A Thorn and Some Tweezers

So in a starting effort to begin typing things on here, I decided to try something new. (Gee, I sure haven't tried doing this before.)

I take that back. I'm not trying anything new. Matter-of-fact, I'm trying to finish something I started a long time ago. In my current pattern of "fail and fail some more," I figured this would be an interesting way to (yet again) attempt to break the cycle and yank this throbbing thorn that's been in my side for ages now. Yesterday's entry was a sign of this, and today you'll see what it was exactly that I rebooted.

Get Away, Dammit

I have this weird thing about personal space and boundaries. Okay, maybe it's not really weird and more along the lines of "Goddammit, people; get away from me while I'm working on things by myself!" syndrome. I seem to have it in spades - particularly when I'm actually focused on working on a project.

Take the other day, for instance. I'm sitting in the library working on some projects and typing up some things - obviously minding my own business. Out of nowhere, two women show up and decide to take the table next to mine. Afterwards, they begin talking and yakking and doing things that just upset the once-calm demeanor that was in my mind.

Cleansing Wonders and Purged Trades

In a rare form, today's "lesson" shows up before the page break - mostly because it needs to be known (before you keep reading). The message in question: change (for the better) starts with us.

Remember those lectures and assemblies about drugs, recycling, and the like back in elementary school? We'd be reading some (required reading) book or completing the day's worksheets when without warning, the entire X^th grade or school population were called to the cafetorium/auditorium/gymnasium for at least an hour. The topics varied - it could've been one of those D.A.R.E. lectures, a lesson on recycling and protecting the environment, or some superficial "student of the month" presentation.

Over the years, most of us didn't take that lesson to heart. We instead looked forward to assemblies because they were a way out doing worthless busywork. They served as an excuse for us to talk with our friends or to check out whatever girl(s)/guy(s) caught our fancy. We listened less on whatever lesson was being served and focused more on other things - the female presenter's casually-provocative attire; a chance to finish up sixth period's written report that was due that day; catching up on our local gossip about so-and-so being a slut, and other things like that.

Because of this, we as Americans a species have become shallow and uncaring while simultaneously looking out for what benefits us the most. (Maybe this is why the human racial ability in World of Warcraft is called "Every Man For Himself"...?) We enjoy what makes us content and comfortable and expunge anything undesired or even remotely "questionable." Needless gluttony is worshipped while living without anything but the best is abhorred. While it can be argued that this kind of mindset looks akin to misguided ambition, it's clear that this kind of behavior is more of a curse than a boon. It was up to us to make sure we didn't let it hex us.

Wait, why am I blathering when I should be focused on a fun topic today? Whoops...

"But Josh," I hear some of you cry. "What does all this have to do with Pokémon?"

"Wonder Trade," I reply. Read on to see what I mean.

Freedom of Idiocy

With all the illegal fireworks that keep going off all around the neighborhood, I'm expecting one of three things to happen before midnight in this area.

1. A (child) fatality due to a mishandled explosive.
2. The smell of brimstone and gunpowder will make the rest of the night stink.
3. Someone's vehicle or house gets hit. Results will vary.

Seriously. I get that the United States of America is a (somewhat) free country and that its apparent birthday is today. However, that doesn't mean one should be going off and lighting every single firework that possesses a string fuse. (Or any explosive, for that matter.)



*sighs* At the rate things are going outside, I think I'd prefer getting hit by a tank shell.

Regardless of things outside, happy Fourth of July to you Americans out there!

Wander, My Friend

Today's been one of those days where I decided to take a look at a lot of things. While I focus on things going on around the world, I had to take a look at myself, because I realized something. Despite some good times and things, the rest of my life... well, haven't been so great. Things have forced me to take a left turn into the middle of nowhere (quite literally, might I add).

Maybe I'm a little frustrated a tad over my head with all this frustration. Said frustration stems from how some things in my life are going. That's normal for a lot of people - myself included. Between the sudden spike in gas prices last month (yay for California's ineptness involving the distribution of winter-blend gasoline), the notion that things seem to be falling apart for some people, and the most stable of situations seem to be imploding upon themselves, it's hard to disagree if someone says they're (somewhat) frazzled.

I say all this because in the journey of life we've been traveling, we've all lost our way somehow. For some, they've recovered and they're out there doing something. As for me... well, I don't know where I am or where I'm going. I've deviated from the path I originally had mapped out - and now, I'm lost in a forest of illusions (and I'm not talking about World 5 from Super Mario World). October was a pretty sure sign that I got myself confused and wandering around... but I think now's the time for me to find my way out.

