This past November, the gentlemen of C2 Group celebrated what can be called a ‘gathering of facial follicles’. It is fondly referred to as “No Shave November”. The goal is simple: refrain from shaving for the entire month of November. At the end of the month, each participant receives a particular beard style to sculpt their face to mirror.

It’s all in good fun and nearly every guy struggled through the itchy-faced stages. Even some of the ladies wore fake mustaches to join in the festivities.

A question, however, that was asked by a family member was “What’s the point”?

Just for fun.

There is something humorous in looking around a room of scruffy looking dudes, all attempting to grow beards. Some have no problem growing mounds of facial hair with a single thought. With a word, the beards miraculously appear.

Others can spend the entire month combing their skin, wishing and praying and rubbing Rogaine™ on their face only to have a thin layer of fine hair appear.

It’s all in good, clean fun to gawk and laugh at each other.

Band of Beards.

In this day and age, uniting together for a common cause really builds character. Or, in this case, multiple characters. From the fully bearded to the follicle challenged, the team pulled together. To become, if you would, a bearded brotherhood.

Perhaps not that dramatic, but being able to relate, beardedly, to one another can be a fun experience. Encouraging them to “keep the beard up!” and not fall prey to the evil shave feels silly, but giving that encouragement means more to people then even they like to admit.

So next November we hope you, brothers (and sisters if you’d like) join us in throwing out your razors and putting away the electric shavers. Grow out the most awesome beard your face can possibly produce in 30 days and celebrate “No Shave November”.

Click here to check out our Facebook album showing off our beards and and some epic “after-beards”.

Image By Eric McGregor

Related posts:

1. A new chapter on cowardly calls One night standers and cowards rejoice! Now you don’t have...
2. The stories of my life Many people know that I enjoy writing stories. It has...

The Past

It’s been a fantastic year, one to be remembered. Sure, that can be said about every year in the past. What happens in the past can never be forgotten, really. Good or bad, it’s embedded in the memory for ages. Or until senility.

Looking back, much happened. I started a new job with The C2 Group at the start of the year as a web designer/interactive designer. I’ve had the opportunity to advance myself, thanks to this company.

We had our third child, Donovan, in September which was a huge life changer. Sure, not the first – but every child brings new changes.

Closed down Studio 646 and opened my personal design out, CubeLab Media.

“Retired” from freelancing.

There are a slew of other things that happened through the year that I have to say, made the year amazing.

The Future

This year will bring more changes and I suspect it will be amazing. I’ll be focusing on writing a lot this year. I have three stories I’m planning on working through this year, and I’m extremely excited to get them out there!

Deadland Chronices – the graphic novel – has been in the works for several years now. It’s time, this year, to get it rolling. This will be both a web comic (pages shown on the internet for free) as well as printed versions for purchase. I’m excited about this endeavor, being a long time comic book fan. Mirriam Neal and Leighton Hajicek will be partnering with me on this and I’m really excited where this is going.

The Hunter’s Lineage is also a story I’ve rolled around my brain for a while now. I’m happy where the story in general is going and can’t wait to get it out there. This will be a serial released both print and e-book format – bi-monthly releases and as cheap as possible!

Finally, the newest in my foray – The Elderverse. Also a serial to be released, but one that takes me, personally, on a new ride. sci-fi adventure. I’ve never written science fiction, so the style itself is new – but exciting!

I’m not sure what else I have planned for the future. More blog posts, some spiritually based, others not. But hopefully I can get my blog updated more.

That’s it for my “new years resolution”. Which, really is more a plan than a resolution and has nothing really to do with New Year’s ..

Photo by: Steve Jurvetson

Related posts:

1. End of the year Every year we read articles and hear people talking about...
2. Figuring out the future I’ve been comtemplating many things the last year since losing...
3. Where does the future lead? I’m not  very faithful with the updates lately. It’s been...

Children’s christmas lists grow to astronomical sizes based on what commercials they watch. (One of the many reasons we don’t have cable television in our home.) These lists can (and have) included things like dart guns and flame throwers. What ever happened to wishing for G.I. Joe action figures and world peace?

The advertisements you get in the mail or inbox say things like “It’s  your American duty to shop this Christmas”. Yes, I truly got this as an advertisement to an online store. This tactic is an attempt at guilting people in to making big-ticket purchases.

Shortly after Christmas (or the holidays or whatever you want to call it in an attempt at  being PC) people sit around school or in forums or the water cooler comparing what they got for Christmas. I’ve heard people in the past talking about getting big screen televisions, blue ray players and hundreds of dollars worth of electronic gadgetry that they probably will forget they even owned in a month.

What happened to the simple Christmas spirit? Being grateful for each, little thing you receive? Spending quality time with family and friends? Or, for the Christian’s, celebrating the birth of Christ?

We – the world – have become so focused on getting worthless baubles and being politically correct we completely forget that this is a season of giving and celebrating. Not new toys, checklists and brag charts.

No related posts.

I’ve been a born-again Christian for nearly twenty years. I’ve attended and graduated a Christian high school. I have attended church and Sunday school regularly in that time, participated in Bible studies and small groups. In that time I read through the Bible many times, memorizing many of the passages.

However, here is the revelation part: I lost the awe and wonder.

The problem isn’t with the Bible or God. I didn’t “out grow the Bible” as some say.

