We need to go deeper.

So my lack of enthusiasm and creativity in the last few posts have left me feeling guilty. So I figured I should talk about something that I can at least make a decent sized post about. And that is. . . drumroll please. . . 

Anime!!!!!

Aw, don't sound so disappointed. I'll try to put the things I'm going to say in an easy to a digest manner, as I've had to do with my biological relatives who always make funny faces when I try and talk to them about it. So, where should I begin? 

I suppose it all began when I first encountered Sailor Moon when it was on TV. I was at the young age of I don't remember, when I would come home from school with my sister and plop down right in front of the magic light box. As a kid, I never fully understood what was going on in the story, but since I have gotten the chance to revisit it as an adult, it makes so much more sense (kinda). I also remember Dragonball Z coming out after Sailor Moon, but the only thing I really recall from those days was this huge pink monster who turned everyone into candy.

This also marks the point when I really began drawing. I still have somewhere a drawing of the Sailor Scouts that I made in. . . 3rd grade. . . Maybe? Might have been 1st grade. . . Oh well. In 4th grade and up I starts drawing a lot more as my influence widened and it really wasn't until 8th grade that my style really developed. 

Now I am an adult and I feel that If I am going to keep my interest in this media, I need to some how justify it ('cause I've already spent a LOT of money on it). Something I started doing in high school is while I was watching whatever show that was on, I tried looking deeper into the story, analyzing its characters and plot. I tried finding some kind of message or lesson that the author wanted to share. Turns out, there are a lot of wonderful series out there with truly great and inspirational messages. 

There are a certain few shows which I consider to be "gateway series." Usually, they are the ones that were on TV at the time and started most people on the path of anime. As young children, being exposed to Sailor Moon and Dragonball Z helps spark the inspiration. As preteens, teens, and young adults, shows like Inuyasha, Cowboy Bebop, FLCL, Yu Gi Oh, and some others (usually airing on the night time block 'adult swim' if not, cartoon network's day time programming). If you talk to most anime fans, they will mention one of those series as their point of origin. 

There is one more that is considered to be a gateway series, which I saw in high school and recently watched both its original show and its remake (which follows the manga/graphic novel where it originates from much more closely). So. The first honorable mention on this list (I was making a list? . . well, ok. . . ) is. . . another drumroll, please. . . 

Fullmetal Alchemist! (and Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood) 

I'm not going to try and describe the plot, if you want to know, just watch it or google it. This is a huge inspirational show for many people, and here is why. . . It's an adventure! Ok, so that maybe not be it. However, the series makes you sit back and question a lot, especially the character's moral choices. The first thing you learn about the protagonists is that their mother died and they tried to bring her back with alchemy (human tansmutation, which is how this is catagorized, is a serious criminal offense in that world). It failed and left the younger brother without a body and his brother missing an arm and a leg. The younger's soul was bound to a suit of armor in desparation by the older brother, who later gets mechanical replacement limbs called automail. One of the main principles of alchemy is the concept of equivalent exchange, where in order to gain something, you must give up something in return. FMA and Brotherhood take a different turn about halfway though each series; the first goes down a more ethical and moral dilemma path, and the other story, more faithful to the manga, carries a lot of political overtones. The state of the universe that Fullmetal Alchemist portrays makes a lot of parallels to our world, and at one point shows that the world they live in is just an alternate timeline and location to Germany in WWI.  

I guess, if we are progressing in a timeline kind of sense, the next example I have is Naruto. 

Currently, this series is ongoing and I read it every week when it comes out. I would recommend reading it and not watching it PURELY to escape 'the fillers.' Now, I have been following this series since I started high school. Over the last few years I have realized this story has a lot more to it than meets the eye. However, the messages are not quite apparent. As much as you can learn from a bunch of ninjas, the main character, though being extremely obnoxious, is actually quite inspirational. He is the kind of person who holds himself to a strong standard and never goes back on his word. He never gives up and would never abandon those who are close to him. Other charaters often counter the hero, Naruto, with deeper characteristics. Hatred, forgiveness, revenge, self sacrifice, loyalty, and honor just to name a few. One of the most important 'lessons' I took from the series is a definition of love (at least in the non-romantic sense). As a teen, it dawned on me that a lot of other series must have similar ideas and concepts behind them, and I wanted to seek them out. (See where it all started?)

