improve a bit upon it. Be ready to accept comments like these at all times, so keep an open mind with that.

I think that's mostly all I got. I will edit this post if I come up with other tips to give, but for now that's it. More posts soon.

The Rusty Salesman

Well, my first week of work is done. And I gotta say, so far so good. It's a much calmer place than I had imagined, but it keeps me busy enough to get through the day. And even though it's another retail job, it's been a while since I've had one, so I'm very rusty.

At the end of the day, I'm out.

Most rust of all has got to be my feet. Back in the day, I had a few long shifts during the week and I would come home feeling tired, but not beat. This time around, I'm dragging my ass to bed after an 8 hour shift, mostly because my feet forgot what it's like. Ironically enough, I still got enough energy for the rest of the day, but my feet keep telling me to just let them rest.

Also something I'm quite rusty with is the cash register. I used to control the register like it was nobody's business, this new one is making me feel like a cat chasing a laser dot. It seems like a never ending struggle, and it looks like the register is the one laughing. But enough sales and it's gonna be tamed.

But I will eventually get back into better shape once I practice more. That, and hopefully my body won't feel so sore after getting used to working again. That one made me sound lazy...damn. I got no rebuttal to my own comment, so I'm just gonna leave it for later.

Tired Tuesday

Day 7 of the blogging challenge, and the final one.

Today's topic is just being tired. It seems my body has forgotten what it's like to work while standing. Even during my days when I worked a studio camera, we didn't stand for long. Not that I'm not used to it, it's just that it's been a long time since I've worked at a store. And boy, is the rust showing. I did my 6 hour shift today at the clothing store where I work, and I realized how little my body was prepared. I used to work these shifts like nobody's business, but years of retail rust have turned my legs soft.

I'm just glad my job is enjoyable enough to not notice my legs hurting. But once I get home, they suddenly turn to noodles and I'm just crawling my way to bed. And once I'm in my bed, I either end up falling asleep, or spending hours watching TV before I realize I'm still wearing my work clothes. However, since today I was wide awake after work, I managed to at least shower before preparing to shut down.

So in the spirit of tired tuesday, I'm gonna keep it brief due to my exhaustion of the day. I'm probably gonna lie down and let my feet continue their sweet nap. But don't wake them, they don't like surprises and might kick you in the face.

Mundane Mondays

(Day 6 of the challenge)

Short post today. It's my first day of my new job, so I'm mostly preparing. However, I'm making some time to post about Mondays.

I don't know what it is about monday, but it seems to be the day when nobody wants to do anything. It's like waking up at 5am when you stayed up until 3am studying for a test. If Wednesday was the coffee/energy drink of the week, then Monday has seriously got to be the NyQuil of the week. And to call it the NyQuil of the week, would seem like a stretch.

Otherwise, Monday would seem like a bad hangover. However, since I don't drink, I'm gonna stay with sleepy cough medicine as my main analogy. But following the train of thought of a hangover, you can say it applies to Mondays as well. You spend the whole weekend out and about, only to wake up exhausted, with a headache, and wanting more time for sleep.

But all hope isn't lost, because since it's the day of the week that compares to waking up, we got only two more days until we take our weekly coffee. So until then, we can just get through Monday and see how it goes from there.

Suddenly, All My Shows Are Spoiled For Sunday!

(Day 5 of the blogging challenge)

Don't you hate it when you're in anticipation for an upcoming episode of a series you enjoy, only to accidentally stumble upon a spoiler? It's both infuriating and annoying, especially if you weren't looking for it. There are those who want to know ahead of time, and aren't bothered at all by spoilers. But many of us want to enjoy our shows while still keeping the element of surprise!

I know spoilers are literally everywhere, but you can hide from them. But now with people posting spoilers to shows on their Facebook pages, it's become a far greater pain than ever before. Imagine that you've been waiting for the season finale of a show that's had incredible buildup. And out of nowhere, a spoiler comes up in your newsfeed.