The problem is with me. I’ve allowed myself to arrogantly convince myself that I heard it all and started turning off. I stopped reading, studying and mediating on the Word of God. My Christian walk became a sit down. The wide-eyed amazement of God is was replaced by the faceless, detail-less god the world believes us (Christians) to have.

“Bless is the one who always tremble before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.” – Proverbs 28:14 (NIV)

I want to start trembling before God. Not out of fear, but respect and awe. He is a great God.

There is something I’ll be doing is studying, digesting and meditating on what God says through His Word. Every day I will be reading a Bible verse or passage and thinking on the meaning. I’ll be posting some of my findings on my blog here.

Maybe I can help someone have their own personal revelation in their lives through God.

Related posts:

1. Am I really that serious? I do a fair bit of reading. Nothing like some...

One of the relatively new ‘fads’ in music is called ‘Spotify’. Now, I find this software and service pretty useful for streaming albums to your desktop/laptop computer and for a monthly price to a mobile device. If you’d not shell out $10+ for a CD at least, for the most part, you can listen to your favorite band for free. So you can listen to free music. Anywhere. Anytime. Even though you can’t download mp3 versions you can stream it.

However, while I listened, there was an ad on there (like a radio station) talking about soundtracks (or playlists) of your life. How people set up a playlist for everything they do. Driving in the car, working out, walking, business, waiting, lazing around, etc.

It reminded me of something. When I was young my grandfather sat me down outdoors and told me to just sit and listen. So I did.

We’ve drown out so much through music and television, the natural soundtrack of life is being ignored. Listening to birds and wind in the trees and the world going on around us.

How did we become so deaf?

Related posts:

1. Music tastes of age I used to listen to nothing but metal when I...
2. The Lost – Free Desktop Wallpaper Third installment of this lovely feature called ‘free desktop wallpaper’...

I’m also a firm believer that being wise in what you say and how you say it, no matter what platform.

For example, I’m sure many of us have heard of the teacher who said on her personal Facebook profile something negative on homosexuality. Not persons, but homosexuality itself. It was her personal account, but she was suspended for what she said. It wasn’t anything horrific or hateful.

Follow a simple rule here, ladies and gents. “If you can’t say what you’re going to type to every person, don’t post it.”

You can lose your job for disagreeing with pop culture.

You can gain some bitter enemies for openly condemning a religious practice.

I made the mistake, once day, to send an email to my band mates. I was expressing my frustrating with where musically the band was heading. Foolishly, I didn’t think about how it sounded when I sent the email. That following band practice, two of the band members quit which effectively destroyed the band.

It wasn’t that I can’t have an opinion on something, but how I say it or WHEN I say it.

Just like watching your mouth when kids are around (what they hear is what they’ll say), you need to remember that saying things online do not go away when you delete them. They have extreme and lasting repercussions that can change the course of your life, and not necessarily for the better.

Related posts:

1. Nostalgia n. A bittersweet longing for things, persons, or situations of...

However, I remember back to the days where the Internet wasn’t the “cat’s meow”. Social network sites hadn’t been explored. Companies still saw the World Wide Web as a “fringe phenomenon never to take hold in the real world”. I played BBS games like Legend of the Red Dragon. There was a dial-up song that would play when I’d log into a system.

Obviously, fast forward a several years, and the internet hasn’t just expanded, it exploded. When I began my true online ventures it was via instant messaging and forums. Now, with Facebook, Google+ and others cropping up left and right you can’t HELP but be connected with the world.

My father said something interesting, and I can’t argue. It’s almost like a modern-day “tower of Babble”. We can communicate at any time with anyone in the world. People can easily understand what we’re saying in their own language.

I know people worry about Google or Microsoft or Apple or the government taking over the world. But in reality, it’s none of them. It’s social media. They hold us all in the palm of their hands, waiting to be fed the next feature. Watching to see what all our family, friends, pseudo-friends and people we don’t even know are going to say or do.

On one hand, I love social media. It’s allowed me to connect and stay connected with people who I would probably lose touch with easily.

However, is it just another addiction to distract us from the real world?

A couple questions to ponder:
What is the cost of being socially plugged in?
What would happen (socially, economically, emotionally) is suddenly these venues are shut down?

Related posts:

1. The screwed up world Ok, while no one can really argue against the fact...
2. Google is set to take over the world We all knew it was coming. One of these days...
3. How the world could survive Movie quote time. This is from the movie Johnny Mnemonic:...

Recently I contacted the young and extremely talented Mirriam Neal. The proposal was simple: I needed someone to help draw characters for the graphic novel.

Her response wasn’t what I expected. It was better.

Mirriam has now become the official pen and pencil artist for Deadland Chronicles. In fact, she’s already started working on character designs and turned in a sketch for the main character that was spot on.

Also, Leighton Hajicek has agreed to consult for me. He’ll be reading my scripts and telling me how horrible my writing is. I’m happy to have him “on board” even on an advisory position.

Deadland Chronicles is really shaping up! I’m excited and hopefully you are too!

If you’re not a fan of the official Deadland Chronicles Facebook page – go do that now!

No related posts.

It’s hard to look at life and find anything good about it. It’s hard to find things we can be happy about when there seems to be so many terrible things pervading our existence. It makes you wonder “Where is God in this?”

This is why I’m going to challenge myself, and I hope to challenge you, to take the month of November and every day say one thing you can be grateful for. It doesn’t have to be prolific. It can be as simple as your clean socks.

