scottpetersons3

[scottpetersons3]

The Five Things I Have Learned In My 25 Years

       Well it is that time of year again folks. It’s time for me to take a second and think where I am and what have I learned since last year. For those who don’t know this Sunday will mark my quarter century on this Earth. A couple years back I started writing a yearly article about what I have learned over the years, and as I read over those again I noticed that each year I learn similar things but with the passing of time comes more details and a deeper experience. In an attempt pass on what little wisdom I have here are the 5 things I have learned in my 25 years.

1.       Life Isn’t A Race

       If I could go back two years ago and tell my freshly graduated self one thing it would be this. Life is not a race.  In a world that seems to be obsessed with professional and social success it is hard to remember that the road you are on is the right one. So often I find myself looking at what others have and saying why don’t I have that? I feel that most of us have been through a similar mindset. The reality is that we are impatient beings in a patient world. What we want will come in time. We just have to be willing to wait for it. All of our roads are different in length and honestly just need to be appreciated in the moment because you can never go back only forward. So get comfortable, pick good people to travel with, choose a kick ass road trip playlist, and simply enjoy the ride.

2.       The Side Hustle

       Life is more than just working and coming home. It’s about experiences and pushing your craft. There is nothing I am more proud of at the moment than my hobbies and involvement around the city. This year I told myself that I would push my writing ability even further than last year and attempt to write my first novel. I’m happy to say that my novel is at 130 pages which equals 62,939 words. And not to sound cocky but damn it I am proud of that. The thought behind this is to train and prepare myself for the idea I have for the great American Time Travel novel that I will write someday. Now this novel is not that one because I wanted to learn how to create and develop a story before tackling an idea I am passionate about.

       This year I have pushed myself in my improv comedy career. Not only am I continuing to learn through different classes and workshops, but for the first time I am performing with a kick ass group, here is a shameless plug for our group is called Downstairs Improv, and getting paid to do so. This idea of people paying us for doing something we love means more than the actual compensation. The point is to take pride in your passions and continue to push yourself outside of your career.

3.       Flying Solo

       Every year I always tackle the topic of dating, which mostly consisted of my varying opinions of online dating. This year I would like to address a different topic revolving around the world of dating and that is the break up. I can hear the audible groans as I type this article, but bear with me I have a greater point. Through the passing of time I have discovered that you will never learn more about yourself and how you function than during the loss of a meaningful relationship. This time is critical in discovering who you really are, and isn’t that the point of this whole human experience? To discover who we are? Maybe it’s my cynical side talking but I can honestly say that everyone should experience real heart break in their life just to say they made it out clean on the other side. There has to be something said about the ability to stand there say “Look what I have accomplished on my own and that I can do this by myself.” All of this will simply strengthen you and push you to be the person you were meant to be.

       Now I’m not going to tell you to break up with your significant other to better yourself. Rather I’d say cherish it and enjoy yourself. I also won’t sugar coat it when I say that is that it is scary to be single. More often than not I see relationships involving two people that don’t quite fit but stay together out of the fear of being single. Just trust me when I say that not everyone has it figured out. You will make it out on your own. And that your significant other is simply waiting for you, though sometimes they could move a little quicker.

4.       Chasing the Mountains

       After graduation it’s typical to see friends move to all different parts of the globe. Now since I have grown up in Toledo, and currently live there right now, I constantly hear people complain that they got to get out of here, that the city is a dump, and that they will never get what they want out of life here. Now I refer to this as chasing the mountains because I constantly hear of people moving to places with scenic views because they are pretty.

       That being said I want to pose one idea. Sometimes I feel that people are so obsessed with what they are looking for that they forget what they have. I constantly look at what the city of Toledo has given me, A loving family, improv comedy, friends, and a job that I actually enjoy. Once I look at all of this I fear that if I move I would gain one aspect of my life that I want, but only at the sacrifice of everything that I have.

5.       Yes…. And

       The last thing on my list is something I am surprised to say wasn’t on any of my previous lists and that is to simply live with no regrets. In improv you are taught to always say “yes and” in a scene. This allows the scene to move forward and to simply go somewhere. That is the true lesson from improv for me. Every time an opportunity arises just say “yes and” because if you say no nothing will come of it. This goes for just about any situation. Just remember to live with no regrets and enjoy every second of the scene that you create.

       Well there you have it. 25 years has moved pretty quickly and if you don’t stop to look every once in a while you might just miss it. Or at least that’s what Ferris Bueller had taught me. So let’s once again raise a glass to you, to all that you have learned and will learn, to everything you stand for, for the people you love, to the people you can’t stand, to all the things you like to do, to your home town, to where you will end up and simply to another 25 years.

[scottpetersons3]

Plenty of Fish in the Sea: The Shape of Water Movie Review

               Hispanic director Guillermo del Toro is the master of peculiar films such as Hellboy, Pans Labyrinth, and Crimson Peaks. His unique style can be spotted from a mile away, with its elaborate set designs and costumes. This time around Guillermo takes inspiration from monster films such as The Creature from the Black Lagoon and mixes it with classic Hollywood for his film The Shape of Water. Will this aquatic romance stick with audiences or will it have a tough time treading water?

The Plot

               The Shape of Water tells the story of Elisa Esposito, a mute woman who works at a secret government facility as a cleaning lady. While cleaning a top secret room, Elisa finds and befriends an aquatic creature that resembles a man. The two slowly look past each other’s faults in this love story like no other.

               If you couldn’t already tell this might be one of the strangest plots in recent years, and that might be a turn off to many people. The Shape of Water is best described using one word. Charming. Though its plot is peculiar the film never fails to charm audiences. Be it with the relationship the characters have or its clever scenes. This film is nothing if not unique.  It simply covers many genres such as science fiction, cold war thriller, romance, and even has a dance number that is reminiscent of La La Land.

               Something the film does well is dealing with the fact that the two lead characters are completely mute. They both mime and use body language to bring their thoughts to the fore front, but it also uses the supporting characters to progress the story. This makes the film even stronger because it places an importance on every single character.

               At the core of the film is Guillermo, which is probably its biggest strength. This might be one of the best looking films of the year. The sets and designs are stylized to the point that you might find yourself looking at the background rather than the scene that’s unfolding. It’s as if the set design is an actor in itself. For example the design of Elisa’s apartment resembles that of a ship wreck and wall paper that looks like fish scales.

