Now this is sad. It's 11:35 on New Year's Eve, and I'm doofing around on a computer. I was just on Facebook. I realized how pathetic it is to be sitting by myself, messing around on a computer, when normal people are with family & friends and having fun. I am home with my family, which is where I'd rather be than anywhere else. Part of the reason we're home is because there are too many drunk idiots on the road. Another reason is because nobody invited us anywhere. I suppose we could've just gone to a house at random and asked to be invited in, but that can be risky.
Well, Lord willing, starting tomorrow, I'm jumping back on my story. I HAVE to finish it somehow or another, even if it means re-writing the whole blessed thing.
Good bye, 2011. Or should I say , "Good riddance"? I can only hope & pray 2012 will be better. The only way it could be worse is with a nuclear war.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
I guarantee the world ain't ending in 2012.
I can guarantee that. The world ain't ending in 2012, no matter what some people thought the Mayans thought.
Jesus Christ COULD come for His church and snatch us out of here. But the world won't end quite yet. There has to be a 7 year period of judgment on the earth first, then the 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth. THEN the world will end. For unbelievers, that is. It will be a beginning for those of us who follow Jesus Christ. We will experience eternally a NEW Heaven and a new earth. So, I can guarantee the world ain't ending in 2012.
I began looking at my story and trying to figure what to change. It's gonna be a monster. I've been doing tons of research and asking experts questions, trying to avoid having to rewrite the whole dadblame story. But, it looks like I'm going to have to rewrite the whole dadblame story. I'll keep you posted. And I'll try to write on here more often.
Jesus Christ COULD come for His church and snatch us out of here. But the world won't end quite yet. There has to be a 7 year period of judgment on the earth first, then the 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth. THEN the world will end. For unbelievers, that is. It will be a beginning for those of us who follow Jesus Christ. We will experience eternally a NEW Heaven and a new earth. So, I can guarantee the world ain't ending in 2012.
I began looking at my story and trying to figure what to change. It's gonna be a monster. I've been doing tons of research and asking experts questions, trying to avoid having to rewrite the whole dadblame story. But, it looks like I'm going to have to rewrite the whole dadblame story. I'll keep you posted. And I'll try to write on here more often.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
12/17/11
Well, looked over my story a couple days ago. Just thinking about the task of re-writing that story is completely overwhelming. I've been thinking, researching, and trying to figure how I can keep my story as-is. I really can't. I have to delete tons of good stuff I came to love. It feels like killing a dog you raised from birth.
You may be thinking, "Wow. Really? That drastic? Come on, now!" Well, it took me 9 months to write, and 11 years to research & re-write. So, yeah. At least I looked at the story. It's a start. I want to get on to other stories. I have tons of stories burning a hole in my brain. Maybe tomorrow I'll have the time & courage to attack the story once again.
You may be thinking, "Wow. Really? That drastic? Come on, now!" Well, it took me 9 months to write, and 11 years to research & re-write. So, yeah. At least I looked at the story. It's a start. I want to get on to other stories. I have tons of stories burning a hole in my brain. Maybe tomorrow I'll have the time & courage to attack the story once again.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
It's been forever.
Wow, It's been WEEKS! I've been super busy, and haven't worked on my story ever since I realized I need to re-write the whole thing again. I think about it all the time; but I'm totally overwhelmed at the thought of having to delete and re-write stuff that I've grown to love. I really like the way the story was turning out. I don't know how it's gonna have the life and character that it has now.
My dear friend Mike Muertter was in town for the last 3 weeks. He lives in Germany with his family. He's a dear brother in Christ, and was my first Christian friend. He's been a dear brother for 34 years, ever since 10th grade. Even as I'm typing this, he's flying back home. Why is it that my closest, dearest friends all seem to end up living far away? As a character in a Little Rascals movie said once, "A once-in-a-lifetime friend only comes along once in a lifetime." I can't wait for the Lord to return and there will be no more sadness, no more separation.
My dear friend Mike Muertter was in town for the last 3 weeks. He lives in Germany with his family. He's a dear brother in Christ, and was my first Christian friend. He's been a dear brother for 34 years, ever since 10th grade. Even as I'm typing this, he's flying back home. Why is it that my closest, dearest friends all seem to end up living far away? As a character in a Little Rascals movie said once, "A once-in-a-lifetime friend only comes along once in a lifetime." I can't wait for the Lord to return and there will be no more sadness, no more separation.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
11/19/11
Haven't blogged for days. Haven't hardly been home.
Discovered a couple days ago that I totally messed up the story I'm writing. Can't go into detail as of yet. It's a historical novel, and I somehow, stupidly overlooked really important facts. I've researched, written & have re-written this story for 10 years. Now, I have to completely re-write it. Again! I can't tell you how frustrated I am. How incredibly stupid I feel. I had made so much progress, too. I SO want and financially NEED that story to be published. Now this. Oy.
Discovered a couple days ago that I totally messed up the story I'm writing. Can't go into detail as of yet. It's a historical novel, and I somehow, stupidly overlooked really important facts. I've researched, written & have re-written this story for 10 years. Now, I have to completely re-write it. Again! I can't tell you how frustrated I am. How incredibly stupid I feel. I had made so much progress, too. I SO want and financially NEED that story to be published. Now this. Oy.
Friday, November 11, 2011
11/11/11
Another one of those weird dates. My cousin got married today, at 11:00 a.m. They best not ever forget their anniversary!
It was a great, brief wedding & lively reception in a room crammed with Italian & Irish family & friends. It was great to see everybody again. I feel kinda weird and melancholy, I guess. I remember her parents' wedding as clear as if it was last week. Now their daughter's married. Life is SO short and just flies by. My kids are nearly all grown, too. Really makes me realize how brief life is, and makes me really think about what's important. It's sad how much time goes by in-between visits with family & friends. It was really nice to have a family get-together that didn't involve burying anybody.
Thank God for family & friends. This world would be a literal hell of a place without them.
It was a great, brief wedding & lively reception in a room crammed with Italian & Irish family & friends. It was great to see everybody again. I feel kinda weird and melancholy, I guess. I remember her parents' wedding as clear as if it was last week. Now their daughter's married. Life is SO short and just flies by. My kids are nearly all grown, too. Really makes me realize how brief life is, and makes me really think about what's important. It's sad how much time goes by in-between visits with family & friends. It was really nice to have a family get-together that didn't involve burying anybody.
Thank God for family & friends. This world would be a literal hell of a place without them.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
11/5/11
Wow. This is my first post in November. Been unbelievably busy, hardly home, and sick. Today was a yard sale out in the cold (cold for California, high of 59 degrees). In-between rain storms. I hate yard sales. First, you're up early on Sat., when you should be sleeping. There are these weird people who come to your house in trucks & cars and vans, already loaded down with stuff from yard sales. Who ARE these people? Where do they come from? Don't they sleep? Then you have something truly worth over $100. You're basically giving it away for $50. Then somebody offers you $5. Are THEY stupid, or do they hope that YOU are? It's really insulting. They assume that just because you are selling your belongings just to survive that you are also a complete moron.
Then, you're stuck with all this stuff that didn't sell. NOW what do you do with it? Put it back somewhere? Give it away? It kills me to give away stuff that I COULD have SOLD. I NEED the extra $. But no, now I have to either find some place for this semi-unwanted stuff, or give it away. And no sooner do you give it away, but you need it. You find out the ghastly brush thing you threw away was Napoleon's toilet brush, worth $75,000. Or somehow, some thing you've had for years in a closet or garage and would probably NEVER need, you give it away and suddenly you NEED the stupid thing. If you'd kept it, you'd NEVER need it. You know how it is. It's like when you're home alone and nobody calls... until you're in the shower.
Well, tonite's the time change. We "fall back" an hour. I don't like when it gets dark early, but I can dig another hour of sleep. Well, speaking of time, thank you for spending a piece of your time reading this. I hope that somehow you enjoy it.
Then, you're stuck with all this stuff that didn't sell. NOW what do you do with it? Put it back somewhere? Give it away? It kills me to give away stuff that I COULD have SOLD. I NEED the extra $. But no, now I have to either find some place for this semi-unwanted stuff, or give it away. And no sooner do you give it away, but you need it. You find out the ghastly brush thing you threw away was Napoleon's toilet brush, worth $75,000. Or somehow, some thing you've had for years in a closet or garage and would probably NEVER need, you give it away and suddenly you NEED the stupid thing. If you'd kept it, you'd NEVER need it. You know how it is. It's like when you're home alone and nobody calls... until you're in the shower.
Well, tonite's the time change. We "fall back" an hour. I don't like when it gets dark early, but I can dig another hour of sleep. Well, speaking of time, thank you for spending a piece of your time reading this. I hope that somehow you enjoy it.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
10/27/11
Been a while since I added to this. Wow... Christmas is less than 2 months away. So little time. Even less money.
Not much to say. This is the first nite in a while I've been home. Feels good. Saw Joel Rosenberg at Harvest (church) last nite. Was great. He talked out of Jeremiah 49:34-39. Elam is the old name for Iran. God has plans and a hope for that country. It's encouraging. God loves the whole world. I forget that sometimes. I get so America-centered sometimes. God is not American. Thank God He loves us.
Not much to say. This is the first nite in a while I've been home. Feels good. Saw Joel Rosenberg at Harvest (church) last nite. Was great. He talked out of Jeremiah 49:34-39. Elam is the old name for Iran. God has plans and a hope for that country. It's encouraging. God loves the whole world. I forget that sometimes. I get so America-centered sometimes. God is not American. Thank God He loves us.
Monday, October 24, 2011
10/24/11
Well, 1 month till Thanksgiving. 2 months till Christmas Eve. Does that sound scary to you? The Christmas Eve part does. I can't afford to even THINK about presents right now. We're so poor, the bugs in our house go out to eat.
Haven't been on Facebook or anything for a couple days. Been spinning in circles. Worked all day Sat. & Sat. nite too.
We had my son's 15th birthday party Sun. Unbelievable. HOW can he be 15? Man, life's short. It goes SO fast. Treasure it. Invest it. Money is nice. It's necessary. But life is about family & friends. The richest man on earth without friends - REAL friends - is poorer than a homeless dog. You can quote me on that, if you want to.
Haven't been on Facebook or anything for a couple days. Been spinning in circles. Worked all day Sat. & Sat. nite too.
We had my son's 15th birthday party Sun. Unbelievable. HOW can he be 15? Man, life's short. It goes SO fast. Treasure it. Invest it. Money is nice. It's necessary. But life is about family & friends. The richest man on earth without friends - REAL friends - is poorer than a homeless dog. You can quote me on that, if you want to.
Friday, October 21, 2011
10/21/11
Finally home for once. Just finished running errands, but we're home. Have to work all day tomorrow and tomorrow nite. Oy.
Been a doggone long week. I hope somehow on Sunday to jump on my story for a while. Gotta do some yard work first, but I gotta write. Been reading a lot in my spare time at work. Makes me wanna write even more.
Being unable to write is like being a toothless shark at a feeding frenzy.
Been a doggone long week. I hope somehow on Sunday to jump on my story for a while. Gotta do some yard work first, but I gotta write. Been reading a lot in my spare time at work. Makes me wanna write even more.
Being unable to write is like being a toothless shark at a feeding frenzy.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
10/20/11
Been a long, crazy busy week. Was too tired to even do Facebook yesterday. I SHOULD be in bed right now.
On Tuesday, my youngest child turned 15. So hard to believe! I can so clearly remember when he was born. The weird thing is, everything since then is what's hard to remember.
