:: Twisted Perspective version 2.0 The Blog ::

:: Saturday, July 27, 2002 ::

Okay. I feel like bitching. Feel free to ignore the next paragraphs.

I have had a *bad* last few days. It all started when I woke up yesterday morning. I have a bunk bed. Sorta. See, the top bunk is indeed a bed, but the lower bunk is actually a futon. Anyway, I sleep on the top bunk in the bed. So yesterday morning, I hang my right leg off the bed, intent on placing my foot on the top rung of the ladder built into the side of the bed. But no! It was not to be! My calf muscle decided to declare rebellion, and thus, it cramped up. Badly. Of course, this hurt like shards of glass in a hamburger would, except in my leg. Ouch. So I whimper loudly and grab my leg. But! No! I move in such a way that I slam my face into the railing that goes around the mattress of the bunk. This railing is metal. Hard, black, and steel. It does not agree with noses in the least. At least, it did not agree with my nose as my poor nose actually squished when it hit the railing. To be honest, this fucking hurt. My leg was cramping, and my nose felt like it was broken. I didn't know which part of my body to clutch at in pained spasms, so I settled for rubbing my leg while carefully prodding the cartlege of my nose to make sure it was indeed still intact and not spurting blood. A few minutes later, though, I felt fine enough to get down from my bed. I had class, after all.

So. I'm in class. My nose is throbbing. I thought I'd get black eyes from the way it felt. Anyway, my nose kept running, and itching. Of course, everytime I touched the damn thing I got the urge to whimper pathetically. My eyes kept watering. It sucked. And to top it all off, my throat got soar as well due to the nasal drippage down the back of my throat. Eventually...eight hours later...my stupid nose stopped hurting.

Now! This is actually rather amusing to me. I laugh about it, even though touching my nose hurts. However, all the nasal drippage gave me a horrible stomach ache and almost made me sick. Today was spent in bed. Oh well. (the whole nasal drippage thing is just a theory, however) Point is, I was supposed to go with one of my friends to her parents' to see new babies and get fed home-cooked meals.

Bitching over. Seriously, though, I'm giggling right now.

Yesterday a couple friends and I walked to the local cafe-thing. It's a couple of blocks away from my apartment. We wanted pie. So. We acquired pie. This is not the reason I am telling this mini-story. We leave after eating our glorious pie and start walking back to my place, right? I look up at a street light, since my eyes are always roaming around and taking everything in (metaphorically, of course...could you imagine if I meant literally? ew.), and this big fucking spider was spinning himself a web. It was probably the coolest, most awesome things I've ever seen. My usual experience with spiders is having them show up randomly in my dwelling places. They are not welcome in my house, therefore I either catch-and-release or KILL. But this spider was big and hairy, and spinning his web. Minding his own business, spurting web out of his ass. Or whatever the technical name for where his web comes from. It looks like his ass, at any rate.

We stood there and watched the little guy for about ten minutes. I'm sure that cars passing by thought we were either drunk or high. I didn't care. It was glorious. I wanted to keep watching, but mosquitoes were out and hunting for blood, so we had to evade them and go inside.

The spider was fascinating.

Oh! I have a neat idea for a mythology fic. If I go through with it, it will be pulled-out-of-my-ass-made-up mythology, but I think it'll be cool. I want a bigger plot than what's in my head right now, so I'll probably be thinking about it for a while before it actually makes its way onto paper. I'm not sure if I want it to be a fan fic, though. I may make it an original work. We'll see.

Now. To bed.

~ ~ ~ Spooks : 3:34 AM ~ ~ ~

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Whee! Porcelain 9 is now five pages long. I sat down about two hours ago and got on a roll. Happy happy happy about what I've got down so far. ...and...It's only one scene.

I have so many other chapter objectives that I need to get to....yeesh. This maybe a twenty page chapter. I *must* to get to certain points and scenes in this part, simply because they are necessary for plot development, and I'm sick of them not being out there. I swear, one conversation in particular is driving me absolutely bonkers, and I *must* have it in this chapter or I'll Go Crazy. um...crazier...whatever.