               The story does tend to slow down at times depending on which subplot it is focusing on. This is most evident when the film is concentrating on building a struggle of Elisa’s friend, Giles, who is a gay man struggling with self-acceptance in the 50s. This story provides an interesting parallel to Elisa and the creature, but ultimately isn’t as interesting. Another minor gripe of the film is that at times there are details and scenes that may seem unnecessary and simply a bit too much, but that goes a long with the territory of a romance with a fish man.

The Cast and Characters

               The Shape of Water owes a lot to its strong actors to really sell this idea to an audience. The ensemble cast is strong at every point starting with Sally Hawkins as Elisa. This performance is nothing less than spectacular and will probably be getting some Oscar buzz a couple of months down the road. Hawkins spends the whole movie with barely any words, which forces her to use facial and body expressions. This is something she does masterfully to the point where you almost forget she isn’t talking.

               Playing her counterpart is Doug Jones as the aquatic creature. Jones has played many of Guillermo’s creatures throughout his film career such as the monster in Pan’s Labyrinth and the similar aquatic man in Hellboy. This makes him both comfortable and exceptional in the role. It never ceases to amaze the movement and positions Jones is able to form.  To give a single gripe about the character, at times it feels that his character was too animal like to be thought of in a romantic way.

               Playing the films villainous Richard Strickland is Michael Shannon. Shannon is completely comfortable in this villainous role, as he has played many by this point. Shannon does a good job keeping up with his dialogue heavy scenes that make for some of the most interesting points in the film. He resembles the thought process and style of the 1950’s in every shape and form, which creates the perfect base for a villain today.

               The last actor to note her is Octavia Spencer, who gives a notable performance in the film because much of the story is told through her. Much like Shannon, this role is right in Octavia Spencer’s wheel house. The part is almost reminiscent to her role in Hidden Figures. She does provide a nice character to bounce of the miming of Elisa.

The Verdict

               The Shape of Water is truly a peculiar movie and honestly is a departure for Del Toro. Unlike his other films The Shape of Water is not worried with scares or action scenes rather at the core of the film is a simple love story. It is a film with lots of symbolism and messages that can be talked about for hours. Complete with a twist that fans will love to debate. The acting in the film truly sells the idea that a woman could fall for someone truly different. The movie isn’t perfect with its somewhat slow plot and uncomfortable scenes. That being said its design and truly unique concepts make it easy to recommend at full price.

[scottpetersons3]

The Six Things I Have Learned In My 24 Years

     If you can’t laugh at yourself then who can you laugh at? That is a realization I hit when looking back exactly one year ago in my post about the six lessons I learned in my 23 years. During points of the post, I literally can’t stand how pretentious I sound. As I read further, I constantly kept telling my past self to shut the hell up.  It is interesting to see how I have changed as a person over the course of one year. Each experience allowing me to understand my own mind, which is something I will never get the grasp of. All of that considered, and to possibly give myself laughs in the future, here is a new list of six things I have learned in my 24 Years.

1.       Appreciate that hard earned dollar

     Well, it has been a little over a year since I have become acquainted with the real world’s cold grasp, and the first thing I have learned is this, be proud of what you do and the money you make. For a while now, I have been working a manual labor job and honestly I wouldn’t have it any other way. I just feel that physically working for my paycheck has made me appreciate what I make more. Not to mention that a good work environment filled with people who genuinely care about you can make any job a good experience.

     I feel that it is also important to note that everyone should be proud of their work, even when others aren’t. I have found in the professional world, that there are tons of people that are quick to put you down and make you question your work. This is unavoidable, but what isn’t, is how you react to it. Sure their words and opinions might sting, but don’t let this question yourself. Take constructive criticism and move on.

2.       Everything Happens for a Reason

     I have always been a believer in fate and destiny, and maybe this plays into the lesson that everything happens for a reason. This year has been a roller coaster of experiences.  All of that being said I have learned that each choice and experience, both good and bad, helps shape and define who I am. And isn’t that what we all strive for? To really get to know who we are? Everyone has tough times and honestly it is through those experiences that we learn more about ourselves and which leads us to something good.

3.       Make Manageable Goals

     Just a couple of weeks ago, I made a trip to Cincinnati for their comic con, and honestly I could probably geek out about this all day but I will spare you. I will say I did get to meet Kel from Kennan and Kel. Another side note, I learned that fans basically give him a life supply of orange soda. I guess being famous has its benefits.

     The importance of going to the comic con is that I met an incredibly inspiring comic artist named David Mack, who coincidentally I share a birthday with. During his panel, he described how he got his start, and explained that so many people come to him and pitch their ideas of epic story lines that are multiple volumes long. The problem is that these people never get around to writing it. David explains that you need to start small and create something tangible. You could do more for your craft by creating a page long comic book that you could show someone, than a larger than life idea that was never made.

     This is a thought I have always had with my own creative writing. I have always known that some of my story ideas are good, but my ability to write and craft a story is simply not ready to tackle it yet. That’s why I write more short stories now for practice, slowly building my strength to tackle my idea for the great American time travel novel.

4.       Online Dating

     This section of my list last year, literally made me want to throw up, because I was too caught up in my own idea of what a love story is. I will be the first to admit it. Yes, I have tried online dating. Is it the nightmare that I thought it would be a year ago? Absolutely, not. Sure I have had some funny stories through these experiences, but that is the point right there. I had the experience, the opportunity to go out and meet new people or simply reconnect with old friends.  Some of the experiences and relationships I formed I wouldn’t give  up for anything, which would have astonished me a year ago.

     At first I assumed that it would be an instant love life saver, and man that was a blow to the ego. Just because you are on it does not mean that people will be clawing at the chance to go out with you instantly. I think that is the biggest misconception of online dating. Sometimes you just need to get over yourself and your preconceived notions of love. I’m not saying leave your pride at the door, just be open to the experience.

5.       Perspectives and different viewpoints

     This lesson actually has a twofold meaning. The first, actually involves a story from my ventures as a writer. While I was working downtown, I would often leave to eat lunch at the library. I know this sounds odd, but it got me away from my desk for an hour a day. The more I ate there the more I saw the same homeless people sitting around me, until one day when two regulars sparked a conversation with me. They asked me what I did and treated me like an all-star when I told them I was a writer. From then on, I would talk to these two men almost every day. I would constantly receive advice and simply interesting conversation about life and work. The lesson is that a drastic viewpoint such as this can better your outlook on just about any situation, so be open to conversation from just about anyone. You never know who will change your life.

     The second meaning of this lesson is that when you find yourself in conflict with other people, take a second and put yourself in their shoes. Try to understand where they are coming from and why they think like they do. Honestly, this is something I need some work on because let’s face it I’m not perfect, but no one is. Every problem can be solved with a little understanding.

