Rae Roy's Blog, page 50

Frisky Friday – Super Speculation

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OK, so I was on Facebook and this meme caught my eye.

It features Superman in a naughty position.

It got me speculating about whether or not it would even be possible without causing some serious problems for the giver.

I mean, would it come out of Superman faster than a speeding bullet and thus end up firing through their skull?

Here’s the meme:

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Oh, and I only just realized the person is wearing quad skates. I now love this meme. I should totally get back to quad skating…

It’s the winter edition of Comic-Con this weekend in Ottawa. I’m hoping to check it out, though I’m pretty much done my Christmas shopping.

I hope you have a super weekend.

Guid cheerio the nou,

R~

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Filed under: Musings Tagged: Sex

Thoughtful Thursday – Uncomfortably Hopeful

[image error]I got up late today as I found inspiration to write passed midnight yesterday. Not any of my current projects of course, but I had to get some things down in order to sleep.

Today was the teacher’s vote on the bullshit offer put forth by the College Employers Council. Ninety-five percent of the teachers voted and the results were 86% No. With that high of a backlash, the premier has decided to meet with both sides today to see if they can fix the issues. I really hope she listens to the teachers. I know the colleges are a business and some things may not be financially feasible, but the council has been trying to do things that will be illegal in the coming months in terms of Bill 148. At least that’s what the teachers have been saying. As I haven’t seen the actual contract terms, I can’t say with 100% certainty that is what has been happening. I do trust that my teachers aren’t trying to fuck me over for a few dollars though.

So I’m still a student that doesn’t have classes right now. I hate that I have to put all my hopes in Wynne given her track record, but if she actually gets something done, I might have to thank her for that. I’ll tell her the hydro shit still needs to be fixed though.

It’s hard to stay hopeful when your future is in the hands of people who while supposedly in the business of ensuring we become professionals can’t seem to be professional themselves. There’s been a lot of unnecessary shit like the vote today. They were close to a deal months ago and had one item left to negotiate that doesn’t even cost money, then they throw a new deal on the table that doesn’t resemble anything that was previously negotiated and force teachers to vote?

A lot of time has been wasted and we all just want to get back to school. I don’t know when we might find out if Wynne has been helpful at all, but I’m hoping this shit gets fixed now that the government is getting involved in something they never should’ve had to get involved with.

Quit posturing and actually fucking negotiate please.

It’s a no-brainer to me. Yes, the management needs some say in the curriculum to ensure their students are getting what they came to school for, but the faculty who work in the fields know what the industry needs too. Yeah, some faculty might be less in touch than others. That’s why neither should be in full control of this piece. If your policy is preventing teachers from ensuring the students are ready for the industry, your school is going to drop in enrolment.

People try to paint this about money. Yeah, there’s a money piece. Some of the teachers are getting paid less than minimum wage because of all of the hours they have to prep, mark, meet with students, etc that are unpaid. But that’s only one piece and they had come to an agreement on this earlier in the process. The problem may actually be that both sides care more about control than they do about the students.

I’m sad that I have to place all my hopes in Wynne at this time. The conspiracy theorist in me also wonders if this is part of her reelection plan. She can swoop in and save the day ensuring millions of students and parents are happy and likely to keep her in office or whatever Liberal runs next.

I hope whatever news comes, it’s real. The amount of bullshit emails we’ve been sent over the last month and a half is ridiculous. The president felt like she knew some things she clearly didn’t. It’s as if she thought they’d vote yes…

I guess all I can do is wait and see while doing my projects. I’m going to submit my feature film somewhere regardless of whether or not we get back to class. I don’t know what will be next, but life wasn’t easy before this either.

I would like to just live pretty soon though.

Guid cheerio the nou,

R!

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Filed under: Musings Tagged: Courage, School

Warrior Wednesday – Agency

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We writers often talk of agency when creating our characters.

What is agency? Agency is whether or not a character is in the driver’s seat.

Admittedly there are times where characters aren’t in full control. Speed is an example that comes to mind. Die Hard with a Vengeance is another.

Most of the time, however, we want characters to have things happen because of the decisions they make rather than being a passive story participant that just has things happen to them or one that has little to no free will.

Free will is one of the foundations of being human. We have many stories that explore this topic such as The Matrix. In those movies, we learn almost no one has free will and Neo takes the red pill to gain free will and help free the rest of the human race.

Yeah, sometimes I like stories that involve fate, but mostly I love characters that are in control of their reality or become in control of it.

I don’t believe agency is something limited to the fictional world.

I choose to live my life with agency and I spend a lot of time thinking about whether I’m making a choice or sitting around waiting for someone to make it for me.

Sure, some things will always be out of my control. I can’t prevent getting most autoimmune conditions. Perhaps type 2 diabetes if I always eat properly and exercise, but most have unknown causes currently. I can’t guarantee I’ll avoid the flu even with the shot. I could get hit by a bus while walking on a sidewalk.

