Surprised that it’s taken me this long to do an animal post about kangaroos. They are fairly popular and probably the most recognizable marsupial from Australia. Sure, the koala is big, but I think it’s easier to recognize a kangaroo as a silhouette. Now, there are four species and all are considered ‘least concerned’. So, let’s just see some interesting facts about these guys:
A group of kangaroo is called a mob.
Some species can jump over 30 feet long and 10 feet high. They can also reach a top speed of 40 miles per hour.
Their tail is used for balance, especially when hopping.
Kangaroos cannot hop backwards due to their tails and hind leg structure.
They have the same bite force as a grizzly bear at 6x that of a human and a punch/swipe that is 8x that of a human.
A kangaroo’s kick strength is enough to break ribs, damage internal organs, and disembowel. Probably doesn’t have to be said, but this can kill you.
Kangaroos prefer to use their left hand when doing things like grooming. Their right hand is used less often and tends to be utilized for strength-based tasks.
At 5 weeks old, a newborn joey (baby kangaroo) will crawl to their mother’s pouch. They will only be an inch-long.
Females can utilize a process called ’embryonic diapause’. This is when they pause the development of an embryo in order for a current baby to use the pouch. After anywhere from days to months, development can continue as long as the older baby no longer needs the pouch.
Kangaroo ears can swivel to pick up more sounds.
They have chambered stomachs similar to cows and have a herbivore diet. Unlike other animals with this digestive system, they release very little methane. It is turned into acetate for extra energy.
All of their current predators have been introduced to Australia by humans while their natural predators are extinct. Their biggest one is the dingo, which they have been known to kill through disemboweling kicks and even drowning.
Surprisingly, I’m actually writing this in the morning instead of Friday night. That might be a warning about how things didn’t go well. To be fair, I was at a friend’s BBQ and fireworks show last night. I got home with enough time to write this post, but I just didn’t have it in me. Bunch of conversations about a situation I’m still in had me thinking and not in a positive light.
I can’t go into details, but some people might be able to glean a bit from this paragraph being written just to get stuff out of the way. So, I thought that I had reached a point where actions could be taken to change my situation. I found out that all the people who said I could were wrong and that I’m stuck for a few years. It also became clear that one of the other people in this situation is allowed to take these actions, act with pettiness, and be an all around asshat without consequences. Meanwhile, I can get my world further wrecked by uttering a single swear word in anger. This led to me complaining a lot about biased systems, which claim to not be biased. Now, I feel even more trapped than ever, especially since that other person is showing signs they’re about to let their pettiness and vengeful nature take over. I’m hoping to find ways to either prevent that or change something next week, but it’s not looking good. Worst part is there is someone even more helpless than me trapped in the middle and they’re not doing well with the situation, but nothing can be done.
In happier news, my son and I had some fun at the Pokemon Go-Fest last weekend. It was hot and I got burnt a bit, but we brought enough waters each day. He had much better luck than me in catching special Pokemon. Reached the point where he started catching what I needed and trading with me, which felt a little insulting. Not by him, but the game since we were playing for 8 hours each day. I mean, I paid money for an increased chance to get what are called ‘shinies’ and had terrible luck. At least my son had a blast to celebrate the end of a really rough school year. He passed all of his classes and Regents test with one being a ‘skin of the teeth’ situation. I didn’t get upset because I told him that he just needed to pass Geometry and put it behind us. Even math teachers were telling me that it’s the hardest of the required high school math classes.
Movies and television shows were watched as well last week. We went with friends to see the live-action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, which I enjoyed. I was preparing myself for a big change of story and characters like you see with Disney, but it was a 95% retelling with a handful of changes. Those changes were explained as well, so you didn’t feel like it was shoehorned in without thought. I would recommend this movie for anyone who loved the original, but I know some people don’t want their favorites touched. My son and I also watched ‘The Great Outdoors’ with John Candy and Dan Aykroyd as well as the first season of ‘Wednesday’. I surprised my son demanded ‘Wednesday’ and followed the story even with the twists. No questions, confusion, or boredom like usual. Wish I knew what it was about this show that triggered his comprehension skills.