6.       Break the Monotony

     It comes to no surprise that the real world is not like college.  Opportunities to get involved in clubs or groups aren’t always easily available. I can’t stress the importance of finding some activity or something to break the monotony of work. I learned how to do this in two ways. The first was I started writing for my movie review bog called CineSaver. Each week, I was able to go to the movies and it provided yet another outlet for my writing.

     The second takes me back to when I first moved back to Toledo a year ago. Unlike when grew up here, I didn’t know many people in the area. Honestly, I fell into a rut really quickly. So I asked myself what do you know how to do? In college, I did sketch comedy, and most of my friends stemmed from that. So when I found an ad for improv comedy classes it seemed like a no brainer. The experience of performing improv has probably been one of the best decisions I made this year. It allowed me to get excited about this newfound talent, and it simply provided me with a group of people whose enthusiasm and support is never ending.

     This past year has taught me a lot now that I am on my own in the real world. It has had some highs and lows for sure, but there is nothing I would change. So let’s raise a glass for all the laughs, cries, friends, loved ones, and hell even the ones you despise for each has help shape who we all are. Now with 24 years behind me I anxiously await what comes next, and I honestly I can’t wait for another year to see if this list is cringe worthy.

[scottpetersons3]

MAKING HALLOWEEN COSTUMES GREAT AGAIN!

“That guy is wearing a Ghostbusters suit. Oh and it lights up!” says my Dad.

“Yeah, that is pretty cool. He totally bought that at a store.” I reply.

        This is my direct quote on Halloween night. Anyone who knows me would be able to tell you that come the end of August and September, I am hard at work building some costume for a weekend of Halloween celebrations.  I never buy my costume. And honestly I don’t think anyone else should either.

         After doing some research on holiday spending I have found, courtesy of USA Today, that the average American will spend about $ 82.93 for the holiday. That comes to about 8.4 billion dollars for the country as a whole. Try sticking that in your pillow case filled with candy. The One thing to notice when looking at this number is that the $ 82.93 counts for costumes, candy, and decorations. I personally feel that this number is so high due to the fact that celebrating Halloween is now extremely popular amongst an older crowd, not just for kids.

         All of that considered I want to give you some tips that I find helpful to making your own costume. And honestly, I only spend around 20 to 30 bucks to do it each year. The tips I am giving probably won’t give insight on how to save money, rather just to help you out when you make your own costume.

1.       What should I dress as?

        Every year one can probably tell you which costumes will be popular. That being said I did not see a single Harambe out this weekend. Instead, I felt like I was in the Ken Bone zone. With Ken Bones literally popping up everywhere.

        And this side note that might be off topic but I think is awesome. While passing out candy I saw a lot of kids dressed in Star Wars costumes. When I was growing up, this was usually just boys who did this, but now that Force Awakens had a female lead tons of girls were dressed as Star Wars. So Hurray for Star Wars for breaking gender barriers!

        The key for me deciding what to be for Halloween has always been a character that isn’t too relevant, but not so irrelevant that people won’t understand what you are. For example,  a costume that I saw a lot of is Harley Quinn from Suicide Squad. This is come to be expected because of the release of the movie. So you know that if you dress up at Harley that you are bound to run into the Harley Quinn fan club.

        Now an example of my not so relevant but still kind a popular costume was Tron. And I know that not all of you will understand what Tron is or really care for that matter. That being said people have seen the movie and it is recognizable, but the last Tron movie came out six years ago. This thought process will make your costume more unique due to just a better variety of characters. That being said I did run into another person dressed as Tron. I know I was just as surprised as you…..

2.       How Should It Look?

        I think I speak for most people my age when I say that we are not costume making professionals. And so what if you costume looks a little off. I say embrace that fact that your costume looks kind of crude that is what makes it more fun. The costume will be more humorous if it does look a little shitty. You want it to look like you made it.

        A good example from me is when I made a Ghostbusters costume. When I needed to make a proton pack I literally used garbage. I am not going to lie I literally went to the recycling bin and grab a ton of bottles and just strapped it on to a homemade back pack. Did it look funny? Yes. Was it a hit at the party? Of course.

3.       Make it a challenge.

        The most rewarding thing when making your own costume is when you hit a problem and you fix it. It’s that sense of accomplishment that you receive when a plan just comes together.

        I always quote one of my favorite books and movies for that matter called “The Martian.” “You hit one problem then you solve it. Then you move on to the next problem. Then you solve that one. And if you solve enough problems you get to come home.”

        I realize that I am not trying to survive on a desolate planet but the point is this. Making costumes should be fun and have effort put into it. It’s not all about the costume looking great. It is the fun of solving problems and accomplishing the task at hand.

        I learned this with my first and favorite costume, which was Edward Scissor hands. I could not for the life of me figure out how to attach the scissors I made to my hand. That’s when I learned of the miracle that is zip ties. I have been using them for various costumes ever since.

4.       Should it be comfortable?

        Last weekend I ran into a girl, and I am going to try and describe her costume the best I can. It looked like she literally bejeweled her entire face. So naturally I asked if she was comfortable. Her response was I can’t smile….. In disbelief I ask what even are you supposed to be? And she told me some kind of jewel queen but she decided to be a biker chick over that. She walked away and I told my friend that she had no idea what the hell she wanted to be.

        The biggest mistake you can make is that your costume is uncomfortable. Be it your costume is too big, too tight, or too revealing. You have to think that you’re going to be wearing it all night. I know Halloween has become infamous for being sexualized, which if that is your thing more power to you. All I am saying is make sure you’re never uncomfortable for a night or two in the costume.

        Honestly that is why I usually try and stay away from using masks. I mean how am I supposed to talk and socialize if you can’t see my face?

        I know that this post is coming at you after Halloween, but I guess keep it in mind for the next time. And sorry if this was a shameless way to show off some awesome costumes, but what can I say I am proud of it. I hope this helps you save some money and have even more fun next Halloween.

[scottpetersons3]

Five Hilariously Bad B Movie Monsters

        Since Halloween is right around the corner, you begin to see countless forgettable horror movies desperately trying to play off of the season to get people to buy tickets. With each commercial, I see more demons, ghosts, and countless murders running rampant on the big screen. Now I am not going to act like I am a big fan of horror movies, but where is the originality of movie monsters?

