tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61714064414221933062024-03-14T08:09:52.769-07:00Chris B For TheeThis is Chris Baca the author's page for all the things he deems interesting or worthy of blogification. This is also the proud birthplace of Horrible Poetry Wednesday!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334566953078981059noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171406441422193306.post-52677749396862774252014-09-18T15:39:00.003-07:002014-09-18T15:42:52.672-07:00Why We Should Use The Hashtag #YesAllReligion
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It's time for
atheists everywhere to show religious people of every faith why their
particular religion, faith, or plain belief is dangerous to the rest
of the civilized world! I'm calling for all atheists to take to
Twitter, Facebook, Google+ or whatever other social media outlet you
use to educate theists on the dangers that you are afraid of.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">What are you
afraid of happening to you? Do you fear for you or your children's
future? What experiences have you had in the past that have shown you
why religion is bad for society?</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Please help us
spread the word to everyone around the world about why religion,
belief, and other forms of intolerance are hideous lies that hide
life-threatening ideologies behind seemingly innocuous words!</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Do you agree? Let me know in the comments below! </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334566953078981059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171406441422193306.post-1969760800919261792014-04-29T11:15:00.000-07:002014-05-23T13:39:50.652-07:00Interview With Michael W. Dean Regarding Intellectual Property Law<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Back in the day, I co-founded the first
Film Club ever at Pueblo West High School, along with my good friend
Caynen. There were others involved with the project as well, but no
one was nearly as consumed by it as Caynen and I were. At the time,
we were obsessed with creating not just one movie, but multiple short
films. I was writing script after script for all of these different
films we had planned, collaborating with Caynen on everything. After
we filmed our short On The Shoulders Of Zombies: The Untold Story of
the Evil Dead Four, however, it seemed as though I had gotten the
filmmaking bug out of my system, at least for the most part. I still
yearn to create movies now and then, though not with nearly the amount of passion I had for it when
I was younger. Also, at the time I was using a less-than-legal copy
of Final Draft, which I no longer have, and to start out in the
industry is just extremely cost-prohibitive. Just look at the price
of the RED digital camera, which is the first digital camera to break
into Hollywood, having been used to shoot films Like Crank and the yet-to-be-released Robocop remake, among others. This camera is often touted as being relatively
cheap and easy for studios to acquire and utilize, with a price tag
of only $10,000. Film cameras cost much, much more, and don't even
get me started on the cost of developing the film itself.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I bring up our high school Film Club
adventures because, during this time Caynen and I came across an
intriguing book called $30 Film School. Once we saw this and read the
description (DIY Film School!), we knew we had to have it in our bag
of tricks. Once we finally managed to get a copy of the book, we both
took turns salivating over it as if it were our last meal. So much
new information about every facet of filmmaking was now at our
fingertips. It opened our minds to new possibilities for our
guerrilla filmmaking. It even gave me the idea (that I subsequently
never followed through on due to my laziness, or something) to apply
for 501(c)3 fiscal status. Which is just a fancy way of saying that
you are non-profit organization. This was important to us at the time
because it would've allowed us to entice our neighbors and community
members to invest money in our film because it could be written off
for taxes. On an interesting side note, we made fun of the process of
trying to get donations from family members in our short film, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZYBzuFZcr8" target="_blank">which you can see for yourself on Youtube</a>.<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
While reading the book, it also came to
our attention that the writer also had a film, called DIY or Die: How
to Survive as an Independent Artist. We thought this was an awesome
title, and as such we determined that it must be part of our
filmmaking toolbox and that, again, we had to have it. Only this
time, funds were a bigger issue.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This is where I got creative. I took it
upon myself to write an email to the book's author, who had so
graciously included his contact information in the book. This is when
I first contacted Michael W. Dean for anything, and in this
particular instance I figured, since we were now an official school
organization and what not, that I would ask him to donate a copy
of the film to our club.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Dean was helpful in informing us that the entire video was up on Youtube, and sent us links to each of the chapters even. We watched it repeatedly, gleaning as much information as we could from the film. The one thing that always stuck with me
from our correspondence however, was the fact that someone who was famous had
messaged an angsty teen like myself back at all. I thought it was
very, very cool of him to do that when he didn't have to, and I
appreciated the correspondence I had with him, keeping the emails
saved in a folder of my Yahoo Mail account to this day.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So it should come as no surprise that
when I got the idea that I wanted to interview someone high-profile
about copyright law and intellectual property rights that I again
took to emailing MWD. And it should also come as no surprise that he
was as gracious as ever, promptly responding to my request with a
very positive attitude.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
You see, knowing about his history in
independent filmmaking and other art, I figured he would already have
an aversion to copyright law. Little did I know that he had continued
with his career in the public eye, having most recently created a
radio show called the Freedom Feens. Upon learning this, I got even
more excited.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Not only was he willing to be
interviewed, but this was probably one of the best possible sources I
could interview for the chosen subject! I prepared a list of
questions to ask him and readied myself for the interview. I had no
idea that, between his responses and my recent prior discovery of my
latest idol, Cory Doctorow (in particular, his preface to Little
Brother), that my feelings regarding copyright law would also be
changed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now, I should mention that I was
already beginning to think copyright law and intellectual property
were bad. This became especially apparent for me after I had read the
book Little Brother, by Cory Doctorow (which, by the way, <a href="http://craphound.com/littlebrother/download/" target="_blank">he gives away free as an eBook</a>, and is definitely a must read for anybody
living in this day and age). I just hadn't come to terms yet with the
fact that my 'creation' would be available for anyone to read,
distribute, and alter as they saw fit (the alteration bit I still
have a hard time with, but I'm getting there) all entirely for free.
In other words, I still had a lot of learning to do.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It should also be mentioned that I have
a history of piracy and illegal downloading et cetera, but it wasn't
until Doctorow softened me up that I stopped living in a moral limbo.
Listed as "The Copyright Thing" in his book Little Brother,
Doctorow takes advantage of his clout to deliver a short and sweet
view of anti-copyright philosophy. Admittedly, a lot of it comes from
his observations of a speech he saw Neil Gaiman give, but the ways he
explained that sharing is just plain human nature were what I enjoyed
the most, saying things like, "It's ridiculous to say that
people who want to "loan" their electronic copy of my book
to a friend need to get a license to do so. Loaning books has been
around longer than any publisher on Earth, and it's a fine thing."</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My biggest revelation came when I was
shown that the ability to loan out copies of your favorite books
without having to actually part with them, even temporarily, is a
feature, not a shortcoming. This is one of the big reasons why I have
decide to <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/422419" target="_blank">make my eBook available for free</a>, for example.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Then came the interview with Michael W.
Dean. He made me realize errors in personal philosophy that I had
taken for granted as true. This was outside of the initial subject of the
interview, even. Basically, the man is a verbal wordsmith, which is why he
co-hosts a podcast, I suppose. And very successfully, I might add.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I don't want to go into too much
detail here, lest I spoil the surprise for those of you that wish to hear
it when it airs on Freedom Feens, but suffice it to say that he convinced me very easily to divulge my own personal opinions and where I stood, and
then proceeded to show me why I was wrong. And to his credit, not
only did he come out of left field and surprise me with the question
of my personal philosophy, by he managed to keep the conversation
cordial and polite. It wasn't so much that he was telling me I was
wrong as it was him telling me why his position was more advantageous and therefore
desirable. Add to that the fact that I had been so caught off guard
by the whole thing that I was still reeling by the time he was
halfway through responding to my response, and I was fully aware of
the depth of this man's convictions as well as his ability to
persuade.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
From early on in the conversation, it
was clear to see that this man has problems with the government (but
then again, don't we all?) judging from statements like "I'm not a
constitutionalist. It's a document I didn't sign." to "Obama
is trying to take over the internet. Bush's saving grace was that he
was stupid." Neither of those statements are anything I would
disagree with (at least not anymore), but listening to his insightful
and impassioned speech, it quickly dawns on you that this is a man
with very large cajones. The best thing about him though is that he doesn't
come off as cocky or arrogant at all either, instead making the
listener want to join him in his mission to educate the public.<br />
When I first attempted to call him, I had technical difficulties with my Skype for about ten minutes while he patiently waited. Unfortunately, I was unable to hear him, but he could hear and record me, so we decided I would give him my cell number and he would call me, so I could hear him.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We spoke for a little over an hour,
discussing why intellectual property was harmful to our very society,
and how it harms the very artists it claims to protect. Luckily it
was only an audio interview, because Dean had so much to say on the
subject that I was literally reduced to a series of 'yeah's and
'uh-huh's for approximately 98% of the interview. This was not a bad
thing, however, as he never seems to be grasping for subject matter
or things to talk about. This is undoubtedly what makes him a great
co-host and why so many people choose to listen to him and his
fellow host Neema Vedadi, who has recently handed the torch over to
Dean.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Altogether, my interview with Michael
W. Dean has been a tremendous learning opportunity for me, and I hope
it will be the same for you. As of this writing, the interview I
conducted with Dean will air on the Freedom Feens radio show on
Sunday, May 4th, and will also be available for download as a torrent
from their site after it airs.<br />
I want to thank you for the
DIY influence you have had on my life, and before I even engaged you
to do this interview and write this article, I found myself looking
back and seeing that those experiences in Film Club, which mostly
stemmed from our carefree youthful spirit but were also heavily
influenced by your ideas, helped to create the man I am today. A man
with a healthy distrust of his government, a strong desire to seek
the truth, and a need to strive to make change for others in our
society for the better. Thank you Michael W. Dean, for being an
entrepreneur and affecting the world with your ideas. Don't ever stop
spreading them to the public at large.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you would like to listen to the
interview I had with Michael W. Dean, make sure to tune in to the
show on Sunday, May 4th. Make sure to <a href="http://www.freedomfeens.com/" target="_blank">visit the Freedom Feens website</a> for more information<br />
<br />
*UPDATE* Michael W. Dean gave me the following links for you to listen, if you're interested.<br />
<br />
List of the 25 radio stations that carry the Freedom Feens: <br />
<a href="http://www.freedomfeens.com/radio/" target="_blank">
http://www.freedomfeens.com/<wbr></wbr>radio/</a><br />
<br />
Live streaming link if you're not in one of those cities: <br />
<div class="yj6qo ajU">
<div class="ajR" data-tooltip="Hide expanded content" id=":3cx" role="button" tabindex="0">
<img class="ajT" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/images/cleardot.gif" /></div>
</div>
