Justin Pyfrom's Blog, page 31

Liars, Plotters, and Thieves…oh my

It’s something that’s getting really but, yet…never gets old. This whole week has been filled with liars and thieves getting punished for their crimes. Luck for me, I didn’t witness any of it but, rather, I was informed of the manner. One of the incidents made me laugh. Yeah, I laughed…I couldn’t help it. He had it coming. But the second one made me really sad. I do mean REALLY SAD!!!

The first incident happened at my job. I’m usually working alone after the incident revolving my colleague that I explained in a previous post (click here and here to learn more). Now, as I was assisting a medley of customers, I didn’t realize that my boss was calling me and ended up missing the call. After everything was done and the store settled down, I called my boss back and heard the most unsettling news (well, predictable, but still unsettling): My colleague got arrested for embezzlement, fraud, and theft.

I smiled and laughed my arse off. I know, I’m terrible but you got to understand something about this wanker. He has the “ends justify the means” approach to sales. So, it didn’t surprise me that he was doing was going to come back and haunt him. You know, stealing from customers, lying to customers and stealing from the company (creating new accounts, reaping the commission and deactivating them later on) just to make himself look good. All of that came back to bite him in the arse earlier this week. See, having morals and ethics is a lifesaving quality. Plus, let’s be frank, I’m not really cut out for prison life and it’s hard to be a productive writer from behind bars.

Speaking of the arts, remember last week, I spoke about the evils of the world (click here) revolving Justin Smollett. Well, while my statement still stands, I realized that I spoke too soon and the most recent series of events proved that Justin Smollett was lying the entire time. Though the reason for the lying is still being evaluated (payday increase seems to be the censuses), the very act of using our communities’ fears and woes to further his agenda is downright despicable. I’m feeling a lot of emotions, right now, but the one dominant emotion is SORROW.

Oh, one more thing, I’m more than halfway through my 2019 GoodRead Challenge which means that Book Reviews will be flooding my blog soon. So, in March, expect to see a bevy of reviews. I will also have the list of books that I’ve read thus far and the dates that each review will be posted.

Now, please, don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads) which are on the right side of my web page. Also, I do love hearing suggestions of what books to read outside of my norm (Science fiction and fantasy) as I am a part of the Goodreads’ reading challenge for 2019.

Year of Audible is coming…

This is the first time in a good while where a week has been going pretty slow for me. Just writing, writing, writing while continuing to lay down the foundation for the “Year of Audible” project that will take form in July. My teammates and I are making sure that everything goes off without a hitch. Haha! Wishful thinking, right? I bet you anything something is going awry before it works nicely.

So, I’ve been spending all of January and a few days in February writing out sixty-four outlines and two novels that will is planned for 2019-2020. My voice actors (all of which are my best friends from various points in my life) are excited about this project – more than me if I’m being honest. This is going to be so much fun. Plus, the best thing about this project is that EVERYBODY is going to experience to put on their resume.

Because of the nature of this project and its aspiring longevity, I can imagine how many short story ideas are going to be running around in my head. Especially in the darkest parts of my mind and there are a lot of them so I doubt that I’m going to run out of ideas anytime soon. Plus, it will give me and a few other individuals a chance to flex our writing muscles in various mediums outside of story writing.

It’s actually why I’ve been indulging in Audible for so long. Been experimenting and experiencing with various titles from the service. Started in November and I went through over, maybe, forty titles thus far. The service is a godsend and I don’t think I’m going to give it up anytime soon. Plus, the range of the service and all of its content are versatile in nature so I’m going to be testing the waters on a few storylines/projects.

Oh yeah…I’m really going to have some fun with this.

Now, please, don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads) which are on the right side of my web page. Also, I do love hearing suggestions of what books to read outside of my norm (Science fiction and fantasy) as I am a part of the Goodreads’ reading challenge for 2019.

There’s So Much Darkness Surrounding Us

In light of an LGBTQ star being the target of a terrible hate crime (click here), there’s something I want to get off my chest.

There’s so much darkness in this world. You may already know that but this generation is really something to be quite concerned with. I mean…whwre do people get the nerve to “offended” and “appalled” about things that don’t affect them. Even worse, where they get the audacity to get mad about things that don’t affect anybody. The worst kind of people are the ones who radiate hateful darkness around them.