But even in the shittiest situations I have agency if I have the courage to use it.

This strike situation sucks, yet I can choose to spend my time complaining online or I can do the homework I need to do as part of my writing portfolio. I can read my books and watch YouTube videos to learn as much as I can on my own while I wait for the people who are in control of the situation to resolve it. I can speak up at appropriate times to ensure people know the truth. I can join the class action suit to get some of my tuition fees back should it be successful. I can even spend some of the time working on my novel, so I’ll be able to resubmit it. Or I could just spend my time gaming and watching Netflix while complaining that it’s unfair this happened during my one year program.

I have all sorts of options available to me because I know it’s up to me to stay motivated and accomplish my goals. My teachers don’t read my books for me. They don’t write my assignments either. They make some suggestions on how to make it better and correct me when I’m totally wrong, but ultimately I’m the one who decides if I’m going to learn.

My dreams won’t happen by me sitting around and waiting or hoping for them to.

I watched a video the other day from Caleb Maddix. He’s a 15-year-old on the top 30 under 30 list. The advice he got from several highly successful people was The Daily 5. The concept is to think of five things each day that can help you get closer to your goal.

I want to be a screenwriter. What will help me get there? Learning about the craft from books, videos, podcasts, etc. Improving my writing skills. Networking with people in the industry and people who may want my help. Reading scripts. Working on my projects. Watching all kinds of films. And probably some things I don’t know about yet.

But Screenwriting isn’t my only goal. I’m a novelist with goals that include transmedia. I took a whole course on that not that long ago. I’m also a martial artist. I also want to have kids if I find the right person to do that with.

For a long time, I was a fan of task lists. They haven’t been working for me because they either make me feel bad if I don’t get something done in a day or they create extra work for me. I also end up feeling like I’m not really living, but just checking things off a list. The other day I planned to do more than I got done, but after doing the car stuff and numerous bus rides, I didn’t feel well. My task list app wouldn’t simply move an item to the next day instead. No, it would turn red and collect all the tasks I’ve missed and make me feel like I haven’t accomplished anything this entire year. I felt like I was becoming a slave to an app instead of a person with agency. I tried the bullet journal too and I spent so much time creating pages instead of doing the things I needed to do.

So now I’m trying the simple daily five thing. I didn’t get them all done yesterday, but I don’t feel bad about it. Today, I didn’t feel well enough to handle bus trips that are much longer than yesterday’s, so I attended “class” via Google Hangouts. It wasn’t perfect, but I contributed as much as I could given the limits of technology. Normally it functions better, but I think the college Wi-fi is crap and none of us were using good quality microphones instead of built-in ones.

If that, some laundry, and some writing are all I get done today, I’ll be happy. I managed a quick trip to a grocery store for freezer bags, so my wings can be put in the freezer and for three other things I didn’t get the other day. This is partly also because I need to drive my car to put some mileage on, so I can get the wheels re-torqued. It was a short trip, but I did feel like passing out in the store, which sucks. Hopefully I’ll be feeling normal soon. I’m still coughing up some junk and I felt really weak this morning too. I need a rest before I try laundry.

It’s a day where I could probably blather on for a while, so I better stop here.

Good cheerio the nou,

R~

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Filed under: Musings Tagged: Courage, Discipline

Theatrical Tuesday – A Review of Dracula Untold

[image error]I wasn’t a fan of this movie. There was a major problem with it.

Dracula was never fatally sensitive to sunlight.

Actually vampires in the lore that came before Dracula were also not fatally sensitive to sunlight.

When you do a story about Dracula, you should know this. It’s not even hard to find the information out. Wikipedia has it in a handy chart form.

The concept of the story was good. There was a heartwarming plot line that I liked. The soundtrack and special effects were also good. As were the battle scenes.

But when you base major story events around the sun that are in complete contradiction with the lore, you create something that has major plot problems for anyone who knows the lore. Don’t mix Buffy’s vampires with Dracula. Also, he seemed to become an elemental wizard somewhere that could control storm clouds? WTF?

And it’s not even hard to catch up on the lore for Dracula. All you need to do is read one book. It’s even free in audio format on Librivox.

One thing the movie did do was bring some awareness of the Ottomon Empire.

At least in researching for this post, I’ve stumbled onto a few vampire movies I haven’t seen.

I’m off to take Pixie to the shop for her winter booties and such. There’s a Timmie’s nearby, so I’m thinking I’ll hit it up for some tea while doing homework. Or maybe I’ll visit that music store on the corner that I can never seem to get to…

Guid cheerio the nou,

R~

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Filed under: Reviews Tagged: Movies

Merry Monday – Lots To Do And Little Time To Do It In

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And thus we return to our regularly scheduled programming. Well, mostly. The colleges are still on strike. We had 21 days that had classes in my program prior to the strike. We’ve had 18 days worth of strike where we should have had classes. The strike has been longer than that for most students. I don’t have Friday classes nor are any of mine on the weekends.

