Friday, March 27, 2015

The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galactica: Sectors Thirty-Six - Thirty-Eight

The exploration of “Unexplored Space” continues with Sectors 36-38.
There are a lot of new planets to explore in these sectors, and there are places that have even been colonized, some of which see almost constant war.  There are the remains of more Glikth-machine wars, and a species that has only recently died.
http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/146792/The-Ephemeris-Encyclopedia-Galactica-Sectors-ThirtySix--ThirtyEight

Friday, March 20, 2015

Rebecca's recovery

We've been home for a few days since Rebecca's surgery, and her recovery is progressing slowly.  Her pain levels have finally dropped off to something a little more manageable, especially since she stopped taking the pain meds.  They seem to have been giving her very serious headaches and neck pain.  She has had a low grade fever from time to time, but nothing that points to an infection, but I'm still keeping a close eye on her...and she'd probably say too close of an eye.
She is now able to get up and move around a lot easier without my help, so she definitely seems to be on the road to recovery.
There's been a cold circulating through the house, and I have some of  the early signs of it.  I have a feeling that as soon as I'm sure she's out of danger from infection, I will probably drop and be sick for days,

Thursday, March 12, 2015

The fear is beginning to set in

We are now just a few days away from Rebecca's gallbladder surgery, and although this surgery is very routine, and it's done all the time, it's still surgery.  There is always that chance that something could go wrong, and this is becoming very "real" for all of us.
It's only been a little over a year since she lost another brother, and given the number of people that have passed in the science fiction/fantasy community over the last year (both writers and fans), including people that I considered at least good acquaintances, if not actual friends, it makes the fear that much more real.
Add to this the passing of a former co-worker just a few weeks ago, a lady who we called the Den Mother because she always tried to take care of all of us, and the fact that a very dear friend checked himself into a hospital last week because he was suicidal, makes death a very real aspect in our lives right now.
We all realize that gallbladder surgery is nothing like brain or heart surgery, but there's still that big "what if?"  Rebecca's not just my wife and the mother of my children, she is, without a doubt, the best friend that I've ever had, and the thought of losing her is terrifying.
Add to this the fact that the kids are worried about her, and a couple of them are acting out in different ways is just making things that much harder.
I realize that almost certainly in a week's time I'll be looking back at this post and thinking how silly it was to be this nervous...but for the moment, the fear is beginning to set in, and that's more real.

Sunday, March 08, 2015

E-book sale: Taurin Tales

Borrowed from Nomadic Delirium Press:
During this week's e-book sale, you can get Taurin Tales from Smashwords for just $2.  Go to A HREF="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/472428" target="_blank"> https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/472428
and use coupon code ZQ47N at checkout.
Taurin Tales is a shared world anthology featuring some of the top names in small press science fiction. The Taurins were created by science fiction writer, editor, and game designer J Alan Erwine. Once he had created them, he invited some of his favorite writers to play in the universe, and further flesh out these new aliens. Thus was born Taurin Tales.
The stories in this collection cover a large aspect of Taurin life…grand space adventures, small character studies, the tackling of difficult social issues, the past and the future of the Taurins.
Included in this collection, you’ll find David Lee Summers, D. Moonfire, Ian Brazee-Cannon, Tyree Campbell, Anna Paradox, Laura Givens, and Rick Novy.

Thursday, March 05, 2015

Happy 14th

Today was Eryn's 14th birthday.  It's hard to believe how much she's growing up..  When Rebecca and I first started dating, Eryn was just in Kindergarten, and now she's about to start high school.  Tonight she was also inducted into the National Junior Honors Society.  She's turning into my overachiever, and I'm very proud of her.  She's getting good grades, she was on the A team in volleyball, and she's participating a lot in everything at school.
Happy 14th Eryn!!!

Wednesday, March 04, 2015

GM's Day Sale

Through the end of the week, DriveThruRPG is running a GM's Day sale to celebrate those gamers that make gaming possible. We've joined in the sale, and we're offering all of our Ephemeris products for 30% off. Now's the time to stock up on all of the titles you haven't had a chance to pick up, or if you haven't started playing...now's the time!
http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/browse/pub/2805/Nomadic-Delirium-Press

Book sale

Alban Lake Publishing has three of my books on sale through March 17th.  You can pick each of them up for just $8 each.
You can get A Problem in Translation by going to http://store.albanlake.com/product/a-problem-in-translation
You can get Where the Fleet of Stars is Anchored by going to http://store.albanlake.com/product/where-the-fleet-of-stars-is-anchored
You can get Red Moon Rising by going to http://store.albanlake.com/product/red-moon-rising

Tuesday, March 03, 2015

The disappearing middle class

There has been a lot of talk about the disappearing middle class in America.  After doing our taxes last month, I can attest that the middle class is most certainly disappearing.  We are middle class, or at least lower middle class, and every year becomes more and more of a struggle for us.  When we first moved in together, I left my fast food management job, but Rebecca kept her full time retail supervisor's job.  Those first years were difficult for us, but we got by...even if just barely.
Now, almost seven years later, Rebecca is still a full time retail supervisor, I'm now working part time as a retail supervisor, and I'm making more than ever from writing, editing, and game design, and we aren't making ends meet.  The simplest explanation is that the cost of everything is rising dramatically, while our incomes are not.  When we get our annual raises, we get 2-3%, but the cost of everything is rising much higher than that.  Our rent goes up about 5% annually, and everything else follows suit.  It's no wonder that people making middle class income, especially lower middle class income are struggling more and more each year.  We can't keep up with rising costs, and as long as pay rates stay low and don't increase accordingly, all of us in the middle class will continue to struggle.
That's enough economics for today.  Off to do some work...have to make some money somehow...

Sunday, March 01, 2015