Jack Lewis Baillot's Blog, page 23
January 9, 2016
"That lonely bald guy in the corner makes no sense."
Wherein Jack hates a game, loves a book, and shares a New Year's Goal.
Like most little girls I read Little House on the Prairie. I think I read it for school, but it lead me to the other books, which I read and reread over the next few years.
Except I had a problem with romance. I don't know why I avoided it as hard as I did. Probably a mix of things. Romance meant growing up. It meant you spent all the time with your spouse and stopped coming over to build lego houses (this was an experience with my fun babysitter.) But worse of all...IT MEANT YOU KISSED ALL THE TIME. I didn't even watch Anne and Gilbert kiss for the first time, I hid under a blanket with my cousin.
Things have changed some since then. I'm still not a romantic person persay. I still don't read a lot of romance books. I still might hide under the blankets when people kiss in the movies and the camera zooms in and makes it awkward. But I do have a few romances I like.
All of that is to say it took me a long time before finished the Little House series because I refused to read the books where Laura and Almanzo began to court. I don't think I warmed up to their romance until I read the part where he went to get her from the school where she taught and brought her home in a blizzard because he was the only one in the world who knew how miserable she was there and how much she looked forward to her weekends at home.
I think that was the point where I decided he was the best man ever. I also might have gotten a crush on him. (I guess this goes to prove I always end up fancying the dead guys.)
I never forgot about these books, even though I've not read them for years, but before Christmas they somehow came up in a conversation with my friends. In an instant I remember how much I'd loved the books - how I felt like Laura and I would have been best friends if we had lived in the same time period. (I felt like we had a lot in common. A little awkward, wild, shy, but still wanting to be friends with everyone.)
The conversation of the books brought up all kinds of other ones. Our dislike of the later TV series and how they ruined Almanzo and how he deserved to be better portrayed. My friend and I realized we both really loved Almanzo and we spent half an hour flipping through the later books and reading bits with him in them - in other words we shamelessly fangirled to the amusement of my friend's younger sister who has yet to get to the books with him in them.
It also reminded me how I wanted to be a pioneer when I was little. It was a long phase which I actually studied. I went all out. I divided things in my room, setting aside a few things I'd take if I ever traveled in a wagon. I was very thorough. I even went so far as to decide if I would sew rocks in the bottom of my dress to keep it from flapping in the wind or if I would just let it flap. (I decided to let it flap.) I practiced running over rocks so I could walk barefoot during the warm days of travel and therefore still have my boots when we got to the snow covered mountains. I even watched for any wagons rolling past my house.
When the Oregon Trail computer game came out I was so excited to play it. It wasn't like traveling in real life but I thought it would be the next best thing. That was until I kept dying, over and over again. And all of my deaths were stupid. I once shot myself in the foot, another time I was shot by a friend while hunting, for some reason I went to pick flowers and picked poison. I drowned in a river crossing. The game irritated me. It had no idea how much I'd studied for a covered wagon journey. I knew better then to shot myself in the foot and die from it. (Needless to say, I didn't play the game for long.) It didn't know that I had already traveled across country with Laura and lived through a long winter. It didn't know what it was talking about I decided.
I'm not sure what the game has to do with this post, other than to solidify the belief that I COULD HAVE MADE IT ALL THE WAY TO OREGON!
This year I plan to reread some of my favorite books - because what is the point of owning all of them and not reading them again? It is like having best friends and never dropping in for tea and a raid of their cookie jars.
One of the series I am going to reread is the Little House books. I'm already nearly finished with Little House in the Big Woods, which I read almost all of yesterday. Last night actually. If we're going to get technical.
Once I get to These Happy Golden Years I might have to do a ranty post about Almanzo.
And now that I've slightly embarrassed myself over him I will go and finish reading. Maybe go for a brisk job because that won't end badly with a broken rib. (Fear not, I promise not to go jogging. At least not briskly.)
I leave you with another Psych quote.
Like most little girls I read Little House on the Prairie. I think I read it for school, but it lead me to the other books, which I read and reread over the next few years.
Except I had a problem with romance. I don't know why I avoided it as hard as I did. Probably a mix of things. Romance meant growing up. It meant you spent all the time with your spouse and stopped coming over to build lego houses (this was an experience with my fun babysitter.) But worse of all...IT MEANT YOU KISSED ALL THE TIME. I didn't even watch Anne and Gilbert kiss for the first time, I hid under a blanket with my cousin.
Things have changed some since then. I'm still not a romantic person persay. I still don't read a lot of romance books. I still might hide under the blankets when people kiss in the movies and the camera zooms in and makes it awkward. But I do have a few romances I like.
All of that is to say it took me a long time before finished the Little House series because I refused to read the books where Laura and Almanzo began to court. I don't think I warmed up to their romance until I read the part where he went to get her from the school where she taught and brought her home in a blizzard because he was the only one in the world who knew how miserable she was there and how much she looked forward to her weekends at home.
I think that was the point where I decided he was the best man ever. I also might have gotten a crush on him. (I guess this goes to prove I always end up fancying the dead guys.)
I never forgot about these books, even though I've not read them for years, but before Christmas they somehow came up in a conversation with my friends. In an instant I remember how much I'd loved the books - how I felt like Laura and I would have been best friends if we had lived in the same time period. (I felt like we had a lot in common. A little awkward, wild, shy, but still wanting to be friends with everyone.)
The conversation of the books brought up all kinds of other ones. Our dislike of the later TV series and how they ruined Almanzo and how he deserved to be better portrayed. My friend and I realized we both really loved Almanzo and we spent half an hour flipping through the later books and reading bits with him in them - in other words we shamelessly fangirled to the amusement of my friend's younger sister who has yet to get to the books with him in them.
It also reminded me how I wanted to be a pioneer when I was little. It was a long phase which I actually studied. I went all out. I divided things in my room, setting aside a few things I'd take if I ever traveled in a wagon. I was very thorough. I even went so far as to decide if I would sew rocks in the bottom of my dress to keep it from flapping in the wind or if I would just let it flap. (I decided to let it flap.) I practiced running over rocks so I could walk barefoot during the warm days of travel and therefore still have my boots when we got to the snow covered mountains. I even watched for any wagons rolling past my house.
