Then I dueled my nephew in a game of Yu-Gi-Oh

01/04/2017 at 1:40 am

Today I woke up around 11:30 and ate a vanilla yogurt and drank a V8 Fusion energy drink. Then I had chili and watched another Ben Shapiro panel debate where the topic this time was racism. It was an interesting debate but I am not sure if any real solutions came out of it. I was not convinced the panelists on the democratic side were well informed and they were not very consistent with their positions and arguments. My brother and I discussed the topic at length through the day during and after watching the video. It seems like some people chalk up a lot to racism but don't have much evidence or solutions other than telling white people to "stop it".

Then I took a walk with the nephew to a local park but it was around 34 degrees so we didn't walk long. Then I dueled my nephew in a game of Yu-Gi-Oh. He won but it was actually kind of fun. Then I read a chapter of "The Graveyard Book" and took a half an hour nap.

Soon, my brother was home from work and dinner was being made. It was fish, tots, salad, beans, and hard boiled eggs. An amazing home cooked meal. I am spoiled here. Then my brother and I worked a bit on the Fractal Focus website creating pages for videos, photos, client work and the like. Then an episode of Dexter with my brother and his wife and after that I exercised, took a shower and then played Battlefield 1 for a bit.

I was watching Comedy Bang Bang when I realized I hadn't written in my daily blog diary thing so here I am. Next, more Comedy Bang Bang and then sleep.

Today I had my first business meeting.

01/03/2017 at 12:30 am

Today I had my first business meeting. My brother and I met with the owners of an up and coming barber shop to discuss doing a few videos for them. We gave them a "friend" price and the job is not too big so I think it will be a good experience for me and a good start to growing a reputation for the company. I hope it leads to more work.

The first thing I did today was watch another Ben Shapiro video where he and others had a debate about the $15 minimum wage proposal that ultimately went through in Seattle, Washington. Oregon is on track to match this minimum wage by 2022. Afterward my brother and I recorded a podcast for Fleeting Thoughts and we talked for about a hour and a half about minimum wage, politics, government, and such things. Very good conversation.

Then I had some nasty ass, tasty ass Taco Bell. After that I took a shower, played a level of Lego Marvel Avengers with the nephew, who will not play the game without me because it is "our" game. Then a bit of reading, this time I am reading "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman. It was recommended by Tim Ferris whose podcast I rarely listen to anymore. Then a 15 min nap and then off to the business meeting.

After I returned from the meeting did some pull ups and crunches and then ate some amazing homemade chicken chili and started watching Luther on Netflix which is an amazing show. The acting is incredible. Then I decided I needed to get my diary entry in the bank so here it is. Next, maybe some Battlefield 1?

It Was a Great Way to Start the Year

01/02/2017 at 1am

The first thing I did yesterday was watch an interview of Ben Shapiro by Dave Rubin on Youtube. It was a very good conversation about Trump, the "Left", the "alt right", and other such topics. I am very impressed with both Rubin and Shapiro for their eloquence and thoughtfulness. Shapiro's ability to intelligently argue a position is inspiring and I realized that I think he, a few others, have politics covered pretty well. I doubt I could fight that fight as well and I doubt it would be fulfilling but I do enjoy debates and criticizing politics.  I tweeted that shit out. 

Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93Ro_vfZcfk

Then the family went on a long walk in the park. After a bit my brother and I started talking about the business, Fractal Focus. We talked about barriers, timelines, expectations and finances. When we returned to the house we prepared for an early dinner. It was home made Yum bowls. If you don't know what those are I suggest you check it out. 

After dinner I read for a few minutes and then my brother came to me with our new website. We collaborated on the fractalfocus.com website and got a very nice landing page set up. Then we ordered business cards and looked at the cost to set up an official LLC. It's not too expensive but we are taking a couple days to get money in order. A few bills show up right at the beginning of the year but tax returns will arrive so I shouldn't worry so much. Then we edited some release forms and checked some items off the list. 

