Monday, June 1, 2009

Videogames 'til the Towers Fall

Good Morning!

As usual, I'm running late for work and trying desparately to jot down a few lines before I head out of the door. Things are hectic in the Cathey household, with my wife scheduled for surgery this Wednesday. From the sound of things, she's going to be off her feet for over a week, which means we'll be sticking close to home for the forseeable future.

I had an epiphany this weekend, and that is that, "The Plunge," is really, really good. I think I may do a 'side-by-side' to show you the work before rewrite and after rewrite. The transformation is pretty sweet.

I'm thinking of starting a bi-weekly serial, which would focus on an unnamed superhero (that I create, of course!). Shoot, I guess I better run...I'll be back with more tonight.

Until next time...

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Mass Hysteria!

It's already Thursday, yet, I've only been working for two days this week. Isn't that great? Today's my late day, which means I don't have to be in until 10 a.m. or so. I love my late days. It's the only time I get to get any work done without some random nincompoop rolling on in and distracting me. Plus in the morning, I actually get to do stuff.

Yesterday was one of those rough, 10 hour work days, the kind that never seem to end. I probably could've stayed another four hours at the office, but after calmly talking myself down off of that ledge, I called it a day and drove home. The only good thing about having a 45-minute drive at 7:15 p.m. is that there's no traffic, and you don't have to use the tollways to get home. Upon walking in the house, our little puppy, Simon, crashed into my leg and jumped up and down like he'd just seen the Beatles final concert. My wife was sitting on the living room floor (on the legendary rug, no less!), playing the PSP and watching, "This Christmas," for at least the tenth time.

Now, I'm not much to plop down and watch just any old movie. Time is short, and I've got lots of other things to do, like write or catch-up on my backlog of DVDs and Blu Rays. Amanda, however, can always find something on HBO or Showtime (hell, we've got 10 channels of each). So as I'm eating some leftover Mexican food that Amanda brought home from earlier in the day, I really analyzed Amanda's viewing of, "This Christmas." For those who don't know, this film is about an African-American family with a hodge podge of actors that you've seen in other stuff. They have a big family Christmas in California, and it's got all the fixin's of a feel good story. There's the gambling son with a good heart deep down who simply, "lost his way," to the tune of a $25,000 debt. There's a daughter who's married to a philandering business man who gets caught in the act. There's the essential 'white girl' girlfriend, and the boy who could really shine as a singer if only his mother would let go of her puritanical ways and let him spread his wings. Take all of these ingredients, sprinkle in the parents trying to hold it together; and you've got a 'been there, done that' feel good drama meant for a specific demographic (Hint: It's not my wife, the 27-year-old, middle-class anglo woman).

All I know is, that Chris Brown made Rihanna's face look like a puppy's first bowel movement, and Delroy Lind0 (the father), was a lone bright spot in, "Gone in 60 Seconds." Needless to say, if you ever find yourself in the Cathey household, you better bet your ass that 'This Christmas' will be on a television somewhere.

Transition...

I've been toying with the idea of posting another excerpt from the unfinished, "Plunge", since everyone enjoyed the first so much. Hell, most writers would never do that, but see, I'm not a, 'real writer.' I just pretend. But what I do enjoy is sharing my writing with friends and family (and hopefully millions of people). It's no fun to write something if nobody reads it.

So, it's almost time for me to head into the office. Boy, I can't wait, either!

Until next time...

Monday, May 25, 2009

I Don't Want to Live in the Modern World

So...

I'm winding down the evening and holiday weekend (bummer it's over already, I know), and I get a text message. This text message intrigued me, as I don't correspond with too many people outside of my family. Who in the world would be texting me late on a holiday Monday? Why, it's my boss, of course! Apparently, we're having visitors tomorrow, which means we need to, "Dress nice and be on time." Swell. I sure can't wait to suit-up and meet the special visitors (sarcasm)!

As quick as it started, the holiday weekend concluded. I don't even know when the next holiday is. Maybe it's the 4th of July...who knows? Everything runs together like broken egg yolks these days.

The weekend was relatively uneventful. We purchase five new Blu-Rays for the ever-expanding media collection, and worked our way through most of the films. There're two more on the docket, including the 'Hulk Vs.' film, which features an animated version of the Hulk fighting both Wolverine and Thor two different features. For some odd reason, Amanda declined to check that one out. I don't know why, either.

I wrote a bunch this weekend, which was just what the doctor ordered. I'm over three-quarters done with the rewrite, and I'm checking in so far at over 90,000 words. That's a lot. That's just about as many words as the first Harry Potter book. I think that by the time I'm done with this go-through, I'll be tipping the scales at 100,000 words. Yikes...that's going to be an editing nightmare.

