I'm not sure what it is with video games these days. I remember when a video game was something you put a quarter in at an arcade. Now things are pretty much done in solitude in a dank basement well beyond the prying eyes of society at large. This is both a good and bad thing.
I have heard horror stories of gamers sitting for days at a time only getting up to answer the door for their next delivery of food, energy products or in some cases drugs. There are urban legends of people wearing adult diapers so they don't have to get up to do even that. Hideous.
It is a good thing that the Playstation Network will be down until next Wednesday at the earliest. While I am completely annoyed that I can't play my two chosen online games. (Battlefield: Bad Company 2 & Call of Duty: Black Ops) I am glad to be one of those who do not live and die by the PS3 / X-Box remote.
Take this week folks and see what the world has in store for you. Go outside, breathe, take a summer course at Cape Cod Community College. In some cases, get a job. I'm just tossing in my two cents.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
My First Sale
Well it's happened. I've had my first sale of something that I've written. A few months ago I took it upon myself to list Echelon 7: The Iyanough Chronicles with Amazon.com and low and behold I have had a person in the U.K. buy a copy. I couldn't be more thrilled.
This business of writing down the various ramblings of my imagination is certainly something that I feel proud to do in at least a passable fashion.
I have yet to find a logical next step for the crew of the mining tug Iyanough. I think that the next step will have to show the condition of the human race after the destruction of their home-world. Something like that will be the next work in the chute. But for now, as a new professional writer, I plan on basking in the glow of the £1.30 that is now waiting for whatever threshold that I have to break to actually receive a check. But I am thrilled. Really.
To actually sell something is wonderful. I can only hope that this tiniest fraction of a mere facsimile of success continues and the orders come pouring in. If you have a kindle and would like to buy a copy to help support my writing and give some sort of small glimmer of rational hope to this midlife fledgling I would greatly appreciate it. If you don't have a Kindle and want a PDF version you can find it at LuLu.com.
Now it's back to reality. Time to continue work on the latest thing, and get my assignments in on-time. After all, being on-time is really the key to it all isn't it?
This business of writing down the various ramblings of my imagination is certainly something that I feel proud to do in at least a passable fashion.
I have yet to find a logical next step for the crew of the mining tug Iyanough. I think that the next step will have to show the condition of the human race after the destruction of their home-world. Something like that will be the next work in the chute. But for now, as a new professional writer, I plan on basking in the glow of the £1.30 that is now waiting for whatever threshold that I have to break to actually receive a check. But I am thrilled. Really.
To actually sell something is wonderful. I can only hope that this tiniest fraction of a mere facsimile of success continues and the orders come pouring in. If you have a kindle and would like to buy a copy to help support my writing and give some sort of small glimmer of rational hope to this midlife fledgling I would greatly appreciate it. If you don't have a Kindle and want a PDF version you can find it at LuLu.com.
Now it's back to reality. Time to continue work on the latest thing, and get my assignments in on-time. After all, being on-time is really the key to it all isn't it?
Friday, April 22, 2011
Identity Shuffle
It's time for an exploration of the world of the internet identity shuffle. It is so easy for a member of facebook, twitter, myspace and other social networks to hide their identity simply by claiming a profile picture that isn't really theirs. I have run into this phenomenon on a number of occasions.
The idea is simple. Put a photo of someone beautiful, but not famous, on your profile and claim that it's you. But, now with the growing trend of employers checking facebook and other social networks for information on potential employees, this can cause unforeseen turmoil. Something intended as a little innocent cat-and-mouse can turn out to be perceived dishonesty that may cost the person in question a job.
I know that when I write something like this it's good to have a point, and I've been wondering just what is the point in calling people out. Well, it's simple really, I think that most people look fine just the way they are. There are a few exceptions in the population, but for the vast masses this practice is unnecessary for the trouble it may cause you. Honesty in every case is always the best policy. My photo is nothing to write home about, but it's mine.
Consider all the people that may check your social profiles before you post photos. They might seem innocent at the time but, for employers, the pictures of you puking your guts out, half naked, at a party are generally not going to be well received. Thanks for putting up with my little rant here.
