Rockin' Out

First non-365 post I've made! In order to make it official, I had to wait until it was a late post like so many before it so it fits in with the rest. That was my reasoning this entire time. Definitely.

Last weekend I got the chance to see the show Blast. It was exciting, entertaining, and had it's funny moments. Obviously I was going to be a little harder on it because I'm big into music, but it satisfied my expectations (and more!). There was a snare battle, some fantastic color guard work, and plenty of fun horn features. It's a show to take people of any age to, as well. My nieces had a birthday party the night before, and this was my parents' gift to them. Technically it was also mine too, since I can't afford anything more than a hug and smile.

During intermission, some of the percussionists came out to the lobby for entertainment. They were very comfortable with the crowd and were narrating between playing. They drew a few good laughs from everyone watching, and looked like they were having a lot of fun out there.

Speaking of some music, there's been a new artist in town, with "town" being "my music library". I'll start by saying that I've got an instrumental/post-rock playlist on Pandora. They feed me some good music that isn't marred by lyrics (usually). Some are more ambient, some are kind of more groovy, but now and then Pandora gives me a band that just plain rocks. This latest band is called Russian Circles. I don't know how much any of you would like them (because I don't know my audience all that well) but they're worth trying out a couple songs. They have a larger selection of faster songs (see this and this), but have their good, slower songs as well (this and this). If you like 'em, then awesome! If not, well I'm not forcing you to listen. Not yet.

Since this turned out a lot wordier than I expected, I'm going to leave my other post-365 blog ideas for later. I did get something else to read that I haven't forgotten about, and I've got three or four other ideas that I can work with. If anything exciting happens over the week, like that Blast concert, then I'll probably share it. I have no idea what to do with post names, either, now that I think about it.

Finally, I just want to let you know I'm actually juggling two blog posts per week now. This one, obviously, and one for English class. The other one is a lot less entertaining, but I guarantee that it's much more insightful because it has to be. So just know that I'm going to line that up with my excuses as to why this hasn't been updated. Ha!

My favorite comic of this week has to belong to ASP's Wednesday update (includes alt-text and hidden comic).

Wrapping Up

Let's wrap things up, shall we?

I bought my camera in June of 2009. When I say I "bought" it, I mean that my sister-in-law works at Wolf Camera and got it for me at basically 75% off. Before, I had expressed an interest in photography, so I played around with it for a few months, trying to figure out how to work it and how to make my pictures come out halfway decent.

It all started on the 21st of January, 2011. I had been taking some pictures, but they were mostly flowers and nature and things like that. I wanted something else to add to my repertoire, or maybe I just felt like I had to do this when I read up on it. Something had distracted me from life for a few moments and presented itself to me: Project 365. I figured, "Why not?" and decided to try it out after all. For the first week or so I thought I'd lose steam quickly and abandon it (like a few projects in the past). I felt myself not want to keep going soon, but I kept up with it. I really don't know what motivated me to do so, but I tried. I updated late here and there, but I made sure that I had a post in the end, at least.

Then there was the time in July where I just wasn't feeling well at all (plus, I slit my thumb open). I still managed to get a post in after a week and some days, with the right number of pictures. I kept moving forward, I never stopped posting (even with being late a few times).

Did you enjoy it? I wouldn't know. Should you try it? Again, I wouldn't know. There's a few things you'd have to have in order to complete it. For starters, a camera. The more portable, the easier, but the lower quality of pictures (typically, but not always). Next, you've got to have to drive to do it. Wherever it comes from, like family, friends, or personal motivation, it's got to be there. Otherwise you would end up with the other incomplete projects, and I wouldn't wish that on someone. Finally, a place to put all your pictures. Knowing that I had a blog to post to meant that I was almost forced to take the picture I needed. When the day was boring, I usually resorted to taking pictures of my little trinkets, items, and other things that are a part of me. I also went out on a couple expeditions, as well as experimenting with photo editing mixed with music. The fun may not have always been there, but there was definitely satisfaction that I was able to complete Project 365.

Thus the saga is finished. But what will happen to this blog, though?

It will not go away (un)fortunately, even if I have to post the most mundane things to read like I have been. The one for-sure fact is that it will be weekly now, instead of daily. There's no way I could do a daily blog anymore. But if you want it to be a tad more entertaining, just give me some ideas! I'm always open for a few. Currently, these things have been swirling around in my mind:

-Story Excerpts! (specific scenes from any of the two or three I'm working on)
-More pictures! (eh...)
-Sunday Scribblings!
-Anything else I can come up with!
-Quick, short stories that may or may not be true!
-NaNo progress! (when that starts up)

I was thinking of also putting up the best of the webcomics, pictures, and other things that I see throughout the week. I read just a comic here and there (cough), so it might not be too varied.

And for the love of God, if you have anything you'd want to see (within reason) then suggest it! I'm not an idea factory - the workers in my head have other dedications!