        The only place that I can find original ideas for monsters is back in the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s. I say this because these decades contain what is known as B movies. For those who are unfamiliar with what a B movie is let me explain. B movies were low budget films that were usually packaged with another movie for a double feature. So basically people would pay to see the better known and good movie, and then be forced to watch this crappy movie. Some famous examples of these movies would be Godzilla or the Creature from the Black Lagoon.

        Now not every B movie monster is well known or incredibly interesting, but they are hilarious. So I have taken it upon myself to search the outer rim of the internet to find these obscure monsters. After countless searching,  I give you the five most hilarious B movie monsters I could find. The link after each name is a trailer for the movie. That being said let’s start shall we?

1.       Ro Man (1953)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kct4G20TNJg

        I wanted to start this list with probably the most well-known of the bunch, which isn’t exactly saying much. There is nothing more terrifying than a monster called Ro Man. Ro Man actually stands for Robot monster. I mean really? What were they thinking? The creators sit at their desks and say people love robots and monsters! Let’s just give them both!  Just picture it a crowd screaming bloody murder. Look out its Ro Man!!!!!!!!!!!

        The creature itself looks like someone went to a costume shop and just picked up left over pieces from other costumes. His body looks like a gorilla suit. Then his head is looks like the helmet of an old diving suit. Then we end with TV antennas extending from the helmet.

        Turns out Ro Man was sent to earth to kill every human on the planet, which is such a big task if you think about it. Unfortunately,  Ro Man doesn’t accomplish this because he falls in love with a woman, who was one of the last survivors on earth. I guess even robot monsters are looking for love. Sadly for Ro Man,  he stands up to his leader to save the woman he loves and his leader destroys him and comes to earth to kill everyone who is left. Talk about happy endings.  

2.       The Alligator People (1959)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bP7PpOyZ6Ac

        Now this one is exactly what it sounds like. This monster is half alligator and half human. Looking at it really this one isn’t as strange as the other creatures on the list, but I had to mention him because he looks so funny. The main alligator man runs around in khaki pants. As if the alligator man need to wear pants? Mine as well put a shirt and tie on the creature.

       As for the plot all you need to know is that there is an evil scientist who decides to turn people into alligator men in hopes to find a way to regenerate limbs. Of course the experiment goes wrong. The movie centers on the wife of a man who is turned into an alligator man. In the climax, the husband kills the evil doctor and runs from his wife in disgust of his lizard like appearance. He accidently runs into quicksand and dies. And so goes the Shakespearean tragedy that is the alligator man.

3.       The Sting of Death (1965)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng_NFp2RimA

        Much like the last creature on this list the Sting of Death is a half human and half animal. Come to think of it most of these monsters are. That being said I understand a lizard man. That could be relatively scary, but the Sting of Death is half jellyfish. Yeah you heard me right.  It is a jellyfish man. The creature looks about as dumb as it sounds. The costume looks like the creator stuck a balloon on a man’s head. The funny part is if you look close enough you can see the actors head through the balloon.

        The movie tells the story of a bunch of college kids who go to Florida. While there,  they meet a marine biologist named Richard and his assistant Egon. I wonder which one is going to be the villain…. Any way Egon falls in love with one of the girls, of course, but is ridiculed by all the kids for his appearance. So to get back at these jerks he creates a jellyfish monster that kills them. Haha jokes on you angsty college kids!

4.       Blood Freak (1972)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4RMDQxJSAE

        Alright everyone you’re going to need to strap in for this one. Blood Freak tells the story of a Vietnam veteran named   Herschell, who helps a girl with car problems on the side of the road. The girl then takes Herschell to meet up with her friends, who are smoking marijuana. Herschell is hesitant, but due to peer pressure he starts to smoke. He is immediately addicted.

        Later he starts to work at a turkey farm. There are two scientists at the farm that are testing chemicals on turkey meat. The scientists need someone to test the turkey meat by eating it. So they bribe Herschell by giving him marijuana. The chemically infused turkey meat causes Hershell to pass out. The scientists believe he is dead so they drag the body to the middle of the woods.

        Herschell then wakes up and realizes that his head has been replaced with that of a giant Turkey head. And to top it all off he is still addicted to marijuana, but instead of smoking it the turkey man craves the blood of addicts.  And he doesn’t like scratch them with claws. No Blood Freak stabs people with a knife or strangles them.  Just goes to show you kids what drugs will do to you…. They will turn you into a turkey man.

5.  The Godmonster of Indian Flats (1973)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxrYiOIBVzM

        I saved this one for last because it is my favorite. The Godmonster of Indian Flats tells the story of a mutated embryo of a sheep. Scientists find that there are strange gases that are coming from the mine that cause this mutation. The embryo is then taken to a lab, but during experiments it mutates to a full size and terrorizes the town. This might be the hardest to find footage of but I did see like three minutes if cowboys yelling yeeeeeehaaaaaw while throwing ropes around the giant sheep, which was fun.

         The Godmonster of Indian Flats actually looks kind a creepy if I’m being honest. For some reason, one of its arms is significantly longer than the other one. The creature is really chubby and has short stocky legs, so when it runs it looks funny. Also,  the Godmonster is really tall and walks on two legs for some reason, even though it’s a sheep.

        Those were five hilariously bad B movie monsters. I hope these movies brighten up your Halloween season. Are there any monsters that I am missing? Let me know in the comments below!

[scottpetersons3]

6 Lessons I Have Learned in my 23 Years

        As the clock struck midnight last Thursday night I hit a realization. That it was October 7th. Now to many of you this date isn’t significant but for me it marked my 23rd year on this earth. Birthdays come and go and if I am being honest once you turn 21 every birthday is kind of similar, but this year did show me something I hadn’t seen before. I am now living in the real world. This was my first birthday since I was in Dayton.

        In a sense it was strange because it felt like I was in high school again because I was celebrating the same way I did four years ago. I would go out to eat with my parents and my mom even left me a gift waiting with breakfast, which is a Peterson family tradition.

        Now I am a sentimental man, so naturally, on my birthday I always look back over the years and think where I was and compare it to where I am now. I might even, dare I say it, look to where I want to be by the next birthday. Either way my future is not what this post is about, rather I would like to share some lessons I have learned. I realize I will sound like an old man, but here are the six things I learned in my 23 Years.

1.       Be who you are and be that well.

        To starts this list off I look to the motto of my high school, which of course is be who you are and be that well. I know many fellow students might be reading this and think Scott this line is over used at our school, and to that I would say that it probably is. Throughout moments of my life I, like many others, have felt self-conscience about what others think.