The idea is simple. Put a photo of someone beautiful, but not famous, on your profile and claim that it's you. But, now with the growing trend of employers checking facebook and other social networks for information on potential employees, this can cause unforeseen turmoil. Something intended as a little innocent cat-and-mouse can turn out to be perceived dishonesty that may cost the person in question a job.
 | |
| Enjoying Tim & Heather's Boat |
Consider all the people that may check your social profiles before you post photos. They might seem innocent at the time but, for employers, the pictures of you puking your guts out, half naked, at a party are generally not going to be well received. Thanks for putting up with my little rant here.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Reaching the Halfway Point
I was hatched 40 years ago today at Purdre Valley Memorial Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado. And today is the statistical halfway point of my life. This eventuality tends to lead one to become brutally nostalgic. And I am no different.
I can clearly remember giving my mother a plaque ("40 is what happens to you just when you've gotten used to 35") on her fortieth birthday. On that day I was just about to turn 14. I can remember how slow time seemed to crawl. Now I look back and wonder where it all went.
Though I am not a fan of the Grateful Dead, I now agree with the statement, "What a long strange trip it's been." Since my mother's birthday back in 1985 I have graduated High School, attempted to join the US Navy (an injury during training derailed that plan), graduated from the Colorado Institute of Art (now the Art Institute of Denver) with a degree in Recording Engineering, worked doing live sound at concerts, did a miserable job at vacuum sales, worked for Packard Bell Computers in Magna, Utah, moved to Martha's Vineyard and got married (16 years in June), was a trashman with BFI, was an assistant manager with Blockbuster Video, when back to school and got my Airframe and Powerplant license at East Coast Aerotech, moved to Maine and worked for American Eagle Airlines, and we bought a house in 2005. In 2007 American Eagle left Bangor, Maine and I found myself with a mortgage to pay and no job. At that point, and out of desperation, I went back to school and got my CDL and hit the road with Stevens Transport. Eventually we weren't making enough to pay the mortgage, and I was gone all the time, so I left Stevens to try to save the house locally.
This didn't work ... and Wells Fargo told us to move out in May of 2009. They still haven't foreclosed and we moved out when they told us to.
So, here I sit on my 40th birthday, I'm living on Cape Cod, with my wife and mother. I am jobless in the winter and work for the Barnstable Harbormaster's office during the summer. I am back in school, and have a position as Production Director at WKKL that college radio station.
This is NOT where I had expected to be at 40. I guess you never can tell where life is going to take you. I'm at the halfway point and am beginning to look at it as a new, if not so fresh, start.
I can clearly remember giving my mother a plaque ("40 is what happens to you just when you've gotten used to 35") on her fortieth birthday. On that day I was just about to turn 14. I can remember how slow time seemed to crawl. Now I look back and wonder where it all went.
Though I am not a fan of the Grateful Dead, I now agree with the statement, "What a long strange trip it's been." Since my mother's birthday back in 1985 I have graduated High School, attempted to join the US Navy (an injury during training derailed that plan), graduated from the Colorado Institute of Art (now the Art Institute of Denver) with a degree in Recording Engineering, worked doing live sound at concerts, did a miserable job at vacuum sales, worked for Packard Bell Computers in Magna, Utah, moved to Martha's Vineyard and got married (16 years in June), was a trashman with BFI, was an assistant manager with Blockbuster Video, when back to school and got my Airframe and Powerplant license at East Coast Aerotech, moved to Maine and worked for American Eagle Airlines, and we bought a house in 2005. In 2007 American Eagle left Bangor, Maine and I found myself with a mortgage to pay and no job. At that point, and out of desperation, I went back to school and got my CDL and hit the road with Stevens Transport. Eventually we weren't making enough to pay the mortgage, and I was gone all the time, so I left Stevens to try to save the house locally.
This didn't work ... and Wells Fargo told us to move out in May of 2009. They still haven't foreclosed and we moved out when they told us to.
So, here I sit on my 40th birthday, I'm living on Cape Cod, with my wife and mother. I am jobless in the winter and work for the Barnstable Harbormaster's office during the summer. I am back in school, and have a position as Production Director at WKKL that college radio station.