When the Oregon Trail computer game came out I was so excited to play it. It wasn't like traveling in real life but I thought it would be the next best thing. That was until I kept dying, over and over again. And all of my deaths were stupid. I once shot myself in the foot, another time I was shot by a friend while hunting, for some reason I went to pick flowers and picked poison. I drowned in a river crossing. The game irritated me. It had no idea how much I'd studied for a covered wagon journey. I knew better then to shot myself in the foot and die from it. (Needless to say, I didn't play the game for long.) It didn't know that I had already traveled across country with Laura and lived through a long winter. It didn't know what it was talking about I decided.
I'm not sure what the game has to do with this post, other than to solidify the belief that I COULD HAVE MADE IT ALL THE WAY TO OREGON!
This year I plan to reread some of my favorite books - because what is the point of owning all of them and not reading them again? It is like having best friends and never dropping in for tea and a raid of their cookie jars.
One of the series I am going to reread is the Little House books. I'm already nearly finished with Little House in the Big Woods, which I read almost all of yesterday. Last night actually. If we're going to get technical.
Once I get to These Happy Golden Years I might have to do a ranty post about Almanzo.
And now that I've slightly embarrassed myself over him I will go and finish reading. Maybe go for a brisk job because that won't end badly with a broken rib. (Fear not, I promise not to go jogging. At least not briskly.)
I leave you with another Psych quote.
January 5, 2016
"I'm glad Shawn peanut buttered your phone yesterday."
Wherein Jack went to the doctor.
And it turned out to be more interesting than it might normally be. Because Jack has the talent of turning normal situations into weird occurrences.
It has been settled on that my rib is broken, cracked, or fractured. Mostly it just depends what I'm doing at the time you ask me, and how conversational I am. All of the above fits, though it seems to lean more toward an actual break and not a crack because the way the bone is sticking out. Not that I'm studying my bones, since I have no interest in anything medical and still grow queasy at the sight of my own blood.
The doctor called it a fracture. I don't know the difference between a fracture and a break and I didn't care to ask him after he poked and prodded it and left me in more pain then when I first climbed up onto his table. For some reason a man jabbing you in your broken rib and asking if it hurts ruins all further desire for conversation.
I mostly just call my rib broken, because I hate the way fracture sounds. Sounds more painful, and as if the little bones in my body are doing nasty things to my insides, which is kind of what it feels like.
But that isn't the point of this story.
The point is more the actual doctor visit and the waiting room.
By Sunday, eight days after my rib began to hurt, I figured it wasn't just bruised as I first thought. I've gotten bruised insides before and this felt completely different. After talking to some friends, and having friends contacted a broken rib expert, everyone figured in the very least it was cracked. I figured the same and kind of wanted to leave it at that. A crack I could man up about. I could still convince myself I was fine, go on walks, maybe a hike or two, even go down to the beach and run through the snow and fly my kite.
This is why I shouldn't be left without adult supervision.
The broken rib expert thought all of the above was a bad idea, even though he had no idea I had any of it planned. He suggested I go to the doctor, and I agreed that I should, though I never said I would. I have this thing with doctors. They have needles. They poke you when you're sore. They have needles. Most insane madmen pose as doctors and stick people with needles. And they have needles. I try to avoid them at all costs. Not always my wisest course of action, but I'm not known for my wisdom.
I was in a lot of pain by Sunday, and after hearing it might be broken feared the dreaded warning most people give with broken ribs. "Don't let it puncture a lung." I had a bad image of myself drinking tea and then gasping for breath. On top of the pain though, I just wasn't having a very good day and by Sunday night a friend caught on and decided Psych was in order.
The plan was for me to go over and watch Psych, then come back to my place where I'd be picked up in the morning to be taken to the doctor. (I didn't know I was going to the doctor until that moment and still considered backing out of it.) That was until I got to my friend's house and they saw how much pain I was in.
And this is where I pause to explain the PJs. By the time I went over to my friend's house I'd already put on my pajamas because I had no plan of going over until they invited me over at eight. I didn't feel like trying to get back into my clothes, and since I thought I'd be back at my place in an hour I didn't pack myself anything to change into later.
Now you now the PJs. Also I wore my cloak. My Ranger cloak over my Tintin pajamas. And my nice slip on shoes. Without socks.
When my friends insisted I spend the night with them just in case I got worse, the plan became for us to wake up early, swing by my place where I could get dressed, then go to the doctor.
I think you get where this is going.
The waking up early worked. But then there was the business of starting the car and warming it up. And my sore rib. And the fact it hurts to change clothes. And the fact there were two sick people in the house with me who needed to see the doctor too. Somehow, in this round about way, we trooped to the doctor with half of us in our PJs. (There were four of us. I and another girl in our PJs, her parents were dressed.)
We left really early and were one of the first there to spend our time in the waiting room filling out all that paper work which is likely burned when patients leave because when they go back they have to fill it out all over again. Once we were done we had the fun task of sitting and waiting, and waiting, and waiting. But my two friends who were sick were coughing a good deal, and therefore had to put on masks. (The surgical kind.)
I was over my cold by then. But I had a tiny cough which showed up sometimes and I fought because it hurt like mad to cough. Unfortunately, when I get nervous, my throat tickles. And I was nervous, because I was in my PJs and cloak and the other patients thought I was insane - but mostly because the nurse behind the counter was judging me over my lack of medical insurance.
And I began to cough. Next thing I knew, I was strapped down with a mask...which I had to keep on even after I stopped coughing for the rest of the visit.
Do you know how much attention you can draw in a doctor's waiting room with a surgical mask, Tintin pajamas, nice shoes, and a Ranger's cloak? Don't to mention the fact I was doubled up and shifty trying to find the impossible position to sit in which wouldn't hurt my rib?
Quite a bit. I drew so much I started to smirk at people from behind my mask, a talent I didn't know I had.
After that of course came the poking, the fractured rib announcement, the order not to lift anything for a month, and the fact that I somehow managed to break my rib without having any real clue as to how I did it.
Do I have talent? You bet your best shiny button I do.
I also got a nice reminder that I have the greatest friends in the world - who have been looking after me since the doctor visit. (My two sick friends were declared to have phenomena, so we've kept each other company in our agony by laying about and moaning in pain.)