You know it's a bad sign when you receive a list of tasks to finish that's taller than you.

Now before you leave in disgust and think, "Oh, great; this entry's going to be some lame-o one where Josh rants on and on forever about how (some) things in his life suck," let me tell you that it's NOT. (Okay, let me rephrase: "it's not going to be over 25% should I start ranting about my life.") Yes, I'm a tad over my head with some of my stress, but life isn't 100% down the crapper right now. (I mean, do you even see a "flash vent" tag up there? ... ...oh, yeah. that "flash vent" tag. Surprisingly, this is not why it's up there.) Besides, I've found things that have made this otherwise trite life of mine somewhat bearable, and to me, that's worth a lot.

However, if you're going to leave because you're under the impression that this entry's going to be a long one: then I have to say you suck, you illiterate doof you're completely correct. I have to make up for the crap-fest of "entries" that was October, so as such... expect a long and (hopefully) good entry for once. I'm kind of overdue for one, no?

Camera Woes

I can't find my frakking camera. I think I might have misplaced it at work, and for the first time in the umpteenth time I forgot my stuff at work, I think someone finally lacked the morals to turn it in to someone. (Yes, I'm aware that it's my fault for leaving something at work. However, up until now people have been morally responsible.)

I'd just like to say something to the person who decided to steal my camera: FRAK YOU. Frak your lack of morals. Return it, or I swear to the Lords of Kobol that the rest of your miserable and pathetic existence will be cursed. You'll be so hexed that the Egyptian curses that (supposedly) killed Lord Carnarvon will look like a mere pin prick compared to the psychological death by a thousand cuts you'll be blessed with.

If someone did indeed steal from me: return it to me right frakking now.
If it's just missing: please show up! Daddy misses you! *sniffle*

Angrish

I hate when I lose things. THIS RUINS THE WHOLE ENTRY FOR THE WHOLE DAY!

And what's worse is that it ruins MY day! My day and the rest of the night!

ARGH! RANDOM, FRAKKING RABBLE FISHPASTE AND TABBERNACKLE OBSTACLE FRAK! WHY CAN'T I KEEP THINGS UN-LOST!? SLABBERING TACO JUICE!

I NEED SCISSORS! 61!

A Story Cometh

This is a story about how nothing became something, and how I was able to type despite an adverse case of apathy and confusion over what to do with myself.

By the Light... w-what happened to Theramore!?

And maybe a story on why nuclear(-esque) weapons (even virtual-style ones) are bad.

Phasing Moment

Today's August 9 - the eve of my vacation. With less than twelve hours to go before my vacation officially starts and a week before my 23^rd birthday, it's pretty much inevitable that things will fly out of left field.

Sometimes we just aren't prepared to face the present as it unfolds. Corporal Brigitte Stark would know that personally.

As these (fun) events inch closer and closer, they no longer float about as part of the future, but as the present we continually keep living out. As such, these left field things will keep being thrown my path, and I must adjust to the constant rain.

Cryptic and confusing chatter aside, let's just see what's got me shaken up as we inch closer to the future now.

A Hero to Rise

Ideally, this post would have made a lot more sense if it had shown up two days ago. As you probably saw, that wasn't the case - I felt that I lacked sufficient time to post everything that's going to be on here today. You'll see why in a few minutes if you're not one of those jerks who skim this blog.

Anywho, two days ago was June 6, and if you remember your world history, it's the anniversary to World War II's famous "D-Day" - when an Allied invasion force consisting of thousands of Allied soldiers, sailors, and airmen break through Nazi Germany's "Fortress Europe" and breach the Atlantic Wall. The eyes of the world were upon them. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march[ed] with them. In company with their brave allies and brothers-in-arms on other fronts, [they brought] about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

(Author's Note: Eisenhower had a pretty good speech, I'd say.)

As a bit of a World War II buff, I happen to enjoy reading about the history and the (military) technology and I think remembering the sacrifices so many made on that day 68 years ago (or any day, really) should be something everyone should do - from thanking a living veteran for their services to their country to having a moment of silence remembering those who've died for theirs. (Yeah... I totally remembered to do that last year. *headdesk*) And yes, I mean everyone. Note how I didn't specifically say "Americans" - while I believe most of my fellow countrymen are taking every bloody thing for granted, we're not the only country that seems to forget about the past (though I have to say that we're just the country with the most obnoxious citizenry).