Liberty Radio Network:<br />
<a href="http://lrn.fm/listen/online/" target="_blank">
http://lrn.fm/listen/online/</a><a href="http://lrn.fm/listen/online/" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
P.S. I strongly encourage those of you
who use torrents to
go to the <a href="http://www.freedomfeens.com/feens-torrents/" target="_blank">Freedom Feens' Torrents Page</a> and subscribe to the
RSS feed to receive the latest news and other goodies before anyone
else. Then make sure to download all of the material you're
interested in (or you can be like me and download every last bit) to
help protect the info from the drones when the boot finally comes
down on us all.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334566953078981059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171406441422193306.post-6538724949312644292014-04-26T23:47:00.000-07:002014-04-29T11:19:23.342-07:00Day In & Day Out Is Now FreeI've been thinking a lot about what I've set out to accomplish lately, and I've come to the conclusion that I have been a huge hypocrite. Soon, I will be posting an article here about an interview I recently conducted with Michael W. Dean regarding copyright law. We talked all about how copyright law is bad for society, and how intellectual property rights are actually hurting artists. Also, Cory Doctorow, someone I look up to as an author, has always been against copyright law (at least as long as I've been a fan of him, which admittedly hasn't been long. His website is <a href="http://craphound.com/" target="_blank">here</a>). <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YsLXC_WC3LKdxRayIk_mNwt8IAjK20qvsnrB4xYEeH6J5VpGOFRYU3w0U6LgkdOQ6Zq4zQ4Nw02ctHsUoCe_vQCcjS3okc5WokNMGkmIwDlwZXTkD0tG7TBlByfcaEEHOqtD_qNq6V_S/s1600/copyright+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YsLXC_WC3LKdxRayIk_mNwt8IAjK20qvsnrB4xYEeH6J5VpGOFRYU3w0U6LgkdOQ6Zq4zQ4Nw02ctHsUoCe_vQCcjS3okc5WokNMGkmIwDlwZXTkD0tG7TBlByfcaEEHOqtD_qNq6V_S/s1600/copyright+1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Image credit:<br />www.anna-OM-line.com</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <i><span style="font-size: small;">This is the best free image I could find for copyright.</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
I've realized now that I'd rather have people share my ideas for what they are, and share them freely. As such, I have made Day In & Day Out free at Smashwords, and it will soon disseminate to other markets as well. If you've been reserved about getting yourself a copy before now, please hesitate no longer.<br />
I apologize about before, and I hope you'll forgive me. If you do end up enjoying this short story, I hope you'll share it with a friend. Whether you give him a link to get it from Smashwords himself or just make a copy for his ereader it's OK. The <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons license</a> in the book supports your right to share this information as many times as you like with whoever you like.<br />
At this point in time, the license does not allow for derivative works to be made or distributed, among other protections. I still have some qualms about intellectual property, being an artist, but maybe with time, people like MWD might be able to soften me up.<br />
Perhaps eventually I will release a physical product (I'm currently thinking of doing a collection of short stories, let me know what you think of that idea below!) but until I do, I'll just be happy knowing people are reading and (hopefully) enjoying what I've written.<br />
I have to write an apology here, as there were two peaople who actually purchased my ebook without using any free coupon or deal. They were both charged the same $0.99 for the eBook, of which from Smashwords I received $0.56, and from Amazon I received $0.35 (which should be a big red flag to those of you who are still selling your eBooks to make sure to diversify, by the way) (UPDATE:4/28/14-I have now officially earned $1.05 on Amazon, and am in the process of getting it priced matched to free. If you're reading this, please go to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JA0P01A" target="_blank">my Amazon book page</a> and look for the link that asks if you've found a lower price. Once you click on that, please enter this link: <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/day-in-day-out-chris-baca/1119003727?ean=2940045789691">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/day-in-day-out-chris-baca/1119003727?ean=2940045789691</a> as the one where you found it for free.) I don't know who you are, but I apologize that I cannot give you your money back. I made a mistake, and I'm sorry you had to pay for it, but I do want to say that I appreciate the relative risk you took on a literally (pun intended) unknown author.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjLVhwm36bjMidBCd1g8Rcu4KRBOavhkwpB6309K2ZljiHdXKoEeHujLLkF4YFr-dmj3R3XmG3xVVZ6r40a-9OAgQGr9qSVUdDkFNvmR7l9FpZox74iZhRfr464kX1vlccQhddDLrtNiE/s1600/coins+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjLVhwm36bjMidBCd1g8Rcu4KRBOavhkwpB6309K2ZljiHdXKoEeHujLLkF4YFr-dmj3R3XmG3xVVZ6r40a-9OAgQGr9qSVUdDkFNvmR7l9FpZox74iZhRfr464kX1vlccQhddDLrtNiE/s1600/coins+1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Uploaded to <a href="http://freeimages.com/">freeimages.com</a> by</b><br /> <a href="http://www.freeimages.com/profile/intuitives">intuitives</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Hopefully this image of money will help ease some of the pain...</span></i> </span>
<span class="xlite"></span></div>
<br />
I appreciate the support I have gotten for this story so far, and I hope that with it being available to all free of charge, it will get the readership it deserves. So please, be my guest! Feel free to get your copy of Day In & Day Out for free at <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/422419" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> (I can't set the price to free yet with Amazon, but when I do I'll update this post. There are a variety of file options available from Smashwords and you should be able to find one you could use easily enough)!<br />
Also, look for my interview with Michael W. Dean, which will air on <a href="http://www.freedomfeens.com/" target="_blank">Freedom Feens</a> on Sunday, May 5th! While you're there (if you're into this sort of thing), I highly recommend you get <a href="http://www.utorrent.com/returning-visitor" target="_blank">uTorrent</a> if you don't have it already and download (and seed!) all of their old podcasts and whatnot on their <a href="http://www.freedomfeens.com/feens-torrents/" target="_blank">Torrents page</a>!<br />
Thanks again to everyone who has helped me throughout the years, and again I truly hope you all enjoy reading my short story. Look for more to come soon!<br />
<br />
UPDATE: I was not able to change my book to free with Amazon, and in fact was only able to set the price as low as $0.99, but there is a link on the book's sales page here where you can tell them about a lower price you found for the same item elsewhere, and they should do price matching. I may actually end up pulling the book from their shelves altogether. After all, with Smashwords my book is available in .mobi, which is a Kindle format, but I don't think it would have as wide of a distribution, so who knows. We'll see what happens. As always, keep your eyes peeled and on the lookout for updates about this from me in the future!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334566953078981059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171406441422193306.post-73946470891962197792014-04-21T19:00:00.005-07:002014-04-26T23:52:09.577-07:0031 Questions For An Atheist<div style="text-align: justify;">
I found this list on <a href="http://godlessmom.com/31-questions-for-atheists/#comment-181">godlessmom.com</a> and thought I'd respond to
these questions as well. She found the list originally <a href="http://carm.org/questions-for-atheists" target="_blank">here</a>, and
after I read her responses I couldn't wait to get two cents in. I hope this encourages debate among both the faithful and the atheistic and those in between. We know who you are you agnostics, don't keep riding the fence!</div>
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>1. How would you define atheism? </b><br />
<br />
I would define Atheism as the lack of
belief in any god or deity or fate or any such conceivable power or
any fatalistic force in the universe. My individual responsibility
to myself and others around me is what guides my choices.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>2. Do you act according to what you believe (there is no God) in or what you don’t believe in (lack of belief in God)?</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
I don't act in accordance with a lack
of a belief in God (I don't make sure to NOT pray before I go to
bed, for example), but the lack thereof does cause changes in my
worldview. Since there is no God, this one shot life we have is much more important and precious as a result. As such, I appreciate life more. This also
makes disasters and loss of human life much more tragic than if you believed they were all 'going to Heaven' for example. </blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLxfJ-IdQtcZlgQQPIvJtJ2D6l53PZvRFtdPKL232ZS7wk9bVaVMThhoy9rbnigI2ohUFDl5y27Q0meVTStkM3_m5R5WNqupy4xBEx-mosRq8yM4Pec0pzrukzk1mvOcgUatXI18Mx2-P/s1600/1172681_37132534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLxfJ-IdQtcZlgQQPIvJtJ2D6l53PZvRFtdPKL232ZS7wk9bVaVMThhoy9rbnigI2ohUFDl5y27Q0meVTStkM3_m5R5WNqupy4xBEx-mosRq8yM4Pec0pzrukzk1mvOcgUatXI18Mx2-P/s1600/1172681_37132534.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.freeimages.com/profile/Mattox" target="_blank"> Mateusz Stachowski</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">This is not a picture of heaven, either.</span></i> </span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>3. Do you think it is inconsistent for someone who “lacks belief” in God to work against God’s existence by attempting to show that God doesn’t exist?</b><br />
<br />
On the contrary, I believe it would be
preposterous for someone who lacks a belief in God to not want to
show others that he doesn't exist. This is Human nature. Atheists
want to be accepted and have their ideas valued just like anyone
else. This is why people that do believe also go around and try to
spread their ideas, as opposed to 'just being cool with believing
what they believe'.</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>4.How sure are you that your
atheism properly represents reality?</b><br />
<br />
As the most reliable evidence
currently available is in line with what one would expect were there
no God, I am 100% certain there isn't one until there is evidence to
support any claim otherwise. Any doubt on my part would be a waste
of time, as there is no evidence to support any other possibility.</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>5. How sure are you that your
atheism is correct?</b><br />
<br />
100% certain, as the evidence is what
dictates the objective reality. Anything less would be pure
unfounded speculation on my part.<br />
<br />
<b>6. How would you define what
truth is?</b><br />
<br />
Truth is the objective reality that
exists outside of ourselves and our emotions. This is mapped out by
the laws of physics, and the scientific principles that govern the
universe.<br />
<br />
<b>7. Why do you believe your
atheism is a justifiable position to hold?</b><br />
<br />
Because
I am able to justify my position with an impressive body of evidence
as well as the lack thereof to support any contrary claim. Also, I
do not need to resort to personal justifications that involve
feeling or belief in order to make my case.<br />
<br />
<b>8. Are you a materialist or a
physicalist or what?</b><br />
<br />
I
am an Individualist. I believe in the awesome power of man's
reasoning, and his limitations imposed by society and personal
responsibility.<br />
<br />
<b>9. Do you affirm or deny that
atheism is a worldview? Why or
why not?</b><br />
<br />
Atheism is not a worldview in the
same way that Christianity or any other form of theism is. However,
once a mind is opened to new possibilities, it becomes easier for
that mind to be more rational and skeptical, which is why many
atheists tend to have a lack of belief in many different theologies
and mysticisms.<br />
<br />
<b>10. Not all atheists are antagonistic to Christianity but
for those of you who are, why the antagonism?</b><br />
<br />
I have a three year old daughter who I want to be able to live a
full and exciting life. She has an inalienable right to do so. Right
now, many religious persons believe in some form or another, that
the world will end; a staggering number of them believe it will be
within their lifetime. Is it really wise to let these people be in
control of foreign policy, or nuclear weapons stockpiles? Is it fair
to my child, or the millions of other children around the world, if
some religious zealot (or person of average religious zeal, even)
makes the decision to push the proverbial button? What about all the
harm religion has done throughout the centuries? Whether you think
yourself that person or not, as a religious person, you are more
susceptible to these pitfalls, as a willingness to believe in
something without evidence breeds an inability or unwillingness to
utilize reason to guide your actions.<br />
<br />
<b>11. If you were at one time a
believer in the Christian God, what caused you to deny his
existence?</b><br />
<br />
I used to be a believer, but the lack
of not only sufficient evidence, but ANY evidence whatsoever,
overpowered my ability to live in ignorance.<br />
<br />
<b>12. Do you believe the world
would be better off without religion?</b> Yes.<br />
<br />
<b>13. Do you believe the world
would be better off without Christianity?</b> Yes.<br />
<br />
<b>14. Do you believe that faith
in a God or gods is a mental disorder?</b><br />
<br />
Actually, the lack of a belief in God
is really the exception to the rule as far as nature is concerned.