Been thinking a lot about my story (and lots of story ideas for other books to write). Problem is, I only have time to THINK about it. I have to work all week, plus this Sat. & Sat. nite. Dang. The things you gotta do for a few extra bucks. I want to be a full-time author & make money doing what I LOVE.
On Tuesday, my youngest child turned 15. So hard to believe! I can so clearly remember when he was born. The weird thing is, everything since then is what's hard to remember.
Been thinking a lot about my story (and lots of story ideas for other books to write). Problem is, I only have time to THINK about it. I have to work all week, plus this Sat. & Sat. nite. Dang. The things you gotta do for a few extra bucks. I want to be a full-time author & make money doing what I LOVE.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
10/16/11
I feel old still. My wee cousin had her wedding shower today. Tuesday, my baby boy Matthew turns 15.
WHERE on earth does the time go? Where do the weekends go? Where did my money go?
Gotta get back to my writing! Been reading Writer's Digest. Such GREAT stuff in there! Makes me wanna write like crazy! Just seems (like today) that there's never time. I guess I COULD stop eating, washing and sleeping. That would free up a couple hours.
WHERE on earth does the time go? Where do the weekends go? Where did my money go?
Gotta get back to my writing! Been reading Writer's Digest. Such GREAT stuff in there! Makes me wanna write like crazy! Just seems (like today) that there's never time. I guess I COULD stop eating, washing and sleeping. That would free up a couple hours.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
10/15/11
Today went faster than a scalded rabbit.
Went to the Bass Pro Shop today. I can't think of much of a better store. They have everything a man could want. Well, nearly. I could spend a fortune there, if I had one.
My young cousin Rachel Porcu is having a wedding shower tomorrow. How could that be possible? How did our kids grow up so stinking fast? Reminds me of that song I hate from "Fiddler on the Roof". You know. "Sun rise, sun set, sun rise, sun set, swiftly fly the years..." The guy that wrote that should be shot. But what a perfect description of how our kids grow faster than weeds right before our eyes. Life is stinking short, even if you live to be 110. What is that compared to eternity? HOW can people live without Jesus? I'd be scared spitless about death if I didn't know Him. Just the thought of dying and just ceasing to exist is too horrible to imagine. Of course, IF that were true, you'd never know the difference when you cashed in your chips. I weep when I think of my wee children growing up so fast. Yet, I thank God in Christ that we'll ultimately be together forever with the Lord. Thank God this life ain't all there is. What a terrifying thought for those who don't know Jesus as Savior and Lord!
Went to the Bass Pro Shop today. I can't think of much of a better store. They have everything a man could want. Well, nearly. I could spend a fortune there, if I had one.
My young cousin Rachel Porcu is having a wedding shower tomorrow. How could that be possible? How did our kids grow up so stinking fast? Reminds me of that song I hate from "Fiddler on the Roof". You know. "Sun rise, sun set, sun rise, sun set, swiftly fly the years..." The guy that wrote that should be shot. But what a perfect description of how our kids grow faster than weeds right before our eyes. Life is stinking short, even if you live to be 110. What is that compared to eternity? HOW can people live without Jesus? I'd be scared spitless about death if I didn't know Him. Just the thought of dying and just ceasing to exist is too horrible to imagine. Of course, IF that were true, you'd never know the difference when you cashed in your chips. I weep when I think of my wee children growing up so fast. Yet, I thank God in Christ that we'll ultimately be together forever with the Lord. Thank God this life ain't all there is. What a terrifying thought for those who don't know Jesus as Savior and Lord!
Friday, October 14, 2011
10/14/11
Wow. Half way into Oct. already. Another week done.
I feel old at 50. I know that's nothing, compared to being 98. But I feel old.
Every day, every week seems to go faster then the one before. By the time I get out of bed, it's time to go back.
Had a really weird migraine today. Felt really weird, sick & dizzy. Scared me pretty good. Been too stressed lately. Gone almost every night. Haven't been able to work on my story or even do yard work for weeks.
Wish life could slow down a little. I wish kids didn't grow up so doggone fast. I wish life wasn't so doggone short. I wish. I wish. Wouldn't it be great if.. If only... How many times have I said those things? If wishes were fishes, everybody would have an aquarium.
I feel old at 50. I know that's nothing, compared to being 98. But I feel old.
Every day, every week seems to go faster then the one before. By the time I get out of bed, it's time to go back.
Had a really weird migraine today. Felt really weird, sick & dizzy. Scared me pretty good. Been too stressed lately. Gone almost every night. Haven't been able to work on my story or even do yard work for weeks.
Wish life could slow down a little. I wish kids didn't grow up so doggone fast. I wish life wasn't so doggone short. I wish. I wish. Wouldn't it be great if.. If only... How many times have I said those things? If wishes were fishes, everybody would have an aquarium.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
A new post! 10/13/11
Our internet's finally working! Hallelujah! Our modem was dead.
I missed writing in here. I missed my Facebook family & friends, too.
I know I'm a sentimental slob, but I missed my Grandma today. She would've been 106 today. She died nearly 8 years ago at the age of 98. She had a HUGE influence in my life. She prayed for me, loved me, corrected me, and shared the love of Jesus with me throughout her life. She kept me on the straight and narrow. I didn't get in much trouble, because I always thought, "If I get busted, how could I ever face Grammy again? I couldn't stand to see the hurt in her eyes." She was me wee Irish Grammy. I love you, Grammy. I can't wait to see you and Grampa again in Heaven. Go maire tu an la breithe, Grammy.
I missed writing in here. I missed my Facebook family & friends, too.
I know I'm a sentimental slob, but I missed my Grandma today. She would've been 106 today. She died nearly 8 years ago at the age of 98. She had a HUGE influence in my life. She prayed for me, loved me, corrected me, and shared the love of Jesus with me throughout her life. She kept me on the straight and narrow. I didn't get in much trouble, because I always thought, "If I get busted, how could I ever face Grammy again? I couldn't stand to see the hurt in her eyes." She was me wee Irish Grammy. I love you, Grammy. I can't wait to see you and Grampa again in Heaven. Go maire tu an la breithe, Grammy.
Friday, October 7, 2011
10/7/11
Gotta be quick. Internet keeps shutting off.
Today's the last day of my 49th year. Kinda weird. When younger, I could visualize where I'd be in 20 years. Now, in 20 years, chances are I'll be dead. Kinda sobering. Been thinking a lot about what I am, where I've been, what I've done. 50 years old. How can that be?
Went fishing with my family today. Can't think of much of a better way to end my forties. Beat being at work, too.
Seems I just turned 40. Now I'm 50. Life's way too fast.
Today's the last day of my 49th year. Kinda weird. When younger, I could visualize where I'd be in 20 years. Now, in 20 years, chances are I'll be dead. Kinda sobering. Been thinking a lot about what I am, where I've been, what I've done. 50 years old. How can that be?
Went fishing with my family today. Can't think of much of a better way to end my forties. Beat being at work, too.
Seems I just turned 40. Now I'm 50. Life's way too fast.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
10/2/11
I forgot to mention yesterday in the midst of everything going wrong, that I have only one week left to be in my forties. I already started getting stuff from AARP. Seriously. The other day, I walked by the cemetery and a dude chased me with a shovel.
Getting old is no easy thing. Beats the alternative, I guess.
Getting old is no easy thing. Beats the alternative, I guess.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
10/1/11
First day of October. It's been a really lousy one, too. One of those stupid days where there were really only 2 things wrong with me: 1. Everything I say. 2. Everything I do. So, I'm gonna go find something to do or someplace to hide where I won't piss anybody else off. Maybe I can find an island somewhere. Knowing the way things go, the military would use it to test a nuclear bomb. With ME on it.
Friday, September 30, 2011
9/30/11
Howdy! Computer or whatever's still acting up & shutting off without warning, so I'll be quick.
Worked football game last nite. All of my co-workers and I got threatened and verbally abused. And our team lost 48 to 6. Not a pleasant evening.
Wow... last day of September. Sure went quick. As usual. Life is way too short, and way too quick sometimes.
Well, gotta go. Hope to write again soon.
Worked football game last nite. All of my co-workers and I got threatened and verbally abused. And our team lost 48 to 6. Not a pleasant evening.
Wow... last day of September. Sure went quick. As usual. Life is way too short, and way too quick sometimes.
Well, gotta go. Hope to write again soon.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
9/28/11
I'll type fast. Well, as fast as I can. Our router or something's been tweeked last 3 days. Doggone internet shuts off without warning. This week's crazy, too. I have to start 2 Bible studies & finish 2 that I haven't even started tonite. Have to work a football game (security) tomorrow. I've missed Facebook. I felt disconnected. At the same time, I almost wish I lived 150 or so years ago. I like real mail. I like visits from friends. This electronic stuff has some amazing aspects to it, but do we really talk? Do we REALLY communicate? Speaking of which, have you been to my Facebook wall? I have e-mail. I would love to hear from anybody who reads this.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
9/24/11
Well, didn't work on the story yesterday. Too busy. I hate being too busy to write.
The cars are still running, thank God.
My daughter and I went to a ministry meeting for the James 1:27 ministry at our church. We do hospital and nursing home visitations and Bible studies. We had a really encouraging time, a refreshing time, being reminded of how Jesus is our true Treasure, and how He gave all to save us. From Matthew 13:44. We were introduced to the new pastor in charge of our ministry (Jason Powell). Great guy. Really loves the Lord & has a real passion for the lost.
Whipped. Ran errands all day. Wanna work on my story, but gotta get ready to hit the sack.
The cars are still running, thank God.
My daughter and I went to a ministry meeting for the James 1:27 ministry at our church. We do hospital and nursing home visitations and Bible studies. We had a really encouraging time, a refreshing time, being reminded of how Jesus is our true Treasure, and how He gave all to save us. From Matthew 13:44. We were introduced to the new pastor in charge of our ministry (Jason Powell). Great guy. Really loves the Lord & has a real passion for the lost.
Whipped. Ran errands all day. Wanna work on my story, but gotta get ready to hit the sack.
Friday, September 23, 2011
9/23/11
Done with another week, thank God. No football game tonite.
I worked quite a bit on my story last nite. It's more than 67,000 words now. Hope to work on it some more tonite. I just can't tell you how totally at home I feel when I write. Nothing else exists. Hours fly by. It's my drug, my escape. I could write all day, every day.
Well, gotta check Facebook & go from there.
I worked quite a bit on my story last nite. It's more than 67,000 words now. Hope to work on it some more tonite. I just can't tell you how totally at home I feel when I write. Nothing else exists. Hours fly by. It's my drug, my escape. I could write all day, every day.
Well, gotta check Facebook & go from there.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
9/22/11
Well today is (are) the birthday(s) of 2 great friends of mine; Cheryl Piazza of York, Maine. Also, Scott Van Buskirk of Riverside. God bless 'em both!
Today, we had a flat. The tires(7 years old) were so bad, we had to get 4 new tires. Other stuff needs done too, but we're trying to figure out how we're gonna pay for today's work.
Anybody out there? Anybody ever really read this? I'm discouraged. I never (rarely, actually) hear from anybody on Facebook. I NEVER hear from anybody on this. If you read this, would you let me know? I take criticism, suggestions, donations, whatever. I need to know if it's worth my time writing in here. I have Facebook & e-mail. And a cell phone, house phone, and I'll even look for smoke signals.
Been working on my story tonite. Been great. Deleted some lame stuff & added other stuff. I haven't written for DAYS!
Today, we had a flat. The tires(7 years old) were so bad, we had to get 4 new tires. Other stuff needs done too, but we're trying to figure out how we're gonna pay for today's work.
