A Misanthrope's Lecture and Another Blogger Blog

          Hisashiburi desu--It's been a while, hasn't it? A full four years to be precise. So, is this blog coming back? No, but hopefully I got something you'll like. Follow me after the jump to see what I've been up to!

Best Quote of the Week ~ [5/3/15]

Not the Spirit, but the Singer.

          "I was lost and no one searched. I became free and found myself unneeded. I was truly lost."

~The Spirit Odyl from Kit's Story

Story/Site Plans for 2015

Currently replaying ~ It's still so amazing!!

          Hi Everyone.

          If you're reading this, thank you so much for visiting my blog after a long silence. I've got a lot of plans for 2015 and some of them involve my blog network. I've never been much of a blogger--writing random articles or talking about my personal on goings. I've occasionally dabbled in that stuff to various degrees of success and interest: Best Quote of the Week (Good), Reviews (Bad), and News (Ugly). But the bread and butter, the true core of these blogs have always been about being a place to easier display my projects--be that stories, games, pictures, etc. This year, or rather December of last, I made some resolutions projects-wise. Which in turn means more life here, if least a little.

Dance of the Wanderers

Post from Virtual Gaia Projects

     For 2015, I'm working on a new project entitled: Dance of the Wanderers. It's a 15 episode series that about a young woman name Kathleen Nyro who becomes cursed by a Spirit and has to find a way to break the curse or leave her home behind forever.

     I'm really tired right now, so this won't be long. If you want to find out more about the project check out the Dance of the Wanderers page. There you can read updates, my insane schedule, or the just (I mean moment ago) finished Pilot episode.

Seeya in the future.

Current State Of My Projects

This has nothing to do with my projects but it looks nice.

          This is a list of my current projects and their statuses. I was originally going to put this post on Projects but since I'm talking about all my project I decided to throw it up on the main site. It's mostly for me but I wanted have full disclosure of my projects. See them after the jump.

UPDATE 1 (5/4/13): Added a project I forgot about. Some status updates.

I've Been Published...

          Sort of. Castella In Theory: The Worst Of Derek Russell (We Always But We Never) has been turn into a printed book thanks to the brilliant guys and gals over at Blurb.com! Blurb allows people to publish myriad types of books from photo books to novel and more with various options on paper, covers, sizes, and the like. A really great site for up-in-coming writers or oldhands. Blurb.com allow content creators to keep full rights to their works as well! Found here and here. And you can also sell your book in their bookstore and earn profit off it! It's free to join and add stuff so give it a try!

          That said you purchase a physical copy of Castella In Theory: The Worst Of Derek Russell (We Always But We Never) here for only $8.45 (softcover). The Worst of Derek Russell is a character drama about high school delinquent Derek Russell trying to manage through the all the boredom and problems of his life through music, drugs, and sarcasms. The story is divided into to two parts, with the first half opting for a dialog/monologue-only style and the second half in a more traditional style.

Buy: Castella In Theory: The Worst Of Derek Russell

• 52 page
• 6x9 inches (15x23 cm)
• Softcover Price: $8.45
• Hardcover, Dust Jacket Price: $22.45
• Hardcover, ImageWrap Price: $23.45
• Warning: Crude/Explicit Language and Drug Use

P.S.: You can still download a the pdf version of the story from my blog here or find the other Castella In Theory stories archived here.

UPDATE 1 (11/23/12): My book came today! In retrospect, I should've moved the title to the center of cover or used the above picture. Just a horrible use of space right there, well, next time. I've added pics below.

Four Days Of Short Stories I

Picture by Morfex

          Four Days Of Short Stories is writing exercise/event I'm doing this weekend (Friday, Nov. 2 - Monday, Nov. 5) where I write an original short story everyday for four days. I'm going to post them here, in this post, and also here. I do not promise that the stories will good, just that they will be written in a day. The idea is to quickly come up with an original concept and run with, to experiment, and try out new styles. It's a learning and experimenting exercise.

          Also, anyone is welcome to write stories along with me and post them here as well; even if they cannot write all four days. If you plan on doing so please follow the few guidelines.

• An original unused concept (ideas you'll had but haven't written are fine)
• No sequels/prequels/continuations to any of your old/current stories
• Experiment
• Try to make it a full stand-alone story
• Must be posted by 11:59 PM of that day
• Have fun!

          Also, the stories should be between 1-4 pages (to be manageable) be can be longer. There isn't any set theme or motif, but if you're having trouble coming up with a story idea try this: The theme of boredom or try making the boring or ordinary event you can think of unique or strange.

