This recipe is not for cooking.

I've stacked a lot on my plate recently and have become slightly overwhelmed. Not in the sense of "overworked," but in the sense of "too much". I just stopped working on it. I want it to be done already, instead of getting it done.

The only thing that I have been doing is writing, and even that has been on and off. I had a friend suggest that I should try writing as a profession, which I would absolutely love, if I could do it for hours on end without getting distracted. I am starting to think that I need someone on me to get stuff done, which kinda makes me disappointed in myself (as I finish this, Kristi is watching Glee, and keeps yelling at me to write my blog).

Anyway, I'm thinking about putting stuff on the back burner, but which ones? 

------Fast forward five nights ---

So I made a post on my FB on March 8th that I felt a Blog post coming on, but I did get distracted with Glee and spending time with my lady. So now we're here on March 13th. I gotta tell ya, my original idea for this was to write about my stress. But I talked it over with Kristi and then my good friends Mike G and JBoom. I gotta tell ya, keeping stuff bottled inside is such a hassle compared to talking it out. I don't think I could talk to anyone as easy as I have been able to with Kristi. She's amazing.

But this blog's about me. Nyeh!

I still feel this overwhelmed sensation, but after talking it through with her I have a clearer head as to what to do about it. I'll try to break it down without being too revealing. Mysterious is sexy, is it not?

I took on not only A Literature Circle, but A Cooking Circle, Hiking videos, and 5k runs to make and edit. I didn't do it right away, because work got a bit busy with work, and at home, well, Netflix was just easier. But no one else will edit them but me.Not only would that happen, but in order to post them I felt I needed a good logo, so I needed to create logos for both ALC and ACC, along with a new one I am trying to put together... After I created the logos I would be just wiped and started watching Netflix instead of actually editing videos. To be honest? I still haven't edited videos... But after a long talk with Kristi, I have intentionally put that on a back burner till we get our office set up for us to both work together. And that has just taken a load off my back. I am getting a new desk to put in the office this week, where I can set up my laptop in a semi-permanent location, so Kristi can have her desk, and then we'll work side by side on the projects.

The idea of trying to write professionally has manifested itself to the back of my mind, and I am seriously considering it. That idea also overwhelmed me, because I have an idea on how to do it as well, to get my name out there. And with that came the idea of pictures and/or artists, partner writers, marketing, traveling, the production, the website, the demographic, the AAHH. But, again, I talked with Kristi and I was able to take a step back and think. Before the pictures, people, marketing, selling, and the business, I need to do one simple thing.

I need to write.

I do not have enough solid content to consider a book. I don't have enough of my stuff to consider the big picture. The one thing great actors do to for a role is prepare. I need the preparation before the movie. I need the script before the picture. I need my ideas to be there to be presentable before they can be presented. And that's what I'm gonna do. I've even decided to prepare my preparation. I've written out a timeline for "Drave" starting with "Year 0" for the first story and I like how it is going to progress. (Don't worry, Year 0 is just for my sake, I'll give a solid timeline for said stories.)

For those who haven't read "Drave", there is about a twelve year gap between story 2 and story 3. Well, I am slowly filling that gap with one or two stories.

 So write.

I am going to write and write and write. That's my plan.

And, then someday, you will see something. I know I have the talent, I am developing the skill, and I am learning the how-to. 

I think I got the proper recipe.

Not ~Just a thought

What do you desire? What makes you itch? What sort of a situation would you like if money was no object?

When we finally got down to something,  I will say do that, and forget the money, because, if you say that getting the money is the most important thing, you will spend your life completely wasting your time. You’ll be doing things you don’t like doing in order to go on living, that is to go on doing things you don’t like doing, which is stupid. Better to have a short life that is full of what you like doing than a long life spent in a miserable way.
--Excerpt from Alan Watt's speech.

And a Happy New Year!

And so it begins the new year of 2013. The Mayans were wrong and the world didn't end. And I guess that means some New Year Resolutions. How did you do on your last New Year Resolutions? Good I hope, but if not, just start cracking the whip now! I had a friend post that she doesn't make New Year Resolutions because she doesn't want to fail and that made me sad and kind of upset at the same time. She is a fantastic person with a ton of potential, she has overcome quite a bit in her life and I can't imagine just choosing not to find ways to at least TRY and better yourself. Even if you fail, at least you said you tried... But I digress.

