Sunday, July 29, 2012

Here's a post!

Pfft hasn't been a month. Don't look at the dates.

Anyways, adventures in gaming continues! Check out Seenontabletop.tumblr.com, a site that Wil Wheaton himself set up for fans of the show Tabletop to share gaming stories. Here's mine!

http://seenontabletop.tumblr.com/post/28275116077/about-5-years-ago-i-was-part-of-a-group-that-got

Friday, June 29, 2012

Don't we all wish we were Superheroes?

So as I have mentioned before, my blogging typically means I am procrastinating in some form or another. (Right now it is the fact that I need to take out the trash...) Thus, here we are updating my blog!

As I write this I am watching Tabletop, Geek & Sundry's awesome gaming show with @WilW. I love that they have couples on this show, this episode in the form of @YuriLowenthal and his wife @TaraPlatt. Gaming is definitely something that can bring people together, and I love to see that being portrayed. Which is a perfect segue into the gist of my post today!


Over the last couple weeks I have been nerding out like nobody's business. My Fiance and a group of our friends have taken up playing Heroclix! It's a tabletop game where you each make a team consisting of your favorite DC, Marvel, or Indy Comics characters. (There are also Halo Heroclix, Street Fighter, Lord of the Rings, Assassins Creed and Neca has plans for more to come.) And then you fight. Hellboy vs. Master Chief, who wouldn't wanna see that? Despite being a bit of a money-hole, (if you aren't careful, there are plenty of cheap ways to get clix) the whole game is really fun. The rules are a bit intimidating at first, but after a few rounds you figure it out. It seems like each Friday we are all playing, and every week at least one or two new people join. 


The thing I love about this is that it's getting several different groups of friends together. We're playing with people who under normal circumstances I may not be inclined to hang out with. The game is really the glue to it all. It makes me think of all the people who claim that gamers are not social, or that they all live in their parents basement eating Cheetos and grinding on WoW all day. Gamers come in all types. Included in our group are 3 couples, parents, people in their 30's, people in their early 20's, people with full time jobs, people in school, people who party and people who are more laid back. The common factor is that we all love superheroes, and we all like pretending for a little while that we are one. 


Which brings me back to nerding out. In addition to my excitement about Heroclix, I am also catching up on some comic reading. Particularly in the DC universe. I was always a Marvel girl, growing up around my dad's old Iron Man comics, but DC is growing on me. I've taken up Suicide Squad (possibly my new favorite), Catwoman, Birds of Prey, Teen Titans, Batgirl, Batman and Robin, and I am also reading the Gotham City Sirens from a couple years ago. It's been really exciting to have both the game and the comics going at the same time, since the understanding and love of both feed off of each other so well. 


Anyways, I definitely recommend checking out both Tabletop and Heroclix! A must for any gaming or comic fan. 

Friday, June 1, 2012

Damn Internets!

So, I thought that I would share some of the things that are causing me to procrastinate today. Here are a few links to awesome things that will totally make you put off those dishes and that car that needs its oil changed!


The Tardis Towel! 
This is pretty fantastic. Thinkgeek now has a Doctor Who Tardis beach towel, and for only 20 bucks! Perfect for losing that wintery computer glow. 
http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/miscellaneous/ec65/

Also: GIANT GOOGLY EYES. http://www.mcphee.com/shop/products/Giant-Googly-Eyes.html

Next up, for your viewing pleasure, Geek & Sundry's show Tabletop has a new episode up today, with Wil Wheaton (as always), Felicia Day, Sandeep Parikh and Steve Jackson. They play the awesome tabletop card game Munchkin, and I must say it was one of the funniest episodes so far. You can watch the episode here, and check out the new Guild Munchkin expansion pack here!


If you haven't already heard Neil Gaiman's inspiring address to the graduating class at the University of the Arts, go watch it right now. For anyone with any creativity in their body this will in some way inspire, encourage or compel you to "Make good art." Check it out at http://vimeo.com/42372767


And lastly for the Twitter junkies out there, for Friday's #FF, check out @WilWheatons_Cat, who has the greatest conversations with @WilW and his wife, @AnneWheaton. "I wear a bow tie name tag. Bow ties are cool!"