In memory of the patriots who saved the world.

While I wanted to do my own special thing to commemorate the events of June 6, 1944, I lacked the time to compose this said thing on Wednesday. Alas, this is Thursday Friday, and that means that I should have the day off (at least in theory) I'm working later on today. Seeing as how it's holding true thus far, I think it's time we gave a salute to the men and women in uniform (before I put this off again). I don't care what country; I don't care what war - just give them some kind of respect or sign of gratitude.

Slingshot Entry

Welcome, reader! Today's Friday, May 25, 2012, and it's quite an interesting day!

Daytime Status: cloudy with a chance of sun.

So today ended up as a mellow day so far. Cloud cover threatened a sunny day (which could've been nice as it's a Friday and all) and yet the sun's still strong enough to cause most people (read: the indoors-kind of people) to squint when looking outside. It's the perfect weather to relax and do stuff at the same time. Confused? Good.

Normally, with sunny days, you'd expect people to hang out together and what not. Y'know, soak some rays up, do something aquatic-based (from swimming to snow cone eating competitions), have a great time, and totally do social things. With rainy days, people tend to do the opposite. The more sociable people will attempt their best efforts at organizing some kind of hangout, while the busybodies with projects to take care of will stay inside their shelters and work.

But with this weather... I don't know. While cloudy days tend to put a damper on the mood, there are certain times where it's still cloudy and somehow sunny enough to make it a good day. The clouds are fluffy and mostly white (meaning that the threat of rain is low - unless you're in Seattle), the blue skies break through once in a while, the sun is still able to mercilessly beat down on your eyes.

Maybe I can find a way to hang out with people and work on some things at the same time. *shrugs* I 'unno.

And then the night began, and the sunset looked nice. And then I began typing other things.

Last Week Battle Plans

Lock and load, people - it's time to begin the final week of 2011! No one is going belly-up unless I say you can go belly-up! Suck in your [(post)-holiday] stomach - and I don't give a frak if it's full of all the delicious food you ate yesterday! This ain't no soup kitchen; this is WAR!

We have six days left until the (supposed) last year is upon us, so get your butts in shape and kick those Nazi scumbags execute the FTL jump get a move on READING, READER!

Holiday Horrors

This entry explains why the retail world drives the proverbial nail in the Christmahaunakwanzaka coffin.

Or rather: why the retail world drives the proverbial nail in my Christmahaunakwanzaka coffin.

Encroaching Holiday Darkness

CURRENT MUSIC:
Harry Gregson-Williams - "Shagohod"
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Original Soundtrack

Bear McCreary - "Something Dark is Coming"
Battlestar Galactica: Season 2 Original Soundtrack

Hitoshi Sakimoto - "Ground Battleship Marmot"
Valkyria Chronicles Original Soundtrack

Yoko Shimomura - "To the Battlefield"
Radiant Historia Original Soundtrack

Timothy Michael Wynn - "The European Storm"
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 Original Soundtrack

Black Saturday

As Day Two of Target's "2 Day Sale" continues on, I have to steel myself against the incompetency displayed by most of the guests that I ran into. So, as such, I decided to dedicate most of my time before work to video games where I can vent my frustrations.

This means that (obviously) there is no awesome entry today. Feh - I think getting myself steeled up and ready to metaphorically kick some ass is a priority, so therefore I have no qualms about posting this.

However, as short as this entry is, I do have one more thing to mention.



To you soon-to-be asshole guests: I have one thing to say to all of you. Your kind has been plaguing my store and the retail world longer than you've been living. You make those involved in bank runs look pacified compared to your sorry hides. You're the reason why cynics become misanthropists and why otherwise-good retail workers are driven mad. You create chaos out of order and encourage your pathetic monkeys of children to follow in your convoluted footsteps.

So, when you ransack my store, let your whelps run around and mirror your actions, switch your voice to ALL CAPS MODE and yell at the people who are doing their very best to help you and drug you with the pathetic crap you came to buy, we will rise above you and cast judgment. We will not back down from your erroneous logic and flawed vices, and when you whistle us over thinking we're your own personal lapdogs, we will heartily disincline to acquiesce your requests.

As for me: if you piss me off... *devious smile* ...oh, we're going to have some fun.