Anybody out there? Anybody ever really read this? I'm discouraged. I never (rarely, actually) hear from anybody on Facebook. I NEVER hear from anybody on this. If you read this, would you let me know? I take criticism, suggestions, donations, whatever. I need to know if it's worth my time writing in here. I have Facebook & e-mail. And a cell phone, house phone, and I'll even look for smoke signals.
Been working on my story tonite. Been great. Deleted some lame stuff & added other stuff. I haven't written for DAYS!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
9/20/11
Well, we got our car back from the shop this p.m. They THINK it was a sensor they replaced. I HOPE that's all it was. That was expensive enough. Doggone shame when a 7 year old car's considered a junker. You could've bought a car in 1930 that's STILL on the road! Nothing's made to last any more.
Been ridiculously busy today. Never got to my story. Too tired now. Gotta hit the sack.
Been ridiculously busy today. Never got to my story. Too tired now. Gotta hit the sack.
Monday, September 19, 2011
9/19/11
Well, today, our dear friend Carl and my wife's uncle were both buried.
Our car's been in the shop since 8:30 a.m. They can't even find what's wrong with it.
Like I say, one good thing about everything going wrong all the time is that at least that way you know you're still alive.
Our car's been in the shop since 8:30 a.m. They can't even find what's wrong with it.
Like I say, one good thing about everything going wrong all the time is that at least that way you know you're still alive.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
9/18/11
Today's been one of those days I'd be better off not even talking about. Basically, every stinking thing that CAN go wrong pretty much has gone wrong.
Of the 594,759,495,905 things that I needed to do today, I think I did 2. Maybe three. Not counting eating lunch. Why are there days like this? Days where EVERY stinking thing goes wrong, one after another. I've been in a constant state of being exceedingly pissed off all day. That can't be good for you.
The Chargers lost today to the Patriots. That was just wrong.
Our car's engine light came on, and the car nearly completely died. Now it's in our driveway, probably beyond hope of repair. Of course, our warranty expired last month.
I've been too pissed to even work on my story. I may yet. Maybe it'll help somehow. And tomorrow's Monday. Great.
Of the 594,759,495,905 things that I needed to do today, I think I did 2. Maybe three. Not counting eating lunch. Why are there days like this? Days where EVERY stinking thing goes wrong, one after another. I've been in a constant state of being exceedingly pissed off all day. That can't be good for you.
The Chargers lost today to the Patriots. That was just wrong.
Our car's engine light came on, and the car nearly completely died. Now it's in our driveway, probably beyond hope of repair. Of course, our warranty expired last month.
I've been too pissed to even work on my story. I may yet. Maybe it'll help somehow. And tomorrow's Monday. Great.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
9/17/11
Oy! Just got back from Urgent Care. Wife nearly broke her ankle. Has crutches, has to elevate foot 5 days, Last nite, worked a high school football game where I got cussed out by loudmouth jerk adults. They want you to thrash 'em so they can sue you. Today was Saturday school with a room full of delinquents. Actually, they behaved fairly well. Each day, I wish more & more that I was a full-time author.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
9/15/11
Hard to know what to say. Found out last nite that a dear old friend of ours went home to be with the Lord. He died Sun. nite or early Mon. morning. His name was Carl Johnson. He was older than my Dad (who's 81). It wasn't a shocking tragedy like when a 10-year-old dies. Yet, it was a heavy blow to the heart. I'm not trying to put Carl up on a pedestal - he'd rebuke me if I did; but he was the most godly, Christ-like man I ever knew. When I was in his presence, I felt like I was standing before the Lord. I know that sounds weird and idolatrous. It isn't meant to be. I didn't worship him. But the love of Christ literally flowed and glowed from Carl. I felt aware of my sinfulness when I was with him. I felt ashamed and dirty. One of the last times I saw him, he greeted me with a kiss on the cheek. If a man (other than my Dad) kissed me, I'd have serious problems with that. But it was like a kiss from Jesus Himself. I felt loved and honored. I know he's on his face in front of Jesus right now, and he already probably kissed Jesus and Jesus kissed him back. I wish people could see Jesus in me 1/10th of how I saw Jesus in Carl. I'd be doing really good.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
9/14/11
Well, up to over 66,500 words on my story. Goal is at least 75,000. Don't have time to write tonite. Wish I did.
Gotta get ready for the Wed. nite Bible study at church.
Long ugly week so far. Long ugly week to go. Gotta work a football game Fri. nite & Sat. school this Sat. Stinks when you can't even look forward to the weekend.
Gotta get ready for the Wed. nite Bible study at church.
Long ugly week so far. Long ugly week to go. Gotta work a football game Fri. nite & Sat. school this Sat. Stinks when you can't even look forward to the weekend.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
9/13/11
Wrote a wee bit on my story last nite. Man, it felt good! I felt like a fish that had been gasping on land being put back in the water. I'm gonna go try to write a wee bit more. It's super slow this way. I just haven't had time since I went back to work. I wish to God I could be a full-time writer! What better life than that could there be? Even if I was a billionaire, I'd still write. Or I'd explode. That would be ugly.
Monday, September 12, 2011
9/12/11
Well, it's been 2 weeks since I worked on my story. As soon as I'm done with this, I hope to write an hour or so before bed. I miss writing. It's a love & an addiction. Like I say, some days, I sit & write for hours. Other days, I just waste time.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
9/11/11
This date will never be the same to us Americans. Our lives will never be the same. Nothing will really ever be the same. People have made poems, speeches, catchy little sayings, prayers and so forth all day. I can't top any of them. I just thank God that I still have a family, that I can freely go to church to worship my Savior, that I have a job, that I can live in relative peace; all because of God's grace and because brave men and women fight bravely every day and night so I may live in peace. God has truly shed His grace on us. Let us not forget that, nor trample on His grace and forgiveness.
Been a crazy, busy weekend, but I spent it with my family. We have food and haven't lost our house yet. We are more fortunate, if I may use that word, than millions of others. I hate getting up in the morning, but I thank God I have a job to go to. And I thank God I have that day in which to wake up. Now I gotta go to bed so I CAN wake up.
Been a crazy, busy weekend, but I spent it with my family. We have food and haven't lost our house yet. We are more fortunate, if I may use that word, than millions of others. I hate getting up in the morning, but I thank God I have a job to go to. And I thank God I have that day in which to wake up. Now I gotta go to bed so I CAN wake up.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
9/10/11
Well, tonite was the first Harvest Crusade at Dodger Stadium. I haven't heard the stats yet, but I heard that they had to close the field because so many people responded to the invitation to accept Christ!
Finally cooler today (about low 80s). Maybe the devil will go back to hell. I think he's been living here lately 'cause it's been so hot.
Ran around on errands all day. Hope to work on my story some tomorrow.
It's hard to believe that it's been 10 years since Sept. 11. How have we changed? More paranoid, maybe. More cautious. But are we more godly? Do we trust in God more? I hope so.
Finally cooler today (about low 80s). Maybe the devil will go back to hell. I think he's been living here lately 'cause it's been so hot.
Ran around on errands all day. Hope to work on my story some tomorrow.
It's hard to believe that it's been 10 years since Sept. 11. How have we changed? More paranoid, maybe. More cautious. But are we more godly? Do we trust in God more? I hope so.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Sept. 8
Wow. One month until I'm fifty. I feel old. Half a century. I'm so old, about all I exercise is running my mouth and jumping to conclusions.
I didn't write here yesterday. Busier than a blind dog in a meat house. Then went church & home really late. Got home late from work tonite. Had football game & a game tomorrow too. Have a bunch of ideas to add to my story. Just never have time to write. If I didn't have to sleep at nite, I'd get a lot more done. Life is so short - why do we have to spend 1/3 of it asleep?
Well, I gotta get ready to hit the sack, so I can work all day & late into the night and be tired and not able to write AGAIN!
I didn't write here yesterday. Busier than a blind dog in a meat house. Then went church & home really late. Got home late from work tonite. Had football game & a game tomorrow too. Have a bunch of ideas to add to my story. Just never have time to write. If I didn't have to sleep at nite, I'd get a lot more done. Life is so short - why do we have to spend 1/3 of it asleep?
Well, I gotta get ready to hit the sack, so I can work all day & late into the night and be tired and not able to write AGAIN!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Sept. 6
Back to work after 3 days off. It was hotter than the devil's doorknob today again.
I realized today that I have one month left to be in my forties. Kind of a weird thought. I know now why time goes so fast as you get older; it's that head-first slide downhill into the grave. Now, isn't that a cheery outlook on life? Seems I just turned 40. I can remember my 40th birthday party like it was last month. Half a century. Wow. That's nothing compared to eternity, though.
Well, I gotta hit the sack. Not too hard, though. I might hurt something at my age.
I realized today that I have one month left to be in my forties. Kind of a weird thought. I know now why time goes so fast as you get older; it's that head-first slide downhill into the grave. Now, isn't that a cheery outlook on life? Seems I just turned 40. I can remember my 40th birthday party like it was last month. Half a century. Wow. That's nothing compared to eternity, though.
Well, I gotta hit the sack. Not too hard, though. I might hurt something at my age.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Labor Day
Did you remember to labor today?
Well, Jenny's home from camp, praise God! God did amazing things in the lives of the 300 kids who were there!
The 3 day weekend's over. I accomplished basically nothing. Haven't worked on my story for over a week. Miss it bad. Wanna write! Just seems there's never time.
Oy. Back to the hot old grind tomorrow.
Well, Jenny's home from camp, praise God! God did amazing things in the lives of the 300 kids who were there!
The 3 day weekend's over. I accomplished basically nothing. Haven't worked on my story for over a week. Miss it bad. Wanna write! Just seems there's never time.
Oy. Back to the hot old grind tomorrow.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Sept. 4
Well, haven't worked on my story for a week. Was making great progress, too. Going thru withdrawals.
Jenny & the 300 other kids are enjoying camp. I pray they grow close to the Lord & each other. I pray they're blessed. But I'll sure be glad when she's home.
Jenny & the 300 other kids are enjoying camp. I pray they grow close to the Lord & each other. I pray they're blessed. But I'll sure be glad when she's home.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Sept. 3
Well, it's late. Been ridiculously busy today. Just finished a Bible study for a nursing home where I teach a Bible study on Sundays.
Daughter Jenny's at camp, having fun, but she had no sleep last nite. Miss her & will be SO glad to have her home.
So tired, I think my eyes are going to bleed. I gotta sleep.
Daughter Jenny's at camp, having fun, but she had no sleep last nite. Miss her & will be SO glad to have her home.
So tired, I think my eyes are going to bleed. I gotta sleep.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Sept. 2
I'm so tired, my eyes feel like a peeling onion.
Well, I survived the first week back at work, thank God. Our daughter Jennifer is up in the mountains at camp, with a couple hundred other high school age kids, mostly from our church (Harvest Christian Fellowship of Riverside). I hate when she's gone. Our "puzzle" is missing a piece. Our circle is broken. And it's a bitter foretaste of the day when she leaves home. That's a day that I'd rather die than see. Maybe I'm an overly sentimental wimp. Think what you want. I couldn't care less. That's where I am.
I haven't had a chance all week to work on my story. I think about the story all day, every day. It's my thing. It's all I want to do.
Speaking of which, I gotta go work on a Bible study for this Sunday, so I can get to bed before the sun comes up again.
Well, I survived the first week back at work, thank God. Our daughter Jennifer is up in the mountains at camp, with a couple hundred other high school age kids, mostly from our church (Harvest Christian Fellowship of Riverside). I hate when she's gone. Our "puzzle" is missing a piece. Our circle is broken. And it's a bitter foretaste of the day when she leaves home. That's a day that I'd rather die than see. Maybe I'm an overly sentimental wimp. Think what you want. I couldn't care less. That's where I am.
