Caleb N. Kelly's Blog

Hello Everyone. Welcome to another Writer Ramble.

If you have been following my pages, then you probably know by now that I am on a journey of better health. I began my journey in the summer of 2019. I remember getting up on the scales at work where we ship our pallets and seeing “410” pop up. I was in disbelief. I couldn’t believe I had allowed myself to treat my body so awfully. I have always been a big person, but when you see the scales go over four hundred pounds, it really does something to you on an emotional level.

I began thinking back to some of the memories that might have brought me here. I remember in the seventh grade, the gym teacher told me he was going to call my parents. In the summer between sixth and seventh grade, I had gained 50 pounds. I went from 200lbs to 250lbs. Let me be clear, this isn’t a reflection on my parents. My parents are amazing people who always wanted the best for me. I was just a lazy kid. I played some sports but other than that I stayed inside and watched television and played video games. That was the life I had chosen for myself and it led to where I was.

When my wife and I started dating, I came in at 285 pounds. That was my junior year in high school. From there, I don’t remember the benchmarks that got me to where I was. I remember being in Sam’s one day – I think my now fiancé’ was buying food for our upcoming engagement party. Anyway, I went to the blood pressure machine in an act of curiosity. It took my weight as well. Blood pressure was fine, but my weight was 385lbs. That shook me a little. Apparently not enough, though. I still gained more weight with no regard to how I was treating myself. I stepped on the scale one day at work and saw it hit 406lbs. Even then I shrugged it off. “What was another twenty pounds or so?”

Then, the day I hit 410, everything changed. I decided to make a change then and there. My weight loss journey had begun. I decided to begin losing a pound a week. I started the summer of 2019 but still, my wishy-washiness got to me and I took a three- or four-month hiatus. It wasn’t until possibly January of 2020 did, I begin to see steady and significant results. As I tell this story, I am officially down 76lbs since I began. To some that may not seem like a lot. I still have a long way to go. My end goal is 250.

So, many have asked. How did I get there?

Well, I looked into nutrition and the basis for what makes us gain weight. It all comes down to calories. How many you take in vs. how many you burn. Well, you’re asking now, how do I know what I’m eating? A calorie calculator, the same thing I had to use.

https://www.calculator.net/calorie-calculator.html

It is pretty self-explanatory. Fill out the form as a sedentary lifestyle and it will tell you how many calories you have been eating to get to the weight you are at and how many you should be eating to lose a pound a week or even two pounds a week.

I also invested in a kitchen scale. It has been my best friend since I began all of this. I once said I wouldn’t get this hardcore, but now it is attached to me at the hip. I weigh everything in grams. Everything that goes into my mouth, I know how many calories I’m eating. It is the only way to ensure I’m not eating too many.

The third thing I have been doing is exercising. Not cardio like many will tell you. My goal is to build and tone. I want to lose weight, don’t get me wrong, but I want to look good too. I tell everyone I’m going for “dat sexeh bod!” Haha. I have never been the person that turns heads, so that is my goal. I want to be healthy for my wife, my kids, my friends, and my family, but I want to be healthy for me too. And that’s the key to all of this. Until you’re ready to do this for you, you’ll never be able to do it. You must want it and that’s a simple fact. Whatever your reason is. Maybe you want it for health, or you want it for a better range of motion, or maybe you just want that sexy bod. Find whatever makes you tick and work toward it.

Since beginning this, I have never felt so good in my life. I’m 28 years old and I hope I am beginning a path to adding more years to my life than I had before I started. If you don’t think you can do it, I promise you that you can. It takes a little bit of will power, a little bit of drive, and a good support team behind you. Without my family and some very dear friends, I could never do this.

If you need someone to push you to make this change, message me, email me, whatever you want to do. I am all about helping someone change their life for the better. I was so jaded from this world and now I find weightlifting therapeutic. I’m addicted to seeing the scale goes down each time I step on it. And I love the feel of my muscles as they get bigger, toner, and even burn from the post day workout. Once again, if a 400lb man can make this change, so can you!

How’s it going, everyone.

So, the other day I was washing dishes at home and I saw the way my wife looked at me. It was THAT kind of look. I joked to her how I wasn’t “barking up her tree,” I was just washing dishes. She replied to me that it was too late. I had already barked up her tree. Haha.

So, that got me thinking about the five languages of love. If you’ve never heard of this, I implore you to find out what yours is. Dr. Gary Chapman, a #1 New York Times Best Seller wrote, “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts.” Now, disclaimer: I’ve never read this book. But you can take the quiz to find out your love language by clicking the link:

 https://www.5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/

I felt like that quiz was pretty accurate since I already knew mine.

I am not a professional in this area at all, but lately, I have felt like I need to understand these a little better. In doing so, I’ve been able to improve my relationship with my wife, Courtney.

This Ramble will be about the five languages and what I think will help couples – with a little bit of my life thrown in.

Keynote: While most people have one primary one, everyone typically has two that stand out above the others.

