Personally...I Didn't Think It Was So Bad

 From my office window (which is really a bedroom window...), I can see the various mail carriers approach our mailbox and deliver the goods. Sometimes, they pass us by, but not often. And because we're sometimes non-recipients of mail, I will watch as the car/van approaches to see if they stop and put something in the mailbox.

The other day, they did...

It didn't quite fit.

Our mail carriers are efficient. You can tell because they're so fast. Stop--open the mailbox--shove in the mail--move the van. Bing/bang/boom. But the other day, she stopped, opened the mailbox, put in some mail, then the van didn't move. Because I was watching, I wondered why.

Turns out, we had a box that was too big for the mailbox. I thought maybe the driver would get out of the car and bring the box to the house. Nope...she somehow placed the box so that it rested atop the open door.

Actually, I was impressed.

The car moved on and I decided to take a short work break and go get the box. I couldn't tell how secure it was--I didn't want it to fall. I snapped a picture as I got close. Turns out, it was pretty secure the way it was wedged into the box like that. Later that day, I posted the picture as my Pic Of The Day with some snarky caption. Then, I didn't think much of it.

Until a friend posted a comment on social media.

He posted, "This is unacceptable."

I hold my friend's opinion in high regard, partially because he's a friend, but mostly because he's been a mail carrier for decades. 

Personally, I didn't think it was so bad. I believe the carrier would not have left the box the way she did if she didn't feel it was secure. Yes, the box was too big and it does look like a precarious situation from the photo, but I'm giving the carrier the benefit of the doubt. After all, the package was successfully delivered, which is, first and foremost, the goal.

Frightmares And Hackenslash...Because Scaring Is Caring

 My shift over, I carried my tired body across the pavement, the same pavement where millions of others have trod. As I made my way to the parking lot, I passed a circular stage that doubles as a beautiful fountain in the summer months.

Only this time, instead of water flying through the air entertaining the masses, figures dressed as ghouls fly and bounce to the sound of a killer soundtrack and dazzling lights.

It's Frightmares at Lagoon.

And the show is Hackenslash.

Years ago, my son and I worked the Hackenslash venue as house managers. The dancers and chainsaw jugglers (not really, but almost...) are an entertaining lot. To do that job, you've got to be upbeat, talented, and excited to perform in front of thousands of park visitors. This year's cast is no different, except we have almost no interaction with their troupe this time around.

The attraction in which I'm involved is just west of the fountain/stage. When the chainsaws rev, I love seeing everyone in the area stop whatever they're doing and turn toward the sound and lights and see dancers with chainsaws.

I mean, who wouldn't do that?

I know I did.

The Great Annual Cereal Sale...A Local Event

A small news article in our small newspaper caught my eye...Post to hold annual cereal sale.

That's something you don't see everyday...

Unless you have a factory that produces cereal in your town, that is.

And, turns out, we do.

The article said the sale was scheduled for Saturday morning starting at 7am.

Ugh.

At our house Saturdays involve--as much as possible--us sleeping in. So, to go to an event we've never before attended and which we knew nothing about, AND that required us to get up early, would need to be something special, and we weren't sure if a cereal sale qualified.

Still...going to a cereal sale, fifty-bag limit, cash only, where each item cost $1 a bag. I wanted to go.

On Saturday, we ended up not sleeping in (too long...) so we hopped in the van and drove the mile or so to the fairgrounds. As we pulled in we saw several people with large cardboard boxes full of cereal making their way to their cars, vans, and trucks.

We hadn't planned on even buying anything--we just wanted to check it out. Turns out the sale wasn't so much put on by the cereal company, but by the United Way charity. I think--and I have no proof to substantiate this--the cereal company donated the food to the charity and the charity sold the cereal as donations.

We picked up ten bags of cereal. Not bad. Next year, I'm thinking we'll not go to the event just to check it out, but we'll be one of those people with large boxes full of cereal making our way not to a truck or car, but to our van.

What You Don't See...A Simple Box

 A few decades ago we decided to take a more active role in our children's education. We chose to homeschool them. When you make that kind of decision, there's so many things that will literally change not only your life, but your kids's lives as well.

Like...helping out with homework.

