I should give my non-DA friends stage names, so I don't get confusing when I talk about them.

-Brother's friend = Other Brother
-Best friend = Willa
-Friend who isn't talking to me right now = Phoebe
-Friend who took the picture I'm using for my DeviantID = Anja

Friday was fun. My other brother came over. We all three went out for Mexican, and then they talked me into watching the Multiverse Family Guy episode. I have not been a fan of Family Guy since it came back from cancellation; it has gotten too offensive for my taste. But the episode wasn't as bad as I was expecting. I didn't feel personally attacked, even by the religious jokes. The animation in the Disney universe was actually pretty impressive. And when it got to the part of Stewie making Brian pick up his poop, I laughed out loud. My other brother said "I knew you'd laugh at least once."

Saturday, Anja called with an interesting proposition. She currently has three roommates, and one is moving out in January. She asked if I'm still looking to move out of my parents' house, would I want to take the room that will become available. It's only $300 a month, so I could probably do it. And it might just be the opportunity I'm looking for, to make a change in my life and see things start to improve. Of course, after what I went through in college, I am nervous about moving in with people I don't know. I've never met her roommates, so I'd want to try and get to know them first. Plus, I'd have to sign a 12-month lease, and who knows what may happen in my work life in the next year? Anja says that because it's near campus, if I had to leave they shouldn't have a problem finding someone else to finish my lease. So, we'll see what happens.

I got ~PageofSwords23's request done, and make a scratch in Waif's Lament. I dunno what's the matter with me. I had everything I needed to write this weekend. My brother was out of the house working yesterday and at Gamer's Guild today, so I had the game room all to myself. It was peaceful and quiet. My friends were all busy, so there was no temptation to go hang out. But I still couldn't get the story done. I hammered out a few paragraphs...but then when I looked at the screen, my mind just went blank. I don't get it. What else do I need, a whole week off? (Not that I'd mind it. )

Think I'll try something new tomorrow. Dedicate a whole hour just to writing, and nothing else. Perhaps I could do it first thing in the morning, so there's no chance of putting it off. I'll try anything at this point to overcome my attention span problem.

Fun Fact: My brother and I were listening to The Beatles last night...and in the intro to “With A Little Help From My Friends,” when they announce “Biiillyyy...Sheeaars!” my brother thought that they were singing “Giiiive Meeeee...Cheeeeese!” Much laughter ensued. Those 60's pop icons clearly loved their dairy products.

Yesterday for the most part was rather come-and-go-ish. The writer’s worst nightmare happened to me. I woke up...wanting to write. That never happens. I normally have to block out any and all distractions, sit myself down, and force myself to get started on writing. But I had a dream, or inspiration struck me in some way, and I felt a creative surge.

The reason this is the writer’s worst nightmare?

Because I had to work. And nine hours later, once I was free from the shackles of mundane wage-slavery, that creative spark was gone like dust in the wind. C'est la vie.

I just knocked out some more Assassin's Creed achievements instead. The only one that remains beyond my reach is "Keeper of the Lions Passant." Only 3 pesky King Richard flags out of 100 left somewhere out in the world. ...Finding massive quantities of collectible items in video games is always a chore. Because it always gets down to the last few, you know all the easy ones are gone, and you get tunnel vision scouring the map for the last of them. (This was true of Heart Pieces in Zelda games as well.) Ah, well. Nice thing about achievements--after you've done them once, you never have to do them again.

An hour left until lunch? Hmmm. What else can I talk about?

My artistic forecast is getting rather ambitious. In addition to Waif's Lament, I've got two contests coming up that I want to submit entries to.

is holding a contest to interpret what the Codex is, in AC2. I have no idea myself, seeing as I usually don’t follow promotional materials much before a game is released. (I have a spoiler phobia, it seems.) So, my entry is going to be a little more on the humorous side. Don’t wanna spoil the surprise, but it will be a Flash animation.

is holding a contest to depict what song inspires you. I could probably come up with something for every song I listen to, as most do tend to stimulate my imagination in some way. I'm thinking I might re-visit an old idea for a Flash music video of my Gerudo character, Sandira Yasmin, singing "Pocketful of Sunshine," though.