Next up is the greatest example of why I will never be a complete shut-in. 

Welcome to the N.H.K. is a rather brutal tale of a man who developes an extreme social anxiety disorder and never leaves his house. Unfortunately, this is a real problem, and not just in Japan. (Trust me, I did a research paper on it). Whether you watch the show, read the novel or the graphic novel, I recommend this to ANYONE AND EVERYONE who tends to stay inside too much or has a hard time leaving their computer/TV/phone/game console. I think the manga/graphic novel depicts it the best in terms of the brutal wake up call our main character gets. Part of the problem is that people who are like this usually have a good support system, which makes them not have to go out and work or do much of anything. It's the removal of that help that intimately leads them to either getting outside and forcing themselves to work/obtain food, or - tragically - to their death. 

Something that a lot of series describe and make a large part of their story is the concept of "madness" - not quite in the context of insanity, but in that of the underlying and overpowering feeling that sometimes just sweeps you off your feet. A lot of great series put it into play, but no one does it quite like Soul Eater.

People can be weapons weilded by other people known as Meisters and they fight demons and witches and that makes sense. . . Ok? A charming tale of friendship, adventure and about being true to yourself. The TV show is a bit different from the manga/graphic novel in that it has an ok ending, while the manga is still going and releasing at a grueling one chapter a month. The main 'villain' if you can even call him that, is the epidemy of madness. During a rather important battle, our hero fights him and is able to overpower him because she has 'bravery' or courage if it makes more sense that way. He states the interesting thought that, since bravery is something that everyone has, it is not at all dissimilar from madness. Those words really spoke to me, because the way he put it, it meant that this "madness" is something that isn't exactly evil, meaning that it isn't even bad. I feel a lot of people could find comfort in knowing that.

Next is something that really is just one of my favorites. This is one that carries more political messages than personal, but it still makes you ask a lot of questions. I present to you. . . Code Geass.

It is a messed up world, the elite upper class control the world and the people below are powerless to do anyhing about it. The exiled prince who has a vendetta on his extended family vows to crush the tyrannical empire which rules the world. He obtains a magical ability in a bargain during a near death experience with a witch that allows him to control people into doing whatever he wants. The world is plagued with problems which he takes upon himself to fix. So, our protagonist is an antihero, who dances along the grey lines of morality. The story addresses a lot of real life problems like discrimination, racism, poverty, drug abuse, psychological disorders, war, genocide, free will, trust, and the concept of 'the ends justify the means.' This series is one that I refer back to on a daily basis and it relates in context to whatever the subject is. However, there is no combination of words I could put together that could do justice to this magnificent series. Seriously, just come over to my house and we'll have a marathon, my treat.

Ok, so one to go. This last one is a bit out there, but the message is pretty clear. As with all the previously mentioned, if you can suspend their disbelief and 'just go with it,' each of these stories has a lot to offer, even some things that I have not found. So, without further to do, may I present to you. . . 

HEAVEN PIERCING GURREN LAGANN!!!!!!

Just who the hell do you think I am?!?!

This series is. . . well. . . inspirational. The first thing it shouts at you is to believe in yourself, so here's a self-esteem boost. It's all about 'fighting spirit' and making you own path. Even if things look bleak, if you keep going and pushing forward you can do anyhing. "Kick logic to the curb and do the impossible!" Not to mention the fact that the unlimited amount of quotes that the show spits out are always awesome. More than anything, the show is an emotional journey. My favorite quote, by far, is "Don't get distracted by the 'what-ifs' 'should-haves' and 'if-onlys". It's true, don't let the problems of the past drag you down. I don't think I am describing this in a what that truly represents how awesome it is; I mean, at one point, they throw galaxies at each other!!!!!! GALAXIES!!!!! 

By now I'm sure your eyeballs are ready to fall out. So I wont keep you much longer. If anyhing I wanted to at least prove that I can use my magnificent little brain to actually apply and learn from the things I observe, then I'm doing something worth while. 