        For example, I never wanted to be labeled a band kid, even though I loved being in band. And I was afraid that people would think I was a huge dweebo for reading comic books. And sure people might put labels like this on me, but it wasn’t until one of my friends told me one phrase that I calmed my fears. “It does not matter to those who matter.” So read comics! Play an instrument and just don’t be embarrassed to do what you like. If someone questions it then they aren’t worth your time.

2.       Land of the free home of the strange!

        Accepting the fact that I am a dweebo leads me into my next lesson. And if you catch the reference to the Young the Giant song you get a couple of extra points. Now something I have learned while in band or theater is that you should surround yourself with strange people. Now I’m not saying go out to dinner with the sketchiest person you can find in the park, rather if you hang with a bunch of oddballs then you are bound to get some good stories out of it.

        This is a typical case of what I like to call comedic timing. What I mean by this is that funny stuff will happen and you need to be there to witness it. And let me tell you when you choose to hang with fun and strange people, then your stories will be equally fun and strange.

3.       Explore!

        Now I was in the University of Dayton’s Flyer Pep Band, which is the best damn pep band in the land if I do say so myself. Yeah for shameless promotions! We would travel with the team if they were good enough to make the March Madness tournament. This was everyone’s favorite part of being in band. I mean getting paid to travel. What could be better?

        Once on these trips many students would just sit around in the hotel doing God knows what, but one of my best friends and I had a different plan. Really early on we came to the conclusion that on each trip we want to see it all. Not just see it all but getting to places was half of then fun. For example trying to figure out the subway in New York City became a huge adventure. It was like playing Russian roulette. Is this the right train? Is it going the right way? Well we are going to find out.

        I will end this part by saying in Lord of the Rings. It was never about throwing a ring into a volcano. It was about getting there!

4.       You Can’t Hurry Love

        About a week ago one of my friends was really pushing me to try online dating. Unsuccessfully I might add. Look I will never use a dating app or website. I realize it has worked for others in the past, but it doesn’t seem like it’s for me. I have simply seen too many movies, and I am too much of a hopeless romantic to use this. I guess I want the cute love story. The dramatic scene of seeing someone from across the room, and in that moment I will know. I realize how cheesy this really sounds but bear with me.

        Now I am no expert on love or relationships believe me, and this is probably the only time I’ll talk about it here. The lesson I have learned is that you have to be patient. It will happen. You just need to give it time.  I’ll be the first to say it. I am an impatient man that is living in a patient world. I know that sucks to hear and say for that matter but the point is this; your significant other is out there. It just takes some time for them to get to you. The hopeless romantic in me knows that good things will happen to those who wait.

5.       Pay it Forward

        We all know what it means to pay it forward. Do a kind deed because someone did something kind to you. I think this is a great way to live, but I want to take a different spin on it. Now throughout my life there have been people I look up to. They are there for me when I need it and they gave me a great example to follow.

        It wasn’t until my senior year of college that I realized that I was seen this way by other people. During the last week of college a friend, who was a freshmen, had given me a letter explaining to me how he appreciated everything I did for him. This kind thought really put things in perspective for me because before then I never really noticed that I could be thought of like this. It allowed me to think “Hey Scott you were doing something right.”

        This idea was reinforced when I went to the bars with my friends from work on my birthday. As they were buying me what seemed like an endless amount of drinks, they did a toast for me. One friend even said that “Scott I heard a lot about you before you started working, and let me say you pass every expectation.”

        After seeing how I affect other people I challenge all of you to simply be there in someone else’s life. Be the person that someone will want to write a letter or give a toast to.

6.       Be Creative

        This may be my inner writer coming out. It might also be the fact that I come from a very arts oriented family, but I cannot stress enough the importance of creativity. Everything I did at the University of Dayton always dealt with creativity. The best choice I made throughout my college career was being a part of the student written and acted sketch comedy show called Full Circle, which I would later direct.

        I often told people that I only have two seasons, Full circle season and Full Circle off season. I fell in love with creating ridiculous scenes involving monsters, gargoyles, and one even about hotdogs. The hot dog one is a doozy for those who don’t know. Ask me about it sometime. Ha! Ha! Either way it was here that my love of writing really came to fruition. That is why I continued to study journalism and practice creative writing. The world needs creativity to make this life, and I’m going to quote Charlie Chaplin, a “wonderful adventure.” 

        Now I could tell you lesson after lesson, but I will spare you and stop there. I will leave by saying this. With 23 years behind me I sit anxiously awaiting what will come next. Think of this post as a new beginning for my blog. I will try to get a post out every week. If you would like to see me talk about anything, let me know! I am always open to suggestions.

[scottpetersons3]

The six things i learned in my 23 years. 

[scottpetersons3]

How Seinfeld and the Simpsons Taught Me a Valuable Lesson

       Now I realize that I haven’t written on this blog in probably over a year. And that my audience, all two of you, have really been clamoring for more talk of comedy in everyday life. Consider this post something as a reboot of my blog Comedic Timing. Now that that’s out of the way, shall we delve back into my absurd reality?

“In an ever changing world the only constants that I have is that Seinfeld is on at 6 pm and Simpsons at 8pm”

       These words were spoken by yours truly at the dinner table about a little over a month ago. For some odd reason, this phrase has stuck with me and has truly helped define me this summer. Change is inevitable but I have always seen what is constant. My old roommates would laugh and say it’s probably because you don’t like change Scott, which I have to admit is probably true.

       It’s the constants like this that I always see probably because I am a nerd, geek, or a dweebo. Perhaps dare I say it is my mentality as an aspiring writer? Either way, I see it like this; no matter what happens to this world or me there are stories to provide an escape and example. For instance, Superman will always be there to save the day and get the girl. I realize that life isn’t like a movie or a comic book. At least I hope it isn’t or we would have a really boring Superman movie that consisted of scenes with him doing monotonous jobs like buying groceries or paying taxes. Either way these constants are few and small. At this stage in my life change seems numerous and scary.

       Let’s just say that this point in my life is completely up in the air and filled with uncertainty. Being a recent college grad has given me the wide eye mentality to change the world, but also the firm grip of reality.  I have learned that Toledo Ohio, which I am proud to be born and raised, is different now than it was when I was in high school. My life is changing by the minute be it getting a new car or even a new dog, which is a fun story in itself since he was bought on Craigslist.

       This summer has continued to push me to be better and to change. That is why I have begun to push myself mentally, physically, and even socially if you can believe it. With each push I always ask myself what do I have to lose.  Just take the chance and see what happens. Or as one of my best friends once told me, sometimes you have to create your own destiny. Now this may not always have the ending you wanted, but you can sit back and take pride in the fact that you made an attempt. That is why I have begun to branch out and make new friends in this city that seems foreign. To attempt my first creative writings in the hope of being published.