You feel rage, especially since it causes anger at the poster and curiosity as to why the spoiler is happening. Then, you start getting calls from all your friends asking if you've seen the spoiler too. And before you know it, it spreads like an epidemic. Everyone is aware of the spoiler before the show starts. And you sit there, waiting for the spoiled moment to arrive. And then the episode ends, and one of two things happen: the spoiler was proven true, or you realize it was someone just putting a false lead.

Who's the one that spoiled the finale? Get them!

When it's the false lead, you and your friends all laugh about how the spoiler nearly ruined the show for you. But when the spoiler is indeed confirmed true, you find any way possible to make sure the moment isn't ruined. The surprise factor is gone, but the impact that now confirmed spoiler has left still makes for good conversations.

Regardless of how you look at it, spoilers are some of the most annoying things anybody can post. They can ruin your show if you're wanting to be surprised. So for those people posting spoilers without considering if anybody is gonna get mad...

Inbox, you fools! Inbox! Not all of us wanted to know ahead of schedule!

Silly Screwy Sculpting Sand Structures Saturday

Day 4 of the blogging challenge, and I think I'm starting to go a bit crazy with the titles. I mean, I had a hard time pronouncing it while writing it. Perhaps I should keep my titles a bit simpler in the next three days of the challenge.

Let's see what today's topic can be. Well, with my new job on the horizon, I guess I can discuss that. During my time in college, I saw work differently than I currently do. Before, it was just a source of income that would help me get through college. It was something I had to survive. Working back then felt like I was unleashed to a lion's den and given a shield to survive. I had to make the next 4 to 8 hours ones I could live through. Don't know why it felt that way, but it did. There would be good days, where feeling very productive made the day go fast and feel productive at the end. Those were the best days. It didn't feel like survival at all, but rather a pleasant way of being productive.

You're mine for the next 4 to 8 hours!

And now that college is done, I see work differently. I see it as an experience where anything can happen. But at the same time, it's now a method of livelihood. I can now fully submerse myself into my work, since college is no longer around. Work will be my life. I got no classes until august, and no friends in this area, so it's only natural that I'm seeing work with great expectations. It's like going on a trip by yourself. It makes you feel a bit anxious, but you just wanna get in there and tackle it.

Plus, the chances I get to actually move upward professionally are things I never considered during college. I just wanted to survive back then, but now I want to give my best wherever I go. Something about going months without college or work really makes one value that job even more when it's obtained.

And in just two days, I'm about to find out what that new job is like. Let's just hope it brings good stories.

Freakishly Fantastic Feasting Festivities Friday

Day 3 of the blogging challenge, as well as day 3 of trying to come up with sillier titles. Let's see...I'm guessing I should post something relevant to today, so here it goes. I don't feel 25 at all. However, in the days counting down to this day, I had somehow made a list of things I have done before getting to 25.

So let's see what we got here...

1. Finished college

Probably the most important thing on this list. Got my Bachelor's Degree before 25, so that's pretty good. I know a lot of people get it way before, but a lot of people also take longer. Got so many crazy stories from college, it's not even funny. But it's probably the best experience I could have had.

2. Got to know myself

Sounds a bit odd, but I think people should get to know themselves quite well. At times, we don't quite know who we are, kinda launching ourselves into an existential crisis. Well, maybe not that serious, but it's sure as heck annoying to not quite know who you are. It makes social interactions a bit awkward.

3. Fell in love

I often said it would happen during college, and I was right. Nothing says love quite like crashing and burning. That's how we learn. Again, got some crazy stories from this category, as well as some important lessons I got from my experiences. So it's all good.

4. Stayed in touch with my inner child

We can't lose that aspect of us, it's just good. Playing old games from my childhood, perhaps old cartoons from the 90's, or even watching series aimed for a younger demographic and still finding them fun. It's all about enjoying life.

