Friday, February 27, 2015

"To Be Free"

Jet engines roaring.
Rockets are soaring.
Bombs are falling.
The bugles calling
Boys into a battle;
Slaughtered cattle.
Mother's crying.
Men keep dying.
Falling from ranks.
Blood on the banks.
All over some land
Killing fellow man.
With war, he is done.
As he cocks his gun.
Tired of the killing;
The blood spilling.
Wanting to be free;
Leave this misery.
A bullet to the brain.

Ended a solder's pain.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

"The Noose"

The innocence of youth
Forgetting in adulthood.
Hope: the long lost truth.
Strive for a common good.
Life is not measure by time,
But the memories we leave
Ingrained in a children's mind.
The greatest gift they'll receive.
Quit working for the dollars.
Work towards a better future.
Untie the noose; it's not a collar.
Debt is not your ultimate ruler.
Breathe and let stress melt away,
And release your inner child
Be carefree for one whole day.
Let your imagination run wild.
All of us will get old and die.
What legacy will be left behind?
A life of looking up at the sky,
Or a slave working the grind?

02/24/15 Update

After getting an email over adult content, I've dropped the label from my blog. I did it at first because I knew I would post whatever I wanted, and didn't want to hear anything about being offensive. However, over the years, the most vulgar things I post are some curse words here and there, and parts of a demonic horror story. So, from now on, I will label anything that I feel is adult content, such as my "Red Eyes" posts, I will tag them and title them as "Mature".

Monday, February 23, 2015

"Her New Home"

Outside, the lightning crashes.
An old rosary falls to the floor.
I see the woman close her eyes.
As I enter the bedroom door.
Another flame of life snuffed.
Their weathered soul is free.
Their life was hard and rough.
Now, the calmness of eternity.
I guide this newly departed.
To where they belong: Heaven.
She was too kind hearted
To fall for Satan's beckon.
As my angelic wings unfurl,
The soul smiles; I see her cry.
"I'm ready to leave this world,
So my angel of death, let's fly."
We fly above the thunderstorm,
And fly towards the main gate.
I smile, as my face feels warm.
Her new home, Heaven, awaits.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

"Novel Technology"

      I've been meaning to do this for a while. First and foremost, I'm a computer geek. I've been messing around with PC's since Windows 98. There's a lot of changes everyday in technology, but very few make a difference when it comes to writing. I'm going to focus on the three tools I will spend the money on as a writer: keyboard, monitor, and printer.  I will also list the software I can suggest as well as what type of computer to get.
      First of all, a good keyboard. As much as I try, I can't stand touch screen typing. Even when texting on my smart phone, I make so many typos, it's not even funny. I can do 50wpm on a keyboard, but drop to 10wpm when on touch screens. It's at the point, if it requires a lot of typing, I will fire up my PC. No way I can write more than a paragraph on a touch screen regardless of size.
      Now, far as what keyboard to get, I suggest a good mechanical keyboard.  A mechanical keyboard uses a different technology than your typical keyboards. They widely use Cherry MX switches instead of rubber domes found on cheaper keyboards, so some do make a very audible click while typing. They honestly do make you type better because the keys require force to engage, and are way more durable: each key is rated for 50 MILLION keystrokes.
      Now, there are four major Cherry MX switches out there: Red, Black, Brown, and Blue. I'm just going to give a quick summary of each. For more technical details, there's a ton of videos and summaries out there already. Here they are in order:

- Cherry MX Red

These are the preferred gaming keys. They require the least force to engage the key, and don't make an audible click. 

-Cherry MX Black

Same as Red, but a more force required.

-Cherry MX Brown

More force required, but don't click. The Browns are the start of the true typist keyboards in my opinion. When you press the key down, you feel a bump.

- Cherry MX Blue

Same as Brown, but do make the click and require the most force out of the four to type on. This is my preferred MX switch.