Earlier today, I was talking to a friend of mine about writing. He's working on a Star Wars type fic...not a fan fic, really, but original characters in the distant SW future. He's never finished a work before, and he's just started writing this story. I really hope he finishes it, just so he can get it out of his head, but I'm afraid he won't. He's writing in spurts, scenes here and there. Not chronologically, in other words. I have No Idea how anyone can do this without getting confused about their foreshadowing and themes. Anyway, he consults me on certain things because I've read a bunch of SW books and used to be a total SW geek. I feel weird helping another person write, I guess. Maybe that's the point I'm trying to seek out in this long rambling paragraph. I think I slightly intimidate him, though, because I'm extremely frank about what I think will work and won't. Or maybe that's just me being a bitch. I don't know. But I'd hate to see the guy's story turn out illogical and weird because I wasn't honest when he asked my opinion, because it's such a cool, interesting idea. It could be such a great story. I'm just afraid that I may be influencing parts of his story a bit too much. I don't mean to, but I know what works and what doesn't, and what will end up not reading well. Ultimately, though, it's *his* story and he's the one writing it. I just give suggestions, speaking from a writer's and a reader's stand point. I keep saying this to him, but I still think he's a little intimidated. Or something. Whatever.

Oh hell. I don't have a point. I guess I just felt like typing.

Sleep!

~ ~ ~ Spooks : 3:13 AM ~ ~ ~

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Hm. Weird day. Gonna start Porcelain 9 tonight. Gonna work on the unnamed one-shot.

Gonna see about changing the layout and colors of the fic page. Maybe.

er.

Weird day.

Going to a theme park next week. Can't wait. Happy me gets to ride roller coasters. Huzzah.

Weird day.

~ ~ ~ Spooks : 5:10 PM ~ ~ ~

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Okay, I'm sticking with metric. Fortunately, since I'm an idiot American about the metric system, my beta is from a different country which I think uses metric. Yay. Well, it's not as though I haven't used metric measurements in science classes since...since forever I suppose...but they still look odd to me.

On page 10 now, by the way. Fun things will happen soon! I may write more tonight...but...

I'm tired. I'm actually going to sleep soon. Wow. Early. Only 2 a.m.

By the way, I love the Interview with the Vampire soundtrack. It's so pretty. And spooky. And slightly dark. Perfect writing music...just like the Dark City soundtrack. ::happy sigh::

~ ~ ~ Spooks : 2:02 AM ~ ~ ~

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Once again, if anyone remembers what system of measurements is used in GW, please email me. Or add a comment. Whatever. Need to know whether or not to use yards or meters in a fic.

Hm. Just got finished reading a long set of rants/opinions/wordage all centered on why Duo gets picked on in angst/torture type fics. The discussion had changed into a form that made me rather paranoid about my own stuff, as I've been known to put Duo through hell and high water on several occasions. Of course, I *do* tend to share the pain with the other characters, depending on the story...but then again...argh. Eventually said discussion started hitting the clichés prevalent in the fandom...hm. Clichés happen for two (main) reasons, at least as far as I've seen. 1) it's true and seems like a viable response to a character's given past and/or to a situation 2) fic writers that haven't seen the series using other fics for their sources. Ala--->thinking that Duo was a child prostitute. While that sort of thing *is* a possibility, it's not exactly canon either. Or take clichés such as the "everyone Duo loves dies" thing. Now, I myself have used that cliché...but it's true. Duo's one tough motherfucker to go through all that, ya know? But hey, I'm sure he thinks about it on occasion, and even if he didn't, it would most likely color his perception without him knowing it consciously. Thus, even people that have seen the series three times may use that cliché, depending on the characterizations using in the fic.

Hm. It seems that I've rambled. The point--->clichés can be good. If...fill in the blank. Now, if that's all you write...then...well...erm. Yeah. Moving right along.