But....I think I had more, but now my battery is dying so I have to dash.
Quote is from Psych, something Shawn's dad said to Lassie.
And it turned out to be more interesting than it might normally be. Because Jack has the talent of turning normal situations into weird occurrences.
It has been settled on that my rib is broken, cracked, or fractured. Mostly it just depends what I'm doing at the time you ask me, and how conversational I am. All of the above fits, though it seems to lean more toward an actual break and not a crack because the way the bone is sticking out. Not that I'm studying my bones, since I have no interest in anything medical and still grow queasy at the sight of my own blood.
The doctor called it a fracture. I don't know the difference between a fracture and a break and I didn't care to ask him after he poked and prodded it and left me in more pain then when I first climbed up onto his table. For some reason a man jabbing you in your broken rib and asking if it hurts ruins all further desire for conversation.
I mostly just call my rib broken, because I hate the way fracture sounds. Sounds more painful, and as if the little bones in my body are doing nasty things to my insides, which is kind of what it feels like.
But that isn't the point of this story.
The point is more the actual doctor visit and the waiting room.
By Sunday, eight days after my rib began to hurt, I figured it wasn't just bruised as I first thought. I've gotten bruised insides before and this felt completely different. After talking to some friends, and having friends contacted a broken rib expert, everyone figured in the very least it was cracked. I figured the same and kind of wanted to leave it at that. A crack I could man up about. I could still convince myself I was fine, go on walks, maybe a hike or two, even go down to the beach and run through the snow and fly my kite.
This is why I shouldn't be left without adult supervision.
The broken rib expert thought all of the above was a bad idea, even though he had no idea I had any of it planned. He suggested I go to the doctor, and I agreed that I should, though I never said I would. I have this thing with doctors. They have needles. They poke you when you're sore. They have needles. Most insane madmen pose as doctors and stick people with needles. And they have needles. I try to avoid them at all costs. Not always my wisest course of action, but I'm not known for my wisdom.
I was in a lot of pain by Sunday, and after hearing it might be broken feared the dreaded warning most people give with broken ribs. "Don't let it puncture a lung." I had a bad image of myself drinking tea and then gasping for breath. On top of the pain though, I just wasn't having a very good day and by Sunday night a friend caught on and decided Psych was in order.
The plan was for me to go over and watch Psych, then come back to my place where I'd be picked up in the morning to be taken to the doctor. (I didn't know I was going to the doctor until that moment and still considered backing out of it.) That was until I got to my friend's house and they saw how much pain I was in.
And this is where I pause to explain the PJs. By the time I went over to my friend's house I'd already put on my pajamas because I had no plan of going over until they invited me over at eight. I didn't feel like trying to get back into my clothes, and since I thought I'd be back at my place in an hour I didn't pack myself anything to change into later.
Now you now the PJs. Also I wore my cloak. My Ranger cloak over my Tintin pajamas. And my nice slip on shoes. Without socks.
When my friends insisted I spend the night with them just in case I got worse, the plan became for us to wake up early, swing by my place where I could get dressed, then go to the doctor.
I think you get where this is going.
The waking up early worked. But then there was the business of starting the car and warming it up. And my sore rib. And the fact it hurts to change clothes. And the fact there were two sick people in the house with me who needed to see the doctor too. Somehow, in this round about way, we trooped to the doctor with half of us in our PJs. (There were four of us. I and another girl in our PJs, her parents were dressed.)
We left really early and were one of the first there to spend our time in the waiting room filling out all that paper work which is likely burned when patients leave because when they go back they have to fill it out all over again. Once we were done we had the fun task of sitting and waiting, and waiting, and waiting. But my two friends who were sick were coughing a good deal, and therefore had to put on masks. (The surgical kind.)
I was over my cold by then. But I had a tiny cough which showed up sometimes and I fought because it hurt like mad to cough. Unfortunately, when I get nervous, my throat tickles. And I was nervous, because I was in my PJs and cloak and the other patients thought I was insane - but mostly because the nurse behind the counter was judging me over my lack of medical insurance.
And I began to cough. Next thing I knew, I was strapped down with a mask...which I had to keep on even after I stopped coughing for the rest of the visit.
Do you know how much attention you can draw in a doctor's waiting room with a surgical mask, Tintin pajamas, nice shoes, and a Ranger's cloak? Don't to mention the fact I was doubled up and shifty trying to find the impossible position to sit in which wouldn't hurt my rib?
Quite a bit. I drew so much I started to smirk at people from behind my mask, a talent I didn't know I had.
After that of course came the poking, the fractured rib announcement, the order not to lift anything for a month, and the fact that I somehow managed to break my rib without having any real clue as to how I did it.
Do I have talent? You bet your best shiny button I do.
I also got a nice reminder that I have the greatest friends in the world - who have been looking after me since the doctor visit. (My two sick friends were declared to have phenomena, so we've kept each other company in our agony by laying about and moaning in pain.)
But....I think I had more, but now my battery is dying so I have to dash.
Quote is from Psych, something Shawn's dad said to Lassie.
January 3, 2016
"What's that, officer dad?" "Part-time officer dad."
Happy 2016, my minions. (Well, only some of you are minions, I try and keep my Evil Overlord army small, it lessens the chance of traitors. I just thought if I called you all minions you'd take more kindly to the term. It was that or servants. Which is one up from slaves, so you know, take what you can get.)
I've started this new year off correctly, by somehow losing my writing brace and bruising, cracking, or breaking a rib. I don't know which, because I've not gone to a doctor yet to find out which it is. It seems to be leaning more toward a crack than a bruise at this moment, and maybe a break since there's a lump and not a caved in....rib. Why do I do things like this to myself, you ask. That's a good question. An even better one is how. When you find out how let me know because I'm still trying to figure that one out.
That said, I might have spent the first few days of my new year watching Psych. And by that I might have ended the last week of my old year watching Psych. (I might have watched a season a day for the past week. I might also only have season 8 left, which I've been ordered to wait on and watch with my best friend. Be impressed. Also be impressed that I tried to take it easy with the whole cracked rib thing and didn't do anything overly stupid like going sledding, which I would have done if I had had a sled.)