I haven't had a chance all week to work on my story. I think about the story all day, every day. It's my thing. It's all I want to do.
Speaking of which, I gotta go work on a Bible study for this Sunday, so I can get to bed before the sun comes up again.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Last day of August, Dang.
I always hate to see August end. Around here, it'll still be hot 'til November. But August is the end of summer to me. There are 2 things I like about Sept. One is my dear friend Cheryl Piazza's birthday. I'll let you know what the 2nd thing is, if I ever think of one.
Today's one of those crazy days where I'm running in circles like a peg-legged man with one roller skate. I have like 78 things I have to do in the next hour. OY!
Today's one of those crazy days where I'm running in circles like a peg-legged man with one roller skate. I have like 78 things I have to do in the next hour. OY!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Aug. 30
Wow ... just got of Facebook. Went from 96 to 113 friends in one day! Just got done thanking them all.
Well, today wasn't as Perditionish as it's been. Still dang hot, though. Like 97 today. Sad when that seems cool.
After a nifty day sweating outside, i gotta try to plant a lemon and a pomegranate (sp?) tree. That is, if I can clear out more of the roots from the stump from the Abyss.
Such fun. Then I need to start my Bible study for the nursing home where I teach a Bible study. Probably won't get back to my story 'til Thurs. or so.
Well, today wasn't as Perditionish as it's been. Still dang hot, though. Like 97 today. Sad when that seems cool.
After a nifty day sweating outside, i gotta try to plant a lemon and a pomegranate (sp?) tree. That is, if I can clear out more of the roots from the stump from the Abyss.
Such fun. Then I need to start my Bible study for the nursing home where I teach a Bible study. Probably won't get back to my story 'til Thurs. or so.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Aug. 29
Well, back to work today after 3 months off. Was hot as heck, and a shock.
What I hate the most is that you HAVE to be there, take breaks, eat lunch & leave when they tell you. It's like they own you. I guess that's what having a job is all about. I want to be my own boss. If I want to work all day without a break, I will. If I want to go to the beach, I could. That's one reason why I SO want to be a published (and successful) author. I don't dislike my employers at all. In fact, they're all very nice. At my age, though, I want to be my own boss. That's all. I'd be a lot tougher on me than anybody else, probably.
My son Mike and I (mostly Mike) FINALLY got the rest of that cursed stump out after work today. There are still roots that go to different countries. The whole yard is roots, it seems.
Don't have time to work on my story tonight. It kills me. Writing is my drug, my escape. I could write for hours and not even realize how many hours have gone by.
Well, it's late. Lots to do yet. Can we do summer over again?
What I hate the most is that you HAVE to be there, take breaks, eat lunch & leave when they tell you. It's like they own you. I guess that's what having a job is all about. I want to be my own boss. If I want to work all day without a break, I will. If I want to go to the beach, I could. That's one reason why I SO want to be a published (and successful) author. I don't dislike my employers at all. In fact, they're all very nice. At my age, though, I want to be my own boss. That's all. I'd be a lot tougher on me than anybody else, probably.
My son Mike and I (mostly Mike) FINALLY got the rest of that cursed stump out after work today. There are still roots that go to different countries. The whole yard is roots, it seems.
Don't have time to work on my story tonight. It kills me. Writing is my drug, my escape. I could write for hours and not even realize how many hours have gone by.
Well, it's late. Lots to do yet. Can we do summer over again?
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Aug. 28: The end of the dream, the beginning of the nightmare.
Well, the day had arrived and is over. The last day of summer. It's been tense, to say the least. Been jobless since June 3rd. But it's been relaxing at times. Been going to bed, getting up when I want. Worked more on my story then I've gotten done in months, at least. Spent lots of time with my family & parents. We didn't starve or lose the house yet. We've had hotter summers. The only places we went all summer were to the beach one day, and to a funeral. Could have been a lot better in that respect. Then again, we could live in Libya or Iraq or Afghanistan. No matter how lousy your life is, there's always somebody with a sadder story.
I'm just not ready to go back. I'm not ready to stand all day out in the heat, and be told when to take a break, when to eat, when to be there, when to go home, do this, do that, blah blah blah. I want to be home with my family. I want to be a full-time writer.
So, tomorrow, I'll be wondering if I'm at work, wishing I was home in bed, or if I'm at home, having a nightmare that I'm at work.
By the way, as of yesterday (the last I worked on my story) I am now at 65,000 words. 10,000 to go.
I'm just not ready to go back. I'm not ready to stand all day out in the heat, and be told when to take a break, when to eat, when to be there, when to go home, do this, do that, blah blah blah. I want to be home with my family. I want to be a full-time writer.
So, tomorrow, I'll be wondering if I'm at work, wishing I was home in bed, or if I'm at home, having a nightmare that I'm at work.
By the way, as of yesterday (the last I worked on my story) I am now at 65,000 words. 10,000 to go.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Aug. 26
Went to an all-day meeting for work today. Got rigor mortis of the butt.
Hotter than the hinges of hades today. Like 107 or hotter.
Still didn't get that stump out! Chopped more of it out, though. There's probably a guy in China on the other end, wondering what's going on with his tree.
Typed again last nite. I forget the exact word count, but I'm at something like 64,000 words now! Only like 11,000 to go!
Hotter than the hinges of hades today. Like 107 or hotter.
Still didn't get that stump out! Chopped more of it out, though. There's probably a guy in China on the other end, wondering what's going on with his tree.
Typed again last nite. I forget the exact word count, but I'm at something like 64,000 words now! Only like 11,000 to go!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Aug. 25
Jingle bells and a fa la la. 4 months 'til Christmas. That should give you plenty of time to find me a nice present.
Hot as blazes again today. About to go out and wrestle with that fool tree stump for as long as I can stand the heat. Hopefully, I can get to my story again, too. I could SO be a full-time writer. Can't think of ANY other job I'd love as much.
Hot as blazes again today. About to go out and wrestle with that fool tree stump for as long as I can stand the heat. Hopefully, I can get to my story again, too. I could SO be a full-time writer. Can't think of ANY other job I'd love as much.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Aug. 24.
Well, it's 4 months 'til Christmas Eve. Let me be the first one to wish you a merry Christmas.
Today it was like 105 degrees. My son Mike & I tried (in vain) to get the stump out again. It's the tree stump from the Abyss.
I worked on my story a bit, when it got too hot outside. I'm up to like 61,000 words. At least 14,000 to go.
Tomorrow's essentially my last day of summer. Have an all day meeting Fri. The weekend, then back to pergatory.
It's late at nite & I gotta Facebook & maybe tweet. Then, sack time.
Today it was like 105 degrees. My son Mike & I tried (in vain) to get the stump out again. It's the tree stump from the Abyss.
I worked on my story a bit, when it got too hot outside. I'm up to like 61,000 words. At least 14,000 to go.
Tomorrow's essentially my last day of summer. Have an all day meeting Fri. The weekend, then back to pergatory.
It's late at nite & I gotta Facebook & maybe tweet. Then, sack time.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Aug. 23
Another day hot as blazes here.
Well, worked on my story last nite. I'm up to 59,000 words. Just 16,000 to go. Oy.
How do people say so much, yet say something? I could put in 100,000 words, but how much of it will mean anything?
Well, gotta do Facebook & dig up a tree stump (or at least try to) out in the heat. Oh the joy.
Well, worked on my story last nite. I'm up to 59,000 words. Just 16,000 to go. Oy.
How do people say so much, yet say something? I could put in 100,000 words, but how much of it will mean anything?
Well, gotta do Facebook & dig up a tree stump (or at least try to) out in the heat. Oh the joy.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Aug. 22
Well, back to work for 5 hours today (registration at school). It was quite a shock. I had about as much fun as Pinocchio with a termite infestation.
I hope to jump on my story and type some more. I've gone from 46,000 words to 56,000. Hopefully, it's meaningful stuff & not fluff. Long way to go yet.
I have 3 days of freedom left, then it's a meeting, a weekend, then back to the old grind. At least, thank God, I have a job.
I hope to jump on my story and type some more. I've gone from 46,000 words to 56,000. Hopefully, it's meaningful stuff & not fluff. Long way to go yet.
I have 3 days of freedom left, then it's a meeting, a weekend, then back to the old grind. At least, thank God, I have a job.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Aug. 21
Well, it's been a busy one. Went to Palm Terrace to help with a Bible study that friends of mine and I teach there.
Had to replace the connection for our front hose. It wouldn't turn off. Had a hard time turning the water off to replace it. Ran errands half the day. Re-tweeked my nose. Drying my face with a towel, my nose made a sickening crunch sound (again) that I could feel and hear. Not fun.
Gotta go work registration at Poly High school tomorrow. Lots of fun out in the heat.
My brain is sparking and sputtering. I gotta sleep.
Had to replace the connection for our front hose. It wouldn't turn off. Had a hard time turning the water off to replace it. Ran errands half the day. Re-tweeked my nose. Drying my face with a towel, my nose made a sickening crunch sound (again) that I could feel and hear. Not fun.
Gotta go work registration at Poly High school tomorrow. Lots of fun out in the heat.
My brain is sparking and sputtering. I gotta sleep.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Another Aug. 20 post
See? Told you I'm slow! Here's my Twitter account, should you be interested. You're welcome.
Aug. 20
Well, my son signed me up with Twitter today. I'm about to "tweet" my first tweet. Does that make me a twit?
Not much to say today. Whipped like a stubborn donkey. My son Mike & I tried to dig a tree stump out for hours. We finally gave up. Nothing more fun than spending your Saturday digging out a stinking tree stump. The roots are everywhere, and they either go to China or hell.
Well, I gotta check Facebook & Twitter. I'm trying hard to catch up with y'all with this technology stuff. I'm kinda slow. To say the least.
Not much to say today. Whipped like a stubborn donkey. My son Mike & I tried to dig a tree stump out for hours. We finally gave up. Nothing more fun than spending your Saturday digging out a stinking tree stump. The roots are everywhere, and they either go to China or hell.
Well, I gotta check Facebook & Twitter. I'm trying hard to catch up with y'all with this technology stuff. I'm kinda slow. To say the least.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Aug. 19
Well, today was Uncle Don's funeral. One of those real bittersweet things. Bitter to realize Don's not here any more. Sweet to realize he's with the Lord and his wife (Aunt Beverly) who went to be with the Lord in 1991.
Was great to see family again. That was sweet, too. My family means the world to me. I love my family & they've always been everything to me. I'm very blessed to have such a great family.
At the end of Don's service, a Steerman (sp?) flew over in his honor. Very cool. It made everybody cry. Don loved and built planes. His grandson & my cousin Jeff Josselyn had a buddy from Chino, CA fly it over. Jeff was a Navy pilot.
I'm thrashed and it's late.
Was great to see family again. That was sweet, too. My family means the world to me. I love my family & they've always been everything to me. I'm very blessed to have such a great family.
At the end of Don's service, a Steerman (sp?) flew over in his honor. Very cool. It made everybody cry. Don loved and built planes. His grandson & my cousin Jeff Josselyn had a buddy from Chino, CA fly it over. Jeff was a Navy pilot.
I'm thrashed and it's late.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Aug. 18
Well, another roasting day in Riverside. It's so hot, the souls of the unsaved have been sent to Riverside.
Tomorrow's my uncle Don Josselyn's funeral. It's still hard to believe. It's not like he was a young man. Yet, it's so weird to have somebody gone that's been part of your life since you were born. He was a great man. Very much part of the old school, when men worked long & hard, and family was all-important. He was very much a family man. I really loved and admired my whole family. My uncles all knew so much. More than I ever will. I wish I could go back in time & listen to their stories at family gatherings. Being just a stupid kid, all I was interested in was stealing candy out of my grandma's candy dish, grabbing Craigmont rootbeer out of the fridge and shaking it several times before opening it. It always made great explosions. There usually wasn't much left to drink.