Okay, I'm off to try and get something done! I banish thee Internets! 

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Balancing Your Writing

Wow. That was super-procrastination time. Yiiikes. Well last night I was up and managed to be super productive so finally I'm finishing this post! Ridin' the wave! (I've had too much caffeine and not enough zzzz's...)


As you may well know, I am currently working on a new novel. At this point, I have put a considerable amount of time into it, and I am trying to really focus on on getting it finished. Way too many of my projects get started but end up collecting dust, and completing a long project like this is a huge goal for me. 


So tonight (and by that I mean last week sometime), while I was driving home and came up with a great idea for a story I was a little perplexed as to what to do. I didn't want to forget the idea, so I wrote it down with the details I wanted to really remember. However now I am having trouble redirecting my thoughts on my current project. (That's kind of gone now too but for the sake of this post...)


This led me to wonder what other writers and authors do to keep their ideas and projects balanced. So with the wonderful advent of Twitter I asked for their opinions, and here is what I got back:


Steven Montano, (@Daezarkian) author of the Bloodskies series, said "I'll usually find a way to force that new idea into my current project. It isn't always clean, but for me it usually works great."


Michael R. Hicks, (@KreelanWarrior) author of the series In Her Name, "For myself, I have to stay focused on the current project or won't get anything done! I write notes about other ideas for later."


I also brought this up with few of my friends who like to dabble in writing, (nothing published, they do it purely for themselves) and the response was pretty much a slight variation of the old write it down and get to it later. A few however, did say that they worked on multiple stories and various types of writing when they are confronted with writers block. The change of pace and subject freed up the mind a bit and allowed the ink start to flow again, even if it was just in the form of a short story, poem or a personal blog post. 


I find that when I don't procrastinate and keep up on this blog or on my novel, the words come much easier than when I take a break. I didn't let myself think about my new idea too much, because I didn't want my mind to stray any farther than it already had. In the end I just had to force myself to write a bit until my brain found it's way back to the story I was working on. I am going to attempt Mr.Montano's method and try working future ideas in, just to see how it goes. 


I have to imagine that there are many talented writers who are able to work on multiple things at once, but for me I think that I just need to follow Ron Swanson's advice... 


How do you balance writing? Let me know!



Friday, May 18, 2012

Super Fun Weekend Times!

Lot's and lots of excitement, folk. (I say folk cause there is maybe one other person reading this...)


Today there is a super new Tabletop, with one of my absolute favorite games, Ticket To Ride. Anne Wheaton, Wil Wheaton, Colin Ferguson and super-friend Amy! 


Tomorrow I go to Motor City Comicon, to meet Colin Ferguson!! Eureka, be still my heart. 


This shirt ^^
I have still been a super-insomniac, however I have been getting a lot done. I have passed 12,000 words on my WIP novel (Insert confetti here) and I got a 50 dollar rebate in the mail to buy this shirt ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~>
Okay, I used 17.50 with shipping. Which means more cash to spend on things I do not need but c'mon how do I not buy it it's a limited offer and amazing and red and it's got the ship on it????


And if luck should have it I may win something from Geek & Sundry for a Tabletop trivia thingy that I answered right but the winners are random so maybe I win maybe I don't. 


Okay, clearly going... 27.34 hours without sleep does not do my body good. Off to eat Jimmy John's and watch Dr. Who and maybe sleep some but not too long cause I don't wanna be up again tonight...


Rambling finished... Now. 

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Updates and Dealing With Insomnia!

Hello all!


So over the last week I have been writing like a fiend, reading a ton of books, online wish-listing and dealing with a ever so fun bout of insomnia.  Maybe I just really wish I was on the West Coast, or even Australia/NZ because for some unknown reason my internal time-clock has decided to give me the middle finger and do whatever the hell it wants. 