Most other things on my list are pretty minor, so they probably won't even make the list. But I guess now I'm trying to prepare my "Things To Do Before 30" list. Although, I doubt it will be quite a big list. Perhaps in 5 years I can come back and check if I managed to get things on that list done.

But for now, I'm preparing my stomach for an awesome dinner (still haven't had lunch and I'm thinking about dinner?) and cake! Gotta love cake.

Thoughtful Things This Thursday

Day 2 of the Blogger Challenge, and I seem to be trying out silly titles in the process. Anyways, on to the main topic. In the upcoming preparation for my 25th birthday, I stumbled upon a thought that seemed like a good idea. I decided to hide my birthday information from my Facebook page. Why? Every time it's someone's birthday, people you barely know or barely talk to suddenly appear to wish you a happy birthday. It seemed a bit odd.

I mean, it sorta takes out the whole personal aspect to wishing someone a happy birthday. I mean, it's good for remembering birthdays. Let's face it, most of us don't remember other people's birthdays until we spend a few years with them, or until we date someone (because it's a do or die scenario on that one). So for that, I'm glad it's there. But we shouldn't wish a friend a happy birthday because Facebook suddenly reminded us. Come on, have we really gotten that lazy?

Quite frankly, yes. Yes we have.

So the thought of having a bunch of random people I either barely know or barely talk to suddenly appearing to wish me a happy birthday spawned an experiment. I'm taking off my birthday info and putting it the day after, just to see who really remembers my birthday. And to be honest, I suspect some really good friends might forget. But that stuff usually happens, even though someone reminds them at some point of the day.

Even though it's an experiment to see who really remembers, it's mostly to keep the day as calm as possible. I mean, who needs that many birthday messages? As long as you get it from those who matter, that's all you really need. Would you pass gas around strangers and just stand there? Of course not! You do it around your friends and then just lock the car windows. Why? Because they matter, and it's just hilarious. Same concept with birthdays, only do it with those who matter.

I can't believe I just compared birthday wishes to farts.

When It's Just Wednesday...

It's day one of the "7-Day Blogging Challenge" so I thought I could give it a try and see how far I can go when it comes to witty titles.

So let's see what I got. Well, it's Wednesday. It's the middle of the week. How I used to both dread and adore Wednesday during college. It meant the weekend was near, but we still had some college left to endure. Your Monday exhaustion carried over into the Tuesday sleepy syndrome, making Wednesday a day when you're just starting to wake up.

One way to put it would be like saying it's the coffee of the week. Not quite sleepy, but it gives you the boost you need to get through the rest of the day (in this case, a week). And if you don't drink coffee (like me) then it could be your Red Bull of the week. Be cautious though, as the wings you cain could cause you to fly head first into Monday again if you're not careful. Either way, it's the one day of the week where we can see hope. That is, if you're in college. If you work, it's different. Hope is just any day you get to sleep in.

During my time in college, Wednesday was like a Thursday, so that meant that on Thursday we would all have a serious case of the weekends. How so? People would either be late to class, or just flat out leave early and forget the rest. Seriously, Wednesday was the strangest day of the week.

Sometimes it's odd to just be stuck in the middle. But that's what happens when it's just Wednesday...

Hooked on Draw Something

I downloaded this new game yesterday, and already I'm having too many laughs because of it. I gotta say, it's been ages since I've last been involved in any game resembling Pictionary. So far, I've been having an extensive game full of laughs with La Barba. He and I have been playing all day, making each other laugh more and more at our drawings.

It all started when I had to draw an image representing Easter. So I thought, let's make it easy. Rabbits and colored eggs. Funny enough, my rabbit looked like a rat and my egg looked like the rat took a colored dump on the other side of the screen. Due to my terrible art, La Barba was trying to guess anything involving RAT as the first three letters. If trying to make a good drawing is funny enough, watching your friends as they try to answer is even funnier.