This one is pretty self-explanatory. I know, for parents, it might be hard to find quality time to spend with your loved one. If it wasn’t for my ability to call on family to watch my two toddler tornadoes, I wouldn’t be able to find easy quality time to spend with my wife. We have found success in having a weekly date night. Now, again, this might be hard for some. So the other way to combat this is just spending time with each other at home. Sit next to each other on the couch or cook together. As a matter of fact, Courtney and I cooked dinner with each other for our date night this week: chicken breast with onions, peppers, and pepper jack cheese. It was great to just goof off in the kitchen together while some good music played in the back round. If this is your special someone’s love language, it might take some work, but it will be worth it.

2. Receiving Gifts

This doesn’t mean you have to come off that wallet, guys. However, it may mean that you will have to get a little creative. Gifts don’t have to be expensive, but they do have to have some kind of meaning. Pay attention to things she finds interest in. I remember when Courtney and I were dating, she took interest in an antique-looking set of hairbrushes she saw at a thrift store. They weren’t real silver and not all that expensive, either. After we left, I snuck back to the store and bought them. I spent the next few weeks hand-making a box for them to fit in. At Christmas, a few weeks later, she loved the box more than the brushes because it was a gift from the heart and not from the shelf.

3. Acts of Service

This is 100% one of my wife’s love languages. As I said, I was washing dishes when this idea came to mind, and apparently, I had already done something right just by helping out. So, why don’t guys do it more often? Well, guys are wily creatures. Unfortunately, we expect immediate gratification when we do something. Now, I’m not talking sexual – although that’s never a bad option. Haha! I mean, show him you appreciate him doing that. And guys, you do the same if she/he has done something for you. To show the correct appreciation for your loved one, you’ll need to know their love language. Maybe they need some words of appreciation, or a moment of your arms around them to show what their doing has caught your attention. Whatever it be, knowing the right love language will make this easier.

4. Physical Touch

Again, I’m not strictly talking sexually. Most folks who have this as a love language don’t always need that. Some of us – myself included, just need to know their significant other is there. I like sitting on the couch and just have my feet propped up on Courtney. She spends time reading or watching TV rubbing my leg, or with her hand resting on me. I can settle with holding my hand as well, but any time she is just rubbing my arm or the back of my hand, I’m satisfied. That, to me, shows she cares more by putting in the slightest effort. If your significant other needs physical touch, talk to them and ask them what they need. Maybe she just needs you to grab her waist in the grocery store and walk with her. Maybe he just wants your hand on his shoulder. Whatever it may be, try to facilitate.

5. Words of Affirmation

I saved this one for last because it is my primary love language. And as someone who knows they have this as one, let me tell you it is a double-edged sword. I love hearing words from Courtney. I crave them, need them. I like hearing I have done something right or when she tells me reasons she loves me. So, why is it a double-edged sword? Because people with this love language might be a little needy. I know I am. I ask for a lot, and sometimes words are hard for people to say. If your partner is like me, send them a text while at work or while they are out to the store. Tell them what they do for you and how much you love them for it. Doesn’t have to be much but it will go a very long way.

As I said, I’m no expert in any of this. I’m a 27-year-old indie author that has been married for seven years. But being able to know more about what I needed, and about what Courtney needed, has helped us greatly. The biggest aspect of this, even if you know your love language, you have to communicate with your partner. Stay calm, and explain to them what you need. The idea behind love isn’t to come in already knowing everything there is to know. People are like snowflakes, we are all different. You’re going to grow and evolve with your partner, but you can only do that if both of you are willing to talk and tell each other what is needed. When you have this talk, it isn’t criticism, it’s building. It’s showing the other person you care about. Be open. Be honest. Grow.

Many of you who follow me probably know by now that I am a bowler. Yes, the archaic sport of rolling a ball towards ten innocent pins is my bread and butter. I’ve been in the sport for a little over ten years, bowling competitively and for fun. Before you ask, no, I have never rolled a perfect game. My high career game is a 264. I crack like an egg under pressure and always make a mistake when it gets crucial.

The virus has crippled my need to bowl, even though bowling alleys are starting to open up. It is for that reason bowling has been on my mind a lot lately. What are my Rambles for? Writing what is on my mind. So, sit back and enjoy my Ramble about bowling and allow me to unlock some of the secrets of the sport – more specifically the ball and how we make it do what it does.

Now, what brings all of this together? The lane itself. A lot of people don’t know that a bowling lane is covered in oil. (The blue area in the picture.) It could be a lot of oil, and little oil, or even no oil. (Believe me when I tell you, that sucks the most for a competitive bowler.) What does oil do? Well, it reduces friction and allows the ball to slide along the lane until it reaches the dry back-end of the lane. As you can see in the picture, the ball follows the red and yellow lines and as it exits the oil (blue) it begins to hit the dry part of the lane and then the weight block takes over and just like the balloon, it forces the ball to turn in the direction it was spinning and into the “pocket” which is the idea shot between the 1 and 3 pins for right-handed bowlers and the 1 and pin for left-handed bowlers.

I hope this has helped you to understand the sport I love so much. I have been in it for a long time and I adore every aspect of it. If you ever want to talk about the sport, I’d love to do so! Good luck, and good bowling!

