So I finally got around to editing my new short-story "Not Everything Has a Beautiful Beginning." Go and check it out on my other blog (and let me know what you think).
Click here.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Two is company...
Well this has been a weird day. Got up and went over to see Jimu and his gal pal. We had fun playing Mario Kart Wii. Man, do I LOVE that Wii-wheel:
But our fun was cut short, however, because Leah's eldest sister Brenda came into town. Brenda lives in New Mexico and drove all the way out here to STL-land...with her two dogs...to come and stay with us.
With me and Leah. In our apartment. With her two dogs.
Apparently she's having some marriage problems, and I'm the one who must suffer. I don't dislike Brenda, but like her father (who is now my boss) she like to argue. A lot. We've gone around a few times. Anyway, Leah reads this blog...so I'm not at liberty to say much--just that I'm not looking forward to the next few days.
I suspect I'll be getting a few good stories out of this week (as well as stained carpets, and a week-long migraine).
But our fun was cut short, however, because Leah's eldest sister Brenda came into town. Brenda lives in New Mexico and drove all the way out here to STL-land...with her two dogs...to come and stay with us.
With me and Leah. In our apartment. With her two dogs.
Apparently she's having some marriage problems, and I'm the one who must suffer. I don't dislike Brenda, but like her father (who is now my boss) she like to argue. A lot. We've gone around a few times. Anyway, Leah reads this blog...so I'm not at liberty to say much--just that I'm not looking forward to the next few days.
I suspect I'll be getting a few good stories out of this week (as well as stained carpets, and a week-long migraine).
Friday, June 27, 2008
Reached! THE DARK TOWER
A few minutes ago, I finished the seventh--and final book in Stephen King's DARK TOWER series. It took King over 30 years to write it, and it took me nearly a whole year to read it (granted I took several months off between book one and two). What a long, strange trip.
I've never been one to read long series. It's not that I don't like a good, long yarn...it's just that I have literary ADD. After a while, my pile of books beckons to me. I want to move onto something new. Anyway, I read book one last July, at the behest of my friend Paul who said I'd love it. I read it on the third floor of an empty office building (downtown KC) in the wee hours of the morning. There were a few parts that scared the hell out of me (what with my solitude and the hour of the day). It was good, but I didn't have the other books. When I got them (free, on Paperbackswap.com) it was time to go back to school for my final semester. Suddenly I was swamped with stuff to read. So THE DARK TOWER took a backseat. Then I grew up, and got out of school and found a job where I had nothing but time. So I read. And I read.
The tale of Roland, the last gunslinger kept me from going crazy many a night over the UMSL's Mark Twain Center (where I was a lame-ass security guard). One of the lifeguards downstairs (a hippie-dippy named Nick) was into the series, and it gave us something common to talk about. Had it not been for him, I might not have finished the series. But he kept pressing me, and the books got better as I went along.
Now, THOUSANDS of pages later...I'm finished. How was it? Was it worth the effort? Yes. I'd say it was. THE DARK TOWER has an ending I found both bone-crushingly pessimistic--while at the same time hopefully optimistic. That sounds a bit odd (and at odds) but trust me on this (no spoilers here people).
I'm about to start ANOTHER series (if you believe it or not), one that my baby-sister has recommended I read. I can't wait to hop right into book one tomorrow.
As a side note, it's sort of funny that my hesitancy to start long series is due to "literary ADD." Why? My wife-to-be ACTUALLY HAS ADD and started THE DARK TOWER series only a few months ago--and has been dogging me to finish the last book--so she could start it!!! That's right, only a few months in, and she's on the last book. Ironic.
I've never been one to read long series. It's not that I don't like a good, long yarn...it's just that I have literary ADD. After a while, my pile of books beckons to me. I want to move onto something new. Anyway, I read book one last July, at the behest of my friend Paul who said I'd love it. I read it on the third floor of an empty office building (downtown KC) in the wee hours of the morning. There were a few parts that scared the hell out of me (what with my solitude and the hour of the day). It was good, but I didn't have the other books. When I got them (free, on Paperbackswap.com) it was time to go back to school for my final semester. Suddenly I was swamped with stuff to read. So THE DARK TOWER took a backseat. Then I grew up, and got out of school and found a job where I had nothing but time. So I read. And I read.