While I continue to try and finish, 'The Plunge', my novel, "Waterglade," is sitting on the shelf, begging to be written. That's going to be exciting to work on. Everyday I think of something that would make that story even more dynamic. I can't wait to get started on it!

Here's hoping for a great week for all!

Until next time...

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

My Generation is Zero

Good Evening, Gang!

So, yet again we speed toward the exciting conclusion of yet another week in the not-so-fast lane. I may have already written this before, but I can't remember so I'm going to write it again; each work week seems to be one really long day. I cannot keep days straight anymore. However, tomorrow is Thursday, and that means we're one day away from 'Getaway Friday', which is when my wife and I go out to eat, drink and generally unwind. I'm extremely happy that this weekend is a holiday. It's coming at exactly the right time.

The big news in the Cathey household this week is that we've finally obtained an area rug for the downstairs living room. Let's just say that it was a bit of a 'hassle,' and leave it at that. I can't tell the story, or else it would spoil its inclusion in a possible 'Plunge' sequel.

On the way to work this morning, I convinced myself that it really is okay that I'm taking so long on my rewrites. When I was without a job (yet getting paid double my salary), I had all day to write, and I often did. That's how I cranked out the rough draft of a novel in three months. Now, I'm lucky if I score an hour or so per day to work on my book. So, that's not a lot of time. If I come across a page that is poorly written or plainly doesn't strike my fancy that day, I could take the entire hour to fix one page. Therefore, it's okay that I'm taking so long (or at least that's what I'm telling myself.) Now I'm targeting the end of July to have a final, submittable manuscript available for prospective agents. With any luck, I could have a book on shelves by this time next year! (Though a tremendous long shot.)

For those who don't know, I like to collect autographs. I especially like to collect Star Wars autographs. Recently in the mail I received two 8x10 signed photos of James Earl Jones as Darth Vader, and two 8x10 signed photos of Julian Glover; one as General Veers in Star Wars, and the other as Walter Donovan in Indiana Jones in the Last Crusade. He's the guy who, 'chose poorly,' and had his face melted off. AWESOME!

I wanted to say hello to my dear friend, Dawn, who is enduring personal trials at this time. Heyas, Ita! You're in my thoughts and prayers.

Until next time...

Sunday, May 17, 2009

I'm So Sorry, It's Over

Greetings, Gang!

It's 11:18 p.m. and I've just finished watching the monthly WWE pay-per-view. Overall, it was a solid show with a good deal of actual wrestling. There were no title changes, but a surprise appearance by the Nature Boy (WOOOOOOOOO!), Ric Flair, made things more interesting than they would have been otherwise.

Once again it's time to begin the grind and take the plunge into stalled vehicles and Amber Alert signs illuminating the path to the promised land of American commerce. The weekend ended faster than it began, and although I was busy the whole time, I felt like I didn't get anything done.

My wife and I purchased a little home theater in-a-box for our downstairs set-up, and getting it set-up was harder than Tom Sizemore. We didn't shoot the moon on this little set; we were looking for something with an IPOD docking station and wireless surround speakers for entertainment purposes. I settled on a nice little Samsung system, complete with the five speaker set-up, DVD receiver and a sleek look. I"l l be damned if the first system's wireless speaker receiver didn't work, and upon taking the THAT one back and getting a new one, the second's receiver was broken. And as fate would have it, I've got to try again at another Best Buy tomorrow to get a new receiver.

We also purchased a very nice area rug, coffee table and end table for our living room. Except for a painting, we're marking the living room complete and from there it's on to the last remaining rooms. And then, it's the gameroom (mammoth surround sound, pinball machines, arcade cabinets). I can't wait.

Transitioning....

The newest Green Day album, "21st Century Breakdown," was released last Friday to rave reviews. I haven't had the pleasure to listen to the whole thing through, yet, but so far I really like what I hear. We picked-up tickets to their concert here in Houston for later on in August, so I'm anxious to see what the aging punk rockers have up their sleeves for this new release. Admittedly, I wasn't a large Green Day fan until "American Idiot." I always knew of their music and liked their older stuff, but by the time I got into Alternative music, Green Day was largely irrelevant, giving way to bands like Blink 182, Lit, Sum 41 and the like. Now they're back with a fury, and I'm happy to be on the Green Day bandwagon.