Sometimes, Ctrl+Z is NOT Your Friend

I hate it when I finish a blog's rough draft and accidentally close the browser window before saving a copy of it. This just happened right now, and before I explode from sheer "FUUUUUUUUUU" madness, I'm going to post this meager thing now and re-type everything I oh-so-meticulously crafted. AGAIN. Augh.

The moral of the story? Don't expect that "redo" button to save your scrawny hides if you accidentally "Ctrl+Z" one too many times.

*types furiously*

A Great Disturbance in the Force

Good night, everyone. How goes this fine Sunday of yours? I hope you enjoyed it - as today's the last Sunday (and therefor the last weekend) of summer, it'd be sad if you foolishly decided to be like me and miss out on a nice and sunny day (at least it's sunny here in my part of California) by spending it at work and making less-than-living wage. Of course, that's not the only thing depressing about this weekend...



Now, as most of you are already aware, the Star Wars saga is now available on Blu-Ray at retailers across the galaxy. Each trilogy (I-III; IV-VI) is priced at $44.99 each, but there's a special collector's pack as well. At a suggested retail price of $89.99 USD, the six-pack also contains three bonus discs filled to the brim with additional bonus content - documentaries, outtakes, deleted scenes from the original trilogy (something rarely seen), and the like.

The question that has been asked by fans across the galaxy is this:
Is the Star Wars Blu-Ray release worth it?

Non Sequitur 3: Cactus Juice Barbecue

This entry's title was totally not an Avatar: The Last Airbender reference at all. If you think otherwise, your brain is lying to you. IF YOUR BRAIN IS LYING TO YOU, THEN YOU WILL BE ALONE IN THE END. UNLESS YOU HAVE CACTUS JUICE.

*eerie music*

*sips*





CURRENT MUSIC:
Cerrax - "Out of Antidote (Viridian Forest)"
Pokémon: The Missingno Tracks

One of the tracks from OverClocked Remix's Pokémon-themed soundtrack and one of my favorites. Described by the artist as "some kind of bad acid trip via the poison from the Pokémon in the forest," "Out of Antidote" hits those tones perfectly - and maybe a little too eerily, might I add.

As the movie-making enthusiast in me listened to this particular piece, I saw another use for this. Imagine some kind of fantasy-esque setting where the good guys are put under some kind of trial through an eerie and fog-laden location. One by one, the good guys are ambushed and either knocked unconscious or snatched away, leaving the protagonist (and if you want, the deuteragonist as well) all alone in a freaky location.

Regardless, this track gives me the chills and gets me quite paranoid - and if that's what Cerrax was aiming for, then he succeeded. *shivers* Listen to it if you don't believe me... (Think it's not creepy enough? Have it play in the background as you play it again at the same time. Jesus Christ; I got goosebumps.)

Plus, I thought this track would be fitting with how... uhm... let's just say crazy... this entry is. Ahehehehe.

*sips more cactus juice*


Harry Gregson-Williams - "Desperate Chase"
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Original Soundtrack

If anyone knows my tastes in video games, they'll know automatically that I'm a die-hard fan of the Metal Gear Solid series, and part of that is primarily due to the music.

Now, when a game is made correctly, not only will it feel like one giant interactive movie, but it will possess the sound quality you'd hear from an award-winning Hollywood film as well. Guns of the Patriots possessed that quality and played it in spades, and it's partly due to Gregson-Williams' work in the series.

On to "Desperate Chase." I'm not going to spoil the plot of Guns of the Patriots, but it's kind of hard not to considering the piece's title. (Gee, I wonder where I'll hear this in-game.) The first ten seconds just overfills your internal threat meter before exploding into full-throttled, fast-paced action for the rest of the track.

The filmmaker inside me already sees a ton of scenes I could use this piece in to make it amazingly epic. Oh, maaaaaaaan. I'm getting giddy just listening to it. Just be sure not to be driving a car in the freeway when this comes up - if music affects you as it does me, you'll end up in an imaginary "Desperate Chase" of your own. Just watch out for the cops and those tailgating bastards.

(If you don't believe me on its epicness, click that link I provided for it. Again, not recommended for anyone currently driving... fast.)