          Lastly, note that it says Four Days Of Short Stories 'I,' I may do this again if this first one goes well. I'm doing this to improve my own writing ability and to get myself run with concepts less stressfully and to writing quicker (looking at you Elevator Music).


UPDATE 1 (11/2/12): Day 1 Story added below. Read it in all its unedited glory!

UPDATE 2 (11/3/12): Day 2 Story added below.

UPDATE 3 (11/4/12): Day 3 Story added below.

UPDATE 4 (11/5/12): Day 4 Story, the final story, added below.

UPDATE 5 (11/6/12): Day 0 Test Story added.

• Day 1 Story: [We're Closed So, Come Right In]
• Day 2 Story: [Ride]
• Day 3 Story: [Lowell O’well, the Flying Mechanical Whale]
• Day 4 Story: [Anderson Wicked]
• Day 0 Test Story: [Letter]

An Exercise in R

          The round man with his red tie, rosy cheeks, and rotund belly, runs, I kid, rumbles down the street. He makes a right turn on Rosalind Ave., slips and rolls down the hill. On his riotous fall, he rams into a registered nurse, passes rowdy bunch of punks, and crashes into a record store owned by retired Randy Regal. Red Hot Chili Peppers play on the radio as the two men share a rustic looks. The ringing of the store bell returns owners glance to the store’s entrance revealing a rigid looking old lady with eyes like rubies. She commands respect and when she has it she tells them a riddle. The one who remarks correctly gets a great reward. The plump one goes to response, but the owner throws a recorder at him, rather rude of him, and gives his own answer. The woman reports that his answer was indeed correct and gives his 300 rubles. Roland, the fat man, roars with laughter. Rejoicing and unhurt, he walks out—the broken window made he rocketed through earlier.


          I don't know if I'll continue this, but if I do you will find it here.

The Worst of Derek Russell Soundtrack

          As a New Year's Eve gift to the visitors of the site I am giving you guys the soundtrack to the story I wrote: Castella in Theory: The Worst of Derek Russell. It a compilation album consisting of 33 song referenced in the story (Three of them weren't actually referenced in the story, but were strongly connected to the scenes when I was writing them). I actually completed this awhile back, it was going to be a prize for the contest. Anyways, enjoy and thank you for visiting the site. Happy New Year's Eve!

          The Worst of Derek Russell Soundtrack (Disc 1) (141.30mb)
          The Worst of Derek Russell Soundtrack (Disc 2) (141.33mb)

• Disc 1

1. Anarchy In The U.K. by Sex Pistols
2. After All by David Bowie
3. Something Better Change by The Stranglers
4. Rebel Girl by Bikini Kill
5. Boss of Me by They Might Be Giants
6. Swallowtail Butterfly (Ai no Uta) by Chara
7. Steel Claw by Tina Turner
8. Stop Me if You Think You've Heard This One Before by The Smiths
9. I Won't Share You by The Smiths
10. Nothing Else Matters by Metallica
11. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out by The Smiths
12. The Unforgiven by Metallica
13. They Are Night Zombies by Sufjan Stevens
14. Live Forever by Oasis
15. Chop Suey! by System Of A Down
16. Little Toy Gun by Honeyhoney

• Disc 2

1. Strange Little Girl by The Stranglers
2. Come As You Are by Nirvana
3. Atrocity Exhibition by Joy Division
4. By the Way by Red Hot Chili Peppers
5. A Simple Desultory Philippic by Simon And Garfunkel
6. London Calling by The Clash
7. Time Machine by Chara
8. England Made Me by Black Box Recorder
9. Sugar by Bikini Kill
10. Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me by The Smiths
11. Funhouse by P!nk
12. It's Only The End Of The World by Black Box Recorder
13. My Friends by Red Hot Chili Peppers
14. Ashes To Ashes by David Bowie
15. Tomorrow Never Knows by The Beatles
16. Fortune Faded by Red Hot Chili Peppers
17. For Tammy Rae by Bikini Kill

P.S.: I'm actually missing a reference. Do you know who it is?
P.S.S.: It's two.

Castella In Theory 4: Rumor: A Tale Of Two Watches

Has nothing to do with my story, but I'm loving this song.

          Hey, Vahsol here. I just finished the fourth installment of Castella. This time it's the promised light story. It's just a fun tale of rumors and the crazy kids at Castella High. That's it. Please read, enjoy, comment.
          Lastly, I'm seriously going to take a break from writing Castella for awhile. At least until 2012 (I'm thinking summer), so I can focus more on other projects, school, and work. Mata ne!

