Chapter XLIII

Sorry I’m getting to this a day late, but it’s been a hectic couple of weeks. Chapter XLIII of my life began yesterday, and I’m hoping for some big things. I ended Chapter XLII with two major accomplishments: a promotion at the dayjob to a managerial position which not only gives me an office with a door I can close, but also the funds to attend the 2016 Viable Paradise writing workshop. That’s VP20, everyone! Or, is it VPXX? I’m partial to the latter myself, because it reminds me of a Chicago album.

Speaking of which, the song below is from Chicago XXXVI. With things to look forward to, I've been wondering if a new year requires a new attitude...

I think it’s time for you to lose that cynical suit, now.
You've worn it out and man, the jacket don’t fit you no more.
–Chicago, “Something’s Coming, I Know”

Let's give it a shot...

Chapter XVII

"The graceful life is just a matter of the path you choose."

That, my friends, is the goal for this chapter of my life. And, yes, maybe I'll throw in a 3/4 movement and then a heavy guitar/horn breakdown while I do it, too.

Chapter LXI

New year.  New chapter.  New manifesto, courtesy of Harvey Pekar...

Yeah.

Chapter LX

From Heavy Metal

We're still 18 years away from 2031 when, if I'm still around, I'll be 58 but still look the way I do now depending on what sort of genetic and/or cybernetic modifications I'll be able to afford.  But that doesn't stop me from feeling like an ancient relic now.

But believe it or not, I'm in a better space than I was this time last year. Just.

Chapter XXXIX

It's my hope that by the time I hit Chapter XL, I'll be able to look back on the time between now and then, and have at least as many good things to say as there was about the year 2261 in the Babylon 5 universe...

And because it's a holiday weekend as well as my birthday, the peanut gallery is closed. :)

Chapter XXXVIII

Today, Chapter XXXVIII of my life began.

After having survived past the midpoint of a year that's really been more bad than good so far, I got to spend some time with some good friends, and had a chance to take a good look at some stuff on the horizon that makes me smile...

Chapter XXXVII

Today, Chapter XXXVII of my life begins.

"I'm 37. I'm not old."
-Dennis, Monty Python and the Holy Grail

I'm starting this chapter off right with a two-and-a-half week vacation from my dayjob, a trip next week to Readercon, a camping trip with friends the following weekend, and after that, my next NSO gig at the next home derby bout.

For the past couple years, I've tried to obtain writing-related birthday gifts. This year, though, I dusted off my Audible account, and treated myself to Role Models by John Waters.  I quoted it a lot recently, having read snippets from it and heard various podcast interviews and readings.

I'm listening to the first few chapters now, and thinking about my own role models.  I'll blog about them some other time.  But this book is making me give some thought to who's influenced, not just my art, but my life as an artist.  In Waters, I think I've found a new one.  Just look out the quotes I've used recently as well as the links below.  If you've been paying any attention to how I feel about writing and how I pursue it, I'm sure you'll understand why. 

• Waters' "10 Best Pieces of Advice for Functional Freaks"
• From NPR's Fresh Air, "John Waters: A Bad Influence Picks His 'Role Models'"
• On KQED's The Writer's Block, Waters reads the chapters "Cult Leader" and "The Kindness of Strangers."
• Waters on The Colbert Report

Chapter XXXVI

Kinda like last year, I got some of the best presents a writer can get.

My favorite, I have to say, was the one I got for myself--the newest productivity tool. It's not tech. I finally got the Moleskine Planner cover I wanted from Renaissance Art, which is the most stylish hPDA case you could ever ask for!



Other presents included...

1
Two vintage Doctor Who novelisations: Earthshock by Ian Marter, published by Target and Doctor Who and the Day of the Daleks by Terrance Dicks, published by Pinnacle. The Pinnacle books were the ones with the cool introduction by Harlan Ellison.

2
Birthday love from family and friends via phone, email, snail-mail, messages in bottles, etc.

3
And as another present to myself, the opportunity to help the cause of highlighting the work of writers of color. Like me :)

Not a bad start, I daresay.

Chapter XXXV

The best birthday presents a writer can get, and I got them both today: a new 600-page leather journal from the wife and a contract for the story I mentioned a little while back.

And it's not even 9:00 AM yet.

I'm waiting on some non-writerly news as well, though it could impact my writing. You'll know when I (and my wife, and several of my friends) know.

###

Edited to add: Sent the contract back and I gots the money!