I slowly plod on because I don’t know what else to do. I watch videos on YouTube from the greats like Syd Field. I read my text books, though I could be doing more of that I suppose. I work on my assignments. I’ve been working on the first act of my feature film script, but I realized that I have other assignments that were due before that one that I should focus on instead. Namely my short film, my 10-minute play, and my TV episode. I may work on my TV episode today because I’ve been told that it should go pretty smoothly since I did the 7-10 page treatment for it. I know I did something for my 10-minute play that is somewhat of an outline, so perhaps that will be next. I’ve done barely anything for the short film.

In my life, I have other things to do as well. I’m taking my car in tomorrow for an oil change, a tire change, and perhaps a repair on the left rear caliper, though that will depend on parts as unfortunately my model needs special calipers. This might also mean a brake pad change. It won’t be cheap, but I’ve been saving for it.

I also need to extend the straps on my hakama before grading on December 2nd. At least I sent in the written. I almost missed that as I thought it was the 16th that it was due and it was yesterday. If I hadn’t seen a Facebook post, I would’ve been screwed!

And my house needs to be cleaned. It always takes a lower priority over the rest though.

And there’s laundry, dishes, and groceries to be done too. I should do groceries today in case my car is at the shop longer than expected.

My cold is lingering, but it started to clear on the weekend. My sinuses seemed to be plugged up into my ears! Bodies can be so weird.

I technically have a lot of free time, but the strike has been making me feel a bit depressed and making it difficult to actually make ample use of the free time. I also had to take some time to just rest because of the cold. I think I’m going to be ok though.

The hardest thing seems to be picking which thing to focus on first. Maybe I’ll have breakfast, empty and load my dishwasher, then work on my TV episode for a bit and do groceries early this afternoon. Then I can do some laundry after that. Sounds like a plan. In the words of my father, “I love it when a plan comes together!” Yeah, he totally stole that from The A-Team. Or maybe they stole it from him…

Guid cheerio the nou,

R!

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Filed under: Musings Tagged: Discipline

Symphonic Saturday – Remembrance Day

We made it! Today is Remembrance Day. At 11:11 we honour veterans by taking a minute of silence.

In high school, they took us to the main arena to watch as the pipers marched in and there were riflemen. There were wreaths and a bunch of ceremonial things that happened.

I’m too sick to make it to a ceremony, but I found a live stream of what is happening on Parliament Hill today.

Here’s a nice little 80s video featuring the music of Bryan Adams about Remembrance Day.

Guid cheerio the nou,

R~

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Filed under: Musings Tagged: Honour

Feisty Friday – The 10th Day of Remembrance

Today is about a wartime hero and I want to give a shout out to Laura Secord. Not the chocolate company. Well, it was kind of named in honour of her about a hundred years after she did something really important. What was that? She took a long walk.

So, her husband was a soldier and he got injured. She fed a bunch of US soldiers because they made her. She overheard them talking of their military plans to crush the Brits. Because her husband was too injured, she took it upon herself to travel through Iroquois country and get a message to Lieutenant FitzGibbon.

Because of her, Canada didn’t become part of the United States. Laura Secord is why we don’t have the orange man in charge of our country today!

Thanks again Mrs. Laura Ingersoll Secord.

Guid cheerio the nou,

R~

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Filed under: Musings Tagged: Honour

Thoughtful Thursday – The 9th Day of Remembrance

Today is about a symbol or act of remembrance. I’ve chosen the Latin Cross, which not only has its roots in Christianity, but also marks the graves of countless soldiers.

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If the above image doesn’t make you think that perhaps we should avoid war at all costs, I don’t know how to get the message across any clearer. I’ve noticed some people talking about war flippantly as if it isn’t humans dying. It’s as if because it’s not them, those lives don’t matter. We should never be in a rush to kill other people no matter if our worldviews are different.

Crosses are popular objects used as grave markers, in religious items like wall crucifixes or rosary beads, and they also mark the locations of accidents on roads around the globe. They are a symbol of Christianity, but also of so much more.

 

In my own life, the Ontario College Employers Council’s war against its teachers is ongoing largely because the College Employers Council is refusing to negotiate, despite what lies they are telling the media and others. It’s more annoying being lied to than it is having the strike. It’s almost as if they think we’re stupid. Judging by most of the marks that I got before the strike happened, I’m far from it. If the adults could stop acting like children, that would be great.

