Monday, March 29, 2010

Twitterview #2

So here we go again, off to Twitterview #2. I must say, reading these answers brought a few chuckles and snickers and giggles (maybe a snort or two...). This one is quite a character, and I like it!

Victim - @TysonDueck 

















Q: Why did you start up on Twitter?
A: My friend @RyanStang introduced me to it. I signed up not really getting why anyone would care that I was “Clipping my toenails” and now that I understand how to properly utilize it, I’m completely hooked. The only time I’m NOT at least checking Twitter is when I’m sleeping. Since my first days on Twitter I’ve learned how to use it as a great business and social networking tool. And, to my surprise, I’ve made some new friends!

Q: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: To be completely honest, I can’t quite remember. So I’ll answer it the best I can. When I was a small child I got in big trouble…punishment? A spanking. So I ran from my dad, turning every now and then to “Shoot him with my webs”. When he caught me I yelled, “You can’t spank Spiderman!”. So ya, I think I wanted to be Spiderman...either that or a something cliche, like a cop.

Q: If you had to flee the country TODAY and language wasn’t a barrier, where would you go?
A: That’s a tough question to answer since my travels have only brought me through Canada, the US and Mexico. Even though I haven’t been to these places, I think I would be happy somewhere in Europe. My roommate went last year for 2 months and the stories and pictures had me sold. But I would probably be happy anywhere that didn’t get snow.

Q: What do you do to pay the bills?
A: I usually transfer some money around and pay them online. Except the rent, I give money to my roommate and he goes in and pays it….
But without being a smartass, I’m a graphic Designer and Marketing Coordinator for Meridian Manufacturing Group. I do all their print design as well as working with sales and Marketing on new campaign ideas.
Along with @RyanStang, I am also co-founder of Right Mind Creative: A freelance design business we are starting up out of the comfort of our home office. He’s working on it full time at the moment and I am hoping to join in the near future!

Q: For those who don’t know, what’s this whole ‘ZTF’ biz?
A: ZTF = Zombie Task Force. It’s a group of 6 completely badass people: @AshleyTenille, @grempel, @MauStCha, @JennaIsWriting, @massiveimages and myself. Between the 4 of us, we have the know-how to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse. You would definitely want us on your side if such an event ever occurred. With plenty of weapons, beer and smokes, we are sure to survive until the end.

Q: What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
A: This questions goes great with the last question seeing as how I was watching Resident Evil: Apocalypse. Even though I don’t like how they adapted Nemesis from the game, you can’t go wrong with a Zombie flick!

Q: What was your most recent ‘splurge’?
A: That would be a Gibson Les Paul Black Beauty Custom Electric Guitar. It’s always been my dream guitar and I managed to get it for fairly cheap through a Gibson rep that was in town. When it came out of the factory, there was a crack on the neck and they had to replace the entire piece. Even though it was brand new, since they had to fix it, they had to sell it as a refurbished guitar. So I got it for half price.

Q: Are you a listener or a talker?
A: As you can see from my answers, I’m a talker...have you thought “shut up already” to yourself yet? Although I can go on and on, I also know when to listen.

Q: If you were walking down the street and suddenly witnessed a man mug an old lady, what would you do?
A: Oh sure, ask a question that’s going to make me look like a jerk. Instead of telling the truth of me running in the opposite direction crying frantically on the phone to 911, I’ll say this: Using my advanced Martial Arts fighting skills that I have learned to perfection from the 6 times I’ve watched UFC, I will rush in to save the day and take out the mugger with a little ground and pound.

Q: What is one of your favorite movies of all time?
A: Just ONE of my favorites? Man oh man...well, I guess I’ll have to go with Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. There are far too many awesome parts to this movie so I’ll sum it up by saying “Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro on Drugs for 2 hours”. Need I say more?

Q: If you had to categorize yourself as one of these professions, which would it be and why: Clown, Mafia, Judge, Struggling Artist, Mathematician, Teacher, or Unemployed?
A: This answer is rather easy for me...Struggling Artist. My whole life is creativity. My full time job involves graphic design, creative thinking and constantly learning to keep inspired. In my spare time I do even more graphic design work for my own business and have played guitar for 15 years. Although I’m not in any way struggling, I would much rather be poor and do what I love, that be rich and hate what I do.

Q: Lastly, who was the last person you replied to on Twitter and why should we follow them?
A: That would be @sea. He’s a fellow Camrosian that I’ve never met in real life, although he graduated with my sister...I think...Follow him because he’s usually got something interesting to say that also deserves a reply. That’s reason enough right there for me!