So there, I'm gonna keep spending all my money on that stuff, whether anyone likes it or not.

Mowwage. . . Mowwage is whhat bwings us togwethaa, todahy.

In a few hours I will be going to one of my editor's friends wedding, so, I feel like the above is appropriate. 

I hate to say it. But I am slowly running out of ideas of what to write. While I am driving or when I am stuck at work, my brain is overflowing with ideas that I would love to put on paper (type on a computer, really). I was thinking that perhaps I should obtain a voice recorder and keep it on my person at all times that way I can always remember the things I want to revisit later in some media or another.

I have lost many a great idea to the corners of my subconscious. I wish I knew which ones i forgot, but if I could remember the things I forgot, I wouldn't really have forgotten them, right?

Memory is funny like that.

Good news is that we have moved locations and I still have Internet! Last time we were here, there was unfortunately no wifi. #firstworldproblems

Ok, really, I don't have anything left to talk about, at least nothing profound. So. . . Yeah. . . 

A bit of a late night.

So, I realized a little too late that my phone doesn't work with this website, otherwise I would have updated many hours ago. 

Other than that, there really wasn't much for me to say today. I rolled into town around 5am and promptly went to sleep until about 9 or 10. The place I am staying in gets hot fairly quickly in the desert sun, and it is almost impossible to make it cool down again, until midnight.

Well, it's officially been a week since we started *throws confetti* hurray. I keep trying to restart the post I lost, but I just don't remember how I worded it or whatever I actually said. I wish I could. But in the mean time, I will keep spitting out these tiny posts that are no more than a facebook status. 

Speaking of which, did you know I had a twitter? Captain_V_Smith

And if any of you play Xbox, my account name is the same as above.

If its too hot for me to sleep I will try and write the real post I intended to make for today. No promises. 

Tub peekies.

Give a little extra effort, it's not so hard.

I'm feeling a little better after the loss of my longest post yet, but I don't want to rob all of you out of some quality reading.

Ok, that was a joke. This *points in all directions of the blog* is not what I (or anyone else, probably) would call "quality writing."

However, before I leave for the road again, I feel the need to make some kind of something. You know, just in case aliens come to kidnap me. So, here it is. Taadaa *waves hands around*

It has been less than twenty-four hours since I arrived at my current location, but to me it feels like I've been here so much longer. At the same time, I wish I could spend a little more time here. Something that I have learned and taken to heart in my travels is that any time I get to spend with someone, anyone, is important. Even if it is an hour lunch with an old friend or a day spent with family, ever second is precious. I may only be around for a short while, but I would rather spend that with someone I know than not at all. 

There have been a lot of occasions where in my travels, I only have time for a quick dinner or coffee. Most of my time is spent actually getting from one destination to another, especially when I go by car. (HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU, CALIFORNIA!!!) 

But I digress. . . (I can say that, at least in this context, right?) 

If you are one of my many victims who have suffered from my faster then light travel. . . no, that doesn't sound quite right. . . um. . . 

I like getting to see all of you! Even if only for a short time! Besides, we has internets, it's not like we can't easily get a hold of one another. Technology is a handy thing, however, the more face to face time I can get with those who are important to me, the better. You know who you are.

Ok, I'm going to go get dinner now. I need to wake back up before my drive begins.

Also, here is another picture of moose, because I love her.

This happens more often than I like

Well, I HAD written an entire post about my fabulous story. . . BUT. . . 

While I was looking for pictures to put at the end of the post, it disappeared.

I opened the app I use to type and I thought it was supposed to save my progress, but I guess it didn't, so. . . Yeah. An hour. Wasted.

Well. Dammit.  

So, I will remake that post maybe tomorrow or sometime later. Tonight I drive back to my other location, though I wouldn't mind being at home right about now.

At least my grandmother has a kitten who has been keeping me company. He and I are bestfriends now.

I have lost a lot of good in-progress pictures when my computer restarts or photoshop fails.

On the road again

Dd you know, I actually got a complaint that my post yesterday was too short? REALLY?!?! Ok. No. That's fine. 

(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻

Unfortunately this one is going to be just as short, if not shorter. I should have left several hours ago, but I'm still sitting around. Don't worry, I'll get out there eventually. 

