[YOUTUBE]<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wqc209-rwNI"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wqc209-rwNI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]
Happy Birthday, Louis Armstrong!
be well,
ph
Happy Birthday, Louis Armstrong!
be well,
ph
Hello SG Land!
I hope this finds you well and good and enjoying the Spring.
Its hot here in GA, very very hot. But things are good.
I have a writing project that is creeping along very well. Figure I'm getting about four hand-written pages done in a normal session, spending lots and lots of time with the dictionary. Bliss! It's the kind of project that I love but may get nothing but scorn from readers/ viewers. C'est la vie!
Poor Maya is asleep (the new set from Pumpkin makes me want to go wake her up . . . but I can be patient). She has had a harsh couple of weeks at Grad School. Hey - note to all you college types out there. Be kind to your TA's - they really work their asses off.
Other than that things are quiet. We have been running a lot, which keeps us tired and hungry lots of the time. I made a real effort to do 50 sit-ups a day after I saw 300 with Mr. Tattoo last week, but have fallen off a bit. I . . . must . . . make time for it! Spartans!
Speaking of Mr. Tattoo, he finally put in his notice to the hellish day job. He was my boss and I will miss working with him but I am glad he is moving on. Stressed himself bugfuck, poor guy.
Okay, Punkinhead signing off. Love SG, nothing but Love.
take it light,
ph
Taoist thought of the day: The key to any activity is breath control. Master your breath, master your life.
Cat Report: We went out of town a few weekends ago and left poor Vindaloo here all by herself. Ever since we came back she has been an absolute attention freak. She used to hate being picked up, now she is content to be held all the time. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, somebody once wrote on a t-shirt.
Factoid: When Maya and I first decided to live together, she said that she would be the main cook. I was delighted. Well, Grad School happened and as you can well suppose I now cook all the time. And I have gotten pretty good. My best dishes: Salmon Creole, Eggplant Parm, Chicken Salad, baked chicken with French mustard and herbs, Falafel with Mediterranean salad.
Currently Digging: Pumpkin Suicide, The Low Lows, Morrisey, sit-ups, fancy crackers, alert wakefulness at all hours
I hope this finds you well and good and enjoying the Spring.
Its hot here in GA, very very hot. But things are good.
I have a writing project that is creeping along very well. Figure I'm getting about four hand-written pages done in a normal session, spending lots and lots of time with the dictionary. Bliss! It's the kind of project that I love but may get nothing but scorn from readers/ viewers. C'est la vie!
Poor Maya is asleep (the new set from Pumpkin makes me want to go wake her up . . . but I can be patient). She has had a harsh couple of weeks at Grad School. Hey - note to all you college types out there. Be kind to your TA's - they really work their asses off.
Other than that things are quiet. We have been running a lot, which keeps us tired and hungry lots of the time. I made a real effort to do 50 sit-ups a day after I saw 300 with Mr. Tattoo last week, but have fallen off a bit. I . . . must . . . make time for it! Spartans!
Speaking of Mr. Tattoo, he finally put in his notice to the hellish day job. He was my boss and I will miss working with him but I am glad he is moving on. Stressed himself bugfuck, poor guy.
Okay, Punkinhead signing off. Love SG, nothing but Love.
take it light,
ph
Taoist thought of the day: The key to any activity is breath control. Master your breath, master your life.
Cat Report: We went out of town a few weekends ago and left poor Vindaloo here all by herself. Ever since we came back she has been an absolute attention freak. She used to hate being picked up, now she is content to be held all the time. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, somebody once wrote on a t-shirt.
Factoid: When Maya and I first decided to live together, she said that she would be the main cook. I was delighted. Well, Grad School happened and as you can well suppose I now cook all the time. And I have gotten pretty good. My best dishes: Salmon Creole, Eggplant Parm, Chicken Salad, baked chicken with French mustard and herbs, Falafel with Mediterranean salad.
Currently Digging: Pumpkin Suicide, The Low Lows, Morrisey, sit-ups, fancy crackers, alert wakefulness at all hours
Greetings SG Friends and Neighbors,
I hope this finds you well and good and enjoying the fine weather, if you are indeed having fine weather.
I missed you all very much - sorry I haven't been on more. Please let me loose nothing of your cyber-affection; I promise I was gone for a good reason.