       I always felt that these posts should leave you with some sort of take away, and I guess it is this. Change is inevitable and strong. And at certain moments in your life there seems like the only constants are the crazy situations put on your favorite TV shows. Don’t let this scare you rather dive into change. To quote Charlie Chaplin “You, the people, have the power to make this life free and beautiful, to make this life a wonderful adventure.”

       To make this post even cheesier I will end by saying this. Go out and make your own adventure because odds are it won’t come to you, and that a captain who is reckless and takes risks is always more fun to talk about.

[scottpetersons3]

Instant Classics

       The past couple of weeks, I have found myself watching marathons of some of my favorite movie franchises. I first started my practice of being unsocial by watching all of the “Terminator” movies, naturally to prepare myself for the newest installment. After spending quality time with my good friend Arnold Schwarzenegger, I moved on to “Back to the Future”. This was fitting because it is the 30th anniversary of the film. Watching these classic blockbusters made me think. Which movies of the past decades will we consider classics 30 years from now?

        I have taken it upon myself to look through 15 years’ worth of movies to complete a list of 5 movies that I believe will be considered classics. First, let’s lay some ground rules here. There are plenty of phenomenal movies that have come out over the years, but that’s not what I’m looking for; rather these are movies that I feel have made an impact on popular culture. These are also movies that literally everyone went to the theaters to see, and if you didn’t what’s wrong with you? Anyway let’s get started.

1.      The Dark Knight

       Within the past 15 years, we have seen more superhero movies than you can count, many of which blend together after a while. This being said “The Dark Knight” has always dominated the genre. Sorry, Marvel Fan Boys, you can throw as many heroes in the same movies but you will never beat Batman. The director, Christopher Nolan proved that he could not only make a good super hero movie, but also really just make an altogether good film.

       I realize that many people will say that it was hyped up due to the death of Heath Ledger. To that I say of course; it was. The movie might not have been as successful if this didn’t happen. Looking past all of the outside factors, one cannot deny the brilliance shown in the portrayal of the Joker. This is simply a fresh take on a character that has now become the new standard for its portrayal. Years from now, we will be watching another Batman movie involving the Joker played by someone new. I’ll be able to say that this will never be as good as Heath Ledger.

       This is a superhero movie that believes it can tell an interesting and smart story. It simply expects more from its audience.

2.      Harry Potter

       I’m going to just say the franchise as a whole because choosing one would cause too much controversy. It’s not that I think that they are all great, and that one is not better than another. “Cough” The third and fourth are the best “cough”. This franchise started what I believe is a movement of teen novels being turned into film, be it “Twilight” or “Hunger Games”.

       The Harry Potter films spanned over a whole generation, which made the characters more relatable because it was almost like we were growing up as they were. This why many people apparently cried at the end of the last movie…

       Few movies have the ability to take the world by storm. The Harry Potter franchise created a new, interesting world with strange creatures, complicated sports, and relatable characters.

3.      Anchorman

       Alright, I know what you’re thinking with this one. How can you pick Anchorman over hundreds of good movies? While making this list, something I soon realized is that there is multiple genres of movies that I need to take into account. I pushed through 15 years’ worth of bad comedy movies like “Tammy”, sequels to “The Hangover”, and “Step Brothers”. That’s right “Step Brothers” isn’t funny, I said it! One comedy proved to be more quotable and simply stayed relevant over the years. This of course is “Anchorman”.

       “Anchorman” has a sense of humor that is unlike any other. It’s a comedy that does not rely on cock jokes or swear words; rather it has good writing with hilarious scenarios. The lines from this movie are consistently funny no matter how many years pass. The scene where Jack Black kicks the dog Baxter off the bridge still gets me.

       This is Will Ferrell at his best. Just think about that. This movie has one of the most successful comedians around, and it’s his best work.

4.      Remember the Titans

       “Remember the Titans” was an obvious choice because it not only tackles, (ha-ha see what I did there) sports, racial issues, and is probably the most inspiring movie I have ever seen. I chose this movie because it is in my opinion the best sports movie ever made. Its message of a team that bands together to not only win a simple football game but to beat the battle of racial inequality.  It is second to none.

       This movie is also has a great cast starting with Denzel Washington as the coach. It also has a young Ryan Gosling before he was the sex symbol we know today. And rounding out the cast is the bully from “Boy Meets World”. So there’s your fun fact for the day.

5.      Lord of the Rings

      I’ll be the first to say it but I’m not a huge fan of these movies, but I realize how important they are to pop culture. I mean without these films or books would anyone know what a Hobbit is? They would just be known as a big-footed midget. These movies are grand epics that transport the audience into a world with an incredible attention to detail. These movies are complete with action scenes that are at least half of the film, but they are also insanely awesome that no one really cares. The movies do not seem to age. The special effects look as good now as they did back then.

       “Lord of the Rings” also has one of the biggest fan bases in any movie franchise. A following such as this is hard to ignore when thinking about this list.

6.      Inception 

       I feel like if there were any movie on this list that someone will debate with me about it would be this one. I tried to stay pretty nonbiased with my choices, to tell you the truth I have never been a fantasy fan, sorry “Harry Potter” and “Lord of the Rings” fan boys. The more I think about it the better “Inception” really is. And this is my reasoning for my last choice. “Inception” came out during a time when Hollywood struggled to create original material. Every week there is a different sequel, prequel, or reboot. “Inception” provides the original idea creating a heist situation within someone’s subconscious. Also might I add, this is the second Chris Nolan movie on the list.

       The movie does a great job at taking truly complex situations and concepts and making them relatively easy to follow. The movie builds off of each insanely awesome concept until it all starts coming together when the heist starts happening. I have even heard the term “Inception” to describe complicated concepts.

       And that’s the end of my list. Are there any choices I have made that you don’t agree with? Feel free to let me know.  I would love to throw down the gauntlet!

[scottpetersons3]

Nerdum!!!!!!

[scottpetersons3]

Nerdum

          It is often thought that people have secret lives that no one knows about. Their characteristics are kept under wraps away from the general public. That being said I have something to confess. Now I realize that this may come as a surprise to many of you, but I am a nerd…

           In all reality for those of you who know me this is probably pretty obvious. I mean I debate topics on comic books and movies with the best of them. In fact, talking to me about the Avengers is like entering a boxing match, so watch out.