The tale of Roland, the last gunslinger kept me from going crazy many a night over the UMSL's Mark Twain Center (where I was a lame-ass security guard). One of the lifeguards downstairs (a hippie-dippy named Nick) was into the series, and it gave us something common to talk about. Had it not been for him, I might not have finished the series. But he kept pressing me, and the books got better as I went along.
Now, THOUSANDS of pages later...I'm finished. How was it? Was it worth the effort? Yes. I'd say it was. THE DARK TOWER has an ending I found both bone-crushingly pessimistic--while at the same time hopefully optimistic. That sounds a bit odd (and at odds) but trust me on this (no spoilers here people).
I'm about to start ANOTHER series (if you believe it or not), one that my baby-sister has recommended I read. I can't wait to hop right into book one tomorrow.
As a side note, it's sort of funny that my hesitancy to start long series is due to "literary ADD." Why? My wife-to-be ACTUALLY HAS ADD and started THE DARK TOWER series only a few months ago--and has been dogging me to finish the last book--so she could start it!!! That's right, only a few months in, and she's on the last book. Ironic.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Birthday in KC
Well it's Sunday...and I'm in Kansas City celebrating my birthday (a little early, I was actually born on the 23). It kinda sucks because I'm sick (summer cold). I hate summer colds. It never fails, whenever I'm about to travel/have fun in the summer I get a cold, and no one can figure out how I got it.
Anyway, yesterday while Leah and my sisters were picking out dresses for the wedding, I went downtown with my daddy. My dad has a really good job, with a big-time local company (world famous...you'd know it if I told you...sounds like "Mallfark Lards") BUT: this is 2008, and he has a second part-time job checking the parking lots down on The Plaza (rich, snooty place downtown KC). I've been hearing about this job for the past few months...and was interested in seeing what my old man did. So we headed downtown.
Parking was a bitch, and we ended up having to park in front of my old employer (which sucked):
Our first stop was the new Power and Light District, a new flashy bar/restaurant area they installed in the urban wasteland that is downtown KC. Across the street was the new Sprint Center--which was actually really impressive (lots of glass and flashy lights, me likey). Then we headed over to the Plaza where my Dad borrowed his companies golf cart to show me around. It was crazy fun.
Anyway, yesterday while Leah and my sisters were picking out dresses for the wedding, I went downtown with my daddy. My dad has a really good job, with a big-time local company (world famous...you'd know it if I told you...sounds like "Mallfark Lards") BUT: this is 2008, and he has a second part-time job checking the parking lots down on The Plaza (rich, snooty place downtown KC). I've been hearing about this job for the past few months...and was interested in seeing what my old man did. So we headed downtown.
Parking was a bitch, and we ended up having to park in front of my old employer (which sucked):
Our first stop was the new Power and Light District, a new flashy bar/restaurant area they installed in the urban wasteland that is downtown KC. Across the street was the new Sprint Center--which was actually really impressive (lots of glass and flashy lights, me likey). Then we headed over to the Plaza where my Dad borrowed his companies golf cart to show me around. It was crazy fun.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Credit FREEZE
So yesterday I did something a little dramatic to stop the growth of my credit card debt--I froze my credit card.
I'm not sure where I got this idea (probably where I get all my ideas, from my parents), but it seems to be working: I didn't use my credit card today, how could I? It was at home...frozen...
I'm staring down $4,000 worth of credit card debt, and I'm determined to slay the scaly bitch-monster that is credit card debt. No more minimum payments. No more fooling around. This time, I'm serious.
I'm not sure where I got this idea (probably where I get all my ideas, from my parents), but it seems to be working: I didn't use my credit card today, how could I? It was at home...frozen...
I'm staring down $4,000 worth of credit card debt, and I'm determined to slay the scaly bitch-monster that is credit card debt. No more minimum payments. No more fooling around. This time, I'm serious.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
New Coldplay ablum, a STAR TREK Christmas story, and Steely Dan???
Wow.
I used to think I'd become more normal the older I got...instead I seem to be growing even more strange/eccentric. This week found me unusually preoccupied with jazz-rockers Steely Dan. I somehow stumbled upon "Kid Charlemagne" on the local rock radio. Listening to this song triggered an "a-ha!" moment, as I realized that rapper Kanye West used this classic '70s track in his recent opus-to-himself "Champion." From there it only got worse. I downloaded the band's remastered Greatest Hits. Pretty soon I was listening to "Dirty Work" three times a day.