I just wrote three new things in a row with no break. I had a March 1st deadline for the last one that wound up becoming a March 6th deadline - there at the end I just needed a couple of more days. But it was all my time - as soon as I got home from work I wrote, worked til dinner, tried to edit some before bed, tried to get up early enough to put a half-hour in before the commute (hint - that didn't actually happen very often). Long story short I just ran myself ragged and any other writing I did - including keeping up with my poor, neglected blog and SG community - made me feel guilty.
But its done. Hallelujah, its done. I am burnt out as fuck but its done.
When its published it will be my 13th published work. Somehow I still don't feel like a legitimate writer. Perhaps because all together the money I earned doesn't equal what I made during my worst year waiting tables or pawn broking.
Well as you can imagine everything else in my life has been under a strain. At least Maya has been busy too, with her second year of Grad School. So we have been mutually busy and mutually consoling. But I haven't seen my folks or my friends, haven't been exercising enough, haven't been social.
Catching up socially is the hardest part. Compare it to exercise - I am slowly coming back to running and lifting. I ran intervals this morning for 39 minutes - slow as shit but it was according to Hoyle running I assure you. I lifted weights on Thursday and am going for it again tomorrow. But I still remember how to exercise - its just something you have to sweat at. Socially, jeeze . . . it feels like I am starting over with my friends. I'm sending out emails to people and discovering that life went on without me, that people have new relationships, new hobbies, new love. Which is all good - hell its life and life works perfectly - but it does make me feel isolated.
The problem is the day job. If I could write 40 hours a week instead of work 40 hours and squeeze writing in whenever I can it would be easier to do everything else that I want to do. But that's life writing I suppose.
Now its like coming out of the cave to gratefully smell the sun and rain. Ah the world. I like it.
Anyway enough about me.
I hope this finds you well and good and enjoying the early spring.
nothin but love,
ph
Taoist Thought of the Day: There is no easy spirituality. Spirituality should be hard work - this gives it meaning.
Cat/ Dog Report: Vindaloo has been very sweet for the past two weeks or so except she has developed the habit of putting her paws in Maya's water glass. Its like I can not convince her that a) its wrong to do, and b) she should care that its wrong. Bacchus and I have been out enjoying the mild weather, chasing sticks, cats and the occasional guy on a bike.
Factoid: I am turning in to a total alcohol pantywaist! Two shots of Jager and two glasses of wine and I am all drunkey drunk. How embarrassing! Back in the day me and my two roommates used to polish off a bottle of Jager a night. I'm out of practice and I fear that this St. Patrick's Day is going to be like the Bad News Bears III: Back In Training.
Currently Digging: The Low Lows, Ghostface Killa, Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins, Sushi, the new house black bean taco recipe, weird Asian films
I hope this finds you well and good and enjoying the fine weather, if you are indeed having fine weather.
I missed you all very much - sorry I haven't been on more. Please let me loose nothing of your cyber-affection; I promise I was gone for a good reason.
I just wrote three new things in a row with no break. I had a March 1st deadline for the last one that wound up becoming a March 6th deadline - there at the end I just needed a couple of more days. But it was all my time - as soon as I got home from work I wrote, worked til dinner, tried to edit some before bed, tried to get up early enough to put a half-hour in before the commute (hint - that didn't actually happen very often). Long story short I just ran myself ragged and any other writing I did - including keeping up with my poor, neglected blog and SG community - made me feel guilty.
But its done. Hallelujah, its done. I am burnt out as fuck but its done.
When its published it will be my 13th published work. Somehow I still don't feel like a legitimate writer. Perhaps because all together the money I earned doesn't equal what I made during my worst year waiting tables or pawn broking.
Well as you can imagine everything else in my life has been under a strain. At least Maya has been busy too, with her second year of Grad School. So we have been mutually busy and mutually consoling. But I haven't seen my folks or my friends, haven't been exercising enough, haven't been social.
Catching up socially is the hardest part. Compare it to exercise - I am slowly coming back to running and lifting. I ran intervals this morning for 39 minutes - slow as shit but it was according to Hoyle running I assure you. I lifted weights on Thursday and am going for it again tomorrow. But I still remember how to exercise - its just something you have to sweat at. Socially, jeeze . . . it feels like I am starting over with my friends. I'm sending out emails to people and discovering that life went on without me, that people have new relationships, new hobbies, new love. Which is all good - hell its life and life works perfectly - but it does make me feel isolated.
