Where I talk about Marvel movies, getting behind but being ok with it, organizing, and Free Comic Book Day.

Mar didn't have to work over the weekend so we just spent time together reading, eating, and last night started watching Marvel movies leading up to the Avengers. That meant I had a great weekend but I didn't get a chance to do much of anything else; which I'm fine with that because the woman I love is the most important thing in my life and no matter what these types of simple weekends, you can't take them back from me, because they mean that much.

We watched Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk last night. Still love Iron Man so much but I'll say something here that I've argued with friends over and over about this point- The Incredible Hulk wasn't a terrible movie. What it was, was a movie that didn't need to be made. It felt when it came out and still feels like they made largely the same movie as the first one. The only real purpose this movie had was to fit in references that would tie into the other Marvel movie line. People say Wolverine Origins and Captain America were made to tie in, and I disagree those movies stood on their own, but I will say the only purpose whatsoever for The Incredible Hulk was a look ahead to the future and the Avengers movie.

Oh, and my favorite between the Hulk and the Incredible Hulk was the Hulk. At least Ang Lee saw that a Hulk movie needed something different in its look or it was just going to be a lazy in story boring action film. Hulk has and always will be a better fit as a TV show. Hell, if you write well crafted stories the Hulk wouldn't even have to be in every episode. Bruce Banner as a character is a very interesting one but with a big blockbuster movie people want blockbuster payout and unless you turn it into a disaster film, which I think is the only way to go with a Hulk movie, then you will fail.

I didn't even open my laptop over the weekend. I needed to get away from the computer and writing so bad that being away felt so great because when I picked up a notebook to write for a few minutes last night after Mar went to bed it was a glorious feeling. You just need to step back sometimes. But with that having been said I still need another day or two to finish off Chaos Read #5 which was due to release today. I hate missing deadlines. I'm sorry to anyone who was waiting to read it today. I'll have that ready to upload by the end of the week for sure.

On to more serious subjects, I didn't play Madden 11 Sunday so no Monday Madden 11 update on my team the Richmond Bulldawgs. I'll play their third pre-season game this coming Sunday and update on the following Monday.

Sometimes even if it makes more work for you later you need to step away from things before said weaknesses in said things that are a huge part of your life drive you off the cliff you may have been standing near. Stated with more clarity- My stupid was getting the best of me.

This week for me will mainly be filled with finishing up Chaos Read and trying to get our apartment organized. I need to get my writing area streamlined. To actually use the filing cabinet we have will be a good start. To organize my reference materials. Then after I get my stuff straight I will tackle Mar's crafting area and then the rest of the apartment. Need to get these tasks started to see what I need to do more in the future to keep us from almost drowning in our own mess.

Again no regrets on taking a weekend off from everything but I am behind now. I hope to get the chance go to Free Comic Book Day at my local comic shop Famous Faces And Funnies. They always have a great FCBD but even if I can't attend the day I'm going to head there a day or two after to pick up some trades I've been looking forward to reading. And always remember your local comic shop pays for those "free comics", they don't get them for free; so make sure when you attend the event to buy something.

I do know one thing about this week I'm going to see the Avengers because even though it might be tough for me to miss one of my favorite holidays, FCBD, I'm  not going to miss something I'm been waiting for all my life.

*throws up geek gang sign*

I wanted to write a really short blog update today. That sure didn't happen.

And as always here are some of the places you can find me online:

CHAOS READ: Bimonthly Short Story Series.You Pick The Price!

TIN UNIVERSE: Bimonthly Short Story Series.$0.99USD

Facebook

Twitter

Smashwords Store

Where I talk about Marvel movies, getting behind but being ok with it, organizing, and Free Comic Book Day.

Where I Give a couple cheap and quick top five lists. Otherwise known as blog laziness.

*not really top five lists, more like just three lists of five things I like. Just check out these things because if I start writing too much here there wouldn't be any point of doing a cheat blog entry to begin with.

5 Podcasts:
Geektress
Stacey's Pop Culture Parlour
Nerdist
Radio Rashy
Pod Crash

5 Webcomics:
Unshelved
Girls With Slingshots
The Garlicks
xkcd
Moon Freight 3

Web Shows:
The Guild
Hank Games
The Flog
Husbands
The Legend Of Neil

Where I Give a couple cheap and quick top five lists. Otherwise known as blog laziness.

Where I talk about gun fighter writing, digital publishing, DRM, and having a writers body.

