Koontz

I just finished reading Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz.

Brilliant.

Simply and utterly brilliant.

His writing flows in a way that feels right to the reader ... in this case, me. This novel has the perfect mix of humor, edge-of-your-seat trepidation, and a connection with the characters that makes you feel like your right next to them on their journey.

My first Koontz book that I ever read was just a few months ago; in fact, it was the first book Koontz ever wrote: Chase (the revised addition). Next came The Taking, then The House of Thunder.

I have enjoyed his work and look forward to experiencing all that he has to offer us readers. Each novel I read, I try to take something from it, soak in every bit of writing knowledge that I can; this is part of the reason I love reading: I love learning how I can better my own writing skills.

What better way to learn than to read it firsthand from the best.

Well, on to Forever Odd.

Unmotivated

So here's the thing--I am ready for something new.

I'm the kind of person who needs change every few years. The change I'm speaking of is centered around my "occupation." My degree was in public relations ... because I couldn't think of anything else to declare.

Now that I've put a few more years on me, I wish more than ever that I would have majored in English/Creative Writing. It kind of sucks that, at this point, I'm just now realizing this.

I have not typed up a blog in almost three months. Why the long gap, you ask? Or maybe you don't care. Part of the disconnection between fingertips and keyboard was that I had convinced myself that I was wasting time, that it was stupid to write something on a page that no body ever reads. A part of me still feels this way.

There was a strong pull today, as if a hidden magnet inside my laptop were pulling me back to my blog to get out some ideas.

I want to be a novelist. The writer within me has nearly ripped out of my skin, looking me face-to-face and slapping my cheeks repeatedly with open palms. "Keep the dream alive," my writer-side says. "Keep the dream alive..."

If my mother-in-law would ever finish editing my first novel ... There I go complaining again. She's a busy woman. Far busier than I am. I have no right to rush her along. Shame on me for complaining about anything: My life is so good compared to the multitudes of people every day who don't have shelter, don't have food, don't have the luxury of reading books in their own language...

I have the gifts that God gave me. I feel like he's honestly leading me down the writing path...

Maybe not. Who knows. But that's what I feel.

Reds vs. Villa

It is clear: Liverpool need a win against Aston Villa today.

On Saturday my Reds were victorious agaiant Wolverhampton--a game which, if they had lost, I would have blown chunks--and I couldn't have been happier. Now they must maintain that same enthusiasm with their game against Villa today.

Obviously, every single game within the Premier League is important, but today's game is crucial at every solitary angle. Fernando Torres needs to step up today. We need two goals from him--it's about time he showed what he's truly capable of. Gerrard should have a great deal of confidence from his header against Wolves, so lets hope our captain can continue in this tirade of brilliance.

Most importantly, Liverpool must start the game strong. We have looked crappy these past two games during the first half!

Go REDS!!!!!!!! You'll Never Walk Alone.

I'm out!

JCON

Hilton Head

Ahh ... the beach!

So, my last post was on Christmas Eve ... travel, and no-to-little access to the internet, is the reason for not posting the past couple of days. I have decided--with much meditation on the subject--to continue calling my blog JCON'S Daily. For one, not posting was completely out of my hands. Two, I just don't feel like changing my blog's name.

It has been amazing here at Hilton Head! The hard, compact sand of the beaches makes it perfect for biking. The numerous trails around the island are wonderful for those who feel the need to flee the beach.

The Aebi Clan (my wife's mother's family) have been split up between two different homes, separated by roughly a half mile--the beach within a minute's walking distance. The homes are beautiful; the structure and layout completely took me off guard. I wasn't expecting such an extravagent display between the two homes...

The Clan engaged in a ferocious battle of Beach Hockey ... yes, you heard me right: Beach Hockey. Yes, it's just like one would picture a hocky game on the beach. I wish I would have worn shin guards; my ankles to my knees are covered in bruises. The Aebi Clan are a brute force when it comes to Beach Hockey.

Tonight's going to be a night out on the town: dinner at a Japanese Steak House, and whatever else the night brings. Thus has been a very condensed version of everything that's happened here. To go into all the craziness would take a full day's writing.

To sum everything up, it's been a wonderul time spent with family!

I'm out!

JCON

Christmas and Chaos...

I love Christmas, but it stretches me to my limits.

With Christmas comes family members of Christmas. In this case, Chritmas's ugly cousin Chaos.

You can't just have Christmas alone. Nopers. The butt-ugly cousin has to wiggle in and make it's lame attempts at destroying your sanity. Ugly cousin Chaos often reminds me of that old caroon Pinky and the Brain. Each night Brain would conspire with Pinky to destroy the world (they happen to be lab rodents). Pinky would often be sucked into Brain's crazed plots, but the good thing was that they never succeeded. Pinky and Brain would somehow end where they had begun: within the confines of their lab cage.

This gives me hope with Christmas and Chaos (if you can simply compare the scenario to a cartoon). But, nonetheless, today, Christmas Eve, is when Chaos tries its hardest to spoil the mood.

Chaos often works through members of one's own family. I will not go into specifics with this ... it's way too complicated and you don't want to hear it. But the important thing for us to remember is that despite Chaos's ugly face, we can take it for what it is, or give in and raise the white flag.