FINALLY, my pictures are available to look at with your eyeballs at deviantart or free to download. Yeah, yeah, blahblahblah deviantart might not be the best place, but it was easy, quick, and free, okay? I'm also offering them free (and without watermark) because, though I do care about my photos, I don't want to be all mean and say "No! You can't use them! Nyah!". I'd really like it if, in the event you use one or two, that you'd credit me by linking to here or some place my stuff is featured. When I can afford it, I plan to get a paid flickr account, but it's not on my priorities right now.

So, that's all for wrapping up. Whenever I update is whenever I update; I haven't picked a concrete day yet. So far it's looking like Sunday (just 'cause) but we'll see.

Day 365

Well here we are: The Final Day. I've waited a whole year for this. A whole stinkin' year!

I'm not going to get very mush today. If things go right, I never will! Tomorrow will be the big wrap up post from me, so expect one more last update.

As for today, it was not too bad. Shopping and breakfast with Mom, where I got a new laptop battery. It's lasting a lot longer than my other 2-year-old one, so hopefully I won't kill it like I did my first one.

Birthday party for my nieces afterward, where we played this cool game where we have a phrase, write it, draw it, then pass it to the next person as if it's a game of telephone. They see the picture but not the phrase. It turned out pretty funny (and would be hilarious with some more inebriated people *cough*).

That's all I have for today. Like I said, expect a wrap-up post tomorrow. Have a good night!

Day 364

I believe that you deserve on-time updates for the last two days.

Here it is, the penultimate picture. I'm back home for the weekend. I grabbed a bus home, and ended up near the local BJs. Since I had a Dr. Pepper to drink beforehand, I decided to make use of their facilities before jumping in the car and getting back home with Mom.

I got to set up for a seminar at work today, which was mostly putting up a table and putting food on it. Otherwise it was a normal workday for me.

So let me talk about what's going to happen to this blog after tomorrow! It's not going away, oh no. With all the late updates, it won't feel like that at all! I'm planning on moving it to a weekly basis. I'll take some pictures (hopefully), blab on about things that may or may not be true, perhaps post a few things I'm writing, or maybe even do this. We shall see. If you two readers have any suggestions at all, then I'm open to them. With the way I run things, they could easily be accepted and integrated. I'd just need a "dx"



That's all for today. Good night, farewell, and keep those creepers away from me.

Day 362, 363

Oh jeez, so close.

First picture here was a good deal of my time at work. I got to sweep up a double-lab on the third floor. There was a lot more junk in it, but it was all pretty much moved out by today. It wasn't too bad, but rooms definitely feel larger when you have to sweep.

That second one down there? There's no "fifth" floor. I live on the top floor, which is the fourth floor. There's a ground floor that's not even mentioned. So I get to go up to the fifth floor to get into my fourth floor room. Got all that?

Honestly, I've been wrangled by Minecraft. It's an addiction worse than Teeworlds for me. Save me please.

One other thing...halfway through writing this post I got some news. It might hurt a lot of other people, but it's really not that bad. I'm single again. Thank goodness for honesty, at the least. Not sure what else to say here.

That's all for tonight. I'm off to continue excavating my giant mine...

Day 361

Dammit it's still 1/17 in my heart!

I want to wish a happy birthday to Ms. Betty White and Ms. Michelle Obama! I would look up more births and deaths, but Wikipedia is blacked out right now (for a good cause). I'm sure there's a way to get the info, but whatever.

Other than that, I hope your January 17th was as wonderful as mine. I at least know mine ended pretty well. I mostly forget the rest of the day as usual.

There's really nothing else I have to say about today. Everything I could've said, I already have.

With that, I'll give you a blast-in-your-ears song to listen to. I'm sure I've linked it here before, but it's my favorite song, so give me a break. Please?

...fine...

Day 358, 359, 360

Hey there! I'm saving up something for Tuesday's post, so bare with me. (no, really, I need good pictures *cough*)

So last weekend I was in Savannah. Hurrah!

GT Hockey won the Thrasher's Cup, and have now won exactly half of them that have taken place. Final win over the Dwags was 9-5 (it was intense). Got to play drums and hang out with awesome people. Fairly great weekend, if you ask me.
Not much else has happened since. DND was Monday night, where we got to beat up an ex-player and send him to prison for arson. Trying to finish this post so I can get laundry done, get the actual Jan 17th post done, and get working on Calc III homework that needs to get done.

Blargh!

Day 357

Woo!

Okay, bare with me with the picture. I'm in Savannah, and this is some building across the river from the hotel. I tried to get a picture of it but someone bumped the railing and it turned out cool anyway.

Hours of driving were fun. Hours of work beforehand were fun. That's mostly been my day.

No video, no fun letter. Just a simple post. Sorry.

Day 355, 356

Hullo there!

First, I want you to say hi to Dean Griffin here. He doesn't normally look like this, but it was funny. Standing far back enough, you could only tell that something was just a bit strange. I decided, when i was far back enough, to eat lunch next to him yesterday. Then I got closer and closer and figured out my Wednesday picture.

