Winter wonderland

My wife has experienced her first snowfall ever in the past couple of days.

The joy on her face is in direct conflict with the disdain on mine.

I really hate snow

I'm debating this move to the East Coast again

BA all grown up part II

Tomorrow our first washer and dryer set are delivered.

Our matching set.

That isn't from a thrift store.

Or a ding and dent.

No more laundramats. Three years of our lives have be stuck in these hell holes.

Next to my wedding day tomorrow might be the greatest day of our lives.

BA All grown up

Just got back from a company dinner in Miami. The ride back was nothing but late twenty year old's bragging about all the trim they have back home and story after story after cell phone pic.

I love being married.

I have nothing left in common with these guys. It is so desparate.

I guess I'm an old man because I'd rather brag about looking into the eyes of my soul mate and losing myself in her.

The guys called me a fag after I said that.

Moving On

Wow things got heavy around here.

So let's move right along:

I've started my latest novel project.

Before I'd always work months and months in a moleskine getting beat after beat and attempt to link them up while I wrote.

This however hit me so pristine and hard two weeks ago that I just wanted to start. We shall see how it ends up.

As it starts to flesh out I'll post more details.

Eulogy

My father was a Buddahist. His last wishes in his suicide note were to be returned to the grounds of the Zen Mountain Monastery in Upstate New York. I flew in to attend his funeral two weeks after I delivered the ashes. I have no experience with Buddahists as my Dad and I remained apart on this part of his life. I didn't know what to expect. It was strange and beautiful and the most alien experience of my life.

What follows is my Eulogy. Not something I've ever expected to have to write:

I don’t have much experience with eulogies. I’ve been lucky enough in my life
that funerals are very rare things and therefore I find myself at a loss for
what to say or even where to begin.

Two nuns walk into a bar…you think the second one would’ve of ducked. My father told me that joke when I was nine. It wasn’t funny in 1989 either. This place is beautiful. Peaceful. I can see why my father was in love. I find myself trying to find a way to describe a man that was better known here than I could ever hope to understand.

My father was many things: smart, funny, handsome. And luckily for me, he passed
down those traits. Modesty is also something in which we Boucher men have an
inherent gift. My father was an adventurer, a seeker. My childhood with him
never once was dull. As his fearless co pilot I’ve seen the country in all its
splendor, including the 6 hours we spent at the cowboy hall of fame, mostly in
the John Wayne wing.

He was a searcher. He spent his entire life looking for calm, serene peace. The world was noisy for him. The volume was excruciating. It was this place that muted everything. And I thank each and everyone one of you for this.

This hurts. This hurts so bad. And it’s a pain that will never really go away. I miss him. He was my father, my first role model, and furthermore my very first best friend. It was me and him against the world for the first decade of my life. And though time and distance grew between us, I still smile when I remember him springing me out of elementary school because he wanted to go see Batman or The Ghostbusters with his partner in crime.

Some of you here today and others I’ve met in the past couple of weeks have told me many, many stories of what type of man my father was. Thank you. Your kindness
to my family and myself in these hard times has been immeasurable.

To my father I want to say only this…thank you. Thank you for everything you gave me. Thank you for imprinting a character on me that would eventually help persuade a beautiful and miraculous girl to marry me. Thank you.

My father’s last words to my wife and I were this: I love you and Sarah. Know that the love I have for you permeates the universe and know that I will be in the breeze and never far from you.

I miss you old man, and I will be watching the wind.

Death

I've been thinking of ways to do this but all I can really say is this:


On September 8, 2010 my father, Craig Taien Boucher commited suicide in his home.






As someone who calls himself a writer, I'd should say more but for now just this.

Pardon the Dust: An Anniversary is Here

I haven't been around much. Life has inextricable gotten in the way. Death too...

I'll have more to say later about these recent dark times but today is a special day.

Four years ago, I had a date. Two dates really. During my lunch break, I got my first pick up truck. I loved that damn truck. Problem was it was a stick and I had only driven stick two or three times in my life ever.

That night I had a date, but I couldn't get to her house because she lived on the other side of town, and there was a lot of hills.

We decided to meet in the middle at a cineplex. The Departed was playing and I convinced this beautiful girl to come with me. I bought the tickets before she showed up like a god damn gentleman.

However, she didn't think it was a date, just two friends out for a good flick.

Four years later today, that woman is my wife and my best friend. We live three thousand miles away from that theater, living and loving in the city of our choosing.