Human beings are made with an enlarged frontal lobe, which leaves us
at a genetic disadvantage from birth, as an enlarged frontal lobe is
more conducive to belief systems and finding patterns where there
are none. The fact that Human beings, as self-aware creatures, can
break away from their own shortcomings to follow the evidence is
nothing short of an amazing accomplishment.<br />
<br />
<b>15. Must God be known through
the scientific method?</b><br />
<br />
In order for him to be a quantifiable,
measurable force in the universe, yes. I will say that, if I were to
be approached by God in my living room, that I would probably be
made a believer. This does not, however, indicate and objective
truth; this only indicates that I have seen something that I cannot
verify or prove in any way. So therefore, it may as well not have
happened at all as far as anyone else is concerned.<br />
<br />
<b>16. If you answered yes to the
previous question, then how do you avoid a category mistake by
requiring material evidence for an immaterial God?</b><br />
<br />
If God is immaterial and can never be
defined, then there is no use for me or anyone else to believe in
him. Any number of unquantifiable and immeasurable things may be
proclaimed, but it is not in my best interest to believe them all
just because there is a slight possibility that they may exist. That
would just be a tremendous waste of time, and nothing meaningful
would ever be accomplished.</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">© <a href="http://www.dreamstime.com/andresr_info" itemprop="author">Andres Rodriguez</a> | <a href="http://www.dreamstime.com/">Dreamstime Stock Photos</a></span> </i><br />
<i>What a waste of time...</i></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>17. Do we have any purpose as
human beings?</b><br />
<br />
No. No one is born for a reason, no
one chooses to exist, and there is no purpose beyond that which you
may assign for yourself. This only gives your existence more meaning
and freedom, as you are not bound by fate or destiny and you are
therefore fully responsible for yourself and all of your actions.<br />
<br />
<b>18. If we do have purpose, can
you as an atheist please explain how that purpose is determined?</b><br />
<br />
Purpose
comes from the individual. Whatever that person deems important to
do can become a purposeful task for them. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>19. Where does morality come
from?</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Morality is objective in that things
that are moral (or immoral) for someone to do in America are still
just as moral in Egypt or vice versa. The concept of morality and
actions derived from it exist outside of any one individual.<br />
<br />
<b>20. Are there moral absolutes?
</b>Yes.<br />
<br />
<b>21. If there are moral
absolutes, could you list a few of them?</b><br />
<br />
Do
not do anything that harms anyone else physically or economically or
otherwise prohibits someone's ability to pursue happiness.<br />
<br />
<b>22. Do you believe there is
such a thing as evil? If so, what is it?</b><br />
<br />
No.
People either make bad choices, or are flawed in such a way that
they are incapable of making a sound choice for themselves, and as a
result may harm others.<br />
<br />
<b>23. If you believe that the
God of the Old Testament is morally bad, by what standard do you
judge that he is bad? </b><br />
<br />
I understand that the <i>concept</i>
of the Old Testament God is morally bad, in that many acts of murder
are either directly attributed to him, or are committed in his name.<br />
<br />
<b>24. What would it take for you
to believe in God?</b><br />
<br />
Peer-reviewed, independently
reproducible results that empirically prove his existence.<br />
<br />
<b>25. What would constitute
sufficient evidence for God’s existence?</b><br />
<br />
Having peer-reviewed, independently
reproduced findings that prove it.<br />
<br />
<b>26. Must this evidence be
rationally based, archaeological, testable in a lab, etc., or what?</b> Yes.<br />
<br />
<b>27. Do you think that a
society that is run by Christians or atheists would be safer? Why?</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
A
society run by Atheists would be one based in rationality and
reason. People would strive to make changes themselves instead of
leaving things to God or prayer to fix for them. Or better yet, we
would take action, as opposed to believing that things will be
better for us after our deaths.<br />
<br />
<b>28. Do you believe in free
will (free will being the ability to make choices without
coersion)?</b><br />
<br />
I believe in limited free will. I
cannot, for example, make my thumb wriggle itself free from my hand
and dance around the room. However, the actions I can take are
governable by a morality that is independent of myself and as such
they can be evaluated for their adherence to that morality.<br />
<br /></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">© <a href="http://www.dreamstime.com/zibistanczyk_info" itemprop="author">Zbigniew Kościelniak</a> | <a href="http://www.dreamstime.com/">Dreamstime Stock Photos</a></span> </i><br />
<i>My brain is telling me to shoot you, it's not MY fault!</i></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<b>29. If you believe in free
will, do you see any problem with defending the idea that the
physical brain, which is limited and subject to the neuro-chemical
laws of the brain, can still produce free will choices?</b><br />
<br />
We are self-aware creatures, this much
is evident. If I am aware that my actions may be affected by
neuro-chemical triggers in the brain, then it behooves me to make
sure that my actions are able to be defended morally before I even
act. Therefore, if our brains are controlled by a chemical impulse
system, we still have the responsibility to make sure that our
actions are justifiable and are not impeding upon someone else's
right to liberty. This is easily accomplished by using reason to
establish an independent morality.<br />
<br />
<b>30. If you affirm evolution and that the universe will
continue to expand forever, then do you think it is probable that
given enough time, brains would evolve to the point of exceeding
mere physical limitations and become free of the physical and
temporal and thereby become “deity” and not be restricted by
space and time? If not, why not? How does one lead to the other?</b><br />
<br />
Evolution is merely a
byproduct of the environment and what happens when only certain
genes survive as a result of being fit to live in a given
environment. If there were a situation in the universe that
permitted a species to become pure energy or thought as a result of
only creatures with those characteristics surviving to pass on their
genes (i.e. not getting eaten or otherwise dying before reproducing)
then it is conceptually possible for such a being to exist. Whether
or not that being is a 'deity' is merely speculation, as there is no
evidence to support such a claim. As far as the universe, there is
also evidence to support that it may someday shrink and become a
singularity again, or that the big bang that caused our universe to
form may not be a singular event.<br />
<br />
<b>31. If you answered the previous question in the
affirmative, then aren’t you saying that it is probable that some
sort of God exists?</b><br />
<br />
Nothing is impossible, only improbable. However, if all of the
evidence is to the contrary, then there is no reason for me to waste
my time seeking to prove established scientific principles wrong.</div>
</blockquote>
So, what do you think? Do you disagree? Feel free to share your disagreements below, and if you want to answer these questions yourself, go right ahead!<br />
<br />
<i>Chris Baca is a 25 year old father and husband. He lives with his
loving wife Audrey, and his amazing and intelligent daughter Ella in
Colorado Springs, Colorado. Chris is the author of the recently
published, “</i>Day In & Day Out” <i>This e book can be purchased at Smashwords here</i>: <a href="http://bit.ly/1m2TwdA" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/1m2TwdA</a>, <i>or at Amazon here</i>: <a href="http://amzn.to/1gHwaLk" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/1gHwaLk</a>. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334566953078981059noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171406441422193306.post-88232978092636354202014-04-13T19:21:00.001-07:002014-04-21T19:03:10.273-07:00Miley Cyrus and the Apocalypse: Four Surprising Thing They Have In Common<span style="font-size: small;">Today, we'll be discussing a paltry four ways that singer, actress, and performer Miley Cyrus, <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=miley+cyrus+nicknames&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb" target="_blank">also known as Smiley Miley</a>, is tantamount to the height of human tragedy imaginable
by man. I've delved deep into my darkest thoughts and areas of the internet, scouring them like Robert Langdon: best when he's seen and not heard. What follows are of of the clues I was able to scrabble together hastily in time to warn you of the coming time of Biblical prophecy. Alright then, enough dilly-dallying. It's time to begin.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<h1 class="western">
#1.They Both Like To Destroy Stuff</h1>
This one should be easy to guess, but in case you haven't heard,
Ms. Cyrus has a (very annoying) song called "Wrecking Ball." The song is referred to as a <a href="http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=30531">breakup song</a> and was the most watched VEVO clip of 2013.<br />
It should be noted that the references to her music as being
atrocious, horrible, and/or intellectually harmful that may or may
not come later in this article are purely opinion, and any
assumptions made about her lifestyle or how evil she is for secretly
wanting to destroy the planet are purely the result of speculation on
my part.<br />
"Wrecking Ball" was featured on Cyrus' 4th studio album,
entitled, "Bangerz." The song became her first number-one
hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Clearly, there's something more
sinister at work than a maladjusted young adult who likes to swing on
pieces of heavy machinery in the nude.<br />
I believe she's referring to her plan to destroy the world, by
pummeling it with her wrecking ball-like lyrics, which are heavy on
the repetition, and about as dense as the asteroid that will
eventually bring about our desolation as a species (provided Miley
hasn't already gotten around to it herself by then).<br />
Honestly, what is this song about? All I remember hearing is, "I
came in like a wrecking ball!" over and over again. It's as if
she was trying to give us clues in some sort of parrot mimicry fashion, helping us arrive at the terrifying conclusion that she is somehow going to end us all
with a giant wrecking ball.<br />
<h1 class="western">
#2. Miley Cyrus is a Contralto...</h1>
just like Pestilence, a certain Horseman of the Apocalpyse. In the
book of Revelations, John (who is also referred to as John of Patmos,
more on this later) writes, "Then I saw the Lamb broke one of
the seven seals and I heard one of the four living creatures say <i>as
with a voice of thunder</i><span style="font-style: normal;">,
'Come'".</span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal;">
Now, I'm no expert, but thunder and
contralto sound exactly alike, so I'm pretty sure Miley Cyrus may in
fact be Pestilence. Or at least have something eery in common with
him. In which case it means she's probably plotting with him.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
Of course, if you were to believe Billy
Graham, he sees Pestilence, or the rider on a white horse, as the
antichrist, due to the dissimilarities between the white horse in
Revelation 6 and Jesus on a white horse in Revelation 16. In this
case, Cyrus could be the harbinger of all biblical doom, bringing
destruction, hellfire, and brimstone down upon all of our heads. All
the while, tormenting us with a poppy tune that will be stuck in our
heads for eternity. However, it could be that the entire book of
Revelations is, you know, a drug-induced fabrication.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
The writer of Revelations describes
himself as John, and states that he was on Patmos when he received
the visions detailed therein. Traditionally, this has been taken to
be John, the son of Zebedee, which would allow for greater continuity
throughout the bible. In the book, "Crisis and Catharsis: The
Power of the Apocalypse," Adela Yarbro Collins states that, "The
author [of Revelations] does not refer to himself as apostle or
disciple of the lord," indicating that this John did not think
he had any special connection to Jesus or an other part of the Holy
Trinity. Furthermore, Collins goes on to challenge whether it was
intended to be something as simple as someone just pretending to be
John, son of Zebedee, concluding that, "The self-presentation of
the author of revelation is not in the style of a pseudonymous
writer."</div>
<h1 class="western" style="font-style: normal;">
#3.Miley Cyrus Was
Almost Time's Person Of The Year</h1>
<span style="font-style: normal;">Ms. Cyrus was actually chosen by
TIME as one of their finalists for person of the year in November of
2013. She recieved 16.3% of the total. vote. Now, she never became
their person of the year, but this is an important moment in history.
