I Am On a Real Writing Kick

I've written just over 1,200 words today, and there's probably more to come. All the work is on my "main book", Quiet Storm, though, so maybe I should diversify and work on some other stuff. Silently is in major need of love and more work and The Lightning Stones is either in major need of more work, or I'm abandoning it completely.

(I really need to work on it to tell, but I'm not sure if I should work on it, seeing as I might just abandon it later on.)

Okay, well, enough authorspeak. On a different note, I have a bunch of posts for August now, so that's good, but school fires up in September, so blogging might drop off somewhat then. If you have any ideas, comment or email me. I'm toying with the idea of doing a guest week... ah, well, more on that later. I'm done here.

Ciao!

Interview with Dr. Ben Carson (Everyone Should Watch This)

Dr. Ben Carson

Dr. Carson might just be one of the only people I've ever seriously fangirled about. I LOVE him and his opinions.

This recent interview, which I just watched, is amazing. I seriously think that Dr. Carson should run for president. He would be a candidate I could really get behind. And even if he doesn't run, his ideas are amazing and we should be thinking about these issues seriously and logically.

Okay, I'll stop raving now. Really all I have to say is: watch the interview. Please. Even if you don't agree with anything said, it will make you think. And that's not something that can be said about everything on the Internet, or even on television.

Good day.

Public Service Announcement Chapter 2

I have officially created a tag to hold all of my politics-oriented posts. That tag can be found here: Warning: Politics.

I've been told that a writer shouldn't blog about politics, as it is a volatile subject that can quickly erupt in nastiness, flame wars, and destruction of author fanbases. On the other hand, I do have political views, and while this isn't a political blog, per se, I might end up blogging about politics every now and again. On the other hand, my blog is so unknown at this point that I might not mind a few flame wars to up my traffic. But whatever the case, this tag will hopefully help all who are so inclined to navigate away from my political posts. On the other hand, if you want to read ALL of my political posts, this tag will be immensely helpful.

So, yes.

Two Public Service Announcements in two days! Go me!

Public Service Announcement

The title of my blog has just been changed. This is, in fact, the same blog. It is run and posted on by me, AJ. The only difference is a title change. This blog is now officially "My Life as an Adolescent Author" rather than "My Life as an Aspiring Author".

One adjective change, that's all this is. I just thought I should post this so nobody got freaked out.

The end.

This public service announcement was brought to you in part by cucumbers, dark chocolate, and contributions from readers like you. Thank you!

My Sister Disapproves of the New Activia Packaging

OLD Activia yogurt packaging

NEW Activia yogurt packaging

As you may or may not be able to tell from the above pictures, Activia has apparently changed the font on its packaging label. I, personally, can only just barely tell the difference between the old font and the new font. My sister, on the other hand, is incensed that Activia has dared to alter THEIR packaging with a font that is almost literally no different from the previous font. 

As you almost may or may not be able to tell, I could not possibly care less that this has happened. I don't even eat Activia yogurt. Usually. 

I partly think it's funny that my sister cares so much about the font on a yogurt package. But I also think it's something of a comment on American society. I mean, a lot of people to day feel validated, or try to feel validated, by the purchases they make. And, a lot of people today are perfectly comfortable with starting fights over inconsequential things, or so it would seem. My question is, when there are plenty of serious, life-or-death issues to talk about, why do we start discussions about yogurt packaging (being facetious here, but not that facetious). 

This is called a report button, boys and girls.
This is generally the thing you try to avoid
when navigating the internet. 

It's true that I've had really only a cursory experience of the Internet, but even that has shown me that people are perfectly capable of starting trivial and/or nasty discussions here. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that if a discussion on the Internet isn't trivial, it's almost always disproportionately nasty. There are exceptions, of course, but I don't think there are actually that many. 

(And then there are the rarer, but still existant, Internet discussions that are trivial AND nasty. There are certain forum threads I could link to to prove this, but I will restrain myself.)

So, all this having been said, what do YOU think? Is the new font on the Activia package good? Bad? Horrendously offensive? Does the Internet encourage nasty and/or trivial discussions, or are those just side effects? And finally, did I or did I not use way too many all-caps words in this post? 