Resolutions! yes... Another quick side note actually - Resolution means both "determination" and "to resolve". I have the resolution to see through to the resolution of my resolutions... Least that is my resolution. =P I made myself giggle.

Resolutions! Yes. along with the few that are the same, I have decided to make a few more resolutions for this year. Let me break it down list-style.
Health
-Physical
-Mental
-Emotional
I am actually hoping for some type of "pack" on my stomach and less of a "keg" if you catch my drift. I've been told that requires quite a bit of cardio, which I'm not looking forward to. But hey, I gotta do what I gotta do!
Health (Food)
-Try Juicing
-Eliminate soda from my diet altogether.
-Eliminate alcohol from my diet except in certain situations.

In conjunction with the above two, I am going to look into getting something in the direction of nutrition. I want to learn more about it and with the encouragement of my friends, girlfriend, and family, I have decided that going back to school is a necessity and will be done in 2013.

Work to be happy
That sounds like a funny resolution, but that is the best way to put it in my mind. Overall, I am a happy person, but I get lazy because I'm comfortable. I am comfortable with my job, I honestly work very little and it pays well, but it is not challenging. I am comfortable with my current weight, I want it to be better but overall I am in the best shape I've been in near 3 years.When I worked on A Literature Circle (which is still in progress btw) it was the hardest, most difficult thing I had done. I wanted it to look good and the editing was a bitch. But when I was done with it I was happy, satisfied. When I couldn't upload it to Youtube, I was mad. I felt that my hard work basically didn't pay off. It will, once I get it situated and break it up. But I haven't gone back to it because it isn't a comfortable seat to sit in. 2013 it will be something. Kristi and I have tickets for Vidcon in August and we will be there and we will have something to show for it for sure.
Speaking of A Literature Circle. I'm not sure if I ever talked about it much, but Kristi and I have big plans for not only that, but another wide variations of "Circles." Something I adopted before realizing that G+ uses it similarly... But I'll deal with that later.
Here are a few ideas we have bounced back and forth. I have a few others I haven't really discussed with her, but they are more down the road. All of these Circles (and yes, again, I know, G+ did it first) will be comprised under one conglomerate as "Three Point One Four". I think it is terribly clever.
Here they are below:
A Literature Circle Our very own webcast bookclub, two videos have been done, but they aren't yet uploaded... Here soon I promise!
A Cooking Circle  Learning how to cook healthy on a budget. Healthy is the key. It isn't impossible and it will taste better than greasy food. This particular Circle will probably get its own post in a few weeks, but this one is the one I am most excited about. There are a few celebrity inspirations and a few regular people who I know that would enjoy learning how to cook healthy while it fitting into a budget.
A Gamers Circle This one is obvious. Nothin' but games. Video, board, card, tabletop, you name it. I think this one will be fun if I can get my brothers on board a little bit more. I even think I'll do just a podcast to talk about games themselves.
A Writers Circle I've thought of a few ways I could go about this one. I want to discuss, recommend, edit and otherwise talk about writing. Professional and Amateur, Scripts and Stories. But the other thing I think I'd like to do is actually get some actors and other people to participate in short clips and videos. I think that would be hilarious to do. I actually have one in mind, but it isn't mine, so I am waiting to see if I can use it. But that part will come later I'm sure.
I have one more in mind, but I'll keep it in the dark for now just because I am not sure how to do it and make it humorous quite yet.

So that is about that... I think, I don't really have much else to write right now. I am just aiming to be happier than I was last year and the year before that.

A New Year starts today.

So it has been a year since I stood on the scale at Jake's house and weighed 279lbs.
I'm currently 251lbs. Not the best I've ever done in a year, but it is a start. I'm not down about it.

Do you have your New Years Resolution Goals set yet? I do. If you don't you should probably get to them starting right now. No time like the present. If it is something like lose weight, then start right now, and don't eat the holiday sweets. Waiting until after the holiday is like saying I'll stop drinking after I get alcohol poisoning. Just doesn't make much sense. This evening, my buddy Daniel talked about his new work out equipment and his new workout room tonight. He celebrated it with drinking nothing but water. I am super impressed and proud of him for doing so. It was our Thanksgiving after all, why not throw a few back?