It's not like I'm new to insomnia, I've always been a bit of a night owl. (I blame my mom, she worked midnight shift while she was preggers with me and apparently I kept the schedule. Born at Midnight baby!) And at least I get things done at night, like throughout high school (I home schooled from 7th grade on.) I would complete most of my tests from 10pm-3am, sleep in, and do whatever in the afternoons.  The schedule worked well for me, I got everything done early and was efficient with my time. Unfortunately, I am currently on a sleep schedule that rocks from 7am to 2-3pm. Good if you're a Vampire, not good when you need to do normal person things. 


Thus, I at least try to utilize my time while I am awake. I get some household chores done, write a lot. I have been watching Dr. Who (My first time through, I know I know I'm behind on it...) like crazy since I like having something going on in the background while I work. 


I feel that if I can at least be somewhat productive while I'm up then I'm not as horrible a person. This week though, I am aiming to work my clock back. So here's a few tips for those dealing with night-time sleep troubles. 


Have a Nighttime Routine! - I know that when I do the same things before bed - drink a cup of tea, take a nice hot shower or bath, turn off the screens and read - my body starts to get ready for sleepy time. So I try to implement that about an hour before I actually try to go to sleep. 


Work Slowly! - It's ridiculously hard to try and go from falling asleep at 3,4,5 in the morning to falling asleep by 11.  Work you're way back slowly, even if it's just by 30 minutes. The same goes for waking up. Aim to get up just a bit earlier each day, and eventually you're body will start to get the idea, working with you. 


When that fails... - Make yourself tired as crap. Do whatever you have to do to fall asleep at a normal time. Sometimes you just need that kick to put you back into a normal schedule. For me, I always know I am about to go Insomniac for a few days/weeks when I have 2 bad nights in a row. If I can't find a way to sleep normal by that 3rd night I am screwed.  So I will just do everything that day- work out, do some housework I was putting off, call that person who you really need to call put have been putting off cause they are just really mentally exhausting to deal with - by packing my day full I ensure that I will be ready to pass out come time. 


Hopefully that helps you, if not well, lookup some cat videos. At least you can be a happy creature of the night. 


<3

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Holy Crap!

Holy crap Winston (Lamorne Morris) from New Girl was totally on The Guild!
I thought he seemed familiar but yeah! (4th time through season 5....)


-- In other news! I should totally get back to writing...

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Yay Accomplishments!

So, I just finished up a couple chapters of my project. Still a work in progress but coming along. Check it out here: http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/300387-what-i-m-working-on


Even though this started off as an intended graphic novel it began to take shape as an actual novel. So gonna work at it like that now! 


I am also super happy to say that I finished setting up my router, which means super fast internet times! Anyways, I am going to get back to writing/reading, since I'm on a bit of a kick. Can't let this blog keep me from being productive ;) 

Friday, May 4, 2012

Things That Are Keeping Me From Keeping Busy!

So I'm doing that thing where you are kind of being productive but you're really not... but I at least have a legit excuse! My grandparents are visiting from out of state so I've been spending time with them. I also had big things like the Avengers and getting super excited for Free Comic Book Day... So I haven't been working on my projects like I should. However I have been keeping up on my Twitter and my Goodreads book clubs! (Vaginal Fantasy and Sword and Laser


Example of my art style. I love to
work with pencil and inks. I got the
inspiration for this from a book on the
Crime Noir art style by Chris Hart.
So far I have my general storyboards mocked up for my graphic novel, however I still need to work out a few hiccups in the actual script/story. (whatever you would call it...) I'm really looking forward to reading "If You Want To Write" by Brenda Ueland, and also "No Plot? No Problem!" by Chris Baty. I'm hoping that I can get some more instruction on plot structure and arcs from those. I also use reading as an excuse to research and improve my writing. As far as the artwork goes, once I get some finished drawings I will post them for some feedback. (Dick Blick I need my Letraset markers! Ship faster dammit!)


Right now I would like to just get something short and simple completed and work my way from there. I would love to do illustrations for comics or graphic novels but I know that would be quite a ways off. However as I mentioned in my Goals post, I am starting small and working my way up. 


Anyways I'm burning the 2am oil here, contrary to my blog which thinks I'm on west coast time. I need to fix that eventually... Until later!


<3 Chloe

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

A Moment of Thanks

Before I get really going with this blog, I wanted to write a few words of thanks to those who have encouraged me to get off my butt and do it. 