At the time of this post is published it’s officially 2020, the year of perfect vision, out on the Eastern Coast of the United States. If/when you read this, I might be speaking to you from the future, or from the past. Haha. That being said, I wanted to bring you a post about what some of my desires for 2020 is – My Resolution List!

I currently have pretty high aspirations for this coming year. In my head, I have three books that I’m hoping to publish on Amazon. Finally, the first book of the Charge of the Gods series will be released. If you haven’t had a chance to read the short story prequel series, you can pick up the first one for free by signing up here. The following short stories in the series can be picked up by joining my newsletter here.

I’m currently working on another series that I have been keeping under wraps. I plan to release two books from that series this year, hopefully. I don’t want to give too much away but let’s just say this story has been more of a “Sword in the Stone” than a thorn in my side.

Finally, I have an epic fantasy that I have been working on. I am getting ready to begin outlining that book and seeing where it’s going to take me. It has been my most ambitious project to date. The world has been designed, the races all brought together, and the concept conceptualized. Now, it’s just weaving the fabric of the story.

This is normally on the top of everyone’s list and it’s still high on mine. If you follow me, you know I am a big guy. A really big guy. I have been in the process of losing some weight – down twelve pounds. I made some changes to my diet, mainly what I was drinking, and I began doing some research on what causes weight loss and weight gain. If I’m correct, it boils down to the calories you intake vs. the calories you burn. Now, that’s not factoring in stress and other variables. Women, I feel for you. I know how difficult it is for you guys to lose. It isn’t just a simple formula for you and my sympathies are with you.

The next step is to add in some exercise a bit. I am trying to lose without exercising first just so I know I am making a lifestyle change instead of just a spur of the moment decision. I have a three-year-old and a 16-month-old, I want to make sure I am around to see all the bad decisions they are going to make in their life. Haha.

Everyone needs more money. I know I sure do. The plan for this coming year is to be a bit more responsible with my spending habits. This reflects on the idea of trying to eat better since I plan to refrain from too many fast food places, although a Sonic cheeseburger is like my kryptonite. My wife and I have already begun looking at adding some more meals to our weekly menu and hope to keep true to eating better portion sizes.

Food is honestly my biggest crutch. Thankfully I don’t have too many other bad habits. No smoking and very little drinking. However, I do tend to have a spontaneous buy every now and again. I plan to cut out some of my video game buying and limit myself to only spending on hobbies that help produce revenue: bowling, blacksmithing, writing.

With another 365 days in front of us, what kind of goals are you hoping to achieve this year? Are you trying to overcome a fear? Spend more time with family? Get a better job? Or like the rest of the world, are you trying to lose a few pounds too? Whatever it may be, I wish you the best of luck in all your endeavors!

Welcome to a post about something everyone has. They come in all shapes and sizes. From the most minute to the gargantuan. The most ridiculous to the most understandable. Everyone in the world fears something. It is honestly one of the many things that can bring groups together. You might recall the recent release of the new iPhone 11 and suddenly those with the fear of holes or what’s known as trypophobia, were getting noticed. No matter what your fears are, be they physical or metaphysical you can probably relate. Here is a look at my fears and a glimpse into who I am.

This is a fear that my father instilled in me. Not the “being afraid” part but the drive to be successful. My whole life I was raised to “Be a leader. You weren’t born to follow.” Or one of my personal favorites: “Second place is first place loser.” Needless to say, my father was a man who pushed his children to be the very best they could be. My fear of never being successful stems from his influence, 100%. I strive to be the best, to be successful.

I don’t know how many people possess this fear. Some may want to be successful and shrug it off if they never reach their personal opinion of successful. I, for one, find myself needing my goal to become a reality. Somewhere inside of me, there is a lingering spark to continue to press on so that one day when someone sees me at a restaurant and says, “Oh wow, I loved your book. Can I get your autograph?”

Now, of course, there are levels to this. I certainly don’t want celebrity status. I’m not down with stalkers or random people showing up to my house. (I’ll get to that in a minute.) I want to see my name scroll across a television show or a movie and see, “Based on a novel by Caleb Kelly.” The only way to get there is through hard work and dedication to my craft. I will get there one day. Bet on it.

This is a fear I’m sure many people possess. This is the fear that makes us call family members when we hear about a wreck down the road. This is the fear that forces us to be wary any time we go outside or in are in a public forum. As a pro-Second Amendment citizen of the United States, it is this recognized fear that prompted me to purchase a firearm so I could protect my family. (Told you I would get to the stalkers.)

Like many others, my family is my entire world. I have always been a family-oriented person. Even the smallest things cause me to worry about my family. I recently found out my uncle had been in a car accident a couple months before this post. I probably drove him crazy asking questions. He was fine. He suffered a small injury. My aunt and second cousin were in the car as well but they were unharmed. However, that didn’t stop me from wanted to be assured and then reassured that they were indeed “fine.” This is probably one of the most understood fears. So, for those who suffer from it as well, you aren’t alone.