The problem is the day job. If I could write 40 hours a week instead of work 40 hours and squeeze writing in whenever I can it would be easier to do everything else that I want to do. But that's life writing I suppose.
Now its like coming out of the cave to gratefully smell the sun and rain. Ah the world. I like it.
Anyway enough about me.
I hope this finds you well and good and enjoying the early spring.
nothin but love,
ph
Taoist Thought of the Day: There is no easy spirituality. Spirituality should be hard work - this gives it meaning.
Cat/ Dog Report: Vindaloo has been very sweet for the past two weeks or so except she has developed the habit of putting her paws in Maya's water glass. Its like I can not convince her that a) its wrong to do, and b) she should care that its wrong. Bacchus and I have been out enjoying the mild weather, chasing sticks, cats and the occasional guy on a bike.
Factoid: I am turning in to a total alcohol pantywaist! Two shots of Jager and two glasses of wine and I am all drunkey drunk. How embarrassing! Back in the day me and my two roommates used to polish off a bottle of Jager a night. I'm out of practice and I fear that this St. Patrick's Day is going to be like the Bad News Bears III: Back In Training.
Currently Digging: The Low Lows, Ghostface Killa, Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins, Sushi, the new house black bean taco recipe, weird Asian films
Hey SG Friends and Neighbors,
I hope this finds you all well and good and gearing up for the holidays.
Its been a trying, demanding time for me but I'm doing my best. My day job has fundamentally changed at the same time my writing has been on the upswing. Along with some rocky personal times they have kept me away from many things, including updating my blog.
But I miss you, I miss being active in the community and while I still sneak on to check out the new sets I feel I haven't been giving my very favorite site - not to mention my awesome friends - the time it/ they deserve.
So . . . so everything is tradeoffs. Writing is going well - I have two projects "in the pipe" and an author I know - somebody who works in my field - got in touch with my publisher wanting to collaborate. Which makes me feel like a million bucks. As far as my writing goes all I want is to be a self-sustaining, full time writer with the respect of my peers. And this is a little step in that direction so that's very nice indeed.
Maya just went through one of the major hurdles you go through in a Graduate-level science degree. As you can imagine, it came with much wringing of hands and renting of garments. But its through and it's a big step towards getting those wacky little letters at the end of your name. I am very, very proud of my li'l Maya.
Its winter and I don't like to run in the cold so I'm getting podgy. I need a gym membership - its all I want for Xmas this year.
K, so I usually refrain from talking politics in this space- the pendulum just keeps on swinging back and forth, forever, and is really very dull - but I was very glad to witness the majority sea change we just did, if for no other reason than for Net Neutrality and the phasing out of the occupation of Iraq. Oh, and Rick Santorum is gone and that's good for the mood of he entire world, I think. I amazes me how much some folks are bothered by other folk's sex life.
So I need a literary agent - like yesterday. I have way too many publications under my belt to still be going it alone. Problem is I live in the boonies and only network organically. So this is me, reaching out along my net. Know anybody who wants to handle a children's book?
Well, Xmas is coming up and all I want this year is the same as all I want every year; a peaceful, joyous time with my family and friends. And ten minutes of slow head - the kind of lovin you loose yourself in, the kind that makes your entire week. Oh, and maybe a calendar with dinosaurs.
After months of almost zero socializing, I invited our neighbor over for my famous eggplant parm. She was delightful company, with lots of interesting stories. We really liked having her over and plan to do so again. Jeeze you are a long way towards being a hermit when having a new friend over rates this kind of excitement.
That's all my news, friends. Be well, take care and rock on.
take it light,
ph
Taoist thought of the day: Enjoy every sandwich.
Cat Report: Last year I got this huge packet of little plastic ninjas - white, grey and black. I took to setting them about the desk and office, making little battles on the bookshelves and printers and whatnot. And every day while I am gone, Vindaloo sets to knocking each and every one of them from its perch. No matter where I set them, in whatever configuration, I come home to a scattered, disheartened-looking pile of would-be shadow warriors spangled across my workspace. She does it every time I set them up without fail. Its like playing chess-by-mail with an autistic three year old who cheats. Poor Bacchus is feeling the arthritis, we fear, with the onset of the cold weather. I want to put him in little doggie leg warmers but oh how the others would laugh.