Of course, all schoolwork is technically "homework" when you homeschool. Three of our four children have completed their home school experience and graduated. Our daughter is in college and she had a project that needed doing and she needed help finishing that project.

A simple box.

In no way do I doubt my daughter's abilities. She could have put the thing together herself and it would have most likely turned out better than the one we both worked on, but she asked me for help and I was glad to offer assistance. 

Now, admittedly, the final project is not spectacular. It didn't need to be. It's meant to be a mold for a sculpturing project. It served the purpose. And if anyone were to see our simple box, they'd see the imperfections, the poor choice of products used, the less-than-optimum screws used. But, when I see it, I see doing something fun with and for my daughter...helping her with her homework.

Give Thanks...Being Able To Work

 From my work window, I look out to a field. One day it will be a road linking more houses on our hill to civilization. But, for not, it's just a field. It's also a place where the neighborhood developers have building materials stored for future use.

Including top soil.

For the past several months I've watched dump truck load after dump truck load leave the field bound for hopefully greener pastures. Last week I was able to order some of that dirt be delivered to our house. We're nowhere near being done with our yard.

It arrived Friday. We basically had two days to get that dirt moved, or two mornings since I worked in the afternoons and evenings. Friday, I overdid it--worked and worked to get as much of it moved as possible. I paid for it--I was tired at work, but it needed to get done.

We finished up the job on Saturday--I took things much slower and that helped. Work, though a longer shift, was much easier.

I am thankful that I was able to work in my yard. I'm thankful for helpful neighbors. I'm thankful I could physically do the work and that we have a yard in the first place. Slowly, we're getting there. It's going to take many more days to get it done...and, as anyone with yards knows, it's never really "done." But, for one big mound of dirt on our driveway, that part of the process...is done.

I Live In Aggie Country...And I Don't Mind One Bit

 Back in the mid to late 1980s, the entire state of Utah was BYU Cougar Country. At least, that's how it seemed to me when I attended the University of Utah. Even in Salt Lake City, where you'd think the U would have flags and signs and banners at homes, I remember seeing a lot of blue.

That didn't really make me happy.

I kept thinking that there should be a place where U of U pride could be displayed, appreciated, honored. But, I kept seeing Y stuff, Y flags, Y banner, Y bumper stickers all round the Salt Lake Valley.

When the U began to dominate (yes, I wrote--and meant--dominate...) the Y in sports, that's when Salt Lake began to bleed red. Utah County was, and in my opinion, always should be a place for all things cougar, but I was glad to see Salt Lake County begin to show it's Ute colors. It took a long time--a very long time--but it happened.

Fast forward a decade or so and we moved, moved north, moved to a land where once again the color blue hung in storefronts, except the letter changed from the second to last in the alphabet to the first letter of the alphabet...

A...for Utah State Aggies.

A few days ago we had to run errands in Logan and the bold blue A was plastered everywhere. I loved seeing it. Even in the small town where we now live, you can see Aggie flags, bumper stickers, banners, and license plates. Personally, I love pretty much everything about USU. It was where I first went to college decades ago, where my brother, father, uncle, and many many friends attended and graduated.

Sure, it's not red, but seeing so much Aggie Blue is fine with me.

Author Signings...It's Been A Long Time

 Amidst the chaos of FanX, the comic convention held in Salt Lake, I had the opportunity to participate in a book signing. Me and several others were at the Immortal Works Publishing booth on Saturday, the last day of the con. Those running the booth allowed me to participate.

Boy--it brought back memories.

Back when FanX began in 2013 (it was known as Salt Lake Comic Con at that time...), my number one goal was to get books in which I was an author into the hands of as many people as possible. I participated on panels and at the end of those panels, I would tell people where they could find me at whatever booth allowed me to try and sell my books.

Times have changed.

Since 2013 I've taken more of an administrative roll in the convention. Trying to sell my books has taken a back seat, or no seat at all. I brought my my box of books to the convention, but I didn't even get them out of the car.

But, last Saturday, I had the opportunity to try and talk to people and to see if they wanted to read my book. I forgot how difficult it can be at times. I kept looking for families with younger kids who might want to be more interested in books than video games or trying to look like their favorite superhero. Needless to say, I didn't spot a lot of potential buyers.