I took most of today to rest as I’m still battling the flu, but I’m confident that if I keep doing my assignments, things will eventually work out. I did at least book an appointment to get my winter tires installed and an oil change. I might also be getting that outstanding caliper done. It’s good I’ve been saving for this.

I got to spend time with my young buddy yesterday and watch him do his yellow belt test. I was so worried for him because he’s a bit easy to distract and at his age it’s really hard to sit still, but he made it through. He’s gotten really good at balancing on one foot. At least on one side anyway. He has some stuff to work on, but that’s part of martial arts. You’re never done improving yourself.

Well, I think it’s time to turn the heat on. I’m freezing!

Guid cheerio the nou,

R~

 

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Filed under: Musings Tagged: Honour

Warrior Wednesday – The 8th Day of Remembrance

Today is about a wartime photo, but I don’t have a photo. I don’t have any family members who served in any wars, but I do have some friends who have. One served in the Gulf War, which was the first war that Canada allowed women to serve in combat roles. What is also exceptional about this war is that no Canadians died during it.

Many who served are still suffering the effects.

Sorry for the short post. I’ve had a packed day and my cough is making it hard to breathe, so I’m going to go do something about that.

Good cheerio the nou,

R~

 

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Filed under: Musings Tagged: Honour [image error] [image error] [image error] [image error] [image error] [image error] [image error]

Merry Monday – The 6th Day of Remembrance

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Today is about peace. Peace is something that is often hard won. Peace doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges to deal with. I think some people think peace on Earth would be like the ideal image of heaven. For that to happen, every man, woman, child, and animal would have to be nothing like we are now. The part of all of us that is animal would have to cease to exist. Even domesticated animals attack now and then.

I don’t think a world without challenges would be good to live in. Even Star Trek, which has elements of a utopia, is full of problems. Maybe the regular folks living on the ships that aren’t Starfleet officers don’t notice much in the way of problems. I often wonder what the civilians do. Most domestic chores are done by the computer. It’s not unreasonable to think that if food can be created, why not uniforms as well? Do they just read books and play?

Even in peace time, there is still life on Earth. Many times things don’t go remotely according to plan.

If things had gone according to plan for me, I’d have a six-year-old, I might still be married, I might still live in my hometown, and I might still be working as a Computer Technician or a Social Worker or a Project Manager. Yeah, my plans have had to change numerous times.

I was seeing someone for a bit. Everything seemed to be going well and then it just wasn’t. We had made some plans and those are all off. That sucks, but it is what it is. I could spend my time moping and hating the world/him/men or I could move on. Not that I don’t have to wait a bit because while I might be ready to date, life decided it was time for me to catch the flu just as I was planning to get my flu shot.

I went back to school this year to change careers because I hated what I was doing. It was killing my soul. It was going great and then the strike happened.

Here’s the thing about the strike though. A lot of stuff can get done without our teachers. Teachers don’t read our textbooks for us. They don’t write up our assignments either. They mark stuff. They clarify things. They demonstrate some things. Still, I can do probably about 60% of my work, maybe more. That’s a lot more than 0. Or I could decide the semester is a wash and withdraw or let myself fail once we finally get back to the classroom.

Yeah, we paid for them to teach us, but those plans are currently off the table. I could whine about it or I could take charge of what is in my realm of control. Besides,

being able to learn on your own will get you far in life.

Many of the people in my classes have continued doing their assignments. Some are more on the ball than I am, but most of us aren’t giving up. I’m still behind in readings, but I’ve been working on the things that are worth marks.

I got my first act written for my screenplay, but there’s a problem. I’m done 10 pages too soon. Screenplays are more precise than novels. Ten pages is a big deal because that translates to about 10 minutes of time lost. That wasn’t my plan. So I’m checking out professional scripts to get an idea for where I’ve messed up. Part of it is lack of description. That is my ongoing writing problem currently, so I’m not surprised there. Another thing I noticed was that I haven’t gotten everything formatted the same. Most scripts leave more white space. No one likes reading large paragraphs in a screenplay.

It’s NaNoWriMo and I’m sick. It sucks, but I’m writing anyway because what else am I going to do while lying in bed all day? I take naps and Netflix breaks to rest.

There are always barriers to doing anything. Hell, I just wanted to check my temperature on Friday, but my thermometer’s battery finally ran out. I had to go to the store for food anyway, so I got a new battery to keep an eye on my temperature.

I either bust through blockages or go around them. There’s always something that can be done. I guess I’m just not one for making excuses.

I feel like the best way to bring more peace into my life is to avoid unnecessary political discussion, chase the things I’m passionate about, and roll with things when I need to.

But I think complete peace would feel like death. If everything came to me easily, I’d be bored and hate living. Of course, I’d like a few things to be easier, but I wouldn’t want everything in my life to be peaceful.

Good cheerio the nou,

R~

 

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Filed under: Musings Tagged: Honour