Factoid: I love disco. Once a week I try to put the dance/ disco station on the satellite radio at my work and rock it out all day. Favorite disco song? Born to Be Alive, not sure who does it. Fave all time disco artist? Donna Summer, the Queen.
Currently digging: vegetarian chilli, Issiac Asamov, Penn and Teller's Bullshit!, Harlan Ellison, Battlestar, bagel sandwiches with turkey and sprouts, early rising
I hope this finds you all well and good and gearing up for the holidays.
Its been a trying, demanding time for me but I'm doing my best. My day job has fundamentally changed at the same time my writing has been on the upswing. Along with some rocky personal times they have kept me away from many things, including updating my blog.
But I miss you, I miss being active in the community and while I still sneak on to check out the new sets I feel I haven't been giving my very favorite site - not to mention my awesome friends - the time it/ they deserve.
So . . . so everything is tradeoffs. Writing is going well - I have two projects "in the pipe" and an author I know - somebody who works in my field - got in touch with my publisher wanting to collaborate. Which makes me feel like a million bucks. As far as my writing goes all I want is to be a self-sustaining, full time writer with the respect of my peers. And this is a little step in that direction so that's very nice indeed.
Maya just went through one of the major hurdles you go through in a Graduate-level science degree. As you can imagine, it came with much wringing of hands and renting of garments. But its through and it's a big step towards getting those wacky little letters at the end of your name. I am very, very proud of my li'l Maya.
Its winter and I don't like to run in the cold so I'm getting podgy. I need a gym membership - its all I want for Xmas this year.
K, so I usually refrain from talking politics in this space- the pendulum just keeps on swinging back and forth, forever, and is really very dull - but I was very glad to witness the majority sea change we just did, if for no other reason than for Net Neutrality and the phasing out of the occupation of Iraq. Oh, and Rick Santorum is gone and that's good for the mood of he entire world, I think. I amazes me how much some folks are bothered by other folk's sex life.
So I need a literary agent - like yesterday. I have way too many publications under my belt to still be going it alone. Problem is I live in the boonies and only network organically. So this is me, reaching out along my net. Know anybody who wants to handle a children's book?
Well, Xmas is coming up and all I want this year is the same as all I want every year; a peaceful, joyous time with my family and friends. And ten minutes of slow head - the kind of lovin you loose yourself in, the kind that makes your entire week. Oh, and maybe a calendar with dinosaurs.
After months of almost zero socializing, I invited our neighbor over for my famous eggplant parm. She was delightful company, with lots of interesting stories. We really liked having her over and plan to do so again. Jeeze you are a long way towards being a hermit when having a new friend over rates this kind of excitement.
That's all my news, friends. Be well, take care and rock on.
take it light,
ph
Taoist thought of the day: Enjoy every sandwich.
Cat Report: Last year I got this huge packet of little plastic ninjas - white, grey and black. I took to setting them about the desk and office, making little battles on the bookshelves and printers and whatnot. And every day while I am gone, Vindaloo sets to knocking each and every one of them from its perch. No matter where I set them, in whatever configuration, I come home to a scattered, disheartened-looking pile of would-be shadow warriors spangled across my workspace. She does it every time I set them up without fail. Its like playing chess-by-mail with an autistic three year old who cheats. Poor Bacchus is feeling the arthritis, we fear, with the onset of the cold weather. I want to put him in little doggie leg warmers but oh how the others would laugh.
Factoid: I love disco. Once a week I try to put the dance/ disco station on the satellite radio at my work and rock it out all day. Favorite disco song? Born to Be Alive, not sure who does it. Fave all time disco artist? Donna Summer, the Queen.
Currently digging: vegetarian chilli, Issiac Asamov, Penn and Teller's Bullshit!, Harlan Ellison, Battlestar, bagel sandwiches with turkey and sprouts, early rising
Hey all,
I hope this finds you well and good and enjoying the weekend.