And there you have it! Who will be next? It could be you!
-A




Friday, March 26, 2010

Twitterview #1!

Why hello! As some of you may have noticed (those of you who follow me on Twitter anyways), I've asked your opinions and have decided to start up what I'm calling Twitterviews! Each week (or for the beginning of it, probably every couple days seeing as I have a lot of time on my hands now...) I will be choosing one of my Twitter peeps and doing a mini interview with them, then posting it on the ol' blog. It's kind of my more detailed version of a #FollowFriday (#FF), and will give all of you a greater insight into the minds of some of the most awesome people on Twitter. And more especially, WHY you should be following them if you aren't already!

My first Twitterview victim has been selected, and here he is ladies and gents. 

Twitterview - @danrempel
















Q: How/Why did you start up on Twitter?
A: C'mon... I'm a techie, if I don't stay up to date with the latest and the greatest websites then I'm not doing my job! I was one of the original Twitterers. I'm not entirely sure about that, but I did sign up long long ago. Then none of my friends were on it and it was just me so I stopped. Then I found out quite a long time after that everyone eventually got on, and so I dusted off my account and away I went.

Q: Do you think the people who follow both of us (our Twitters: @danrempel , @AshleyTenille) can tell we are brother and sister?
A: I think most people know because of the way you always say "My brother @danrempel is picking me up from work today!"

Q: What do you do for a ‘day job’?
A: Furiously proud IT guy. Self proclaimed geek and all around day-brightener.

Q: ..and you moonlight as..?
A: I play a billionaire at parties... At least I wish I did...

Q: If you had a day with no commitments, what would you spend it doing?
A: Ahhh what a rarity since my girlfriend and I started dating. That woman IS a day planner! But I love her. When I can grab a spare moment I like to spend it alone on the Xbox. In my undies. With a vodka and Five Alive.

Q: What is one of the scariest moments of your life?
A: I think for me that would be realizing how small and insignificant I am compared to the Universe. What does anything mean?

Q: Name one thing you can’t live without.
A: An Internet connection. (Or my BlackBerry)

Q: What’s one place you’ve always wanted to visit and why?
A: I'd love to go to New Zealand to see where they shot Lord of the Rings. I know that sounds nerdy even for me but I think it'd be a nice and peaceful vacation. It's gorgeous there!

Q: Favorite TV show?
A: Attack of the Show on G4TV!! :D

Q: What is one of your most guilty pleasures (PG13 please, and remember.. This is your sister interviewing you…)?
A: I'm a big Dan Aykroyd fan! Someday I'd like to be just like him!

Q: Who is one of your biggest role models (real, fictional or celebrity) and why?
A: I've never really felt like I have one role model that I've looked up to like that. I've taken life traits from everyone I come into contact with. If I had to pick somebody I'd pick Bruce Lee. Growing up I read a lot of his comparisons between Eastern and Western philosophy and I took a lot of the morals and beleifs to heart. Many of them still stick with me today!

Q: Lastly, who was the last person you replied to on Twitter and why should we follow them?
A: I last replied to @RockstarJodie and you can follow her because she'll beat you up if you don't!


-And there you have it folks! Let me know what you think - Is the Twitterview idea a yay or nay?
Until next time,
-A

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Hang in there baby!

Day 1.
Current Mood: Lethargic.
Sounds: Humidifier blasting away, Law & Order SVU, type, type, type

The whole being laid off thing is still sinking in. I'd say today consisted mostly of frustration and aggravation, apparently our Sunlife benefits are all 'effed' with a few people (that I know of). Spent the morning helping out my Lizzie Bear, drinking coffee, trying to deal with my RRSPs through Sunlife and back and forth between them and HR, and my mumsy.

So our benefits only last for 2 weeks - I was worried as I had a dentist appointment at the end of April for a cleaning and a filling, which will require novocaine and my dentist is insanely busy and hard to book (have to call about a month in advance at least). My plan was to call him today to see if there was ANY way I could reschedule, as my benefits wouldn't cover me any longer. Lo and behold, dentist beat me to the punch and called ME this morning advising they had an opening for tomorrow if I would like. Um, YES please. So in that sense, my luck was looking up. On the other hand, I have to get all of my wisdom teeth pulled in the next couple months, will require me being put under, and I will have no health benefits. Great. Just... Great.
Day consisted of the above, along with two loads of laundry, two loads of dishes, cleaning, fixing BlackBerry, etc, etc, etc.