It can be easily demarcated when one realizes that the amount of
votes she recieved is representative of pure evil.</span><br />
<span style="font-style: normal;">As I stated, she recieved 16.3%
of the vote. As we all know, one multiplied by six equals six. That
accounts for the sixteen, but what about the 0.3%? Well, six
multiplied three times equals 6 6 6!!! That's triple sixes, that's
always bad in the movies. Also, in TIME's person of the year contest,
Syrus came in third place. Six is divisible by three, people! That
must be important somehow.</span><br />
<span style="font-style: normal;">Surely you can see from the
mounting evidence how dire our situation is! The longer we wait, the
more likely Miley Cyrus is to become the Antichrist...or something. I
will NOT let that happen. I will at the very least be forming a
neighborhood watch, dedicated to vigilantly watch the skies for signs
of the tribulations to come. I suggest you do the same in your own
communities immediately.</span><br />
<h1 class="western">
<span style="font-style: normal;">#4.Miley Cyrus &
Madonna: MTV Unplugged</span></h1>
<span style="font-style: normal;">On January 29th, 2014, Miley
Cyrus played an MTV Unplugged show with Madonna, which was said to
have been the most viewed Unplugged session of the last ten years.
The sheer staggering numbers of viewers she commands through her evil
and manipulative performances on stage, on television, and in
feature-length films should be enough to tell you that the Apocalypse
is nigh.</span><br />
<span style="font-style: normal;">If you're not convinced,do a quick Google search for "miley cyrus' and you'll see all of the degenerate things happening around her. Recently, a schoolteacher was found to have <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2603245/Teacher-struck-uploads-naked-pictures-celebrities-including-Scarlett-Johanssesn-Miley-Cirus-school-computer-mistake.html">uploaded nude photos</a> of Miley Cyrus to a school computer, <a href="http://hollywoodlife.com/2014/04/13/miley-cyrus-gives-up-moodie-after-floyd-death/">she gave up her new dog</a> after her previous dog's "gruesome death", and the star even talk about <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/miley-cyrus-on-why-she-loves-weed-went-wild-at-the-vmas-and-much-more-20130927">why she loves drugs</a> so much.</span><br />
Actually, I think it's time for some more math. If you add one to two you get three. If you then add three to nine you get 12. If you then divide that 12 by the 2 in 2014, you get six. Six times one equals six, which multiplied by four is...wait a minute...6 6 6 6!!! It's A Quadrupocalypse; it's worse than I previously imagined!<br />
This means the entire UNIVERSE is doomed. Unless my calculations are a bunch of bull, and I'm reading way too much into a pop culture star. Perhaps my anticipation for the end times is simply due to every generation's yearning to be the last testament to life on Earth; to have their record go down in history as the high point of mankind's existence, and really, that of all creatures. Alas, this is all entirely too possible.<br />
<br />
<i>Take a chance and grab Chris's eBook, "</i>Day In & Day Out"<i> now while it's FREE! Just <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/422419" target="_blank">go to the book page</a> on Smashwords and use coupon code </i>TK24D <i>at checkout any time in the the next ten days to get it absolutely free! You have to hurry though, this offer ends on 4/24/14, so get your copy before it's too late!</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334566953078981059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171406441422193306.post-36568420540228825782014-04-09T17:16:00.000-07:002014-04-09T17:18:17.550-07:00Horrible Poetry Wednesday #6<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This one actually wasn't so hard to post this week relatively speaking. I still think it qualifies as Horrible Poetry, but at least the intent is there. I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday, and I hope you enjoy reading another ugly selection of my poetry. Please leave your feedback in the comments section below. Also, if you have any suggestions for future Horrible Poetry Wednesday Posts, please email me at first name last name 2013 at gmail dot com with your ideas!<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Expression</b></u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>By: Chris Baca</i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
I’ve always been told to express
myself</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
In my very own way,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
But every time I try to</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
I always hear the adults say,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
"Stop that! Stop that banging and stop
making all that noise,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
What’s wrong with this generation and
all these rowdy girls and boys?".</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
That’s not just noise; that’s the
expression of my joys!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Stop picking on us girls and boys just
because we have a voice!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
I don’t play with toys so all I have
left are my ploys to create art,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Because art is what’s in my heart!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Creating art from the heart is what
I’ll do until my body and soul part!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
So don’t forget this okay?
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
This kind of love, the love of art,
won’t just go away.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Forever, I’ll be planking and
picking, or training my singing.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Brushing or stroking or prodding or
poking; wherever art takes me</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
I will willingly go.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Maybe I’ll even learn to sew before
my soul is taken by the crow.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Whatever it may be I want you to accept
me for me,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
And I hope you’ll understand when I
don’t exactly live by your decree.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
Wasn't that just horrible? Doesn't it just make you want to tell the world how vile, disgusting, and absolutely atrocious it was? Perhaps maybe you want to spread the word about my hackneyed writing, or about how godawful my poetry is? Well you can do exactly that. Just leave your comment below, and tell me and the rest of the internet population exactly what your thoughts are right now!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Older Horrible Poetry Wednesday Posts</span></b></u></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/03/so-going-forward-im-going-to-try-and-do.html"><span style="font-size: small;">Horrible Poetry Wednesday #1</span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/03/horrible-poetry-wednesday-2.html"><span style="font-size: small;">Horrible Poetry Wednesday #2</span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/03/horrible-poetry-wednesday-3.html"><span style="font-size: small;">Horrible Poetry Wednesday #3</span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/03/horrible-poetry-wednesday-4.html"><span style="font-size: small;">Horrible Poetry Wednesday #4</span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/04/horrible-poetry-wednesday-5.html">Horrible Poetry Wednesday #5</a> </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334566953078981059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171406441422193306.post-37118146344495793592014-04-08T10:37:00.001-07:002014-04-10T14:09:14.108-07:00Exclusive Q&A With the President of Pikes Peak Writers<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Recently, I received the opportunity to ask some questions of the
president of the local writing group, Pikes Peak Writers. J.T. Evans, President, Author, jack-of-all-trades, was more than happy to converse with me about the Pikes Peak Writers and their upcoming conference.
Thankfully he was able to take time out of his hectic day to answer these
questions for all of us, so please give him and the Pikes Peak
Writers some of your time to find out more about this truly awesome
group at large in our community!<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i>CB: </i>How long have you been
the president of the non-profit organization Pikes Peak Writers, And
what has it been like?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>J.T.: </b></i>I joined Pikes Peak
Writers (PPW) as a member in late 2008. I worked my way up in the
organization from chair mover and auction guard to being a presenter
at a Write Brain and helping out around conference where I could to
becoming PPW's webmaster in 2012. In late 2012, I was invited to join
the Board of Directors because the president needed to step down
because of Real Life getting in the way of her volunteer efforts. In
the January board meeting of 2013, I was elected vice president of
the group with the understanding that I was to stay in that role
until later in the year when a planned transition would happen for me
to become president. In September of 2013, that transition happened.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I've been president of another
non-profit in the past, and I've volunteered for a handful of
non-profits as a teenager and young adult. These volunteer efforts in
the past have almost always been rewarding in their own unique ways.
My volunteer efforts for PPW have been nothing short of astonishing.
I work, usually on a daily basis, with the best group of people I've
ever had the privilege of being around. The level of dedication,
effort, intelligence, caring, and true passion everyone around me
exhibits without fail blows me away. This drives me to maintain my
high level of energy, drive and devotion to PPW, so we can constantly
improve and move forward to what the future brings.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i>CB: </i>What's the reason or
philosophy, if you will, behind being a non-profit organization?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>J.T.: </b></i>Honestly, it's a
natural fit. We're here to help educate people on the art, craft,
science, and business of writing. This education starts where basic
English classes at high school or college leave off and continues
throughout the career of the writer. Our goal is not to make every
writer a multi-volume, best-seller published author because that's an
unreasonable goal. It would be <i>great</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
if that could happen for </span><i>everyone</i><span style="font-style: normal;">,
but the truth of the matter is that this is a rarity in the writing
community. Our goal is to assist every writer in accomplishing
whatever goals they set for themselves.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Being a non-profit
does put more financial restrictions on what we can and can't do and
how we go about things, but it also opens the door to many more
opportunities, as many businesses and other non-profits in the area
are willing to give us assistance (such as free meeting space) from
time-to-time.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i>CB: </i>How does Pikes Peak
Writers make it's presence known in the community and what do you do
to help struggling writers?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>J.T.: </b></i>We have quite a few
ways to make people aware of us. In traditional means, we advertise
our conference in newspapers around the region, and we also advertise
in target magazines when we can afford to do so. In the newer
methods, meaning social media, we are very active on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PikesPeakWriters">Facebook</a>,
<a href="https://twitter.com/PikesPeakWrite">Twitter</a>, our <a href="http://pikespeakwriters.blogspot.com/">blog</a>,
and our <a href="http://www.pikespeakwriters.com/">website</a>.
We also have a great <a href="https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/pikespeakwriters/info">Yahoo Group</a>
for facilitating email-based communication.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We use all of the above communication
methods to reach out to people regarding our monthly and annual
events. Each month, we host at least three free events. These are our
Write Brains, Open Critique, and Writer's Night.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Write Brains are two-hour long
educational sessions where an expert or experienced person teaches
the attendees about the craft of writing, the business of writing, or
some part of how things really work, so writers can execute these
real life circumstances more accurately. We've recently partnered
with <a href="http://www.delvewriting.com/">Delve Writing</a>
to record and broadcast our Write Brains over the Internet. Online
viewing does require an RSVP because there are a limited number of
“seats” in the software. However, showing up in person does not
require an RSVP. More information about upcoming Write Brains can be
found here: <a href="http://www.pikespeakwriters.com/events/write-brains/">http://www.pikespeakwriters.com/events/write-brains/</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Open Critique is a session where we
gather a group of writers together to review the other writers'
submissions and give immediate feedback on the writing. There are a
limited number of submissions we can go through in a night, so if you
want to submit something, you have to RSVP. Attending to just give
feedback and meet some fellow writers does not require an RSVP. More
details about our Open Critique can be found here:
<a href="http://www.pikespeakwriters.com/events/open-critique/">http://www.pikespeakwriters.com/events/open-critique/</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Our Writer's Night is a place where
writers can gather, meet each other, enjoy a drink or two, and
discuss whatever writing-related topic they wish to bring up in an
open and friendly environment. It's great fun, and everyone always
walks away inspired to write and learns quite a bit from the informal
discussion. To find out about Writer's Night, you can go here:
<a href="http://www.pikespeakwriters.com/events/writers-night/">http://www.pikespeakwriters.com/events/writers-night/</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As far as our annual events go, we tend
to have 2-3 special events that are either a half- or full-day in
length. Some of them are free, but most require some form of payment
to offset our costs of renting space and bringing in speakers. These
special events cover a wide variety of topics, but they are always a
deep dive into the topic. Our attendees come away with a head full of
knowledge and a spirit full of drive to implement what they've
learned.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Of course, our Big Event of the year is
the Pikes Peak Writers Conference...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i>CB: </i>What can you tell us
about the Pikes Peak Writers Conference?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>J.T.: </b></i>Wow. Where to
start? We have so many exciting things lined up for our attendees.