I am no stranger to road trips, and have traveled by car for the majority of my life. I actually despise the airport now and I don't like being on airplane (unless my father is the one piloting them). When I first obtained my own car and was managing at a fast food restaurant, I was making enough to save up a lot and take a vacation. At one point, I took 3 weeks off of work to travel cross county in my transcontinental landship. 

First, I was required to go north, visiting my sister and other family in the city where I now live. Then I headed west to the desert that I am so very fond of. I stayed there a week, spending time with a very dear friend of mine, then headed back home for a little. I was in Arizona, almost to the New Mexico border when I hit a little setback. It had been raining, so the road was wet. I was in the left lane trying not to break the sound barrier when I came up on a semi which was kicking mist up like you could not imagine. Unfortunately, the diver behind the semi could not see very well and tried to improve their situation. I don't remember if they signaled or not, but they merged into the left lane and for a moment, we were trying to occupy the same spot on the road. I quickly hit the brakes and tried to move out of the way, causing me to spin around and land backwards in the median. 

I was in shock for a moment, but I know I couldn't just sit there. I immediately checked to see if the car could still move. It could not. I took a deep breath and reached for my cell phone. Happy to have signal, I called my father. This was the actual conversation;

"Hello?"

"Hi Dad. Ok, whatever you do, don't tell Mom."

"(concerned) what happened?"

"I am currently backwards in the median, somewhere in Arizona."

I would like to note, that the "don't tell Mom" part was crucial. I didn't want my parents to completely (for the lack of a better word) loose their shit. My father has a lot of experience with cars, accidents, and dealing with insurance companies (which I had no idea what to do). We got a tow truck to take me to the nearest town in New Mexico and they fixed my car. My father insisted that I sleep for the night in a hotel but I was convinced that I could keep moving  but as soon as I got in the car to drive to the hotel, I was shaking and realized that perhaps, I should sleep.

Dad-1

Daughter-0

I made it home that afternoon and my parents (mostly my mother) tried to tell me to cancel the rest of my trip. It took a bit of convincing, but I was able to proceed because, and I quote, "I am a manly man, I got this!" My next stop was to visit my grandparents, so that helped in convincing them to let me go, however, I didn't tell them that I may have driven a bit out of the way to see my oldest friend in a town we used to live. (Yeah, I am admitting to it now, so mleh :p ). 

After visiting for a short time with my grandparents, my path northeast was set out for me. I met up with an old high school friend who is kinda like a big brother to me, in the sense that I annoy him like a little sister. Then I spent a good time with a dear friend of mine (who unfortunately doesn't speak to me anymore, though I wish he would). One of my old fiends from high school also lived in the area, so I was able to see him as well.

One that week was over, it was to the Deep South for me! Visiting my other grandparents at their lovely  cabin getaway for a bit was a delight. (Hopefully I will be able to visit them again soon). And I spent the rest if the trip visiting someone who was very important to me. I don't want to get into the history of our relationship, but in the end, I was happy to visit. 

It was a long, boring, and muggy drive back home. I almost was able to see another high school friend but things didn't work out. With only two hours left until I was home, my car began overheating in the Texas summer (it still has a bad overheating problem which is manageable, if you can tolerate the heat. I pulled of on the side to let it cool when I realized one of my tires was flat! I struggled to change it by myself when a family pulled over to help me. I was very grateful for their help, even if we spoke different languages. 

Dragging along on my donut (spare tire), one of my coworkers passed me on the road. I has to explain later the whole trip, but it wasn't so bad. Since then, I have only every been able to go on one more trip, where I took my editor to Death Valley (and the surrounding area), but I'll save that for another time. Now, I really need to get on the road. Sorry grandma, I'm going to be a little late.

(Ok, I lied. This post was a lot longer than I expected. But hey, you got me talking about my adventures!)

Isn't she the most beautiful cat you've ever seen? Ok, so you can't see all of her, but still. This is Darwin (winny for short), the other cat my editor brought into my life. Her fur is SOOOOO FLUFFYY!!!!! Her tail is also about 45 feet long, though she hates it when you play with it. She is not overly cuddly like her sister, but does enjoy the attention. I've found that she is the most cuddly when you let her outside and sit under a tree, and she'll come to you. 