"You're looking at the rare white dragon bush. Its leaves make a tea so delicious it's heartbreaking! That, or it's the white jade bush, which is poisonous. ... Delectable tea, or deadly poison?"
- Iroh
(Avatar: The Last Airbender episode 2.02: "The Cave of Two Lovers")

Iroh has always been one of my favorite characters from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Wise, hedonistic, easygoing and quickly lovable - personality traits that I picture the ideal version of myself to have are all here in the form of "The Dragon of the West."

Anyway, this particular quote stems from one of his many humorous "tea" moments (pretty much all A:TLA fans love this from him whether they want to admit it or not). And to those of you who either forgot the outcome of this little quandary or have yet to watch this amazing television series (WHAAT!?): it wasn't tea. *laughs*





Good day, ladies and gents. Welcome to another entry in The White Knight Chronicles. Now, for your viewing (dis)pleasure, I present to you the third Non Sequitur entry...

*downs moar cactus juuce*

DISCLAIMER: The White Knight would like to happily remind you that this non sequitur entry is like the previous two before it: crazy enough for you to cause a shift of judgment in regards to my sanity, and sane enough for you to question your shift of judgment afterwards. The White Knight is not responsible for any potential brain aneurysms that might result from you reading this. Care should be advised - if you start experiencing symptoms such as random outbursts, out-of-context laughter, or a case of the "What the fucks?" then cease reading immediately. Follow up by either re-exposing yourself to this entry, or finding a more "sane" and/or "melancholic" entry. Better yet, just go crazy - it's just like treachery: MORE FUN!





Work It Off!
I'm beginning to run out of energy for work. It's day five of six, and I'm starting to feel the full effects of work-oriented fatigue.

Technically, today would have been my last day of work before getting six days off in a row (of which only three were personally requested), but I need money, so I took a shift on Thursday (tomorrow). The other two days (Monday and Tuesday) will probably be shuffled with shifts from somewhere else because if I don't, another six-day block of work will await me. Oy.

Because of my (sleep) schedule and having to go in to work earlier than usual this week (I've been going in at 1600ish each day thus far), today's entry was made a non sequitur. Blame Target (or my monetary greed necessities) if you wanted to yell at me for doing this. Hehehe.

In all seriousness, though, I'm enjoying work. It's a bit of a rarity, so I'm keeping this feeling intact for as long as necessary.



The Tales of Sushi Fridays - Bring On The Cactus Juice Food and Fun!
SUSHI WANT TO EAAAAT. Er, I mean... I get sushi on Friday with a bunch of work friendlies and everything. It'll be awesomely fuuuuun. And then afterwards I got a fun evening planned with more friends because I'm just that awesome.

What a way to start a three-day mini-"vacation" in my mind!



"MANY WHELPS! HANDLE IT!"
(Author's Note: This part is why this entry was tagged as a flash vent.)

Before I continue, let me introduce you to a policy I've recently enacted upon myself. Due to the illogical and ill-mannerisms that most of the children, teenagers, and the occasional immature twenty-somethings that enter my local Target present to us in the retail world, I've refused to call them as such. Instead, whenever I encounter them and want to curse them off to another fellow team member, I will use the "politically correct" term "whelp. Part of this has to do with the fact that whelp sounds awesome and demeaning, and part of this also has to do with the fact that these damn whelps are numerous (especially on any non-school day). The only thing that would probably have more whelps than your local Target would be a World of Warcraft raid group wiping on Onyxia.

Which brings us to now. Basically, any guest that has fallen out of favor with me for some reason will be referred to as a "whelp" from here on out. It makes it so I don't insult any one person in general, and at the same time I can rant about them with little consequence. Muahahaha.

I don't know what it is about summertime that spurs the whelps in the local area to act so... stupid. I say "stupid" not because of a sudden lack of vocabulary, but because it's the only proper way I can represent the whelps as a whole without singling out any single one of them.

I mean... here's a small tip of the iceberg of suffering these whelps put us through.

Yes, people just leave horrible messes behind them like this - as if walking away with an innocent look will absolve them of all the guilt this would have incurred them...

Uhm... o.O

Found this yesterday. Some hooligan whelps who've crowned themselves "The Royal Court of Target" have been coming in as of late and fucking with my store. Their latest endeavor: a camp-out with a barbecue.

And no barbecue is complete with spoiled food to grill, am I right? *annoyed sigh*
(Now you see where the "barbecue" part of the title came from.)

Remind me to take more photos of things whelps do in this store. I want photographic evidence available to the mass public to show that working retail is not just simple fun and games - it's annoying-ass clean-ups that take time out from our already-busy schedules and put us even more behind than what we should be.