Why is it that we seem to only MAKE time to see each other at funerals and the occasional weddings?
Most of my relatives live nearby, but we never see each other. I don't get it. It's amazing how much time gets by just living life and working day to day. Next thing you know, you're old, your kids are grown & you're saying, "What the heck happened?"
Tomorrow's my uncle Don Josselyn's funeral. It's still hard to believe. It's not like he was a young man. Yet, it's so weird to have somebody gone that's been part of your life since you were born. He was a great man. Very much part of the old school, when men worked long & hard, and family was all-important. He was very much a family man. I really loved and admired my whole family. My uncles all knew so much. More than I ever will. I wish I could go back in time & listen to their stories at family gatherings. Being just a stupid kid, all I was interested in was stealing candy out of my grandma's candy dish, grabbing Craigmont rootbeer out of the fridge and shaking it several times before opening it. It always made great explosions. There usually wasn't much left to drink.
Why is it that we seem to only MAKE time to see each other at funerals and the occasional weddings?
Most of my relatives live nearby, but we never see each other. I don't get it. It's amazing how much time gets by just living life and working day to day. Next thing you know, you're old, your kids are grown & you're saying, "What the heck happened?"
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Aug. 16
Well, today's been busy. I didn't write in here yesterday. Busy one, too.
Today, we finished ripping out plants & stumps, and cut down a tree. I was cutting a branch about the thickness of a baseball bat. It was cut almost all the way thru. I pulled on it, and it snapped off, hitting me square on the bridge of my nose. It broke my nose quite nicely. Again. I've busted it before. Well, I didn't PURPOSELY bust it. In fact, other people broke it for me.
I better go work on my story. At least I hopefully won't hurt myself doing THAT!
Today, we finished ripping out plants & stumps, and cut down a tree. I was cutting a branch about the thickness of a baseball bat. It was cut almost all the way thru. I pulled on it, and it snapped off, hitting me square on the bridge of my nose. It broke my nose quite nicely. Again. I've busted it before. Well, I didn't PURPOSELY bust it. In fact, other people broke it for me.
I better go work on my story. At least I hopefully won't hurt myself doing THAT!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Aug. 14
Wow ... the middle of the month already!
Tonite's the last nite of the Harvest Crusade in Anaheim, Ca. I wish I could go. Louis Zamperini's supposed to be there tonite. You need to read his life story in Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand.
Been slowly adding to my story. Haven't typed much. Gets roasting in the house & poor computer can't keep cool enough. Afraid I'm gonna fry it.
Talked with my dear friends Cheryl & Charlie Piazza today. They live in York, Maine. Thank God for friends and phones!
Been moving tons (literally) of dirt in the backyard by wheelbarrow last several days. Whole family's been out there with shovels & rakes in the heat. Trying to get our wilderness backyard to look like civilization.
Tonite's the last nite of the Harvest Crusade in Anaheim, Ca. I wish I could go. Louis Zamperini's supposed to be there tonite. You need to read his life story in Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand.
Been slowly adding to my story. Haven't typed much. Gets roasting in the house & poor computer can't keep cool enough. Afraid I'm gonna fry it.
Talked with my dear friends Cheryl & Charlie Piazza today. They live in York, Maine. Thank God for friends and phones!
Been moving tons (literally) of dirt in the backyard by wheelbarrow last several days. Whole family's been out there with shovels & rakes in the heat. Trying to get our wilderness backyard to look like civilization.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Aug. 12
Well, today was the 22nd Harvest Crusade (1st day of it). Daughter Jenny went with friend Lauren and her family. I stayed home like a heathen and did yard work and have been working on my story.
The publisher I investigated yesterday was only interested in little kid books. Oy.
The search continues, as does my adding to my story.
The publisher I investigated yesterday was only interested in little kid books. Oy.
The search continues, as does my adding to my story.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
August 11
Well, as you may have noticed, I didn't write in here yesterday.
Not much to say, really. Been busier than a mouse in a cheese factory, doing yard work. Me, that is, doing the yard work, not the mouse. You know. Anyhow, moving on.
Tomorrow nite begins the Harvest Crusade in Anaheim. If you're anywhere near, I urge you to go. If not, you can see it at Harvest.org.
I'm still adding to my story, little by little. I came across a Christian publisher today in Writer's Digest magazine. I want to check 'em out after I write this & check ol' Facebook.
Well, I better go for now.
Not much to say, really. Been busier than a mouse in a cheese factory, doing yard work. Me, that is, doing the yard work, not the mouse. You know. Anyhow, moving on.
Tomorrow nite begins the Harvest Crusade in Anaheim. If you're anywhere near, I urge you to go. If not, you can see it at Harvest.org.
I'm still adding to my story, little by little. I came across a Christian publisher today in Writer's Digest magazine. I want to check 'em out after I write this & check ol' Facebook.
Well, I better go for now.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Official Rejection!
Well, after only 15 days, I got my very first rejection notice. 15 days ago, I sent my first query to The Knight Agency. They said it could be 2 months. They REALLY must've hated it to respond so promptly!
You know, the sad thing is, they never saw the real story. I wonder how many good stories never get a chance, because maybe the query isn't that great or whatever. I bet there are great stories out there. Many times, I bet the stories are great. They just never get a chance. Oh well. I printed my e-rejection and I'm gonna frame it. Hopefully, one day, they'll feel stupid for rejecting it.
I often wondered how I'd react if & when my stories were rejected. Yeah, it was sad. I felt disappointed, and, well... rejected. Am I crying? Am I giving up? Am I throwing my story in the trash? Of course! Not really. I'm more determined than ever to get it published now. I ain't givin' up!
You know, the sad thing is, they never saw the real story. I wonder how many good stories never get a chance, because maybe the query isn't that great or whatever. I bet there are great stories out there. Many times, I bet the stories are great. They just never get a chance. Oh well. I printed my e-rejection and I'm gonna frame it. Hopefully, one day, they'll feel stupid for rejecting it.
I often wondered how I'd react if & when my stories were rejected. Yeah, it was sad. I felt disappointed, and, well... rejected. Am I crying? Am I giving up? Am I throwing my story in the trash? Of course! Not really. I'm more determined than ever to get it published now. I ain't givin' up!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Mundane
Well, today was one of those stinking days I shoulda stayed asleep.
We went to the Antiques Roadshow out of town. Packed up a bunch of stuff that my parents & us have had for years. Some going back to the 1800s. We thought some may actually worth something. You ever see that show? People have stuff like Cleopatra's nail file, Napoleon's toilet brush, or whatever. Some piece of junk can be worth tens of thousands of dollars. All of our stuff combined was probably worth enough to buy a burger combo at Carl's Jr. Really disappointing to save stuff all your life, just to find out it ain't worth any more than it was in 1832 or whatever.
We got home, only to find out that my uncle, Don Josselyn, died this afternoon. He was a great man. I wish I knew him better. I wish I sat at his feet when I was a kid & drank in his knowledge. He fought the war from home, by building aircraft. He knew everything about planes. As a dumb little kid, I didn't pay attention. I could have learned a lot. Why do we appreciate people and things only when they're gone? I hope he's with the Lord. I look forward to having some great visits.
We went to the Antiques Roadshow out of town. Packed up a bunch of stuff that my parents & us have had for years. Some going back to the 1800s. We thought some may actually worth something. You ever see that show? People have stuff like Cleopatra's nail file, Napoleon's toilet brush, or whatever. Some piece of junk can be worth tens of thousands of dollars. All of our stuff combined was probably worth enough to buy a burger combo at Carl's Jr. Really disappointing to save stuff all your life, just to find out it ain't worth any more than it was in 1832 or whatever.
We got home, only to find out that my uncle, Don Josselyn, died this afternoon. He was a great man. I wish I knew him better. I wish I sat at his feet when I was a kid & drank in his knowledge. He fought the war from home, by building aircraft. He knew everything about planes. As a dumb little kid, I didn't pay attention. I could have learned a lot. Why do we appreciate people and things only when they're gone? I hope he's with the Lord. I look forward to having some great visits.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Another exciting post!
Yeah, right. Anyhow, I spent quite a bit of time trying to throw anything meaningful into my story today. I'm now up to something like 53,800 words. If I only knew how to type! I have a long way to go to get to 75,000. Oy. What am I going to say that'll fill in about 22,100 words? I have longer to go than I thought. Anybody out there a publisher or agent who wants a 46,000 word story? I wish.
Today was the Celtic Music Festival up in Oak Glen, Ca. today. We couldn't go. I feel like crying. W3e went last year. Ken O'Malley & all kinds of grand singers/musicians. Today was the 2nd annual one. Killed me to miss it. I love going to the Irish Fair too. There are two good ones - one in March at LA County Fair, the other in June in Irvine, Ca. It's like Irish Heaven for me.
Well, I'm done whining for now.
Today was the Celtic Music Festival up in Oak Glen, Ca. today. We couldn't go. I feel like crying. W3e went last year. Ken O'Malley & all kinds of grand singers/musicians. Today was the 2nd annual one. Killed me to miss it. I love going to the Irish Fair too. There are two good ones - one in March at LA County Fair, the other in June in Irvine, Ca. It's like Irish Heaven for me.
Well, I'm done whining for now.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Friday again already.
Wow. Friday again already. This week went by faster than a scalded rabbit.
I didn't blog yesterday. So sorry. Probably nobody noticed, anyhow.
I've been working in my spare minutes to lengthen my story. It's gone from 46,000 words to just under 53,000. My goal is 75,000. Ain't gonna be easy.
Crazy busy week. You know, the busier I get, the less I seem to get done. Why is that? Or am I the only one that happens to?
I didn't blog yesterday. So sorry. Probably nobody noticed, anyhow.
I've been working in my spare minutes to lengthen my story. It's gone from 46,000 words to just under 53,000. My goal is 75,000. Ain't gonna be easy.
Crazy busy week. You know, the busier I get, the less I seem to get done. Why is that? Or am I the only one that happens to?
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Toos Day
Another action-packed, happy kind of day.
Well, I worked on my story a bit more today. The computer got too hot & had to shut it off. It was like 101 outside & felt as hot in here.
No word, of course, on the story from the agency. No surprise there. Waiting's the worst part.
I wish I was one of those doggone already-famous people who could write anything & it would be published. Trying to get published in the first place is the hardest part of all.
Well, I worked on my story a bit more today. The computer got too hot & had to shut it off. It was like 101 outside & felt as hot in here.
No word, of course, on the story from the agency. No surprise there. Waiting's the worst part.
I wish I was one of those doggone already-famous people who could write anything & it would be published. Trying to get published in the first place is the hardest part of all.
Monday, August 1, 2011
August First
Dia duit! (Howdy!)
Wow ... the first day of August already! Unbelievable!
We spent all day running errands out in the miserable heat & humidity. It's been so hot, the souls of the damned are being sent here to Riverside. Yesterday was incredible, though. It RAINED here, a good, cool rain, for hours. It was SO wonderful, and so needed.
Also, I began adding to my story yesterday. I am keeping the story at its original length (on flashdrives) just in case an agent is interested in a story that length. But I'm adding as much to it as I can, trying to add meaningful things, but also, just trying to get it more to novel length. It's currently 46,000 words. It SHOULD be 75,000 to 100,000 words for a novel. We'll see what we end up with. Anyhow, it felt good to be writing again. I have the story saved on computer and flashdrives. Maybe I'm paranoid, but I don't want to chance anything happening to it. I've worked and sweated over it for 10 years.