My life has been forever changed because of this wonderful, miraculous creature that with that first smile stole my heart and soul.

I love that woman more today than I ever thought possible and tomorrow will be even better.

Where in the Hell have you been?

Things got dark around these parts for quite some time. Mainly because of a lack of ambition.

This lack of ambition stems from my life changing quite definitively next week.

My wife and I are uprooting ourselves and moving 2500 miles away.

To Pittsburgh we go!

This truly is the right decision and every event in the past few months has proven this fact again and again.

Goodbye California. I won't miss you

A Completely Rational Conclusion

My wife's nook's screen is frozen on a picture of Chicago.

I removed the battery and the picture is still there....

I must save Barack Obama from assassination.

Brandon History Month Day 30

Brandon History Month Day 29

Today Brandon's 20's come to an end.

They were a vibrant time in History, full of color, virtue, and song.

Here are some of his better known achievements:

Pitched 97 perfect games.

Swam the English Channel (From America.)

Won the 24 hours of LeMans (completed in 20 hours a Track Record)

Decided there should be eight days in a week, then subsquently removed it. (Weird Month)

Built the Great Pyramid at Giza

Defeated Sauron at the Black Gates

Invented the word "dude"

Was strong against the Yen

Made the first Hybrid car out of a Datsun and a Rhino

etc etc etc

The world will change tomorrow, perhaps for the better.

Goodbye 20's and good riddance

Brandon History Month Day 28

Brandon is an animal lover, below are some of his pets:

55,124 dogs

1 cat named Not Dog

Three Parrots

Three Parrots

A Minotaur named Chocolate

A Pegasus named Feathers McSquee

A Flock of Dodo Birds

Brandon History Month Day 27

Andre the Giant was 7'4" and 500 pounds. It has been said that he once drank 119 beers in 6 hours.

Brandon calls him, "Tiny."

Brandon History Month Day 26

Brandon's rubber band shooter

Brandon History Month Day 25

Fact: Light Speed was initally called Brandon Speed

Brandon History Month Day 24

Brandon's mug. Brandon hates Expresso

Brandon History Month Day 23

As of this posting, Brandon is the only man to climb Everest, K2, and the Olympus Mons in a single afternoon.

Brandon History Month Day 22

Brandon's Famous Chili Recipe:

1 part beans, 1 part meat, 40,000 parts lava.

Put all in a metal pot.

Stir.

Eat Metal Pot.

Brandon History Month Day 21

The one and only time Brandon ate seafood. Brandon claims there wasn't enough meat.

Brandon History Month Day 20

Brandon is a great cook, here is his omelette pan.

Brandon History Month Day 19

This guy was second place.

Brandon History Month Day 18

Also known as the Brandon Rabbit

Brandon History Month Day 17

Brandon never is Late. He doesn't wait for Time, Time waits for him.

Brandon History Month Day 16

This month is a time to reflect on everything Brandon does for us, but let us take a moment to talk about what Brandon doesn't do:

Make us cry
Make the world too hot or too cold.
Brussel Sprouts.

That is all.

Brandon History Month Day 15

Brandon once single handedly won independence for the Platano Republic. He fought fiercely and bravely for the poor dispossessed people.

In honor of his deeds the people named their greatest import after him.

The Branana

You've been pronouncing it wrong.

Brandon History Month Day 14

Little known Brandon Fact: He was the sixth Beatle and the first Boy George

Brandon History Month Day 13

Brandon is known for his charitable works.

Every May 13th we celebrate Pound Day, thanking Brandon for not pounding the Earth flat.

Again.

Brandon History Month Day 12

The Colossus of Rhodes. Also known as The Brandon of Rhodes

Brandon History Month Day 11

Brandon's 5 o'clock shadow

Brandon History Month Day 10

Long have scholars discussed and theorized about the meanings of Stonehenge. A massive structure made of rocks that were carried overland hundreds of miles by primitive peoples.

The truth is Brandon likes to BBQ

Brandon History Month Day 9

In the Great Pyramid at Giza you will find many ancient artifacts. One such treasure is a hieroglyph of Brandon struggling to find the answer to a question. This is the last known time this happened.

The artifact is 10,000 years old.

Brandon History Month Day 8

February 30-37, 1940 Brandon on vacation in the Bahamas took a Leap Week.

This is commonly referred to as the
Week of Awesome.