I'm really looking forward to every keynote speaker we have lined up.
We have a great steampunk-themed dinner for Friday Night set up.
There's the on-site writing contest. We also have something Sooper
Sekrit planned for attendees to compete in that will be an incredible
hoot. Our Saturday Banquet is always a great time with good friends.
We have over 80 sessions to pick from throughout the weekend.
Attendees get to pick an agent or editor to pitch their completed
novel to. There are just <b>so</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">
many great things going on this weekend, I can taste the excitement
and eagerness already. We have so much going on and so much planned,
I'm just going to point people to our PPWC section of the web site
for more details: <a href="http://www.pikespeakwriters.com/ppwc/">http://www.pikespeakwriters.com/ppwc/</a></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i>CB: </i>What kind of people do
you expect to be interested in attending? (What kind of person is
this conference intended for?)</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>J.T.: </b></i>We're mainly a
fiction-based conference. We do have some topics applicable to
non-fiction writers, but for the most part we cover fiction from any
and all genres in our presentation. We have workshops for writers of
all levels of writing experience. Anyone ranging from having just
written a short story to having published an entire epic fantasy
series will find themselves welcome at PPWC, and everyone always
learns a great deal of things from our workshops.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In addition to the learning and growing
of knowledge in the sessions, PPWC is a great place to meet new
people, network, and just enjoy being around people like themselves.
It's nice to be able to talk about writing without getting strange
looks from people when you mention all of the horrible things you do
to your characters.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i>CB: </i>Where is the conference
taking place and what are the dates it will run?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>J.T.: </b></i>The conference is
at the Marriott in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The main days are
Friday, April 25th through Sunday, April 27th. We do have an add-on
day on Thursday, April 24th that can be added as part of the
conference as a whole, or just as a stand-alone day.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i>CB: </i>Where can interested
parties get more information, such as finding out who the Keynote
Speakers are?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>J.T.: </b></i>If you're
interested in finding out more about our keynote speakers, faculty,
agents, and editors that will be at the conference, you can visit our
conference faculty page here:
<a href="http://www.pikespeakwriters.com/ppwc/conference-faculty/">http://www.pikespeakwriters.com/ppwc/conference-faculty/</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As always, we have a really exciting
lineup of people for the 2014 conference. My hat's off to our
programming and faculty coordinators for getting such an amazing
group of people to come into our doors and talk to our attendees.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i>CB: </i>Speaking of
PikesPeakWriters.com, what resources are available to writers on the
site?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>J.T.: </b></i>The website has
tons of information about all of our PPW events and efforts. The top
three sections of the web site are about conference, our writing
contest (check back at the PPW web site in August for the re-opening
of next year's conference), and our events.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We also have a section on our site for
the people that keep this amazing machine growing. We also have a
good selection of resources for writers about the craft and business
of writing.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As always, if someone spots something
missing from the site, I welcome feedback. Feel free to email
<a href="mailto:webmaster@pikespeakwriters.com">webmaster@pikespeakwriters.com</a>
or use the “Help Us Improve” feedback form that is on every page
of the site.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i>CB: </i>Was there anything else
you wanted to say about Pikes Peak Writers, or about the Pikes Peak
Writers Conference?</b></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>J.T.: </b></i>Pikes
Peak Writers has truly given me a home where I can comfortably hang
out with like-minded people. Some of the best friends I have today
have come through PPW. I still remember my first Write Brain back in
August of 2008. I was greeted with warmth, welcomed to participate as
if I'd been there from day one, and treated like an equal despite my
obvious inexperience in the writing community and craft. This is how
we still treat people. One of my goals is to ensure this is how we
always treat every person that crosses our threshold: new and
returning members.</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>CB: </b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Well
I certainly appreciate you being able to pull yourself away from the
business that is your day to answer some questions for us. I hope
this year's conference is as awesome as ever!</b></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<i>J.T. is a writer of fantasy, science fiction, and horror. He has
actively been writing since he discovered a local writers group in
2006. He joined the Pikes Peak Writers in late 2008 and attended his
first conference in 2010. In that time, he has worked his way up the
ranks in Pikes Peak Writers from "chair mover" and "auction
guard" to webmaster and president of the organization. He has
stories published in "An Uncommon Collection", and
"Phobias: A Collection of True Stories." He is
expecting one more short story to be published soon. He is working on
his second fantasy series, and will push the first book from the
proverbial nest when it is ready. More information about J.T. and
links to his social media can be found at his web site:
</i><a href="http://jtevans.net/">http://jtevans.net/</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334566953078981059noreply@blogger.com0Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA38.8225909761771 -104.85351562537.239433976177104 -107.435302625 40.4057479761771 -102.271728625tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171406441422193306.post-60371892995068942182014-04-07T18:59:00.000-07:002014-04-07T18:59:41.828-07:00"Unconquerable" Published With Flash Fiction Magazine TodayI have a new short story published with Flash Fiction Magazine! The story is titled, Unconquerable," and it's about a public protest and speech that is trounced upon by a ruthless futuristic police force. If you'd like to read it, visit their page <a href="http://flashfictionmagazine.com/2014/04/07/unconquerable/">here</a>. Let me know what you think in the comments below, and feel free to share!<br />
Also, make sure to download your free sample of my eBook, <a href="http://amzn.to/1gHwaLk">"Day In & Day Out" (For Kindle)</a>. It's a science fiction short about a disgruntled customer service representative working at a call center. He hates his job, he hates his boss, and then one day, he gets a call from a mysterious woman. The woman claims to be from another world, and that she has information that can save his planet. What happens next? <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/422419">Find out here (For Android/iOS)</a>.<br />
<br />
I also want to take a moment to thank you all for your support. I appreciate the feedback I've gotten and the response I've garnered for my short story. Thank you all for taking the time to read my work, and I hope you enjoy it! Please let me know in the comments below if there is anything you'd like to see in future posts from me, or what you didn't like. I look forward to hearing from you.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334566953078981059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171406441422193306.post-8353093601274022292014-04-02T08:39:00.000-07:002014-04-05T17:17:49.575-07:00Horrible Poetry Wednesday #5<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This week's post will be just as groan-inducing and laughable as any other. However, This one is a little special. It has a bit of a hidden meaning to it. Something having to do with the movie industry. See if you can figure it out.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">If not, you could always go to Smashwords and download my ebook, "Day In & Day Out," completely free!, just use coupon code <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/422419">CX35X</a> at checkout and you'll have the entire story, free to read and enjoy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Otherwise, enjoy the train wreck that you knew was inevitable. After all, it's the reason you came here isn't it?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hollywood</span></b></u> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wish that I could find that place,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">That special place of others’ faith,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So that I might have one last chance,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">To spin life’s dance into a trance.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I want to have the great adventure,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I want to feel like they do in those
films,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I wish I could make some lasting
impression,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">‘Stead of spending seconds in others’
realms.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I thought that I had all that I needed,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And I felt that my beliefs had been
seated,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But I feel as if something went
missing.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What if my heart is what’s been
deleted?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Could any longer I still play?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Should any longer I make others stay?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
</span><span style="font-size: large;">Should I be the object of my own
nightmares?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Could I still wipe away others’
tears?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am alone now, slowly spiraling down
to the depths of mystery,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am wallowing in, and following in
others’ fulfilling misery.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Does anyone still hear my plea?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">From a soul lost in a time of chivalry?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Everyone feels like they are so high
and mighty</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">While they too are stuck in this dark
well with me… </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Please let me know what you thought of the poem in the comments below. If you have a submission for a future Horrible Poetry Wednesday post, please email me the details at chrisbaca2013 at gmail dot com. Thanks for reading, and as always, I appreciate your support!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/03/so-going-forward-im-going-to-try-and-do.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Horrible Poetry #1</span></span></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/03/horrible-poetry-wednesday-2.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Horrible Poetry #2</span></span></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/03/horrible-poetry-wednesday-3.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Horrible Poetry #3</span></span></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/03/horrible-poetry-wednesday-4.html"><span style="font-size: small;">Horrible Poetry #4 </span></a> </span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334566953078981059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171406441422193306.post-79945374202802524892014-03-26T12:24:00.001-07:002014-04-05T17:17:49.572-07:00Horrible Poetry Wednesday #4<span style="font-size: large;">It's that time again! It is my sincere hope that this laughable poetry of mine from days long past will provide you some joy to help you get through the rest of the week! Let me know what you think in the comments below! Also, if you have poetry you'd like to submit for Horrible Poetry Wednesday, let me know!</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This week, I want to share a piece with you from an exceptionally Horrible period of my writing life. This piece comes from a time when I had aspirations of being a <i>rapper.</i> Yes, at one point in time folks, I thought I'd be able to perform a rap onstage without laughing uncontrollably at myself. Here's a leftover from that time, that I leave here for you to laugh about with your friends and family as much as you want!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>The Question...</u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>By: Chris Baca</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What if people all around you were infinitely good? What if everybody did only what they should?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What if you fixed all the problems in this world? What if evil's hold on Earth could be unfurled?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What if no one again came out of a broken home? What if people weren't exiled, to homelessly roam?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What if you had the power to make this all happen? Would you step up to it because of my rappin'?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Or would you let it all go, get rid of the gift, so you could continue with your selfish bliss?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What if I told you your life here was the key, to change all the grief and the helpless in need?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Which path would you take, good or bad? Would you have people feel love, or keep them all sad?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">One last question: do you truly know good from bad or has your whole life truly been had?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> ###</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So, pretty bad right? It took a lot for me to post this, and I was cringing with every keystroke, but here it is. All of it's Horrible glory is here for you to revel in, just don't mock me to harshly.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Also, if you feel inclined to read more, Here's the other Horrible Poetry Wednesday Posts:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/03/so-going-forward-im-going-to-try-and-do.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Horrible Poetry Wednesday #1</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/03/horrible-poetry-wednesday-2.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Horrible Poetry Wednesday #2</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/03/horrible-poetry-wednesday-3.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Horrible Poetry Wednesday #3</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/04/horrible-poetry-wednesday-5.html">Horrible Poetry Wednesday #5 </a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But wait, there's more! If that's not enough to satisfy your literary cravings (or if the poetry's too horrible for you and you'd like to clean your palate with some prose), check out my latest E book published on Smashwords called <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/422419">Day In & Day Out</a>. I'd love to see your reviews of the book, and the first half is available for FREE!</span> <span style="font-size: large;">You can download it in multiple formats for the most popular E readers like epub, mobi, and more!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334566953078981059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171406441422193306.post-85465578812008620982014-03-24T15:22:00.001-07:002014-04-05T02:15:59.591-07:00Story Title Announcement: We Have A Winner!So, the time has finally come! Kaytelyn Cruts is the winner of the short story title contest! The winning title is "Day In & Day Out." Kaytelyn has won a free copy of the e book, which is published with Smashwords <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/422419">here</a>! The first 50% of the book is available in multiple formats for free! You can read it on Kindle devices, Android devices, etc. So be sure to check it out!<br />