Got more friend acceptances on Facebook & have had a great time chatting with dear old friends. It's amazing how out of touch I became with my friends. It's shameful, really. It's so easy to get wrapped up in all the day-to-day stuff. Next thing you know, you're old, your kids are grown, you & your spouse look at each other and say, "Who in the blazes are YOU?"
Wow ... the first day of August already! Unbelievable!
We spent all day running errands out in the miserable heat & humidity. It's been so hot, the souls of the damned are being sent here to Riverside. Yesterday was incredible, though. It RAINED here, a good, cool rain, for hours. It was SO wonderful, and so needed.
Also, I began adding to my story yesterday. I am keeping the story at its original length (on flashdrives) just in case an agent is interested in a story that length. But I'm adding as much to it as I can, trying to add meaningful things, but also, just trying to get it more to novel length. It's currently 46,000 words. It SHOULD be 75,000 to 100,000 words for a novel. We'll see what we end up with. Anyhow, it felt good to be writing again. I have the story saved on computer and flashdrives. Maybe I'm paranoid, but I don't want to chance anything happening to it. I've worked and sweated over it for 10 years.
Got more friend acceptances on Facebook & have had a great time chatting with dear old friends. It's amazing how out of touch I became with my friends. It's shameful, really. It's so easy to get wrapped up in all the day-to-day stuff. Next thing you know, you're old, your kids are grown, you & your spouse look at each other and say, "Who in the blazes are YOU?"
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Son Day again
Well, my daughter Jennifer and I just returned from Palm Terrace, a skilled nursing facility, where we do a Bible study & worship time with some other brothers & sisters from our church (Harvest Christian Fellowship) here in Riverside. How's THAT for a long-winded introduction?
It's been raining here since early a.m., thank You, God! We need it bad. It keeps me from having to waste time watering, too.
I just found out another good old friend of mine from high school "friended" me on Facebook. It's made me realize how horribly out of touch I've been with people - for DECADES! Where have I been? In my own little world, I guess. It's amazing how much time goes by when you're just working and living life day-to-day. Scott, who contacted me, I haven't seen in like 34 years! WHERE does the time go?
IF anybody's reading this, let me encourage you to rekindle old friendships. Friends are such a blessing, such a rare treasure. They are what makes this life sentence on this prison called earth tolerable.
It's been raining here since early a.m., thank You, God! We need it bad. It keeps me from having to waste time watering, too.
I just found out another good old friend of mine from high school "friended" me on Facebook. It's made me realize how horribly out of touch I've been with people - for DECADES! Where have I been? In my own little world, I guess. It's amazing how much time goes by when you're just working and living life day-to-day. Scott, who contacted me, I haven't seen in like 34 years! WHERE does the time go?
IF anybody's reading this, let me encourage you to rekindle old friendships. Friends are such a blessing, such a rare treasure. They are what makes this life sentence on this prison called earth tolerable.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Another post.
My son Mike and I cleaned the garage today. That's always a therapeutic thrill.
Besides the normal daily drivel of monotonous routinely stuff, there's nothing much to say. We're just continuing to live life one lump at a time.
By the way, if you'd care to contact me, you may do so at fiveoklock@att.net or klockreations@att.net. Or you can click on my Facebook link. See? It's easy. I hope to hear from you. From SOMEBODY. ANYBODY! Thank you.
Besides the normal daily drivel of monotonous routinely stuff, there's nothing much to say. We're just continuing to live life one lump at a time.
By the way, if you'd care to contact me, you may do so at fiveoklock@att.net or klockreations@att.net. Or you can click on my Facebook link. See? It's easy. I hope to hear from you. From SOMEBODY. ANYBODY! Thank you.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Fried Day
Fry Day. Fried Day. Either way, it sounds like Friday. Isn't that profound?
Another day feeling like a trash truck spinning my wheels in quicksand. Not really an unproductive day. Just somewhat frustrating. I didn't get stuff done that I needed to get done.
I looked at my story again today. I added a little bit to it, which of course totally messed up my page numbers. I have my name & page number at the top of each page, which I eventually will have to completely re-do. Time consuming and tedious.
Had a couple new friends on Facebook today. Was really cool. I need to try hard to keep in touch with people. That is the main reason I started this blog. But, I never hear feedback from ANYBODY. Does ANYBODY ever read this???? It wouldn't seem so. If you read this, please feel free to drop a line.
Another day feeling like a trash truck spinning my wheels in quicksand. Not really an unproductive day. Just somewhat frustrating. I didn't get stuff done that I needed to get done.
I looked at my story again today. I added a little bit to it, which of course totally messed up my page numbers. I have my name & page number at the top of each page, which I eventually will have to completely re-do. Time consuming and tedious.
Had a couple new friends on Facebook today. Was really cool. I need to try hard to keep in touch with people. That is the main reason I started this blog. But, I never hear feedback from ANYBODY. Does ANYBODY ever read this???? It wouldn't seem so. If you read this, please feel free to drop a line.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Thirst Day
Well, today's just been a thrill a minute. ONE good thing did happen, though. Another of my favorite Christian musicians accepted my friend request in Facebook today. Bob Ayala. I haven't seen him in decades. It's amazing how many people I haven't seen in decades. Where have I BEEN?
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Wins Day
So, WHO wins?
Been another busy, hot day. No word in the big wait from the agency I queried. No surprise there. I really don't expect to hear for several weeks, if ever.
One cool thing DID happen today, though. Bob Bennett accepted my friend request on Facebook. Probably no big deal. He probably accepts everybody. But it's a big deal to ME. I LOVE Bob Bennett's music ministry. He's been one of my 2 or 3 all-time favorites for like 31 years. Awesome dude.
Normally, I'd be at church right now. But I had errands & now I'm home.
Not much else to say, except, if the Lord wanted to come back right now, that's okay by me.
By the way, if you want something EXCELLENT to read, check out Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand. It's the story of Louis Zamperini. She's also the author of Seabiscuit. Great author, good Christian lady, and an AMAZING book!
Been another busy, hot day. No word in the big wait from the agency I queried. No surprise there. I really don't expect to hear for several weeks, if ever.
One cool thing DID happen today, though. Bob Bennett accepted my friend request on Facebook. Probably no big deal. He probably accepts everybody. But it's a big deal to ME. I LOVE Bob Bennett's music ministry. He's been one of my 2 or 3 all-time favorites for like 31 years. Awesome dude.
Normally, I'd be at church right now. But I had errands & now I'm home.
Not much else to say, except, if the Lord wanted to come back right now, that's okay by me.
By the way, if you want something EXCELLENT to read, check out Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand. It's the story of Louis Zamperini. She's also the author of Seabiscuit. Great author, good Christian lady, and an AMAZING book!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Twos Day
As you may have noticed, I didn't write anything yesterday. It was another one of those days.
I DID do one monumental thing, though. I sent a query of my story to an agency for representation. Yeah, it would be a miracle if they took me on, and a bigger miracle if the story gets published. But, I'm not giving up until I'm dead. Then, I'll try to get published in Heaven or on the new earth.
If I DO get a rejection notice, I'm going to keep it, frame it, and put it on my wall. I heard of an author who did that. He's a several-times-over published author. He kept his first rejection letter, mainly so that publishing house that rejected him would later feel stupid. It's like the producer I heard about who turned down the Beatles, because he thought they'd never amount to anything. I'm NOT, however, trying to be so conceited as to think that I'm the next Mark Twain or whoever. But I AM framing my first rejection notice. I'm trying to be brave about it, and trying to not get discouraged until after my 100th rejection notice. It reminds me of an old Yiddish proverb; If a man calls you a jackass, ignore him. If two men call you a jackass, ignore them. If a THIRD man calls you a jackass, consider buying a saddle.
Putting out a query about your story is like slipping a note to a girl you like, hoping she'll like you, too. There's that fear of rejection. It's different with a query, though. There are dozens of reasons why your query may be rejected. It's not quite as personal. If a girl doesn't like you in return, it's more personal, and you can pretty much assume she thinks you're a geek.
In case you're not familiar about the whole query thing, a query is like a proposal. It tells a little about your story, and a little about you. It's a one-page plea for someone to represent you & your story, or to publish your book. I'm seeking to obtain an author's representative to take on my story and to try to find a publisher for me. One of the most nerve-wracking things about it is, I may not hear anything from them for two months, if ever. Many are nice enough to send you a "We're so sorry" letter. But many don't have the time to personally reject you.
Now comes the wait. I wanted to use a different agency, but that meant lengthening the story. Actually, making the story nearly twice as long. While I'm waiting, I may write a longer version, just in case. I'll save both and use whichever anybody is interested in.
I'm sure this is the most intriguing thing you have ever read. The psychotic ramblings of a wannabe author. Oh well. What can you do?
I DID do one monumental thing, though. I sent a query of my story to an agency for representation. Yeah, it would be a miracle if they took me on, and a bigger miracle if the story gets published. But, I'm not giving up until I'm dead. Then, I'll try to get published in Heaven or on the new earth.
If I DO get a rejection notice, I'm going to keep it, frame it, and put it on my wall. I heard of an author who did that. He's a several-times-over published author. He kept his first rejection letter, mainly so that publishing house that rejected him would later feel stupid. It's like the producer I heard about who turned down the Beatles, because he thought they'd never amount to anything. I'm NOT, however, trying to be so conceited as to think that I'm the next Mark Twain or whoever. But I AM framing my first rejection notice. I'm trying to be brave about it, and trying to not get discouraged until after my 100th rejection notice. It reminds me of an old Yiddish proverb; If a man calls you a jackass, ignore him. If two men call you a jackass, ignore them. If a THIRD man calls you a jackass, consider buying a saddle.
Putting out a query about your story is like slipping a note to a girl you like, hoping she'll like you, too. There's that fear of rejection. It's different with a query, though. There are dozens of reasons why your query may be rejected. It's not quite as personal. If a girl doesn't like you in return, it's more personal, and you can pretty much assume she thinks you're a geek.
In case you're not familiar about the whole query thing, a query is like a proposal. It tells a little about your story, and a little about you. It's a one-page plea for someone to represent you & your story, or to publish your book. I'm seeking to obtain an author's representative to take on my story and to try to find a publisher for me. One of the most nerve-wracking things about it is, I may not hear anything from them for two months, if ever. Many are nice enough to send you a "We're so sorry" letter. But many don't have the time to personally reject you.
Now comes the wait. I wanted to use a different agency, but that meant lengthening the story. Actually, making the story nearly twice as long. While I'm waiting, I may write a longer version, just in case. I'll save both and use whichever anybody is interested in.
I'm sure this is the most intriguing thing you have ever read. The psychotic ramblings of a wannabe author. Oh well. What can you do?
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Son Day Post
Well, Sunday IS Son Day, isn't it?
Today just seemed to slip through my fingers like oil in your fist. Spent a large part of the day & evening hunting for a sink stopper. It had to be just the right one. Our plumber put in a special one. We couldn't find one like it anywhere. After going to basically every store in Riverside, we ended up at Walmart tonight and found a rubber stopper for 97 cents. It actually works. Now we can return the $9 one to Lowe's tomorrow that doesn't work.
We sunburned Irishmen (and women) are recovering. Thank God for aloe vera.
Well, I'm searching an agency site one more time for an agent who represents novellas. There's debate over what exactly a novella is. Some would say my story (46,000 words in length) is a novel. Others say it's a novella. Who really knows? It IS a short novel, if it IS a novel. If that falls through, I have a few more agencies to investigate. If THAT falls through, I guess I'll have to try lengthening my story.
It's late, and my brain is closing down shop for the night. Hope to hear from you soon. Tim.