I mean…we have a President that thinks he’s above it all because of his title. He thinks that everybody should just follow his narrative because he says so and condemns anybody who doesn’t. It’s heartbreaking to see so many good people’s lives are ruined because of their ability to stand their ground. The pain that he and his devoted are spreading is alarmingly terrifying and massive. Worst yet, he wants to continue for ANOTHER four years. I don’t know about you… I don’t think this country can handle another four years of this man’s darkness.

Now, let me say this, I don’t hate the man. I wasn’t taught to hate as I’m was told that its a waste of time and precious energy that could see used for something more productive and wonderful. Plus, my grandma has always told me that there’s not a hateful bone in my body as it wasn’t the way God made me. But I will say this… I do NOT like our President.

I do not like how he’s pulling our country back into its darkness parts of history. I do not like how easy it is for him to ease his way in and out of his lies and his followers hang onto his every word. And I, especially do not like how his followers think they can commit such heinous acts of cruelty thinking that HE will get them out of it. He’s a narcissist/psychopath; he doesn’t care about anybody but himself.

But, alas, I’m going to end it here because I can feel my heart beginning to sink. I don’t like feeling. I don’t like it at all. Our country needs its light back. Our country needs its love back. Our country needs its harmony back.

Now, please, don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads) which are on the right side of my web page. Also, I do love hearing suggestions of what books to read outside of my norm (Science fiction and fantasy) as I am a part of the Goodreads’ reading challenge for 2019.

Well well…I’m back

This is going to be a rather short blog post…well…sort of. Sorry, it has been about two weeks since I posted but for good reasons. See, writing and teaching work hand-and-hand and I’m going to get the chance to do both whiles on the road. I will be going to China in July and I’m doing so much work in preparations. And I’m doing all of this while working on my short stories.

First, I had to get my TEFL certification which I completed without any problems. A 120 hrs course was completed in 50 hrs and the final assignment was done within a few hours. Yeah, that’s what I call hyperfocus. Lol

Next, I had to get my passport and, let me tell you, that process was harder than I expected. It took me a grand total of three weeks and two attempts to get it right. Because I didn’t have my birth certificate, social and new ID BEFORE I could even attempt the passport application. Oh, the two attempts, you ask? Well, I made the money order wrong and had to turn it into two money orders. Haha! Luckily, I got it wrong on the third try.

Now, I have to do a background and medical check. I’m never worried about these things. Since I’ve never committed a crime a day in my life (call it civil laziness) and I’ve never been in need of hospital care (knock on wood), this part of the process will be of great ease. Too bad I got to pay for the medical exam, myself. After…i have to stockpile on pants, jeans, and footwear since no other country might not have my size.

Finally, I might need another laptop. Small one. Something easy to transport and work on. Oh! And a messenger bag. Because I’ll be damned if I can’t write while I’m traveling and I will rather be comfortable while doing so. Besides…I’m almost done with the outlines for both short stories and crime series. I have great faith that you all will love what I have in store for you.

Now, please, don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads) which are on the right side of my web page. Also, I do love hearing suggestions of what books to read outside of my norm (Science fiction and fantasy) as I am a part of the Goodreads’ reading challenge for 2019.

Sacrifice and Contribution Are Two Different Things

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-Bedman, Guilty Gear franchise

It’s amazing how many ziggers I have amassed over my years as a gaymer. Using quotes from various fighting, RPG and various other video games, I’ve been able to cut down my annoyers with little to no ease. My favorite target is my colleague at my current job that I spoke about last week. He has not let up in flaunting his status as “The Golden Boy” in a condescending way…

Even worst, he wouldn’t stop interjecting himself into other people sales. Again, because of my lack of experience in sales, the arrogant wanker wouldn’t leave me alone leading to me to verbally rip him to shreds with a quote from Bedman. Apparently, he reported me but I didn’t get reprimand…thank God!!! Instead, after learning about what the future holds for me in July (I’ll tell you about that, later), he complied with my wish of not working with the insufferable twat.

My Audible project is going pretty lovely. I’m not done with all the outlines as I wanted to make each story vastly different from the last. Of course, I want to make sure that this virtual Writer’s House that my friends and I to be a focal point for indie writers, voice actors and such. Because of this endgame, I want to make sure that I do this right and take my time. Luckily, it’s the internet so I don’t have to worry about speeding this up. The only thing I really have to keep my ears to the ground and make sure the house’s content is fresh, relatable and captivating.

