Somehow...This Turned Out To Be A "Leap Year" Photo

I've been blogging since 2011, and since I blog everyday, I've blogged twice on Leap Year Day. I was curious to see what I blogged about back in 2012 and 2016. In 2012 I blogged about Bob's Vertical Challenge, a very cool event that, in 2012, celebrated its fifth year. The event took place the day before, 2/28/2012, but on Leap Year Day I blogged about the official vertical challenge results.

Next, I checked 2/29/2016.

The title of that day's blog was simply, Leap Year's Day...

When I opened that day's blog post I saw...

The exact same photo. It seemed four years ago today I had the same thought...what did I write about on last Leap Year's Day? Today I posted the same picture because after eight years (or, after two consecutive Leap Year Days...) I think posting the same picture is now tradition.

So, it's not the most exciting photo. In fact, it's not really a good picture at all. But, to me, it reminds me of those years when I helped out with the Vertical Challenge. It was a charity event for the Boy Scouts, and I think it did a lot of good. I know those who participated had a good time. I call that a success.

I have no idea what will happen to me four years from now, or what I will be doing. Hopefully, I'll still be blogging, well into my thirteenth year. Maybe I'll forget that for three straight Leap Year Days I posted the same picture. I guess we'll find out in 2024.

Letting You Babies Go...Submitting A Story

Being involved in the writing community for the past couple of years, you get to know a lot of authors. Some are machines, writing and submitting stories--it seems--every week. Then, there's others, like me, that write, but we're not so prolific. 

Tonight, I hit "Send" and I said good-bye to one of my babies. It was time to let go.

The fact that the deadline for submissions is the end of February means I'm running out of time. Still, I needed to get it in. It's a short story, around 3k words. I didn't spend a lot of time writing and editing it (a HUGE thanks to my writing group for their help...), but still, there's that moment, before I send anything in, I pause. Is it good enough? Should I have put in more work? Is it what they're looking for?

Time, of course, will tell.

Even though I haven't submitted many stories, it does get easier the more I do it. And it helps that those receiving the story--the editors are people I consider good friends. We've known each other for years, having both begun our literary journey at the same time. If my story's not good enough for the collection, they'll be honest with me if I ask them why. That kind of honesty is so important when you're so vulnerable after putting your heart on the line with your words.

Now, the waiting. I hope they received a ton of submissions, so many that only the cream of the crop will make it in the anthology. The book is set to be released at the end of the year, in time for Christmas, so even if it is chosen, I won't be able to hold the collection in my hands for several months.

It felt good to hit "Send." It's been too long. I need to do more of that.

Brian C. Hailes's "Blink"...Beautifully Done

Two weeks ago, I was handed a couple of books. The price? I read the books and write reviews...basically, my time. I snapped up the books and said I would follow through. My problem is, finding time to read. I have started one of the books--have not finished it, so this is not a full review. That will come later. But, what I wanted to do on this post is tell you a little bit about the first one I picked up...

Brian C. Hailes's Blink.

First off, it is an illustrated novel. It's not a graphic novel where everything is illustrated (if you're not familiar with graphic novels, think a comic book that's novel length...). But, there's illustrations at the beginning of each chapter as well as other artwork, and the artwork is really, really good.

Now, good artwork in a publication is not that unusual. How a book looks is important for the overall impression a book gives off. But, what impressed me was the artist is also the author. That's rare, or at least, I think it's rare. I know a lot of excellent authors. I know a lot of excellent artists. I don't know many that can do both.

So far, the story is engaging. It's a spy story with gizmos and gadgets you'd expect to find in a spy story. There's guns and fast cars and beautiful women...more spy story stuff.

Like I explained earlier, I will be blogging about the book when I'm finished. Hopefully, it won't be that long. But, the author's/artist's talent was worth a blog post of its own. You can check out the author's Amazon website: HERE. It's some good stuff!

Forgetting The Simplest Things...

I snapped a picture the other day of a garage door that had yet to be closed. Of course, we closed it, but sometimes I forget that it's open. It's so frustrating because as I park the card in the garage, I lock the van--I never forget to lock the car.

Then, I go upstairs and that mental note of closing the garage door that only seconds before was front-and-center, it's gone--vanished.

I wonder if this is just the way things are at my house, or am I forgetting because I'm getting old? 

It's so easy to tell people--either mentally our out loud--that people should just accept getting old, embrace it, live your life. You'll only be disappointed by spending tons of money to try and reclaim lost youth. But, when you're the one getting older, you wonder if you will change your mind. The first time I had a decision to make concerning trying to stay young happened in my early twenties.

I was losing my hair.

I could have looked into transplants, toupees, or Rogaine, a newly developed product at the time, to try and look young. Each option, to me, had little upside considering the downside--doesn't look good and costs a ton of money. I didn't have funds to try any of these options at the time, nor would I try them now. I just accepted it and so far, things are working out.

But, forgetting things...well, that's a little more serious than losing some hair. In all honesty, forgetting to close the garage door could be because I'm excited to be home. The dog runs up and you just have to pet him and play with him a little. I also get to see people I haven't seen in a while. So, it may not be because I'm getting old. Closing the garage door...it seems such a simple thing to remember, but sometimes, it's not.

I Can See Clearly...At Different Times

New eyeglasses...