My final resolution goal from last year WILL be accomplished by the end of this year as well. In case you don't feel like scrolling to the beginnning of the year, it was to get my finances in order.
I won't be out of debt, but I will have them in order. I am making some extreme decisions and I have some great friends and family who support me in this endeavor. Here is what I'm doing.

The first and foremost thing I am doing is getting rid of my '07 Dodge Charger. I still have payments on it but I am going to turn the cards in and tell them I can't pay it. It will hurt my credit (which is awful anyway) and won't look back. It was a very, very fun year with the vehicle and I don't regret actually getting the Charger. But right now I pay over $700 a month on bills for the vehicle alone. That is before gas, which I paid ~$70 every 1-2 weeks.

The second thing is I'm downsizing again. I sold my Yorkie Joey, selling old college text books (technical ones for computer Networking and Security if anyone is interested), and will be getting rid of other things such as totes full of cabling and other junk. Stuff I just don't USE and have hung on to for years. I don't need them. I hardly do any computer maintenance side work now a days. So, it will be rid of. My current computer will be formatted and installed with some basics and made into a server. I don't know yet if I want it to be a media server or not. Probably will. It has be capability. I am also gonna try and make some gaming servers on there for myself and friends.

The third thing is I'm moving. My friend has lent me her spare bedroom in her apartment rent free for Linux and I. We've discussed for about 3 months, but I'm sure if i need a little more time rent free she'd give it to me. But hopefully I'll be back to paying regular bills after 90 days.

So why the extremity you might ask? Well there are a couple reasons...

The obvious one is I don't want debt anymore. I have around 3 grand in Credit card debt, $300 to taxes, and I'm behind on my student loans. Those three months I will have approximately $1200 per month to spend. So most of the debt, if not all, will be gone. The only thing I would have is student loans, but I'd be pretty much caught up on them too if I play my money right.

The second one is that I am still dedicated to working out. I own a mountain bike, I've fixed it up and it works smoothly. My work, my gym, and my friends are all around a 5 mile block radius. (That's what kinda happens when you grow up in one location for so long.) There are a few exceptions who live god awful far, but those visits are never without a FB invitation with a few weeks notice. I would be able to find a ride to and from without a doubt.

Speaking of which, I am thankful to be surrounded by people who enjoy helping people.  All of my friends would give me a ride if I needed it, and I hope they know to not hesitate when they need to ask me. I have a car available to me when it is not in use by its owner, my parents are close and willing to help. They encourage me to face this task of lowering my credit score even further in hopes for a better future. Not to mention the task of being carless for three months at the very least.

The third and probably final reason is I want to travel. I have friends who are scattered across the country now that they are in the military. I also have friends I've made through Facebook who I have grown close with. Ya know, I have never used any currency besides the American Dollar? I want that to change. GOING on trips isn't difficult with my job, they give me plenty of PTO, I just don't have the funds to go anywhere. Hell, right now I don't have the funds to get a passport. Yup, I said it. I am 23 and don't have my passport yet. I've never needed it.

SO, there is my main New Years resolution.

Losing weight isn't taking a back burner though. My gym is a mile away from where I'm moving, and like I said I have a bike. In relation to weightloss, my goal is to have a six pack by the end of the year. Do you think I can do it? Words of encouragement WILL be needed. My friend Monica has given me a card for a personal trainer. I'm seriously considering it.

On a completely side note, here is a different way to consider what is called "The America Dream" I've passed this to a few friends, and I have listened to it more than once. Listen, enjoy, and maybe consider.

~Just a thought

"There are thousands and thousands of people out there living lives of quiet, screaming desperation who work long, hard hours, at jobs they hate, to enable them to buy things they don't need to impress people they don't like." - Nigel Marsh

Just a...

It was pointed out to me that I hadn't blogged in a while. It's not that I don't have much to say, I've just kinda sorta kept it to myself. Furthermore, the constant talking about my weight and workouts got boring to me, and I think it was boring to those select few as well. But, in order to tie off those open ended situations I put in my blog.
-I reached 245 and shaved my beard. It is very VERY nice having a chin. I haven't had a chin in, well, probably 6-8 years. I grow my facial hair to a very nice 5 o'clock shadow before shaving now, and I will continue to do so for a long time, or until I get sick of it.