I’m been thinking about writing; which, you know, writers probably should do from time to time. Thinking about reasons to write, what to write, and what the future holds for myself and others. These things have been pacing their way through my mind a lot of late so excuse me while I ramble a bit.

I think every writer sits on a hilltop looking out holding the same notebook with its 2,000th skin wondering if this time, this story, these words will finally speak in their voice. Self-publishing adds attack dogs sneaking up on the hill behind you. Then again trying to edit your own work also adds a swarm of bees coming your way. Oh, and by the way you in this scenario sweat honey.

During the revolutions of the past the artists, the writers, they spoke the voices that needed to be heard. They did it with straight truths and they did it with symbolism and allegory. Their blood drips were glassed with parables and fables to protect those laying down their lives for the fight.

It’s not like we have lost our way in better times but in the days we live in now I see a future soon where we will be returning to those walks.

I know it’s a cliché but the internet is the Wild West for artists. It’s up to the artists not to tame this atmosphere of chaos but to ride it like a stallion you don’t want to tame because if a twister is coming you will need a horse with flames coming from its nostrils to make it to the other side.

The publishers are hiding in their houses from the weeds and flying dust and screams scaring them to the point of freezing in spot with tears and pissed filled pants. They were scared in the early days of the internet, frozen with fear when it was just sprinkling, they were afraid when the clouds were just graying.

We can’t wait for them to take action to push these tools forward- it’s up to the artists to do that. Writers must always be ready to hold the hands of human error and that’s what the internet is. There are a lot of great talents out there doing this already, many have been doing it for years.

I’ve been doing the monthly releases for about a year now. After the first storylines wrap up in Tin Universe and Chaos Read I’ll be looking at whether I will be continuing to do them and if so in what form.

Now I don’t have any sort of built in following like Mark Waid has but I do think releases such as that can work. I’m one who thinks it works better digitally than print now. If approached well the monthly comic book, short story, daily publication- I think they can not only survive but thrive.

It will be interesting as time goes by to see how things work out for Mark Waid. I’ll be following along to not only see what materials he produces but also to see if I can learn anything from how he is doing it.

The Installment Plan

http://markwaid.com/?p=799

I have a feeling you will start to see more and more of this when it comes to blogging. It’s already happen quite a bit with laws trying to saw bloggers have to reveal if they get stuff for free for reviews. And with laws like that most bloggers are saying fuck you but when it comes down to it soon I see where courts will ask the question that with everyone having the chance to basically be their own newspaper or news outlet then should they be held to the same standards as those places legally? Now not saying that applies with this story but I think this jerk ass move by Hasbro reminds me of other thoughts I’ve had.

Hasbro tricks fan-blogger into revealing his address so they can send him legal threats over widely available leaked product - Boing Boing

http://boingboing.net/2012/04/24/hasbro-tricks-fan-blogger-into.html

As I told a friend when they pointed this story out to me- This publisher is trying to do it right. They are trying to win when a lot of publishers are just trying not to lose when it comes to ebooks. It’s a sports metaphor but I think it really fits when you talk about how publishers, record companies, and studios have approached the internet.

ECW Press will launch a “Free eBook with Purchase” campaign

http://ecwpress.com/ebook

Now to start I’m going to say I don’t think DRM works. It causes so many problems and not just for people who are pirating stuff. It creates a lot of bad feelings from customers. But I also want to say something a lot of people seem to forget. I choose to not DRM my materials if I have that choice in places I publish through but that is part of the choices artist, writers, whoever should be allowed to make when it comes to their work. That’s a personal choice with their work that they produced. I don’t think it’s the right choice but it’s their choice.

Tor/Forge to Go DRM-Free By July: Immediate Thoughts

http://wp.me/p5Fv-4MJ

I’ve been running the You Pick The Price model for Chaos Read and have found that most people will just choose to read it for free. I’m probably going to keep using it in some way for projects but not for any other reason than it will be just be a different approach. It does seem though that people would rather you set the price and they choose to buy or not.

Pay-What-You-Like pricing study is bullish on naming your own price - Boing Boing http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/pay-what-you-like-pricing-stud.html

I love what people like John Green, Felicia Day, and Chris Hardwick are doing with their YouTub Channels. I will add in names like Kevin Smith, Amanda Palmer, and tons of podcasts as people out there producing some very interesting projects.