Today just seemed to slip through my fingers like oil in your fist. Spent a large part of the day & evening hunting for a sink stopper. It had to be just the right one. Our plumber put in a special one. We couldn't find one like it anywhere. After going to basically every store in Riverside, we ended up at Walmart tonight and found a rubber stopper for 97 cents. It actually works. Now we can return the $9 one to Lowe's tomorrow that doesn't work.
We sunburned Irishmen (and women) are recovering. Thank God for aloe vera.
Well, I'm searching an agency site one more time for an agent who represents novellas. There's debate over what exactly a novella is. Some would say my story (46,000 words in length) is a novel. Others say it's a novella. Who really knows? It IS a short novel, if it IS a novel. If that falls through, I have a few more agencies to investigate. If THAT falls through, I guess I'll have to try lengthening my story.
It's late, and my brain is closing down shop for the night. Hope to hear from you soon. Tim.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Saturday Evening Post
Hey! That sounds like a great name for a magazine!
Well, we took a day away & went to Corona Del Mar. Hadn't been there in longer than I can remember. Thought a lot about my story today. I like to think at the beach. Maybe I'm weird, but I've always felt somehow closer to God there. Maybe because you are in front of this endless ocean. You're tiny, vulnerable, and can't hide anywhere. It's just you & the Pacific Ocean, just like standing one day before God. Just you & Him.
I took several photos, which I hope to start adding to this soon. One step at a time. I'm STILL trying to figure this stuff all out. Please be patient with me. I've gone from the horse & buggy to the space shuttle in just a couple weeks.
You know, this computer stuff really is cool. But I just love getting a real, handwritten letter in the mail. Like I've said, I think I was born 150 years too late.
Well, it's getting late, and we're all fried. As careful as we were with sunscreen & trying to stay under umbrellas, we all got baked. I guess Irishmen just shouldn't go to the beach. You pay for fun at the beach with misery in the dermatology department later. Tim.
Well, we took a day away & went to Corona Del Mar. Hadn't been there in longer than I can remember. Thought a lot about my story today. I like to think at the beach. Maybe I'm weird, but I've always felt somehow closer to God there. Maybe because you are in front of this endless ocean. You're tiny, vulnerable, and can't hide anywhere. It's just you & the Pacific Ocean, just like standing one day before God. Just you & Him.
I took several photos, which I hope to start adding to this soon. One step at a time. I'm STILL trying to figure this stuff all out. Please be patient with me. I've gone from the horse & buggy to the space shuttle in just a couple weeks.
You know, this computer stuff really is cool. But I just love getting a real, handwritten letter in the mail. Like I've said, I think I was born 150 years too late.
Well, it's getting late, and we're all fried. As careful as we were with sunscreen & trying to stay under umbrellas, we all got baked. I guess Irishmen just shouldn't go to the beach. You pay for fun at the beach with misery in the dermatology department later. Tim.
Friday, July 22, 2011
A quick Friday note
Here we are. Friday again already.
Not a lot to say today. My son Mike & I tried digging up bush stumps in the yard. As bad as trees. They've been there like 14 years.
I'm probably going to attempt to contact (or at least FIND) an agent who considers stories as short as mine. If that fails, it looks like I may try to lengthen the story.
Bad news in the writing world. Our Borders store here in Riverside is going out of business. I'm not necessarily a Borders fan. I DO like the store. It's just that ANOTHER bookstore bites the dust. I HATE when bookstores go under! My own brother lost his Christian bookstore after 3 years. I think a lot of it has to do with these cursed electronic books, and the Internet. Sure, it's nifty that I could carry the Library of Congress around with me on an electronic gizmo. But if you meet an author, how's he/she gonna sign your book? I love BOOKS! You don't need to charge them up. Just flip it open & read! I feel threatened by this electric garbage, I'll be honest. As an author, how do I make a living if some dufus can download my book (probably illegally, for FREE) off the Internet? The movie industry has already lost countless millions due to pirates & illegal downloads. Computers can do amazing things, but there's always a dark side. Always some twisted evil genius hacking, send viruses, etc. I think I was born about 150 years too late. I like books. And I sure wish I could've met Mark Twain.
Well, my whining will accomplish nothing. What do YOU think about this whole electronic book junk? Tim.
Not a lot to say today. My son Mike & I tried digging up bush stumps in the yard. As bad as trees. They've been there like 14 years.
I'm probably going to attempt to contact (or at least FIND) an agent who considers stories as short as mine. If that fails, it looks like I may try to lengthen the story.
Bad news in the writing world. Our Borders store here in Riverside is going out of business. I'm not necessarily a Borders fan. I DO like the store. It's just that ANOTHER bookstore bites the dust. I HATE when bookstores go under! My own brother lost his Christian bookstore after 3 years. I think a lot of it has to do with these cursed electronic books, and the Internet. Sure, it's nifty that I could carry the Library of Congress around with me on an electronic gizmo. But if you meet an author, how's he/she gonna sign your book? I love BOOKS! You don't need to charge them up. Just flip it open & read! I feel threatened by this electric garbage, I'll be honest. As an author, how do I make a living if some dufus can download my book (probably illegally, for FREE) off the Internet? The movie industry has already lost countless millions due to pirates & illegal downloads. Computers can do amazing things, but there's always a dark side. Always some twisted evil genius hacking, send viruses, etc. I think I was born about 150 years too late. I like books. And I sure wish I could've met Mark Twain.
Well, my whining will accomplish nothing. What do YOU think about this whole electronic book junk? Tim.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Thrilling Thursday.
Wow. Here it is Thursday already. It's been a busy, tiring one. Spent most of the day cutting down and removing plants & bushes. I DO live the wild life.
I've been researching more authors' representatives. Can't find one that wants a story as short as mine. I hate to do it, but I may have to lengthen it. I REALLY don't want to, for many reasons. If it will truly improve the story, and my chances of getting published, it'll be worth it. I type slower than an iceberg going uphill. It took me 9 months to write the original story, which is only 46,000 words long. I need to double it in length to get it to a "true" novel length. Oy!
I wish I just had $ lying around, so I didn't have to work. I could just write all day. I would if I could. I can give you my address, if you would like to send me money. The Support a Broke Writer Fund.
Hope to hear from you soon. From somebody. Anybody! Tim.
I've been researching more authors' representatives. Can't find one that wants a story as short as mine. I hate to do it, but I may have to lengthen it. I REALLY don't want to, for many reasons. If it will truly improve the story, and my chances of getting published, it'll be worth it. I type slower than an iceberg going uphill. It took me 9 months to write the original story, which is only 46,000 words long. I need to double it in length to get it to a "true" novel length. Oy!
I wish I just had $ lying around, so I didn't have to work. I could just write all day. I would if I could. I can give you my address, if you would like to send me money. The Support a Broke Writer Fund.
Hope to hear from you soon. From somebody. Anybody! Tim.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Wonderful(?) Wednesday
Dia duit! That's Howdy! in Irish. As you so astutely observed, I didn't write in here yesterday. Sorry. It was one of those days. I spent the whole day running around like a blind dog in a meat house. I didn't touch a computer all day.
Yesterday, my daughter Jennifer went to the barber and got 10 inches of her hair cut off to donate to Locks of Love. Very cool. Very sacrificial, especially for a girl. For a dude to get a Camp Pendelton Special is no big deal. But it's a different story for girls. Her hair is still fairly long, and looks really nice. Locks of Love makes wigs for children with cancer who've lost their hair. The lady who cut Jenny's hair said there was enough for THREE wigs just from what they cut off. Very cool! Gee ... maybe I could grow MY hair down my backside, so I could donate to Locks of Love! I don't think my thinning mane would ever get long enough.
Well, I'm STILL waiting to hear a reply from an Agent that I sent a question to about my story. I DO realize that authors' representatives are unusually busy, but I do hope I get a reply soon. I'm anxious to get my story published. I COULD make the story longer, but there's no guarantee that that would improve the story. I'd love to hear from you what you think.
I better get going. Much to do and I still need to check Facebook. I hope to hear from you soon. Feel free any time to contact me on my Facebook page or by e-mail. Seriously. Hey! It just dawned on me that today makes one week since I started this blog! That calls for some M&Ms! Or ice cream. Or at least a drink of water. Talk with you soon, I hope. Tim.
Yesterday, my daughter Jennifer went to the barber and got 10 inches of her hair cut off to donate to Locks of Love. Very cool. Very sacrificial, especially for a girl. For a dude to get a Camp Pendelton Special is no big deal. But it's a different story for girls. Her hair is still fairly long, and looks really nice. Locks of Love makes wigs for children with cancer who've lost their hair. The lady who cut Jenny's hair said there was enough for THREE wigs just from what they cut off. Very cool! Gee ... maybe I could grow MY hair down my backside, so I could donate to Locks of Love! I don't think my thinning mane would ever get long enough.
Well, I'm STILL waiting to hear a reply from an Agent that I sent a question to about my story. I DO realize that authors' representatives are unusually busy, but I do hope I get a reply soon. I'm anxious to get my story published. I COULD make the story longer, but there's no guarantee that that would improve the story. I'd love to hear from you what you think.
I better get going. Much to do and I still need to check Facebook. I hope to hear from you soon. Feel free any time to contact me on my Facebook page or by e-mail. Seriously. Hey! It just dawned on me that today makes one week since I started this blog! That calls for some M&Ms! Or ice cream. Or at least a drink of water. Talk with you soon, I hope. Tim.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Mundane Monday
Well, here it is Monday already. Wow. What would life be if everything didn't always go wrong? At least that gives us something to talk about.
We bought a brand new hose the other day for my parents. I was watering their lawn this morning and the hose BROKE. That's right. It broke. When will the Chinese learn to make quality products? Seriously. EVERYTHING is made in China, including my American flag. I don't get it. Nothing against the Chinese. I'm not racist, so send no nasty comments. I just wonder what Americans do. Don't we make ANYTHING? Big Macs, I guess. I went to a gas station this morning. The pump was having trouble. The lady working there came out, then the manager/owner. Neither of them knew enough English to tell me what was wrong. I had to move to a different pump. HOW do non-English-speaking people buy, run and own businesses? How do they STAY in business? I don't get it. Do YOU?
Well, I gotta return my Chinese, busted hose to Home Depot.
This is one annoyed, puzzled American signing off for now. Tim.
We bought a brand new hose the other day for my parents. I was watering their lawn this morning and the hose BROKE. That's right. It broke. When will the Chinese learn to make quality products? Seriously. EVERYTHING is made in China, including my American flag. I don't get it. Nothing against the Chinese. I'm not racist, so send no nasty comments. I just wonder what Americans do. Don't we make ANYTHING? Big Macs, I guess. I went to a gas station this morning. The pump was having trouble. The lady working there came out, then the manager/owner. Neither of them knew enough English to tell me what was wrong. I had to move to a different pump. HOW do non-English-speaking people buy, run and own businesses? How do they STAY in business? I don't get it. Do YOU?
Well, I gotta return my Chinese, busted hose to Home Depot.
This is one annoyed, puzzled American signing off for now. Tim.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Sunday Update
Well, I didn't write in here yesterday. That's probably best. We were in our 5th day of battling with GoDaddy. After going in circles with them at length, I finally told 'em that they would be hearing from our attorney. Last nite, they sent an e-mail saying we're getting a full refund. We'll see. I'm not holding my breath after getting jerked around for 5 days.
I hope your day is going better than mine.