          To be totally honest it seems that our culture has accepted nerds far more than ever. For those who doubt this, the most popular shows and movies involve super heroes, deep space operas, and fantasy worlds. You see in my opinion its okay to be a nerd. That being said the life of a nerd is like any other addiction, and that’s right it can be an addiction, it must be practiced in moderation. You see my motto has always been keeping my nerd life and real life separate. I don’t usually publicize this side of me, but deep down I’m a fan boy and proud of it!

         Now I have been in multiple comic book stores in my day. I feel that comic books can be such a unique and interesting medium of entertainment. They equally combine storytelling with artwork. The artwork truly is what draws you in. It is the story and the characters that keep you interested. And not all comics deal with super heroes. I find that super hero comics are hard to keep up with since there are so many of them. In fact, my favorite comic deals with vampires throughout American history.

        My journey into the world of “Nerdum” has taught me many things. The first being that there are stereotypes with nerds. Do me a favor and picture a nerd. What do you see? Let me guess, a big fat middle-aged man. This man probably hasn’t seen the light of day in probably 25 days. This stereotype is a partial truth. There are people who fit description. They are the first type of nerd. The second type is what I like to call a “hipster nerd.” It is these people that give me hope for all nerds. They prove that not only can nerds be young, but also they can be cool and interesting people.

        The distinction between these two types is blatantly obvious by their surroundings, also known as comic stores. You see the first type that I mentioned prefers a dark, cold environment. The store often has a musky smell that can only be described as your attic after not visiting it for a while. These stores are often uninviting and barely lit. While the hipster nerd’s environment is a bit more welcoming. They are almost the exact opposite. They are usually well lit and even play interesting music. The person sitting at the cashier might even be very stylish looking.

        It is in these types of people that I discovered my way of thinking. Many nerds describe themselves as just a nerd, when they should say that they are more than that. Take me for example; I am a college student, musician, writer, and a nerd. My life does not revolve around the latest episode, comic issue, or video game. I simply enjoy and respect the creative storytelling and art that comes with these mediums of entertainment.  So call me a nerd. Call me a dork. Hell! Call me a fan boy! My response would be that it’s a great time to be a nerd, and don’t we all have our guilty pleasures?

[scottpetersons3]

Welcome to Dude Fest!

[scottpetersons3]

Welcome to Dude Fest!

          Come one, Come all, and witness something that defies the farthest reaches of your imagination. This phenomenon is not for the faint of heart, so tread lightly on your journey into the strange. This is your once in a lifetime opportunity to witness Dude Fest!

           Now if you are a single man, like me, you have experienced this before. For those who are not familiar, allow me to paint you a picture. It is a Friday or Saturday night. You and a couple of friends decide to go to a party at a friend’s house. You spend some time cleaning yourself up because you never know who will be at this party. You get all excited because by the sound of it tonight will be awesome, but when you open the door to the party house there is nothing but dudes……

           I first experienced Dude Fest last year during sorority rush week. During this week, many girls were not allowed to participate in campus festivities. This left many parties to be filled to the brim with dudes. If this is your cup of tea, more power to you. I don’t judge. I think I speak for many straight men when I say that walking into a party with only dudes is a little disappointing.

           What happens at Dude Fest? Being very involved in sketch comedy, of course I look to Saturday Night Live to answer this question. I will post the link to the video in this post, but the sketch boy dance party gives a pretty accurate look into Dude Fest. It is a bunch of dudes either having awkward small talk or they are going way too hard on the dance floor.

           What happens when a girl arrives? She throws off the boy to girl ratio. This previously was 100 percent dudes, but now it is only 99.9 percent dudes. There are two courses of action that can happen. 1. You kick the girl out of the party because they don’t call it Dude Fest for nothing. 2. You can let her into the party, but this becomes problematic. Every guy in the room will notice that there is one not like the others. This girl will become the talk of the party and be hit on left and right.

           I feel like this could be very strange for the girls who walk into this trap. If you are the kind of girl who enjoys all of this attention, then you will love it. If you do not like getting hit on by everybody in the room, then steer clear.

           After saying all of this I bet you think I hate Dude Fest, and that would be a safe assumption. That being said I do get lots of funny stories from these experiences. I mean you can never go wrong with a night with the bros. A party with a bunch of bros can be fun right? For the love of God, I hope I’m right……

  Here is the link to the SNL sketch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MQzc6SQk_E

[scottpetersons3]

The Curious Case of Scott Peterson

         Being home in Toledo has created confusion for me that can be best explained like this:  I no longer know how old I really am. I mean last time I checked I was 21, but recent events have led me to believe otherwise.  The question is am I aging quicker? Am I getting younger? Perhaps I have been Benjamin button this whole time. I realize this is a strange start for a blog post but bear with me, and I promise the more I explain the more it will make sense.

           Am I getting younger? Trust me I’m not getting less mature, but every time I come home it seems that time stands still. It is like someone had pressed pause on the problems and conversations that I had when I left, only to press play when I return.

           The other factor that taps into a younger Scott mentality is my room and house. Over the years, my room has not changed much. I still sleep surrounded by Star Wars and Spiderman posters, but I’m also amongst old stuffed animal friends Coca Cola bear and Gogi which is another bear for those who are not up to date on my stuffed animals.

           Am I getting older? I certainly hope this isn’t true, but this thought jumped into my mind at first when I attended my high school’s musical. Now I was cast member of this show for four years, which was three years ago. It was weird to look at the playbill and only recognize a handful of members. Familiar faces dwindle as the years go on.

           After the show ended one of my friends, who was a current cast member, had asked me if I was going to the cast party. Now no offense to any of the cast members, but I am 21 years old. I mean there is a possibility that I could have been partying with people that were 7 years younger than I was. I love playing never have I ever and whatever else high school kids are into now a days as much as the next guy but… older guys with younger kids is usually frowned upon.

           My old age has only been perpetuated by all the family time I have spent with my parents. I kid you not, I went mall walking multiple times with them. If anything it’s good for the cardio, or at least I fool myself into thinking that. I have walked that mall so many times that I am now finishing it in record time. This treacherous path is filled with overzealous employees that barrage you with customer service asking “You finding everything alright?” and “Looking for anything in particular today?” I have become swift like a ninja with the reflexes of a boxer. I sneak past these employees with some bobbing and weaving if I must. Don’t we all go to incredible lengths to ignore mall employees?

           Not to get to off topic of my age confusion but walking the mall makes me realize some of the really stupid products that are out there. The one that sticks out in my mind is a kiosk named Sportula. They sell exactly what you would expect…… sport themed spatulas. How many of them do they sell in a day? All I have to say to the creator of Sportula is a pun… really?