Not weird enough for you?
Okay, how about this--today I sat on the can and read a STAR TREK story (by the legendary Alan Dean Foster no less!). Geeky, right? But nothing too extreme--except that this particular story ("The Survivor" an adaption of an episode of the old animated TREK show (that I've never actually seen)) was set during Christmas time on the Enterprise! A drunk Scotty even came up with a blue-print for a "forth-dimensional Christmas tree." I'm not sure what's worse, that someone would think it a good idea to have this sort of story exist...or that I sat and read it (yes, even after my business was done). It was both twenty minutes I'll never get back, and yet if given the chance I'd read it again (only because it was/is so ridiculous).
I'm supposed to be listening to/reviewing the new Coldplay album, VIVA LA VIDA, but frankly it's so boring/borderline terrible that I've all but given up.
I used to think I'd become more normal the older I got...instead I seem to be growing even more strange/eccentric. This week found me unusually preoccupied with jazz-rockers Steely Dan. I somehow stumbled upon "Kid Charlemagne" on the local rock radio. Listening to this song triggered an "a-ha!" moment, as I realized that rapper Kanye West used this classic '70s track in his recent opus-to-himself "Champion." From there it only got worse. I downloaded the band's remastered Greatest Hits. Pretty soon I was listening to "Dirty Work" three times a day.
Not weird enough for you?
Okay, how about this--today I sat on the can and read a STAR TREK story (by the legendary Alan Dean Foster no less!). Geeky, right? But nothing too extreme--except that this particular story ("The Survivor" an adaption of an episode of the old animated TREK show (that I've never actually seen)) was set during Christmas time on the Enterprise! A drunk Scotty even came up with a blue-print for a "forth-dimensional Christmas tree." I'm not sure what's worse, that someone would think it a good idea to have this sort of story exist...or that I sat and read it (yes, even after my business was done). It was both twenty minutes I'll never get back, and yet if given the chance I'd read it again (only because it was/is so ridiculous).
I'm supposed to be listening to/reviewing the new Coldplay album, VIVA LA VIDA, but frankly it's so boring/borderline terrible that I've all but given up.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Wanna see OUR Cake Topper?
Ugh. This wedding-thing is creeping up on me. Today I came home and found a little white box outside our apartment door...turns out it was our cake topper. I really wasn't into the whole "little plastic people" thing. Neither was Leah. So instead we got these two cute/romantic doves.
I'd like to think I'm the one with the "straight" neck. Leah's the one with the "curved" neck:
That's all I got right now...
I'd like to think I'm the one with the "straight" neck. Leah's the one with the "curved" neck:
That's all I got right now...
Monday, June 09, 2008
Wedding Invites
Anyone wishing to come to "The Wedding" should shoot me an email. Invites go out this week.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Seriously, this feels good
I just finished the first draft of "Not Everything Has a Beautiful Beginning."
God it feels good...I forgot how good it feels when you finish something. For those of you who don't write (or who don't make anything) you're really missing out. On her blog, MountainGirl recently posted some quote about how soothing/calming writing is...that's not how it is for me. Writing is the fucking 10th circle of hell. Sometimes it's only the 9th, but most times it's hard. But it's a good kind of hard. I dig the struggle, I really do. Why? Because there is nothing sweeter than holding that finished product.
Anyway, tomorrow I'm going to edit it. Then, after Leah's reading--I'll post it on my other blog for mass consumption.
God it feels good...I forgot how good it feels when you finish something. For those of you who don't write (or who don't make anything) you're really missing out. On her blog, MountainGirl recently posted some quote about how soothing/calming writing is...that's not how it is for me. Writing is the fucking 10th circle of hell. Sometimes it's only the 9th, but most times it's hard. But it's a good kind of hard. I dig the struggle, I really do. Why? Because there is nothing sweeter than holding that finished product.
Anyway, tomorrow I'm going to edit it. Then, after Leah's reading--I'll post it on my other blog for mass consumption.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Still writing...
Have you ever witnessed something in public, something bad...and done nothing? I have. I've seen people treat their children too roughly, I've seen people drinking booze while driving, I've seen people steal--and done nothing.