This is NOT where I had expected to be at 40. I guess you never can tell where life is going to take you. I'm at the halfway point and am beginning to look at it as a new, if not so fresh, start.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Distractions and Obligations
Just to add even more to my already full workload, I am now the Production Director at WKKL 90.7FM at Cape Cod Community College. Though I am psyched about this, and it will look stunning on the resume, I feel that my time to write will suffer a bit. I suppose it's time to find some discipline and just write. That's what all the experts with all the experience tell us fledgling writers to do, so it's time to JUST DO IT. (Thanks Nike)
I have a rough draft of my final project due this coming Wednesday night and I'm still not sure what I'm doing for that. Last minute Matt ... that's me for sure lately. But with the Radio Conference tomorrow and being Production Director and a full time student and soon to start work for the Harbormaster again ... I'm really busy. But no worries ... I'm off to the school to finish preparation for the radio club contest that's begin run by me during the conference.
Sometimes it feels like it's a wonder that I get anything thing done, let alone find time to sleep and eat. But then, when I really think about it, I'm having fun. And that's all that really matters anyway.
Matt's wisdom for today: If you look at your job and you dread going to work ... because you hate the work itself ... you're really doing the wrong job. Work is always a bummer, but if you love the work then the job becomes a joy and the feeling surrounding that four letter 'W' word changes. It is then that work becomes play and life is good.
I have a rough draft of my final project due this coming Wednesday night and I'm still not sure what I'm doing for that. Last minute Matt ... that's me for sure lately. But with the Radio Conference tomorrow and being Production Director and a full time student and soon to start work for the Harbormaster again ... I'm really busy. But no worries ... I'm off to the school to finish preparation for the radio club contest that's begin run by me during the conference.
Sometimes it feels like it's a wonder that I get anything thing done, let alone find time to sleep and eat. But then, when I really think about it, I'm having fun. And that's all that really matters anyway.
Matt's wisdom for today: If you look at your job and you dread going to work ... because you hate the work itself ... you're really doing the wrong job. Work is always a bummer, but if you love the work then the job becomes a joy and the feeling surrounding that four letter 'W' word changes. It is then that work becomes play and life is good.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Driving on Cape Cod
Anyone that knows me will remember that I tend to be a very opinionated driver. This is most likely because I know that I am, of course, the world's best and most perfect driver (wink wink). I find that there are several types of drivers that are specific to Cape Cod. Their names are similar to other drivers, but they are a wholly different creature.
The first is the Lookilou. This driver has no idea where they're going. They are the most common of these creatures, but are usually only out and about in the height of the summer season. These drivers are amazing in that they now have some amazing technology at their disposal. They drive expensive cars and SUV's equipped with GPS, OnStar and other devices that should ... in theory ... help them to get around. But this species of driver seems to prefer driving aimlessly pointing at houses and eventually being perplexed by the rotaries on the Cape.
The second is the Creeper. This driver is most prevalent during the leafing season in the fall. They are out during the spring and summer seasons, but the Lookilou and general summer congestion tend to mask their effect. This species will consistently drive ten to twenty miles under the posted speed limit. There is no particular age group that comprises this species of driver, however older members of the population are the most common.
The last group is the Confused. These are elusive creatures that many on may not be actually a myth based in coincidence. This group tends to be specific to Route 28. These creatures are the ones that you find locals shouting, "Route 28 is the name of the road ... NOT THE SPEED LIMIT!"
Sorry for the rant, but please understand that I have on occasion been an unknowing member of all three species. As have we all. I hope this gave you a chuckle ... drive safe out there, summer is coming.
The first is the Lookilou. This driver has no idea where they're going. They are the most common of these creatures, but are usually only out and about in the height of the summer season. These drivers are amazing in that they now have some amazing technology at their disposal. They drive expensive cars and SUV's equipped with GPS, OnStar and other devices that should ... in theory ... help them to get around. But this species of driver seems to prefer driving aimlessly pointing at houses and eventually being perplexed by the rotaries on the Cape.