-I ordered and wore a Captain America costume for Halloween, I was very proud of it and my friend Kristi and I attended two different parties and were complimented at both. The jacket is amazing.

-I really feel like I've been changing to someone who people can look up to. And that makes me feel good.

Now, I watch a lot of YouTube videos (Second most popular search engine now, only second to it's owner Google) and they usually branch out one of two ways: funny or inspirational. I like to laugh and I like to admire and want.

More recently, I have been watching different [insert]con videos from panels that people post online. Here are a few things that I came to know.

-People are generally good people
-Ideas are cheap
-I should only work at what makes me happy, not what makes me money.
-I need to work hard
-I need to work harder than others.

All are very relevant to my next little session.

I watched one with the Geek and Sundry casters Felicia Day and Wil Wheaton, if you don't know who they are yet, well, you should. Anyway, they had a really good panel, and talked about their Youtube posts and they asked everyone in their audience to be creative. Felicia made a point to make SOMETHING and post it for people to see, and see what comes of it. More than one person has had their 5 minutes of fame on Youtube. And, thinking about it right this moment, with Youtube you get your 5 minutes of fame played in 8 million different homes. even if you had 10% of people follow you enough to watch your second video, that is 800,000 people (That's a LOT of people). Anyway, that last part slightly irrelevant. Wil Wheaton made a point saying that it isn't about Youtubers battling for more views, that's not how it works. It is Youtubers battling it out against other media (He said, "The Man"). Because this particular creativity outlet doesn't need an approval board. It is strictly chosen by views and votes. It should be a place where Youtube shares the space, rather than fight over it. It should be a place where one Youtuber doesn't bash another... Now, the last bit of this particular video Wil and Felicia were asked, what their favorite Youtube video they follow and watch. It was very quickly decided that they watch and love "My Drunk Kitchen". (If you haven't seen that, you should check it out, it is pretty hilarious.)
Now, this particular event was in July of 2012. Fast forward to this past Halloween. I don't know who's idea it was, but My Drunk Kitchen featured Hannah Hart (MyHarto) who does My Drunk Kitchen, and Felicia Day. They just got together and made a My Drunk Kitchen video. This is particularly special, because you have to imagine that it made both of their days. And besides the flying out to location, I wouldn't think their was any real payment back and forth, just something that they thought would be fun and enjoy meeting each other.
I also found another popular Youtube person named Jenna Marbles who did a My Drunk Kitchen tribute. Through the show she repeatedly told her viewers to watch My Drunk Kitchen and told Hannah that she enjoys viewing her. How awesome is that??

During the "Come up with something creative" request by Felicia Day, I came up with "A Literature Circle." A webcast bookclub It is still in a Alpha stage, but it is something I am going to work seriously hard on. And even though I may lose sleep over it, and lose a bit of money, it is a creative idea I want to pursue. There are other "Circles" that will be created and posted and whatnot, but this is the first I am going to do. Hopefully, something will come of it. Furthermore, I am going to take the "tribute" section to a whole new level. After getting situated with a few "Circles" I have in mind. I think I am going to start reaching out to all the different Youtubers out there to join my cast sometime. I think it would be AMAZING to have the guy from =3 or Jack and Geoff from Achievement Hunter come on and talk about their favorite books, or play a boardgame, or SOMETHING and just have a good time.

That's the plan anyway. Hopefully someday you'll see me up there with the great Youtubers!

It isn't ~Just a thought.

Carthon the Bartender.

Part 3:

“I don’t think I ever told you my name is Carthon and I have owner of this here bar since my grandpa gave it to me, near close to thirty years ago. I grew up playing darts by the pool table, learned poker in the booth near the bathrooms, and had my first beer right here at sixteen. I married my high school sweetheart Lynne and we have two sons and two daughters, Kivan, Tria, Strivian, and Elis. Youngest one is nearing adulthood already.

I grew up here and don’t see reason f’r going anywhere else. Though I heard many tales of adventure, I never wanted to seek it out myself. My idea of a filled life was never on par with those adventuring types. I felt that my bar was a home for those who didn’t have one. I even set up a cot in the back behind my bar for someone who was deemed trustworthy enough to me.

