Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween!

It just wouldn't be Halloween without watching these two classic bits of nostalgia.  I loved them as a kid and I still love them today.  I was lucky to find all of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, but couldn't find all of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (so I just included one of the best parts of it).

Happy Halloween, everyone!  Stay safe, but have lots of fun.  :)



Friday, October 19, 2012

Sleazy

A few months ago, I decided to check out a few dating websites. To suggest that I felt somewhat sleazy doing so would be an understatement.

I’ve never really liked dating sites. It’s not that I disapprove of them, or that I don’t like the people I see on them, or that I judge others who use them; I just don’t like the idea of finding a potential romantic interest in that sort of way. I don’t like the way these sites allow you to look for a potential romantic partner in a way that’s comparable to reviewing a person’s resume for a job position.

I know they allow you to get right to the chase. You can see who appeals to you physically, who has similar likes and interests, and in some cases get a feel for the person’s personality and hang-ups as well. The lazy in me sees this as a good thing, but I can’t help thinking at the same time that the fun has been completely taken out of the equation. By fun, I mean that moment by which you first encounter someone and you begin to get to know them gradually as a person. At the same time, I wonder how many people could find their true love, not by accepting the ones who look acceptable only, but by going after those who seem to be completely incompatible, or the opposite, of them. How many people using a dating site have completely brushed aside someone who could have been the love of their life simply because that person’s profile didn’t meet their qualifications?

But the reason I felt sleazy looking at those dating sites was because I literally found myself going through profile after profile, scrutinizing every last thing about each person I found to be “potentials”. I didn’t like doing this. It did make me feel sleazy. It made me feel lazy, closed-minded, shallow, and judgmental. It just wasn’t the way I want to find the person I’m supposed to be with. I’d much rather run into someone on my own, meet them someplace, or be introduced to them by someone else—one of the more traditional (or old school) ways of finding someone. There again, I know the old school way just isn’t used that much by a lot of others nowadays, and being gay, especially in a very conservative leaning, rural area, just makes the chances of meeting someone that way slim to none.

What do you think?

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Late One Friday Night

Well, since my last post, we have seen Mitt Romney completely outshine President Obama in one debate, and Vice President Joe Biden act like a complete disrespectful buffoon in another. In several swing states, Mitt Romney has now taken the lead, and in many other states, Obama’s lead is quickly diminishing. I think Mitt Romney is well on his way to winning this election. There’s still a lot of time (especially in the world of politics) for that to change, but I really don’t think it will. When President Obama can’t speak about anything other than Big Bird, it just goes to show how little he has to offer the American people, and how little he has to show for the last four years. But we’ll see.

On a personal note, I am overjoyed to say that Adele was indeed chosen to make and perform the theme song to the newest James Bond movie, Skyfall. I’ve heard the song and I have to say I think it’s amazing. I wouldn’t say it is the best of the Bond theme songs, but it is certainly a classic theme song and should rate in the better half. It really is a very good song, and her singing is by far the best since Sheryl Crow’s. I can’t wait to actually see the movie and see how they use her song in it.  Click here if you want to hear it.

I must also say that I have been thoroughly enjoying the build up to Halloween. I absolutely love this holiday. October just in general has always been one of my favorite months. The leaves are already changing, there are great, old, spooky horror films being shown (I’m watching the original House on Haunted Hill as I write this), and people are planning parties and decorating. It’s just a fun month. My family, for a couple of years now, has had a Halloween get-together where we’ve gone on some big Halloween themed scavenger hunt. Last year we expanded it to be town wide. It was so much fun. We’re planning on doing this again this year, and I can’t wait.

I’ve been writing quite a bit more the last couple of weeks as well. I’ve had several ideas just sort of sitting on the shelf, so to speak, for a few years now. I’ve had some breakthroughs in the development part of the stories, so I’ve been writing up a storm. One of the stories, in particular, I really do think is going to be quite good. I’m very excited about it.

I have been somewhat worried on the job front, but I’m trying not to focus too much on it. Recent budget cuts have decreased my pay somewhat, so I’m in the middle of weighing my options. I like my job, but if it’s not going to pay enough, I’m just going to have to figure something else out—either get a second job or just give this one up in favor of another one altogether. I hate the thoughts of the latter, because that could really hurt future prospects, but I know it’s become a very real reality. Anyway, it’s been on my mind, but, like I said, I’m trying not to worry too much about it. I have no doubt it’ll work out as it should.

Anyway, there’s a little bit of an update for you all. Overall, life’s been good and there’s been a lot to look forward to. I hope everything’s going well for all else. :)