The Michael Swayne Story V: King of his Castle

This morning I went to the grand opening of the new store in Sinking Spring. I really liked it. Now I don't have to travel as far to get cat food. That is a major thing for me. Before I would have to ride a total of 20 miles to bring cat food home, and ten of those are while holding the cat food in my arm because I would always buy the large bags (multiple healthy-eating cats). Now that is cut down to ten miles total. I had to hold the bag in my arm today because I didn't bring a bungee strap with me. Wide aisles, and a big variety. The only bad thing I noticed is that it didn't have prices displayed for a lot of the items. But other than that, it was great.

I also bought Joey some things for his birthday tomorrow. I got him a kite (he really liked playing with mine). And some bubbles. And sidewalk chalk. The chalk I consider a learning device, because though he won't use it to write words he still could if the mood takes him.

After I got back home from delivering, I set off on my real work today (as if riding ten miles on a bike wasn't work). I wrote the story for the contest I wanted to enter. I had the idea for the story for months. But other than the main goal the main character (which was an unknown person up until two miles away from home on my way back), I had nothing along the lines of making the story a story. I will post the story here or in my literature thread (if I can find it under all the dust).

It took me three hours to write it. The deadline was today, so by the end of the three hours I just threw together an ending. It actually ended in a way that I don't normally go when I write. Now that I read it again and again, I am really starting to hate it. It is nothing like my usual pieces. But one could say I am maturing as a writer and branching out from my normal peaceful place. I say I was just getting bored with writing and had a lot of other stuff to do so I just got lazy and wrote something easy.

Then I spent the next two hours in panic mode because my computer kept downloading a file called frame every time I would go to YouTube. My virus software wasn't catching it, and declared my computer to still be free of bad things. And this was every time. I wanted to upload a video and schedule some other ones for days I am not home during the next two weeks, and I was freaking out. It turned out that it was a glitch from where my YouTube channel was linked to my Google+ page. I have taken care of it (for now). Now I just have to worry about reconnecting my Twitter and Facebook accounts with my YouTube channel again.

I received a random friend request on PSN from someone who wanted to play Portal 2 with me. I was okay with that, so I loaded it up and played. There was just one (of many) problem with that...

I have never played multiplayer on Portal 2 before. I told the guy this in our chat, and he really tried to help. But his accent was really REALLY strong, and his headset's mic was cutting in and out a lot (or my speaker was), and I couldn't really do anything other than bumble around and make a big mess of the situation. He linked me to a couple YouTube videos that could help me understand what our goal was, but I was even more lost. I swear, Portal 2 hates me. I tried playing the single player again after the guy quit. I can't blame him, he tried to teach me what to do. I was just not connecting with any of what he was teaching me.

I also got a short lesson from Ryu-Kentoshii Hirokima about Skyrim glitches. Which was another thing I had no knowledge about. But I was able to understand it a lot more than the Portal 2 tips. I am honestly surprised that the guy didn't unfriend me on PSN. I am probably the lamest Portal 2 player ever.

I also downloaded the Portal 2: Peer Review DLC. It, like many other downloads, is taking a long time. It is almost done now. It's at 97%. I have no idea what it is or what it does, but it was free and free is nice.

After a short nap and kitty feeding time, I started on the big project of the day. No, it wasn't Final Fantasy XIII/XIII-2. It was recording videos for my YouTube channel. I have ten videos done and edited and ready for uploading. My brother gave me a couple suggestions on songs to play, and I told him that I will feature him in the videos when they are uploaded.

*Breaking News: The DLC is now at 98%!

I played a few rock songs, and I think the rest were from anime. One was instrumental, I do know that. Lately, I haven't been able to monetize any of the videos because of third-party content. So I am trying to do more original songs without vocals that way there is less of a chance of giving someone else money.

Which brings me to this next point. I went over to my Google AdSense page last night. I am actually beginning to earn money on my videos. Not a lot. Not even what someone would call a little. More like not even enough for a pack of chewing gum. I have earned 2 cents. And I am over the moon about this! I never would have thought my boring (at least in my opinion they are, compared to other people's) videos would actually give me money. I am now what people would call a YouTuber (professional YouTube content creator who earns money for doing so). Now as soon as I can earn $100 total for my videos I will actually get paid.

*The DLC has finally finished. I still have no clue what it actually is though.

I know I have told you of how the girls at my workplace are always trying to set me up with someone. Recently, they are trying to get me to cut my hair. We had a whole hour-long discussion about one day while we were on break. I told them that I was thinking of doing it after they began suggesting it. I told them that if I did decide to get my hair cut, I would want it done like Harry's is from Da Zuiba (Taiwanese pop/R&B group).

Well a few days ago, I was randomly searching for things I wanted in life (one of a list of things I do when I am bored) and came across blue hair-dye. It was reasonably priced, so I bought some. Well, it arrived today by FedEx. I was honestly thinking to myself "What in the world have I gone and done now?" I bought it, so I have to use it. Or else it will just go to waste (does hair dye go bad?). The picture on the box is BLUE blue. Like this blue (this blue exactly because it is from their website)



So, now begins the process of finding a cheap, well-established hair place that takes on quirky (weird, actually) customers. I don't let just anyone cut my hair. Other than myself, there have been only three people to cut my hair. Two are dead, one is in prison. So you see my extreme cautiousness when dealing with my hair. And this is going to be way more than a trim that will not be noticeable in a few weeks. I'm talking 13-15 inches (33-38cm) of hair will no longer be there (I had to get the yardstick out to measure it). On top of that, my brown hair is going to be blue. This is a major MAJOR deal.

There are also a few oddities that go along with this job. After the initial trim to get rid of split ends are swept up and disposed of, the main styling casualties must be preserved. A promise is a promise and I promised my hair to someone. So it must be neatly wrapped in wool in untangled status.

If they accept those terms and pass an inspection that examines their ability to have steady hands, good eyesight, and a no-nonsense personality when focusing on one of my greatest assets; then they will have earned the chance to bring a pair of scissors near my head. As long as they aren't sick or cough or sneeze near me. Although I think the bleach will kill any germs that my enter my headspace this time around.

Finally tonight, I should mention my newest delivery route treasures. I found a solar-powered light in the tall grass yesterday morning on my way to work. It has a lot of power saved up, because the light still hasn't gone dim since I brought it home yesterday. Then, I found a Phillips-head screwdriver in the middle of the road near the library. It's a surprise that no cars had blown tires from where the screw driver was located. There was a third treasure, but I couldn't take it home with me. I was delivering by the Post Office and came across a turtle in the middle of the road. I picked it up and carried it over to the grass. I thought about taking it with me, but I still had about 60% of my route to deliver, and it wouldn't be fair to the little turtle's family if I turtle-napped him (or her). So I placed it near some clover in someone's yard and continued on my route.

Tomorrow I am going to do laundry, and hopefully put some time in Final Fantasy XIII. I also want to record a few more videos for the channel. Tomorrow is also the start of the new King of the Web election cycle, and I want to do my best.

Well, that's a lot for this entry, and it's also all for now. I hope to see you around the forum, and until then...

Later!

Michael