Filled with Opportunity

I've been writing more lately. I know, I know. "But Brett ... you write for a living." Yes, but I don't write for myself very often.

My excuse has always been "I don't want to spend 8 hours in front of a computer writing and then come home and write some more." It's an excuse that is easy to justify. My brain gets tired. And I do enjoy my jobs here and here and sometimes here. And WoW is easier.

But I've recently decided to write the stories I want to tell even if they never see the light of day. Part of this comes from having a desire to be better to myself and to those around me more than I have in the past. To stop being as lazy (the as gives me a little breathing room). In order for me to do that, I have to listen to what my instincts, the Spirit or the little crazies tell me to do. I've noticed that when I act on these whisperings, I get rewarded with more inspiration. Funny how that works.

Now, I could write a book about making excuses (maybe I will) but thing thing about excuses is that it puts the blame for failure temporarily on someone or something else's head. And that's false living. Failure still catches up to you. I don't want to be that guy.

Finally, here is a great little article on this subject.

Remove These Phrases from Your Writing Life

The best part is Seth Godin's quote at the end. Love it.

As always, thanks for reading.

Thoughts On Health Care

I usually don't read forwarded political emails or watch Glenn Beck or visit all the links that people send me on Facebook. Usually it's because I just don't trust people to do my research for me (especially if their track record shows far right/left-wing bias). Am I the most educated on politics or, more specifically, the proposed health care plan by Obama? In short, no.

However, with that disclaimer in place, I will say that my employer raised the cost of my health care to a point where my family can't afford it. I've taken on an extra job, work 12+ hours a day, and still can't get basic coverage for my wife and kids. My current health insurance is prayer. So how will keeping things the same help my family?

I will also say that I don't think the crises we find ourselves in right now is the fault of a guy who has been President for 9 months. I respect Obama. I voted for him. And until I see real evidence of harm, I will support him. You know who else I voted for? George W. Bush. Twice. And I am humble enough to admit that I at least made a poor decision voting for his second term. If anything, Bush's failures led me to be inspired by Obama's campaign and platform.

So, yes, I put some blame on the shoulders of administrations of the past 8-10 years or more.

But I also put the blame on our Congress ... many of whom sit in office for far too long, using their vote to prevent changes or who aren't really looking out for constituents' interests.

I put the blame on us, the voters, for being apathetic, voting straight down the line for one party every time and choosing people who for over the last 30 years have dug holes in policy, placed band aids on our economy and fought for the sake of fighting instead of attacking problems head on together, like I believe our forefathers would have wanted.

I blame fear and hate mongers, guys like Michael Connelly, who obviously have their own vendetta against Obama and use their public position to spew their own half truths and bias in an effort forward their own agendas.

Guess what? I get to interpret the the Constitution too! It reads that its purpose is to "promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity." In my view, the health care changes (and many other things Obama is trying to do) may give me and my family a better chance to attain these things. I applaud that SOMETHING is happening in this country where we have all grown far too complacent.

Is it a perfect plan? No. But let's remember we use other evil socialized programs all the time. My step-father's life was prolonged for years because of the "Veterans Administration's tax-payer underwritten, socialized health care program." There's highway construction, municipal water treatment, garbage pickup, police and fire departments, ambulance service and others - all of which are, at their core, socialized programs. Are they perfect? No. Are they evil and turning our nation into Communists? No. Degrees of socialism are alive, well and flourishing in America. I am not afraid of it.

So ... If we strongly oppose the health care proposal, we have to honestly look at ourselves and ask, "Do I oppose this because it really truthfully will hurt my rights and our country? Or do I oppose this because I don't like having a Democrat for President?" Find your answer and then don't just sit there. Get the facts on your own so you can fight for what you want to happen. I know I will.

Brawl Cat: A Photo Essay

Meet Jane. She is a cat.

Sometimes she has friends over. Her friends are often naked. And drunk.



Sometimes her naked friends ramble on and suddenly pass out.



This display of low self-esteem angers Jane. She expects more from her friends.