Read Here> Castella In Theory 4: Rumor: A Tale Of Two Watches [13 pages; some language]
(Click to read; right click and save as to download.)

UPDATE 1 (2/29/12):  Minor fixes.

Paradise from the album Mylo Xyloto

Very short musica es musica: I love the song, especially the strong refrain, and the video is unique and interesting. Watch the video, buy the single or the album: Mylo Xyloto.

Castella In Theory 3: Self-Righteous Suicide

          Hey, guys, I just finished the third story of Castella in Theory: Self-Righteous Suicide (in just under 2 weeks. Only 11 days!), it's a continuation of the first story. It takes two months after Ecila's passing and is about how Greg is dealing or not dealing with her death. I don't think that summary quite fits, but it's okay. Please read and comment! Hope you enjoy. The link for the story is below.

          I'm so glad I now know I can write a full story in less than 14 months or even less than a month! The first story actually took 30 days to complete. Fun fact: this story was originally going to be the second story, but I was having a lot of trouble writing the opening scene and had just come up with some ideas for the current second story and thought that that story was going to be an easier write. Wrong! Anyway, here's the third story.

This story can be surreal at times--this is just the picture to use

Read Here> Castella In Theory 3: Self-Righteous Suicide [It's only 12 pages]

(Click to read; right click and save as to download.)
P.S.: If there are any mistakes, let me know and I'll fix them.


UPDATE 1 (9/3/11): Minor fixes added.

UPDATE 2 (10/23/11): Added a little to the ending. It feels more complete now.

UPDATE 3 (10/26/11): Minor fixes to format and story.

UPDATE 4 (11/26/11): Minor fixes and tweaks to story. Plus a random picture added!

UPDATE 5 (2/29/12):  Minor fixes.

Castella In Theory 2: The Worst Of Derek Russell

This ^ has nothing to do with that v

          Kept you waiting, huh? Well, 14 months later I am finally done with the second story in Castella In Theory: The Worst Of Derek Russell (We Always But We Never). The story is a 44 page character drama about high school delinquent Derek Russell. The format is PDF. Please comment on it, good or bad. If you like it tell a friend. If there are still any lingering grammatical errors (which there are most likely one or two) please tell me and I will fix it and put up a revised PDF. Thank you, God bless, I can’t believe I’m done, please read and enjoy! The file is below. Hit the jump!

UPDATE 1 (6/23/11): The site that host the PDF. file is currently down. Sorry. I'm looking for a solution.

UPDATE 2: I put the story up on Wordpress (with added fixes) Click the Solution!> link to read or download.

UPDATE 3 (6/27/11): Apparently 250free.com is gone for good, so the first link is also gone for good as well as several other things I put up that were stored on that site. Good news, I already put up the Wordpress link, so I'm just going to delete the other one so there won't be any confusion. Also, I'm putting up the PDF. versions of the first story, Follow My Lead, here too! Fixes have been added, though I purposely kept one mistake. Find them right under the new story's link.

UPDATE 4: Just to show you guys how far the story has come and how much I did in polishing and editing I'm uploading the horrible Tenth Draft. This is what I based PEP I on.

UPDATE 5 (6/28/11): I added a slew of fixes to the story today, so I am re-uploading it. The Solution!> link is now new and improved.

UPDATE 6 (9/2/11): The contest is over.

UPDATE 7 (10/26/11): Minor fixes to format and story.

UPDATE 8 (11/11/11): Minor fixes.

UPDATE 9 (2/29/12):  Minor fixes.

UPDATE 10 (3/5/12):  Added download links to the soundtrack.

UPDATE 11 (11/16/12): Printed, softcover book version now available! Click here.

UPDATE 12 (5/10/13): The Soundtrack had to be taken down.

Story Update 4: Castella In Theory: Ep2 The Worst Of Derek Russell

          Hey, guys, great news. The story is almost done. I finished the last step of PEP I which was rereading and very good new: all my polishing and editing went well. It read pretty well. I actually did most of PEP II as well today (mostly formatting and edits). So, all I have to do is reread it again and then I'm putting it up. That will most likely be next week as I am going out of town tomorrow for a company trip.

          The story is the second episode of Castella In Theory: The Worst of Derek Russell - We Always But We Never. It will be in PDF format.

          In other news, the reference contest for the story is still on but the prizes will most likely be giving out after summer unless you can get to my house with blank DVD's (4 to 8). There are a whopping 82 references (maybe more) in the story, so have at you.