I've said it before...at least, I *think* I've said it before...Reading a long discussion on characterizations/plot/style/clichés/pairings/whatever always makes me paranoid as hell. I really should stay away from them. The discussions, I mean. (Not plot/style/yadda yadda yadda) When so many "influential" (i.e.: people who have "famous" fics or have been active for a long time in the fandom) start ranting, it makes me nervous. It's a flaw I still must overcome. It still doesn't change my writing, though. I'll what I want to write, damnit. ^_^ Of course, I don't want to write badly, thus the reason that people ranting about bad writing makes me nervous. It makes me wonder if my stuff is bad. Argh! Vicious cycle!

Moving on to speaking in more general terms that don't have much to do with the debate I read: It's not to say that people don't have a good reason to bitch about certain things, but sometimes it seems like certain people...and not GW...this is a broad statement the spawns from having been in many fandoms (especially the South Park fandom a few years ago...talk about cutthroat!)...er...back to what I was saying...well. Hm. Sometimes it seems like a "club."

An example: if you don't like alternative pairings (meaning, not the "traditional" yaoi pairings of 1x2 or 3x4) then you're not "cool" or you don't have any depth or insight into the characters. Supposedly. Maybe it's just me noticing all the love for "other" pairings, but some people don't like the traditional pairings because it's trendy not to. (an example: I went to a fic archive a while back that accepted all pairings *except* 1x2/2x1 because "all of those suck and shouldn't be written because they're all clichéd and wrong!" Seriously. This really pissed me off.)

Now, if you really can't stand a pairing because of your own opinions of characterizations, then more power to you. That's your cup o' tea and you have your reasons. Sometimes the hostility that is sometimes expressed to those of us that *like* the traditional pairings can get downright intimidating. Of course, this hostility tends to stem from younger readers and/or idiots...but it's still there. I don't see why we can't all just read what we like and write what we like and not bitch at other people for what they like. Now I've rambled into another tangent, haven't I? To end this rantish-thing about pairings...if you can make me *believe* that two (or three...or more...::grin::) people are together, then I will accept it. It's all in how you write something. Maybe this is why I don't read PWP's anymore. I like having reasons.

Eh. Well. That kind of went in a different direction than I intended.

I need to answer my feedback for the latest bit o' Porcelain. Didn't get too much. Not a surprise. Long fics with long parts don't seem to get much feedback lately. Or maybe they do and only a few people are still reading Porcelain. Or maybe people just don't have time to reply. Whatever. The quality of the feedback I've been receiving is excellent and well thought-out, therefore I am *not* complaining. ::shiny grin::

As for the next part: I have my chapter objectives and outline. Will start writing soon. Gonna work on my other one-shot first, though. Still "building" the beginning. Huzzah. The meter or yard thing still bothers me. I think I just might go with meters, since the Gundams are supposed to be so many meters high and such.

~ ~ ~ Spooks : 5:27 PM ~ ~ ~

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All is well. Just received part 8 from me lovely beta. Which is good, because I was starting to worry about her.

Anyway, must go get my back cracked into place (chiropracter..which I'm surely spelling wrong...).

Then! When I return! Posting!

~ ~ ~ Spooks : 2:12 PM ~ ~ ~

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Yay! On page 7 of the new one-shot. (I've reached a stopping point for tonight after writing about four good solid setup pages.) This may be a looooong one, though. Longer than Drums or 11:11, anyway. Hrm. We'll see. The details are starting to fall in place...subtle and strange and hopefully good scary fun will be had. Odd conversation has already been had. ::snickers:: Whatever. We're just starting the story as it is...mwha.

A question...aren't most of the measurements in Gundam Wing done with the metric system? Right now I'm using feet/yards/miles from the standard system, but if I remember correctly the mech designs for the Gundams are in meters. Should I be worrying about this, or change it? I feel stupid writing meters, though, because I'm not used to people using them outside of science classes. But! I want to remain true to the series and such, even if this doesn't necessarily take place within the timeline. I imagine that in the future (ha! they don't even have a more efficient internal combustion engine for cars...and I worry about this shit? oops, tangent.) we silly Americans will have finally made the switch from standard to metric, like our government has been trying to do/propose/suggest for ages. Wait...I think I just answered my own question. I guess I'll change the things to metric. argh!