Even tough hawking books is tough, I enjoyed it. I've missed it, to be honest. 

Of course, some things haven't changed. I didn't sell or sign a single book.

Maybe next time...

"How 'Bout That?"...She Pointed To A Facade Of An Old Creepy House

 "AAhhhh!" Becky screamed.

"I hate it when they sneak up on me like that," Becky said to her best friend Sarah.

"He didn't sneak up on you--if you'd ever get your head out of your phone, you'd have seen him coming."

Becky thought of responding in a manner only appropriate from one teenager to another, but decided against it. After all, it was Becky that practically begged her friend to come to the amusement park where "all things fun" had transformed into "all things scary" for the Halloween season--a season in which Sarah was not a fan.

"Hey..." Sarah said stopping, which in turn caused Becky to stop.

"Yeah?" Becky asked.

"You want to try some of those Haunted Houses they have here?"

The question surprised Becky. A sly smile crossed her face. "Sar--that's not like you. I don't know if I can trust you now that I don't recognize a person I thought was my friend."

Sarah began walking. "You think you know me, huh?"

"I thought I did," Becky matched Sarah's stride. "But, to be honest, I don't think you have the guts to even step foot in one of them."

"Wanna bet?" Sarah said.

"You're on." Becky still couldn't believe her friend wanted to actually go inside an actual haunted house. "But," a thought suddenly came to Becky. "I get to chose which one we  go in."

Becky noticed a look of determination cross her friend's face. "Okay--you got a deal. Which one?"

Becky looked around. They ended up near the old arcade. "How 'bout that?" She pointed to a facade of an old creepy house.

"I think you have to get tickets--it costs extra," Sarah said.

"You backing out?" This time Becky knew she had her friend--no way Sarah was backing out.

"Nope--let's get tickets and get in line."

The two walked to the ticket booth. "Two tickets, please."

The girl with BROOKLYN on her name take took her card, processed the transaction, and handed back the card and two tickets.

"So, is this scary?" Becky asked.

"You've never heard of this?" Brooklyn asked. Both girls shook their heads. "It's terrifying," Brooklyn said with a knowing smile. "If you like to get scared, you'll love it."

"Well, we like to get scared, don't we Sarah?" Sarah made a face. Becky laughed.

The two made their way to the lines in front of the house. The sun had set and darkness surrounded the group of others who bravely chose to "be terrified." Becky scanned the faces of the others--some scared, many exited, several with faces illuminated by the warm glow of their phones.

"Excuse me," a man smartly dressed complete with suit, vest, pocket watch, and wearing a white theater mask to shroud his identity interrupted the teenagers as they waited. His appearance slightly unnerved the pair. "Have either of you ever seen our show before?"

"Nope," Sarah said.

"Well...," the man began and the teenagers's lives changed forever.

It's Been A Great Twenty-Nine Years...And The Best Is Yet To Come!

 A few weeks ago I spotted a tweet reminding me to watch the season premiere of ABC's The Goldbergs. It caught my attention because the premiere was to air on September, 22, 2021...our wedding anniversary.

When things happen on your anniversary, you notice...

Or should.

Because I had to work today, my wife and I spent our non-work, non-homeschool time running errands for the kids and each other. We also picked up dinner for us and the kids.

No, we did not fly to some far-off location and have dinner under a famous landmark. No, we did not book a cruise or spend the day at a swanky hotel somewhere far away from our troubles (of course, paying for such extravagant trips would usher in new troubles...). We drove around Logan, Utah in search of license plates, ear buds, vitamins, and food.

It wasn't flashy, but in many ways, it was a perfect setting for us...just a simple outing with my favorite person in the whole world. I do love her so and I can't imagine life without her.

After dinner and the kids going their separate ways, we watched The Goldbergs, a personal favorite. It was a tribute to an amazing actor by those who worked with him and obviously loved him. Thanks to their show, we saw his talents showcased--it was a beautiful and hilarious episode. It was indeed a great way to help celebrate our anniversary.

Wendi McLendon-Covey agreed.