Some people have a fear of spiders, snakes, rabid squirrels, or really angry turkeys. (Don’t laugh, I know a guy who won’t step foot near a turkey. “One day, turkey beat my a**. They got my respect.”) I don’t really have those kinds of fears on an irrational level. Caution? Yes. Fear? Not so much. As long as I can see the snake or spider, then we are okay. The moment they are gone, I’m out.

Example:

While driving through Du Pont Forest in Cedar Mountain, NC, (If you haven’t been, it’s great. A good day trip for the family) on a family trip I had a mind-opening experience. I was young, late teens, riding in the back of the van with the door open. (They have a wildlife-drive-through where you can see the animals as you slowly move bumper to bumper in a line of cars.) Off in the distance, we see a bear. I don’t know why but my brain didn’t click. I wanted to get closer and see the bear closer. I had almost jumped out of the van by the time my future father-in-law grabbed me by the shoulder. I didn’t have a fear of the bear mauling me – it just didn’t register that the bear was an aggressive carnivore.

So, the other fear I have is drowning, which is weird because I love the water. If anyone could ever “love” an element, I could. I think water is one of the most beautiful things on the planet. When I go swimming, I feel so surreal while submerged. (Yes, I know, it’s weird. I don’t have an explanation.) I think some of the most beautiful pieces of art are water droplet art. So simple yet so stunning at the same time.

With that being said, I can’t swim. Well, let me rephrase, I can swim enough to save myself. If I have to save you, well, you’re going to drown. I have a fear of being in water that is too deep for me to touch the bottom. Not a fan of small boats because they can tip over, and of course, I’ll drown. Anything smaller than a yacht is a “no go.” (The people where I work make fun of me a lot for this.)

So, there you have it, my three biggest fears. Oh, and clowns. Not a huge fan of those either. That’s what the gun is for.

My Top Five Favorite Books

So, I honestly can’t believe I haven’t ever done a post like this before. It’s really quite mind-blowing. Below is a list of my top five favorite books. A few of them I would encourage anyone and everyone to read, even if you don’t read the genre. In my opinion, they are some of the best-written works. So, let’s crack the covers and check them out.

#5. The Red Pyramid

[image error]          Likely the lesser-known mythology series by Rick Riordan in his ever-growing stack of mythical fantasy. Just like the Percy Jackson novels, this book follows teenagers who find themselves interacting with mythical gods – this time of ancient Egypt. (Yes, I’m an Egypt buff and Rick Riordan is one of the reasons – aside from the amazing lore, art, and architecture.)

The books follow brother and sister, Carter and Sadie Kane, as they delve into the world of ancient Egyptian magic. They’ve lived their boring life in London until discovering they were part of a society of magicians. The stores are a whirlwind of amazingly written gods and conflicts that have the pair running everywhere in an attempt to prevent impending chaos. This is a great read for any who loves YA or Egyptian mythology.

#4 Eragon

[image error]          I’m a fantasy writer guys…give me a break. Yes, I know what you’re thinking, “Eragon over classics like LotR and GoT?” Well, I haven’t gotten around to reading GoT yet. (Still kind of pissed at the way the series ended) and I tried reading LotR after seeing the movies first. I probably did myself that injustice and it just hurt my ability to read the books. *Mental note to me: Read the books before you see the movie. (Unless it’s as bad as Percy Jackson…then just don’t see the movie. Still looking for a way to wash that experience out of my brain.) I actually chose not to see Eragon, the movie, because I heard it was terrible.

Eragon, the book, written by Christopher Paolini, follows a lone farmer boy who has fate thrown into his lap. The world is ruled by a lone tyrant who has lived for many years and made the people cower at his feet. He and his mighty dragon silence all his opponents. None are strong enough to stand up to him…until Eragon.

This book is a fantastic fantasy. It has everything you would want from this genre. Swords, magic, dragons, elves, dwarves, fantastical creatures – and one seriously grumpy three-legged dragon. Once you read Eragon (book 1 in the Inheritance Cycle) it only gets better. But I will warn you, the ending of the saga left me…you know what, go read it yourself and let me know what you think.

#3. 1984

[image error]          …or as I like to call it, very close to modern-day. You have probably heard people say how present-day feels like we are moving closer and closer to Orwell’s dystopian novel. If you have never read 1984, I encourage you to read it and see just how close we actually are.

There are Thought Police, Big Brother, forbidden sex, and three superstates that rule the entire globe. The story follows the main character, Winston Smith, as he tried to unravel what happened to the world that has landed them where they are. In the meantime, he commits to numerous forbidden sex acts with a woman named Julia who feels sex is her way of rebelling against a government who feels sex should only be used to procreate how they see fit.

This dystopian tale was written to show the world what could happen to the government. Although it was written in the 40’s it is a fantastic cautionary tale that rings very close to home.

#2. The Three Musketeers

[image error]          If you follow me, you had to see this one coming. My son’s name is D’Artagnan, for goodness sake. I was going to name him after a character from #1 on this list as well, but I wasn’t as fond of that name as I am of this one.