La Barba eventually got the EASTER image right, but only after he asked me what that colored abomination on the screen was. Of course, I replied it was a badly drawn egg. He guessed it right away. Then it was his turn. And it was by far the funniest turn by far in our ongoing game. He drew a man with glasses and a tie, but kept circling a lot. It was three letters, so I was trying to see what it was. Suddenly, he began to draw him again from scratch, but added these words to the image: "he sells chicken." I don't know why, but I read that in Chris Rock's voice. I dropped the iPod in laughter as I realized he meant KFC.

Chris Rock yelled at me, "He sells chicken!" Then I knew.

I was up once again, so I had to see what came up.

Germany.

So, I drew the german flag. I don't know what happened to La Barba, but somehow he got his flags a bit mixed up because the first word he attempted was "Frenchy" and I almost choked on my own spit from all the laughter. Quickly, he wrote Germany on the board, realizing he experienced a brief moment of confusion.

I had some fun playing Scrabble against some friends online, but I had no idea that Pictionary would make such an epic comeback. So far, it's produced more laughs than frustration. Now if you will excuse me, I have to make a poorly drawn interpretation on Nascar.

Writer's Block

As I sit here writing, I'm trying to remember what were all those ideas for articles I was gonna do this week. I had structured a few funny articles, pictures and everything. Heck, I even prepared a few segments that I could do perhaps on a weekly basis or something. And yet, I'm here typing trying to get my mind to find whatever it is I forgot.

It's really hard to write with writer's block. It has got to be one of the most annoying things out there. There's nothing more annoying than sitting there trying to write, but all you sit there wondering what would be like if pandas could fly a plane. I swear, the most random things come to mind when I'm in a case of the writer's block. Every single incoherent thought you never had, suddenly appears before you. And the things you were going to write? Rendered useless.

They say the best thing you can do when you get writer's block is to clear your mind. Sounds like a good idea. And yet, every time I try doing so, I'm spending hours playing videogames or I fall into a nap. And during that nap, I usually get a good idea that I forget once I wake up. Oh, the irony.

So here I am, trying to fight writer's block. Gotta say, it's been an uphill battle today against it. But it seems I managed to at least write something in the process, so it's not a total waste. Perhaps this should be my new method of dealing with it, just narrating my overall process as I try to unblock my mind. Looks to my like I'm good to go!

Alright, let's do this!

Damn! Forgot again what I was gonna write! Oh well, it's just one of those days.

Time for Spring

The season I await with the biggest anticipation is coming. Despite coming from a place where it's always summer, there's something about spring that's quite uplifting. Probably it's due to the many months of hibernation that winter brought. Wait, those are bears. It's a bit like hibernation, as everyone tends to just stay indoors. Winter was so dark and quiet, that the warm weather and increased sunlight has somehow lifted my spirits.

Winter bear is sleepy! Bring me a blanket at once!

Well, that and the fact that the bears are now coming out of their caves. Wait, not bears. People. People are coming out from hiding and back into the world. I gotta say, it's good to see people out and about again. There's also something about the additional day time that seems to lift spirits. And my favorite part, the warmer weather. And even though high 60's to mid 70's is still cold for me (island standards, people, island standards) it's a great improvement from freezing weather.

I'm wondering what's gonna happen once it's summer and the temperatures reach above 80. Now, that's gonna feel like home. But it might freak them out to see me in a jacket by then. We will see. For now, I welcome this warmer climate that seems to be lifting spirits.

Slow Start

It's been three months since I left the island, and now is when I'm starting to see something good on the horizon. I'm finally going to start my new job soon, as well as applying for grad school. All I need now are some buddies here in the area. It's been strange only seeing my friends now via skype and no other method. I was so used to the social life, that getting locked in my room again seemed like a step back.

At least I got to catch up on some games I've always wanted to pass again. And better now than later, because work and grad school are gonna be taking up a lot of my time. And if I make a friend here, then even more so. And don't even get me started on the possibility of dating. It gives me a 50/50 chance that my games will go back into the closet with those old Crocs I use to go to the beach.