Its my birthday today - 36. Life is good, no question. I am just where I need to be, doing exactly what I want to be doing. I wish this situation on you and everyone.
I have plenty plenty to do today so I'm going to be super brief. Go say hey to Desilou, who is back after a way too long absence.
Take it light,
ph
Taoist thought of the day: Dance a little dance just for you.
Cat Report: Vindaloo has been extremely needy, but sweet. Bacchus has swung out of the funk he was feeling all summer and is his old, tug-o-war loving self again.
Currently Digging: Indulgence, Sleater-Kinney forever, Dan Simmons, Super Secret Enchilada Recipe
Factoid: It just gets better and better.
I hope this finds you well and good and enjoying the weekend.
Its my birthday today - 36. Life is good, no question. I am just where I need to be, doing exactly what I want to be doing. I wish this situation on you and everyone.
I have plenty plenty to do today so I'm going to be super brief. Go say hey to Desilou, who is back after a way too long absence.
Take it light,
ph
Taoist thought of the day: Dance a little dance just for you.
Cat Report: Vindaloo has been extremely needy, but sweet. Bacchus has swung out of the funk he was feeling all summer and is his old, tug-o-war loving self again.
Currently Digging: Indulgence, Sleater-Kinney forever, Dan Simmons, Super Secret Enchilada Recipe
Factoid: It just gets better and better.
Hello SG Friends and Neigbors,
I hope this finds you all well and good. Can you taste autumn on the wind yet? Its out there I promise.
Last week I went to GenCon, to have fun, sell my book and drink an outrageous amount of coffee. And I succeeded, more or less, on all points.
The Gamers II, the sequel to the original super rpg movie, has a guy who wears a T-shirt from my game the whole time. Had a few folks stop by our booth and ask about the game, just from seeing it in the movie. Cross a finger for me, folks - this could be the one that sells.
Things are good. Maya and I are spending plenty of time - Quality Alone Time, with all those capitol letters and everything. MMMMMMmmmm life is sweet.
I must quit playing the video game. Do ya'll have a game habit? I sure fucking do. I let my account slip last month and yesterday morning I was bored and before I knew it bam I was back on line, slaying badguys and whatnot. There's no harm in the game but it is a major time eater, one I just cant afford anymore.
Took a spill running night before last - it was dark, I tripped over a curb and went ass over brekfest. I just had to lie there and laugh in the dark.
Anyway, much love SG!! Be well, hope to hit journals this weekend.
Take it light,
ph
Taoist Thought of the Day: Enlightenment is all about small steps.
Cat Report: Bacchus is feeling much more his old self - we had a classic battle over squeaky baby tonight, and it was like old times. Vindaloo is cute as ever - suddenly she wants to spend time with us all the time. Cycle of the housecat.
Factoid: I take my tea with powered milk and a little sugar.
Currently Digging: Plena Libre, Hot Buttered Chicken, Cool Weather, Snakes on a Motherfuckin Plane
I hope this finds you all well and good. Can you taste autumn on the wind yet? Its out there I promise.
Last week I went to GenCon, to have fun, sell my book and drink an outrageous amount of coffee. And I succeeded, more or less, on all points.
The Gamers II, the sequel to the original super rpg movie, has a guy who wears a T-shirt from my game the whole time. Had a few folks stop by our booth and ask about the game, just from seeing it in the movie. Cross a finger for me, folks - this could be the one that sells.
Things are good. Maya and I are spending plenty of time - Quality Alone Time, with all those capitol letters and everything. MMMMMMmmmm life is sweet.
I must quit playing the video game. Do ya'll have a game habit? I sure fucking do. I let my account slip last month and yesterday morning I was bored and before I knew it bam I was back on line, slaying badguys and whatnot. There's no harm in the game but it is a major time eater, one I just cant afford anymore.
Took a spill running night before last - it was dark, I tripped over a curb and went ass over brekfest. I just had to lie there and laugh in the dark.
Anyway, much love SG!! Be well, hope to hit journals this weekend.
Take it light,
ph
Taoist Thought of the Day: Enlightenment is all about small steps.
Cat Report: Bacchus is feeling much more his old self - we had a classic battle over squeaky baby tonight, and it was like old times. Vindaloo is cute as ever - suddenly she wants to spend time with us all the time. Cycle of the housecat.