With the release of Green Day's album, I'm reminded of how the summer doesn't officially begin until there are Blockbuster music and album releases. I believe Eminem has a new album hitting this week, too. We've got Star Trek in theaters, as well as Wolverine with Transformers on the way. It reminds me of being a kid, when Batman Forever came out and Will Smith was the most popular rapper in the world. Things change, but in reality, they're really much the same. And although it is hot as hell, the summer is fun. Summer is swimming, BBQ, baseball, movies, games, and for kids, it's about being through with school. Those were fun times, when every night in high school during the summer you'd be at someone's house hanging out or working a lame job to have some extra spending cash. Those were the days; the possibilities were endless. Now? Now the summer means that my car is going to be freaking hot after sitting in the sun all day at the office. Suddenly, summer isn't quite as fun for an adult.

Speaking of old school, a brand spanking new 'Punch Out!' games is heading to the Nintendo Wii this week. Anyone who knows me knows that I love 'Punch Out!' To this day it's one of my party tricks, beating Mike Tyson and memorizing the code to get to him. Supposedly, this newest entry to the franchise is chocked full of nostalgia and classic fast-twitch gameplay. I'll definitely be picking that one up this week, and enjoying it Friday with my newest top-shelf six pack.

On a closing note...here's to the Rockets! Good job almost punking out the Lakers, who are Charmin soft. I like the Nuggets to take that series in six, and look damned good doing it.

Until next time...

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

"You're telling me that this baby is nuclear!"

Good Evening, all!

We've surpassed Wednesday for the week, which means that I'm only 48 hours away from the top shelf six-pack I have on ice in the refrigerator. There are few things I love more than my end-of-week beers. They're the little pot 'o gold at the end of the rainbow, rewarding me for my aimless pursuit of the rainbow all week.

A very good friend of mine recently mentioned how they check my blog multiple times daily to see if I've posted anything. The resounding answer is typically, 'No', but tonight I figured I'd write, mainly for my buddy.

It got me really thinking about friends, and on a larger scale the people that come and go from our lives. I don't' have any idea how many people I've interacted with in my life. There's no way to know how many handshakes, smiles, held-open doors and flipped middle fingers I've encountered in day-to-day living. Some roles in my life have been so small, while others have been quite a bit larger.

As I've become married and now a commuting business man, time for friends and people is virtually non-existent. Just two weeks ago I saw my best man for the first time in six months, and my other best man just had a second kid, so I'm nearly certain that I'll never hear from him again. There was a time when these people occupied most of my spare time. Now they occupy almost none of it.

That's a part of growing up, though. It's the metamorphosis into manhood, where instead of wasting time with buddies you're required to engage in more rewarding activities like shopping for floor rugs or mowing the yard. I mean, who wouldn't want to do that?

I do, however, appreciate life for what it has become. Ever since I've accepted this new job I have, the hours and minutes have collided into weeks and months, causing time to move at uncomfortable speeds. It's easy to see how life gets away from us all sometimes. We never take the time to appreciate life, because there's just not enough time to do so.

It's not all doom and gloom, though. Each day brings a new door of opportunity, and it's up to each of us to decide whether or not we want to step through. Sometimes that's the hardest part; making the sacrifices to achieve something more meaningful down the line.

Until next time...

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Bummer

Hey Gang!

Once again, I'm writing to you on the eve of a Rockets vs. Lakers playoff game. So are the Rockets are off to a fast start, but I don't expect it to last. As long as the game is entertaining, then I'm happy.

This morning as I took the walk of pain to the office, past all of the students freestyle rapping in the parking lot (with bandanas tied like Tupac), my stomach twinged. Then my head became cloudy and boom...I'm running a fever and can't eat. An ordianary man would have gone home. An ordinary man would've packed it in. But I didn't. I stuck through it, and managed to make it home where my fever exploded.

As of now I can eat again, and I've drank a gallon of Sprite. Crap...Lakers up by 11 at the end of the 1st quarter. It's likely going to be a blowout. Oh well, there's always game 6 in Houston. Anything can happen in a home game.

On to the progress of writing....

God Almighty does re-writing suck. It's horrible. The re-guessing and rechecking; I'm 2/3 done with the first rewrite on the first book. The Rockets are down by 19 now. Back to writing...it's just tedious, but I'm still working everyday. I'd love to be done by early June with the first go. then the next in July. By then it should be ready to shop, then it's on to the next one.

I'm disappointed with my progress, but I don't have many regrets over how much I've worked. I could have spent more time writing, but I'm pleased with the balance. Yes, I'd like to be finished, but it's going to be a grind to the end. But I will get there, and the finished product will be awesome.

Until next time....