Like this one guy, I don’t know his real name, but he donned a big cowboy hat like those westerns. He seemed like a surly fellow when I first served him, he ordered cheap whisky the few times he came in. But, that first night a quarrel broke out between two fella’s and quick as a cat he threw them out without doing any serious damage to my bar or patrons. They were regulars y’see, can’t be damaging what makes my money. They apologized later… But anyway, this fellow, he was surly, but honest. I let him sleep on the cot.

I set up a second cot in there for a while, but there wasn’t enough room. I do remember once my boys wanted to spend the night there. I said no, but they snuck in anyway. Seeing them there the next morn’ put a smile to my face. Kivan and Strivian were inseparable, still are I’m sure. They did everything together. Their only difference is that Kivan liked his old man and wanted to take over the bar when I was ready to retire. Strivian, on the other hand, loved listening to the stories and wanted adventure himself.

There was one particular story he enjoyed actually. The ‘Drave the Cowboy – Demon hunter’ story I used to tell them when they were kids. I told the boys it was just a story I made up, but Strivian didn’t believe me I think. To tell the truth to ya, I found the damn story. About fifteen or so years back I walk up to my bar to open, and on the steps there was a hat, coat, a ring of guns, and an empty whisky bottle with the story.

Since this was an adventure’s tavern, I thought it’d be nice to have an adventure in my bar. I made a real nice frame and hung them up on my wall; I rolled the parchment out full and let people read. His legend sprang to life in my bar for those twelve years I had it. People claimed to have seen Drave himself, something about a legendary third or fourth revolver because he was just too quick for just two. Did my bar good through those years. I even had one person ask me if I was Drave. Crazy kids.

 One young man in particular was quite fond of my relics and story. He nearly begged me for him to give them up but I refused of course. A month he came back and offered me quite a bit of coin, but the story of Drave the Cowboy Demon Hunter was one that brought in customers, y’see, so I had to refuse him again. It was a week later they were stolen with a note, ‘The legend lives on’ In Strivian’s handwritin’.  The frame is still up there with the knife stabbed with the note. People ask me about it from time to time, but it has been so long I don’t recall what the items look like all that much.

As I’m sure you’ve come to guess, Strivian and a couple of his friends are of suspicion. Kivan, too I guess, as he disappeared around the same time, but I think that was more of an obligation to watch his brother. I don’t think they did it to hurt their old man, no, but just wanted to play cowboy hunter for real. It’s been near three years I’ve seen my boys. Tria has been asking for the ownership of the bar since Kivan has been gone so long. Says I should retire myself.

Ya know Marcus, come to think of it; it was right around the time I found you.” He scratched his brown dog behind the ear, “Thank you for listening old timer. I think Tria should get the bar too.”
                Carthon threw the ball out the bar door, his old dog sprung up like a pup and chased after it.

Pasta, Pasta, Pasta, Taco Bell, and a Beard.

This, whole, getting to 235lbs thing is difficult. So much so, that my goal has been upped to 245lbs instead of the initial 235lbs. The last week I worked out heavily my weight didn't adjust much. I am gonna happily think that I have plateaued for the moment, and my body found its mid-ground currently of fat/muscle ratio. Least that is what I tell myself. I need to remind myself that it isn't about the weight loss as much as it is fat loss. But if I am truly honest, it is because of my new damn beard.

Two weeks in

After a month

I can't stand my beard! It catches food when I don't want it to, it makes it feel like there is something constantly on my face, and overall just itchy. But it is a constant reminder that more gym is needed. It is the very promise I made myself before starting this challenge. I need to keep this until the work is done. With the 245, I only have five pounds to go. It is possible.

With my last challenge, I had this fear I was bothering people with my weekly updates of the calendar, so I lengthened the update process on Facebook to the time my calendar filled up, just a little over a month by about a week. Here it is:

Now it isn't bad, I am kinda proud of it. Every single time you see text in a box it is me working out. The only exception from that is the CLOSED on Monday, Labor day, Amanda and I went at our usual time and they had closed early. I marked it to remind myself that I truly tried.
Now, you can't tell really from this picture, but I worked out with Amanda, Jake, and Kristi, all who are big helpers in helping me get in shape. I organized them via color on the board, so I could keep track of what I was doing with who. I kinda quit on Jake with the running towards the end, just cause I wanted to focus on strength training and endurance such as hiking. I am gonna ask about joining him again in about a week or so, least for one run, just to hang out and see how things are going.