Sometimes I wish I possessed the authority to just scream at these whelps for sullying the human gene pool. As much as I'd love to have these bastards eliminated from humanity's existence, we can't do that - I believe those lawyer-folks call it an illegal act of "murder" (or as the whelps would say: "moy-dur" or "mur-dur-hur-hurr"). So, the best I can do is give them an evil eye, an intimidating speech and an "I'm not leaving until you leave and/or fix the problem that got me to hate you in the first place" look.

*holsters a Nerf sword to his PDA holster* This is a start. *evil grin*





Well, until the 'morrow, everyone! Be sure to avoid the cactus juice on your way out!





(Author's Note: No cactus juice was consumed at any time before, during, or after the creation of today's entry. The White Knight was doing an Avatar: The Last Airbender marathon and ended on episode 2.11: "The Desert" - which, as every A:TLA fan knows, is Sokka's (in)famous "advertisement" of cactus juice.)

The Lucid Dream

Let madness consume you as you read this today!

(Author's Note: I'm actually in a great mood today. I just felt like casting a creepy and confusing aura on today's entry - that's all. If the words "haunting," "delusional" or "mindfuck" come across your mind after reading this, then I've done my job. *thumbs up*)





CURRENT MUSIC:
Tetsuya Shibata - "Confrontation With Lady" & "Lady Battle"
Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening Original Soundtrack

I've been fond of these two tracks because of how well they pair up. Granted, the music plays right after each other both in-game and in the soundtrack, but still. The tension that the former builds up is catapulted into combat by the latter.

Nobuko Toda, Shuichi Kobori and Akihiro Honda - "Screaming Mantis"
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Original Soundtrack

The battle music when you fight Screaming Mantis. Depending on how you went about dealing with the FROGS before this boss fight, it either set up a haunting experience... or a cakewalk.

Regardless, the music made the fight downright creepy if this was your first foray into the famed Metal Gear Solid series. (Surprisingly, this isn't my top-favorited boss fight or boss music of the game. That honor goes to Laughing Octopus - I still have nightmares about that fight once in a while.)



"I am the lucid dream. The monster in your nightmares. The fiend of a thousand faces. Cower before my true form! BOW DOWN BEFORE THE GOD OF DEATH!"
- Yogg-Saron
(World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King - Ulduar)

Months ago the World of Warcraft guild my Paladin was in attempted to complete Ulduar. Now, for those of you who don't want to click that link and reread stuff from months ago... picture a massive brain-thing with fangs, psychic powers and tentacles that's both figuratively AND literally mind-fucking you. Congratulations: you just got raped by Yogg-Saron.

That's exactly how that fight works. Honestly. If you don't go insane from the chaotic fight, then your character surely will. The madness begins to consume you when Yogg-Saron reveals itself in what I consider one of the most chilling boss fights I've ever experienced.

Don't believe me? Listen to Yogg-Saron as it switches from its disguised avatar into its true form (0:16-0:37). Picture the beast I described and tell me you're not even slightly quivering after listening to the Old God... (Fun fact: "Screaming Mantis" works quite well with this fight. Field tested it via Audacity. Play the track right when Yogg-Saron commands you to bow down. *shivers*)





Afternoon, readers. In case you don't know me... I am the lucid dream. ...you won't.



So I awakened by a phone call from work, asking if I wanted to come in and work today on my day off. If I remember correctly, gameplay the call went something like this:

===FLASHBACK: Tue 28 Jun - 1040 hours===
JOSH: *zzz*
*the Sailor Moon theme starts blaring on his phone*
JOSH: *zz-* [shoots up with a start] -FUZZY PUMPKINS! ...wha?
*the Sailor Moon theme continues to play on his phone*
JOSH: [groggily grabs the phone] ...w-who woke me up...?
*click!*
JOSH: *yawn* Hello...?
TARGET COWORKER: Oh, hey, Josh! You're... probably going to kill me for waking you up...
JOSH: [mustering what sarcasm he can find right after waking up] Yes, I'm going to kill you. Go on?
TARGET COWORKER: *short laugh* Well, we wanted to see if you wanted to close tonight. There's no team lead and only a few people closing Hardlines tonight.

Cue mandatory silence as Josh's sleepy brain deciphers the message.

JOSH: [after, like, five seconds of thought] ...what time?