Post your item on your Facebook and/or Twitter daily. Tell others to try it out, even if it’s not the start of November. Feel free to add it in the comment section of this article as well. I would love to read these everyday!

At the end of the month, we can then look back and see how much we do have to be grateful for. Maybe we’ll start looking at this failing world with different eye.

Related posts:

1. Moving day I’ll be moving my website to a new server this...
2. Akismet saves the day I don’t even want to think about where my blog...
3. Software that gets me through the day Like everyone that uses a computer there are certain software...

I often wonder, “Is my current path the road I’m suppose to travel or is this just a temporary trail for me to follow?”

I used to work at a music store. In all actuality, it was a cake job. People would come in because they already decided they wanted to buy some music. My job was simple: get them what they want. I didn’t have to stand out in the mall entrance pulling people into our store with crazy marketing lingo or fancy graphics. I didn’t have to sit down and think through my approach. All I had to do was talk.

Me: “Hello, how are you?”
Customer: “Eh, ok.”
Me: “Anything I can help to make it better?”
Customer: “Yeah, do you have any CDs by FacePunchMidgets?”
Me: “Yeah, we have the new one right over here in New Age.”
Customer: “Awesome! I’m so excited!”
Me: “Great! Did you hear about this group, SpinalKick? They’re on tour with FacePunchMidgets right now and I guess they’re pretty good.”
Customer: “Really? Awesome! I’ll take their CD too! I love this stuff!”

And sale end. Nothing hard about it. All I had to do was show interest in the customer, their needs and try to introduce them to anything that they may like.

Life is a finicky thing. Some days you’re extremely happy and comfortable and excited about the future events. Other days you sit back, frustrated and reveling in the days of selling CDs to people.

From there I have had a myriad of jobs. Teacher, IT, printer, web designer, web developer, sales, secretary. I have to say, looking back I’m surprised at the journey I’ve taken.

But where do I go from here? Currently I’m working as a web designer at a fantastic company. I’m moving into mobile game development a bit, which is new and challenging. Who would have though, ten years ago, that I’d be getting into MAKING games?

We never know where the path our Creator set before us will lead. We never know what kind of obstacles will be in our way, or holes may be dug into the dirt before us by little foxes who try to trip us up.

All we can do is trust that He who cut the path had a good plan for us.

At my age I’m still looking at my career, wondering what’s next. Who knows, maybe in 10 years I’ll be an astronaut.

No related posts.

It then got strangely quiet.

“Aidan, you doing ok in there?” I called. No answer. In my fatherly panic I pictured my boy drowned. I rushed in to see him happily playing with his bath toys.

It was then that I realized “kids have no idea how to respond!”

It’s not that they’re being bad, it’s more that they’re in a little world of their own. They hear, but not comprehend the name that’s being called is theirs.

This is when an idea came to mind.

“Aidan, when I call ‘Marco’ you yell ‘Polo’!” I said, smiling, “It’s like a game!”

Surprisingly, it worked!

Anytime I’m at a store, park, friend’s house and want to find my son I call out “MARCO!”

It may take a second, but I’ll soon hear a little “POLO!”

NOTE: If you use this method, be prepares to have other adults look at you strangely. Or, as in one case at a thrift store, respond with a “polo!” or their own.

Related posts:

1. The comback kid … I did it. I had a big break down. It...

Some of the answer I expected: Read whatever you can, pay attention, go to workshops and connect with other authors.

One thing he said to me was surprising: go for a walk.

Fresh air and a bit of exercise is great for your mind, body and soul. If you’re been sitting in your chair in front of a computer for hours you’re going to end up writing uninspired and unmotivated pieces. So, every so often, get out of your chair and go outside. The fresh air will clear any cobwebs, get the blood flowing to your legs and head and hopefully give you that boost you’ve been needing!

Sometimes to get the most done on a project you need to stop working on it. Take a break. Breath.

Thanks, Mr. Salvatore, for taking the time to email a fan-boy back and giving me great advice! It’s much appreciated!

No related posts.

What motivates you?

Where do you find the inspiration to continue writing words?
Creating works of art?
Caring for others?
Loving on another?

I need to find my sweet spot. The place where I feel inspired, excited and motivated. I try and teach my oldest son how to find joy in little things. As we drove through the city I challenged him to find details and little things and get excited about it. He did it with gusto and soon was pointing out architextures, trees, squirrels on the street and even how a telephone pole was leaning.

Here is a challenge for you: Where can you find inspiration? Find small details of a day and mentally record them. Things that strike you in just a way. It doesn’t have to be earth shaking. Something simple like a shadow against an object or a phrase someone said. Something you read.
Find something that inspired or entranced you, and comment on this post. Tell me what it was and, if you can, what stood out to you.

Everyone needs to find something to be inspired by.

Related posts:

1. Warning – Inspiration Striking Some days I sit there, with a pen and paper...
2. A new web site So, www.taddmencer.com just got an overhaul. I’m working on the...
3. Fun with tech support Do you ever have those days where people just instinctively...

1) Super Mario Brothers

The original, 8bit beast that flag-shipped the first Nintendo Entertainment System. Even to this day I don’t know how or why a plumber would be saving any world from giant, man-eating shrooms, duck-turtles that can also fly or fire-breathing dragon-turtles. But he did, and I’m sure the Princess (who was always getting snatched!) was grateful.