Also, I'm still holding a contest on my Facebook page as well! Once my page gets to 100 likes, I'll choose three followers at random to receive free copies also! Share this post with your friends if you've already liked my Facebook page, and if not, go <a href="https://www.facebook.com/chrisbaca11">here</a> to follow me on Facebook!<br />
With my short story having been titled and published, I'm looking forward to your reviews once you've gotten your copy and have read the rest of the story! Please give a thought to reviewing the story once your finished, you just may help some other reader find a story that they might otherwise not have found.<br />
OK, now you may think that, since I just finally published the latest short story I've been working so hard on, that I'll take a break for a while, right? Well, actually, I have another story that I'm going to be editing and formatting soon to finalize it for Smashwords publishing as well! I expect to have this next story ready to be published within the next two weeks, so look forward to more exciting details to come soon, such as the title and what it's all about!<br />
Again, I don't think it can ever be said enough, but I truly do appreciate everyone's support and feedback and I sincerely hope you have a wonderful time reading the rest of my story. If you enjoy it, then I know we'll have a lot of fun waiting for us ahead as I get to publishing more and more of my work. But it can only be done with your help, so I hope you all know it is appreciated! Thanks again!<br />
<br />
Go to <a href="http://smashwords.com/">Smashwords.com</a><br />
Go to <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/chrisb2013">My Author Page</a><br />
Go to <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/422419">"Day In & Day Out"</a> e book page<br />
<br />
<br />
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.1888pressrelease.com/new-ebook-day-in-day-out-is-priced-at-only-0-99-for-a-pr-518754.html"><img src="http://www.1888pressrelease.com/images/1888-press-release-fp-4.gif" border=0></a><br /><font style="padding-left:5px; font-size:10px; font-family:Verdana;">1888PressRelease</font>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334566953078981059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171406441422193306.post-68668937503498037932014-03-19T17:00:00.001-07:002014-04-05T17:17:49.569-07:00Horrible Poetry Wednesday #3It's time for another one of my Horrible poems! This week, I'll treat you all to something a little different. This is a bunch of Haiku strung together to form a larger piece. I don't know if you can still call it Haiku at that point, but basically what I'm saying is that, for each stanza, the syllable structure is 5-7-5.<br />
<a name='more'></a>Let me know what you think about the poem below, and if you have any suggestions for future Horrible Poetry Wednesday posts, feel free to submit your ideas or original works to me! I'll review each submission and let you know if it's been accepted withing one to two weeks. Anyway, here's the poem for your enjoyment!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Economics</span></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Economy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It flows like a great river,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yet interrupted.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It has been dammed up</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By Beavers, eager to please.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They know not the truth.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A long way downstream,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Far beyond their small foresight,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The river dries up.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The fish disappear,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And the bears not long after.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All living things die.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But the selfish ones,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The ever eager Beavers,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Do not seem to care.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They naively think</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That they are above reproach</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and infallible.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But do they not know,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or, rather, do they not care,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That they are killing?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So, how horrible was it? Leave your comment below and then share with your friends! Or, if you'd like to read more Horrible Poetry, read <a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/03/so-going-forward-im-going-to-try-and-do.html">Horrible Poetry Wednesday #1</a>, <a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/03/horrible-poetry-wednesday-2.html">Horrible Poetry Wednesday #2</a>, <a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/03/horrible-poetry-wednesday-4.html">Horrible Poetry Wednesday #4</a>, or <a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/04/horrible-poetry-wednesday-5.html">Horrible Poetry Wednesday #5</a> if you haven't already!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334566953078981059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171406441422193306.post-43443010141090786862014-03-18T14:34:00.002-07:002014-03-28T22:21:55.370-07:00Will Physical Books Become Obsolete?I just read a refreshing short story called "Readers," by Rachel A. Brune. You can read the short story in its entirety <a href="http://tgenedavis.com/2014/02/24/readers/#more-162" target="_blank">here</a>. I say refreshing, because it brings up an idea that I think a lot of people are interested in and discussing, but no one have I seen pursuing it to it's logical conclusion. I'm referring to ebooks and their steady rise in purchase and use.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
A lot of bloggers and self-publishers have been saying that ebooks will soon <a href="http://blog.smashwords.com/2014/03/sizing-self-publishing-market-10.html" target="_blank">match or surpass</a> physical books in terms of sales and readership. What this short story portrays is a world in which it's become <i>abnormal to own physical books</i>. This is something I haven't heard or seen a lot of people discussing. This would, after all, be the logical (perhaps desirable?) conclusion to the rise in manufacture of e-reader devices and the increasing use and even purchase of bits of data strung together to form a replica of something 'real.'<br />
Is this a desirable outcome for the world? On one hand, as "Readers" states, the books themselves will continue to be read. The ideas are just being transferred from one medium to another, like when DVD's replaced VHS tapes. On the other hand, visual mediums, such as movies and television, can be argued to have largely replaced the mediums of print and written word. Humans are visual creatures, and the invention of a way to tell stories visually can be argued to have changed the world for the better. Tell that to the radio and publishing tycoons that were thriving right before film technology really coalesced.<br />
Will a world without physical books be better, or more efficient? Are readers more satisfied by the freedom that ebooks allow (such as the ability to change font sizes, adjust brightness settings, etc.) or is there something more intangible that is fulfilled by a real book that a digital copy simply cannot satisfy?<br />
In my personal opinion, the answer relies upon what devise one is using for reading the digital material. If there is enough surface space for sufficient viewing, and ample control of brightness and other settings, then I would rather do a lot of my reading on an e-reader of some sort.<br />
However, with that said, if I find a particular book of interest, one that ignites that certain spark of magic, where I starve myself of sleep just to get my literary fix, then I may actually buy a physical copy of it. This physical copy would be for the enjoyment of re-reading the book and revisiting the story for many years to come. It is because of this that I feel there will never be a replacement for physical books. The materials on which they are printed may change, but words that you can touch, feel, and visualize in a three dimensional space will never become obsolete.<br />
What do you think? Are physical books replaceable? Especially by ebooks in the forms they are now? Let me know why you agree with me or why you think differently in the comments below!<br />
<br />
P.S. Let me know if you'd like to see more stories like this in the future, or if you thought this was lame by messaging me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/chrisbaca11">Facebook</a> or <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisBaca11">Twitter</a>!
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334566953078981059noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171406441422193306.post-2634846493430527632014-03-13T11:41:00.000-07:002014-04-05T02:15:59.579-07:00Short Story Sample Chapter: Day Two<h2 class="western">
<span style="font-size: small;">So, two votes on the poll and both of them wanted to see more of the story! Therefore, here is the second chapter of my short story. This story has yet to be titled, may I remind you. If you feel so inclined, please feel free to leave your submissions for the title of the short story after you read <a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/03/short-story-sample-chapter.html">Day One</a> and Day Two! The best title winner will win a free copy of the ebook once it's published at Smashwords, as well as having their title grace the story itself! So be sure to put in your two cents, and you could get the rest of the story for free!<a name='more'></a> Please enjoy the second chapter as published for you for free, at your request, and let me know what you think about it as well! If it's good or bad, I always appreciate feedback, so let me know how you feel after reading the 2nd day in the comments below!</span></h2>
<h1 class="western">
DAY 2</h1>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="font-style: normal;">
He awoke to
the buzzing sound of his old alarm clock. Rubbing his sore, puffy
eyes, he first heads for the kitchen, to get some water. Having
filled a glass with the nearly clear, cold tap water, he shuts off
the spigot and pours the water back, down and over the folds of his
throat, his tissues soaking it in, reinvigorating him. He wolfishly
swallows the entire glass of water and slams the glass down on the
counter. He immediately regrets that once his brain constricts from
all sides as if someone were tightening a belt around his head.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="font-style: normal;">
Just as fast
as he consumed the water, however, he turns back the way he came and
streaks clumsily in his state of half-woken stupor down the hall.
Upon reaching the bathroom he kneels before the now-glorious
porcelain throne. That most fundamental and rarely spoken of item
that facilitates the removal of human bodily waste. Something
everyone can agree on. He laments over the thought of it's always
going under appreciated in modern society.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="font-style: normal;">
He forces
down another two glasses of this time lukewarm water, and he manages
to keep it down. He needs to keep it down if he hopes to rehydrate at
all before work. He shudders at the thought. Not the thought of
making an honest living, mind you, but of doing something he
absolutely hates. This is all he knows, however. And that fact,
combined with an irrational fear of change, will be enough to keep
him at his job as long as he can remain employed.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="font-style: normal;">
He hasn't
been doing so well at work lately. He at least had a buffer from
unemployment for a while with his supervisor giving him pats on his
shoulder by surprise every morning while he was preparing his
workspace. Telling him how he respects a man who's always on time and
wants to work. He hoped to use this like the key maneuver of a
champion chess player, deflecting his supervisor's advances of, “you
got another poor customer survey,” or “You need to reduce your
time spent <i>talkin'</i> with these people. They don't need
coddlin'! Just give 'em what they need and move on. I'll have to
write you up if you don't start meetin' quota.” With this precious
treasure tucked in his sleeve, he would play out the game based upon
the understanding of his supervisor's appreciation for the guy who
shows up and tries hard, even if he doesn't necessarily succeed. He'd
been able to get by and escape 'the axe' with this strategy in one
form or another, at times having customers personally request to
speak to his supervisor on his behalf to give him accolades, or when
he was exceeding the sales quota.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="font-style: normal;">
Moving on,
he thinks today is a good day for a shower. Stripping himself, he
proceeds to clean himself thoroughly and vigorously. After washing
his hair and body, he attempts to meditate to try and bring himself
peace. Attempting to come to terms with the fact that he would most
likely be a customer service representative for the rest of his
working life by sitting beneath the shower head with his eyes closed.