Before anyone asks, no, my beta hasn't returned the newest part of Porcelain. Whew. I really want to post it...but waiting is the game right now. Sigh, and such.

Gonna change the scheme/layout of the fic page any week now. I love my current scheme (I haven't seen any color combos like it on other pages...maybe because it sucks and no one's told me? eh. surely not. ::crosses fingers:: oops, another tangent), but it's time for a change. I guess. Er. I'm thinking of dark blues with white or some kind of nicely visible (without being jarring) text color. Must experiment with colors. Maybe greens instead of blue? I like dark green, it's pretty. Ah, the weird musings I have at 2 am. We shall see. I may not get to this for weeks.

Now! Geography homework before I sleep.

~ ~ ~ Spooks : 1:56 AM ~ ~ ~

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:: how jedi are you? ::

Tee hee.

~ ~ ~ Spooks : 1:48 AM ~ ~ ~

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Hm...::kicks blog::

Let's see if that works.

I'm tired. Sleep now.

~ ~ ~ Spooks : 2:47 AM ~ ~ ~

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I got a B in Cal III. Huzzah.

I'm ahead in my Geography reading. Huzzah.

I'm working on a picture. Even though my art sucks, I don't care. I enjoy it. Huzzah.

The new "scary" (in quotes because I don't find anything I write emotionally impacting in the least. I get caught up in the technical shit and lose the feeling for myself. don't know if anything is actually "scary" or not. oops, rambled) is starting to develope in my head. Huzzah.

Gonna put up a new site color/design on the fic page. Eventually. Huzzah.

By the way, the word of the day is "huzzah."

Huzzah!

~ ~ ~ Spooks : 1:20 AM ~ ~ ~

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Ho hum. Gonna watch Dr. Strangelove in a minute. Or two.

Anyway, I just thought I would reiterate my love for Geography as a lab science. Had lab. Did two assignments. I not only got to work on my own (no useless lab partners! yay!) but I finished first. We drew a map and calculated time zones. Ha! I calculate time zones all the time anyway...well, frequently. Have to have some sort of accuracy standard for stories, after all. And drawing a map? PFft. No problem. I'm just HAPPY that I've finally got a blow off, easy as hell class.

::dances::

As for the lovely commenting system thing. It seems as though people have an interest in when Porcelain will be finished...as in how many more parts it has left. Well, I dunno. Need to seed a few things in, have a couple more things happen, and have a few key conversations take place. The climax itself may take an entire part. Or two. It depends. As for stalker-clues, I'm reluctant to say anything about those, except that there has been clues in every chapter. That will continue. Now, there is also a whole lot o' misdirection (sp?) and the smoke 'n mirrors type stuff. Don't worry, though, when it all comes out, then it will come out like at once (kinda like a James Bond flick). But more interesting, I hope. Keep in mind, though, that the story isn't *just* about the stalker situation and all that. It's about other things. Sub-plots. Character development. Themes. The Master Plan is complex.

Anyway, that's enough about that. While I'm waiting for my beta to do her stuff on the latest part of porcelain, I'm back to working on the "new" scary-ish story. I'm still not too sure where it wants to lead me, yet. It's probably going to be a weird one, though. I know that much.

Ew, well. I'm off.

~ ~ ~ Spooks : 6:33 PM ~ ~ ~

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Well, listening to "Sound Life" off the Trigun first donuts soundtrack thing. Just thought I'd share. I've been rewatching Trigun lately.

Just finished the actual writing of porcelain 8. Gotta edit. Not happy enough yet. Probably will never be happy, but I'll at least be content enough to send it off for beta-ing tonight.

Right now I shall nap!

Random comment: I love Shakespeare. My friends and I watched Much Ado About Nothing last night. Now I want to watch more of Will's stuff. (I call Shakespeare Will. I'm weird like that.) I actually had the pleasure of seeing a live play a couple of years ago. ("As You Like It," in case you were wondering) Where I live it's hard to see any plays what-so-ever unless you pay attention. And since I live with my head buried in the proverbial sand, it's hard. So most of the time I must resort to movies. Eh, whatever. It's better live, but I'll take what I can. I wish Kenneth Branaugh (sp?) would do Macbeth. That'd be fuckin' awesome. I actually heard a rumor somewhere or another that he's working on the screenplay. Happy me.