2) Legend of the Red Dragon

This was a popular BBS (Bulletin Board System) game that was all text. This pre-dated the internet and online gaming, and for whatever reason I loved it. Story based, simple adventuring and enjoyable. I’d spend my allowed time (60 minutes a day on a particular BBS) playing this and soon was a champion. I even have an 11×17 poster from it, which even today looks pretty boss.

3) Wolfenstein 3D

Any FPS (first person shooter) veteran will tell you they cut their teeth on this game. Classic “American soldier vs Nazi” game. This is known as the for-runner for modern FPS games.

4) Machine Hunter

This was a great top-down shooter from 1997. It’s one of those highly un-loved games that I played (and still do!) regularly. The play is great, graphics and fun and there is just enough challenge to make it fun, but not to the point of throwing my controller through the screen.

“The objective of the game is for the player to shoot down robots and take control of them. Once the player has taken control of the robot, he/she has the robot’s weapons and upgrades. The player can take control of many different types of robots. The player must rescue all the civilians in order to proceed to the next stage. The game has a two player cooperative mode.

Throughout the game, the player moves his way shooting a robots, aliens, mutants and huge vehicles that tries to impede the player’s progress. There is a total of 9 robots the player can take control of, each with different abilities and weapons.”

5) Metroid

One of my favorite, all time, side-scroller adventure games. Released in 1986 for the Nintendo I remember devouring this game for hours. Looking for every item possible. When Super Metroid was released in 1994 I was more than just a little exited and wasn’t disappointed. Again, spent untold hours neglecting my now wife playing this game.

“Samus travels through the caverns of the planet Zebes to stop the Space Pirates from exploiting the Metroid species for galactic domination.”

What games did you grow up with?

Related posts:

1. The video game ate my friends My sister sent me this little image with a cute...
2. A video clip update I’m all about updates lately it seems. I just can’t...
3. My gaming clan experience Call of Duty, the original, was my first real online...

Projects in general are like this. If you look at the whole of the project, you’ll see nothing but trouble. So many tasks, so much to do.

Every project needs to be attacked in this way.

First. List out what needs done.

This is the daunting part of the task. Trying to figure out all the things needed done to complete your project is exhausting mentally. However, it’s a necessary, if not mentally painful, step everyone needs to take. This helps you to see the scope of your job and help to schedule it properly.

Second. Forget the stress.

Stupid sounding step, but this is imperative if you want to continue. As you look at the mountain of tasks stress comes charging in. Often times each task is accompanied by sub-tasks and those have tasks of their own. It can quickly become a monster list of baddies you need to combat to reach your goal.

However, don’t stress out over the girth of your newly written list. Become the next step will help you.

Third. Set you goal time.

For me, it’s easy. Get the room done before the baby is born on September 7th (or before like his brothers). This allows you to break down you daily tasks in the next step.

Fourth. Make an easily achievable schedule.

Sit down with your list, look at a calendar and your other daily duties and start breaking things down.

For instance, one day my task was simply to look at the room I need to work on. That’s it. I can think about how to tackle my complete job and even visualize the end product. Consider how to attack certain areas and gain needed confidence.

Another day I simply scheduled to run one single wire to the basement.

These little goals will help you get excited as you cross finished items off your task list. It will energize you and propel you to the finish line faster than you realize.

Fifth. Get going!

Sure, easier said than done, but once you get all your tasks listed, scheduled and ready to roll it makes your entire job a lot easier. Schedule an hour a day to just work on your project. If I can get to the room, run a wire, drill some holes, patch some cracks, before you know it that room will be done and ready for baby. So far, I’ve done pretty well getting things rolling.

Sixth. Motivate and reward.

Every day you need to find a way to reward yourself. Whether it’s watching an extra episode of a show you enjoy or a few pieces of chocolate. Reward yourself and keep motivated. Don’t give up.

This isn’t a comprehensive guide, of course. These are suggestions. Things that have worked for me.

Are there any steps you take when planning a project?

Related posts:

1. Time Managing I’m guilty of something that I think many people do....
2. Figuring out the future I’ve been comtemplating many things the last year since losing...
3. Free Online Business Tools I’m SUCH a sucker for great, and free, tools to...

This is how I’d like to say I am. Unwavering, unflinching and heads-down on my work. Sadly, it’s not. I’m easily distracted.

The world is full of these “distraction walls”. It thrives on it.

Video games.

YouTube.

Hulu.

NetFlix.

Blogs and RSS feeds.

Emails.

We’re bombarded day-in and day-out with new information and noise. It’s not a wonder people can’t get things done. We’re so distracted by life.

Even things that look good like extra work can be a distraction on what you need to do.

I’ve made it a goal to seriously look at my life, see what I need to keep and what I need to purge. Sometimes it’s hard. I used to be in a band and write music, but I recently came to grips that stage of life is over. I purged myself of software and equipment.

I also have been an avid gamer, logging hundreds if not thousands of hours playing first-person-shooters and role-playing-games. When I realized it wasn’t aiding in my goal (being a writer) I removed those games from my computer.

There are other distractions I need to slowly weed out. I love watching movies and such. However, it may come to the point where I need to block certain websites from my laptop in order to keep myself from becoming distracted.

It’s hard to admit. However, in the end, it’s better for me. Less to focus on means more focus to use on what I want and need.

