Giro d'Italia

I don't often post about sports here. Let's face it, I don't really like sports, but those of you that know me know that I'm a hard core cycling fan, and I just had to post about Ivan Basso's performance in the Giro d'Italia.

The second biggest stage race in the world, and he won it by over nine minutes...the biggest winning margin in 32 years. If this guy can hold this kind of form, he's going to dominate the Tour de France.

It's also important to note that one of Ivan's teammates is Bobby Julich. When I was a junior racer, Bobby used to kick my butt up and down the Rockies. Great to see him still riding well...I don't think I could ride around the block anymore..........

The signing

More and more people are giving me "definite maybes" for the signing in two weeks. So it looks like it's going to be anywhere from 2-50 people that I will be bringing in...a few that I've never even met, which is great.

Funny thing about me is that I actually would find this easier to do with a bunch of people that I don't know as opposed to a bunch of people that I do know...but what can I say, I'm weird.

Plus, the longer I stay in this field, the more people that I'm going to know, right? Stands to reason anyhow...

If you're a Star Wars geek

I picked this up off of Michael Wentz's website. If you like Star Wars, be prepared to laugh your ass off...

A new story

I've posted a new story on my website. This one appeared in 2000. In re-reading it, I really hope my writing has progressed. I can see the potential in the story, but I can definitely see things that I could have done better with it.

Anyway, enjoy the story...

Dead man walking

Why do we live in a world that makes money more important than happiness?

This job is slowly killing me...I'm so exhausted that I can't even sleep, and I don't think that makes sense...

Signing

My book signing is just a little over a month away, and I'm trying to figure out what to read.

At MileHiCon, I read the torture chapter from my novel, and got some pretty good comments on it, but there are two of us reading at this signing, and the other author may bring in some younger readers, so that scene may not be right for them.

So, does anyone out there have any suggestions? And if you haven't read any of my stuff, I have to ask why not??? To order my books, click on the cover icons on the right side of the screen.

Comments are welcome, post them here, or e-mail me...doesn't matter...

Asteroids

If there are any near earth orbit asteroids out there, tonight would be a good night for you to come crashing to Earth...anything, just don't make me go back tomorrow.....................................................

One more day of vacation

Tomorrow will be the last day of my vacation, and damn has it been productive. I would estimate that I've written close to 15,000 words in the last four days. I've also managed to work out a few of the bugs in the book that doesn't want to get written. Damn it feels good.
However, on Tuesday I have to go back to work, and I'll bet I get to write once a week if I'm lucky...so obviously there's a horribly strong feeling of dread as that day approaches.
Why do we have to live in a world where we have to chose money over happiness. I know that if I had more time to write, I'd be much happier, and I could make something of it. I don't know if I'd ever achieve the professional level, but I could do more than I'm doing now, and I know I'd be happier, which has to count for something.
Instead, I'm forced to do a job I hate just so I can pay my bills...and then one day I'll die...you have to ask if it's really worth it or not..............

Cat site

I often visit Keith Graham's blog (http://www.cthreepo.com/blog/index.shtml) and he loves to post pictures of his cats. I don't take a lot of pictures, so there are only a few photos of the demon that lives with me...but I found this site, and just couldn't stop laughing.

I especially liked Doppler...

Laura Givens art show

Last night I went to the opening of an art show by local aritst Laura Givens. Laura and I met at MileHiCon last year where we did a couple of panels together. She had also done some artwork, including the door art for The Fifth Di..., for Sam's Dot. In addition, she's also the art editor for Tales of the Talisman, and in the most recent issue, she did the interior artwork for my story "The Ancient Ones."

She's got some amazing work, and I would strongly encourage you to head over to her site and check some of her stuff out.

More details about the signing

The book signing will be Sunday June 4th at 3:00 P.M.

If you're in Denver, Who Else! Books is on Broadway between 1st and Ellsworth.

Book signing

I've just gotten word that I'll be doing a book signing and possibly a reading at Who Else! Books here in Denver in June. Most likely it will be either the 4th or the 11th, but we're still working on the details.

Keep an eye tuned here for more info, and if you're going to be in Denver at the time of the signing, please stop by...

Story collection available as a pdf

My short story collection, Marionettes on the Moon, and other stories is now available as a pdf file from Nomadic Delirium Press. It sells for just $3.00.

Yes, the royalties aren't as good for me...but money's money, right?

Tattered Cover Bookstore

For those of you who live in Colorado, I'm sure you're familiar with The Tattered Cover Bookstore. For those of you who don't live in Colorado, you should become familiar with this store. It is one of, if not the best, independant bookstore around...certainly the best in Colorado.
The place is huge, although they will soon be moving...but the new place should be just as big.
Anyway, the point of all of this is that I'm now a Tattered Cover affiliate. On my main page, you will find a link where you can order books, and yes, I do receive a small payment for your orders...remember, it's the "Help J Escape from Subway Fund," so it's worth the order.

So, head on over to my site, and click on the link and at least have a look around. I think you'll be impressed. It has to say something for the place that Hugo, Nebula, World Fantasy Award winning author Dan Simmons starts every book tour at this store.

Watch this if you've ever gamed

A while back, Mike Bortherton (http://www.mikebrotherton.com) had this link on his site. Since I was still on dial-up, I couldn't watch the movie, but now that I have high-speed, I was able to enjoy it.

I have to admit that I am an avid D&D gamer, although I haven't played in a while, and sadly, I've seen guys just like this. Of course, if you've recently been to a Con, you might have run into these guys as well.

Geeks can be great people, but some of them just scare the hell out of me!!!

I've finally joined the 21st century

After years of putting it off, I've finally gone high speed with Broadband. Hopefully it will be worth the money...

Tales of the Talisman

The new issue of Tales of the Talisman with my story "The Ancient Ones" has just been released. You can pick up your copy by clicking on the title of this post. That will take you to The Genre Mall...just scroll down to the new issue and buy a copy, and buy them for your friends as well.

MileHiCon

I've recently received my invitation to MileHiCon. I will once again be a guest at this year's con.

So, if you're planning on being in the Denver area Oct. 27-29, please stop by!!!

New story

I've finally gotten around to posting a new story on my website. It's a bit of a love story, or at least my effort at a love story...god knows it's not a subject I should be writing about.

It's hard to believe that it's been almost six years since the story was written. I was so much more prolific then...of course the quality was lower in those days...at least I think so, and I hope my readers agree.

Enjoy the story...

Great first lines

Locus Magazine published a brief list of some of the best first lines in genre fiction, here were a few of my favorites...

"A screaming came across the sky."
"It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen."
"The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel."
"It was like so, but wasn't."
"All this happened, more or less."
"It was the day my grandmother exploded."
"It was a pleasure to burn"


You might recognize some of them, but damn, I wish I'd written one or two of them...