 See? Sisters. (They took my chair!!!!)

Off the beaten path.

Well what a day it has been! I got the chance to accompany my editor out to his dig site for paleontology. Yeah, early mornings are rough, but it was worth every moment. The ride over was really easy until we actually started to decent the cap rock, then it got fun! We bounced around in the car for a little and arrived at the site shortly after. I had no idea where to begin. I stood around, waiting for instruction, and was told to take a hammer and chisel and gently break apart a small boulder. In it, I (we) found two ancient reptile teeth (they aren't dinosaur teeth). I might be able to keep them, but no promises.

Getting to be out in this little desert valley was quite the treat. The air was dry and had a delicate plant smell, and the sun was not overpowering. We only stayed for a few hours and then returned to the lab where I cleaned up to the two teeth. I spent the rest of the afternoon messing around, or really, waiting for my editor to finish talking with the people who work in the museum. Ok, so I am still doing that now. 

Tomorrow after I drop him off, I head east. I'm taking the next few days to visit my grandparents and I really can't wait. The drive is not something I'm looking forward to though. . . 

I remember that when I woke up this morning I had then most profound and brilliant topic in mind for this entry. I know here soon I will go in detail on how my brain functions. (I don't know if you've noticed, but I jump topics a lot and stop suddenly when my brain just forgets what I was doing. I imagine it is hard to follow). If I don't make another post in a few hours, I'll try and make one tomorrow afternoon. No promises though, I can't find and decent places with wifi.

Bugbugbugbugbugbugbugbug. This is Huxley, one of the kittens my editor had before we moved in together. Here she is in her natural habitat, demanding attention while I am in the bathroom. No, seriously. I can't go without her (or anyone else). I wake up in the morning, she's there, wanting breakfast. I go to use the restroom, she follows me in for uber-snuggles. I am trying to use my computer, she's clawing at my chair or attempting to steal my seat. I call her Bug because she does nothing but bug me all day, and I love ever second of it. 

The worst feeling.

As I am on my travels, I can't help but see all the little towns around me and feel bad. A lot of the little cities I've been to have so much potential. I think to myself, if only this town had more funds and people who cared, it could turn into something wonderful! The town that my editor grew up in is a perfect example. The town rests right on the interstate, so it has plenty of hotels, gas stations, and fast food restaurants. It has a few neat places that tourists can visit, like Route 66 and a dinosaur museum where my editor used to volunteer for the majority of his teen years. However, the rest of the town is in shambles. A very close friend said his dad would look at my car, which is in need of repair, so we took it to his shop. This old abandoned store/restaurant/garage was his place of business. The garage part is perfect for his auto shop, it even looks big enough to fit a small plane in. . . but the rest of it. . . 

My editor's friend took us to a back room of the old store that was filled with old bookshelves and thousands of old books. Some in stacks, some in boxes, some on the shelves. It was like a scene from a video game set in a post apocalyptic world. Most of the books were in poor condition, being exposed to the elements for so long. My mind immediately made the jump to going and grabbing a wheelbarrow with cleaning supplies and spending the next few days cleaning the place up. I still want to do it. I would love to spend all of the daylight hours going through this little library and trying to make something of it. Heck, I am sure if he wanted, the owner of the building could clean some of the old furniture and appliances and sell them for very little, and still make a good profit. 

In small towns like that, there isn't a lot to do. I always thought to myself, if only they had a rec center  or some kinda of community gathering place, maybe life there wouldn't be so bad. The problem with that, besides where the funds would come from, would be the people. Who would build it? Who would work and maintain it? I know for a fact, that people in small towns like this have nothing better to do but to take advantage of places like that and destroy them. There have been so many projects like this before and it's great until someone comes along and ruins it for everyone. After something tragic like that happens, people get discouraged and don't want to waste their time. 

This feeling of helplessness Is possible the worst thing to experience. I wish I could do something, but what good would it do if no one wants to take the time to help fix it! Take the time. . . That's it!

