Week of Vacation - Saturday

I was of a mind that my week was wasted, that my vacation was ruined, but now, at week's near end, I find I am at peace with the week. Did I accomplish the goals I set for myself - not a one.

Did I relax? Yes.

And in the end, that was all I truly wanted - needed - on this break from work. I let myself down on a lot of fronts, but it only gives me something to come back from. Will I turn things around right away, starting Monday? Probably not. But I will try. And trying is all I - anyone - can do.

Today I started the morning off rough. Something was wrong with me - with my stomach? - last night and I couldn't sleep. I maybe caught an hour of sleep between the pain and uncomfortableness of whatever was wrong. I decided to finally just start the day around 6 AM with an episode of Dollhouse and one of Smallville. I then read my short stories, 10 of the weekly comics, and watched 1 more of Fringe and 3 of Battlestar Galactica.

I am going to go back downstairs and read some - maybe comics, maybe a novel (or 2) - but then I'm off to sleep. Tomorrow will hold something. I'll see it when I get there.

Week of Vacation - Friday

Feel as though I did very little today. Can't even say that I read a lot today, because I didn't. I just spent a lot of the day, wandering around. (I suppose some people call it shopping, but when you don't buy anything - or very little - is it really shopping?)

I did go and see Knowing, * * *, starring Nicholas Cage. I enjoyed it quite a bit. The more I think about it, the less sense everything makes, but at the time, while watching (which is the only time you should truly consider), I was completely absorbed. If you are in the mood for a good science fiction tale, you could do much worse.

Read only a couple of the weekly comics today. No novel reading. My two short stories, both by Joe R. Lansdale were great - one amazing.

Watched Seth Rogen, Guy Fieri, and Chris Cornell on Leno tonight, and it was a very good episode. I kind of want a Bob toy from Monsters vs. Aliens.

Who knows what tomorrow will entail. I know what I should be doing...but that doesn't always mean much.

Week of Vacation - Thursday

Read a ton of comics today. Single issues (10+, I don't feel like going to count), trades (Green Lantern: Secret Origin, Air, Midnight Nation, House of Mystery) - just a lot of comics. I also read my short stories, finished a novel - The 39 Clues: The Sword Thief, and worked a bit on The Graveyard Book - which I'd like to finish in the next few days (the three days of vacation left to me).

While reading all those comics I realized I'm not as discouraged by the current state of comics as I was yesterday at the comic shop. There are some good titles being put out each month; I've just fallen far enough behind that I couldn't remember them at the time. I want to write an entire post about this, but not now. Maybe tomorrow.

I also watched Role Models tonight. I really enjoyed the movie in the theaters, and it was just as funny tonight on DVD. I'm glad I shelled out the money to own this film. This is one I'll watch over and over again. As I Tweeted earlier: there are many quotable - and inappropriate - lines of dialogue.

Still feel as though I've wasted this vacation. All my plans - nothing to show. I keep thinking I just need some inspiration, some motivation. But instead of waiting for these things to just show up, I should be DOING something about it.

It's simple, really: GET OFF MY LAZY ASS. Get up out of the chair. Do my work. Stop feeling sorry for myself because I've wasted my vacation - there's NOTHING to be done about it now other than spend the next three days doing what I set out to do all along.

Week of Vacation - Wednesday

I was pleased to share a nice lunch with my mom at Olive Garden. I had a huge herb-grilled salmon fillet, and it was good. Both my mom and I are busy people, and it seems like I see her less and less, but it is always nice to get together, even if it is just for a meal.

Got the call from the comic book shop, as I was driving there, that the copy of Starman: Omnibus #2 I ordered had come in. I was waiting - impatiently - for this ever since I missed it by mere hours a couple of weeks ago during its release. Almost picked up a copy Monday when in Iowa City, but knew, just knew, that if I did it would surely arrive today. (And it did, so I'm glad I waited.)

Spent a good portion of the day reading stories by Joe Hill (they were both excellent) and finishing On Writing by his father, Stephen King. Also read a handful of weekly comics - still no where near current with these - but have, as of yet, not read my goal of one collection daily.

Contemplating exercise or a bit more reading with the remainder of the night.

Finished On Writing

Finally finished (after what could be close to two years) Stephen King's On Writing. The book, part memoir and part advice for writers, was more than I hoped it could be. I expected to find some helpful advice, and more importantly, inspiration, and I was not disappointed. What I didn't foresee were the autobiographical parts - the entire first half of the book - and the life that shaped the writer King has become. His postscript, "On Living," was particularly moving. In this section he described his accident while out walking - an event fictionalized, to some degree, in the final volume of his Dark Tower series. Just as it did before (the aforementioned Dark Tower telling), the accident struck home with me in all the wrong ways, making make me angry, and sad.