Honoring An Artist...Lori Nicholas

The display hung in a building where other works of art resided for those visiting the Box Elder County Fair. If you walked by quickly, you'd miss it...a shrine to a fallen hero...a local hero.

Someone I've never met.

But, I didn't need to know her to understand her importance to those who created the display, who took the time to honor this person.

Lori Nicholas was a western artist who passed away one day shy of her sixty-eighth birthday. I know it's hard to read the dedication, but I'm sure she was more than what was printed on the paper describing some of the highlights of her life. She sounds like an incredible person and artist.

The building now sits empty, the artwork--paintings, sculptures, photographs, quilts, even lego masterpieces--all gone from the walls and aisles. Gone too is Lori's art, her dedication, her tribute.

FanX, 2021 Edition...Day 3...The Final Day

To be fair, I did not spend all day at FanX's finale. I actually had to go a few hours in. Still, from what I experienced, it was another wonderful day.

Closing a con is bittersweet. 

On the one hand, your body is literally spent. From all the walking, standing, speaking loudly to be heard over all the constant background noise found in the vendor hall, the panel rooms, and every corner of the convention. When I leave a con on the final day, I'm exhausted, tired--but, it's a good tired.

But, on the other hand, for people like me enjoying being with friends, meeting new friends, and experiencing pure unabashed creativity makes it worth it. So when the final call booms over the convention hall speakers, it's a sad time--mostly because we know we won't get another opportunity to meet up and experience the same feeling for another year.

If we're lucky, that is. Before last year, I would be hard pressed to believe anything could stop such a successful franchise. 

I was wrong.

Day 3 came and went. I saw friends on our stage. I saw friends at their booths. I saw people loving the opportunity to be among those with like interests. I even saw a kid who made his homemade armor out of cardboard. Some might think it was lame, but I loved it...he put a lot of work into it. No, it didn't look like the armor worn by the professional cosplayers, but I think I liked his costume more.

Day 3, and this year's FanX has come and gone. I hope it happens again next year. Time will tell.

Give Thanks...The Kindness Of Others

 If you've followed this blog the past week, you know it's been a crazy one for me. I ended up working for five of the seven days and attend the FanX Comics Convention. Since I live about seventy-five miles away from downtown SLC where the convention was held, the only way I could have pulled this off is due to the kindness of others.

Specifically...a hotel room.

I have attended every Salt Lake Comic Con and FanX convention that's ever been held. I've participated as either a panelist, a vendor, or an organizer. Since 2013 I lived about fifteen miles/fifteen minutes from downtown Salt Lake. It was no problem just hopping in the car and driving a short distance. 

All that changed last year--not complaining.

Thankfully, I was able to stay downtown this year, thanks to these at the con. The room was literally across the street from the convention hall. I had incredible views in the evening, and the mornings. It allowed me to do a better job (in my opinion...) at the convention, be more focused, more attentive to others. I'm grateful that I have friends and colleagues that helped me not only do the show this year but keep my weekend gig. I'm grateful that others thought about me and considered my situation. The kindness of others...a wonderful thing.

FanX, 2021 Edition...Day 2

 I think I took more pictures of Day 2 at FanX than I did Day 1, which isn't saying much. Yes, we had artists, both visual and musical entertain on our stage, along with trivia shows and comedy acts. Once again, the stage was full of successful performances and productions.

For me, one of the best parts of attending a comics convention is the new people you meet. For example, before all the VIP or Gold FanX fans entered, I ran into an artist finding a way to the vendor floor. We entered the building the same time so we struck up a conversation. I made it a point to try and find his booth before my day began.

That's what I did.

I found out that Steve Garcia had worked on several amazing films. I found out it was his first time at our con--I love when we get new talent to our show. After finding his booth we chatted some more. I found out more about him and his work.

Day 2 was a success for me all the way around. Had I more time I could have met more artists with similar stories. I know many people go for the high-profile names, the celebrities, the cosplayers. Me...I'd love to spend the entire time talking to those on Artists Alley. 

FanX, 2021 Edition...Day 1

 This week has been, in a word, insane. I knew it would be. Last week Frightmares opened for the season and I spent a couple of days at the park getting ready for our show. This week FanX returned to existence, and I spent a couple of days at the Salt Palace getting ready for that show. And today, both events merged, at least, they did for me.