What sort of things distract you from meeting your life-goal? Are these something to pursue or should they be purged?

Related posts:

1. It’s time to move on I need to get out of this rut and do...
2. Why zombie smashing is the new American past time This day and age, you don’t have to go far...
3. When life hands you lemons … … you throw them right back in life’s face and...

Open Source Software are programs that are developed generally through a collaborative effort by the internet community. It is also generally free and you can download the source code and modify as you like (depending on the licensing).

It’s been a stigma that free and/or open source software can’t be that professional since it doesn’t have the stamp of industry standard on it. However, today, some of this software has become less bloated and even more professional than some of the mainstream software.

Here are five examples of awesome software you can adapt to your workflow that will blow your mind!

Blender

This is a great replacement for the high-end 3D software like Maya, 3D Studio Max and Cinema 4d. While has its limitations, Blender has come a MASSIVELY long way from its beginning. It was the main software behind the independent short-films “Elephant’s Dream”, “Big Buck Bunny” and the latest, “Sintel”.
Alternative to: 3D Studio Max, Maya, Cinema 4D, Lightwave, XSI, Messiah

Gimp

This software has been around for a while, and while not in my current flow has really shown some strength that I didn’t see before. It’s real power is if you’re a photographer. It has some amazing features in this arena that honestly propels it ahead of Photoshop, the main competition. While not as feature rich as other paid software (no 3D abilities hurts me), it really has a great place for any artist.
Alternative to: Photoshop, Fireworks, Paint Shop Pro

makeHuman

There really isn’t a lot going on in the realm of software to generate humans. But makeHuman really rockets itself into the fray like a sugar-high teen at a metal show. Endless possibilities, soon the ability to pose your model and the ability to export in nearly any useable format, makeHuman really sets itself to be one of the more useful softwares for any freelance artist.
Alternative to: e-Frontier Poser

MyPaint

This is a software I’ve only found recently and I have to say I’m impressed by its ability. The brushes and power of this FREE software is amazing. One artist friend I introduced MyPaint too said “the brushes feel better than ArtRage” and that it was “inspiring”.
Alternative to: Photoshop, Corel Painter, ArtRage

Alchemy

The final offering is a weird software called “Alchemy”. It’s an amazing, inspiring and innovative piece of software. It’s impossible for me to describe it so here is what they say on their website!

Alchemy is an open drawing project aimed at exploring how we can sketch, draw, and create on computers in new ways. Alchemy isn’t software for creating finished artwork, but rather a sketching environment that focuses on the absolute initial stage of the creation process. Experimental in nature, Alchemy lets you brainstorm visually to explore an expanded range of ideas and possibilities in a serendipitous way.

There is nothing like it … it’s really fun to use and easy to come up with crazy designs.

Now, go grab some free software and get creative!

Related posts:

1. Blender 3D – Free 3D graphics software www.blender.org There isn’t much good free stuff out there these...
2. Fun software to increase productivity My buddy Sung showed me some software today and I...
3. Aviary – the free online creation suite Being on a Linux installation on the laptop does sadly...

I went to my car, heading to work and that is when I noticed the massive screw deeply embedded in a tire.

In life we will have our ups and downs. Sometimes everything seems great and we’re happy, excited and rested. Other days we hit road bumps. Health, work, family and friends can cause problems and “screws” in the “tire of life”.

How we react to these hiccups is how what follows in life proceeds.

In the scenario with my tire having a giant screw bling, I could have reacted in many ways. Honestly, if I had a bad weekend I may very well have responded in one of these ways.

Angrily kicking the car, followed my angrily kicking myself for kicking the car and breaking a toe.

Screaming obscenities at the top of my lungs as my wide-eyed children watched from the open window. “Mommy, is Daddy saying bad words?”

Break down in sobs, crying out “Father, why hast thou forsaken me?!”

Luckily for me (and my sensitive eared children) I didn’t react in any of these ways. Instead, I sighed, called my wife and then made plans. I decided to plan my reaction, not just react. Such as in this article, I made my choice. I didn’t just swallow some inane choice.

When I arrived at work I scheduled an appointment at Discount Tire. Then, made sure the car got there, had the tire fixed (which was free, to my joy) and the problem solved.

Problems in life will always be there. We’ll never be rid of them. However, we can change the ways we react to them.

What little screws in life had left you at a near toe breaking moment?

How did you react to them?

Related posts:

1. Can I hit the snooze button on life? I’m feeling mighty tired lately and it isn’t all physical....
2. When life hands you lemons … … you throw them right back in life’s face and...
3. Writing – the way of life. So, I’ve just realized that I love to tell stories....

Finally, he settles for one toward the back that looks ready to be molded. He stokes a fire and places the metal deep within the blaze. The intense heat softens the steel. The blacksmith removes the glowing rod, sets it on his anvil and proceeds to beat the crap out of it with a massive hammer.

This process continues over and over again. It’s tedious, tiring and can be heart wrenching. The tip may break as it’s being hammered. The sword may crack. Any number of problems could rise which would end this future sword’s life abruptly.

This is life. We are the iron, being molded at the blacksmith’s hands. Without the careful attention, the fire and the hammering of life we can never become what we’re suppose to be. He allows the iron to enter the fire to be purged of its imperfections. He allows the hammer to fall to mold it into something new. The forging of our life hurts.