Genres Stretch, for Better and Worse, as YouTube Takes On TV

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/25/arts/television/youtubes-original-channels-take-on-tv.html?_r=1

Stray Thoughts:

I was told recently that I have a writer's body. I guess someone telling me I have a writer’s anything is good? Right?

Someone asked me today if I have a filter. It’s a lot thinner than it once was but yes I do. What you see from me online is a little filtered. If someone I know is reading this ask Mar and she will tell you what it’s like dealing with me unfiltered.

Cool things you should check out:

John Green’s FIFA season ends and I’m sad. I love watching these videos. Not just because I love sports games but also because of the stories John Green creates for the team and players. Added to the game is how John discusses topics with a wide range as he plays- everything from YA fiction to self-esteem

Self Esteem: The Miracle of Swindon Town #106:

http://youtu.be/KFYQ54iei7s

The Future: The Miracle of Swindon Town #107:

http://youtu.be/bae_Sn1dyMM

Everyone knows I’m a big Felicia Day fan and her The Flog show is one of the best on her YouTube Channel.

Felicia Day & Robin Thorsen Cook Up An Old Family Recipe in "Torta" - Th...: http://youtu.be/sj4wOwC0ezk

Felicia Day Plays Violin with Tom Lenk - The Flog, Ep 4:

http://youtu.be/R9GgKg_3D-k

I bought a t-shirt yesterday. Go there a support Geektress which is one of my favorite podcasts.

@Geektress: Every t-shirt is on sale and there are a couple designs on clearance for $5.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/geektress

and I’ll leave you with this.

Holy Crap Wtf: This is what a TARDIS dildo looks like

 http://io9.com/5905123/this-is-what-a-tardis-dildo-looks-like

And as always here are some of the places you can find me online:

CHAOS READ: Bimonthly Short Story Series. You Pick The Price!

http://chaosread.blogspot.com/

TIN UNIVERSE: Bimonthly Short Story Series. $0.99USD

http://tinuniverse.blogspot.com/

Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/people/Brian-Williams/100000358371201

Twitter

https://twitter.com/hangofwednesday

Smashwords Store

http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hangbrian

Where I talk about gun fighter writing, digital publishing, DRM, and having a writers body.

Where I talk about the Saints, New Orleans, Katrina, and John Green’s FA Cup.

Where I talk about the Saints, New Orleans, Katrina, and John Green’s FA Cup.

To start this I want to say how much I love New Orleans. Even before I ever visited the city I always found its history very interesting. I don’t read much non-fiction but when I was young I probably checked out every book non-fiction and fiction my local library had on the city.

I remember we were in Fort Lauderdale to see a Green Day concert. We were sitting in a hotel room that had just gotten its power back as we pulled into the parking lot. This was right after hurricane Katrina passed through. We actually drove down to Lauderdale through Katrina weather. Sitting in the hotel room we watched the storm head towards New Orleans and gaining strength as it moved.

Last year we travelled to the city for ALA. I finally got to visit a city I had always wanted to walk through. Even though we were mainly there for ALA, eight hours of the day was spent at the convention, but we found time to explore the great city. Spend time with some of the great people of New Orleans.

I wanted to mention some of the things I think about when I think of New Orleans before talking about the Saints latest scandal about wiretapping other teams rooms when they played in the Superdome.

When Bounty Gate broke I said the Saints were turning into the new Raiders but shit man, I forgot some of the political history of that city and they are showing they do things to a different levels in New Orleans, a level the Raiders never touched.

The new Raiders, us against the world, yes, maybe, but just as I think the attitude and business views of my favorite team doesn’t in the modern N.F.L. I’m starting to think the Saints might not survive in the modern N.F.L. if this wiretapping story is true.

Pile it on with Bounty Gate and it might take this team a decade or more to recover. And remember the punishment for Saints players for Bounty Gate is still coming.

Now first let’s throw out whether this would have or did give them any sort of advantage on the field. If you break into a house and find it empty, you still broke into a house. The crime, because this does go beyond sports in terms of wiretapping breaking many state and federal laws, still took place.

Now just as with Spy Gate with the Patriots this isn’t a surprise to me that something like this has happen. I’ve always wondered why more teams don’t do such things but just as when the Patriots got caught, the Saints might just have been caught doing something many teams are probably doing. I bet yesterday when the story dropped at least a few teams quickly removed some technology from their stadiums that violated N.F.L. rules.