Finally, I’m almost done with the plotting and planning for the first book of my crime series. I mean, like, really almost done as I’m taking all the points on the flowchart and forming chapters out of them all. The goal is ten chapters that will be formatted by the way of episodes and scenes. This book series will be following the theme: “Go ahead and digger yourself a deeper hole.”

Now, please, don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads) which are on the right side of my web page. Also, I do love hearing suggestions of what books to read outside of my norm (Science fiction and fantasy) as I am a part of the Goodreads’ reading challenge for 2019.

Time Marches On…I Think I Might Need A New Job

You know what the worst thing about trying to get so much accomplished in such a small amount of time: not enough time to read a good book. But I do have an alternative for the time being…Audible, a delightful service from Amazon that sells audiobooks. Been abusing the hell out this service and got through over thirty audiobooks within the course of two months and planning on listening to more. But that’s not the only thing I’m intrigued about…

Looking for a new place of employment with higher pay and much friendlier work environment is top on my to-do list. I had to deal with the fact that my hours were cut because I vocalized my opinions about a colleague who has a nasty habit of interjecting himself into other people’s sales. But that’s not all. For the first time, I was the lowest in sales for the month despite reaching the monthly goal of fifty. Now! They did reveal one side of the issue to me but I know better…I know what this was really about and I wasn’t a fan. Not at all. But, alas, I don’t hold on to negative emotions for too long, especially anger. Besides, I got work to do. Haha!

See, I’ve dubbed 2019, the Year of Audible, because of the incredible market that I got the privilege to explore. It’s marvelous. Small bursts of short stories, novels, interviews, plays and such. All of which are wonderfully produced and I love how many writers, authors, and producers are thinking outside the box and I want to see what else this service has to offer. I’m definitely going to make sure that all of my stories have an audio form.

Speaking out of stories, I have completed 30% of the story stories outlines done and want to get all of them done before the month ends. Even better, I have a few series that I’m going to be working to make an Audible/Kindle exclusive for the time being. I will be telling you the name and synopsis of each series/short stories when everything was said and done. This is actually going to be great because I get to work with another writer (he will be revealed once the series is done per his request) to create a wonderful LGBT series outside of my crime series. Oh! RIGHT!!!! I FINALLY GOT A NAME FOR IT!!! But I’m going to be quiet about it…just in case I think of a better name.

Yeah…I think I’m going to be doing pretty well this week. Still…I need to get out of this annoying environment of my current job. And in rapid fashion, too. Haha!

Now, please, don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads) which are on the right side of my web page. Also, I do love hearing suggestions of what books to read outside of my norm (Science fiction and fantasy) as I am a part of the Goodreads’ reading challenge for 2019.

New Year, New Mindset…But New Problems

Alright…it’s time. It’s time to get 2019 started on the right foot. I need to make sure that it’s everything goes precisely – or semi-precisely – well. I’m even going to create a small team to help me further my endeavors as well as theirs. But, that’s going to be a be a spell as we get everything settled so, for now, that’s not what I want to talk about today.

I never quite understand the need for bringing other people down. I’ve witnessed one of my colleagues trying to throw me and my third teammate under the bus. He “ratted” me out for writing when there are no customers in the store and my other teammate for something that we ALL agreed on because we were in a bind. When everything was said and done, he came to me to ask if “we were cool”, I told him that I don’t hate him but I can’t exactly trust him, either, which is worse for me. But, I’m not mad at him. Neither is my colleague, as a matter of fact. Especially since we both know that our bosses know not to trust him. Besides, it’s just another example of how NOT to treat my teammates.

In other news, I had to deal with Lyft who thought it was a good idea to take the side of a dishonest driver that was participating in a new trend called “Vomit Fraud” (see article for more information). Too bad for him,  I was doing security work that weekend so I couldn’t drink or eat thus couldn’t throw up. Of course, Lyft wouldn’t listen to me and took $100 out of my account. So, in retaliation, I called my bank and lawyer to deal with Lyft. It’s funny…when corporations hear the words “legal actions”…they’re willing to work with you. It was there I learned that they “saw the error in their way” and returned what they took. But I wasn’t done with them.

I demanded that the driver gets the sack for what he did. If he tried to do it to me, then I can guarantee it that he’s going to try it again. Plus, I hate when someone tries to swindle me; I want justice.

But, while I’m working on getting the driver fired, I’m going to be spending the first two weeks of the year writing the outlines for ALL sixty short stories that I will be debuting this year. I will be working on two new Audible series that will exclusive to the online libraries (ebooks & audiobooks). And, that’s not the only thing that will take place in this project but I’ll leave that to be a surprise.