           Regardless, walking the mall multiple times shows who else is walking. I see the same middle-aged women and elderly couples every time. The fact that I have so much in common with this crowd scares me. Next thing you know, I’ll be eating the early bird special.

           I guess I relate to Benjamin Button more than ever, but we are still very different. While he ages backwards I constantly hit both ends of the spectrum of aging and getting younger. This is a very strange phenomenon that leaves me with only one thing to say. SPORTULA REALLY?!?! WHO BUYS THIS?

[scottpetersons3]

The Mighty Avengers?

       It’s that time of the year once again. The temperature is high and the sun is out and many rush outside to enjoy the weather. While people look forward to barbecues and days at the beach, I wait patiently; scratch that anxiously, to sit in a cool dark movie theatre. Summer is the season of movies and with so many releases it seems like I might be at the movies every week.

       This summer was kicked off a couple of weeks ago for me at the midnight premier of The Avengers Age of Ultron. This movie has such high expectations due to the buildup of multiple solo films for the individual super heroes. The question is could this movie live up to the hype that it created?

       Before I go into further detail, I want to preface saying that there will be major spoilers in this article. If you do not want me to ruin parts of the movie for you then don’t read further.

       This time around the Avengers are assembled to take on Ultron, which is a robot that is voiced by James Spader. Long story short, and believe me it is a long story because this movie maxes out around 2 and a half hours, Iron Man creates a robot that turns bad and wants to kill everyone.

        My initial opinion is that the movie was ok. It’s your typical summer blockbuster that is jam packed with action, but when really thought about it there isn’t a lot of substance to it. And I know I should not be going to a super hero movie and expect a thought-provoking tale. I did like the movie but this article will focus on what I didn’t like because let’s face it criticisms are more fun to write about.

       After watching this movie, I learned that the greatest super power is apparently the power of one-liners. This movie is filled to the brim with one-liners. I think Marvel realized that their audience enjoyed the wisecracks made by Iron Man and any of the members of the Guardians of the Galaxy, so they decided to turn every character into a comedian. This is done if it fits the character or not. Maybe I’m just being critical, but it becomes tiresome when you see Captain America, Thor, and even the freaking evil robot making jokes every 3 seconds. It just seemed out of character at times. Those characters were not funny in their own movies, so why all of a sudden are they comedians in this one?

       The other major complaint I have about the movie is that there are so many characters that it is hard to give each one the same amount screen time. This means that the movie wastes time trying to establish new characters like Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, or as I like to call them convenient plot points one and two. I simply didn’t care about the characters. They were there to give a reason for Hulk to fight Iron Man. Towards the end of the movie; they finally introduce an interesting character named the Vision, which is upsetting because more time is spent developing the other new characters.

        It was hard for me to develop an interest in these characters when they did so little. This makes the twist unsatisfying. When Quicksilver dies towards the end of the movie, my only thought was that Marvel killed off a character nobody cared about. It just showed that Marvel didn’t have the balls to take a risk and kill someone important. I mean even DC took a risk when Superman killed Zod at the end of Man of Steel. This was controversial, and I won’t give my input on that. My point is that DC showed that they took a bigger risk. Not to mention that Quicksilver’s last words were a FREAKING ONE LINER! I mean how am I supposed to take his death seriously?

       The last thing, I want to mention is that villain Ultron. I wanted to like this character so much! I mean he has the voice of James Spader. He has the possibility of a great back-story, and he simply looked awesome. This just wasn’t the case. The villain I saw was only surface deep. He walked into the movie pretty interesting with his first scene depicting a scary and sinister villain. As the movie went on, his disposition seemed like “I’m a robot and I’m bad because I’m a robot.” It just wasn’t anything new. The idea of robots going bad has been done before and this character added nothing to that idea.

       I realize that I have probably pissed off a lot of fan boys, and to those who disagree I say bring it on. I absolutely love arguing about these movies. I think the discussions that are had about these films are half the fun because everyone has a different opinion or a different favorite superhero. I enjoyed the movie overall, but I am more excited to see what else the summer movie season has to offer.

[scottpetersons3]

The Thin Line

          Since it is the end of the school year, I have been feeling pretty sentimental. Just last week, I was moving out of my house. It was this final weekend at UD that showed me how much my house and roommates truly meant to me, but what is it about this house that makes it so memorable?

          Is my house just the wonky looking building with the spirit rock in front of it? I would argue against this train of thought, and for those who live on Art Street, I’m probably going to sound like Brian for a minute. It is a creative looking house that resembles the guys who have lived there for the past 10 years, since our house has really been passed down through generations.

          The legacy of this house didn’t faze me until my roommate, Chris, had written on the chalkboard, that’s right we have a chalkboard as a wall in our house, what of it, the names of everyone that has lived there. It seemed strange that there was almost a bond between a bunch of guys and myself; guys that I will probably never meet.

            Going into this year, I didn’t know my roommates on a real personal level. It is often said that you do not truly know someone until you live with them. The members of our house have been through just about everything together. These experiences span from a memorial service for our fish, whose name was Marnie, to creating our very own art project for school. Of course, we didn’t always agree on every decision that was made, but no one’s perfect. I can say that now I probably know them better than most people. I know this will sound cliché, but it was this house that brought us together.

           A friend who was a past resident of this same house, Josh Chamberlain, had once told me that this house is special. He described the effect of this house as the thin line. This means that our house is a place in which the line between reality and heaven is extremely thin. This allows for our house to seem somewhat like heaven.

           I realize that this thought sounds pretty spacey and out there, but so is the man who said it. I usually would disregard claims like this but the idea that my house on campus is a place where I can be at peace is comforting.

           It is only the beginning of the summer, and I can tell you that it will be a long 3 to 4 months. I cannot wait to return to my home, my paradise, and the thin line that separates them this coming fall.

[scottpetersons3]

Where to begin....

Hey everyone and welcome to my blog! I know what you are thinking. Scott you are not funny, why did you title your blog Comedic Timing? I would respond to that question with another question. What exactly is comedic timing? It is often thought to be referring to the comedic ability and the delivery of a joke, but in my case it is more like funny things seem to happen and I am just there to witness it. This blog will be a look into the comedy or interests of  my mundane everyday life. I plan to write about everything and anything. That being said this is a two way street. I would love to receive feedback and ideas for future posts. So don’t be shy!  And with that strap yourself in because it’s going to be an interesting ride.