When the N.F.L. first started using the helmet communication I said that’s going to run into problems. It has. Small cameras, stealing signs from the crowd, buying playbooks, hiring people who left one team to get an advantage. It’s not just puffing chests that war terms are implied with sports. It’s win and only win. Or “Just win baby” as my teams late boss said many times.

And finally all of this comes down to proving they did anything wrong. That seems to be a tough road ahead proving anything. If in the end the law or the league finds proof everyone involved with the Saints including coaches and front office people will probably be banned for life from the league.

Here’s the first thing I read on the wiretapping story: http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/7846290/new-orleans-saints-mickey-loomis-eavesdrop-opposing-coaches-home-games

Today I’ve been listening to ESPN radio as they discuss it further.

And speaking of sports. Well, electronic sports. Here’s a good story of a small team reaching the highest of mountains.

FA Cup Final: The Miracle of Swindon Town #105: http://youtu.be/3bxrlN7YDxY

And a few other things that I enjoyed online today:

Jane Espenson is one of my favorite Television writers.

PMC 76 Jane Espenson: http://www.popmyculturepodcast.com/2012/pmc-76-jane-espenson/

If I don’t catch the shows on TV I listen to a number of ESPN podcasts. If anyone knows of any other good sports podcasts let me know and I’ll check them out. My favorite podcasts that ESPN do are Mike & Mike, The B.S. Report, Dan Le Batard Is Highly Questionable, and Pardon The Interruption.

ESPN PODCASTS: http://espn.go.com/espnradio/podcast/

And as always here are some of the places you can find me online:

CHAOS READ: Bimonthly Short Story Series. You Pick The Price!

http://chaosread.blogspot.com/

TIN UNIVERSE: Bimonthly Short Story Series. $0.99USD

http://tinuniverse.blogspot.com/

Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/people/Brian-Williams/100000358371201

Twitter

https://twitter.com/hangofwednesday

Smashwords Store

http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hangbrian

Where I talk about the Saints, New Orleans, Katrina, and John Green’s FA Cup.

Where I talk about the Bulldawgs second Pre-Season game, palour voices, and John Green {who I’m starting to mention in every blog title}

Where I talk about the Bulldawgs second Pre-Season game, palour voices, and John Green {who I’m starting to mention in every blog title}

I think I’m going to do a blog entry each Monday after playing a game on Madden on Sundays. Stop by here on Mondays and maybe I have something to update you with. Like how much I suck at defense on these games.

Ravens-13 Vs. Bulldawgs-42

The second game of the pre-season was played on All-Pro level. It was harder than the last game but I’m hoping when I move to All-Madden for the last two pre-season games and the franchise it will step up even more.

I say that now. After about six loses in a row I’ll want to quit and play MLB The Show or something else.

Madden 11 seems to move a little quicker or smoother than Madden 08. It seems to greatly favor running the football too, which is ok to me. My offensive philosophy is basically use three running backs to attack the defense, pass to tightends and running backs. Then open up things with bombs down the field from time to time and keep everything else in chaos by using the quarterback’s ability to run.

That’s why my N.F.L. all time leading receiver is a TE{Greg Olsen} and the all time rushing leader is a QB{Vince Young}

And that leads me to Mr. Tebow who was the highlight again for my team but my offense is pretty weak and unstructured right now. I’m scoring but if I keep scoring like this he’s going to get injured.

My defense is playing really good but defensive players and philosophies on Madden are only truly tested on All-Madden level. My defensive philosophy is aggressive blitzes from random players and going for turnovers, turnovers, turnovers. If I’m not getting sack and turnovers I’m in trouble as a defense.

The next two games are the true tests for what kind of season I might be facing.

I need to get the ball to Olsen more and need to see if Tebow can throw. Not that I’ve ever been able to play very well with left handed Quarterbacks on Madden. I think right now Dodge or McCown will end up getting the start with me using Tebow as a package QB. That’s what I usually do to get young quarterbacks playing time and pushing up their ratings so I have a good backup.

All positions are up for grabs so things will get more interesting with the rest of preseason. I still have no idea who will be starting at any position and that’s one of the things that already making this a lot of fun.