But, yesterday, it was all FanX.

I am part of the programming team so I usually don't take a ton of pictures. Truth be told, there's so many picture-worthy things at the convention that I could spend all day just taking pictures of people. My assignment at the convention is the convention floor stage. Liz and I make sure the acts go off without a hitch. Yesterday was wonderful. Good crowds, mega-talented performers, and our tech guy Ryan (who looks a lot like a young Freddie Prince, Jr...) who could not have been better. What I love about the stage is the different acts we can get. What you can't see in the picture with the harpist is, just beyond the back row of on-lookers, there's a pro wrestling ring set up. We had harp music accompanying big beefy men slamming each other on the mat.

Surreal.

I know there are people who make their living at these type of conventions. They travel from city to city (or, they did before covid...) and do a show every week. That's a tough life. I was burned out an hour after the doors opened. Thankfully, I could sit during the performances and put out fires when needed. We had no fires on Day 1.

One thing I heard over and over again was how much everyone had missed the experience of being at a con. I know how they feel. 

As I'm typing this, FanX is still entertaining, surprising, and hopefully enriching thousands upon thousands of people about 15 miles to the south of where I am right now. In a few hours, I'll be entertaining, surprising, and hopefully scaring the stuffing out of dozens of people at our venue.

What a way to spend a weekend.

Bunny, Bunny...

 

I decided to go walking Monday night...mostly to get some exercise, but also because there was a new episode of The No Sleep Podcast and I've found that it makes for a good walking/listening activity.

Even though I lived on the side of a mountain almost my entire life, I haven't seen all the wildlife that calls the hills home. It wasn't until a few years ago (maybe last year...) I saw my first rattlesnake. I knew they were there, and many of my neighbors--neighbors who hiked the trails--had seen them, but not me. I knew there were rabbits where we used to live, too. Our cat even brought home part of what was once a rabbit and left it in our yard.

It wasn't until last Monday I saw my first wild bunny.

I think we surprised each other. I rounded a corner of the trail and I saw him silhouetted from the setting sun. At first, I thought it might be a plastic rabbit, a decoy of some sort because it didn't move...I'm sure he knew I was there but thought if he didn't move, I wouldn't see him. That obviously didn't work.

I snapped a couple of pictures and as I moved forward on the path, he took off...very quickly. Had I been prepared I could have caught him on video.

I'm pretty sure I didn't see a rabbit on the mountain. It took us moving to a hill for me to spot a bunny.

There's Been Many BBQ Sauce Battles...I Lost This One Big Time

 Yes, there have been many battles featuring barbecue sauces, battles to find the most superior sauce, the richest, the most savory, the best barbecue sauce ever.

The battle I waged--and lost--was like none of those. No...I was beat by a BBQ sauce packet.

I was minding my own business, walking to our van after a long weekend of entertaining Frightmares patrons. It had been a long week and weekend and I was looking forward to getting home to enjoy the rest of my Sunday.

Because we arrived to the amusement park late, we had to park far away from the entrance, which meant I had to walk a distance to get to the van. That's when I heard a pop as I took a step and felt something hit my wrist. I wasn't sure what I had stepped on--thought it was a small plastic bag. It wasn't until I saw my wrist that I realized something was amiss.

If only the small spot of BBQ sauce on my wrist was all the damage done.

Nope.

When I looked down at my shorts and saw barbecue sauce splattered across the front of me. Trust me--be glad I only took a picture of the sauce on my shoe. It was not a pretty sight. I got to the van and thankfully we had some Kleenex tissues and bottled water I used to do a little cleaning. During the long drive home, the smell of BBQ sauce lingered in the van.

Yes, there have been many battles featuring barbecue sauces. I lost this one before I even knew what was going on...never had a chance.

Blue Sky...Finally

 I call Utah home. I've lived here all but three years of my almost fifty-six years. Utah has amazing seasons--like my father-in-law who passed away three years ago used to say, that about the time you get sick of the heat, things start to cool down--about the time you get sick of the cold, things start to warm up.