Once my son went to his mom’s, I ended up getting stuff done around the house. I can’t quite remember a lot of the mundane. With summer school starting on Monday, I had a list of chores and errands. Trying to think of a healthy sandwich to bring and I’m on a pita with tahini sauce and chopped up strawberries. Interesting taste combo with no protein, but it should work if I also bring a yogurt and zero sugar muscle milk. Can’t really think of anything else since I won’t have time to heat food and we tend to eat with the kids, which means needing to stay on our toes. So much adulting needed to be done, so I’m surprised I accomplished anything else.
Well, I got 3 chapters of edits for Darwin & the Beast Collector typed in by the writing of this post. I’m hoping to get 2 more done, but I’ll be happy with 1. Family is coming over today and there’s a Pokemon Go event from 2-5 both days. With it being a rainy week, I should get my walking and fresh air in when I can. I am learning that typing in part of a chapter at night is helping, but I’m not that consistent. Can’t do this when my son is here because we watch anime until 9/9:30 and I call it a night around 10. On non-son days, I really just need the 7-8 time to do it. Otherwise, I feel like I should be relaxing and letting my stress leave. My desk area also has bad lighting with no space to put a lamp, so reading my chicken scratch is made worse by shadows. I’m definitely not going to be able to do this when I begin writing a new book . . . Still getting scared when I think about getting back into that, which is definitely looking like an August thing. Fingers crossed that my mojo returns, especially given what the second paragraph of this post was about.
Goals of the week?
Help students get into the summer school groove.
Type in more Darwin & the Beast Collector edits.
Spend time when son when he’s not at camp.
Curse the rain that won’t leave us alone.
Get tickets to the zoo for next weekend.
Play Pokemon Go when weather and time permits.
Keep fiddling with lunch ideas that don’t involve cold cuts, microwaves, or droopy salads.
To be honest, I almost forgot about this holiday. It really isn’t any fun during the years I don’t have my son. Just a Friday with a lot of explosions to me. Going to post a bunch of old memes from over the years.
(A poem about balance. You know I had to have at least one somewhere.)
Life is on a tightrope
With predators below
Shadowy beasts
Leaping
Baring poison fangs
Before you even tilt
I lack the tools
To keep afloat
Feeling chunks
Ripped
From my mental form
Bleeding all my sanity
I see others
Dancing on the rope
Balancing above the horrors
As if everyone can do it
Never understanding
That many wish to fall
When do I get to rest
And seek out a bit of joy
Every day feels like a waste
Of the only life I have
Am I cursed to spend it all
Fighting to keep my balance
This is the first post I made that didn’t involve my books and was done on December 5th, 2012. Heck, it was before I figured out how to put pictures in my posts too.
Yahoo Image Search
Over the years I have heard people say that they are an author or that they are a writer. I have done this as well because those were the terms that I knew. Then one day, a strange utterance came out of my mouth when a person asked me what I do. I can barely remember the exact situation or the exact day I said this, but it felt more natural than anything else I had stated:
I am a storyteller.
You may look at me like I’m odd or crazy, but I have thought on the difference between these three titles. Using my personal definitions, I have found that I feel more comfortable calling myself a storyteller. Yes, I know this is a very biased way to look at the world, but everybody has their own definitions, philosophies, and mantras that they live through. This has become part of mine and maybe you’ll sign on to my insanity.
My definition of writer is somebody who simply writes, which means it has several sub-categories. This person does it for the joy of putting pen to paper or finger to keyboard. It is the act of writing that makes them happy, so anything that comes after that is extra. Some of them do have the drive to get published, but it is a drive that is easily derailed with no rise of frustration or sadness from the writer.