I thought I'd do an end of the year post, also a beginning of the year one. An over view of last year. I don't typically do them, mostly because I'm too chicken to review my year. But this year had a lot that happened in it, so I guess an over view is in order.
I had a lot planned for this year, none of which happened. 2014 ended rather nicely. I had a nice Christmas and New Years holiday, which involved more working than I would have cared for, time with my family, and a bet with Phil - my other best friend - which turned into littler bets throughout the year. I thought it was a nice start to a new year, but 2015 is probably the worst year I've ever lived through - not that it was all horrible though.
I made a list of things I planned to accomplish in 2015. A lot of it had to do with writing and reading. I was going to read something like a 100 books and write a lot of the uncompleted series I have started. It would have been about 12 books or more all together. Last year was the first year in a long time I made myself goals. I don't tend to do them anymore, mostly because - let's face it - no one keeps them. (Like in that Phineas and Ferb episode. I would have done a moving picture thingy like my friends, but I lack that skill...so just take my word for it.)
I made it until June completing all my goals, and then that failed. I still read a lot, but it was just to help me deal with grief. For some reason I found it the best way for me, if I had to concentrate on words I couldn't cry as often. But I didn't make it nearly as far with my writing.
Instead of accomplishing everything I wrote down in my notebook I ended up doing a lot of things I never had planned.
I moved out on my own for the first time - all the way in my own. Without roommates, which is kinda still weird though I've been getting used to it. I also moved to the last state in the US I thought I'd end up.
I got a publisher this year, for the last book I have that I would actually want a publisher for. (Not that I hate Brothers-in-Arms, but of all the books I've written that one is by far the saddest and now I have to spend a lot of time on it. That said, I'm still thrilled about the publisher.)
I made new friends, at work of all places. I'm still not the most social person in the world, but I've been trying hard to be more friendly to people I meet - starting with those I work with nearly all day. (I also became buddies with all the little kids, but that was really easy and doesn't really count as a new change.)
Of course, the thing which made this year so hard was the death of my friend. I still have really hard days, this last week was one of them. Hence watching Psych non stop. Most of the time I still can't believe she is really gone. I am convinced, I think, that when I go back home for a visit she will be there to greet me. I still have a long ways to go, I think, but sometimes the best I can do is go from day to day. Go to work, come home, take Dog for a walk, make tea, and read - and continue to trust God in all things.
Even though this last year was hard, and I wouldn't want to relive it, I learned a lot from it. Things I wish I hadn't had to learn the hard way. I learned that while goals can be a good thing they shouldn't get in the way of the people around me. I want to always make time for my family and friends now, even if it means skipping a day writing.
I learned that being an adult is not something I enjoy but I can get by. (How's that for a not serious discovery right after a serious one?) I think the thing I learned with this though is how to be myself. I can pay my bills and work my job, and I can also get into snowball fights and roll around on the floor in wrestling matches with two-year-olds. I know it can sound a little weird to say things like I've learned more about myself, but I think there might be a lot of truth in it, weirdness aside. I'm not as quiet as I used to be. I'm not outgoing by any means, but I don't think I'll ever be. Just not my personality. I don't keep to myself as much though.
I have a lot to learn still, a long big struggle and things to work through. This next year won't be easy, but I can only hope it won't be as hard as last year.
And this is my second year after a long time that I have made myself a list of goals, But they are considerably different than last year's. I don't plan to share them all, because a lot are for me, to help me through some things. I will share some though, just for the fun of it I guess.
I plan to not spend so much time reading, but instead do things I've always wanted to. New things I never thought I'd be able to accomplish. Like learn the bagpipes, fencing, and maybe attempt drawing again. I want to go on more adventures, fly my kite on the beach, run around barefoot and try not to get stung by those little sea creatures with spikes.
I really want to try and be a better friend this year and to be less scared of doing new things.
I hope all of you had a nice New Years Eve and day. And I'll let you guess my quote.
I've started this new year off correctly, by somehow losing my writing brace and bruising, cracking, or breaking a rib. I don't know which, because I've not gone to a doctor yet to find out which it is. It seems to be leaning more toward a crack than a bruise at this moment, and maybe a break since there's a lump and not a caved in....rib. Why do I do things like this to myself, you ask. That's a good question. An even better one is how. When you find out how let me know because I'm still trying to figure that one out.
That said, I might have spent the first few days of my new year watching Psych. And by that I might have ended the last week of my old year watching Psych. (I might have watched a season a day for the past week. I might also only have season 8 left, which I've been ordered to wait on and watch with my best friend. Be impressed. Also be impressed that I tried to take it easy with the whole cracked rib thing and didn't do anything overly stupid like going sledding, which I would have done if I had had a sled.)
I thought I'd do an end of the year post, also a beginning of the year one. An over view of last year. I don't typically do them, mostly because I'm too chicken to review my year. But this year had a lot that happened in it, so I guess an over view is in order.
I had a lot planned for this year, none of which happened. 2014 ended rather nicely. I had a nice Christmas and New Years holiday, which involved more working than I would have cared for, time with my family, and a bet with Phil - my other best friend - which turned into littler bets throughout the year. I thought it was a nice start to a new year, but 2015 is probably the worst year I've ever lived through - not that it was all horrible though.
I made a list of things I planned to accomplish in 2015. A lot of it had to do with writing and reading. I was going to read something like a 100 books and write a lot of the uncompleted series I have started. It would have been about 12 books or more all together. Last year was the first year in a long time I made myself goals. I don't tend to do them anymore, mostly because - let's face it - no one keeps them. (Like in that Phineas and Ferb episode. I would have done a moving picture thingy like my friends, but I lack that skill...so just take my word for it.)
I made it until June completing all my goals, and then that failed. I still read a lot, but it was just to help me deal with grief. For some reason I found it the best way for me, if I had to concentrate on words I couldn't cry as often. But I didn't make it nearly as far with my writing.
Instead of accomplishing everything I wrote down in my notebook I ended up doing a lot of things I never had planned.
I moved out on my own for the first time - all the way in my own. Without roommates, which is kinda still weird though I've been getting used to it. I also moved to the last state in the US I thought I'd end up.
I got a publisher this year, for the last book I have that I would actually want a publisher for. (Not that I hate Brothers-in-Arms, but of all the books I've written that one is by far the saddest and now I have to spend a lot of time on it. That said, I'm still thrilled about the publisher.)