This book, written by Alexandre Dumas, has been made into multiple movies and I’m sure most people have enjoyed at least one of them. I must admit, the most recent one wasn’t my favorite (although I am quite fond of Mila Jovovich) However, of the ones I’ve seen, and I haven’t seen them all, the 1935 version is my favorite. From what I could tell it followed the book the closest. However, don’t discount Disney’s version in 1993. It too was very good, and Tim Curry is amazing in everything.

The Three Musketeers follows young D’Artagnana, a Gascon who wishes to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a Musketeer for the French King. However, the Cardinal and his guards are always there to start trouble as he and his three companions, Aramis, Athos, and Porthos, become embroiled in multiple political and romantic subplots. I would also recommend this book to all readers. The number of amusing twits will leave you guessing and ultimately shocked by the outcome. It is a great read, and it has numerous sequels (Twenty Years After, The Vicomte of Bragelonne, Ten Years Later, Louise da la Valliere & The Man in the Iron Mask) that are still on my list to be read.

#1. The Count of Monte Cristo

[image error]          In my opinion, this is one of the greatest books ever written. (Shout out to classmate Paul Rice, who recommended it to me when I was in high school.) Alexander Dumas was a genius. The Count of Monte Cristo follows the main character, Edmond Dantes, a young man who is about to have great fortune fall into his hands: a soon to be captain of his own ship, about to be married to the love of his life. However, there are those who are jealous of his fortune and begin plotting against him. Dantes finds himself imprisoned for treason. But he doesn’t stay behind the walls of the Château d’If forever…

This book is a complex story with incredible characters and more plot twists than a Taco Bell cinnamon twist…ohh, could totally go for a cinnamon bun right now…Anyway, if you can, I encourage you to get the unabridged version. Yes, it is full of French terms that you may not understand and includes some rather deep intricacies on the aspects of French life, but it is truly a wonderful book. I can almost guarantee any reader will put it at the top of their favorites list…if not, I’ll give you every penny you lost reading this free blog. Haha.

Welcome to another writer rambling. Today I will introduce you to my top five television shows of all time. They range from the totally geeky and nerdy all the way to the more mature. So, let’s dive on in, yes?

I can assure you, most of the people who read this have no idea what this show is. Others who read it, and know what it is, may wonder why I chose this as #1. Well, allow me to explain on both fronts. Zoids: New Century Zero is an anime that takes place on the planet “Z.” Here, people control giant mechanized animals called zoids, which are built to compete in weaponized combat. The battles are held like sporting events where the public watch them and pilots are even put through trials to determine their ranking among one another.

What makes this show amazing is that the main character pilots a zoid that has a mind of its own. It can think on its own merit and has instincts that allow it to move faster than other pilots can react. The main character, Bit Cloud, and his Zoid, Liger Zero (as pictured), develop an amazing bond all while decking out the Liger with pretty cool weapons.

Why is this show number one? Well, this is a show I was so hooked on as a kid that I always end up coming back to it. It is like an itch I have to scratch. After so long, I binge watch the single season until I am sated. There are other “Zoids” shows but this one is by far the best. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys anime or other mech shows like “Gundam.”

This one is easy. If you have never watched an episode of Psych, I implore you to do so. This show is absolutely amazing. James Roday plays psychic detective Shawn Spencer in eight seasons of a masterful combination of mystery, romance, and hilarity. The bro-love between Shawn Spencer and his partner Burton Guster, played by Jamaican actor Dule’ Hill, is indescribable and can only be appreciated firsthand.

What’s the catch? Well, Shawn Spencer isn’t a psychic. Nope. Not in the slightest. However, his father, Henry Spencer – played by a very talented Corben Bernson – is a retired detective who trained his son to become hyper-aware of everything he sees around him. Shawn uses this gift of hyper observation to get his hands into multiple cases with the Santa Barbara police department where he interacts with the lovely Juliet O’Hara (played by Maggie Lawson) and her stern partner Carlton Lassiter (played by the incredible Timothy Odmundson.)

Please, do yourself a favor and watch this show. The show is perfect in all ways. It has samples of comedy, romance, mystery, and thriller. And, it has a musical and its own movie. I would be very surprised that anyone isn’t hooked by the end of the first season. Oh, and if you do watch, be sure to find the pineapple. There is one in every episode.

Okay, I know what you’re thinking…“Caleb is a nut job conspiracy theorist!” While that’s not entirely untrue, I can’t say that I do or don’t believe in aliens. Many may not know that I had a rather conservative and religious upbringing. Those instilled beliefs don’t allow me to think there is another intelligent civilization living somewhere else in the universe. I certainly don’t believe much in the ancient alien theory that purports aliens came and helped man in ancient times. The theory is offered up as an explanation for why scientists don’t understand the method of construction of things like the Pyramids of Giza, Stonehenge, and the Nazca lines. The theory offers that it’s possible that the “gods” mentioned in ancient Egypt and even into biblical figures like Moses, could have been aliens who came to Earth to help man.