      The two biggest downsides to mechanical keyboards are the cost, and you can't find them in majority of stores. They start at $100 online and go upwards. Newegg and Amazon carry a good selection of them, so I would start. Far as stores that might carry a few in stock, you have to go to stores such as Fry's, Best Buy or Tiger Direct. If need be, they do sell switch testers online for about $20 that will come with four to six switches so you can figure out which one before you make the plunge.
      My suggestion far as brand is DAS. They make no frills standard keyboards, as in no lighted key, extra gaming keys, etc. Then again, I bought this keyboard for typing only, so I didn't need any extras. The DAS Company even makes one with no symbols on the key if you really want to test your typing skills. The other brands that are reliable are WASD, Rosewill, and Corsair.
The second technology item I focus on is the monitor and/or monitors. I'm not going into a ton of details, but my dream writing system is two or three of this screen sitting on my desk:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824260047&ignorebbr=1

Here's why:

1) Good size: 24" to 27" I think are the best screen size for word processing.
2) Pivot: I can rotate the screen from landscape to portrait mode.
3) Resolution: 1920X1200 is the sweet spot for typing. Anything higher, and the font is too small. Anything smaller, and you lose workspace. 1920X1080 is about the lowest I'm willing to go these days.

      Far the wanting of at least two is due to the fact I find having multiple screens makes multitasking so much easier. I normally have my word processor open on my main screen, and my music and notes on my secondary screen. Also, I can have a web browser on one, and my note files on the other. Honest truth, once I got multiple screens, I find it hard working off one screen. I have to switch programs way too often.
      Finally, the printer. My suggestion on a printer can be summed up in one word: laser. Laser printers are true workhouse that don't cost an arm and leg for ink, but can cost a little more at initial setup. However, over time, they can save you so much money on ink. You can find laser printers on sale for under $75 these days, but a decent home one runs around $150.
When buying a laser, the biggest mistake people make is they look at the overall cost of the ink, and think they are too expensive. Yes, the toner might be $100 dollars, but it can print out 5,000+ pages before you need to replace it. Inkjet cartridges can run $30, and you're lucky to get 300 pages out of it. Also, laser toner doesn't dry it over time like inkjets. This is why I always use lasers for editing.
      Far as features, you will see models such as HL-5470DW or ML2860DW. The letters at the end mean what features they have. All manufactures stick to the same codes overall:

D - Built in duplexing. This is the main feature I look for when buying.
N - Ethernet port for sharing it over the network
W - Wireless networking
T - Extra paper tray


      Far as software, IF you buy one program, Microsoft Word. Microsoft Word is the default word processor in the industry, and any submission will ask for a Word file. There are a ton of decent free Word processors, but I always finalize my files in Word before I even think of submitting them. I've had issues in the past of where one word processor made the file off in Microsoft Word. That's why I stick to Word to finalize files.
      My main typing program honestly is Libre Office. I do all my rough drafts in Libre. Libre Office is almost the same as Open Office, but when Oracle bought Open Office, the main guys formed Libre Office. Since Libre came out, I haven't used Open Office, but again, it's now personal preference between the two.
The main reason I stick to Libre are two main reasons: it has the old school look of Office 2000 that you can customize the layout and appearance.  I have mine setup for blue background, white text, and removed all the toolbars save like 4 icons. The other thing I always loved about Open / Libre is you can save directly to PDF. I know the newer versions of Office support this since 2010,but Open / Libre has been doing this since 2005.
      My final thought about writing technology is on the PC itself. The main thing when buying a new PC comes down to this: Can it run Word? After that, the brand or operating system doesn't matter. Far as hardware, my main suggestion is 8GB of RAM regardless if it's either OSX or Windows. After that, CPU doesn't matter as much. I can't tell a huge difference between my 6 year old laptop and my brand new desktop when it comes to writing.

Friday, February 20, 2015

"The Next Kill"

Today fucking sucks.
Patience wearing thin.
Nerves are frayed
Mind filled with sin.
Breathing in the hate
While exhaling calm.
Timer winding down.
Can't defuse the bomb.
Four drunks cross me.
Warn them to move on.
They refuse to listen.
Relying on their brawn.
I'm no longer in control.
The monster is uncaged.
The smell of fresh blood
Fueling unleashed rage.
I drain the fuckers dry.
My hunger is fulfilled.
I vanish into the mist.
Till I make my next kill.