I made new friends, at work of all places. I'm still not the most social person in the world, but I've been trying hard to be more friendly to people I meet - starting with those I work with nearly all day. (I also became buddies with all the little kids, but that was really easy and doesn't really count as a new change.)
Of course, the thing which made this year so hard was the death of my friend. I still have really hard days, this last week was one of them. Hence watching Psych non stop. Most of the time I still can't believe she is really gone. I am convinced, I think, that when I go back home for a visit she will be there to greet me. I still have a long ways to go, I think, but sometimes the best I can do is go from day to day. Go to work, come home, take Dog for a walk, make tea, and read - and continue to trust God in all things.
Even though this last year was hard, and I wouldn't want to relive it, I learned a lot from it. Things I wish I hadn't had to learn the hard way. I learned that while goals can be a good thing they shouldn't get in the way of the people around me. I want to always make time for my family and friends now, even if it means skipping a day writing.
I learned that being an adult is not something I enjoy but I can get by. (How's that for a not serious discovery right after a serious one?) I think the thing I learned with this though is how to be myself. I can pay my bills and work my job, and I can also get into snowball fights and roll around on the floor in wrestling matches with two-year-olds. I know it can sound a little weird to say things like I've learned more about myself, but I think there might be a lot of truth in it, weirdness aside. I'm not as quiet as I used to be. I'm not outgoing by any means, but I don't think I'll ever be. Just not my personality. I don't keep to myself as much though.
I have a lot to learn still, a long big struggle and things to work through. This next year won't be easy, but I can only hope it won't be as hard as last year.
And this is my second year after a long time that I have made myself a list of goals, But they are considerably different than last year's. I don't plan to share them all, because a lot are for me, to help me through some things. I will share some though, just for the fun of it I guess.
I plan to not spend so much time reading, but instead do things I've always wanted to. New things I never thought I'd be able to accomplish. Like learn the bagpipes, fencing, and maybe attempt drawing again. I want to go on more adventures, fly my kite on the beach, run around barefoot and try not to get stung by those little sea creatures with spikes.
I really want to try and be a better friend this year and to be less scared of doing new things.
I hope all of you had a nice New Years Eve and day. And I'll let you guess my quote.
December 26, 2015
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
I had a Christmas post planned, a kind of gift, but I couldn't get it to work. So I had an idea. It's making my gift into kind of a game. But hopefully everyone will have lots of fun.
My gift was going to be a short story about the Haphazard crew. After a fight between Tony and Steed, Singur comes up with the idea that for Christmas they all have to write one nice thing about everyone else and then exchange the papers.
So over this next week, everyone can send in what they think the characters would write and at the end of the week I will post them. You can email them or leave them in a comment and they can be from any of the characters about any of the characters.
I know not all of you have read Haphazardly Implausible, so for those who haven't you can join in my doing the same thing with Brothers-in-Arms or even the Loyalty books for those who have read it.
The crazier and weirder you go with this the more fun it will be!!!
Also Merry Christmas to you all. I hope yesterday was just as special to you as it was to me.
My gift was going to be a short story about the Haphazard crew. After a fight between Tony and Steed, Singur comes up with the idea that for Christmas they all have to write one nice thing about everyone else and then exchange the papers.
So over this next week, everyone can send in what they think the characters would write and at the end of the week I will post them. You can email them or leave them in a comment and they can be from any of the characters about any of the characters.
I know not all of you have read Haphazardly Implausible, so for those who haven't you can join in my doing the same thing with Brothers-in-Arms or even the Loyalty books for those who have read it.
The crazier and weirder you go with this the more fun it will be!!!
Also Merry Christmas to you all. I hope yesterday was just as special to you as it was to me.
December 13, 2015
"I think his heart was two sizes too small."
I had a song for today...I know I did. I can't remember which one though and this bothers me. Because it was a good song.....this is going to bug me for a while....
While I think I shall recap my week.
I got one of those coughs which makes one sound as if they have the Black Plague. When my mummy heard me hacking on the phone she ordered me to go and get medicine and I obeyed because I'm good like that. I went to the store and coughed violently the whole time. I could feel the judging looks. Followed by judging looks as I grabbed a ton of medicine and three bags of cough drops. Never judge your Evil Overlord. I'll pass on that plague you were so worried about, peoples.
Went Christmas shopping. It involved hanging out with some of my friends, running around in the cold without my coat - because I'm brilliant like that - wishing I were rich and famous so I could get everyone I know and their brother a present - I just love getting presents for everyone, it's fun - and stalking the hobby stores because they have fun things to look at and smell crafty.
I went to get popcorn for my tree. Did you know it's hard to find poor persons popcorn now? What has the world come to?
Dog thought it would be hilarious to keep me up one night and then not let me sleep in. I might have handled it all right until she woke me up at 12, and then 2. I may or may not have stomped around and thrown my shoes..........
I watched the first two Hobbits - not the third yet because I haven't been able to buy the extended yet...soooooon. This was followed by a Lord of the Rings marathon this weekend. Except Return of the King. That one had to be postponed until tomorrow night.
The fantasy book I was reading flopped so I am going to read Return of the King....because Aragorn is fabulous in that one.
I've been stalking my mail box in the hopes of finding brown boxes. 'Tis the season for brown boxes.
My cough has kept me indoors far more than I like. I'm suffering cabin fever. I'm horrible at taking care of myself I think.
I've run short of tea and this disturbs me. I don't mind when my cupboards go bare...but my tea supply? Can't handle it.
That's been about it. I think I will go and take some of that medicine I got judged for and hide under my blankets with a good book. (Aragorn...Frodo....Samwise...Faramir...you know, that kind of book.)
Quote is from How the Grinch Stole Christmas. I might have accidentally paraphrased though. Sorry if that is the case.
Still can't remember the song. It'll hit me tonight and I'll be too half asleep to write it down. So you'll never know what it is. but trust me, I had an amazing song planned to put up today. Just...trust me. You would have liked it.
While I think I shall recap my week.