But I digress...

I was - am - impressed with this book. It is one I know I'll reread from time to time, when the inspiration falters, or the toolbox need dusted off.

New Novel From Niffenegger

I am a huge fan of Audrey Niffenegger's first novel, The Time Traveler's Wife. It may just be my 2nd favorite novel of all time. (There's something about time travel that I thoroughly enjoy.)

I am pleased to read that she sold her second novel for a staggering sum. This is one book that I can't wait to read. (It sounds strange - probably as strange as a book about a man bouncing through time interacting with his wife at different points in her life, from childhood through eventual marriage - but wonderful.)

Week of Vacation - Tuesday

Spent a lot of time indoors reading and watching TV today. Normally, I wouldn't complain. These are things I enjoy. I'm on vacation. I should be doing things I enjoy.

However -

I didn't follow my diet. I didn't workout like I wanted (I am going out for a walk as soon as I finish this post - with probably only minutes to spare before midnight comes and changes today into tomorrow).

But -

I did read through two trades (WE3 and RASL) and 6 of my weekly comics. I caught up with Smallville (2 episodes), Caslte, and watched 1 of 4 recorded episodes of Fringe. I also read 110+ pages of books sitting on my shelf. On Writing by Stephen King is simply amazing. I'll finish it tomorrow. It is inspiring, to say the least. I also started re-reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman - like I need another book going - just because I was in the mood for it.

I also played around with Stanza (an e-book reader for the iPod Touch) and read my two short stories on the iPod today. It worked rather well. I also downloaded a book by an author I enjoy (Tim Pratt) that I am adding to my collection of novels started, yet not completed.

And I did laundry.

Now, the midnight hour approaches, and I need to be walking.

Week of Vacation - Monday

The day of traveling made it difficult to follow the vacation plan - but that was expected. I did have a great time hanging out in Iowa City with my friends. It was great to see them again (we don't get together nearly enough), and to walk the Ped Mall in Iowa City once more.

Made stops at Prairie Lights (bought a novel by Deb Olin Unferth and the 2008 Edgar Award-winning novel) and Daydream Comics (bought We3, volume 1 of Aaron's run on Ghost Rider, and the over-sized trade of Smith's RASL - all three titles not stocked at my local comic shop). Had to pass up the second Starman omnibus - even though I really want it - because I have asked for it to be ordered at the local shop (but it's been 2 weeks!).

Managed to read my double stories, but didn't get the other reading goals accomplished. Watched the newest episode of House, but didn't make it to the gym. Ate out twice in the same day, and snacked more than I should have, but didn't go too overboard with anything.

All in all, it was a great day. Just not as productive as I hope the rest of the week will turn out to be.

Week of Vacation - Mar. 16th - 22nd

Double the Fun

In an attempt to double the amount of fun had this vacation, I’m going to try workout twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Now, this might not work everyday, but it’s something to shoot for, especially after a week of nothing like last week (I know, I know; I said I’d not dwell on that - much.).

I will be able to read and review two short stories a day this entire week. There are quite a few collections I want to delve deeper into, and this is a great opportunity to do just that. I haven’t decided if I’ll focus on one specific author all week, or look at a theme. I’ll decide that this first day.

Goals

While on vacation from work I want to accomplish something. Many somethings, really. These are all the projects or goals I’ve set for this week:

• Create a budget – something that will involve a look at my finances, something I dread, but need to do.

• Read 100 plus pages a day in the many novels I have half-completed, or just started. It would be nice to clear these books off some of the many Shelves of the Unread.

• Get current with my weekly comics. There are more in this stack than you may believe.

• Along the same lines as the reading goal, I want to complete one comic collection (TPB or HC) a day.

• Clean my entire home – thoroughly. It is “spring cleaning” time.

• File my piles and piles of papers, two years worth and growing.

• Backup computer files on both computers. I say I’ll do this and I never do, and it has come back to bite me in the (you know) with the laptop.

• Start a Flickr account in the hopes of pursuing the whole photography thing. I think I’d enjoy it if I just knew a little more, and this might provide the motivation to learn.

Writing

While the blogging has kept me writing nearly every day, it is not the type of writing I wish to pursue as a future career. More creative writing is called for. To that end, I will write one short story this week. I’ll also work on developing a weekly comic strip that I can post up on the blog. The illustration may not be great (but it does provide me the opportunity to practice and become stronger), but hopefully I can create something worth checking out weekly.