All he accomplishes is falling back asleep.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="font-style: normal;">
Dressed, he
now drives to work. Again, trying to keep himself engaged in reality
to avoid going in to auto-pilot. He's not doing well. As he sits down
at his desk, he shrugs his shoulders at the realization that he
failed, and continues on.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="font-style: normal;">
Again, as
with every other day, the morning starts with copious amounts of
downtime in between actual work. He remembers to be thankful he's
getting paid to sit and fumble his fingers around. Waiting for the
next customer to call, he taps his fingers lightly on his desk.
Finally getting a hailing beep in his ears telling him someone wants
to talk to him, he hears the familiar voice and immediately groans to
himself. He turns off the mute function he had placed on his
microphone and listens, waiting to respond.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="font-style: normal;">
“I'm
trying to warn you. We can see the future of your world with the
power of our technocracy. We reach out to worlds of intelligence like
yours and try to save them.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="font-style: normal;">
This time,
his supervisor happened to be listening from another phone placed at
his own desk. He bounded up from his seat and pounded over to the
desk and told him he would be taking over the call.
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="font-style: normal;">
Still
listening through the use of a splitter that allowed both he and his
supervisor's headset to be plugged in and again engaging the mute
function on his mic, he hears the conversation his supervisor has
with the lady all his co-workers think is crazed. Something is now
making him feel as though that may not exactly be an accurate
representation of the situation anymore.
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="font-style: normal;">
He had
noticed the first time she had called that the phone's information
panel that usually displayed numbers displayed question marks. After
all the time he had spent looking at that little liquid crystal
display, he had never seen that happen before, and it was happening
again now. With the same woman on the phone. With the same
desperation and fear in her voice as before. He heard the following:</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="font-style: normal;">
“Ma'am, we
can only assist you with issues pertaining to our business. We cannot
help you with-”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="font-style: normal;">
“Please! I
implore you! You must receive transmissions of our plans for dark
energy field generators before the calamity our Altersight has
revealed befalls your world!”
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="font-style: normal;">
His
supervisor turns to him and, with his hand and face simultaneously,
he mocks her for rambling on and on about what he apparently believes
to be insane ramblings of a sad, sick woman. The call ultimately ends
in the supervisor disconnecting the call, telling him something about
having to be stern with some people, then returning to his desk, not
to be seen again for the rest of the day.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="font-style: normal;">
While he
slightly feels upset about the fact that his management cares nothing
about his improvement, he's too happy knowing this leaves him with
ample freedom to take as many breaks as he wants, as he is virtually
cut off from sight from his supervisor for the rest of the day. Much
too happy to care about silly things like 'career pathing.'</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="font-style: normal;">
He turns his
car in the direction of his natural habitat, his home. Natural
meaning completely developed around his needs. All the furniture and
heating and cooling and ergonomic expense of thought perfectly
adapted to him. The first creature in nature to fully rely upon his
manipulation of the environment to his needs as opposed to evolving
to suit the environment.
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="font-style: normal;">
This time he
adds a stop to the liquor store to his mental treasure map leading
him away from the pains of working as a slave. He examines several
bottles of hard liquor before remembering grudgingly that he has to
work tomorrow and eventually decides upon a slightly more expensive
beer than the leftovers he slurped last night. He rationalized his
higher purchase amount with his hopes of not having to deal with the
weak, utterly gag-inducing taste of sterilization-in-hops from his
last drinking session. Or at least, with the higher alcohol content
of the new beer that his lips were virgin to, not having to wait as
long before he wasn't any longer aware of taste. Another day down, he
thought, with his slightly gratifying feelings being accompanied by
panic and horror with the realization that another day at the place
he could call his 'office' awaited him. He would determinedly rise
again in the early hours of the predawn. Perhaps somewhat
fortuitously, he was able to pass out quickly. And perhaps somewhat
due thanks to the booze in his circulatory system.</div>
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: small;">Thanks for reading! If you liked what you read, be sure to share it with your friends, family, co-workers and loved ones! Also, check out my exclusive in-depth interview, posted on <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/chrisb2013" target="_blank">My Author Page</a> at <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>!</span></h2>
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334566953078981059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171406441422193306.post-43516960463268263122014-03-12T15:21:00.002-07:002014-04-05T17:17:49.566-07:00Horrible Poetry Wednesday #2This is a second horrible poem from when I was young and thought I knew how to write. Actually, I guess I wasn't all that different than I am now... At any rate, Here's a second horrible poem for you to feast yourselves upon.<br />
<a name='more'></a>Let me know what you think in the comments section below!<br />
<br />
<h2>
<u>Soul Seeking</u></h2>
<h3>
<i>By: Chris Baca</i></h3>
Your soul may reside where your nightmares can hide,<br />
It might hide away under your face.<br />
<br />
It can hitch it's long ride on the mane of a bride,<br />
it could well even lode it's own place.<br />
<br />
For whence it grows dark in your heart, hear the lark,<br />
Your soul then can lose it's fine spark.<br />
<br />
You give it all up, these sins will corrupt,<br />
your pain is as sure as the day,<br />
<br />
Your hatred erupts and while your heart it lacks luck,<br />
And you for your evil shall pay.<br />
<br />
Your soul has been struck, by the heart turned to muck,<br />
Whilst Cain, he shall ruin the day.<br />
<br />
I had a hard type transcribing this poem to this blog. I just thought you should know.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/03/so-going-forward-im-going-to-try-and-do.html">Horrible Poetry Wednesday #1 </a><br />
<a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/03/horrible-poetry-wednesday-3.html">Horrible Poetry Wednesday #3</a><br />
<a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/03/horrible-poetry-wednesday-4.html">Horrible Poetry Wednesday #4 </a><br />
<a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/04/horrible-poetry-wednesday-5.html">Horrible Poetry Wednesday #5 </a>
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334566953078981059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171406441422193306.post-34101173585076600332014-03-08T22:14:00.001-08:002014-03-20T16:27:27.533-07:00Baca's Drunken Movie Review: Street Fighter (1994)Here's a Facebook oldie (but goodie!) that I really liked that I thought you guys might enjoy! Let me know if you would like to see more of these in the future!<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">All cheesiness aside,
this movie had it's good moments of hilarity (such as when Guile pulls a
knife on a large group of Bison's soldiers and they retreat due to what
he thinks is his badassery. Kudos to Jean-Claude Van Damme for his comedic
performance) and has a proficient amount of fanservice paid to those who
were original fans of the first Street Fighter<span class="text_exposed_show">
game by Capcom. Because of the extensive length of the movie (honestly,
it should've ended the first time Guile "defeated" M. Bison, but they
went for the 40 different endings approach) I give this flick a 6 out of
10 stars!</span></span><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">I wished they would've continued the Blanka storyline more, and by that, I mean actually explain things. Instead they just mention some vague DNA tampering and then indoctrinate him via video. I don't know about you, but whenever they use footage to get the main character to convert to a 'better way of life,' (see "A Clockwork Orange") I get uneasy and prepare for the political agenda that's coming next.</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">I don't believe that the way of life depicted by the protagonist is by any means ideal, but the whole point of the film (at least, to me) is that we ultimately we have the ability to decide what we like and what is best for us, and that government or other groups that seek to oppress can never take that away from us.</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">But, I digress. Altogether, I definitely appreciate the Street Fighter movie, even if it was a shameless way for everyone involved to make some easy cash off of what was (at the time) thought to be a passing fad. It holds a special place in my heart as a movie that used to inspire me to greatness at a young age, even if I didn't necessarily understand what the message was. I was young and impressionable, and Jean Claude's ass kicking abilities held my attention during the worst years of my little assholishness that my parent's had to deal with.</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">So I guess what I'm saying is, think about what movies your child is watching and make sure it has an important message (that you agree with) that you would like passed along to your child. You never know how important it may be to him or her in the future, and the development of their future nerdiness.</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">Stay tuned for more of Baca's Drunken Movie Reviews!!! P.S.
The after-credit scene where they are basically asking for a sequel is
hilarious, due to the negative reviews and fan outcry during the film's
original time of release, thereby resulting in the lack of any potential
sequel.</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">What movies would you like to see me drunkenly attempt to review? What are some of your childhood favorites, or sacred cows of film that you would love to dare me to roast? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below and I'll get started on my next drunken movie review!</span></span>
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Also, I invite you to check out my in-depth Q&A interview published on my <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/chrisb2013">Smashwords Author Page</a>. if you have any ideas for additional questions you'd like to see, or any comments you have, feel free to post them here as well. I look forward to seeing what questions you have for me!
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334566953078981059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171406441422193306.post-18981301129401373732014-03-05T20:32:00.001-08:002014-04-05T17:17:49.563-07:00Horrible Poetry Wednesday #1So going forward, I'm going to try and do a Horrible Poetry Wednesday! In these posts (which will, for obvious reasons, be posted each Wednesday) I will showcase some old poetry of mine (which I usually hate, I was fifteen at the time of writing most of this and I absolutely abhor most of it) and let you all laugh about how horrible of a poetry writer I am.<br />
<a name='more'></a>I'll be up front with you, Prose writing is my business, but for a while, I was really into poetry. In fact, it helped me for a while, and continues to serve a good purpose in my life. Whenever I find I'm having a hard time writing, I force myself to come up with a few lines of Haiku and it usually gets me started writing again and breaks me through the dreaded "writer's block" barrier. Let me know if you think I'm crazy and you think this is a good poem, or if it's been justifiably placed in the "Horrible Poetry Wednesday" file, to forever be remembered for the piece of garbage that it is!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<u><b>Hatred</b></u><br />
<i>By: Chris Baca</i><br />
<br />
Evil resides in the places we hide.<u><b> </b></u><br />
We think ourselves safe 'til it tears off our face.<br />
It acts upon instinct. The instinct of Man.<br />
It kills and it maims whatever it can.<br />
It's the long-time feared Mr. Boogeyman.<br />
Your fears are now pointless, for it's already here,<br />
All his life he's been jestered, and festered with jeer.<br />
He's been fed upon hatred, and born within anger,<br />
He is the negative of the baby boy in the manger.<br />
He loves the dissenting of brother and brother,<br />
And totally loathes the love of one's mother.<br />
He'll laugh while he stabs you, and mauls you, and claws you,<br />
He easily realizes all of your flaw, too.<br />
He can see through your eyes, straight down to your soul,<br />
The scales will determine if your heart is not whole.<br />
The way to defeat him lies in Peace for all man,<br />
Only trouble is, no one believes that we can.<br />
We have the means and the method, to make this thing happen,<br />
But no one will listen, I can hear no one clapping.<br />
To destroy this monster, this monster called hate,<br />
We must all get together, start over the slate.<br />
And then, only then, will It dissipate.</blockquote>
</div>
<br />
So what do you think? Is this deserving of the Horrible Poetry Wednesday designation, or is it better than I thought? You decide, and let me know, in the comments below!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/03/horrible-poetry-wednesday-2.html">Horrible Poetry Wednesday #2</a><br />
<a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/03/horrible-poetry-wednesday-3.html">Horrible Poetry Wednesday #3</a><br />
<a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/03/horrible-poetry-wednesday-4.html">Horrible Poetry Wednesday #4</a><br />
<a href="http://chrisbforthee.blogspot.com/2014/04/horrible-poetry-wednesday-5.html">Horrible Poetry Wednesday #5 </a><br />
<b></b>
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334566953078981059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171406441422193306.post-89353342692911389882014-03-05T16:33:00.001-08:002014-03-20T16:28:26.114-07:00Customer Service Meltdown (non-edited)This was funny for about five seconds, and then it just became sad. I actually feel bad for both parties involved. I can understand wanting to speak with someone who offered to help and not being able to, or being frustrated at a system that you can't understand. I maybe don't agree with his reaction, but we each have different levels of tolerance for things that make us angry or push our buttons. This guy had just reached his limit.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
And it's obvious by his own comments that he regrets reacting in this way, and at some of the last words, "If you get me again, just tell me you already talked to me so I don't put you through this again," he just sounds like a man at the end of <i>his rope.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
But I've also been the guy with the headset on, rubbing my temples and calming myself. Reminding myself to try to be understanding, or to "empathize" with the guy who's screaming his head off at me, even though it's the fifth person <i>in a row</i> that I've talked to that has done so.<br />
<br />
So I definitely can say that that is not a fun position to be in. Especially if you <i>actually want to help the guy.</i> If you really wanted to help him, there was no opening or possibility that he gave you to do so. If he would've just given this guy Mark the password for his account, half of the discussion may have been avoided. Although, with the way he was screaming, I'm not sure it would've ended any better...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
What do you think? How do you think you'd react if you got this guy on the phone?<br />
<br />
*UPDATE*<br />
I also suggest checking out the guys YouTube channel <a feature="watch" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6171406441422193306" http:="" mgf7x6m_nowvfbgfoynrw="" www.youtube.com="">here</a>. A lot of people have <a href="http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/09/12/this-call-center-meltdown-could-be-one-of-the-most-insane-things-we-have-ever-heard/">said that it's fake</a> and that this guy isn't who he says he is. He's claiming to be a former employee of the company and this is a recording he held on to from four years ago. He had this to say about the video:<br />
<br />
<div id="watch-description-text">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div id="eow-description" style="text-align: left;">
"In case you want to take the video
and upload it to your channel or use it for anything, go ahead. I found
the audio, but it belongs to the internet. I actually think it'd be
really cool if someone wanted to animate it better. <br />
<br />
It sounds
like the original issue was that the company missed an appointment.