(Please, do try to keep these discussions from turning nasty.) 

Thank you and goodbye!

My First YouTube Video is Out

Well, actually, technically speaking, it's been out for a while. But anyway.

I've been dabbling in stop-action for a while, making (or attempting to make, anyway) short films with Legos. This is the only project that I've actually finished that isn't a music video. It has officially been posted on YouTube, so now, anyone can see it.

You can find it here.

Ciao!

And Thus, I Have Created an Alternate Marvel Movie Timeline

Because we totally didn't have enough alternate timelines in Marvel. Nope, all Marvel needs is... another alternate timeline.

But enough about that.

This timeline got started when my sister and I started theorizing about how the Marvel Cinematic Universe would be different if Marvel Studios still owned the X-Men movie rights. (I really, really wish they did...) I got to thinking, and ended up making this movie timeline.

***

X-Men in the Marvel Cinematic Universe 

(If Marvel Studios still owned the X-Men Franchise)

Timeline, including all movies and changes to movies (if any)

Phase One

Iron Man – Mutant Issues are seen on the news and/or in the background of certain scenes. One or two mutants can be seen with the terrorist group that captures Tony Stark.

X-Men – In a post-credits scene, two people can be seen speaking to the World Council on the dangers of mutants. The more anti-mutant person leaves the chamber first, and the second person is revealed to be Nick Fury.

The Incredible Hulk – One of the scientists working with Banner is Hank McCoy. At one point Gen. Ross, an outspoken anti-mutant bigot, rants about mutants to McCoy, not knowing what he is. Later on Hank transforms into Beast in an unsuccessful attempt to stop the Hulk.

Iron Man 2 – No changes

Thor – After Jane Foster’s research is confiscated, Selvig mentions “Dr. McCoy” and “Dr. MacTaggert” among those who have also had things confiscated.

X2: X-Men United – Mention is made of SHIELD’s inability to stop Nightcrawler from entering the White House. Later, in the President’s office, SHIELD agents are present.

Captain America: The First Avenger – During Cap’s USO tours, a boy with wavy brown hair can be seen alongside a girl with grey eyes and blonde hair in one audience. At one point Red Skull mentions “Klaus Schmidt”, a contemporary of his. During the montage of defeated HYDRA bases, Steve can be seen rescuing a young, dark-haired boy, who holds and frequently manipulates a coin.

The Avengers – During the battle with the Chitauri, a very brief cameo can be seen of two mutants (Jubilee and Cannonball) fighting back using their powers. In the aftermath montage, Professor X is seen being interviewed on the battle.

Phase Two

Iron Man 3 – Mutants Sunfire and Sunspot are mentioned to have been used in the Extremis development process. Extremis attacks are at one point wrongly said to be mutant terrorist attacks.

X-Men: First Class – A fledgling SHIELD is seen attempting to stop the Crisis along with the CIA. Captain America comic books can be seen in a few scenes. Charles brings up “the man who rescued you” (Captain America) while attempting to convince Erik that humanity has redemptive qualities.

Thor: The Dark World – No changes

X-Men: Days of Future Past – SHIELD is mentioned as potential buyers for the Sentinel technology and/or mutant DNA information. Logan, Charles, and Hank break Magneto out of prison with the help of a teenaged Gambit. During Magneto’s television broadcast, a boy with silver hair and a girl with red hair, both about twelve years old, are briefly seen watching.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier – Mention is made of the fact that very few agents of SHIELD are mutants. Col. Stryker is revealed to have been affiliated with HYDRA. Sam Wilson is brought down early by the Winter Soldier, causing Steve and Natasha to enlist the help of mutants Archangel and Siryn. When the cloaking technology used by Natasha is removed from her face, it flashes blue, hinting that Mystique may have been involved in its creation.

Guardians of the Galaxy – No changes

Avengers: Age of Ultron – Unknown

***

And that's how I think it should, ideally, be. Of course, it probably won't ever end up being this way. But that's not gonna stop me from dreaming!

What do you think? Could the X-Men be even more involved in the Avengers storyline(s)? Or is it actually better that the two franchises have been kept apart? You tell me!

See you next time!