Seems farfetched. So why do I watch it? It is entertaining as hell. Listening to what they talk about and how they use the theory to explain things is awesome. The show also takes you to all kinds of places that you never knew existed. One of the most fascinating things I have learned about is the Sealed Door at The Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala, India. Apparently, this door was one of six in the temple that contained billions of dollars in treasure. However, this one can’t be opened by natural means. It actually had three doors – an iron gated door (opened) and then a wooden door (opened) but then they came to a great stone wall which is also believed to be a door) with giant serpent carvings. It has no latches or knobs to open it. Many inexplicable tragedies have befallen those who tried to open it…

DOESN’T THAT SOUND LIKE AMAZING FANTASY BOOK FUEL??

In short…that’s why I watch it; to allow my imagination to soar.

If you don’t know what Friends is, then you have been living under a rock for over twenty years. The very famous hit show is about six friends and their lives together in New York. They go through many conflicts and loves throughout the eight seasons. The show allowed for some big-name actors to make their start, like Courtney Cox, Jennifer Anniston, and Matt LeBlanc who starred in a spin-off which unfortunately didn’t see much airtime.

This show is probably on most people’s “Yeah, we can watch that” list. What I love the most about this show are the titles. It became a thing to just name the shows ‘The One With _____.” In the beginning, I believe they had titles, but the fans would talk about the shows and say, “Oh that’s the one with the breakup,” or something similar. So, that’s how each of them is named and I find that fascinating. I have seen all of the episodes so much that it is my go-to show to put on television when I am ready to go to sleep. (Since I can’t sleep without a TV on.) At least then, I can see those beloved characters who have made me laugh so many times, in my dreams.

Well, if you didn’t see this one coming then you truly have been living under a rock… “Iron Scribe Productions,” “Iron Scribe Forgeworks” …I am a blacksmith. Of course, I was going to have this as one of my favorite shows. However, I must admit, since I went cordless (#killthecable) I haven’t been able to watch it often. Although it was getting rather repetitive – to a degree. I enjoyed watching the designs as they were churned out, but I feel as if FiF was a fad that became a huge hit and now is slowly losing interest from general public. I am very thankful for the show because it inspired me to take up blacksmithing. I enjoy seeing and learning about the many historic weapons that were created as a final challenge. My favorite, the Zweihander is an amazing blade which I may or may not have been used in one of my future novels. *cough cough* spoiler

Honorable Mention: Dinotrux.

So, my honorable mention in my favorite show listing is one that I will probably earn a snicker or two, but I have a good reason for its inclusion. As a parent, I tend to watch quite a few children’s shows that have garnered the fascination of my wee little ones. My son, a three-year-old terror and a half, who daily blows through my house like a hurricane, has a huge interest in dinosaurs. (Thanks to me. I had been molding him to love dinosaurs since his birth.) There are several shows out there for little future paleontologists, however, my son loves himself an episode of Dinotrux.

If you haven’t seen this show, it is a wonderful kids’ show on Netflix. It is produced by DreamWorks animation, which means the animation is Shrek level. Really, it’s good stuff. The dinosaurs that roam “The Crater,” a place where the dinotrux live, are a hybrid of real dinosaurs and construction vehicles. From Ankylodumps (ankylosaur + dump truck) to Dozeratops (triceratops + bulldozer), the creators really stretched their imagination to conjure up the plethora of creatures in this universe. In addition to having a good story line, and great voice actors, (The voice of Rev-it, a Reptool that aids in repairs to the dinotrux, is the same actor who played Bit Cloud in Zoids.) It also teaches things like problem-solving and conflict resolution. It does have a touch of mild violence because Ty, the main T-Trux (he is a t-rex and a wrecking ball hybrid) has to face an evil T-Trux, D-Strucks, on a periodic basis.

The show even has a spin-off, Dinotrux: Supercharged in which the trux find Superchargers in the form of flying sparkplugs that give them a power-up when plugged in. The Superchargers are like little batteries that provide a huge boost of power. The trux even use them to power things like an elevator, a lighthouse, and a Dozeratops habitat. I promise you, anyone who enjoys a good cartoon, would love Dinotrux.

So, there you have it. My favorite TV shows. Leave me some of your favorite ones in the comments so I can expand my own choices and begin to see what others enjoy watching.

Allow me to tell you a little story…

Once upon a time, a little over a decade ago, a young boy sat with wide-eyes and a thirsty imagination as the show “X-men Evolution” was playing loud and proud on his living room television. As the half-hour cartoon full of mutants with strange and unique powers commenced, that parched imagination was quenched, and a new writer was born.

By the way, that young boy – he was me. I was the one watching the new century X-men show. It was a great show from what I can remember. It is on my bucket list to watch it in its entirety again. There is a long list of shows that I love – will do a Ramble on some of them in the future. However, it was this idea of having superhuman and supernatural powers that I fell in love with; so much so, I began my first book.

Introducing the “C-Men.”

Yes, I’m serious, and it’s as cringy as you think. This was a book, written in pencil, on loose-leaf notebook paper. It was not-so-loosely based on “X-men” – obviously – and all the characters were modeled my friends at the time – even going so far as to add new characters when I moved to a new town and made new friends. The main character, who was me, was the leader of this group of individuals all with superpowers. My character was blueish purple. He was big, strong, hairy, and could move quickly. Wow, I wonder who my favorite X-man was at the time…uh duh. If this book had ever seen the light of day, I would have been sued for every Pokémon card I owned. Haha.