          Lastly, please read it, comment (good or bad ~ they all help), if you like it tell friends to read it. Also, after I'm done, I'm taking a break from Castella and going to work on my older stories projects (will not be on the blog ~ sorry) and work and also a new project that will be on the site: Project Enigma (!?).

Story Update: Castella In Theory Episode 2 Teaser II

          This is a sample of the story I've been working on: Castella In Theory Episode 2. Hope you enjoy it. This time the scene is from a bit later in the story. I am almost done with polishing and editing and am just about to go into Phase II (PEP II)! The two pages are inside after the jump.
          Also, the story is currently 44 pages and will not be any longer than that. It's a long read.

          New release date: June 2011 (I am pushing for this!)

Story Update: Castella In Theory Episode 2 Teaser I

          This is a sample of the story I've been working on. Hope you enjoy it. It's the opening three pages. Still more polishing to go! The three pages are inside after the jump.
          New release date: Summer 2011... 

Story Update: Castella Episode 2

            As mentioned in a previous post, I have finished writing the second short story in the Castella series and am now editing and polishing it. This process is slow and very in-depth. So, with this update I want to present the stages of the process, information on what the stages are, and completion percentage of each stage.

            The Polishing and Editing Phase I (PEP I), consist of the six following stages.

1.      Surface Level Editing (SLE): 100% complete. - 4/16/11

2.      Rereading: 100% complete. - 4/17/11

3.      Implementing SLE: 100% complete. - 5/13/11

4.      Rewriting and Redoing Select Scenes (RR): 100% complete. - 6/08/11

5.      Implementing RR: 100% complete. - 6/11/11

6.      Next Wave Check: 100% complete. - 6/14/11

  UPDATED 6/14/11 ~ Woo! I'm done!!

I've Returned




From under a cloud of curious smoke, with piercing black eyes and a nonchalant smirk, HE returns.



          Yo, anyone who actually visits. I’ll returned from the bowels of the otherworld to update this blog. Really, my school load just lightened up some. Anyway, I have a few updates for the today.

          First. After two years and a month, Tokyopop has finally release Full Metal Panic! Ending Day by Day! And like promised it is in fact the complete arc, encompassing volume 4 and 5. It’s huge and I am very happy to have my copy. If you like Full Metal Panic! or military hijinks and action comedy pick it up now.  

Castella In Theory 1: Follow My Lead

          This is a short story I wrote back in March of 2010 (I'm putting the year just in case this doesn't go up till 2011). This story will be a collection of short stories tied together by the fictional location: Castella. The reason why I started writing these stories and why the title (Ca-Stell-La In Life Theory) is the way it is is because:

1. I've been making a story for about six years but I hadn't been writing it consistently. So, Castella is a way to get me back into writing. This goal has been a success.
2. I like things to be completely thought out and perfect before letting it out the wild. Ca-Stell-La In Life Theory, as whole, is suppose to be me quickly coming up with an idea and just putting in out there without nick picking everything. This goal has not been as successful. Enter episode 2 (8 months and counting).
3. Learning to writing better as well as to explore new genres. As you will see, the first couple of stories are told differently and/or completely different in genre. This first one is a dark comedy.
4. To write more reality-based stories. We can argue this later.

          To read this story, simply click on the pictures below or download the Word files further below. Hope you enjoy the read. Also, please comment here or on my Facebook notes' page for this story. Also, if you have negative comments, please elaborate. One of the reasons I'm doing this is to get better at writing.
          Special Thanks to: Stephen for grammar checking the dialog and looking over the dialog only script and Leonard for looking over the dialog only script

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

UPDATE 1 (10/26/11): Minor fixes to format and story. [Technically, not the first update to this story, but the particular page.]

UPDATE 2 (2/29/12):  Minor fixes.

UPDATE 3 (5/10/12): Forgot to say this before, but the pics are of the older version. Only the PDF reflects the fixes.

          If you don't like clicking on pictures, here is the story in PDF format. Just click on the links below.

• Full Story
• Dialog Only Script

          The next one is more a drama, character story, is a lot longer (currently 16 pages) and is kind of crappy (as of now- I'm fixing that) It's 44 pages and awesome! It's darker and I will hopefully finish it over the Christmas break. (That didn't happen...) I promise all the stories won't be dark. Err, from 4 on.
          Oh yeah! Almost forgot, I'm doing a reference contest for the second story. Huge prize! I'll put up the details later. Contest over.