Game Stats

Passing:

Dodge, 123yds, 2 TD, 9 Comp

Tebow, 0yds, 0 TD, 0 Comp, {I attempted a few passes with him but he mainly ran the ball.}

McCown, 27yds, 0 TD, 2 Comp, 1 INT

Rushing:

Tebow, 128yds, 4 TD, 17 Att

Cooper, 59yds, 14 Att

Bundy, 46yds, 11 Att

Westbrock, 31yds, 11 Att

Dodge, 19yds, 4 Att {The only problem I’ve seen with Dodge so far is even though he is the highest rated QB I have on the Bulldawgs, he’s pretty slow and I wonder if he will work within my offense?}

McCown, 11yds, 4 Att

Griffith, 6yds, 3 Att

Rec:

Olsen, 3 Rec, 36yds, 1 TD

Denham, 2 Rec, 21yds

Bruce, 2 Rec, 37yds, 1 TD

Owens, 2 Rec, 41yds

Askew, 1 Rec, 9yds

Griffith, 1 Rec, 6yds

Blocking:

Pace, 12 Pancakes

Defense:

Christman, 7 tacks (Is this a real names? I’m keeping this guy on my team forever. Well, unless he starts to suck and gets mouthy and then outcomes the nails.)

Ogunleye, 4 tacks, 3 sacks

Pierce, 3 tacks, 2 sacks

Smith, 2 tacks, 1 INT

There are 7 teams with a 2-0 record so far competing for the All-Player Challenge{the pre-season} Someone asked me a few posts back what is the reward I mentioned for teams who win the pre-season.

Basically in my N.F.L. if you finish with the worst record in the league your team is replaced using the relocation function. I do it sort of like how Soccer leagues like the EPL do with teams going down and up leagues.

It’s how by the end of a franchise mode on a game almost all the original N.F.L. teams have been replaced. There are rules though. You can’t be replaced during a franchise if within said franchise you win the Superbowl, the All-Player Challenge, or finish the regular season without losing a game.

Remaining Pre-Season games for the Richmond Bulldawgs:

At Jets

At Cardinals

Here’s Some Cool Stuff You Should Check Out:

Another fantasy sports team on a march towards greatness.

Manchester City: The Miracle of Swindon Town #104: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrIJ2Jw8BRw&feature=colike

One of my favorite podcasts. I was listening to this podcast while writing this blog entry.

Stacey’s Pop Culture Parlour Episode 3- Man Crush: http://popcultureparlour.podbean.com/2012/04/23/episode-3-man-crush/

And as always here are some of the places you can find me online:

CHAOS READ: Bimonthly Short Story Series. You Pick The Price!

http://chaosread.blogspot.com/

TIN UNIVERSE: Bimonthly Short Story Series. $0.99USD

http://tinuniverse.blogspot.com/

Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/people/Brian-Williams/100000358371201

Twitter

https://twitter.com/hangofwednesday

Smashwords Store

http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hangbrian

Where I talk about the Bulldawgs second Pre-Season game, palour voices, and John Green {who I’m starting to mention in every blog title}

Where I talk about the military, religion, the Avengers, and writing.

I've said it a hundred times but where is all the big patriotism when female and gay soldiers are attacked in different ways? Like at GOP debates. Where is your Support The Troops bumper stickers and little car flags? Well, wave that blind bullshit speech dripping red, white, and blue from your lips and I'll sit here and be grateful to ALL who defend our rights and risk their lives daily and talk about all the ways we have failed them.

Female Veterans Say Military Kicked Them Out And Classified Them As ‘Crazy’ After Reporting Sexual Assault

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/04/17/465301/mst-victims-crazy/

And people wonder why young people more and more are turning away from the faiths of their parents and ancestors. It's because of bullshit like this. Yes Mr. Bishop the Catholic Church knows nothing about corruption and being Nazi like *cough, cough, Youth Nazi Pope*

Catholic Bishop Claims Obama Is Following A Similar Path To Hitler

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/04/17/466053/catholic-bishop-claims-obama-is-following-a-similar-path-to-hitler/

I would probably think protest was pretty cool this if it was his own art. Burning someone else’s work is wrong to me, even in protest of something I'm also against.

Naples Casoria Museum Burning Art In Protest

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/18/naples-casoria-museum-burning-art-protest

Here's a truth the publishing industry and bookstores can't ignore. They were so lazy for so long creatively that is why they are in the state they are in now. When I was college they should have been in the early stages of ebooks. I’m old enough for that to be a pretty good few years back.

Borders should have came up with something like Amazon. Big publishers should have had digital edition catalogs online even before ereaders because people would have read on their computers and they would have had those catalogs there when ereader technology hit.