This makes me think. There are times when we have to test our patience and just give things time. You can't just jump into the Batmobile and expect to fight crime on day one. This is where the slow start kicks in. I guess it makes one appreciate things more if you happen to wait more. I have been job hunting since I moved here, and it's only now where I find a job I can do. I was about to go nuts, like Sunny when he sees his Cocoa Puffs...but less on the level of borderline insanity.

Some of us are able to jump the gun right from the start, and I salute your coffee infused turbo boost attitude, but some of us just take longer to get out there. And there's nothing wrong with that.

Daylight Savings

Growing up, I never really did understand the concept of daylight savings. First up, growing up outside of the states, I never saw anybody speaking of hour changes. However, the only changes that happened were the TV schedules. And this got me to thinking. Why do all the channels change their programming to an hour later, without even telling us? And that's when I first discovered daylight savings as a kid.

But I still didn't know why it was done. All I knew was that it made me stay up later watching my shows. That, and it made talk shows impossible to watch since they would begin at midnight being the earliest. So I came to know it as the "TV Change Period."

I do point out, I knew about time zones. Can't just leave my mind with crazy glue on the off switch, now can I? However, it wasn't until high school more or less that I got to knowing the truth about daylight savings. It's just a way to get more out of the natural sunlight during the fall and winter. I guess it makes sense. Seems like a good way to make sure we take full advantage of the day. Good enough for me!

And yet, daylight savings has always been for me the eternal struggle to stay up late to watch my shows. Talk shows switch from TV to laptop, some shows I just watch half way, and others are seen more often due to the later hours. However, the "Television Gods" find it suiting to change the hour at the right time. Why? They make sure my friends and I don't have to stay up too late at a sports bar during Wrestlemania night. It's the reason why I was able to watch soccer games in the morning without missing too much. It's also the reason for mass confusion when it comes to change my viewing schedule.

But now, it's the reason why I tend to call my friends back home at the wrong times. However, now that the hour has changed again, it's all back to normal.

Lost Memories

They say you can block out memories of bad times and actually trick your mind into forgetting them. Believe it or not, this has happened to me. This is the story of my forced amnesia.

Elementary school was a rough time for me, especially after the third grade. I had gotten a really bad disease which nearly killed me on 2 occasions, I believe. So I was a sick kid that was barely at school and barely had any friends. I will admit I was very strange growing up, so it's no surprised I got bullied. However, the rough times I went through, combined with the bullying and all the teasing from all the kids made elementary school a living hell for me. So of course, it's no surprise I repressed all those memories.

I was the strange kid in class, no matter what I did.

And while I lost most of my memories from the mid 90's, I had left with a chip on my shoulder. I was like that bitter old man who hosed down kids for standing near his lawn. And it wasn't until I was in college that I decided to close that chapter once and for all. I was going to try in high school, but someone from elementary school showed up to make high school also a nightmare (story for another day). So my elementary school sorta followed me around for most of my life, no matter where I was. But I knew college was the perfect time to let it all go. I was a different person. I had matured into a rational adult. And it was time to face my past, even if I didn't remember most of it.

And so, during the fall of 2009, I went to the class of 2005 reunion in order to meet with those from my past. I wanted to both find out about my past, and find lost friends who had been locked away into figments of my memories. And right off the bat, I was greeted by a familiar face whom I tried to recognize with every fiber of my being. I came with a longtime friend who studied with me during that time, so I'm glad I didn't have to go alone. But when I was greeted, I wasn't recognized and just got a regular hand shake. That is, until I smiled. Suddenly, she froze and looked at me as if she had seen a ghost. I was recognized. Also, I was also confirmed to still be alive.

She announced I had arrived, and tons of people from my past quickly came up to greet me. Some faces or names I recognized, while others I couldn't remember no matter how hard I tried. Do you know how hard it is to greet someone who clearly remembers you, but you have no clue who they are? I swear, I must have blocked those memories really well. People talked about events that happened back when I was with them, but I couldn't recall a single event. And yet, I sensed that there was one peculiar topic that nobody wanted to discuss.