However, as I grew, that story evolved into a respectable concept which will indeed see the light of day, eventually. To this day, many years later, my love for superpowers and superheroes has blossomed into an enormous passion that I pumped into my writing. For instance, if I could have any superpower I wanted, it would be teleportation. What power does the main character of my Egyptian assassin series “Silence of the Gods” have? Teleportation. And to be honest…I still wish I could do it. Even with years of maturity behind me, the sensation of instant transmission is one that I will forever covet.

         So, this young author who had clearly written a fantastic piece of bonafide plagiarism was now grown up. He wanted to write, but there was something in the way. Sports, school, video games, ect. Well, for the next decade, he went nowhere. He did nothing. He wrote nothing. That was until he found his wife and his wife convinced him to do something, he knew he would love – write.

Now a decade later, graduated from high school with a couple years of college, married, and a recent job loss, I began writing once again. Six months later I produced a piece of gold….plated garbage. A hot, steaming pile of gold-plated garbage. Don’t get me wrong, the concept was great and incredibly original. However, my skills as a writer was lacking. Yet I was stubborn, and boar headed. I sent the 75,000-word book to agents and accrued over 30 rejection letters. “But, it’s amazing. The next Harry Potter!” I thought, in response to each one. “How could they reject it?” Yeah, not as great as I thought. So, I took epic failure and put it on the back burner and set my sights on a new goal; one that has taken the world by storm – indie publishing.

But what was I going to write? I needed a new idea. My wife and I sat down and wrote a slew of key words on a piece of paper. Things like “male,” “female,” “pirate,” “assassin,” and “knight.” We snagged a pair of scissors and cut out the terms, folded them up, and threw them into a bucket. Then, I drew out four of them.

“Pirate.” “Male.” “Future.” “Holy Possession.”

Through those four words, “Scourge,” the first book of my Divine Beast Trilogy, was born.

And then it flopped. It wasn’t as much the fault of the work, as much as it was the fault of my misunderstanding of the business. It was early in my indie career and I rushed its publication so I could get my name out into the world. “Scourge” needed work on an editorial level, and I didn’t have the money at the time. As an indie, all of your costs come out of your own pocket and it is a true investment. You only hope and pray your book sales, that is unless you have the know-how to market it – which at the time, I didn’t. I wasn’t crushed, I knew it needed more work. So, I kept going. I wasn’t going to let it stop me.

That little blip may have caused the ship to waver, but it won’t sink this barge. With the help of many fellow indie authors, I now have a much better idea of the indie publishing world and I plan to make the best of it. I have learned that an indie can’t skip corners. We have to go through everything that a traditional story does. The editing, the cover, the beta readers; the process must be just as vigorous. Hopefully, within the next few years, I will have plenty of stories out there for the public to read. And that’s the point, isn’t it? To share the voices in my head with the entire world.

It’s a typical morning, but instead of waking up to the sound of your blaring alarm clock, nothing but your willpower brings you back from a good night’s rest. Your sleepy eyes awaken and after taking a glance at your alarm clock you realize the power is out. The bright screen of your phone, which has maintained its glimmer of life, proves you are late for work.

Scrambling, you jump out of bed and get dressed. You quickly brush your teeth and run your fingers through your hair to make it half-way presentable. Snag your keys and you’re out the door and in your car.

The apparent storm from the night before has knocked down trees everywhere and it’s a wonder you never got a call canceling work–good chance the building doesn’t have power either. Arriving, you find things are just like normal other than their lack of power as well. Luckily, the backup generators were powering the building about an hour after you started your shift.

Suddenly, an emergency broadcast from the President streams out over the television, the mp3 players, your phones; any device that can be hacked is now streaming directly from Washington.

“My fellow Americans, I bring you a message from Washington regarding the safety of us all. The terrorist threat is no longer the looming shadow that hovers over our livelihood. Now, a new threat has appeared and its one that we will have to combat with deadly force and resilience. Recent reports have flooded in from Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Mississippi–corpses are returning to life. No, this isn’t a prank and not one of the Walking Dead comics. This is real and so is the threat. Zombies have begun growing in numbers. The military is already taken action and scientists are working around the clock to determine a cure for this plague. Marshall Law has been instated and we ask that everyone remain in their homes for your safety.

Certain teams are being deployed to help combat the threat and to educate you and your family on how to defend yourselves from this new evolved threat. Please remain calm. America hasn’t fallen to any hostile enemy, and this shall be no different. God bless you, and God bless America.”

10 YEARS LATER

Somehow you have survived. However, the nation is in turmoil. The government has fallen and what part of the military that wasn’t turned into zombies, abandoned their posts to protect their own families. But, how have you made it this long? Power is out everywhere. Cars no longer run. Everything has returned to the middle ages. What has kept you alive? A blacksmith….