I also include the casual writer in this category. This is a person with no intention of publishing, but likes to make stories in his or her spare time. I will point out that I have run into many casual writers who are suddenly inspired by my passion for authorship. These are their words and I tend to find it very humbling at times. A lot of the times this happens, I sit there and listen to their story while giving insight upon request. I will admit that 7 out of 10 times, the idea has merit and I tell the person that they should run with it. Unfortunately, 3 out of 10 times I have to sit there listening to an idea that sounds more like a list of favorite movies and books. My personal favorite is listening to people tell me about a book idea, but focus more on the actor/actress that they want for each part in the movie adaptation. So, I have found that the writer is definitely the most wide-spanning category, but some of those categories should be wandered into at your own risk.
The author is a writer who wants to be published and will do whatever he or she can to get to that point. For many, the glory of being a published author becomes more important than the actual product they are creating. I hate to say that these people are in it for the money because that it is a very rare breed. These people sincerely want to contribute to the literary world, but that has become their main goal. So, they will write whatever is popular even if it is not a genre or story that they like. Many authors do this to get their foot in the door, but it has that risk of being locked into a genre that you never wanted to be a part of. You begin to fall when you stray from the genre and into the realm that you truly wanted. I won’t say it is impossible to make the jump, but it is a harsh road that never really appealed to me.
I know this category sounds like I have some hate, but it’s more of a lack of understanding of this type of mentality. I always felt that an author should enjoy what he or she writes. To do otherwise makes the story seem insincere, but that’s probably because I try to instill as much emotion as I can into my stories. I give credit to a person who can write in any genre, especially those that they would not read themselves. I couldn’t do it and I have never had any intention of doing it. I guess there could be a little envy in there because these are the types of people that get into the writing world with less trouble than the rest of us.
The storyteller is more of a middle-ground of the other two. This type of person loves to write stories and put pen to paper with the dream of becoming a published author. The difference sits with their focus and intent. A writer focuses on the words, an author focuses on getting published, and a storyteller focuses on the story. It is the evolution of characters and progression of plot that drives these people to write. They get more enjoyment from a person going on about their favorite character than someone discussing grammar or the finer points of communicating with your agent. These are all important factors into becoming published, but the storyteller is nearly obsessed with the desire to draw the reader into the story. This can be rather self-destructive because a storyteller will lock onto a specific genre or story. They will refuse to let go because the story is so close to their heart and soul that altering it to something else or throwing it away is the equivalent to murdering one’s own child. It’s a horrible, evil thought that should never enter one’s mind beyond having a villain do it in a story.
This is a major part of my creative identity and it is a strange thought that has evolved over the years. If one wants to be a writer and an author then I wish them the best of luck and hope they do the same to me. I will continue to be a storyteller because it makes me happy and gives me the proper focus I need to create my stories. Though, I think many people are storytellers without even realizing it.
Addition: This one is already long, but I think my mind has changed. Now, I feel people are a combination of all three even if the levels aren’t equal. Definitely more storyteller than writer and author.
There really isn’t much to say about this one. It’s an encounter I’ve been wanting to do since the first book. In War of Nytefall: Savagery, we finally get to see a familiar face from Legends of Windemere make their presence known.
I spent the weekend walking around the park from 10 am to 6 pm. My son and I caught a lot of pokemon and had a lot of fun. Been months since we had time like that due to school, work, weather, and the custody agreement.
So, I forgot to make a post for today and I’m too tired from the being in the sun with my son. Going to a movie with friends too. For today:
So, this weekend is the big yearly Pokemon Go event. They have many events, but this is typically the biggest one of the year. The Global one runs from 10-6 on Saturday and Sunday with each day having some different events and Pokemon. This means you need to play both days to get everything. This includes increased chances of catching special versions of Pokemon, doing unique raids for legendary Pokemon, and just having fun with all of the other players in the area. I have my son for the weekend too, which means I get to spend it with him. I leave you with some funny memes even though I know most of my audience doesn’t care.
Really, this is just a father/son weekend after a rough school year for both of us. Definitely needed.