Alreay this morning, I felt like raising the white flag, but I didn't ... it's Christmas Eve, and I'm determined to finish the day strong. I encourage everyone to do the same. Stand your ground, and shut the door on Chaos before it gets the better of you.

Keep fighting the good fight!

Merry Christmas Eve.

JCON

Road Rage Monster...

Yes. I have one inside me.

Here's the thing about driving: If you are an idiot, you shouldn't be behind the wheel. Am I going a little over the top? No.

Either I am the most unlucky driver that has ever plodded across earth's surface, or we have an extremely high number of idiots on the road. I'm still trying to figure this out.

Half the people who cut in front of me have a license plate from a different state. Oh, I get it, so you forget how to drive when you're outside of your home state. Hmm ... I feel sorry for you. If driving outside of your own state is too much of a problem for you, then, guess what? Bingo. You shouldn't be behind the wheel.

I understand people make mistakes driving; I have made multiple mistakes while driving, and have since corrected those problems accordingly. But the number of imbeciles that jut and swerve and screech along the open road every day makes the Road Rage Monster come out in me.

When did the Road Rage Monster spawn inside of me, you ask? Ever since the number of mindless-inchworm drivers started cropping up like baby rabbits, especially around the grand state of Arkansas.

Here are the top things that spark the emerging of the Road Rage Monster:

1. You are driving 5 to 10 miles per hour under the speed limit.
2. You cut out in front of me because the "Stupid Monster" tickled your brain.
3. If you have a stereo system blasting that could wake my dead grandfather.
4. Stopping to take a gander at something meaningless, thus causing a line of traffic that stretches a half mile.
5. Jabbering on your cell and not noticing you're on the center line.

I hope I can identify with some of you out there. I know I'm not the only one with a Road Rage Monster.

I'm Out!

JCON

Poem: Root of Change

Root of Change


At the root is where foundation lies;
A culmination of knowledge begun by the wise.

A strong base will sprout good fruit,
But death to him with thorns in the root.

From where thorns suffocate, growth is halted,
Never given opportunity to be vaulted.

Soon the foundation will wither and die,
Unable to take breath of morning sky.

Where thorns cease, there will be growth,
Taking the place of bitter loath.

With eagerness, willingness, and a desire for good,
It’s fruit will be blessed, branching as it should.

Reaching, reaching… spreading and dividing.

Many of the lost will be saved, due to the root,
For change it craved.


JCON

A Journal...

I always thought it was pathetic for a guy to have a journal, thought it was sissy and feminine. Looking back, I always use to think that girls kept journals to document their hidden crushes and their mental p.m.s. outbursts...

These are just some of the things I use to mull over when thinking of the word "journal." However, as I continue on in this "blog extravaganza", I can't help but notice that this blog is documentation of my thoughts on a daily basis, which is what a journal is.

Some people who are "in to" writing do so with pen and paper; I, however, prefer to do so with a keyboard and monitor. For me, writing with a pen on paper doesn't work. Why, you ask? Or maybe you just don't care. I'll tell you anyway. It doesn't work because writing with pen on paper is just ... too different for me; something about it doesn't flow. When the concept enters my mind, it flashes me back to my past when I use to have such feelings about the whole "girl-journal" thing.

I do what works for me: a computer-journal. A blog.

Doesn't "blog" sound so much more masculine than "journal"? Whether you think so or not, it really doesn't matter because, ideally, they are the same thing. I quickly came to the realization that I was in fact, when I started this blog, embarking on the beginnings of a journal. And, strangely, after the ironic hammer stopped beating against my skull, this fact, that I was doing a journal, didn't seem to bother me.

It is what it is: a blog-journal. For all those guys who thought doing a journal was dumb, pathetic, or sissy: if you're trekking along the blog-trail, guess what? Bingo. You're writing a journal.

I'm Out!

JCON

Disappointment...

I feel as if the determination for this season is being flushed down a murky toilet.

This past Saturday, I was one of the unfortunate souls who captured--with much revolting disgust--Liverpool F.C.'s horrendous loss to bottom-of-the-bracket Portsmouth.

I have a very good reason for posting these comments a few days later--today--for one reason, and one reason only: to settle down, composing my thoughts before posting.

Liverpool looked as though they were a bunch of mindless third-graders partaking in a school yard kick ball game. Their brains seemed to sprout magical wings and fly off the pitch--this was what I'd ultimately decided happened, the only plausible explanation for a game which caused a sickening bile to form atop the roof of my mouth!

Where was the heart? Where was the determination? Where was the ferocity of last year's team? Based on Saturday's performance: all gone, down the murky toilet.

Liverpool F.C. need to wake up. If it takes me flying over to Northwest England and personally igniting a fire under each one of their backsides, I'll do it ... something needs to be done, for crying in the night!!

Thus has concluded my venting.

I say all this because Liverpool are a team with tremendous talent. They are a team who finished second in the Premier League standings last year. In 2005 Liverpool won the Champions League Cup!

Come on, L.F.C., play like you know you can play; stop gallivanting around like children and show the world who you are! I have not given up on you. Prove to every Liverpool fan that you still have the fire in your heart.


JCON

Christmas Early...

Celebrated Christmas with the wife today!

In short ... it was awesome; a good time spent with the woman of my dreams.

I am a blessed man.

I'm out!

JCON