They are a decade behind in tech and demand. They fueled the black market pirating industry like throwing jet fuel on a forest fire and now every creator, artist, and creative person trying to protect their copyright are paying for it. http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/apr/18/london-book-fair-publishing-world and another link http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-04-18/how-the-dojs-publishing-lawsuit-may-spell-the-end-of-digital-rights-management

Our leaders in part do this to our soldiers. Help create this mindset that this is ok to do. A lot of it has to do with the animals within us during conflict but our leaders have a lot of blame on their end also.

They are so irresponsible in their bullshit and spit filled hate speech that they fuel soldiers like coaches getting players to go beyond the game to do acts they wouldn't do normally.

Oh, and the government thinks publishing these photos is endangering soldiers. How about some of the shit that comes out of politician’s mouths? How about the unwinnable situations we put them in?

How War Can Make Dehumanizing And Horrific Events Seem Normal

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/04/18/how-war-can-make-dehumanizing-and-horrific-events-seem-normal.html

I would go to theater marathons like the kind one of our local ones is doing with a Marvel movie marathon before The Avengers comes out. I’d go in a second but I've found at all theaters during these type of events the same as thing for free movies and midnight showings pulls out the assholes in the community and I've had enough of movies with people playing with laser pointers, talking all the way through, and being general jerks that for some reason they aren't at normal showings. If theaters said they would have security and make sure that type of thing didn't happen I'd go in geek speed with nerd heart but they never do. Also its why I don't attend more movies in general. At least at home watching on TV I know the assholes in the room.

Here’s some cool things by others:

Listened to KZSC this morning with MC Cloud doing the playlist. A great playlist. http://www.kzsc.org/

Here's something to watch. Pretty cool. 

There Is No Live-Action Evangelion Movie, But There Is This - Topless Robot http://www.toplessrobot.com/2012/04/there_is_no_live-action_evangelion_movie_but_there.php

Stray Thoughts:

"If the people who read your blog knew what you wrote on your blog they would never read it. You are scum." Weirdest message ever. I got that earlier today. I thought only I did run on sentences like that. I said "Thank you sir. I needed a bit of someone elses insanity today. Shows I'm not the only one." The internet is so fun. I have this weird thing on my sites. It’s been this way for a long time, maybe because I rant a lot. I don't get comments, I get emails. Long ones.

Someone just asked me on Twitter: “Do you ever feel like you will never write again?” My answer: Whenever I’m not writing, I hate it, I think it makes me miserable, I think I’m so stupid I’m hurting the mass of intelligence by putting words together but then when I write it instantly reminds me why it’s my best friend, favorite lover, worst enemy, and companion.

Drinking water is the time between morning coffee and rest of the day beer. Otherwise known as a poor mans two phase pain management treatment.

I love when people call me a loud mouth. Yep, and I plan to get louder.

And as always here are some of the places you can find me online:

CHAOS READ: Bimonthly Short Story Series. You Pick The Price!

http://chaosread.blogspot.com/

TIN UNIVERSE: Bimonthly Short Story Series. $0.99USD

http://tinuniverse.blogspot.com/

Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/people/Brian-Williams/100000358371201

Twitter

https://twitter.com/hangofwednesday

Smashwords Store

http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hangbrian

Where I talk about the military, religion, the Avengers, and writing.

Where I talk about Madden 11, Tim Tebow, Pat Summitt, my crazy video game play history, and John Green. But I don’t talk about how racist having a team called the Redskins is. Yes I do because it is fucking stupid.

I’m going to do these updates about my Madden11 games the day after I play. It will probably be a once a week update since I just don’t have the time to play as many games as I once did. I’ll probably throw in views about other sports stuff is on my mind also.

But don’t worry I will find some way of still pissing people off even when talking about video games. When you don’t have talent or success, you have to shoot for something. I think that’s the Mets motto actually.

I finally started playing the used copy of Madden 11 I picked up a week or so back. I had to finish the season I was in the middle of playing in Madden 08; which I will not discuss and with all the other stuff going on it took me time to dive into it.

That last season of 08 didn’t turn out to good for me. I’ve always had great offenses but suck at defense so I have year after year of undefeated regular seasons but haven’t won a Superbowl in four seasons played. I keep meeting a team who plays good D in the playoffs and then I can’t stop them.