This may be the result of years of effort gone to waste or a consequence of advanced technology letting us focus more on ourselves, but I think the problem is that people just don't care anymore. "Why should I help or what good will it do me now?" I imagine those are the questions people ask when someone wants to change the way the world is. There is an epidemic of apathy that has consumed too many people of all generations. I wish there was something more that I could do about it, but it is nearly impossible to convince people to change. 

My only hope is that my words will reach someone, so that all my effort won't go to waste. I also hope that my art will inspire people. And most of all, I want people to learn to be happy, even if they don't have a lot. 

Ok. I'll get off my soap box now. 

This is from a hike that I go on every two years with my family. This place is very special to us, especially to my father. This is one of the most beautiful places and I love going, although, I'd never actually go in that lake. It's freezing and very deep. . . and I don't really like big water. . . at all.

See it wasn't quite as bad. . .

Well, we made it. A last minute cleaning and packing fiasco might have set us back a bit, but we pulled into town a few hours ago without any problems. I did a bit of driving out of town but after about an hour my eyes refused to stay open, luckily, my editor a late-night kind of person, and he drove the rest if the way. Meanwhile, I slept, mostly. 

On long road trips, which we don't seem to take too often, are usually spent blasting a variety of music as we race though the night. Both my editor and I have a long list of songs that we turn to when in the car, mine being my whole collection which I flip through until I find something I like, and he has at least a few hours worth of tunes. 

In the midst of our drive, music blasting, my on/off state of sleep, I heard songs I knew, but in the delirious state that I perceived the music was. . . Unique. I don't know why, but my brain interprets the songs differently. It makes the songs more enjoyable. One of these songs, which my editor introduced to me during one of our last trips, accurately describes everything in my life. "Dashboard" by Modest Mouse, is all about how things may be bad, but there is still a good side to things. The lyrics are what speak to me the most. 

"You told me about nowhere, and it sounds like someplace I'd like to go"

"We talked about nothing and it was more that I wanted to know"

http://youtu.be/penvn9VL32Y

As someone who spent the majority of her developing life in deserts, it really speaks to me and reminds me of my adopted "home." Yeah, it was bad, but we still made the best of it. If fact, I can't keep away from them! 

Sorry, I'm changing topics again. I don't know if you've noticed, but I do this a lot. 

Anyway, life as it is now, is one (for the lack of a better word) shit-storm after another. This trip we a on is probably going to drain us of whatever money we have left, and my job has never been enough to solely live off of. Trust me, I will make an entire post about my economic situation. But on top of all that, bills keep piling on top of me. Car registration, insurance, rent, electricity, Internet, and food that isn't going to destroy my intestines, to name a few. . . It makes me wonder, why the hell anyone would want to become an adult. Things like that terrify me. 

I don't want to live the rest of my life consumed in debt, and I don't want to live paycheck to paycheck. I refuse to accept this lifestyle that so many others are forced to submit to, but how can I escape? I just hope it's not to late to save those I care about as well. 

Ok. I'm done now. See you tomorrow. 

(Mah boi. Rio. He is the oldest cat in my care, and has been with my for over 10 years. We grew up together, and it shows. Every morning I wake up with him at my feet and every night I go to bed with him by my side. When I am not home, he stays at the window, on lookout, until I return. Now THAT is love).

Waste

I can make two posts in one day, right? It's not against the rules, is it?

So, I am barely packed, the house is still a mess, and my editor is currently napping with his feet resting on the bedside table. I forgot to mention that this "last-minute do everything" is something we have always done right before a trip. The same goes for the rest of my family, we're last-minute-ers. Even with the panic feeling and stress of having to leave in less than five hours, I can't help but sit and watch the ticking clock turn. I mean, you thought it was bad this morning? HA! Every ounce of motivation I had must have escaped when I went to buy cat food.

Since we are about to leave for two weeks, I was convinced by my darling tuxedo cat let everyone outside. All the cats love "outs," and I honestly believe it is great for their mental health. (We've got four cats in a tiny apartment, you know someone is bound to go crazy).

There had been a lovely formation of clouds overhead and it even rained for a little today. Its funny, but as soon as it started raining, the sun came out, giving the whole scene this surreal vibe to it. right now, the sky is grey with more clouds flowing in from the mountains. It is not helping with my motivation level.