FACE BITE!

Ashamed at her display of violence, Jane cries herself to sleep.

The Excuse Post They Tell You Not to Write

Here it is. The post where I tell you why I haven't been blogging. Where I ask if anyone still reads or subscribes. Here is the post where I say how much has been going on in my life and that all this stuff means that even I, a writer, couldn't find time to check in with you or respect that you expect posts from me.

Here is the post where I tell you I've been working two "day" jobs. Both great. Both allowing me the chance to grow as a professional writer and business mind. Both making me feel lucky I have at least one of them in this economy. But how that drains my creativity for posting here. Or for doing the other creative projects I have on my list.

This is the post where I tell you that despite my lack of posting, I'll make this promise or that one about posting more. And then I probably don't come through.

And there is the part of the post where for some reason I tell you that I've been trying to be a better dad and husband but feel like I've actually regressed. How for some reason my patience is at an all time low for anyone who comes in contact with me. How I set goals each week to do this and that and how I never get to them. How I know I should be less involved in this thing or that thing so I can regroup and focus on what matters. But how I don't have the heart to take my fingers out of the pies.

Then maybe I throw in a part about losing 20 pounds since March with a mixture of diet and Crossfit but how I've mostly stopped Crossfit but how I hope to start again soon. And how even though being 185 pounds looks good in person, it still doesn't look good on film and so I am still trying to lose 10 more pounds in less than a month so I'm not an embarrassment to the producers when I get to go read with the female lead of the vampire movie we're close to shooting.

Here is the post where I would tell you about all the interesting things I've learned/read/watched/visited in the last few months but then get overwhelmed about where to start and then I don't say anything except this: I love that our children have taken a liking to the movies of Hayao Miyazaki in the past year, starting with "My Neighbor Totoro" and "Kiki's Delivery Service" and culminating in the past two weeks with "Ponyo" and "Spirited Away." How this delights me to no end and gives us something to watch and discuss together.

Then before I end, I would tell you that The Thrillionaires are doing better than ever before and had audiences all summer long. But then I don't go into how infuriating and rewarding it is all at once.

Finally the post ends with me writing that life, despite all of the bad, is still really good. And how I hope that's how it is for you too, wherever you are. And then I write something thoughtful or witty. And it abruptly ends.

Color Me Excited

Michael & Michael Have Issues	Premieres Wed, July 15, 10:30pm / 9:30c
Preview - Greg the Intern
www.comedycentral.com
Joke of the Day Stand-Up Comedy Free Online Games

Poem of the Day: "Our Own" by Margaret E. Sangster

I know it's re-post from another entry but, really, how many of you read that far before? Anyway, I think it's a great little piece.

Our Own
BY MARGARET E. SANGSTER.

If I had known, in the morning,
How wearily all the day
The words unkind would trouble my mind
That I said when you went away,
I had been more careful, darling,
Nor given you needless pain;
But—we vex our own with look and tone
We might never take back again.

For though in the quiet evening
You may give me the kiss of peace,
Yet it well might be that never for me
The pain of the heart should cease;
How many go forth at morning
Who never come home at night,
And hearts have broken for harsh words spoken
That sorrow can ne'er set right.

We have careful thought for the stranger,
And smiles for the sometime guest,
But oft for our own the bitter tone,
Though we love our own the best.
Ah, lip with the curve impatient,
Ah, brow with the shade of scorn,
'T were a cruel fate were the night too late
To undue the work of morn.

Review Post Suggestions

So, Pro Blogger challenged me (not specifically but, you know) to write a review post. So I'm going to. Question is ... what to review? Fortunately they provided a list. Here it is:

Here are a few ideas:

• Review a book
• Review a movie or TV show relevant to your audience
• Review a restaurant
• Review an article from a magazine or website
• Review a hotel, tourist destination or airline
  
• Review a speech given by a politician
• Review a gadget
• Review a tool or piece of equipment relevant to your niche
• Review a toy if you’re a Mom or Dad
• Review an album/CD

So what will it be readers? You decide and I'll review and post.