There are a few people in this world who really have been a positive influence on me. Some are close friends that I have known and loved for many years. Others are people who I have never met, and probably never will. 


Among those who I know, my loving fiance who always believes in me and my goals. The other night I was telling him about an idea for a graphic novel spin-off, and he said it was a great idea and to just start it. "Forget if it works out or not, just go for it! You can at least try!" He always supports whatever I aim to do. If you find a support like that hang onto it!

And for those whom I do not know, there is one person in particular who I've always admired - Felicia Day. (Seriously, if you don't know her just go here now.) Being a geek girl I can always identify and appreciate other women who have paved their way into the primarily men's world of geek subculture. However Felicia Day started off with an idea and made it happen, despite many obstacles along the way. What started off as work on a small web series (The Guild) has exploded the wall open into multiple seasons, comics, TV guest appearances and the new Geek & Sundry. I've made it a point to follow whatever she does, because it always proves to be awesome. I truly find the extent of her dedication to her work incredible. Really, she has made a huge difference in my own confidence to accomplish what I set out to do. She's helped me believe that if I put in the time and effort I can make my ideas become a reality. At that I'll stop because I don't want to seem too stalkeresque, but thanks Felicia for being a huge inspiration to me!


So with that being said onward with the endeavors! Unfinished projects here I come!!!

Setting Goals

"The only thing standing between you and your goal is the bullshit story you keep telling yourself as to why you can't achieve it." - Jordan Belfort

The above quote sums me up perfectly. It's easy to make excuses. There will always be a reason not to do something, but there are probably a thousand and one reasons more to do it.

Goals are essential to getting things done. I'm a big fan. But what I've come to learn over the years is that simply setting goals is not enough. They take serious forethought and consideration. They need to be far enough that you have to work to reach them, but not so high that it's impossible or discouraging. So, here is a few tips to setting goals!

- Be specific! If you're goals are vague, then you have a harder chance of reaching them. The more detailed or specific you can get, the easier it will be to visualize the outcome. For example, if you are trying to lose weight, set a specific number, not just "I want to get skinnier." Or, if you are working on a novel, art project etc., set out to write a set number of pages everyday, or to draw for a set amount of time. If you set out knowing exactly what you need to do, it will be much easier to accomplish it.

- Set a deadline. When we leave plans open ended we lose focus. However, setting a hard deadline to when we want to finish something, say, painting the kitchen by the end of the weekend puts a nagging reminder in our minds. We are more likely to push to get something done than if it had been open-ended.

- Be Realistic. Setting goals unrealistically high can be discouraging. Each time we fail to complete them becomes a black mark on our record, a failure, a setback. So when it comes to setting goals we need to make sure they are attainable. Something that is within our abilities, but also keeps us reaching. Only you know you're own limits so look at yourself honestly. What have you accomplished in the past and what have you tried to set out to do but not quite made it? Base future plans off of past examples.

- Long term Vs Short term. When you have an aspiration, keep it in mind. Long term objectives are essential for reaching far off plans. But instead of keeping it at a distant far off future, set short term goals that will help you reach them. The more you work towards that ultimate future, the easier it will be to reach.

- Write it down! When we see something in writing, especially if we physically put it there, we are more likely to remember it and act on it. Same with goals. After you decide what your plan is, write it down, including the deadlines. Keep consistent on updating shorterm goals, and make a plan to go back and review your progress every 3-6 months. If you see that you are struggling in a certain area make the necessary adjustments to get back on track. Keep your goals in a place where you will see them each day!

- Reward yourself. Finishing something that you set out to do is worth celebrating. Help keep yourself motivated and focused by setting rewards along the way. Buy yourself some new Chopic markers after you finish that art project. If you are making an effort to read more, set aside money for a Kindle or a nice collectors edition of your favorite book. If you are just trying to be more productive overall, buy yourself a nice organizer or something that will help you along the way. The little things like that will keep you working and moving forward.

No one said it will be easy, but by planning effectively you will be able to reach your goals. You can do whatever you set out to. But you have to believe it! So no more bullshit! Get going! Kick procrastination in the ass!