===PAUSE FLASHBACK===

This is the part where the audience goes "Ohh...!" - the "Ohh...!" you hear when a main character decides upon a bad decision or something like that.

Let us see how our protagonist goes on with this conversation...

===RESUME FLASHBACK===

TARGET COWORKER: Closing shift, as usual. 4:00?

Josh says nothing. Be it sleep deprivation or stunned silence... we may never know.

TARGET COWORKER [cont'd]: ...3:15?
JOSH: ...uhm, yeah. Sure. 3:15.
TARGET COWORKER: Alright. I'll let you go back to sleep. See ya' later.
JOSH: *sleepily* ...nnn... later...
*click!*

Josh lies back in bed for a few moments, processing what just happened - because as we all know, Josh goes on auto-pilot if he's in deep thought or in "I'm still waking up" mode.

JOSH: [suddenly shoots up again] Wait, WHAT!?
===END FLASHBACK===

Now, to the regulars who read my blog on a (hopefully) daily basis, you might remember how two nights ago I said I had two days off in a row. Obviously, that statement no longer holds true.

Let's look at the facts here.

For about the entirety of this month I haven't done anything... well, let's just say "fun." Aside from one trip for sushi I haven't really hung out with anyone outside of Target. The days I work or get called in to work just leave me exhausted to do anything, and any actual days off are spent snoozing and resting at home recuperating my energy. Any of the few times I could hang out with people eventually get snuffed out - either due to me being unavailable at the specified time or them flaking out on me.

Now, I could have simply said that I didn't want to work today, but let's face it - we're all broke, and we all need money. Of course, to get that money, I need to actually be working lots and lots of hours, which means I'd be too exhausted and constrained by work to do anything else.

Conversely, I could keep my days off, but that'll result in a lesser paycheck that may not be able to keep me afloat.

The question that all this begs me to ask is this: does this make me a soulless tool? Do I have my priorities set straight, or am I setting myself up for a major downfall in some end of my life?





*shrugs* Eh, just thought I'd drabble on about that. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a few things I need to edit before work, so... I'll see y'all later.

The Flash Vent First

*deep breath*



(Author's Note: All my posts tagged as "flash vents" seem to be quite harsh - I mean, after all, they're my opinions about things. If I offend anyone with them, then good - they probably deserve it. While a decent amount of the time my grievances with the offended party have to do with me on some level, the other times it's due to their ignorant and self-righteous actions that just seem... wrong. So as a disclaimer: my "flash vents" are just that - opinions of a tired mind that feels like venting due to the fact that nobody listens at times. Doesn't mean I'll physically act on them to solve problems. Ever. TL;DR: Clean your damn act up, and I'll clean up mine, ya' hear?)



There seems to be no reason why I'm posting today other than the fact that I have to post something today.
To be honest, all that you're reading right how has been given little thought - in other words: I think it, I type it mere moments later. Sometimes blogging like that is good - it lets your emotions flow and lets you write freely. On the other hand, it leaves you exposed if you say the wrong thing or mention something embarrassing. Or something offending.



My main stickler of the day has to do with one of my projects. JOSH BLANCO vs. THE WORLD, the chess game I devised where I take on as many people from Facebook as possible, seems... well... almost dead. Mostly because a decent-sized chunk of the World Team doesn't know a damn thing about chess, aptly refuses to learn, and trolls/aggravates me due to their ignorance. I wanted it to be a somewhat-classy and upscale experiment-slash-chess game, seeing if a wise crowd could be formed on the Internet. Of course, my hopes were dashed before the World Team responded to my second move, so I don't know if it's even feasible anymore.

That's not to say that I'm quitting the project... no, no. Perhaps I need to force more people to... well, let's just say "cooperate" with me. While it's all lighthearted fun (it IS just a chess game), I think I've had enough with the bullshit antics. I'll be issuing an ultimatum demanding that the World Team respond with a second move by Monday at noon. Anyone who detracts from the experience will be swiftly dealt with. Sure, this'll cause a negative aura to arise upon the game, but... sacrifices have to be made for the greater good.

Of course, it'll also help if I mass-add people - for all I know, someone I know has to be a (closet) chess geek, right?

World Team: if you're reading this... good. I expect an actual game. *imposing glare*



*deep breath*



(Author's Note: And people say I'm a nice guy? HAH! I'm sure my "attack" would prove otherwise. ...okay, I really am a nice guy. I just have my moments of evil. *shrugs*)