In time, with patience and through much pain and affliction we become something new. Much like a Samurai sword being forged by a master smith’s hammer. We are in fire, being softened and purged. We are on an anvil with blow after blow raining down on us. Back and forth this continues.

But wait, there is more!

We survive, thrive and grow during this process. New iron is wrapped in with the old, strengthening. Much like friends and family pulling together to make us stronger, the more steel added to the forging of this sword the stronger and sharper it will be.

As an individual we can weather these storms. We can be a sword, strong and sharp and beautiful. Though, as a group we can be stronger still. It makes the forging easier.

The heat may not be as hot, but you have the support of others to endure it.

The hammer falls just as readily, but you can bear the beating because you have those to comfort you and fold around you.

Afterwards comes the grinding away of left over defects. We’re placed on a stone and run over and over. We’re ground down. Scrapped and stretched. The stone is merciless. Our edges are worn down. Just when we feel we can take no more … it stops.

In the end, we are a shining, sharp and beautiful sword. Strong. Ready for any coming battle.

The tired black smith holds the sword aloft and says with a tear in his eye, “This is a good sword. It held together under fire. It stood its ground whilst the hammers pounded. It stayed strong while stones ground at it. Here it is. A work of art. My pride.”

A sword. A life.

Related posts:

1. How do bloggers make money from blogs? I came across a great website called Probloggers.net with some...
2. Fake it till you make it shh. secret from Yuri Arcurs Website I’ve heard this concept...
3. Can make believe be used for Godly purposes? This is a serious question not something in jest. Did...

Remember back to our childhood, the old nursery rhyme about the elderly women who swallowed a fly. It’s unknown why she designed to devour the insect. All that is documented is the simple fact: she did.

“I don’t know why she swallowed the fly.”

In our lives we often take on projects that are riddled with little flies. They are problems that creep up, causing problems upon problems. How we react to those issues often is how far that project will progress.

If we ignore the flies, we can often stamp them out with a well thought out plan. Buy a fly swatter or hang some fly catching tape.

Instead, we often do something all together foolish. We compound the problem. We go with a reaction rather then preparing to act.We don’t step back and survey the situation.

“I know an old lady who swallowed a spider.”

We take on another problem. Something we think will be a quick remedy to the previous dilemma. However, instead of fixing our earlier conundrum, we now create more problems. We swallow a bird, cat, dog, goat, donkey, cow and horse hoping something will quickly work.

The project, in which we ran into a small, fly of a problem could be completed by this point if we stopped and thought through a plan of action instead of going off the cuff. We, sadly, kill the project in the end due to a poor plan.

This song is really a life lesson if you think about it. Plan your actions and you will come out on top. Doesn’t mean whatever you plan will be a success, but it won’t die due to our own foolish inability to organize!

What ways have you “swallowed a fly” in the past? How did you attempt to fix the problem? Did it work?

Related posts:

1. Screw in the Tire of Life It was the 5th of July. My family and I...
2. Fun with tech support Do you ever have those days where people just instinctively...
3. Permalink problems in downloads Sorry about the previous problems with downloading. You see, I...

Here is a collection of five albums that I’ve personally felt gives my creativity that boost when writing or designing things

1. Lord of the Rings by Howard Shore

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: Howard Shore, Enya: Music

The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers: Howard Shore, Isabel Bayrakdarian (soprano): Music

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King: Howard Shore, Annie Lennox: Music

2. How to Train Your Dragon by John Powell

How To Train Your Dragon: John Powell: Music

3. Pan’s Labyrinth by Javier Navarrete

Pan’s Labyrinth: Javier Navarrete: Music

4. Inception by Howard Shore

Inception: Hans Zimmer: Music

5. Pirates Of The Caribbean by Klaus Badelt & Hans Zimmer

Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl: Klaus Badelt, Klaus Badelt: Music

Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest: Hans Zimmer: Music

Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End: Hans Zimmer

Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides: Hans Zimmer: Music

Related posts:

1. Let the rock return It has been so long since I’ve written any new...

I realized suddenly, and sadly, how technologically cursed we’ve become.

Rather than thinking, “This is a great moment. I should sit and enjoy my children” I had considered running off and leaving them to their own devices. After all, there was things to do. I had to check my emails, Facebook and Twitter. I needed to read my RSS feeds and stay ahead of the ‘game’. I could even work on one of my writing projects .. so much to do, so many toys to play with.

We, as a human race, have become so attached to our gadgets. Any quiet moment we may have becomes filled with blips and flashy lights. We have cell phones, laptops, e-readers (ala Amazon Kindle, Apple iPod, BN Nook), game systems, radios, MP3 players and televisions making noises in our faces so often we forget the things that are important.

Today, think about things that can be enjoyed, rather than time being filled. Whether its reading a good book, watching your kids have fun or sitting back while sipping tea and listening to birds sing happily in the sun.

On that fateful day I didn’t simply rush off to fill my time with technological flim-flam. Instead, I did what a father should. I sat joyously and watched my children play. I even got on the floor and joined the fun. I enjoyed my children and enjoyed my life.

After all, work can wait. Life won’t.

Related posts:

1. Sesame Street : Burt and Rick Moranis Stumbled on this via Needcoffee.com and though “Hey, I like...
2. Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus … … and apparently Y2K killed him. Rest in piece fat...