Alright, I'm out of ideas again. I suppose I should finish packing before its too late. However, my lovely little white fluffy cat keeps flirting with me, telling me to waste a little more time. I think this song accurately describes this melancholy that I've been hit with.

http://youtu.be/UbEVzpdOlVg

"And everyday that you want to waste. . . you can."

So much to do, so little time . . .

I have To say, that it is probably the worst possible feeling when you have a million things you need to do and have only a little time to do them in. And yet, I find myself wasting every second of it. 

Let me explain. . . 

I am leaving tonight to drive down to a town I used to live in. It is about an 8 hour drive, not a big one, but a boring drive, a REALLY boring drive. If we are on the road by midnight, it will be a success. Before that. . . Two of my coworkers are having their going away party, so this is the last time I get to see them before they move. 

I still have to pack everything and make sure my pets will be well taken care of while I am gone. As of now, they are swarming me, wanting breakfast and the usual amount of attention. I haven't even brought out the suitcases yet. . . I love to travel but I hate having to leave them. This is why I will never be able to go on a foreign exchange trip. 

But what is the icing on the cake? This whole time I have been in bed, awake, piddling on one of my many media devices. I love the days where I can just spent my whole time doing next to nothing, however, today is not one of those days. I still need to back and finish cleaning, not to mention clean up the mess from my birthday party last night. 

I had a very good night and the party was fun (for all you who were curious) 

Ok

Ok. . . Time to do this.

Up and at'em

I'll try to make tomorrows post a little more interesting, but no promises, I will be travel weary. Wish me luck. 

This here, is the love of my life, Abbey. My first official rescue and by far, the most interesting cat in the world. I don't remember why, but her nickname is Moose. It just is, Ok?

Will you make a contract with me?

So, it has occurred to me, as I enter the 22nd year of my life, that there are a lot of things that I have to say, but no means to. Or perhaps that there are things I want to share with the world, whether I a ready to or not. . . 

No, that's not quite it either. . . 

What I am trying to say is that I am forcing myself to make some kind of thing with the jumble of words in my mind. (And let me tell you, there are quite a few of them.)

Ok, I'll at least promise this to you, I'm going to do my best to make this a coherent message, rather than just a stream of consciousness thrown into words. 

So, shall we begin?

Today is my birthday!!! 22 years ago, in a place not far from where I am currently located, I was brought into this world. From that moment, I had only one goal, to live. I'd like to believe that I've done a decent job at that goal, seeing as I am not dead. (Well, there have been a few close calls. . . ) Growing up, I was a destructive little bastard, wreaking havoc everywhere I was unsupervised. I was also a free spirit, unable to be contained by any societal rules, like dress code for example. . . Which lead me to constantly be in trouble. I always was one to go off and do my own thing, and lemme tell you, that hasn't changed one bit. I spent most of my time not doing what I was supposed to, and  often replaced the activity with drawing. 

For as long as I can remember, I doodled. I drew things that I liked. It wasn't until the end of my 8th grade year that I began to perfect my style. Before I started high school, I had the idea to start a comic of my own. I've kept going with that same story, changing it to make it less crappy. (Trust me, it was bad. But you'll hear a lot more about it in later posts). Throughout high school I used my art as an outlet for expression, drawing things colored by my perception of my life and relationships. When I started college, I lost touch with my creative abilities, and it wasn't until this past year (and the help of graph paper) that I have regained them. My ability to create is possibly the most valuable thing I have, and it has only been recently that I've started to feel comfortable sharing these bizarre and unusual ideas and concepts with those close to me. 

In later posts, I will talk more about my family, in the way we behave and interact. But I have to remember, this is just the introductory post, so I can be spilling all my secrets just yet. But I digress. . . 

I hope that you will continue with me on my journey, at least over the next year. My goal is to make a post a day, even if I have nothing to say. So, take this as a proposal from me to you: will you make a contract with me, and join me in this adventure? 

PS: I hope you are also prepared for the hurricane of cat pictures that will follow. You will understand in due time.

Notanotherzombie.deviantart.com/art/The-Long-Journey-376218963