Somehow the issue escalated to where a Michelle (probably a supervisor
in a department who could do more to help) was made aware of the
situation. She called him and left a voicemail and then probably went
home. When the customer called back and tried to reach her or her
department, because they had gone home, he kept being rerouted to the
customer service/technical support department. After over 3 hours of it,
he had had enough. This is his epic meltdown."</div>
</blockquote>
He obviously isn't worried about any backlash if this <i>is</i> real also saying that " I can't get fired, cause I'm already gone. I'm banking on the hope that
if the company knows it's them, which I think they do, they don't want
to take any action against me because that would expose who they are..."<br />
<br />
Do you think this is a real video? It certainly doesn't seem outside the realm of possibility from my experience. What do you think? Was he right in posting this video on YouTube?<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/RVdNobKNMig" width="459"></iframe>
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334566953078981059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171406441422193306.post-36725365117545846652014-03-03T17:34:00.001-08:002014-03-20T16:28:53.674-07:00Random Haiku Thanks for the feedback on the first chapter of my new short story I've received so far! I appreciate everyone's thoughts.<br />
Today I thought I'd post some random Haiku that I've written for your enjoyment, and I encourage you to share your favorites (either from among these or wherever) in the comments section below! I look forward to seeing what interests you!<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Some of these have titles. Some don't. They range from funny to contemplative.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Hiccups</u></b><br />
Hiccups really suck.<br />
Especially when you can't<br />
Make them go away<br />
-<br />
Glorious Sunlight.<br />
Rays spark imagination.<br />
I walk toward it.<br />
-<br />
<u><b>School</b></u><br />
We come here to learn,<br />
We're turned back, dissatisfied.<br />
We leave in despair. <br />
-<br />
<u><b>Enlightenment</b></u><br />
I am Enlightened.<br />
I have become one with all.<br />
What was I saying?<br />
-<br />
Battles are not won<br />
By sheer force of will alone<br />
But with discipline.<br />
<br />
Well, what do you guys think? Will this help to tide you over until the release of (we really gotta title this thing) my latest short story?
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334566953078981059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171406441422193306.post-31760800410640090552014-03-02T19:25:00.000-08:002014-04-05T02:15:59.581-07:00Short Story Sample Chapter<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I hope you enjoy reading the first chapter of my new short story! After you've finished reading, please remember to comment with your ideas for the story's title and it would be greatly appreciated if you could share this with friends. I'll announce the winner on Tuesday, who'll receive a free copy of the completed short story in E-Book format once it's published on Smashwords! Also, if you feel so inclined, feel free to leave your honest opinions about what you've read and tell everyone what you liked or didn't like about it! <br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
DAY 1</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He woke up alone,
grumbling. Something about going to work. He slowly stretched himself
out and rose to a seated position. He fingers at the gritty hardness
encrusted in the acute corners of each eye, grinding it away with his
fingertips. Bending over, he picks up his clothes from the evening
before, and stands up, getting dressed. He runs a coarse brush
through tangles in an attempt to flatten out his remaining hair. He
was balding in the front, or what you could say was a receding
hairline. More like full retreat, he thought.</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Driving now, he
heads to work. He takes his badge and his headset with him to work
everyday. He takes them with him when he leaves at night. His badge,
a little piece of plastic depicting a similarly plastic-smiling
picture of him. This dangled from a keychain on his belt loop. His
headset, picture a cheap pair of headphones with little cushion
between the resilient material and his cartilaginous ear, with a
microphone jutting from a pliant rod reaching from the right
earpiece. A long tail off of the left earpiece ended in a small
rectangular end-piece that connected to a similar cable to attach his
headset to the phone on his desk.</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
At work he talks.
Very rarely about anything he's even remotely interested in.
Sometimes about kids. Sometimes about cars. Sometimes about recent
events. Alot of talk revolves around the weather in other parts of
the country. Sometimes the world even. But he always has to repeat
the same thing.</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If it's summer,
It's hot; if it's winter, it's cold. The more things change, the more
they stay the same. Seems familiar, he thinks.</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He gets to his desk
and before he can sit down, his supervisor approaches him from the
side. This guy was a high school hero, at least in his mind. But now
he is a man with a proclivity towards positions of authority. He
likes to feel the rush of being in charge of others. He loved the
feeling, even fleetingly, of being in charge of someone else.</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Glad to see
you're on time as usual. I could probably set my watch by you, you
know?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He stared at his
supervisor with a countenance lacking interest as he waited for him
to let him continue with his day.</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“But enough
chit-chat. Get logged in and get on the phone. We have customers
waiting, always.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He logs in using
the various passwords for various programs. Pushing the limits of
memory and evolution itself. A total of seventeen different
passwords, some of which have inane rules for creation. Rules such
as, “No dictionary words forwards or backwards, no proper names
forwards or backwards, and no 2 characters may repeat; I.e be next to
each other.” He thinks he should research whether this level of
memory exertion led to higher suicide rates. Ultimately he decides
this is probably too much effort and releases the thought into the
mist-chemicals that scrub his brain, working to remove
inconsequential information.</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He waits for
fifteen minutes before getting his first call. An angry, yet sleepy
woman from Alaska. He tries to befriend her with a usual tactic of
asking about the weather. She tells him to figure it out, and repeats
that she is in Alaska. He reminds her he was already aware of this.
She angrily hangs up the phone.</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Feigning ingorance,
he calls her back. In a voice very similar to that of someone who is
actually concerned, he tells her he thinks they may have gotten
disconnected somehow and apologizes. He asks how he can assist her.</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
She tells him she
hung up the phone herself, that they weren't disconnected. She then
instructed him to engage in coitus with with himself. She wasn't very
polite.</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
She hangs up again
and he laughs to himself quietly. He spends another fifteen, maybe
twenty minutes waiting for his next call. He tends not to keep track
too often.</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This time, a woman
sounding very distressed cuts him off before he can introduce
himself. “I am Vizil, from Venzinnia. I'm calling from another
world, very similar to yours. The more things change, however, the
more they stay the same. I've come to warn you of impen-”</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He interrupts her
now, asking if she has any business with his company to talk about.
She responds with confused and distressed-sounding affectation.</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“This is the only
communicator in your world I can speak upon! I must warn you, for you
are in-”</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He again interrupts
her and tells her with bittersweet politeness that the phone line
they are speaking on is only for official business with the company
and gives her their number (if she should want to call back he says)
before promptly hanging up on her. He goes on about his day, relating
the story of the Other Universe Lady to his co-workers on his breaks
and during lunch. Each of them share a similar story, though none of
theirs depict a quite as cohesive person on the phone as with his
version of events, let alone even half of them having spoke to a
woman in their recountings.</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
After logging out
and breathing a sigh of relief, he exits the building in mild
anticipation of the relief awaiting him at home. He drives home just
as listlessly as before, not particularly interested in getting there
fast, but not wanting to take too much time either. Not really caring
about much at all. Just driving on auto-pilot, letting his
subconscious mind take the wheel. When he gets up the stairs and has
his keys in hand, that's when he realizes he's gotten home. The whole
time he was thinking about how much he hated the people he talked to
everyday. Most of them anyways. He mostly hated ingratiating himself
to idiots and having to force concern for the people calling him. He
had wondered, when he was younger, why the tech support people had to
ask if your computer tower and monitor were plugged in first before
anything else. After he started working at this most recent job, he
understood why. The sheer ignorance of people. He would never again
be surprised by the sheer stupidity of any person ever again. He had
been shocked too many times, and it had become quite common.</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Then he realized he
was about to unlock his apartment door. He chuckled a little to
himself about the thought of possible death by his absent-minded
negligence. Dying while deep in thought, while his vehicle screeched
and crumpled around a telephone pole, he thought.</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He unlocked his
door and walked inside. Slamming the door and locking the handle,
deadbolt and chain locks, he then switftly moved to hang up his
jacket and then reach for the cold beer in his fridge. He pops the
top and relishes the taste of his reprieve from soul-crushing work.
After a twelve pack of 3.2% beer and four hours of binge watching
WebPics, he passed out on his bed with nothing but his shoes and
t-shirt on. But not before angrily thinking about having to do it all
over again the next day.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334566953078981059noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171406441422193306.post-90493728245044272262014-03-01T09:14:00.001-08:002014-04-05T02:15:59.593-07:00Short story title contest.I will be posting an excerpt from my new short story soon which is as of yet untitled. Before I publish the excerpt, would you guys like to get the title first? Let me know what you think. Or perhaps *wink* we can do a contest to see who comes up with the best title as judged by my wife and after after reading the excerpt to be published soon! Whoever has the best title will be rewarded with a free copy of the E-book once it's published on Smashwords!
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