Now for a story update. The story previously mentioned in this blog is only 46,000 words. That's really short for a novel. Many would call it a novella. I've been considering adding to it. I've thought quite a bit about things that I could add. The question is, would it enhance the story? Or would it just be semi-meaningless fluff, just filling up pages so as to appear longer? I have actually thought up quite a bit of interesting things to add to the story; a couple twists, a little suspense. But, then there's the ever-present problem of, "I have waited for ten years, and I want the doggone thing published!" But, if being longer would help, then the extra work would pay off. I don't know. Maybe a novella would be just what some agent and publisher are waiting for. What do YOU think? I'd love to hear what you think.
I have to go organize my room and pull some more weeds. It never ends. If I ever get published, maybe I can hire somebody to do all that stuff for me.
Hope to hear from you soon! Tim.
I hope your day is going better than mine.
Now for a story update. The story previously mentioned in this blog is only 46,000 words. That's really short for a novel. Many would call it a novella. I've been considering adding to it. I've thought quite a bit about things that I could add. The question is, would it enhance the story? Or would it just be semi-meaningless fluff, just filling up pages so as to appear longer? I have actually thought up quite a bit of interesting things to add to the story; a couple twists, a little suspense. But, then there's the ever-present problem of, "I have waited for ten years, and I want the doggone thing published!" But, if being longer would help, then the extra work would pay off. I don't know. Maybe a novella would be just what some agent and publisher are waiting for. What do YOU think? I'd love to hear what you think.
I have to go organize my room and pull some more weeds. It never ends. If I ever get published, maybe I can hire somebody to do all that stuff for me.
Hope to hear from you soon! Tim.
Friday, July 15, 2011
July 15, 2011
Wow ... we're 1/2 way thru July already.
So, how are you? I had a great time hearing from family & friends on Facebook. I've been horribly out of touch. Well, I've ALWAYS been out of touch, but you know what I mean, I hope. One reason I seldom do Facebook, etc., is because I have to use my wife's or my son's computers to do anything. I have a computer, but no Internet, etc.
Well, my battle with GoDaddy is in day 4. Those guys are incredibly inept. Apparently, nobody there communicates with each other. They ask us repeatedly for codes, passwords, etc. They (probably purposely) lead us round and round in pointless circles. They're probably doing it so we become so exasperated, we'll give up & let 'em keep our $. AIN"T gonna happen! Just so happens, we DO have an attorney (no lie) and he's about to get a call if this nonsense continues.
I have to eat and then go pull weeds. I DO lead the exciting life, to be sure.
Well, I'll try to write whenever I have something more worthwhile to say. Thanks for reading this. Feel free to write. Congratulations to Jenny Smith for being the first follower on this blog! I'll have to think up some nifty prize for you.
So, how are you? I had a great time hearing from family & friends on Facebook. I've been horribly out of touch. Well, I've ALWAYS been out of touch, but you know what I mean, I hope. One reason I seldom do Facebook, etc., is because I have to use my wife's or my son's computers to do anything. I have a computer, but no Internet, etc.
Well, my battle with GoDaddy is in day 4. Those guys are incredibly inept. Apparently, nobody there communicates with each other. They ask us repeatedly for codes, passwords, etc. They (probably purposely) lead us round and round in pointless circles. They're probably doing it so we become so exasperated, we'll give up & let 'em keep our $. AIN"T gonna happen! Just so happens, we DO have an attorney (no lie) and he's about to get a call if this nonsense continues.
I have to eat and then go pull weeds. I DO lead the exciting life, to be sure.
Well, I'll try to write whenever I have something more worthwhile to say. Thanks for reading this. Feel free to write. Congratulations to Jenny Smith for being the first follower on this blog! I'll have to think up some nifty prize for you.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Post for 7/14/11
Well, you may be wondering, "Why did Tim cancel his website after 5 days?" Indeed, that is something worthwhile to ponder. Well, in a nutshell, here's the deal. I will leave the website provider (GoDaddy) somewhat anonymous at present. Or maybe not. We heard about this great deal. Unheard of. So, we signed up. After we signed up, EVERYTHING you need for a website cost you extra. You have to pay so much per month for this, for that, for everything. Nothing about that's mentioned until AFTER they have you committed (in their web, as it were). We ended up having a lame website without a lot of stuff that SHOULD have come in a basic package deal. If these dudes were car salesmen, they'd be like, "Oh, you want tires? That'll be $98.56 each month. A windshield? That's $26.99 per month. An engine? That'll be $89.99 per month. You want seats too? $22.50 per month. A radio AND a/c? We have a package deal this month. We can lock you in at $72.99 a month." We basically felt like we had been flim-flammed. It was a major pain in certain places to cancel. We battled with them for two days. One computer expert guided us through by phone for an hour, only to find out the next day he used the wrong form. We spent $83.63 on a website that did nothing. We had no store, no way to see how many visited our site, etc. So, if you are interested in seeing our art work, Click here . Or, you can talk with us at klockreations@att.net.
Well, I've whined enough for now. Hopefully that answers the question that you probably didn't ask. But you MAY have some day. Thanks for your time. Hope to hear from you. Tim.
Well, I've whined enough for now. Hopefully that answers the question that you probably didn't ask. But you MAY have some day. Thanks for your time. Hope to hear from you. Tim.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Failte! (That's Welcome! in Irish)
Dia duit! That's Howdy! in Irish. Welcome to my happy little blog. I'm slowly attempting to join the 21st century, like it or not. I've sort of resisted all this high-tech stuff. I have an in-born mistrust of computers and stuff sometimes. I know you can do amazing stuff with computers these days, but I just have this weird mistrust of machines. I am terribly inept when it comes to gadgets, too. If I'm seen carrying a screwdriver, I'm usually questioned in concerned tones about where I'm going with that screwdriver. Most things have to be repaired or replaced that I tried to fix.
Anyhow, after that weird introduction, I just want to let you know I just got this blog today (July 13, 2011). I will try to update as often as possible. I had a website for 5 whole days. We cancelled it yesterday for many reasons. It's a long story, and even longer when I tell it. But I'm going to try to do with a blog, e-mail & Facebook what I wanted to do using a website.
So, why a blog? First of all, to try to connect and reconnect with my friends. Also, I hope to promote my writing, and display art work and crafts that my sons and I make.
I do have a Facebook account. I've been terribly slow at keeping up with it. I get on it about every 6 months. I'll try hard to keep up with it. Sorry ... I'm not doing funky games & stuff. My interest is communication. I wrote a story about 10 years ago. I get it out, re-read it, polish it, re-write stuff. It's finally at the point where it's finally ready to go out to see agents & publishers (I hope). I COULD make it longer, but it would probably just be meaningless fluff that a publisher would probably edit out, anyhow. I have been doing tedious agent searching lately. I have spent more months than I care to remember looking for an agent who may be interested in taking a look at my story. I have literally researched dozens of agents. I've narrowed it down to about three. One of whom I really would like to represent my story, but she only represents novels that are longer than mine. I just came across a list with 40 Christian agents. Each would have to be researched individually, and would take days. Oy.
I currently have more story ideas than I could write in my lifetime, unless I live to be 198 years old, and the nursing home I end up in has a computer I can use. More about the story I wrote in later blogs. My sons and I got turned on to a fun art form. I first saw it like 20 years ago. It's spray painting space pictures. It's really fun and surprisingly easy. We have many that are 8 1/2 X 11" and some that are larger. If you'd like to view some of them, check out http://www.facebook.com/pages/Klockreations/139065046170879. You can find my hideously outdated Facebook account by looking up Tim Klock, the one who lives in Riverside, CA. Believe it or not, there are other imposters who have the audacity to call themselves Tim Klock. Or maybe their parents called them Tim Klock. If your name ISN"T Tim Klock, WHY would you say it IS? If it IS Tim Klock, why would you admit it? It would be much more advantageous to go by Melchizedek Reynolds or something intriguing like that. If your name is Melchizidek Reynolds, please don't sue me. It was a name that just came to me. Really. Relax.
We (my sons and I) also have an e-mail account at klockreations@att.net. We would love to hear from you. Really. That's what this is all about.
I also do occasional oil paintings. Bob Ross (the "happy trees" dude from public TV) was my inspiration. We also do photography and have lots of fun with Photoshop. Any of our paintings, photos and sundry crafts are available for purchase, if you so desire. Just let us know what you're interested in & we'll get it mailed to you.
Well, I better get going. Thank you for taking your valuable time to look at this. Please write back. If even you live in a shack in the South Pole and we've never met. I'll write back.
Last, but certainly NOT least, I am a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, and have been for 38 years. Also, I love beautiful Ireland, where my family came from back in the 1800's. I'm learning Irish, and I hope to visit Ireland some day. We came from County Cavan, last name of Clarke.
Hope to hear from you soon, and I'll update as soon as I can.
Thanks,
Tim.
Anyhow, after that weird introduction, I just want to let you know I just got this blog today (July 13, 2011). I will try to update as often as possible. I had a website for 5 whole days. We cancelled it yesterday for many reasons. It's a long story, and even longer when I tell it. But I'm going to try to do with a blog, e-mail & Facebook what I wanted to do using a website.
So, why a blog? First of all, to try to connect and reconnect with my friends. Also, I hope to promote my writing, and display art work and crafts that my sons and I make.
I do have a Facebook account. I've been terribly slow at keeping up with it. I get on it about every 6 months. I'll try hard to keep up with it. Sorry ... I'm not doing funky games & stuff. My interest is communication. I wrote a story about 10 years ago. I get it out, re-read it, polish it, re-write stuff. It's finally at the point where it's finally ready to go out to see agents & publishers (I hope). I COULD make it longer, but it would probably just be meaningless fluff that a publisher would probably edit out, anyhow. I have been doing tedious agent searching lately. I have spent more months than I care to remember looking for an agent who may be interested in taking a look at my story. I have literally researched dozens of agents. I've narrowed it down to about three. One of whom I really would like to represent my story, but she only represents novels that are longer than mine. I just came across a list with 40 Christian agents. Each would have to be researched individually, and would take days. Oy.
I currently have more story ideas than I could write in my lifetime, unless I live to be 198 years old, and the nursing home I end up in has a computer I can use. More about the story I wrote in later blogs. My sons and I got turned on to a fun art form. I first saw it like 20 years ago. It's spray painting space pictures. It's really fun and surprisingly easy. We have many that are 8 1/2 X 11" and some that are larger. If you'd like to view some of them, check out http://www.facebook.com/pages/Klockreations/139065046170879. You can find my hideously outdated Facebook account by looking up Tim Klock, the one who lives in Riverside, CA. Believe it or not, there are other imposters who have the audacity to call themselves Tim Klock. Or maybe their parents called them Tim Klock. If your name ISN"T Tim Klock, WHY would you say it IS? If it IS Tim Klock, why would you admit it? It would be much more advantageous to go by Melchizedek Reynolds or something intriguing like that. If your name is Melchizidek Reynolds, please don't sue me. It was a name that just came to me. Really. Relax.
We (my sons and I) also have an e-mail account at klockreations@att.net. We would love to hear from you. Really. That's what this is all about.
I also do occasional oil paintings. Bob Ross (the "happy trees" dude from public TV) was my inspiration. We also do photography and have lots of fun with Photoshop. Any of our paintings, photos and sundry crafts are available for purchase, if you so desire. Just let us know what you're interested in & we'll get it mailed to you.
Well, I better get going. Thank you for taking your valuable time to look at this. Please write back. If even you live in a shack in the South Pole and we've never met. I'll write back.
Last, but certainly NOT least, I am a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, and have been for 38 years. Also, I love beautiful Ireland, where my family came from back in the 1800's. I'm learning Irish, and I hope to visit Ireland some day. We came from County Cavan, last name of Clarke.
Hope to hear from you soon, and I'll update as soon as I can.
Thanks,
Tim.
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