Nobody wanted to discuss the times I got bullied or humiliated. And I don't blame them. Nobody would wanna bring up dark times after having been gone 15 years. Besides, I had the kind of amnesia that seemed almost too cliche for any story.

Who are you again? I can't remember!

However, it wasn't until halfway through the party that the person who greeted me came up to me and confronted me about my past. She was the only one who dared go up to me and talk about it. And thanks to her, I was able to close that door so tight, it might as well be used to protect yourself from an army of the undead. She looked me in the eye and told me that I did have people who did help me, and that the bullying really wasn't the best thing they could have done. I wanted to shed a tear, but I wasn't gonna do that. I was just so happy to close a chapter of my life.

However, the amnesia is still there. I can remember anything about the 90's clearly, except my personal life from 1995 all the way to 1998. That stuff is still a blur to me. And yet, I'm thankful to that one friend who confronted me about the past and helped me move on. Thanks for making my last memory of elementary school a good one, even if it did take place in 2009 during college. I don't have that chip anymore, thankfully. I mean, we didn't know any better back then. We were only kids.

Big City Dreams

Now that college is in the past and I'm starting to focus on my career, I have started to discuss a few life changing moves with my best friend. JC suggested we move to New York City someday so we can both tackle the world of entertainment media and build a life there. However, those are plans still in the far future. And even while JC is more determined to go this year, I don't quite feel ready to jump the gun yet.

A place we someday hope to call home.

Of course, I still got my master's degree to tackle and I have to begin my career in TV production somehow. And while I know that there are many places in the city where I can make a start, I'm feeling like I need to garner more experience before making such a big leap. I mean, you can't just jump straight to it. I don't have the footage to make a montage out of it, because everyone knows that a montage is what people do when they want to achieve something in a small amount of time. I don't even have a soundtrack for it, unless I use the classic Eye of the Tiger. Yet, it seems too cliche to use that song.

Anyway, moving on.

Even though I don't feel ready to leave until I finish my business here, it sets a goal worth aiming for. And nothing says goal like the possibility of living in a big city with your best friend, unless you count all those sitcoms. I can picture it now, with the whole laugh track going off every time I do something stupid or say something ridiculous. I wonder if we would have the taped studio audience? It's always good to have something worth striving for.

Murphy's Law

For those who know me well, they already know how Murphy's Law is somehow the antagonist of my story. While many would claim to have an actual nemesis or rival, mine has just been that law for some reason. It's always happening, no matter what. Why couldn't I have an actual rival like in high school? But no, college had to introduce me to Murphy!

The month of January was mostly the latest example of how Murphy got the best of me. Tons of interviews for great jobs, I was a happy college graduate with a lot of charisma and energy. Yet, two failed interviews and one job offer later, my luck started to turn yet again. My rejection of a sales job fueled by commissions and no base salary was just the kick in the nuts Murphy needed to mess with me again. Thing is, Murphy has kicked me when I was down. Having left everything behind to start a new life, constructing my new life has been nothing short of a 500 piece puzzle from the pharmacy.

And yet, Murphy's Law has never been able to defeat me. It's shown up when all my relationships went south, when a long friendship was broken, during my last job, and all throughout college. And since his last visit in October of 2010, he's been gearing up for this storm. This time, it's hurting me in the professional gonads.

This is the closest comparison I can find to compare this rivalry.

This has been a struggle that's been going on for years, with neither side giving advantage to the other. So that's the tale with my life's antagonist, the very concept of Murphy's Law. "What can go wrong, will go wrong." Ever since I learned that essential law, I've been incorporating an extra level of caution to everything I do. I don't think it makes me paranoid or negative, but rather a cautious person who learns not to take things for granted. And that, is probably one of the biggest lessons I have ever learned.

Well, that, and the fact that Murphy's Law can be a real bitch at times. But like all antagonists, it's all part of the job description.