Sleepy me. Naptime.

~ ~ ~ Spooks : 4:33 PM ~ ~ ~

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Well. Started Geography today. It's a lab science, so it goes toward my major...in the core, of course. Yay.

I'm excited. Weather patterns. I love the weather. Love love love it.

On a separate note, porcelain 8 should be ready for beta tonight. I just have to wrap up the chapter and scene. Damn, this "day" in the timeline has taken forever. And still, it technically won't be over. Whew. It'll end soon enough, though. The day, I mean. The relative day that takes place in the story. Good grief, I'm starting to confuse myself.

At any rate, stuff happens. That's the important thing, right?

~ ~ ~ Spooks : 12:50 PM ~ ~ ~

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Hmph. I think it worked. the commenting thing, that is. Now I just need to think of something more clever to go with the commenting prompts...

Dinner time!

Wow. that was random.

~ ~ ~ Spooks : 7:08 PM ~ ~ ~

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Well, almost done with the actual writing of porcelain 8. Need to finish up a conversation and then make a timeline (as in what I want to happen when and whether or not I feel like writing a scene or just skim/summarizing it) decision. Lordy, that made NO sense.

Working on a commenting thing for this blog. As if anyone will comment. ::shrug:: But that was the only thing that I wanted on here that I couldn't get. Livejournals are cool, but they cost, or you have to have a referral or something like that. I'm too lazy to bother. Honestly.

~ ~ ~ Spooks : 4:03 PM ~ ~ ~

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Stick a fork in me. I'm done.

With cal iii, that is.

Provided I didn't fail the final, which is a distinct possiblity. Mr. Teacher-Man decided to throw things that have not appeared on prior tests or reviews up for grabs. Grr. Oh well. I'll know in a few days.

Meanwhile, I will sleep some, and write.

Ahh, glory.

I have spare time.

~ ~ ~ Spooks : 10:19 AM ~ ~ ~

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Damn. I just realized that this latest part of porcelain is taking me way too long. It usually only takes a day or two, once I sit down and write. I feel stupid. Okay. Later today! Writing time. I'm putting this in print so that I'll actually do it.

It's good to have a plan.

~ ~ ~ Spooks : 11:10 AM ~ ~ ~

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Ugh. Cal III test went...well...it just went. That's about it.

Le sigh.

Anyway. Porcelain 8 is about half done...I'm debating on which part of something I'm going to "show" first. Eh. Whatever. This chapter feels damn disjointed because I'm shifting around. But it's all got to happen...and in this chapter...so, oh well. It's interesting in a plot-development, character-evolving sort of way. I'm trying to add more scenes, and make them shorter, because that adds to the pace of the story itself. I feel like I'm shifting gears. argh.

I have a weird idea for a creepy fic, but I don't know if I'm going to do it. No details until I decide. But! I have to finish the current weird story project. I'm getting started on the premise and getting to the Creepy, but as soon as I arrive the story will probably flow out of me in one good sitting. That's what usually happens. I'll mess around with the first five pages for a week or two, and then Boom! The rest of the story just kind of happens. At least, I hope that's what'll happen with this one. It's still incubating in my mind. I have a lot of images, but I haven't decided The Point. Gotta have a point, otherwise, what the hell would *be* the point?

Well, if it works out, then this'll be really freaky weird, psychological, with no redeeming happy ending. Well, maybe a happy ending. More than likely, a weird, weird ending. I'll know when it pops into my head. Ithasn't shown itself to me yet...thus the reason I'm still on the first five pages. I have a strong inkling, but it's not perfectly there yet...ah. Well.

I'm going to sleep now. I didn't go to bed last night and I need a nap.

~ ~ ~ Spooks : 11:05 AM ~ ~ ~

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Which "Natural Wonder" are you?

Anyway...I'm about to go into a math coma. Big Test Tomorrow. ::twitch::

Later.

~ ~ ~ Spooks : 7:41 PM ~ ~ ~

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