Fitness

I’ve been doing the whole exercise and diet thing sort of willy nilly. I’d like to develop a workout plan that moves me toward a goal, but in a way that doesn’t seem too rigid, I honestly believe that the flexibility of a plan is the key to its success. I’ll also try and work on something of a diet plan that incorporates all I’ve learned so far (fruits and veggies, hydration, fiber), and that will easily allow for new learning as the year and challenges continue.

Sounds ambitious for a week, I know. Still, I need something, or I’m positive I’ll find myself sacked out in “the chair” in front of the TV all week long. That is not how I want to spend my vacation.

Week of Escaping Tweets - Mar. 15

A collection of some of the escaping thoughts (tweets) from the past week – complete with COMMENTARY!
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Reread issue 1 of Seekers: Into the Mystery for what must be the 100th time, and still find it to be an amazing piece of writing. [This nostalgia prompted me to pick up the reissue of Transmetropolitan this week at the comic shop. First issue in that series is also very good.]

The "idea" of half-marathon training has totally ruined my once healthy obsession with going to the gym. Can't drag myself there tonight. [After being so gung-ho – if only in my mind for a day – I decided to not do this half-marathon. Just too much too soon.]

Another day with no good excuse for my behavior, for my lack of any action. My mantra seems to be: "Tomorrow. Definitely tomorrow." [Which turned into nothing – absolutely no working out – for the entire week!]

Finished work a little early. I'm on vacation now! [I LOVE being on vacation. Not having to work, or worry about getting ready for work. It’ll be a week of projects, but also relaxation.]

Big Bang Mini on the DS is highly addictive and a BLAST. A ton of fun for $19.99. [This is the type of game I can enjoy. Simple controls. Highly addictive. Smooth learning curve. It’s just now getting difficult, but pleasantly so.]

Going to change out of the Cobra uniform and into something respectable for a baptism. Even evil follows a dress code at church. [After the baptism and dinner I went to a movie with an uncle and then stood around talking in the chilly parking lot afterwards. Was a very nice night.]

I need to Follow more people (or get a life) - I keep flipping back here hoping for some new, exciting post from someone... [Life. I need to get a life. ]
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As always, follow the Escape Pirate over on Twitter.

Week of Loss - Mar. 15

This week I gained 4.6 lbs., and am now within 34.8 lbs. of my goal weight. (First weight gain of the year.)

Continue to monitor my progress and other health and wellness information over at A Year of Loss and Health, Pirate.

Week of Stories - Mar. 15

Stories read this week from over at A Year of Stories, Pirate.

Monday: “Don’t Ask Jack” by Neil Gaiman * * *
Tuesday: “Estoppel” by Bentley Little * * * *
Wednesday: “Juan the Cell-Phone Salesman” by Deb Olin Unferth *
Thursday: “The Man Who Shouted Teresa” Italo Calvino * * * *
Friday: “The City of Dreadful Night” by Rudyard Kipling * * *
Saturday: “The Flash” by Italo Calvino * * *
Sunday: “Suffer the Little Children” by Stephen King * * *

My favorite story of the week was: “Estoppel” by Bentley Little

From the review: “That’s one of the powers of fiction – good fiction – it allows you to live vicariously through its creatures and creations. To be as good or bad as the story, or your imagination, allows. ”

New Music Purchased - Mar. 10

This was a big week for music for me. A lot of great sounding tunes to keep me rockin'. (It also depleted my reserve of Best Buy gift cards - but rest assured, I still have Amazon gift cards to keep me in the music.)

Scream for $2.99

Chris Cornell's new album, Scream, is available at Amazon.com today for $2.99. That's a heck of a deal. It even comes with an exclusive bonus track. (The deal may only last the day, I'm not sure, so act fast.) Supposedly the album is a bit of a departure for Cornell - has a more produced, R&B sound to it. "Experimental" is the word being tossed around by critics. Sometimes you can get burned by albums like this. At least with a price of $2.99, if you don't enjoy the album it's not like you are out much. And if you do enjoy it, it is a fantastic deal.

(This is the second week in a row I've picked up an album I wasn't sure about for a very good price through Amazon's very slick, and very affordable digital download store. Bravo, Amazon.)

Rocco De Luca & The Burden on Leno - UPDATED

Rocco De Luca & The Burden will be performing on The Tonight Show this evening. I love this band. They have a new CD out tomorrow that I will be picking up. I've been waiting for a new album from them since the moment I finished listening to their debut the first time.

I'll be running the DVR for this as I'll either be at the gym or asleep by the time they come on. I'll put a link to the episode and performance up here tomorrow.
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UPDATED: Here's the promised link. If you want to skip to the performance, select Chapter 6 of the episode.