The last week is blank. I didn't work out at all. Sad, I know. On Sunday I woke up with strep throat, one of my tonsils was a good size, I'd say to a golf ball size, but that is exaggerating a little bit. I spent the better half of that week recovering. Then the last part of that week I took a mini vacation with my friend Kristi and we went to Tucson to see STOMP. We stayed the night so we weren't in a rush, despite living in Phoenix for many years she had never been to Tucson, so we drove around some and visited some places, it was fun and relaxing. I cheated on my diet quite a bit, with sweets and other foods I shouldn't be eating. Eating out mostly. I refrained from pasta though, which is a HUGE craving for me right now... Oregano's Pizza Bistro is something I purposely avoid driving near. It's like 1200 a meal with nothing but pasta and meat in a bread bowl... Not good for you, but Oh so delicious.

As I erase this month and a bit and start the second half of this challenge, I have adopted a new work out partner Monica. She made a post on Facebook saying she needed one, and after finding out she subscribes to LA Fitness, I couldn't wait to sign the dotted line as her workout partner. Hopefully I'll teach her some stuff and she'll teach me some stuff. Her boyfriend works out often and knows his shizz, so I'm hoping what he's taught her and what I can teach her mesh well.

As of right now, this is how my workouts should fall if I were to do them all in one week without fail.
Sun- Morning: Run w/ Jake
         Evening: Workout w/ Amanda
Mon- Evening: Workout w/ Amanda
Tue-  Morning: Hike w/ Kristi
         Evening: Workout w/ Monica
Wed- Evening: Workout w/ Amanda
Thu- Morning: Hike w/ Kristi
        Evening: Workout w/ Monica
Fri- Evening: Workout w/ Amanda
Sat- Morning: Run w/ Jake, Hike w/ Kristi
        Evening: Workout w/ Amanda

As my buddy Jason likes to say, BOOM! That is my schedule. Seven days a week. Now, I know I have a few concerned individuals out there who think this is a bad idea. And I appreciate the concern. But please know that my body, and your body, can handle the physical stress I have above. They are only a half hour to an hour at a time. That leaves 12 - 23 hours of recovery time. Furthermore, I do not workout every single muscle in my body every single workout. I switch between legs, back, chest, and arms. It won't be a perfect routine of things, but it will sort itself out. I take the appropriate protein shakes and vitamins to help speed the recovery along. I will also start taking certain supplements too, as soon as I find the time to find the right ones to help in my progress. And, despite all my best efforts, through my fault or not, the weeks have never gone through perfect. Life happens.

That's the biggest thing I learned about health and working out, and I guess it could be applied to life in general. Don't schedule the time, make the time. I think with school and work and doctor appointments and children's plays, we are too used to scheduling. You must adopt a different thinking to working out... I really want to get into it more, but I think that is gonna be my post next time. The "What I have learned, and you should learn too" about working out/getting in shape/healthy lifestyle more and more people seem to want to do. It isn't an easy habit to adopt. I still really struggle with it at times. And I say that tonight, at my desk, munching on a Taco Bell double-decker taco. Ugh, grease tastes so awfully good. Yup, throwing this half away now.

So... That's about it for now. I wish I had more to say, but alas, I do not. Tomorrow I am going to post part three from the Drave - Demon hunter series. It is part three of four. I hope you've enjoyed them. Please tell me if you have or haven't. I take constructive criticism and compliments well. About twenty to twenty-five people read my posts when I post them, and a few more the day after. I only hear from about one or two at a time. :)  When you are silent I assume you enjoy my writing and couldn't care less if it changes, which I hope is true. But keep in mind I like hearing people enjoy my blog. Warms my heart, fills my ego, and everything similar. It is always nice to brighten someones day.