Factoid: I take my tea with powered milk and a little sugar.
Currently Digging: Plena Libre, Hot Buttered Chicken, Cool Weather, Snakes on a Motherfuckin Plane
Hello SG friends and neighbors,
I hope this finds everyone well and good and coping well with the new heat.
I wish I had more time to stop by and visit with my SG buds but I swear, right now time is not on my side. But things are going fairly well, all things considered. Three weeks till the release of Necromerica as you can imagine Im very excited about that. Things with Maya are great; we made a lot of new connections this week.
This has been the party season for us the last three Saturdays in a row there have been birthday parties, surprise birthday parties, a housewarming and good old-fashioned excuses to drink. As you can imagine I am hard pressed for socialization this week so its been nice to get out and talk to human beings.
Mr. Tattoo and I are collaborating on the next release with the new publisher together. We had a good session yesterday and I believe we will be more or less on time come next months deadline. Wish us luck!
I need to branch out I need to figure how to spend more time writing and less time at my lame day job. I swear, I am wasting away in that fool place.
These days I am doing my best to deal with anxiety doesnt it seem like the world is crumbling from all sides? The widening gyre, the center cannot hold . . . Yates fans are feeling it these days. Usually I am the bastion of chill for my little circle but it gets harder and harder. Global warming? North Korea? The general decline of Western civilization? I suppose I shouldnt take it personally, should only worry about now and do my best to make the best decisions that I can but still the stress gets to me.
Okay, thats about enough. Nothin but love SG take care, be well, love as much as you can.
take it light,
ph
Taoist thought of the day: Nothing exists outside of this moment.
Cat Report: Poor Bacchus hasnt been feeling well. He is a bit unstable on his feet, low energy and ill tempered. We are looking for a new Vet to take him to. Vindaloo is doing well full of energy and mischief. She wants to play all the time, which makes her a handful, though an amusing handful.
Factoid: Its been averaging about 95 degrees in the warehouse where I work. Everyone is feeling poorly because of it energy is low, tempers flair, motivation is down. There seems to be no end in sight.
Currently digging: Dan Motherfucking Simmons, the public library system of Athens, science geeks, fire/ fire blasters, the new taqueria in my neighborhood, quiet time with the family
I hope this finds everyone well and good and coping well with the new heat.
I wish I had more time to stop by and visit with my SG buds but I swear, right now time is not on my side. But things are going fairly well, all things considered. Three weeks till the release of Necromerica as you can imagine Im very excited about that. Things with Maya are great; we made a lot of new connections this week.
This has been the party season for us the last three Saturdays in a row there have been birthday parties, surprise birthday parties, a housewarming and good old-fashioned excuses to drink. As you can imagine I am hard pressed for socialization this week so its been nice to get out and talk to human beings.
Mr. Tattoo and I are collaborating on the next release with the new publisher together. We had a good session yesterday and I believe we will be more or less on time come next months deadline. Wish us luck!
I need to branch out I need to figure how to spend more time writing and less time at my lame day job. I swear, I am wasting away in that fool place.
These days I am doing my best to deal with anxiety doesnt it seem like the world is crumbling from all sides? The widening gyre, the center cannot hold . . . Yates fans are feeling it these days. Usually I am the bastion of chill for my little circle but it gets harder and harder. Global warming? North Korea? The general decline of Western civilization? I suppose I shouldnt take it personally, should only worry about now and do my best to make the best decisions that I can but still the stress gets to me.
Okay, thats about enough. Nothin but love SG take care, be well, love as much as you can.
take it light,
ph
Taoist thought of the day: Nothing exists outside of this moment.
Cat Report: Poor Bacchus hasnt been feeling well. He is a bit unstable on his feet, low energy and ill tempered. We are looking for a new Vet to take him to. Vindaloo is doing well full of energy and mischief. She wants to play all the time, which makes her a handful, though an amusing handful.
Factoid: Its been averaging about 95 degrees in the warehouse where I work. Everyone is feeling poorly because of it energy is low, tempers flair, motivation is down. There seems to be no end in sight.
Currently digging: Dan Motherfucking Simmons, the public library system of Athens, science geeks, fire/ fire blasters, the new taqueria in my neighborhood, quiet time with the family
