MTV is 25

Wow...that makes me feel old. I remember when MTV first started. A neighbor of mine had cable, and I can remember going over to her house and watching this new thing. I don't think any of us really knew what we were seeing...we were just kids after all. But we did know that it was quite addictive. Some of the younger readers may find it strange that we didn't have cable, but 25 years ago cable was nothing like it was today. You only got a few extra channels, and the programming was pretty bad...not that it's improved that much...just look at the crap the SciFi channel runs. Cable was a luxury in those days, and for a family that really didn't watch much TV, it wasn't worth it...although it wasn't long before we did get it.

Anyway, today VH1 Classic is running the entire first day of MTV's first day, and boy does it take me back. I remember a lot of these songs and videos, and I wish I could forget most of them...still it's nice to have a little walk down nostalgia lane.

But, damn, I feel old...

Great Star Wars Films

Darth Vader's Psychic Hotline?

Bantha Milk?

Check out some great Star Wars films...must be a major geek to enjoy...

Ecotastrophe

Ecotastrophe is an anthology that looks at the worst case scenarios of what could happen to our world if we continue the ecological destruction we are currently inflicting on the planet.

This is an anthology from Sam's Dot Publishing, which I edited. The book is set to be released on September 10th, but The Genre Mall is currently holding a pre-sale for the book...so you can order a copy early. Just go to http://www.genremall.com/anthologies.htm and order a copy today...

I also have to say that I think Scott Virtes did a great job with the cover. His artwork and his design...very nicely done...

Writing

Obviously not having to do the day to day grind has been very good for my writing. I've just finished the final draft on the third story I've written since leaving Grubway. That almost matches my productivity for all of last year. Granted, I did spend a lot of my writing time last year (what there was of it) working on the novel that doesn't want to get written.

Perhaps some time soon, I will get back to that, or maybe I'll work on another idea I have. Only time will tell, but the important thing is that I'm now writing every day, whereas when I was at the hellhole job, I was happy if I wrote once a week.

Funny thing is, it's kind of like a drug. I'm sure the other writers who visit this blog understand, but when you go without writing, it's like a part of you, usually the best part of you is dead...and that's not a good feeling...but the "fix" of printing up a new story...now that's powerful!!!

Blog listings

I've added a listing of the blogs that I read on a daily basis. You can find it on the right side of this page, right under the links to my books (which you really should buy!)

I tend to read a lot more blogs than I used to, but these are the ones that I try to hit every day. You should check them out, as they are some very interesting people...

Tour de France

I don't often post sports comments, since I'm not much of a sports fan, but I am a huge cycling fan. So, I just have to say that this is one of the best Tour de Frances that I've ever seen, and I've been watching them for about 20 years.

Who needs Lance? Without him to dominate the race, everything has been up in the air. Today there were so many break aways spread all over the mountains that they didn't have enough motorbikes and helicopters to keep track of everyone.

And anyone that says that cylcing is not a team sport should have watched today's stage. A huge breakaway went early in the stage, and as those riders were caught, they'd go to the front of the chase group and kill themselves trying to help their teammates that actually have the opportunity to win the race overall.

And what about Floyd Landis...another American winning in France...hope he can hold it all the way to Paris on Sunday!!!

New profile

Happy Spencer? I changed it.

In the good news department, I am writing again, and it reads more like the stuff I was working on a couple of years ago, which I think it a good thing. Most of what I've been writing lately has been adventure driven stories about characters stuck in situations they can't escape...and basically hating their lives. HAVE NO IDEA WHY!!!

Now, the stuff seems to have a little more depth, and even some writing instead of just my usual minimalist story telling...

Future Syndicate

Nomadic Delirium Press is looking for submissions for their new anthology, Future Syndicate. It will be a book about crime in the future with the criminals as the protagonists. So, follow the link on over, and while you're there, pick up a copy of my book...

New story

I've posted a new story on my site. This one is quite the departure for me. Rather than examining the darker side of humanity, this one is actually a humorous story...go figure...

At one time, one of the main characters, Robert Lendorin, was making an appearance in a new story I was working on...maybe now I can go back and finish it. It was kind of a Lendorin (you'll understand him after you read the story) meets The Lord of the Rings, but in the future.

I really like this character, and he needs to make an appearance in another of my stories at some time...

I'm free!!!

The day has finally come. I am no longer a slave to Subway. I now work for myself...so if you know anyone looking for freelance writers or editors...send them to my site.

Killing time

I've been killing time as I wait for parole from Subway, and I was recently doing an ego search on line when I began to notice how many places sell my books.

So, I began to compile a list and put it together as a webpage. The page isn't designed well (so no comments, Keith), and it really serves no useful purpose, but as I said, I'm killing time before I escape Subway.

So, click on over, and make sure you buy some books. Now that I don't have that guaranteed income, I need to sell some books.

The page probably won't be up for long, as it's pretty stupid...but keeping busy is the only way I know to make time go faster.

IS IT FRIDAY YET?!?!?!?!?!?!

Jokes

From Robert Sawyer's Mindscan, although they might have appeared elsewhere earlier...

Werner Heisenberg is pulled over for speeding.
The cop says, "Do you know how fast you were going?"
Without missing a beat, Heisenberg responds, "No, but I know where I am!"


What's the difference between a large pepperoni pizza and most full time writers?

A large pepperoni pizza can feed a family of four!

Forgot to mention

I've been so insanely busy with the "real" job that I forgot to mention that the new issue of Aoife's Kiss features a story from me.

Click on the title above and scroll down to the cover and order an issue today. It's the anniversary issue, and it has a lot of great work in it.

They're making sure I want to go

I'm working about 70 hours this week at the "real" job. I guess they want to make sure that I really want to leave and that I'll never want to come back.

I wasn't really having any second thoughts about my decision...but now I'm having even fewer.

Just 19 days to go...

Signing

Thanks to everyone who came out for the book signing!!! Hope you all had a good time, and hope we can do it again soon.

I'll have pictures up on my site as soon as I can find the time to get them developed...

Bye Bye Subway

I've recently lined up some more freelance editing work, and so I've decided to give the whole work at home freelance thing a shot...which means, I am actually leaving Subway!!!!

Although there is a bit of trepidation that goes along with saying good bye to a regular pay check, I am generally thrilled with my decision. I will miss my bosses...hard to believe, but I actually worked for some incredible people...especially the owner, one Brad Harris. He's not just a great boss, he's a great person, and I will be lucky to ever work for someone like him again!

I will also miss my crew a lot. I have some great people working for me, and I certainly hope that I will stay in touch with most of them as the years go by.

But for now, I just have four more weeks of sandwich making!!! Hard to believe!!!

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...