On top of that, I still have a drawing to finish for of Robert and Sibrand as drinking buddies. (It's drawn and scanned, just needs to be colored.) And after Waif's Lament is done, a short one-shot fanfic or two may be soon to follow, featuring only Eva and not Scott. That little girl is demanding to be heard more.

Wish I had as much time and motivation as I had ideas.

*Now commencing fangasm*

Dude! Only one week left until Assassin's Creed 2 is out. I'm going on Amazon first thing next Tuesday and using up the gift cards I still have left over from my birthday for it. None of that "waiting for Christmas" bull for me. I've been fairly avoidant of all trailers and spoiler material so far, but yesterday I was in Walgreen's waiting for an ink cartridge to be refilled, when I picked up a Gamer's magazine and flipped through the article about AC2. Woo! Last time I was this excited for a game release was Twilight Princess three years ago. (Only this time I'm counting on my expectations to be shattered, not just barely met. )

It's weird, though, because I only first played AC1 in May, and the game still feels somewhat new to me. I haven't even gotten all the achievements yet. Though I'll probably be diligently at work on that for the rest of this week. I was also gonna see if a friend of mine wanted to come over and play the game through one more time before the sequel comes out.

And God willing, I'll finish Waif's Lament before everyone loses interest in its fanbase.

Oh, yeah, my brother just bought a PSP, too. Which means I could even add Bloodlines to my "must-play" list.

*fangasm complete. Was it good for you? *

I'm getting hungry. C'mon, lunchtime.

Augh. No "Waif's Lament" after all.

On Saturday, my brother was supposed to pick a friend of his up and give him a ride somewhere. My brother ended up having to work, so I was going to give his friend a ride for him. He was supposed to call me around 11 AM. I hung out at home, I sketched in my sketchbook...but never got called. Around 4 or so, my brother comes home. I wasted a whole day. After that, I tried to sit down and write...but I was too distracted. Fellow writers, please tell me the secret to focus on writing and turn off all the other little thoughts and distractions around you. Procrastination is the biggest muse-killer. I've got Eva's part of the story all worked out. I know how it'll end. (No real surprises there.) It's that pesky Scott that's refusing to cooperate.

Today I made a little bit of progress. But some slightly alarming news put a stop to it real quick. I've been trying to call my friend--the one who hooked me up with "blind date guy"--for the past week or two. I thought she was mad at me for calling it off with him. Found out today she was mad at me...not for that, but for another reason I wasn't counting on.

Because I complain too much. Because it's all about me. Because I've got a "princess" thing going on.

It is true, I haven't been in the best of spirits lately because of this whole thing that's been going on with my boss. But I had no idea I was coming across that way even to my friends. It was a bit of a shock to me. If it was because she would have been stuck in the middle between me and her guy friend, I suppose I could understand that. But I'm really disappointed that I might lose a friend that I just got back in touch with from high school because of something I didn't even intend.

Just goes to show, you should never let your conflicts go unresolved. They will affect you in more ways than one.

So, yeah, I now have a feather on my head. It goes quite well with the rest of my headdress. Who knew Al Mualim could be so chique?

Man, it's only 8:30? Wow. Feels so much later.

On an unrelated note, I now believe Monty Python: Holy Grail is the most quotable movie of all time. What other movies do you catch yourself reciting in a given situation, anyone?

I feel so much better now!

I stood up to my boss, but first prayed that I wouldn't do it in anger, that I wouldn't make it about revenge, but that I would try my best to amend this work relationship. Then I said what was on my mind, that I've felt intimidated working here since the incident a few weeks ago, where I felt I was being accused of losing or stealing money. And she was really cooperative. She apologized, saying she didn't know I'd taken that so personally, and in the future, please say something right away so this tension doesn't go on. She mentioned a few things she thought I was doing well in my job that I wasn't getting enough credit for, but would still like me to try and be more approachable for the patients. (Not an unreasonable request, I don't think.)

A great forgiveness has taken place. I really feel liberated. Yeah, I'll probably still keep looking for a new job, but I won't do it spitefully. I won't leave this office high and dry without any consideration for whether they can still function without a replacement, or anything like that.

I solemnly swear to finish Part 3 of "A Waif's Lament" this weekend, or may Al Mualim place a feather on my head.

Also, I'm really excited about the new contest. I've got a pretty neat idea for it. I'll say nothing more...other than it will be a Flash animation.

I'm off to have dinner with my Daddy. By-eee!