~Just a thought

“Don’t wait for a light to appear at the end of the tunnel, stride down there and light the bloody thing yourself.” – Sara Henderson

Linux

I've decided to take some time away from talking about health and fitness and my personal life for a bit to go back to the original idea for starting this blog. People (and in this case a pet) who has changed my life for the better.

As I'm sure all, or most, of you know I have two dogs, Joey and Linux.
Though Joey is a pet, he hasn't effected me the way a first pet has like Linux (mostly because, well, he ISN'T my first pet.)

If you've read my entire blog, you know that I got pretty close to forced into getting Linux by my ex Ace. It's not that I didn't want him, it's just that I couldn't afford to take care of him with my time or money. I was already taking care of Ace and her dog Minni in a two bedroom apartment. And I was the only one with a job.

Linux's mom is a beautiful white Huskey named Izzy. She gave birth to five puppies. Two white, two black, and then Linux, who is a white pup with black splotches all over him.

I got him the moment I could, 8 weeks in, and he forever changed my life.

Now, people with pets, or just maybe dogs in general (no offense to cat lovers) will understand this next sentence, people without pets, please just nod along with all the agreers of peopel WITH their first pet. I love this dog like my child, and I would give anything up to make sure he is OK and taken care of. He isn't my soulmate, but he is definitely my counterpart. He makes sure I'm happy when I'm sad, and brings me to the ground when I've been on a high streak for too long.

He has destroyed, mangled, and dismantled more of my stuff than I probably have myself in my lifetime. Potty training alone cost a lot of money from powder carpet cleaners to professionals shampooing them.

I've been turned away from having homes because of his breed. Both Great Dane and Husky are on the "No-fly" list when it comes to apartments. They either have too much energy and/or are too big. He's probably kept me from making many bad calls though.

But I love him. And I love him more than he could ever understand. And he loves me. Unconditionally.

There was a time during the time I was living in the two bedroom apartment, Ace and I had fought. I was feeling incredibly upset, I don't even remember what it was. Linux had done something to get himself in trouble, probably trash from the trash can and I lost it, I yelled at him harshly and he cowered away into another room. Not one of my finest moments.

I go and sit on the computer. I do nothing on the computer for a good ten minutes. I calmed down and felt bad about for both the fight with Ace and yelling at Linux. I just sat there upset and ashamed. It was at that time Linux, who was sitting on the bed behind me, put his paw on my shoulder. I turn around and he looks at me... Unafraid, not mad, not upset, just there to make sure I have company. I wrapped him in a hug and laid on the bed. He laid his head on my stomach as I pet him.

There was another time much later, in a house I was renting, I got a new Xbox game and was playing it day in and day out. It was fun and friends came over and had a good time with it. I come home from work one day to find the controller chewed to bits. The bumper and trigger buttons missing. It really sucked, but that was just one of two, so I used the other one for some time. Sure enough, that one got destroyed by my wonderful pet too. I realized later that it was him trying to tell me he wanted attention, clearly I was spending too much time on my Xbox. I gotta tell you folks, I don't even remember the name of the game now.

On a similar note, I have been through many headsets for the computer. I've always packed them up, put them away, and Linux has always managed to destroy them when I get too involved with a game. One specifically, Left 4 Dead 2. MAN that game is a blast. But my buddies Aaron and John could testify, more than once I couldn't play without a headset, because Linux had gotten to it.

The thing about Linux, and most dogs I'm sure, is that he's are full of love, and that's it. I love him, he love him, plain and simple. Dogs absorb your personality, they become your companion and best friend. He is the only thing on this planet that could wake me up multiple times and I could never get mad at. (I'm literally holding back laughter right now remembering the many times he's woken me up.)

He's not the most obedient dog.
Nor the nicest.
Nor the quietest.
But he's the perfect dog.
Perfect.
For me.

~Just a thought.

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love.  For me they are the role model for being alive.  ~Gilda Radner

I think we are drawn to dogs because they are the uninhibited creatures we might be if we weren't certain we knew better.  They fight for honor at the first challenge, make love with no moral restraint, and they do not for all their marvelous instincts appear to know about death.  Being such wonderfully uncomplicated beings, they need us to do their worrying.  ~George Bird Evans, Troubles with Bird Dogs

One reason a dog can be such a comfort when you're feeling blue is that he doesn't try to find out why.  ~Author Unknown