Made it to the summer and I get a week off until I’m back for a summer session. It’s completely voluntary, so don’t feel sorry for me. I’ll get another 1.5 weeks near the end, which I’m hoping to use for new writing. Fingers crossed.
Diving right into the writing side of things, I didn’t get the third chapter typed in like I had hoped. Darwin & the Beast Collector made some progress, but I got caught up in stuff last weekend. Mostly, I was supposed to get 3 hours with my son and planned things around that. His friends wanted to do a hangout at that time, so I forfeited the block. I was happy he got to see his friends since they usually just do Facetime. Still, I was a little down that I didn’t get to spend time with him, but that’s something I have to get used to as he grows up. Time with friends is less common than with his old man even with a 50/50 custody schedule. Anyway, the change meant I had to do things in a different order and I only got 2 chapters done. Part of a third was completely Wednesday night . . . Using what little energy I had.
There were two big obstacles. One was that this was the week leading up to Pokemon Go-Fest, which is the biggest event of the year for this game. So, special mini-events were done every night while this weekend is the big one from 10-6 both days. Guess you know where my son and I are going to be today and tomorrow. That would be the park, which my plantar fasciitis isn’t thrilled about. The foot roller is helping as I write this, but the damn thing tickles far too much. The pain is worth it to see my son enjoy himself, relax, and get some exercise. Last year, he was with his mom, so I’m thrilled that I get this experience with him this time.
The second obstacle was the heat. Starting Sunday night, we had high 90’s and even low 100’s until Wednesday. Tuesday was the worst and my car’s air conditioner could barely make a dent. The unit in our classroom was struggling as well, so I ended the workdays drained only for it to be Pokemon time. We hit the park on Monday when it wasn’t so bad, but Tuesday forced us to the mall. It was still warm and humid in there, so we left feeling gross. Recovering from that took precedence, so I wasn’t able to do any editing. Too busy rehydrating, staying cool, and icing my feet. On the plus side, I got a lot of puzzle time done.
I did accomplish a little blog planning though. Picked out the Sunday topics for September, which I’ll work on when my son is doing his summer reading or getting ready for bed. Made a list of October posts too. The theme this year is going to be different types of ghosts, which I hope goes well. I won’t bother with the Sunday posts for that month or even write the ghost ones for a while. My plan here is to keep myself ahead in order to give myself more writing time. So, I’m only going to prep blog posts when my son is here and busy doing his own thing. I feel like this will allow me to make progress on my blog and editing at equal rates. That and I never know when he’s going to decide it’s father/son time, so pausing a blog post is easier on the nerves.
The first half of next week is for my son and then he’s with his mom. So, we’re going to relax, play Pokemon, try to see a movie with friends, and make some headway on various shows. Once he’s with his mom, I’m going to have to get a few personal situations taken care of while editing. There’s a week-long Pokemon event, but I can do that at my leisure, especially since I’m not going to do much for July 4th. I don’t find fireworks that enjoyable these days and the local drone show isn’t as much fun without my son there to share it. If any friends invite me out, I’ll go, but I might just seclude myself in the house with editing, the Roku, and a bottle of seltzer.
Noticed I lost a few reviews on my books just now. I’m betting they were 4-5 stars since negative reviews never disappear. Good to see this issue continues with Amazon, but I guess it means the person’s account was removed. Honestly, I don’t care as much as I used to, but it’s still eye-catching.
Hope everyone else has a comfortable start to the summer. Probably missed something, but it’s been a wild week. Goals?
Enjoy Pokemon Go-Fest with my son.
Work on future blog posts.
Hydrate.
Get 5 chapters of Darwin & the Beast Collector edits typed in.
Massage and ice feet.
Stationary bike when possible.
Puzzles!
Appointments and phone calls . . . Adulthood always makes an appearance.
Continue watching ‘Re: Zero’ when needing a rest.
Catch up on sleep on days I don’t have morning stuff to do.
Legends of Windemere 