The second is the Creeper. This driver is most prevalent during the leafing season in the fall. They are out during the spring and summer seasons, but the Lookilou and general summer congestion tend to mask their effect. This species will consistently drive ten to twenty miles under the posted speed limit. There is no particular age group that comprises this species of driver, however older members of the population are the most common.
The last group is the Confused. These are elusive creatures that many on may not be actually a myth based in coincidence. This group tends to be specific to Route 28. These creatures are the ones that you find locals shouting, "Route 28 is the name of the road ... NOT THE SPEED LIMIT!"
Sorry for the rant, but please understand that I have on occasion been an unknowing member of all three species. As have we all. I hope this gave you a chuckle ... drive safe out there, summer is coming.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Morning Unbroken
Undisturbed mornings can be hard to come by. With all the distractions of life, and the general chaos of simply being human, it can be hard to find time to write in relative peace. This morning for me is no different from any other.
Here I sit in my tarpaulin cave waiting for inspiration to strike once again. But, as with most mornings, it seems that inspiration didn't get the memo. So, until that wonderful muse comes along I am sitting here listening to old radio shows that myself and others have done at WKKL 90.7FM at Cape Cod Community College.
Most of you know that I have a show that I do weekly at WKKL called the Tree of Metal. It's a show that focuses loosely on the genre of Heavy Metal. I say that it is a loose focus because on the Tree of Metal you could literally hear anything from the blues in 1939 to the latest Hardcore or Thrash from today. Get it? Tree of Metal ... roots to the branches and all that.
So my muse seems to be playing hookie, and that's fine. Today has still been a good morning to get things done. The tricky thing is that my tease of a muse will most likely show up while I'm sitting in traffic where it's impossible to write. Funny thing the way that all works.
Here I sit in my tarpaulin cave waiting for inspiration to strike once again. But, as with most mornings, it seems that inspiration didn't get the memo. So, until that wonderful muse comes along I am sitting here listening to old radio shows that myself and others have done at WKKL 90.7FM at Cape Cod Community College.
Most of you know that I have a show that I do weekly at WKKL called the Tree of Metal. It's a show that focuses loosely on the genre of Heavy Metal. I say that it is a loose focus because on the Tree of Metal you could literally hear anything from the blues in 1939 to the latest Hardcore or Thrash from today. Get it? Tree of Metal ... roots to the branches and all that.
So my muse seems to be playing hookie, and that's fine. Today has still been a good morning to get things done. The tricky thing is that my tease of a muse will most likely show up while I'm sitting in traffic where it's impossible to write. Funny thing the way that all works.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Joey - Bag - o - Doughnuts
My wonderful nephew Joseph was here today. He's such a joy. I am grateful that Vickie and I have the opportunity to be close while he's this age. It is our one major regret in leaving Cape Cod while our niece Lauren was small.
Speaking of Lauren. What can I say other than I am truly impressed with the young woman she has become. Though I missed out on most of her childhood, and I miss her telling me how silly I am ... I really am ... I am very happy to be here for her during this time in her life. I can remember how difficult it was to wait for those last two years before becoming a licensed driver. What a cool time to be a teen. She has all the advantages of childhood, and the brain of a young adult. But real life awaits.
Well, that's about it for now. Oh, the Joey-bag-o-doughnuts thing. It, for some unknown reason, reminds me of how fun loving Joseph seems to be right now. Though he doesn't take Mommy leaving really well, we remind him that she's coming back and he seems fine ... until Gram-ma leaves the room for too long. He's still not used to us yet. But he will be soon, I hope.
Speaking of Lauren. What can I say other than I am truly impressed with the young woman she has become. Though I missed out on most of her childhood, and I miss her telling me how silly I am ... I really am ... I am very happy to be here for her during this time in her life. I can remember how difficult it was to wait for those last two years before becoming a licensed driver. What a cool time to be a teen. She has all the advantages of childhood, and the brain of a young adult. But real life awaits.