I got one of those coughs which makes one sound as if they have the Black Plague. When my mummy heard me hacking on the phone she ordered me to go and get medicine and I obeyed because I'm good like that. I went to the store and coughed violently the whole time. I could feel the judging looks. Followed by judging looks as I grabbed a ton of medicine and three bags of cough drops. Never judge your Evil Overlord. I'll pass on that plague you were so worried about, peoples.
Went Christmas shopping. It involved hanging out with some of my friends, running around in the cold without my coat - because I'm brilliant like that - wishing I were rich and famous so I could get everyone I know and their brother a present - I just love getting presents for everyone, it's fun - and stalking the hobby stores because they have fun things to look at and smell crafty.
I went to get popcorn for my tree. Did you know it's hard to find poor persons popcorn now? What has the world come to?
Dog thought it would be hilarious to keep me up one night and then not let me sleep in. I might have handled it all right until she woke me up at 12, and then 2. I may or may not have stomped around and thrown my shoes..........
I watched the first two Hobbits - not the third yet because I haven't been able to buy the extended yet...soooooon. This was followed by a Lord of the Rings marathon this weekend. Except Return of the King. That one had to be postponed until tomorrow night.
The fantasy book I was reading flopped so I am going to read Return of the King....because Aragorn is fabulous in that one.
I've been stalking my mail box in the hopes of finding brown boxes. 'Tis the season for brown boxes.
My cough has kept me indoors far more than I like. I'm suffering cabin fever. I'm horrible at taking care of myself I think.
I've run short of tea and this disturbs me. I don't mind when my cupboards go bare...but my tea supply? Can't handle it.
That's been about it. I think I will go and take some of that medicine I got judged for and hide under my blankets with a good book. (Aragorn...Frodo....Samwise...Faramir...you know, that kind of book.)
Quote is from How the Grinch Stole Christmas. I might have accidentally paraphrased though. Sorry if that is the case.
Still can't remember the song. It'll hit me tonight and I'll be too half asleep to write it down. So you'll never know what it is. but trust me, I had an amazing song planned to put up today. Just...trust me. You would have liked it.
December 9, 2015
"There's snowball fights...oh! And Christmas!"
Wherein Jack is a bad blogger
This has been a long month and it has only started. I'm not sad it is December, there's a lot happening and most of it is really exciting. There's Christmas, snowstorms, Christmas, baking, Christmas, decorating....CHRISTMAS! I'm really excited for Christmas. I have a tiny tree decorated with cranberries and popcorn. I have gifts for my friends under it. I've joined in some gift exchanges, I plan to bake cookies and give them out...it's just been a lot of fun preparing for Christmas so far.
But in spite of all the excitement this is also a hard month. As much as I am excited I am also dreading it.
This will be my first Christmas without my friend. And every time I do something fun, when I go out and have snowball fights, build snowmen, decorate, wrap presents, I'm reminded she won't be here to share it with me. It's been hard on me to accept the fact she is really gone. I've been keeping myself busy but as busy as I have been this week it hasn't worked as well as before. Christmas is the holiday you spend with your family and friends, and I won't be able to spend it with her.
I don't mean for this post to sound so gloomy. I think it is just my way of trying to explain that I won't be around much this month. First off, I don't want all my posts to turn out gloomy. And while I'm not so much in a gloomy mood all the time, I'm not completely bouncing off the walls either.
Second December is usually my month off. I tend to write 11 months out of the year, everyday but weekends. I give myself December as a kind of holiday, and after the year I've had a month to myself - to read and watch marathons of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Christmas movies - sounds delightful. I plan to read, relax, be somewhat as lazy as I can make myself be, and just rest. List to tons of Christmas music, go on walks at night to look at the lights, visit my adopted family, do all those lovely things one should do over the Christmas break.
I'll still post off and on, but I'm just not sure how often. I do have a Christmas gift for all of you though! I will have it up probably after Christmas, maybe the Monday after.
For now, I suggest all of you enjoy time with your families and friends as well. Enjoy the holiday season, do all sorts of lovely things, go on adventures. I know this is said a lot, but you don't know the truth of it until it happens to you. And by then you will wish you had listened when someone told you it. You'll someday miss the times you didn't spend with those you love. All of the other things that seem so important won't be at all then and you'll be sad you spend so much time working, or angry about something or other, or maybe just not resolving a disagreement or something, that you will miss the time you lost.
And that is the end of my not so cheery post....
I'm off to read one of my books.
Quote is from Narnia.
This has been a long month and it has only started. I'm not sad it is December, there's a lot happening and most of it is really exciting. There's Christmas, snowstorms, Christmas, baking, Christmas, decorating....CHRISTMAS! I'm really excited for Christmas. I have a tiny tree decorated with cranberries and popcorn. I have gifts for my friends under it. I've joined in some gift exchanges, I plan to bake cookies and give them out...it's just been a lot of fun preparing for Christmas so far.
But in spite of all the excitement this is also a hard month. As much as I am excited I am also dreading it.
This will be my first Christmas without my friend. And every time I do something fun, when I go out and have snowball fights, build snowmen, decorate, wrap presents, I'm reminded she won't be here to share it with me. It's been hard on me to accept the fact she is really gone. I've been keeping myself busy but as busy as I have been this week it hasn't worked as well as before. Christmas is the holiday you spend with your family and friends, and I won't be able to spend it with her.
I don't mean for this post to sound so gloomy. I think it is just my way of trying to explain that I won't be around much this month. First off, I don't want all my posts to turn out gloomy. And while I'm not so much in a gloomy mood all the time, I'm not completely bouncing off the walls either.
Second December is usually my month off. I tend to write 11 months out of the year, everyday but weekends. I give myself December as a kind of holiday, and after the year I've had a month to myself - to read and watch marathons of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Christmas movies - sounds delightful. I plan to read, relax, be somewhat as lazy as I can make myself be, and just rest. List to tons of Christmas music, go on walks at night to look at the lights, visit my adopted family, do all those lovely things one should do over the Christmas break.
I'll still post off and on, but I'm just not sure how often. I do have a Christmas gift for all of you though! I will have it up probably after Christmas, maybe the Monday after.