I've experienced many many Utah summers. I know that because of the topography of our area, we have times of the year when bad air is trapped within the mountain tops.

This summer, though...

It's been terrible.

We also get smoke from fires in the west. That happens every year. A few years ago we traveled to Seattle to attend a wedding. There were terrible fires that season and the smoke was do bad on that drive we could barely see fifty feet ahead in some places as we drove. Still, I don't remember the air being that bad that summer in Utah.

We had smokey skies for months this year. A few days ago, I went into our back yard and looked up. I saw blue, beautiful blue with wispy white clouds like some delicious blueberry revel ice cream. Funny, how we take for granted things until they're gone. As I understand it, the fire season's not over and the smoke could return, but as long as we have a break in the smoke, I'm going to appreciate it.

Beautiful blue sky...finally.

Just How Long Has This Land Been For Sale...?

 A few hundred yards from our font door, and up the hill to the north is a sign, a sign letting any one who finds themselves on this particular spot in Northern Utah that there is currently 1,296 acres for sale.

But, just how long has this land been for sale?

By the looks of the sign, for a long time.

We moved to a new part of town, west of the city center on a gentle slopping hill. We're in Phase 1 of at least 3 phases of development. The master plans have houses yet-to-be-built dotting the hill. We'll be one of hundreds soon. We're now one of dozens. There's a lot of hillside between our phases and this sign so I wonder what phase that is? I also wonder how whoever buys the land will bring water to the lots or will people need to drill wells? You can heat a home with propane and put in a septic tank for sewer. You can string electricity a long way, but water is the big thing.

These thoughts ran through my head as I hiked both to and from the sign. Tonight I did a little surfing online. I found the realtor's web page and I could not find that particular property listed. I guess it's been for sale for so long they're no longer advertising it, or maybe it's no longer under contract and they just haven't taken down the sign.

When you live in an area where there's a lot of land, things sometimes end up on that land. On farms you'll see tractors or harvesting equipment that died and they've just left things to rot. Sometimes you'll see cars and trucks sitting like ghosts of lives past.

The sign is perhaps useless in its current form, yet, it's like a work of art, reflecting an earlier time, a time when 1,296 acres was for sale on a southern-facing hillside in Northern Utah. I wonder if it will ever be sold/developed, and if so, will I get to see it happen.

Give Thanks...The Things We Don't Think About

 Shopping in one of our local grocery stores last week, I spotted a sign attached to the scan reader:

ATTENTION CUSTOMERS!

ALL CANNING LIDS (KERR & BALL)

2 BOXES PER PERSON!

It struck me as funny...since we now live in a small town, everyone must can their food and they're running out of canning supplies. I posted the picture with a snarky little caption about how I must be in a small town if they're running out of canning supplies because everyone cans.

Turns out (as it usually does...), I didn't fully understand what was going on.

After posting the picture/caption, people let me know about how much I didn't know. I was told that the shortage of canning lids was not a "local" issue. It was a nationwide issue. People across the country are having trouble finding them.

This started me thinking about canning in general. Why do people can? Why do they even need to prepare food for storage to be used later? Can't we all just go to the store and buy whatever we need? Many, many people don't think that's always going to be an option. We've learned a lot since 2019, not just about trying to avoid getting sick. We've also learned the value of preparation.

I've been amazingly blessed I've been my whole life. I've never been without food...just one of the reasons I'm thankful for my life, for those things we don't think about. I've never had to wait in line to get anything, much less the basics. This is something millions, if not billions of people have had to do to survive, and unfortunately, many of them didn't. What if suddenly there was no food at the store, no way to feed ourselves? That's something I thought I'd never have to even think about. Now...not only should we think about it, but plan for that happening.

I don't think I'll ever look at a box of canning lids the same way again.

Remember...

Remember

What Might Have Been...

 Just over a year ago, our family faced a decision...many decisions, actually. We had decided to relocate north and we had some options...

Buy...

Or build.

We chose to buy.

And as each day passed, we received confirmation that the decision not to build was the right call.

Still...