Now, please, don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads) which are on the right side of my web page. Also, I do love hearing suggestions of what books to read outside of my norm (Science fiction and fantasy) as I am a part of the Goodreads’ reading challenge for 2019.

Goodbye 2018 accomplishments…Hello 2019 goals

Allow me to extend my appreciating for everybody who has been reading my blog posts. This is still pretty new to me but I think I getting better at it. NOW! I want to share what I want to explore for 2019.

First and foremost, I want to make sure that I increase my involvement in social media. It’s something to more important to me later on my writing path and I want it to become second nature to me. But, on the second or third quarter of the year, I want to give another platform a go: Pateron. Yep! I’m taking a friends advice and getting involved in Pateron so I add more meat to my writing resume for the world to see. Plus, I can create a snazzy more welcoming website (something I can pay mostly for) to accommodate what I’m going to do next…

What’s next? Well, I have over seventy short stories ideas on the backburner so it’s time to explore that avenue and make something grand out of it. I’m thinking a short story per week and going from there. I also want to explore Audible and narrators for my short stories. Definitely, want to hire a full-time narrator and graphic designer (which I have) for this endeavor. I also to create more projects to involve people in rather than planting myself into other people’s work.

But, I absolutely want to create a short a week which lead to a Pateron page. That way, I can regularly dish out short stories on a regular basis and getting them out of the head and on paper. Um, I’m going to need a hire a proofreader, too, now that I think about it…

So…yeah…I need to makeover my website (probably going to have my best mate to that), put my “dimensional” brand on FULL display with a bevy of short shorties & audios and create a Pateron page to distribute it all. This is going to be fun!

Yep, 2019 is shaping up to be a bright year. And since I’m pretty sure we’ll all be partying at this time, I have one more thing to say:

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Good Tidings To You

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Sending holiday joy and love to all of you!!! I pray that you have a wonderful time with your family and mates. As for me, I will be doing the same thing and taking the day off of writing and planning to give them my undivided attention. It’s either that or my brother is not going to let me live it down.

A Relaxing Guilty Pleasure

Name: Fallout Shelter

Platform: Varies (Played it on the PlayStation 4)

Style: City Building

Publisher(s): Bethesda Softworks

Developer(s): Bethesda Game Studios & Behavior Interactive

Release Date: June 10, 2018 (for PS4)

Date of Completion: November 4, 2018

City Building video game genre is a guilty pleasure of mine. They’re relaxing, easily accessible and the criminally simple to comprehend. Plus, the replay value is invaluable and infinite compared to any other genre. So far, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King is the only city building game that I dubbed with playing to its entirety because they had enough content and lore to keep me engaged. Now I can add one more to my list: Fallout Shelter.

Serving as a spinoff to the Fallout franchise, this game started off a mobile game but I didn’t really touch it since I’m not one for using my phone for the game. That being said, when it comes to consoles, I took this game on with full force.

As I said, Fallout Shelter is a relatively simple game with a basic premise. Basically, you’re the Overseer of a Vault that is randomly assigned. Your job to fill it up with survivors/dwellers and assign them to a room that you also have to build. Trust me…there’s a lot of thinking and strategy involved when you have to take their stats into consideration. And, as icing on the cake, you have train dwellers in a certain stat by assigning to a particular room to level up. Sound easy, right, yeah…well…here’s where things get interesting.

Now, right off the bat, you’ll see three crucial resources that you have to balance throughout the game: Water, Food, and Power. Each one can be acquired from a room (or two) and must be on a regular basis or your dwellers are going to suffer – a lot. This is why it’s important to place the right dwellers in the right room. Furthermore, it’s important to understand that if you put the wrong dweller in a room, it will actually hinder the other ones in that room and you’ll be doing more harm than good.

Finally, exploration via solo and group missions are something to marvel at. Fallout Shelter, in fact, has a storyline attached to it in the form of quests with lucrative rewards upon completion. Granted you speed the process of EVERYTHING in the game by utilizing microtransactions but it’s not really necessary. Trustfully, you can engage in random encounters – both in and out of the Vault – to pass the time…or just turn off the game (time will still pass even when inactive).

Oh, right! The game does have microtransactions but, as it should be, it’s not a necessity. The game doesn’t have a “pay to win” mentality as everything you can get via money can be obtained through quests. This game deserves a 10 out of 10.