A quick background: About seven years ago I did a 30 detox where my life had to drastically change to do it. I had to completely change my diet, which was a huge inconvenience for my wife and I. It was  also an added expense that we didn’t (and still don’t) need.

Skip ahead, our friends asked us if we’d be interested in this 24 Day Challenge. My mind immediately went to the insane diet and I cringed.

However, after reading and speaking with my friends I realized this wasn’t really a huge change. I just had to avoid fatty fried foods and alcohol for a few weeks, which really wasn’t a huge deal.

I received my box of material in the mail yesterday, Saturday May 6th and will start my 24 day challenge very soon. It consists of drink mixes and pills. Should be an interesting challenge and hopefully I’ll become healthier!

If you want to start this 24 Day Challenge and re-energize your life, go to https://www.advocare.com/11051615/Store/ItemDetail.aspx?itemCode=99038&id=A&flavor=1 and start this challenge as well!

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Related posts:

1. 30 Day Grateful Challenge This world is full of horrible things. War, disease, drugs...
2. 100th post! So, this is my 100th post on this website. And...
3. Why zombie smashing is the new American past time This day and age, you don’t have to go far...

IT’s not that I’m being lazy. I just have a lot on my mind. I can’t focus. I see the start of the project and the end of a project. Then, I tend to “dilly dally” all the way through. Not on purpose, but in the back of my mind there is a voice saying “Don’t worry about it, you have plenty of time”. Then, the fateful day comes when the project is due, and I’ve done very little on it. Next thing you know I’m hogtying and tossing that voice on the tracks for suggesting I just take it easy and not worry.

If you are like me, I suggest doing something that may seem so simple or mundane, but could save you more headaches than you care to admit.

Use a calendar.

SIMPLE!

Open a Google Calendar account or use Thunderbird with the Lightning extension, both free. Use any myriad of programs, but snag one.

Once you’re in, start breaking down your tasks.

Monday
- Install WordPress
- Delete Extra Plugins
- Research needed plugins

Tuesday
- Theme creation
- Make basic files needed
– index.php, search.php, style.css, header.php, footer.php

For every task, even if it’s small, give it a time. Break it all down. Make sure you add your deadline for the project as well!

Why? Because having a handful of small victories honestly keeps you from being overwhelmed, yet at the same time helps motivate and encourage you to stay on task.

Keep at it!

Don’t give up on this method. Try and take a few hours at the beginning of your work week and build out your schedule for the next five business days.

It may take some getting used to – but it’s worth it. Schedule your time.

You can thank me later.

Related posts:

1. Why zombie smashing is the new American past time This day and age, you don’t have to go far...
2. Planning for a Stress Free Project With the third baby on it’s way, the final room...
3. It’s time to move on I need to get out of this rut and do...

Sometimes it happens. I find a new job or I get laid off (only happened once).

So what do I do at that point? Do I burn the bridge and leave the place in a smoldering heap of ash?

Actually just the contrary. I help even when it’s no longer beneficiary to me.

For example, I worked for a non-profit for a number of years. After a while it became necessary for a new employment. Nothing they did, I just had a growing family! I’ve not been an employee with them for nearly four years now, but I’ll still give them advice, do some freelance technical work for them and do what I can to help them.

Another example is my previous employment. Periodically I read something that may benefit them, and I’ll send it over to the gent who does SEO, or the CEO. I’ll give advice and help to the content writer. I make myself available, even though it does me no good.

Why?

Because it’s the right thing to do. There are still people there who I count as my friend. I don’t want the company to crumble, leaving them unemployed. I want them to succeed. I went to give advice and help that may help elevate not only that company, but their position within.

Basically, I want my people to benefit from my knowledge and skills. I’m giving them a gift of a piece of my brain. It may be a weird, gross brain … but it can be helpful.

Don’t burn bridges when you leave a job. Remember, everyone that’s left behind still need you. And you make better long term friendships and business contacts when people know you’re a stand up person, willing to help as needed.

Related posts:

1. Honeymoon is over … Well, I knew it wouldn’t last forever – but the...
2. Figuring out the future I’ve been comtemplating many things the last year since losing...
3. 100th post! So, this is my 100th post on this website. And...

Obviously I can’t, and shouldn’t, start developing more stories. So, what do I do with these new future novels?

Word Document

What I actually do is I have a single word document saved on my DropBox account so I can edit it anywhere I have a computer.

This actually works better for me as I’m an avid keyboard user.

I can easily go back, read the ideas I have and decide a few things:

1) Is it a good idea? If not, get rid of it.
2) Can it be combined with another idea?
3) Is it something I SHOULD write about?

These are things I need to figure out every time I open the file. What is good about using a .doc file is I can highlight and delete very quickly or make any annotations whenever I need.

Write it down

One thing I used to do was the take a pad of paper and jot down my idea. This gives you a tactile recording or our idea. A physical sketching. While this does give you a “hands on” approach, to me it was messier and not as useful. Doesn’t help I have  terrible handwriting.

So, pick your poison. But don’t lose your ideas. You never know, they could end up being  your masterpiece.

Related posts:

1. How to write your story I’ve been trying to write stories for longer than I...
2. Warning – Inspiration Striking Some days I sit there, with a pen and paper...
3. XMind – Mind Mapping for Story Writing I use a mind mapping program at work for doing...

One day while I was slaving over one of our projects I realized .. this can be used for more than just navigation!