Brandon History Month Day 7

Brandon is renown for his modesty. In fact he is been quoted to say that if there was a Mt. Rushmore of humbleness, Brandon would be Lincoln.

Brandon History Month Day 6

In the Summer of 1937, Brandon hit for the cycle five times, batted .420, averaged 40 yards per catch, 50 yards per pass, a plus/minus of 14, 16 poles, and a 2 minute mile.

Then he had breakfast

Brandon History Month Day 5

While scholars tend to chart only the successes of Brandon, they do in time find accidental offshoots of Brandon's acts.

That is not to say Brandon is to blame.

One such example, Brandon claimed to love cornbread. Farmers across the nation donated their crops to saitate Brandon.

Brandon was pleased, however, it caused the Dust Bowl.

Brandon History Month Day 4

August 14, 1955 Brandon in a fit of boredom declares War on Atlantis.

Where do you find Atlantis?

Exactly.

Brandon History Month Day 3

It is a commonly held belief that the Bran Muffin is named after Brandon. This is true in part.

In other news Bran muffins are partially awesome.

Brandon History Month Day 2

Brandon is credited with the invention of necessity.

Brandon History Month Day 1

It's that time again....


Brandon History Month!


It's a gift to the world.


I'm so freaking giving.


March 23, 1894 Brandon ate a marshmallow the size of Sri Lanka. He lost six pounds

-2 days

I, Pain

God damn I'm sore.

I'm a reknown comfort junkie. When I'm off of work all I truly want to do is change into some basketball shorts and veg in front of the TV with a show or videogames. This is not a good thing.

My ambition meter is on the fritz again and the only way to fix it is to actually leave the house.

My wife had been wanting to go ice skating forever. I grew up on the East Coast and despised that that activity but my wife is beautiful even more so when she pouts.

After turning her down ten times I finally said yes.

Guess what? I had a blast.

I was zooming around darting in and out of the crowd and lapping my wife like crazy.

I was enjoying myself so much that I got cocky. And so now you know what happens...

I hit a bad patch of ice and caught both toepicks in sending my body into superman flight mode. Both my arms were extended in front of me and I was airbourne for about five feet.

I crashed hard but since my legs and arms were outstretched the only thing to break my fall was my ribcage.

I knew drinking all that beer would help out. I would have shatter my ribs but my beer gut saved me again.

Severe Rib Contusion is the result. Doesn't sound that bad really, except it's the most exquisite pain I've ever been in. I've been doped up on prescription strength Ibproufen and Vicodin and still I have a hard time breathing deeply, bending over, and walking.

My poor wife has been constantly taking care of me. She truly is an angel because I'm being the biggest baby I know.

This would be the worse thing to happen this week then my brother had to one up me...

Words per Day

The First March Post!!!

I really don't know how some people do it. Everyday they pop up with content. I can barely write on my projects everyday let alone post in this thing.

Twitter, even that becomes a burden.

They way that writers write and the only way to be successful is to constantly be churning a personal NaNoWriMo that brings forth word count. Every day.

That's just crazy.

So much has happened in my personal life in March that it takes time to process and perhaps I'm such a writer that doesn't experience things with the instant thought of "this will be great to blog about."

Ususally I have a hard time deciding what to write about, stories that is, but recently I've begun work on no less then five different stories at the same time. One of which, if it doesn't start behaving is turning into a novella.

I suddenly find myself with too much to write and not enough time to do it, which for me is usually the opposite of norm.

Is this a problem with anybody else?

Guess What Came in the Mail Today?

Wil Wheaton owns the internets. It's true. I have to pay a nickel everytime I log on. Anyway, on his blog today (I'm a Link!) Wil talks about the Lizard Brain theory. Basically, it's this idea that somewhere deep in our brain there exists a subconsciousness unrelated to our other normal little voice inside.

This is a reptilian mind, sluggish and dormant but aware. It's this parasite that lives inside and thinks only of survival. And perhaps sitting on a hot rock.

The Lizard Brain is the part of us that not only avoids risk but actively seeks to circumvent our attempts at self indentified risks. Including, and this is important, creative works. If you believe that writing for goals and purpose is risky, this dinosaur step child will actively seek to stop you from doing anything to reach your dreams.

This is important for me at this moment. When I was a student, writing was second nature for me. I probably threw away five times as much words as I turned in for assignments, happy. Why? Deadlines. An outside reason for punching keys. Grades, diplomas. Those were the ten ton weights that drove my internal pullies.