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

"Beacon Of Hope"

Our beacon of hope
Shining from torches.
Nooses of nylon rope.
Swinging from porches.
Our fists are raised.
A change is in the air.
As we gather the brave.
At their barrels, we stare.
Behind the closed doors,
Plans were being made.
Innocent blood on floors,
Treated like their slaves.
Civil war about to erupt
Until a treaty is signed.
A country gone corrupt.
Our history left behind.
No longer a free land,
But a nation of greed.
Rise up against the man.
And strive to be free.

"No Charge"

Drinking a Guinness,
Minding my business.
When a naked midget
Asks for my ten digits.
I tell her to go away
I've had a rough day.
She hits me in the nuts,
And calls me a putz.
Before I can react,
I'm dragged out back.
By a giant of a man
With pan-sized hands.
Lifts me by my neck.
Whiskey on his breath.
With fear, I'm frozen.
Bones will be broken.
He looks in my eyes.
I pee myself and cry.
He sets me back down;
I fall to the ground.
I'm about to pass out,
And he begins to shout.
"You fix her computer,
Don't want to screw her.
Will pick up at nine,
Or your ass is mine."
A horn beeps at dawn,
I hop in, and am gone.
I reinstalled her Windows
As they drink Old Crow.
I did it all for no charge
Fear of a man that large.

Monday, February 16, 2015

"A New Dream"

Angels and demons
Circling overhead.
A crown of thorns
Placed on my head.
Everything I loved
Is now torn apart.
The only thing left
Is pain in my heart.
Take away my agony,
And release my soul.
Tired of the nightmare,
Being left in the cold.
A downward spiral,
Nothing else matters.
All hope is now gone.
All dreams shattered.
Reached rock bottom;
I have not give in.
I will climb upwards,
And repent my sins.
I will take it all back;
And start over again
To find a new dream,
And fight till the end.

"Be Human"

An analog cry for help
Lost in the digital noise.
Human contact isn't flesh:
Done by streaming pixels.
Devote loyalty to a brand.
The idolization of false idols.
Notions of zealous extremist.
Raising a generation of drones.
The human mind is obsolete.
Replaced by silicon dreams.
Art and music are soulless,
Being made by programming.
A billion photos being taken,
Only to capture massive egos.
A kingdom of self-entitlement
Crumbling from selfish pride.
The shrines of technology
Will one day be forgotten.
As society finally devolves;
As we relearn to be human.

Sunday, February 15, 2015

"Never Free"

Smoking my last cigarette.
Whiskey to numb my mind.
Everyone I have ever loved
I sadly had to leave behind.
I have been damned to Hell.
My soul is silently screaming
I stare out into total darkness
Fighting my internal demons.
I seek guidance from above;
My prayers fall on deaf ears.
Forever stained with my sins;
I must fight through the tears.
There is no peace, only chaos.
No joy in my life, only sadness.
I try to hold on shards of hope;
Being consumed by madness.
Trapped in a downward spiral.
Satan patiently waiting for me.
As I battle against his minions
Until then, my soul is never free.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Back-ups Ideas

Okay, wrote this for a friend, but I figured it's some great information to share. As a novelist, the last thing I want to do is lose all my Word files.  Here's some ways I back-up my novel files outside of thumb drives and an external hard drive:

1) Smartphone - Even my last one with only a 2GB microSD card still had enough room for my Word files. You could even use the SD card itself as a backup.
2) Email - I have accounts on Gmail, Yahoo, and Hotmail that I will email myself a password protected zip file with the files. I started this during the 2004-2005 hurricane season.
3) Printed copy - I only do this once I'm done with the entire novel rather it be the rough draft or a full edit. I mostly do this because I've found it's easier to edit on paper, but worst case scenario, I have a non-digital copy.
4) CD-R - This is another thing once I'm done with the rought or a full edit.

Far as back-up scheduling, I do thumb drives at least weekly, and my external monthly. Everything else, I will do when I reach a milestone aka finished a chapter.