In the neighborhood where we wanted to live, we found a house that was 90% built--brand new--beautiful. But, just up the hill was a building lot and the views from that lot were amazing. Years ago, we built a house...it was our first house and the experience was both rewarding and exhausting. We were so much younger then. Plus, we lived right across the street from the new house and we could put in so much sweat equity, it brought the price of our house down to a point where we could afford it.

If we chose to build again, this would not be an option. We'd be living a mile or more away (at least...) and we'd have to pay so much in rent, it would eat into the equity we gained from the sale of our house. All these factors and the uncertainty of getting building materials in a timely manner made the choice to buy the almost-finished home a no-brainer.

Still...

The other day I took a walk to the lot we picked out. That view (when there's no smoke...), is something I know we'd love.

In life, there's always pros and cons, pluses and minuses. You must weigh the alternatives in many things. Choosing a house is one of the bigger decisions a person makes. I know we made the right choice, but sometimes it's interesting to consider what might have been.

Larry And Steve's Writer Dojo Podcast...For Me--Inspiring

 One of the things that makes podcasts so amazing is that they offer information directly to those wishing to know more about a certain subject. Case in point, podcasts for writers. Over the years I've tried several writing podasts and unfortunately, I've unsubscribed to most of them. It's not that there's anything wrong with them--I think I get bored. Maybe that's because I'm not putting in a lot of my time into writing right now, so I'm not running into situations where podcast wisdom is what I need to hear.

I found out that two local authors, Larry Correia and Steve Diamond, had started up a new podcast called Writer Dojo, I decided to give it a shot. I'm glad I did.

The podcast is new--so far, there's only four episodes out as of this posting. I'm not sure how they'll fair as time goes on. And, there is a lot of the information I've already heard. That happens when you know an author for almost a decade and have heard him speak about writing several times. Still, there's something about knowing an author, having had dinner with him at a Brazilian BBQ joint or lunch in the FanX green room, that makes hearing what they have to say somewhat more interesting.

Because I've heard at least Larry speak several times, and Steve a few, I know much of their history and the authors have chosen to include much of how they got into the industry in their early episodes. Sometimes, hearing how a person arrived at where they are in their industry is as helpful as other words of wisdom they provide.

In the four episodes of Writer Dojo I have found myself inspired, inspired to go and edit something I finished earlier and haven't touched in a while, inspired to try and come up with something new. If you'd like to check out the podcast yourself, click: HERE.

Maybe that's why they other writing podcasts have become dead to me...they didn't inspire, not like Larry and Steve's have done for me so far.

That Can-Do Attitude...

 Decades ago, I lived in Europe--Northern Europe--Scandinavia--Denmark, to be exact. It was an amazing place and because the people of Denmark looked a lot like me, and because the cars were (somewhat...) like those at home and by "like" I mean they drove on the same side of the road as we do, I saw a lot of things that reminded me of home.

But, in the two years I lived there, I don't think I ever saw kids setting up a stand by the side of the road and sold stuff...not lemonade, not popsicles, not car washes...

And I never saw a stand where kids sold rocks.

The other day I was walking in our neighborhood and I came across a stand...well, a table. On that table were rocks and those rocks were for sale. I loved it. This was a "self-service" sales table. I suppose had I actually been carrying cash with me and I wanted to buy one of the beautiful samples, I could have knocked on the door and purchased said rock.

It's been a long time since I lived in another country. I don't know if kids sold things in front of their homes, or if there were laws against doing some things. I don't wish to imply that kids in other parts of the world are not as entrepreneurial as kids here--I'll bet they are because there's something beautiful kids possess that we adults have forgotten...that can-do attitude.

It was a kick to see another example of that attitude the other day.

Unintended Consequences...And Mosquitos

 I tried to get a picture of a mosquito flying around our house or in our yard, but turns out I don't want to wait for one of them to land on me and suck my blood while I'm taking out my phone to capture the shot.

So, I did an internet search and took a picture of the bug instead.

It's better that way.

What's not better is something we discovered this past week...discovered by accident.

If you pay someone to kill spiders around your house, it appears that causes the mosquito population around that house to explode.