My created team are the Richmond Bulldawgs, who I replaced the racist Washington Redskins with, something I do right out when starting a new franchise mode. I base the uniforms and the name of the team off the high school I attended.

I know no one wants me to talk about how racist I think the Washington Redskins are; so I will not go into how I think it’s racist to have a team, play for team, or cheer for a team called the Redskins. The fact that it’s in our nation’s capital also says a lot about our country.

I won’t go into that again though. I know how it really gets on peoples nerves when I talk about it because hey it would also be acceptable to have a team called the Washington Retards or the Washington Coons or Washington Round Eyes?

We’ve moved on from such things, haven’t we?

I had a big offseason to start things in Madden 11. I traded a 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th round draft pick to the Denver Broncos for QB Tim Tebow. Also traded 1^st, 5^th, and 6^th round pick to the Chicago Bears for TE Greg Oleson. TE’s and QB’s are big to how I run my offenses. That leaves me with no draft picks because I also traded my 7^th for a third string RT.

On those two players: I’m not a huge Tebow fan but I want to see what I can do with him in the game. In the past I made Vince Young the all time leading rusher QB or RB in my NFL record books and turned Marcus Russell into a Pro Bowl QB.

Greg Oleson is actually the all time leading receiver in my NFL. In some games in Madden 08 I would throw to him 30 plus times in a game and he almost never got hurt. I hope I can get that with him in 11.

I released a lot of the created players the game replaced the Washington players with and signed free agents, though the free agent market to start the game was pretty weak. The only big name I picked up was Terrell Owens. I’ll give him a shot on a one year contract.

This will be a building season for my Bulldawgs but I think we’re going to be in every game and hope we can make the playoffs. That’s what I’m shooting for. We’re in a tough division though with the Giants, Eagles, and Cowboys. All teams who can be really good or really bad.

The first game of the pre-season had the Bills travelling to take us on at the Dog House {the name of our stadium} I call the pre-season The All-Players Challenge to give more meaning to it so I don’t just skip it. It’s something me and friends started doing a few years ago.

The four game pre-season will be played first game on Pro Level, 2^nd game on All-Pro, and last two on All-Madden. This allows me a chance to get use to the new game before the Regular Season starts. Playing it on the PS2 means there aren’t as many changes from 08 to 11 but still a little different look and feel.

And that’s why I don’t put much stake in the outcome of the Bills game that I won 108 to 0. Though I have scored that much on All-Madden level, as I said offense isn’t usually my problem, I also know as much as I’ve played these game Pro Level is like Rookie level to me.

The next pre-season games are: Vs. Ravens{All-Pro Level}, Vs. Jets{All-Madden Level}, and then to end the pre-season Vs. Cardinals{All-Madden Level} will give me a better idea of what kind of team I have.

I have a feeling I’m going to be running the ball a lot and trying to play clock management a lot also, especially if I continue to suck at defense.

Here’s some cool things by others:

Here’s some episodes of John Green’s FIFA game play show, which I love:

Football: The Miracle of Swindon Town #101:

http://youtu.be/eMzpq0Vj1G8

Daniel Biss: The Miracle of Swindon Town #102:

http://youtu.be/Tyhs2gmvxmg

Pat Summitt, the coach of the Tennessee Lay Vols is and has always been one of the people I admire the most in sports. I had the pleasure of hearing her speak once and I'll never forget that. Her impact on Tennessee, women's sports, and sports in general will be discussed forever.

http://www.patsummitt.org/

http://www.alz.org/

Jay Bilas ‏ @JayBilas “Yahoo's Dan Wetzel hammers NCAA, its coaches, administrators as hypocrites over transfer restrictions: http://yhoo.it/I2SOuY Hard to argue.”

And as always here are some of the places you can find me online:

CHAOS READ: Bimonthly Short Story Series. You Pick The Price!

http://chaosread.blogspot.com/

TIN UNIVERSE: Bimonthly Short Story Series. $0.99USD

http://tinuniverse.blogspot.com/

Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/people/Brian-Williams/100000358371201

Twitter

https://twitter.com/hangofwednesday

Smashwords Store

http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hangbrian

Where I talk about Madden 11, Tim Tebow, Pat Summitt, my crazy video game play history, and John Green. But I don’t talk about how racist having a team called the Redskins is. Yes I do because it is fucking stupid.