I had promised the nephew I would play Lego Marvel Avengers with him so we completed two levels heroically. Then an episode of Dexter with my brother and his wife. A screening of Mr. Brooks with Kevin Costner rounds out the evening of serial killer entertainment. Now I am thinking about going to bed and what I might do tomorrow. 

It was a great way to start the year.

Book Review: Hell Came With Her by Channing Cornwall

"Just fuckin do it, ye cowardly bitch!" He spat, staring up at his angel of death. 
The last bullet burrowed into his gut.

To start this review I want to be upfront about my bias for this book. It is written by one of my best friend's Channing Cornwall. He is an incredible person and his passion and commitment to writing are inspiring. He has written four novels, at least one play, a collection of poetry and a collection of short stories. That being said this is my favorite piece of his writing yet.

One of my favorite aspects of this book is the short chapters and lack of over-explaining fluff. It is a quick read and dispenses with extraneous details. It gets to the grit and grime of the story without wasting time.

Another aspect I love about this book is the intense, realistic and unflinching violence. This book does not shy away from illuminating the worst of humanity in the old west and the brutal nature of terrorism and revenge. It is graphic with brains strewn about and some sexual violence that took me aback while reading. But I am glad the violence is not glossed over or dumbed down.

I have two main criticisms. First, the old-fashioned language was hit or miss for me. I think that the use of "ye" was sometimes confusing and possibly used too much. It is a difficult task to take on accents in writing and I appreciated the effort. I did enjoy the use of idioms and terms from back then and the effort to remain authentic to the time period was not unnoticed.

Second, is the lack of character evolution. This book is a straight forward revenge story but other than the immediate change in the main character Sadie the characters do not change in meaningful ways. This is not a particularly egregious charge but it is something I noticed and a little more character development might have helped me feel more sympathy for the characters.  

In conclusion, this is an action-packed western that I would recommend to anyone who wants a fun romp through a gritty world full of gunslingers, outlaws, and a relentless heroine. I'll admit I am not much of a reader and it took a bit to get into it but by the end, I was fully wrapped up in this vengeful tale.

Interested in buying? Click here to use my affiliate link to pick it up!

Bowling and Dinner with the Family

12/31/2016
I woke up barely able to open my eyes. They were heavy with what I can only assume is the fatigue of alcohol and bad dreams. I swear I had a dream that I came in and out of with the direct knowledge it was a dream. The details of my lucid dreaming was as easy to hold onto as the slippery memory that remains of it now.

Next came bowling with my brother and his son. There was a cute server there and I became anxious whenever I would fantasize about asking her out. I did not end up speaking with her other than to ask for a water and such but it is certainly a sign that I am interested in dating again.   We had a good time and I bowled fairly well. My dad used to take me bowling and it continues to be one of the only pleasant memories of my childhood with my dad.

I finished the book Hell Came With Her by Channing Cornwall and I am finishing up the review.

I am now sitting in the living room of my Mom and Sister's house after a lovely homemade dinner of ham, mashed potatoes, salad and more. I think the plan is to watch What About Bob and then head home to ring in the new year. After last night I remember why I don't enjoy drinking so much. The slight euphoria, mild numbness and inhibitions is not worth the sleepless, gastrointestinal discomfort and lethargy. So, another drug will be utilized tonight to celebrate the new year and all it has to offer.

Bar Hopping in Montavilla

12/30/2016

Today I woke up around noon. I watched TV for a bit. Netflix added a season of Comedy Bang Bang. Then I read a few chapters of my friend Channing's new book "Hell Came With Her." I'm almost finished. Then I took a nap for about an hour. My brother came home and he invited me to get a drink with him and his friend Sebastian.