I could be wrong. I'm no scientist. We hired a service to kill the spiders around our house. Great, we thought. Many had knocked on our door in the past selling death to pesky spiders. This time we bit--we hired them to do their deeds. A few days later, we can hardly go outside during certain times of the day without being swarmed by the biting bugs. Of course, there may be absolutely no correlation between the killing of the mosquito-eating life forms and the abundance of mosquitos.

Then again...

Last weekend, as I drove home, I saw a sign for mosquito abatement services...maybe it's the same people we hired to kill the spiders. Now that's a racket!

Finally Getting This Parking Thing Down...Maybe

 In our family, we call them "pull through situations." I't not a big deal, but for us, it sort of is. Basically, a pull through situation is where--when you are parking your vehicle in a parking lot--you have two open spaces, the one you turn into and the one directly in front of it. 

A pull through situation.

Plus, no backing up.

That right there is worth the price of admission.

I think it's something my wife brought into the family. I mean, I'm sure I did this before, but I don't remember naming it, or being excited when we came upon it. There is one thing that in order to pull off a successful pull through situation, you must execute well. If not, well...then you're on the J.V. team.

Making sure your car is all the way in the parking spot.

It's silly, I know. And I'll bet you're thinking, "I can pull through and leave my car entirely in the parking spot with no problem." Maybe you can, but for me, it's sometimes a struggle. Last Saturday, however, I made it--not by much, but I made it. Successful pull through situation. Perhaps this is a sign of things to come...we shall see.

We ran an errand this morning and I did not execute the pull through situation, but the car ahead of me did. The parking lot was almost empty so I thought it would be unlikely that someone would park ahead of me.

Turns out, I was right.

Give Thanks...The 15-Minute Mile

 All my life, I ran. I used to run all over as a kid. I ran to school, ran home from school, ran at school. Back then, I was much smaller and much lighter. I didn't have to run everywhere, of course, but I did mostly because I enjoyed it. I loved to run. I wasn't the best runner, but also not far from the worst. 

Funny how things change as you get older.

As the years pass, I've sort of given up on running...almost completely. I never run anywhere, not to school, not from school, not at school. Part of it is because I'm larger and heavier, which makes things much harder on the legs, shins, ankles, etc. 

When we moved, we had some extra space in the garage so we set up a small gym. We had thought about selling our treadmill before the move, but we brought it along. I'm glad we did. Every work day I go out to the garage and do a little physical activity, which includes walking a few minutes each day. As I've gotten used to exercising, I've increased my speed and distance. Just for fun, I jogged for fifteen minutes and when on the #4 setting, that totals a mile. It took me fifteen minutes to job a mile.

My old self would find that completely unacceptable. I used to run 5Ks in almost that time. But, without really running in years, maybe that's not so bad. 

Truth is, I'm grateful that my aging body can cover that distance in that amount of time. I know if I keep going, I could trim that time. I think--at my age--a ten-minute mile is a good goal to try and reach. And if I could keep up that pace for three miles, then that's something.

I found my personality pushes me when it comes to running, almost to a fault. I think I'm going to take it slow, see how my body reacts, then try and do better. Even though my legs burned, I enjoyed it--in some sick way. Yes, it took me fifteen minutes to run a mile...

But, I did run a mile.

H2...No

 Last year, when people were buying up stuff, and by "stuff" I mean toilet paper, Clorox Wipes, hand sanitizer, there was a run on bottled water, too.

I can understand it, too. Humans start to amass supplies whenever they're in short supply or whenever people feel like something will be in short supply. 

A year and a half has passed...

It's déjã vu all over again.

At least for water.

The other items mentioned above seem to be well stocked at every grocery store we've frequented, but water seems to still be a limited buy. This weekend we've had to go to several stores to re-stock. While we've been out, we've been looking for distilled water. Couldn't find it anywhere. One store offered an explanation--it wasn't the water that was in short supply, but the plastic.

Interesting.

I hadn't thought about that aspect of the situation before.

Again, it makes sense, having things in short supply.

I'm sure if I did some basic research I could find out what's behind the plastic shortage. Actually, without plastic millions if not billions of people die...simple as that. Right now, we can't survive without it--maybe in the future, but not right now.

We finally found some, but we were limited in how many we could buy. Hopefully, in time we'll see gallons and gallons back on the shelves. Time will tell.