I enjoy writing fiction. I’m not published. However, letting my mind fall into these non-existent realms is very calming. One of my biggest problems, however, is my focus tends to wane.

Enter XMind: A free mind mapping software. Not exactly what I’d call a writer’s needed utility, but let me explain WHY it’s so useful.

I read a book a while ago by director/writer Robert Rodriguez (Sin City, Spykids 1-4, many others) called “Rebel Without a Crew“. Very good book and I’d recommend anyone who does anything creative to read it. Within he talks about using index cards to jot down his story plot ideas and then he can easily push them around on a table. The idea was he could change the flow of the story, on the fly. It’s how he wrote the movie El Mariachi.

I took this idea one step further. Using XMind I can make a quick “fish bone” time line, add all my ideas and slide them around, add extra tidbits of information and shuffle things till I’m happy.

This method has allowed me to take one of my current stories, Deadland Chronicles, from a whole slew of ideas that where put in note pads, Word documents or just in my head and toss them together quickly, fleshing out ideas and insuring that they work well together.

It’s an extremely easy program to us. It took me a few hours to get really comfortable with it, but after I got the basics it was easy.

If you don’t believe me, go to www.xmind.net and download it. It’s free! Try it out and see what you think. You can thank me later!

Note: You could use other mind mapping software like Freemind, Gliffy or VUE – but XMind seems to be the best to me. More robust and feature rich than others.

If you have any other ways of getting things organized, comment below! I’m always open to new solutions!

Related posts:

1. What to do with story ideas? I’m an avid day-dreamer. Small things in my day can...
2. How to write your story I’ve been trying to write stories for longer than I...
3. celtx – not just for script writing I’m a firm believer, follower and fanboy of the software...

However, coming out swinging, is Enavu’s “Freedcamp“, a free Basecamp alternative that rocks like no other.

What makes Freedcamp so awesome isn’t JUST the fact that it’s completely free, but the fact that it offers so much, and feels so smooth. Just logging in is fast and simple. You can plug in using your Facebook account and BAM you’re done.

You have multiple projects, to-do lists, groups, time tracking, discussion boards, file sharing, instant messaging (using Meebo) and even invoicing.

Adding information into Freedcamp is simple. Create a new project, add a task (to-do) and done. You can quickly and easily add and drag your to-do list items, assign someone to it, set a schedule .. it’s so robust it’s hard to believe it IS free!

If you’re looking for something to replace Basecamp, this is the online service for you. In my opinion, Freedcamp is the Basecamp killer.

Related posts:

1. I am so cool – free desktop wallpaper Yes, I made a new wallpaper that says that I’m...
2. Aviary – the free online creation suite Being on a Linux installation on the laptop does sadly...

Here is a handy list of a few great online tools to let you not only get things done, but look professional and organized while you do it!

Wave Accounting
I’ve talked about Wave Accounting in the past. I still use it, I still love it. It’s 100% free, allows you to invoice, track payments, do reporting .. you name it, it does it. Easy to use and makes me feel like I have my things together! – www.waveaccounting.com

Google Docs
So, Google is the new big brother. They’re taking over the world. We all get that, but we love their free services anyway!
Google Docs is a great way to store, write and share documents, presentations, spreadsheets and more. They have a slew of templates you can use and you pretty much have all the room in the world. (Well, more like 10 gigs, but that’s a lot for documents!)
docs.google.com

Aviary
Another amazing company bringing amazing services. Aviary has photo editing, vector illustrations, music, effects .. tons of great, professional looking tools that can allow you to do design fast, furious and professionally. www.aviary.com

Gliffy
Just found today actually, this is a free online wireframing and prototyping software that allows you to quickly mock up wireframes and information architectures for client websites, save them or even post your results on your WordPress CMS site. It’s really slick and feature rich .. and yes, free! www.gliffy.com

ClockingIT
Again, I talked about this free project management service in the past, and I still am. It’s amazingly easy to use with gantt charts, tasking, management and even a chat feature to IM between your team. It’s quick and clean. www.clockingit.com

CollabPress
If you have a WordPress website you may want to look at this nice plugin that rests in the admin backend. Easily project manage your jobs with this nifty little plugin.
CollabPress is an all in one project and task management plugin for WordPress. Transform a standard WP installation into a full featured project management application in a single click! Easily create unlimited projects, task lists, and tasks with all of the features you would expect. www.collabpress.com

What other free tools are online that can make a great addition to this list?

Related posts:

1. Aviary – the free online creation suite Being on a Linux installation on the laptop does sadly...
2. Blogging tools I never really was one for using tools to help...
3. I am so cool – free desktop wallpaper Yes, I made a new wallpaper that says that I’m...

This article, for instance, talks about how the Abiline Christian University sent soem of their students to teach kindergartners how to use iPhones.

I have a problem with this. For instance, why would a 5 year old HAVE a $400+ phone? At what point would them having a smart phone be useful? What happened to teaching kids how to read and write? Play games? Enjoy the out doors?

We, society in general, are so enamored with these beeping contraptions and distractions we can’t wait for the next new digital babysitter.

I don’t see this as “innovative and challenging” or “world changing” as the article states. I don’t see how this really benefits or changes anything – not for the better.

Related posts:

1. Droid of awesome I had recently been given an Android phone. I enjoy...
2. Hard lessons learned through rubber balls I’ve said it before – I work for a very...