We took a bus to the Montavilla area where we started at the bar Vintage. It was an upscale place and the drinks were expensive. Seemed like a place where if you ordered a "bud" they would be annoyed and scoff. The atmosphere was dark and moody. We were a little early for happy hour so we waited until the bartender decided waiting was unnecessary. I ordered something with a distinctly spicy flavor that made it a chore to drink. My brother got the same drink and Sebastian had something with Absinthe. We talked about guns, motorcycle accidents, drug experiences and such.

Then we went to a bar called Thatchers with a generally unfriendly server. We had food and drank beer and talked about technology, government and life. Next it was Beer Bunker. Another hip bar that only served micro brews from nearby breweries. Really cool place where you could order a "goblet" of ale. We sat and talked about our religious backgrounds, my brother's experience with his first child and a slew of other great topics. You had to be there. I suppose I could write more eloquently about the evening and regale you with a synopsis of our clever banter but I am tired.

Then we took a Lyft home. The driver had a slight lisp but a very nice guy. I played a couple levels of a video game with my nephew and watched more Comedy Bang Bang before settling in to write this in an attempt to get it posted before the date changed. I didn't make it. It was a very relaxed day full of enjoyable company and conversation.

I Officially Live in Portland

12/29/2016
In the past four months I have done a few new things.

I quit my job and moved to Portland.

I started looking for a part time job but soon found that my only skill set is in retail and I was trying to get out of retail. I applied at a few places. I got interviewed to work at the airport for Pendleton Woolen Mills. Never heard back.

I hoped that I would get a security deposit back so when my previous land lord sent me a bill for $5 I was shocked. I had been a great tenant for over 3 years. Paid my rent almost always early. My friend built a counter with a drawer in the kitchen. I cleaned up before I moved. Even under the fridge. The place was tiny and shitty but I liked it.

So, then I accused them of negligent accounting because on the first page of the rental agreement the pet fee was under the refundable column. The problem was I neglected to notice the next page that had the actual pet agreement and it dictated that the fee for the pet was a "fee" and not a security deposit. I wasn't entitled to it. They informed me of my mistake and since then I've left it alone.

I applied for unemployment but it turns out if you quit they make it very difficult to get money that is technically called "unemployment insurance." I figured that since I've been paying into it, that it would be reasonable to get some of it back for the very reason that it exists. But it isn't the same as personal insurance. It isn't a savings fund, which is something I should have invested in instead. Well, I did save a bit. I moved with about $3000 saved. Now that I see it, it is isn't such a small bit of money. But it, along with my furniture and appliances was all I had.

I got an interview with the zoo but since they get funds from the federal government they do drug tests, presumably on the spot. The lady asked if we were "ready to go" with the drug test and background check and I said, "Sorry, I'm not gunna pass a drug test." Shook her hand and walked out. I took a picture of a goat.

Then I got an interview with the local school district as a tutor. A serious ass tutor. Did not get that job. But they said I interviewed well. Not well enough. Aye?

Then there was a freeze. A near 48 hour power outage. Very fun. I recommend it. After that amount of time it becomes disgusting. No hot water, no garbage disposal, no garbage pickup...etc.

 I got my first payment for video work. I was a camera operator and boom operator (first time as well) for a friend of my brother's who is starting a media company.

Just started work for a retail place back at the bottom. It is interesting to start over at a new store and attempt to learn something that is both familiar and unknown.

I did my first photo shoot for a client. Just turned in the photos for that yesterday. Pro-bono work for my brother's friend. Pretty cool.

I smoked exactly one pack of cigarettes. I made a few videos for my YouTube channel, which is fun for me. My brother and I have a name, business plan and marketing schemes. We are making connections and plan on starting the LLC officially on Jan 1st. We plan on hitting the road running similar to that of road runners.

I've been able to spend time with my family. My family is wonderful here. My brother's family is amazing. My mom and sister are great. My sister's baby is incredible. Other than the mounting anxiety, about starting a business, making money, being independent, getting a girlfriend, and general existential angst, I feel good. I miss my friends but we have kept in touch.

I officially live in Portland.