Where I talk about Reviews, Self-Publishing, Apple, Amazon, Game Of Thrones, the Department Of Justice, and John Green’s skills at FIFA

The first thing I’d like to talk about today is reviews. Not that I get a ton of them but I’m getting more and more.

Also I consider micro reviews, reviews, nothing wrong with them except when you dive into being critical about the work. You just don’t have enough time for anything besides a star rating on Twitter or in that limit of words. Going for more in that sort of environment leads to- “This sucks.” “Best thing ever” and “I will never get those min/hrs of my life back after reading this.”

 Currently in my thoughts when it comes to reviews, besides the fact that I might stop reading them good or bad, is that I find it interesting that some people get angry that I don’t respond to their bad review of something I wrote.

These people take time to write me an email to say why haven’t I gotten into a pissing contest with them? Sorry you didn’t like the story but writers don’t owe readers an internet duel.

Also I’ve never gotten how reading a story or seeing a movie you didn’t like is somehow a personal issue. Move on.

“If you make art, people will talk about it. Some of the things they say will be nice, some won’t. You’ll already have made that art, and when they’re talking about the last thing you did, you should already be making the next thing.

If bad reviews (of whatever kind) upset you, just don’t read them. It’s not like you’ve signed an agreement with the person buying the book to exchange your book for their opinion.

Do whatever you have to do to keep making art. I know people who love bad reviews, because it means they’ve made something happen and made people talk; I know people who have never read any of their reviews. It’s their call. You get on with making art.” ― Neil Gaiman

And another quote I found today that I like.

"...I know that I suck. I know I suck balls and I know I suck other things. Thank you for being specific about all the things I suck." -- John Green talking about people commenting on him playing FIFA but I think it fits reviews also.

I say as Neil Gaiman has said, “do your art.” I believe the very act of doing so will piss off a lot of people and there is no better reason.

I’m going to say something here that might piss off some people I know who are published with big publishers or work for them, but I think even though you win in sheer volume of good and bad views heading your way, it’s nothing like what self-publishers tend to receive.

I just think the spit and boil towards self-publishers is almost more personal from reviewers but also that might be part of the internet age of trolls and hiding behind a handle? Maybe self-publishers look like easier targets also.

Maybe, I don’t know, just a thought.

I could just be sitting here in my side of the yard thinking the dog shit over here stinks worse than the dog shit over there?

Now to the hot bed topic just about everyone is talking about in publishing- The Department Of Justice suit against a number of publishers. I’ll just throw out some things I said on Twitter about this.

I love that publishers are standing with Apple against the evil Amazon. Now this is a Game of Thrones.

Apples predatory software and operations make Amazon look holy. These enemies we choose to sleep with?

The DOJ/publisher/Amazon mess is that, a mess, but there is no golden army to stand with.

And in other news I’ve decided to stop releasing my monthly free stories and just focus on Tin Universe and Chaos Read. One story a month is enough for me right now to center in on writing, revising, editing, and releasing each month.

Here’s some cool things by others:

Want to read a free Graphic Novel. Here's a good one: Texas Steampunk I Cathedral Child http://www.webcomicsnation.com/divalea/cc/series.php If you like it cash up the creator.

"I think Own Goal is our second leading scorer this year." Pre-Yeti Love Life: The Miracle of Swindon Town #99: http://youtu.be/Tbdsp2hYaEg I liked this discussion of YA Fiction and Love during The Miracle of Swindon Town #100: http://youtu.be/4FfYYZCa61w

And Once again I’ll say it. I would love to do something like what John Green does with this if I had the hardware but focused on me playing Madden.

And that leads me to say that I still haven’t started playing Madden 11 that I recently picked up. Too much writing and other life events going on.

And as always here are some of the places you can find me online:

CHAOS READ: Bimonthly Short Story Series. You Pick The Price!

http://chaosread.blogspot.com/

TIN UNIVERSE: Bimonthly Short Story Series. $0.99USD

http://tinuniverse.blogspot.com/

Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/people/Brian-Williams/100000358371201

Twitter

https://twitter.com/hangofwednesday

Smashwords Store

http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hangbrian

Where I talk about Reviews, Self-Publishing, Apple, Amazon, Game Of Thrones, the Department Of Justice, and John Green’s skills at FIFA

April's Free Short Story

What does the year 2013 have to offer the world? 

What does it mean to history? 

Is it the end of history... 

or just another year? 

Hell

A free short story

by Brian C. Williams

April's Free Short Story