Well, that's about it for now. Oh, the Joey-bag-o-doughnuts thing. It, for some unknown reason, reminds me of how fun loving Joseph seems to be right now. Though he doesn't take Mommy leaving really well, we remind him that she's coming back and he seems fine ... until Gram-ma leaves the room for too long. He's still not used to us yet. But he will be soon, I hope.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
This Writing
It is quite a thing to decide to start writing a novel. You make plans to start, get you desk together, clear you calendar, and then what? You sit and stare at the keys in some sort of self-sadist plea to begin writing that "Great American Novel" for you. But you know the words don't come without each press of the keys in the correct order. And somedays, like today, the words come ... but not about the subject of your novel. It's strange in an almost cathartic way. Maybe the muses have other plans for me today ... after all writing in a blog is still writing ... right?
It's not easy to get the jumble of plot complications and possibilities straight in your head when the rest of your life is like some cheap mid-afternoon soap opera. I find that I do some of the stupidest things when I'm in this state. I'll, for instance, start a fight with my wife ... not about money, family, or work ... but about how she's feeling. And just who am I to argue with her about how she's feeling. What kind of moron would do that?
Apparently I would be that moron. And just like Ron White said, "You can't fix stupid."
But yet I will endeavor to do just that. I will try in some feeble way to make amends with her. She is after all my best friend and confidant. What would I do without her? Well, that's apparently my writing for the day ... hope it was worth something.
It's not easy to get the jumble of plot complications and possibilities straight in your head when the rest of your life is like some cheap mid-afternoon soap opera. I find that I do some of the stupidest things when I'm in this state. I'll, for instance, start a fight with my wife ... not about money, family, or work ... but about how she's feeling. And just who am I to argue with her about how she's feeling. What kind of moron would do that?
Apparently I would be that moron. And just like Ron White said, "You can't fix stupid."
But yet I will endeavor to do just that. I will try in some feeble way to make amends with her. She is after all my best friend and confidant. What would I do without her? Well, that's apparently my writing for the day ... hope it was worth something.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Plans
In sitting here at my writing desk and typing this message I've discovered something. Whether or not it's important to anyone else, I am a writer. Using words to convey a message is definitely an art, but it's finally an art that I may be somewhat okay at.
This blog started out to be just another assignment from my creative writing professor, but now ... well, I like it too much to give up.
It may also have something to do with where I live. For the moment, and the foreseeable future, I live on Cape Cod. I have been all over most of the United States and I have to say that there are few places that are as inspiring as the Cape.
Maybe the Rockies, or the desert southwest.
At the moment I have several projects going, irons in the fire as it were. A few short stories, and yes that obligatory novel ... good start or false start is unknown, but it's at least started.
On April 21 I will turn forty years old. I am at the bottom of the well of life, thanks to several things I won't bore you with here, but thanks to my wife Vickie, and my family, at least I'm in good company. So, it's college for now ... again, but plans are changing. I am swinging from Computer Science to Communications / English as a major. That's the plan anyway, but we all know about plans. Right?
This blog started out to be just another assignment from my creative writing professor, but now ... well, I like it too much to give up.
It may also have something to do with where I live. For the moment, and the foreseeable future, I live on Cape Cod. I have been all over most of the United States and I have to say that there are few places that are as inspiring as the Cape.
Maybe the Rockies, or the desert southwest.
At the moment I have several projects going, irons in the fire as it were. A few short stories, and yes that obligatory novel ... good start or false start is unknown, but it's at least started.
On April 21 I will turn forty years old. I am at the bottom of the well of life, thanks to several things I won't bore you with here, but thanks to my wife Vickie, and my family, at least I'm in good company. So, it's college for now ... again, but plans are changing. I am swinging from Computer Science to Communications / English as a major. That's the plan anyway, but we all know about plans. Right?
Friday, April 1, 2011
Approaching Season
Spring. The birds are returning to the Cape. This is one of my favorite times of year. It feels like everything is getting ready. I'm getting ready too. In a few short weeks my summer employment at the harbor will ensue and I'll have another few months of prosperity. It's a good job really. Overnight security / Assistant Harbormaster at one of Cape Cod's most beautiful locations. Leaves me with plenty of time to both write and do my job. The best of both worlds.
Cape Cod is an interesting place ... weather wise.
Cape Cod is an interesting place ... weather wise.
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