Tomorrow at least I'll be heading to the dentist, getting all frozen and stuff, seeing mumsy, completing tax forms and... at least most of my day will be busy. I've also decided I will apply for EI, just in case, though I'm pretty sure you have to be unemployed for at least a week to apply.

Will keep y'all updated on my 'adventures' and what not. Hopefully next post will be completely off topic of the 'situation' (totally just thought of Jersey Shore, barf) and snazzy and upbeat. Any suggestions, requests for next post? I'm open to any ideas!

Over and out.

-A

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

OK, now what?

Well, if you follow me on Twitter, you all probably know by now that I have been laid off as of today, along with everyone at our office. Basically, big wigs came in and out of the blue announced they were shutting down our office and that everyone was laid off as of today. Yup, that means no work tomorrow for me, no work period. It was not really *surprising* persay, but shocking definitely. Don't really appreciate the way this situation was handled, but nothing I can do about it now. I went through the whole "shocked", "angry", "sad", etc, etc, and yes there were a lot of tears in the office and a lot of sad goodbyes, or what hopefully was more of a 'see you laters'.

After a few drinks and a conversation with the mumsy, boyfriend and brother, I'm feeling a bit better. But now I feel more lost than anything and find myself asking, Ok,
What do I do now? That's the main question, and one I'm trying not to stress over (as much as I can anyway) right now. As many people have said today, there are a lot of opportunities out there, maybe this was a blessing in disguise, everything happens for a reason... Basically everything I always tell others! It's a lot harder to take the advice when you're the receiver, but I'm trying to stay positive over it (no, really, I AM trying!).

So...

I'm thinking of maybe going back to school. I've been thinking about it for the last little while, looking up part time writing courses, but to no avail. Maybe now this is the push to get me to go to college and take FULL time courses and work part time? Really? Or should I find a good job? What to do, what to do...

Anyways, so all in all today was a pretty crappy Tuesday. But, my current thought process (clouded with alcohol):



-A (Le sigh...)

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Meme? What is this Meme you speak of?

I'm throwing this out there right now - I stole borrowed this questionnaire from the lovely @CourtneyReese86 's blog. If you would like to check it out (and you should), go here: http://courtneyreese86.blogspot.com/
I have learned from HER entry (of learning this as well) that a meme is kind of like a questionnaire (I'm guessing) and after reading hers I figured I would do one as well! (So thank you @CourtneyReese86 :) )

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What’s the last thing you wrote? What’s the first thing you wrote that you still have?

The last thing I wrote was a scene in mine and my bff's "Trilogy" thinger (X-Isle for those of you who haven't read about it on my blog) last night. The first thing I wrote ("creatively") was when I got my very first diary at the age of 6. I still have it and read it from time to time. It's amazing how big of an imagination I had even back then (there are many entries regarding an 'imaginary friend' I apparently had named Pinky).


Write poetry?
I haven't for a while because I've been focusing on fiction, but I used to write poems a LOT (even won a creative writing contest with a collection of poems in high school). I have a book filled with most of them and some are on random pieces of paper, or even the back of receipts or restaurant napkins, etc. I look back on them now and then and it REALLY takes me back to what I was feeling at that point in time and (not to sound too egotistical) some of them are pretty good.

Angsty poetry?

Some of them were very dark or 'angsty' (I prefer to describe them as emotional), but some are also happy or just are.

Favorite genre of writing?

Probably fiction/suspense, but beginning to dabble in other areas. I think I may start my first SF/F project here sometime soon :)

Most annoying character you’ve ever created?
The only one that comes to mind right now is a character in X-Isle 2, Allison. She's snobby, rich, goody-two-shoes type and also was one of the reasons keeping two of my favorite characters apart (you have to give your favorite characters issues and hardships to overcome, else it would make for a pretty crappy story!)

Best plot you’ve ever created?
I like all of them (*cough* biased *cough*), but I think the one I thought of that will be the next big collaboration between my bff and I is probably the best one I've thought of. Mainly because I haven't really seen the idea done before, and if done right will be an incredible novel.

Coolest plot twist you’ve ever created?

Oooo... Well, any novel that DOESN'T have some kind of twist isn't a very good novel. I don't know if I can choose my best plot twist that I've written, but I always love having the surprise endings or that huge turning point where a character is suddenly showcased as someone none of the other characters (or the reader) thought they were!

How often do you get writer’s block?
Sometimes I do. Actually it's more like a part of my subconscious is being incredibly stubborn and not producing any creativity or inspirational ideas out of spite. I think it's partially my own fault for always having multiple WIPs going on, but this usually battles the Block (when one project blocks you, turn to another!)

