The end could be near for fulfilling a lifelong dream and Hardcore 'Hard Candy'

I tend to write my best when everything around me seems to be at its worst. This is one of those times. For seven years, I've abandoned a story I began writing. This was how long Robin and I dated before a string of breakups and inabilities to accept each other's flaws outweighed our commonalities. As usual, my adrenaline hit warp speed yesterday.

A new conclusion to this story came out of nowhere just like everything else that had been previously written. It's a laborious process at times. There are some days when ideas and words just easily flow, while there are others that test my patience. On a few occasions, I would stare at a blank screen for an hour or so. Suddenly, ideas began seeping into my collective conciousness. It's similar to an artist; you have a canvas in front of you and words fill the pages like the lines and figures on a painting.

Sure, it would be great if this reached a mass audience. Reality says it's highly unlikely. The publishing industry is a very precarious one. You either select a house that is small, or a large one that demands high sales in a very short time span. Here is a brief synopsis of my attempt to avoid literary snobbery and just present a story that people might find interesting. You can tell me if it doesn't float your boat. I'm long past the days when I used to get easily offended.

This is an existential story about two young adults journeying on roads for self-discovery and acceptance. Johnny McManus, a college student and full-time warehouse employee, is tired of his monotanous life and alienation. He has no friends in a new town he lives in and decides to finally risk taking a chance at becoming a full-time musician. Chasity Adams, a straight 'A' high school senior, continues to endure day to day ridicule by her peers. As a young woman who survives a brutal rape, she just wants to escape and photograph the struggles others face when looking through her lens. Her older sister is well liked and has a boyfriend Chasity has a crush on. He expresses no interest in Chasity, so she feels there's nothing left for her in this town. Johnny and Chasity embark on their journey to Los Angeles.

This story chronicles the lives of Chasity and Johnny through their eyes and memories. They also find a shangri-la while working to establish their desired careers. It's a place where all their fears and anxieties subside. Surrealism and what is perceived as fantasy coexist. Will they find acceptance from others through their works or retreat to a place that seemingly offers infinite bliss?

Ellen Page delivers a powerful acting performance

I flipped through the channels Friday afternoon after getting off work. By this point, I'm tired of hearing pundits on the news forecast what will happen next week for the all important Presidential and Congressional elections. I turned on FearNet and saw a movie starring Ellen Page (star of Juno). Now, I know why she was cast for her critically acclaimed role in Juno. The character she portrays in this movie is much more intense, mirroring the story written for Hard Candy.

Hard Candy is a film about a highly intelligent, mature beyond her years teenager played by Page and a 30s-something photographer. The two of them have exchanged dialogues on an online chatroom and agree to finally meet each other. After they meet, get ready for an extremely intense psychological thriller. I recommend you don't eat anything while watching this. Personally, I thought Page's role in this film was much harder to pull off than the character she played in Juno. There are plenty of twists and turns this film will take you on.

Whenever I or someone else writes online, I have to be honest with myself and say it's done for self-centered reasons. There is this voyeuristic nature to it. Who is this person who has this blog, "Puritan Peddlers?" He could be some wacko. People spend a lot of time on the internet nowadays for various reasons. Unfortunately, some use it as a complete escape from their everyday lives. Many marriages end when a spouse is found to have an addiction to pornography or just wants to spend countless hours playing online games like "World of Warcraft." I admit I spend a few hours each Sunday playing Madden 'o9 on the Playstation 3 at my friend's house. But, I use the internet mainly to read up on my favorite blogs: crooksandliars, Thomas', and Stephanie's. I also like to catch up on latest sports news. Here is something interesting I found from a professor at Kansas State University. It's where my godfather, my dad's college roommate and best friend, and writer of a book on the history of baseball works as Vice President of the Registrar's Office. I know, it's that place on campus that always screws with your schedule. This professor has offered some unique and engaging points-of-view on the power of modern technology and its overwhelming effects it has on today's society. Tell me what you think:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o