That was years ago. Since, without having an external purpose making me write, I haven't been the writer I've dreamed of becoming.

Why?

Because, I've become too internal. I'm scared of rejection, of daring to call myself a writer.

I'm a husband. I work 8-5 to provide for my family. I have responsibilites.

Great excuses right?

Maybe I'm not any good...

Seems a little cold-blooded don't you think?

Like a reptile.

Well, I bring all this up to say that today I received my copies of the Genre Wars Anthology of which yours truly is a part.

Regardless of the number of readers, seeing my story in print. Bound. Published. It's a deep strike at that bastard within that wants me to quit dreaming and quit trying.

I know that a lizards tail will grow back, today though I have it my grasp and it feels pretty good.

In my sidebars is a link. Pick up a copy, it's Awesome.

love,
B

Formula for suck

This plus my leg makes a shitty day.

Genre Wars Out Now!

I'm a pessimest. That comes as no surprise to anyone that knows me.

At the end of last year I entered a short story contest. I came in third in my genre but that was good enough for publication.

That's right, someone was dumb enough to pay money for publishing my bs.

So anyway Sunday the 14th my first foray into public print is public. Click the cover above to go to the Lulu.com storefront to purchase.

All proceeds from the book go to writegirl

Words and notes

I got a new car a few weeks ago. I miss my little pickup but the new car is better, more powerful, newer, and all that jazz. Also it comes with a MP3 hookup. The truck only had AM/FM. Funny how such a little thing is making such a big difference in my day to day. For instance I've been looking for more and more music to blast while I'm running down the street.

Every two or so years I get big into Alternative Rock from the early 2000's and late nineties.

Below are two songs I've been playing non stop. Especially when writing

What in the Hell?

The rehab of New Orleans is complete I hear... The Saints won the freaking Super Bowl. That is insane to me. Good for them I suppose.

Poor Pat McAfee

The Big Game

Go Colts! Mainly for WVU alum Pat McAfee!

Like for sure

Tomorrow night the wife and I are going to an 80's party. I'll post pics later but we did some work to get our costumes just right.

Problem in 90% of my wardrobe came from closet though.

New Things, new things

So in the year of 2010 I face the daunting milestone of 30. I know, I know it's not that bad. However there is a small voice inside me that measures me against some preconceived notions of who I am now and where I thought I'd be at this point.

In a lot of ways I have come up short, to the expectations of a child, teen, and mid twenties type mind.

But at 29 I look at my life and I really am humbled by how good I have it.

A beautiful, trusting and supportive wife who lives for me truly and deeply.

I have ever bullshit gadget you could want, some I really don't need.

Yesterday I bought my first adult car.

I'm not writing this to brag rather to serve notice to myself that just because I'm not some published writer or rich son of a bitch does not mean that I am lacking.

I truly am where I should be and have never been happier.

California: The Coast is Shrinking

Major floods in California. The ocean creeps ever closer to Arizona.

Maynard turns into a prophet...



And I wholeheartedly agree, "Fuck L. Ron Hubbard."

BA

Rainy Days

Rainy days in California. I can't remember it looking this gloomy for this long.

Normally this would be good writing weather but I find myself pulled in too many different directions.

To blowing our resolutions before the month is up!

New Year, New Beginnings

One of my new year resolutions was to blog more. It's the fifteenth of January and this is my second post.

Oh, well...

There is some stuff coming up early this year and therefore with a new outlook I decided for a new layout. I might change my mind in the future so please bear with the construction.

More to come later...

Love
B

Movie Watch://2010

Last year I tried to keep track of all the movies I've seen that year. Not to brag mind you but to see how much of my time was spent watching other people's stories. I forgot to update most of the movies and ended the list in the 90's. Well new year, new list.

1. Four Christmases
2. Invictus
3. It's Complicated*
4. Adventureland
5. It Might Get Loud
6. The Road
7. Sherlock Holmes
8. Did You Hear About the Morgans?
9. He's Just Not That Into You*
10. The Express
11. The Soloist
12. Appaloosa
13. Good Dick
14. Gomorrah
15. Role Models
16. Dear John*
17. The Secret Life of Bees*
18. Deliver Us from Evil
19. This is It
20. Shutter Island
21. Cop Out
22. The Crazies
23. The Hurt Locker
24. Up
25. Precious
26. Brothers
27. Couples' Retreat
28. Where the Wild Things Are
29. Armored