Write fan fiction?
I admit that I used to (only for my beloved Criminal Minds) and it was mainly for something to write when I had nothing else to write at the time (have to keep those creative juices flowing somehow!)

Do you type or write by hand?
Both, but honestly I prefer by HAND. I love having an actual notebook (I have about 50 of them and always have at least one in my purse) filled with point form notes and handwritten prose (I think part of it is being able to see it in your own hands, see the work put into it). Also it's better for planning/outlining because you can draw and put arrows and side notes, etc, etc. The typing is great for when you need to write it all out (or in general, just to have it on the computer) And it is faster to type. I like both ways (hand for planning/outlining/inserts/anything, but computer for actual story writing in general).

Do you save everything you write?

Absolutely. I love going back and reading things, even if it was just a 1 page story. I still have all my "diaries/journals", scrap paper poems, creative writing exercise notebook from high school. I save it all <3
Do you ever go back to an idea after you’ve abandoned it?

Abandoned is never really a word in my writing vocabulary, more like "postponed" or am "ignoring it in frustration". I have gone back to past ideas and rewrote or continued with them. Most of the time all you need is a little space/time and when you go back to it, it's like a whole new story! Plus you get excited about it all over again and the ideas start flowing.

What’s your favorite thing you’ve written?

There are a couple poems that I wrote and will always love (and am surprised at myself each time I reread them, it's almost as if I didn't write them) - I think one of them is posted on this blog somewhere actually. Of course, my (our) beloved baby, the X-Isle 'trilogy' because so much time and conversations and effort has been put into it (even though it is mainly just for funzies)- I love those characters! They've been developed so well and you actually start to really care about them (if that doesn't sound too creepy...) It will be a sad, sad day when we finish this one, when the characters come to an end.

What’s everyone else’s favourite story that you’ve written?

I'm not sure because not many people have read my stuff (beside my bff who is a writer like me). I actually gave what I have written already of my NaNo to a friend to read and let me know what she thought and she really liked it. Also, another friend was reading a story I was really into writing (and actually got a lot done) a few months ago and liked that one as well!

Ever written romance or angsty teen drama?
It's pretty much what Junior High was filled with, so that's what I wrote about!

What’s your favorite setting for your characters?

Already written would probably be X-Isle 1 because it was mainly set on an island. But I have a feeling my new plot bunny will have the best setting so far :)

How many writing projects are you working on right now?

Gosh, does this mean how many unfinished projects do I have written that aren't finished (ie: doesn't have an ending yet)? If so, then that answer is a LOT.

Have you ever won an award for your writing?
A couple actually, my best is an actual TROPHY from winning 1st place in high school creative writing contest for a series of poems.

What are your five favorite words?

Um, wow. I can't narrow this down. All words are my favorite, because put together they can tell a damn good story.


What character have you created that is most like yourself

I don't know if I have a character EXACTLY like myself, but a lot of a couple similar characteristics.


Where do you get ideas for your characters?

They kind of come to me. Like they want ME to write something about them and it just goes from there-for the main character at least. The others are based off of that main character - who could compliment this MC well? Who could totally offset them? Who could throw a curve into the MC's plans?

Do you ever write based on your dreams?
I get a LOT of ideas from my dreams (I have REALLY messed up dreams sometimes). Actually my new idea came about BECAUSE of a dream and the very first chapter will be an expansion on that dream. Dreams are an amazing tool for writers! Always have a notebook beside your bed, you never know when the inspiration will hit (conscious or unconscious!)

Do you favor happy endings, sad endings or cliff-hangers?

I like surprise endings the best, the ones where you're reading and get to the end and actually say out loud "WHAT!! I never would have expected that!!"

Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?

Definitely. A lot of my friends refer to me as the grammar nazi. 'Nuff said.

Does music help you write?

Absolutely. Music is one of my BIGGEST inspirations (I have a post all about this specific question). It's amazing how many scenes/ideas you can think of just by closing your eyes and pressing play on your iPod. I have a playlist on my iPod specifically created with songs that I feel are inspirational or are good for writing, could possibly make me think of a great idea.

Quote something you’ve written. Whatever pops into your head.
"Why did you have to hit him so hard?!" -very first line of my Nano.

Monday, March 1, 2010

The Lazy Scranton

I love The Office. This is possibly the funniest part ever and no matter what kind of mood I'm in, always makes me laugh uncontrollably.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkRvoBUR1_Y