People often dress him up, put little decorations on him, or do all sorts of fun things to the statue (nothing meaner than googly eyes). During HvZ, he's usually seen with a bandanna - early in the week he's a human, later he's a zombie.

In other news, I saw this tree on my way back from work on Thursday. It's pretty glorious and leave-less. The wind was blowing the clouds rapidly, so the three pictures I got have different cloudy backgrounds. There was one other tree picture that I almost couldn't decide between. I did like the dark cloud behind the top of the tree here instead of whatever that other picture had.

That's mostly it for the past two days. Just getting back into the groove of school and getting into the groove of a new job. Then there's nights watching Once Upon A Time and Firefly with girlfriend. Things are going smoothly (and I'm actually doing my assigned readings on time for once).

I'll go ahead and leave you with a really rockin' song. The ending is pretty kickass.

(Friday's actual post will be later today, when I'm miles away in Savannah)

Day 354

Woohoo!

Picture: Penguin!

Background: And it's on a lamp! With a crochet penguin underneath! This was a Christmas gift that I just got. He knows my love for penguins, and decided to grab it for me while he was home in Hong Kong. I feel like this picture would go great with the "Your argument is invalid" caption.

Today was a long day. Work, class, class, work, home, eat, girlfriend*, eat, and post. Yes, I do know how to use commas, otherwise that'd be a little strange a little halfway through there. We'll see if I can't wake up again tomorrow morning.

With that, I guess I'll leave you with a song that I've been pretty much adoring today.

*yay!

Day 353

Welp.

Picture: The trees, buildings, and sky

Background: When walking home from my classes back to my new place, I got a chance to see this nice scene. The picture doesn't do it justice at all. Kindly ignore the orange fence, please. There wasn't a good shot with it out of the way, as there was also a pole over to the left that was a bit intrusive.

In other news, classes seem like they'll be the normal "Oh god why did I go to Tech" classes. Well, maybe not. They don't really feel like they'll be horrible, but I'm not planning on underestimating anything. Especially not when one of my TAs said that an 80-100 will generally give an A in her professor's class.

Finally, and definitely not least, I found someone :)

This nice song is what I'm listening to as I finish this post...

Day 351, 352

GNOMES!

ROOM!

I am hereby moved into my new place, and this is my setup. The bed is over there on the right, the TV straight away from it, and the laptop between them. Yes, there is a 36 pack of Dr. Pepper as well as a cable duct-taped to the wall. Don't ask questions.

I really should be sleeping, since tomorrow is the first day of classes. Whee!

Here's a video of a man getting hit by a train. I think you should watch it. Trust me.

Day 350

Holy shikes, only 15 days left!

Picture: I love lamp

Background: So all my nice, closeup pictures with halfway decent lighting probably used this lamp. Room lighting and macro photography do not go well together, as I've found out. Despite this, I try now and then, and nothing changes - the pictures still turn out terribly.

In other news, sorry about yesterday. I knew I didn't want to get any farther behind (ha!) but at the same time I was pretty mad at things that I'm over right now. Don't worry 'bout it, kay?

For the people who know about anime, I just finished Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. Somebody mentioned to me that it was over the top. I'd agree, but it was so over the top that it was amazing and epic, not using either of those words lightly.

That's all for now.

To Tech,

Monday? Sure. Just let me get settled in okay? Please be nice. Please.

From (with love and hate),
Wes

Day 347, 348, 349

I really don't feel like writing a post right now.


The mail is getting sent back to Discover so they get to pay for the postage for their junk. I broke the pen (unrelated). This last one was from the film camera because I couldn't be bothered to find something else to take a picture of right now.

Day 346

This post is dedicated to someone who, I just found out, lost their father this morning. I hope things go as well and gently as they possibly can.

Pictures: Battleship!

Background: So I put together this battleship that was on its way to be sold or given away to some lucky kid. I've had it for years now, but I really decided to put it back together one last time. I want to put together more complex things like this for the pictures, but I don't have that kind of Lego money right now. In the future, though, don't be surprised to open the blog and see pictures of other blocky creations!

I'll leave you with this fantastic, relaxing music video to enjoy. G'night!

Day 343, 344, 345

I'll post today's later, okay? I've got a plan for it, and it involves a battleship.

Here's some pictures from the New Year's Eve party I went to!


There was Munchkin, a card game that pokes fun at Dungeons and Dragons. There was also Rock Band. The AC/DC version of Rock Band, that is. I sang a song (horribly) as did some other people. Then we went to the nearby lake for festivities, including small fireworks, a telescope, a swing set, and fizzy drinks. Apparently there are fireworks that can be thrown into a lake, going off and making a poofing noise underneath the water.

I would've posted yesterday, but I had another party to go to with different people. Stranger people than those pictured above. We made lots of noise at Chilli's, then made even more noise at one of their houses afterward. It's a good thing his parents were home and trying to sleep, otherwise we would've been kicked out in no time or yelled at to shut up.

I know it's past Christmas, but the piano/guitar players had played this song at Mass and I love it.

Happy New Year!