For now, I suggest all of you enjoy time with your families and friends as well. Enjoy the holiday season, do all sorts of lovely things, go on adventures. I know this is said a lot, but you don't know the truth of it until it happens to you. And by then you will wish you had listened when someone told you it. You'll someday miss the times you didn't spend with those you love. All of the other things that seem so important won't be at all then and you'll be sad you spend so much time working, or angry about something or other, or maybe just not resolving a disagreement or something, that you will miss the time you lost.
And that is the end of my not so cheery post....
I'm off to read one of my books.
Quote is from Narnia.
December 6, 2015
"Sorry, I saw a chimney and my brain went 'What the heck.'"
Wherein Jack is in the Christmas Spirit.
She also misplaced her wrist brace, yet again. This post would be longer, but it is almost impossible to type without it. It is very likely on my desk. But I'm cozy in my bed. And I don't feel like getting up to look for it.
So you have to deal with a short post.
Now, back to Christmas.
My decorations are up. I have nearly all my gifts for everyone. And I'm listening to Christmas music. My flat smells like cranberries and popcorn.
So for the rest of the month, because I'm having so much fun with Christmas, I'm making all my readers join in. If you are going to Bah Humbug you shall have to go elsewhere.
And since I already got you started off right last Monday with a Christmas song, I shall continue to drag you along into the holiday spirit. (Unless you are there, in which case you can join me for hot drinks, cookies, egg nog, lights, and all of the other wonderful joys of Christmas.)
Quote is from Doctor Who. 11's Christmas Special.
She also misplaced her wrist brace, yet again. This post would be longer, but it is almost impossible to type without it. It is very likely on my desk. But I'm cozy in my bed. And I don't feel like getting up to look for it.
So you have to deal with a short post.
Now, back to Christmas.
My decorations are up. I have nearly all my gifts for everyone. And I'm listening to Christmas music. My flat smells like cranberries and popcorn.
So for the rest of the month, because I'm having so much fun with Christmas, I'm making all my readers join in. If you are going to Bah Humbug you shall have to go elsewhere.
And since I already got you started off right last Monday with a Christmas song, I shall continue to drag you along into the holiday spirit. (Unless you are there, in which case you can join me for hot drinks, cookies, egg nog, lights, and all of the other wonderful joys of Christmas.)
Quote is from Doctor Who. 11's Christmas Special.
December 3, 2015
Fall Reading List
Winter is officially here, I think. I don't go by official dates, just months. So I'm here to share my Fall reading list, completed during September, October, and November. All books, except for a few written by my friends and some of the kids books I read, have been reviewed. You can read the reviews on my other blog, link in the sidebar.
My friend's book about the Man in the MoonI read a lot of books by my friend this month, and really enjoyed them.
Another of her books, about a Dragon and a fox
Watch Me Throw The BallA little kids book, the series is called Piggie and Elephant and everyone should read them. They are fun books.
Waiting Is Not EasySame series.
There Is A Bird On Your HeadSame
I Am Invited To A Party!Same
RoverandomOne of Tolkien's books, which he wrote after one of his sons lost his toy dog. I love this book.
How to Raise and Keep a DragonThe title says it all.
A Book I Was Asked To Read and Give An Opinion On. (Not published yet.)LOVED this one.
The Titan's Curse, Percy Jackson Graphic NovelJust for fun
Homicidal Psycho Jungle CatCalvin and Hobbes
My Friend Is SadPiggie and Elephant
Are You Ready To Play Outside?Same
Should I Share My Ice Cream?Same
Eleanor's Story: An American Girl in Hitler's GermanyA true story. It was sometimes hard to read, because it showed the war through the eyes of a young girl.
A Big Guy Took My BallPiggie and Elephant
We Are In A BookSame
Can I Play Too?Same
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: Graphic NovelWeird, but fun to read.
Another book about Dragon and the fox, written by my friend
Mark of the ThiefThis had a very Roman feel to it, but I still ended up liking it. It is written by the Author of The False Prince, which I love.
The DarkOne of Lemony Snicket's books for kids. A little creepy, but still good.
Don't Give Up, Don't Give InA book by Louie Zamperini
Another book by a friend. A fantasy. Which was amazing.
The Secret AbyssA Sherlock Holmes retelling of sorts. This series is wonderful, also Steampunk which is an added bonus.
The Bielski BrothersA WWII story about three brothers who saved 1,200 Jews in Russia. The movie Defiance was based off their story.
The Wulver's RoseBeauty and the Beast retelling set in Scotland
A Wish Made of GlassCinderella retelling by one of my favourite Authors.
Red Rackham's Barnacles (Treasure)TINTIN!
The Seven Crystal BallsTINTIN
Vango: Between Earth and SkyThis book. There are no words for how much I love this book.
Prisoners of the SunTINTIN!
A Prince without a KingdomSequel to Vango...just as amazing.
The Lost HeirNot my favourite but not horrible
The King's ScrollsJACE!!!!!!!!! (I love him, okay?)
A Dragon and Martin book
What Thou Need'stA short book by one of my friends. It was enjoyable.
Half-BloodBABY JACE!!!!!!!!!! Baby Jace is adorable and heart breaking.
And that is my list. Smaller then I had intended, but I got to read some amazing books so that made up for it.
My friend's book about the Man in the MoonI read a lot of books by my friend this month, and really enjoyed them.
Another of her books, about a Dragon and a fox
Watch Me Throw The BallA little kids book, the series is called Piggie and Elephant and everyone should read them. They are fun books.
Waiting Is Not EasySame series.
There Is A Bird On Your HeadSame
I Am Invited To A Party!Same
RoverandomOne of Tolkien's books, which he wrote after one of his sons lost his toy dog. I love this book.
How to Raise and Keep a DragonThe title says it all.
A Book I Was Asked To Read and Give An Opinion On. (Not published yet.)LOVED this one.
The Titan's Curse, Percy Jackson Graphic NovelJust for fun
Homicidal Psycho Jungle CatCalvin and Hobbes
My Friend Is SadPiggie and Elephant
Are You Ready To Play Outside?Same
Should I Share My Ice Cream?Same
Eleanor's Story: An American Girl in Hitler's GermanyA true story. It was sometimes hard to read, because it showed the war through the eyes of a young girl.
A Big Guy Took My BallPiggie and Elephant
We Are In A BookSame
Can I Play Too?Same
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: Graphic NovelWeird, but fun to read.