<3 Chloe

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Finding Motivation

Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Youtube zone, fuzzy animals, TV, Web series, Wikipedia, Gmail, Craigslist, Foursquare, StumbleUpon, Yahoo... Did I miss any? There are literally millions of ways to get sidetracked when there is a wifi connection nearby. What was to be "a quick status update" turns into a 6 hour kitten-video watching session. (But they're so f'n cute!!!) Thus has led to the fall of many a productive day. How do you stop it?

You can't. Not as long as there are kittens and bunnies in the world. That said, you can use it to your advantage. Instead of getting off track on the web, try using your "wasted hours" in a productive way. Look up articles on methods of organization. Scour Pinterest or WikiHow for DIY projects or inspiration for current works. However, the only way to make these things work are to get off the computer, to get offline.
A great idea - Phones go into the basket when
you have friends over!

A month or two ago my phone started acting up. It took a few days for them to send me a new one, so I went without for the time being. At first, it felt like I was missing a limb, but after awhile it was kind of liberating. I had no idea how often I checked my phone without even realizing it. (Until I caught myself reaching for something that wasn't there.) Being untethered was a great experience. That being said, I was relieved to have my phone back, however I have changed one thing. When I'm out with people, the phone goes off. Not on silent, but totally off. If I know I won't be around anyone during the day, I make a point to avoid my phone for an hour or two. It lets me be in the moment and be inspired by the world around me, not just an instagram photo of the world around an iPhone in Southern Cali.

Try and find something in your own life to be motivated by. Take a walk, cook a meal, try one of those crafts you read about on that cool blog earlier. Even though you may feel enlightened by something online, you won't ever get anything done until you step away from the keyboard and do it. I speak from expierience. There are so many times I got caught up in a cool idea, did all the research yet never took the time to go out there and make it happen. I either got sidetracked by something else or said I'd get to it later. (Cough... Procrastinated..Cough...)

To sum it up - Every action has a reaction. The more you do, the more you'll want to do.

<3 Chloe

Monday, April 30, 2012

Welcome!

Happy May 1st everybody!
It's 2:04 am and I'm currently on a motivated kick!

Welcome to the Girl Vs Procrastination blog! I'm Chloe (aka Girl) and I'm a procrastinator. It's a problem for many, I know. But unfortunately it has kept me from achieving, well anything, for too long! Thus I christen this blog to aid in the fight against laziness/add/lackofconfidence!

A little bit about me... I am a huge geek. And I know it sounds kinda cliche' or fake to say that nowadays but it's true. I was always into video games and my dad's old Iron Man comics and sci-fi and books and... well all of it. The older I got the nerdier I became. It worked out well though, as I met the best guy ever, and he was plenty happy with my love of The Elder Scrolls and Firefly. (He may have fueled my geekiness, I'll admit.) So, because I love all things in that subculture, I get on my kicks. I will get super into something and then get A.D.D. and lose interest or get into something else. I eventually come back to whatever I was on originally, which at least makes me know that it isn't superficial, just unharnessed energy.

To give you an idea, here is the (partial) list of projects either started or looked into over the last few years.
- A music review site
- Several short stories
- Several comic books/graphic novels
- Painting w/ Acrylics
- Drawing (black and white, mostly with pencil or ink)
- Learning Guitar, Piano and Bass. (I also wanna learn sax, drums, violin, flute etc...)
- Cosplaying/Costume Making
- Various Crafting (from vinyl record bowls to making coasters)
- Candle making
- Graphic Design

It goes on, but I'll spare you. The point is, I have a hard time keeping focused on my projects. The ones I stay on long enough to get rolling show me that I actually have some talent. (I'm decent at drawing and painting, I just never put in enough time.) However, I get overwhelmed or start to lack confidence in what I'm doing. I decided that I'm done with that. This blog is here to help me organize and focus my efforts to complete the projects I start, and to bring to fruition my ideas. Along the way I'll share my progress, vent frustrations and share the methods I'm using to battle the beast.

The fight is on... Girl Vs Procrastination. Who will win?