~:~

So, about a year ago, I began a new hobby where I took up the hammer and anvil. Inspired by a combination of “Forged in Fire,” a television show that brought blacksmiths, bladesmiths, and farriers come together in an epic weapons-forging competition, as well as my uncle, who had already taken up the mantle, I too joined in on all the forging action. I watched, like a child at Willy Wonka’s factory, as my uncle took a piece of glowing yellow metal from his homemade forge and slammed that hammer down. The satisfying sound of each hammer blow only sparked my intrigue that much more. After giving me a chance to scratch my itch, I jumped in full force.

Within the next few months, I began building my own forge, acquiring my anvil, and building a shop from my garage. At first, I was only interested in making knives. However, I soon found the other side to blacksmithing and I was hooked, pun intended.

From “J” hooks to scrolls, key chain holders to necklace charms, I wanted to make them all. And I did, well, somewhat. My forge was made from wood–an easy enough thing to do if done right, and it has been going strong ever since. My anvil is nearly three hundred years old, based on the design, and the stump it sits on is a nearly one-hundred-year-old white oak.

But what does all of this have to do with surviving the zombie apocalypse? Well, when electricity is gone and millions of people are now walking, flesh-eating, zombies and all the ammo in the world has either been used or no longer obtainable because the region is flooded with the undead, a man who can take some wood, dirt, hammer, and a piece of metal and turn it into a long, pointy stabby-stab to penetrate that rotten zombie brain, is exactly what you need.

You need a stabber? I can forge a strong point that won’t break. Need a blade? I can forge semi-symmetrical bevels that won’t require a lot of sharpening. Need a set of utensils? I can forge a knife, fork, and spoon to get you through. You need a plate, or a bowl, I can accommodate. A blacksmith is a man or woman of all trades. He/she has worked with the most primitive tools to create things needed. We have a deep understanding of metallurgy and how it relates to fire. Not to mention, our basic instinct is to swing a hammer – which is a weapon.

When your chips are down and the world is ending, find yourself a blacksmith. There may not be a lot of us anymore, but I can about guarantee, there will be more of us left when the “fit hits the shan” than there are of others.

     If you don’t have Netflix, I am sorry to say that you won’t be able to watch this show. However, if you do, it is certainly worth your time. “Forged in Fire” meets molten glass in this new Netflix original that seems to be heading in the right direction. Although the first episode (no I haven’t watched any others yet) wasn’t quite as satisfying as I would have liked it to be, I’m going attribute that to the large number of contestants that are competing.

    If you are a fan of the hit blade making television show, “Forged in Fire” then you most likely know its format: three rounds where four contestants compete against each other to form the best blade they can in a time limit. As each round progresses, different challenges are presented, knocking off those who can’t meet them or the judges’ standards. Well, ‘Blown Away” follows a similar format except that instead of four competitors, there are ten.

    In the first episode, the contestants are asked to create a piece that represents them, and the picture that was included with their application to compete on the show. I won’t offer up any spoilers, but the pieces created were a combination of intricate, complex, pretty, and disastrous. It was neat to be able to enjoy the show all while learning about some of the ways people blow glass – although it’s a  little less informative than “Forged in Fire.” [Let’s be honest, after your first episode watching bladesmiths and blacksmiths make beautiful, yet dangerous, pieces of steel, you are pretty sure you can too.] I didn’t learn too much about glass blowing in this episode, but more so about the contestants. I’m hoping that will change as I move forward with the season.

    The judge, Katherine Gray, who is a well-known glass blowing artist within the community, will be with us through the entire season. Just from the first episode, I really enjoy her almost Simon Cowell-esk attitude. One of her evaluations of a contestant was, “It feels like something I would see at a gift shop.” That was it! “Bam! Right in the kisser!” I felt that comment in the chest! Just a huge slap to the face from the artist – although, in his defense, his original piece burst when it got too cold. I’m hoping to see more of that nonchalant brutality as we go forward. You can truly tell that she is very passionate about her work.

    Of course, that’s another huge aspect of this show, and this art, that “Forged in Fire” doesn’t quite have. Of course, being a blacksmith, there are ways to ruin metal. Overheating can cause it to burn and spark. A bad quench can cause stress fractures and warping. Dropping it can break the tip or ruin the edge. There are numerous ways that things can go from bad to worse. However, most of them can be dealt with a quick fix in the allotted time. However, on “Blown Away,” glass shatters, and I mean in a real and explosive way.

Even in the first episode, there were some issues with the contestant’s work facing such tragedies, and I almost feel like I may continue watching, not only for the beauty and mystery that is glass blowing but for that last-minute stretch where everything comes crashing down and shatters at your feet. I felt instant shock for each contestant when that oh too familiar sound echoed throughout the “Hot Shop” where they are performing.

    Although “Blown Away” didn’t quite blow me away, I was pleased with the concept and I will certainly be tuning into the rest of the season to watch how a mixture of sand, lime, and soda powder can be turned, and turned, and turned, and turned again into beautiful vases and sculptures. It seems like Netflix might have found a great show in the making. If not careful, folks may be paying more attention to “Blown Away” than “Forged in Fire.”

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