Another book about Dragon and the fox, written by my friend
Mark of the ThiefThis had a very Roman feel to it, but I still ended up liking it. It is written by the Author of The False Prince, which I love.
The DarkOne of Lemony Snicket's books for kids. A little creepy, but still good.
Don't Give Up, Don't Give InA book by Louie Zamperini
Another book by a friend. A fantasy. Which was amazing.
The Secret AbyssA Sherlock Holmes retelling of sorts. This series is wonderful, also Steampunk which is an added bonus.
The Bielski BrothersA WWII story about three brothers who saved 1,200 Jews in Russia. The movie Defiance was based off their story.
The Wulver's RoseBeauty and the Beast retelling set in Scotland
A Wish Made of GlassCinderella retelling by one of my favourite Authors.
Red Rackham's Barnacles (Treasure)TINTIN!
The Seven Crystal BallsTINTIN
Vango: Between Earth and SkyThis book. There are no words for how much I love this book.
Prisoners of the SunTINTIN!
A Prince without a KingdomSequel to Vango...just as amazing.
The Lost HeirNot my favourite but not horrible
The King's ScrollsJACE!!!!!!!!! (I love him, okay?)
A Dragon and Martin book
What Thou Need'stA short book by one of my friends. It was enjoyable.
Half-BloodBABY JACE!!!!!!!!!! Baby Jace is adorable and heart breaking.
And that is my list. Smaller then I had intended, but I got to read some amazing books so that made up for it.
December 1, 2015
"I'm with you till the end of the line, pal."
I am so excited for this!
Today's post is a cover reveal for a book I've been SO EAGER to get my hands on. It is by my friend and WWII buddy, Emily. And I've wanted it since I first heard about it and now IT IS BEING PUBLISHED!!
So here it is, the cover! But first....
Synopsis:
Munich, Germany 1942—Hans Scholl never intended to get his younger sister involved in an underground resistance. When Sophie Scholl finds out, she insists on joining Hans and his close friends in writing and distributing anti-Nazi leaflets entitled, The White Rose. The young university students call out to the German people, begging them to not allow their consciences to become dormant, but to resist their tyrannical leader and corrupt government. Hans knows the consequences for their actions—execution for committing high treason—but firm in his convictions, he’s prepared to lose his life for a righteous cause. Based on a true story, Hans, Sophie and all the members of The White Rose resistance group will forever inspire and challenge us to do what is right in the midst of overwhelming evil.Available in paperback and ebook on February 22nd, 2016
Exciting, right?!
About The Author:
Emily Ann Putzke is a young novelist, historical reenactor, and history lover. You can learn more about Emily and her books atwww.authoremilyannputzke.com and www.facebook.com/authoremilyannputzke
Okay now the fun part.
TADA!!!!! I love the cover. It is kind of like how I hope Brothers-in-Arms will end up.
But there it all is. You should go and check out Emily's amazing blog, her other books, and put this one on your must buy list.
Today's post is a cover reveal for a book I've been SO EAGER to get my hands on. It is by my friend and WWII buddy, Emily. And I've wanted it since I first heard about it and now IT IS BEING PUBLISHED!!
So here it is, the cover! But first....
Synopsis:
Munich, Germany 1942—Hans Scholl never intended to get his younger sister involved in an underground resistance. When Sophie Scholl finds out, she insists on joining Hans and his close friends in writing and distributing anti-Nazi leaflets entitled, The White Rose. The young university students call out to the German people, begging them to not allow their consciences to become dormant, but to resist their tyrannical leader and corrupt government. Hans knows the consequences for their actions—execution for committing high treason—but firm in his convictions, he’s prepared to lose his life for a righteous cause. Based on a true story, Hans, Sophie and all the members of The White Rose resistance group will forever inspire and challenge us to do what is right in the midst of overwhelming evil.Available in paperback and ebook on February 22nd, 2016
Exciting, right?!
About The Author:
Emily Ann Putzke is a young novelist, historical reenactor, and history lover. You can learn more about Emily and her books atwww.authoremilyannputzke.com and www.facebook.com/authoremilyannputzke
Okay now the fun part.
TADA!!!!! I love the cover. It is kind of like how I hope Brothers-in-Arms will end up.
But there it all is. You should go and check out Emily's amazing blog, her other books, and put this one on your must buy list.
November 29, 2015
"Is there air? You don't know!"
Wherein Jack decorated for Christmas and...........
GOT EDITS FOR BROTHERS-IN-ARMS!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don;t even know why I capped that. I don't like to edit that book, I don't like to read it, I don't like to look at it. I do like to whine about how painful it is to work on and how I want to throw it.
BUT I HAVE EDITS FROM MY PUBLISHER!
So, since I've been working on it, I suppose I should do a Brothers-in-Arms inspired song.
I'm not that good though.
Thanksgiving is over, which means I CAN DECORATE FOR CHRISTMAS AND LISTEN TO CHRISTMAS SONGS!
And now you must to.
So here.
I love this song, it reminds me of Little Women. I can't always find a version of it I really love, but I look every year and tend to listen to the song more than any other besides O Holy Night, Do You Hear What I Hear, and Once in David's Royal City (which is a fun but hard song to sing.)
Quote is from Galaxy Quest, because my friend and I were quoting it today.
Now I'm off to read some of my books which I ordered months ago but which finally got here.
GOT EDITS FOR BROTHERS-IN-ARMS!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don;t even know why I capped that. I don't like to edit that book, I don't like to read it, I don't like to look at it. I do like to whine about how painful it is to work on and how I want to throw it.
BUT I HAVE EDITS FROM MY PUBLISHER!
So, since I've been working on it, I suppose I should do a Brothers-in-Arms inspired song.
I'm not that good though.
Thanksgiving is over, which means I CAN DECORATE FOR CHRISTMAS AND LISTEN TO CHRISTMAS SONGS!
And now you must to.
So here.
I love this song, it reminds me of Little Women. I can't always find a version of it I really love, but I look every year and tend to listen to the song more than any other besides O Holy Night, Do You Hear What I Hear, and Once in David's Royal City (which is a fun but hard song to sing.)
Quote is from Galaxy Quest, because my friend and I were quoting it today.
Now I'm off to read some of my books which I ordered months ago but which finally got here.