Have you ever seen someone do something wrong/bad and wondered what your life would be like if you stood up and did the right thing? That's one of many themes I'm touching on in "Not Everything Has a Beautiful Beginning."
I wrote the bulk of it today. It's not very long/complicated...but it's both important and difficult because I'm "getting back on the horse." It's hard to believe but this is some of the first writing I've done since NaNoWriMo ended back in November.
Oh, and please don't ask about the book--I'll get to it one day. I just felt the intense desire to start and FINISH something. I was supposed to write a little 3 page story and say: "there, you've done it. You can finish what you start," but you know how these things go...they get a life of their own. It'll probably end up 20 pages or so.
And so it goes.
I'll edit it and post it up on my other blog (yes, I'll let you know). I have no qualms about doing this (copyrights be damned) because if I don't no one will ever read it. And I'm sick of that.
Have you ever seen someone do something wrong/bad and wondered what your life would be like if you stood up and did the right thing? That's one of many themes I'm touching on in "Not Everything Has a Beautiful Beginning."
I wrote the bulk of it today. It's not very long/complicated...but it's both important and difficult because I'm "getting back on the horse." It's hard to believe but this is some of the first writing I've done since NaNoWriMo ended back in November.
Oh, and please don't ask about the book--I'll get to it one day. I just felt the intense desire to start and FINISH something. I was supposed to write a little 3 page story and say: "there, you've done it. You can finish what you start," but you know how these things go...they get a life of their own. It'll probably end up 20 pages or so.
And so it goes.
I'll edit it and post it up on my other blog (yes, I'll let you know). I have no qualms about doing this (copyrights be damned) because if I don't no one will ever read it. And I'm sick of that.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Just Checking In
It's Tuesday. Yay.
So what have I been up to? Well this past weekend I got a little sun--me and Leah went to the Zoo. It was a nice (though hot) day. We got plenty of exercise walking through Forest Park (long walk back to the car). Leah cooked an excellent fish dish (some sort of lime-halibut I think) and I rented a couple of classic comedies (BEVERLY HILLS COP and THE BIG LEBOWSKI). I'm not sure why I needed to rent this movies, but I did (sometimes these things just sort of come to me). I'd seen both, of course, but no in ages. Have you seen THE BIG LEBOWSKI? It's amazing!
And that, folks, brings me to this weeks agenda. I'm working on two projects. The first: I'm writing a new short story (with the delightfully short name) "Not Everything Has a Beautiful Beginning." So far, so good (today is day #2 and I'm pleased with it's progress). My second little project is to watch THE BIG LEBOWSKI every night this week. Thus far I've see it three times (Sunday, Monday, and now Tuesday). Three days left (wish me luck).
Work sucks. Most of my co-workers are running on a (literal) fourth-grade education. So we're not discussing Chaucer on our coffee breaks (just fucking and drugs--you know, fourth-grade stuff). My boss (in-law) tells me he's going out of town tomorrow night--effectively leaving me in charge for two days. I can't tell you how thrilled I am.
By the way...I'm not the only one who's obsessed.
So what have I been up to? Well this past weekend I got a little sun--me and Leah went to the Zoo. It was a nice (though hot) day. We got plenty of exercise walking through Forest Park (long walk back to the car). Leah cooked an excellent fish dish (some sort of lime-halibut I think) and I rented a couple of classic comedies (BEVERLY HILLS COP and THE BIG LEBOWSKI). I'm not sure why I needed to rent this movies, but I did (sometimes these things just sort of come to me). I'd seen both, of course, but no in ages. Have you seen THE BIG LEBOWSKI? It's amazing!
And that, folks, brings me to this weeks agenda. I'm working on two projects. The first: I'm writing a new short story (with the delightfully short name) "Not Everything Has a Beautiful Beginning." So far, so good (today is day #2 and I'm pleased with it's progress). My second little project is to watch THE BIG LEBOWSKI every night this week. Thus far I've see it three times (Sunday, Monday, and now Tuesday). Three days left (wish me luck).
Work sucks. Most of my co-workers are running on a (literal) fourth-grade education. So we're not discussing Chaucer on our coffee breaks (just fucking and drugs--you know, fourth-grade stuff). My boss (in-law) tells me he's going out of town tomorrow night--effectively leaving me in charge for two days. I can't tell you how thrilled I am.
By the way...I'm not the only one who's obsessed.
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