Usually, not a big deal for me. In the thirty-or-so years I've worn glasses, the prescription hasn't changed much. I can still wear my first pair of prescription glasses and I see okay. Of course, the newer the glasses, the better they work. The pair I got last week...well, they're different.

They're bifocals.

Yes, I'm old.

And the new glasses are taking a little getting used to.

If you look at the above page of my latest WIP, you may be able to see the top words are in focus, but the bottom ones aren't. The woman at the optometrist's office explained it to me this way, "With bifocals, think more about where your eyes are looking and not so much where your head is pointed." That's good advice. And I've used that advice ever since I picked up the pair. But, that first time I put them on and things I looked at the lower half of the lens having a different focal point than the top part--that was a rush. Those of you who have experienced this understand. It's not normal.

It's taking time, but I am getting used to it. I wasn't sure until yesterday morning how they would work while I was working. I can say I was happy with the results. Normally, I don't wear glasses at work, but part of the display is at the edge of my clear vision. The new glasses help solve that problem.

Yes, change requires more change. Today it's eyeglasses. Tomorrow...well, who knows? I guess we'll figure it out then.

Epic Showdown In L..A....Utes Win!

I didn't watch a lot of sports on TV yesterday. Sure, there was pro sports, football, basketball, and college games on, but I think my need for naps overrode my need to watch sports. I do know, had I wanted to follow my favorite university sports teams, there were many contests I could have checked out.

And they Utes won them all.

I could have watched U of U tennis, U of U skiing, U of U baseball, U of U men's basketball, U of U women's basketball, and U of U women's gymnastics. Utah swept them all.

Sure, many of those games would have been fun to watch, but the one I did end up watching (on re-broadcast today...) was the University of Utah women's gymnastics team take on the UCLA women's gymnastics team in Los Angeles. I'm sure the other games were great, but can't imagine those other games being as exciting, as nerve-wracking, as close, and as amazing as the gymnastics meet.

I snapped a couple of screenshots as the final routine ended and the totals were announced. I doubt many UCLA gymnasts, coaches, or fans thought if their team scored over 198 at home, they'd lose, but that's what happened. The broadcast did a good job capturing the excitement in the building. I'll bet it was crazy to be there.

I grew up with the Red Rocks of Utah being the best women's university gymnastics team in the country. In 20 years, they won 10 national championships. It's been a while since they've stood atop the podium. Who knows...maybe this is the year. And if so, the place will go crazy again. Well done, Utah. Go Utes!

You Speak German? Ja...Kind Of

For the past week, I have stared at this piece of paper literally hundreds of times. I repeated those words, translated to German, for an audition.

Hundreds of times...

Earlier in the week I submitted my resume and headshot for an audition. The part is for a pre-WWII Nazi instigator. I was asked to submit this information because I have a little knowledge of the German language. Of course, it's been almost 30 years since I did anything with my German, and to be honest, I wasn't all that fluent back then.

I've never auditioned for a feature film before. Thanks to a good friend who offered some incredibly valuable advice, I wasn't as nervous and I could have been. My main fear--completely botching the German. I knew what the words meant and I have recited them over and over and over and over and over and over again. I was ready, but still...when you're in the room with the decision makers, my nerves have been known to get the best of me.

My main goal was to not screw up, not have to re-start because I said "von" with a "V" sound and not a "F" sound as it should be pronounced. 

I'm happy to say, I did not embarrass myself. The words came out pretty much as they should have and I got through the audition feeling good. That doesn't always happen. At least, if I don't get the part, I feel good about how I did.

There's a lot of things that go through my mind when I audition. The trick--at least for me--is to eliminate as many of those things, the things that have nothing to do with the words I'm saying, from the audition. Focus on what you're trying to communicate to the camera, and by extension, the audience. Seeing as how this was my first time doing this, we'll see how successful I was. Time will tell.

Being Social...

We decided decades ago how we wished to educate our kids. We chose homeschooling. It's not for everyone, but it was for us. Three of our children had graduated and moved on to bigger things. We have one student left in our school.

What does that have to do with going to a wedding reception last night?

Well, homeschoolers don't do everything alone. Many set up co-ops where several families of homeschoolers get together once a week (some more often, some less...) and have group classes and group activities. We were part of a northern Davis County group, where most of the families lived far from us. We were the most southern members of the group. Sure, it required we drive a little bit, but it was only once a week.

And now, all those kids with whom we had group classes are getting married. Last night, my wife and I attended yet another wedding reception, and even though the kids enjoy hanging out and catching up with their friends, it's an opportunity for the parents to do the same. 

Our co-op was set up like many. The parents are responsible to teach and help run the co-op. My wife has many friends, many good friends from those years we participated, and now that we're no longer part of the co-op, it seems the only time we get to see each other is at wedding receptions.

Last night, we found out I have a connection to both the bride and groom. The bride's father and I grew up together in Farmington, he being a few years older than me. It was fun for me to catch up a little with him.

My wife and I aren't the social butterflies that many of our friends are. For several reasons, we don't go out much, and even when my wife and I have date night, we're almost always ordering take-out and eating at home. It suits us. Last night, we had the chance to see good friends we haven't seen for a long time, and may not see again...

Until the next wedding reception.

Nielsen's Frozen Custard...Still The Best

My boss wanted to have our one-on-one lunch meeting at a location between where he works and where I work. He chose the spot. And I agreed.

Nielsen's Frozen Custard in North Salt Lake.

I mean, how could I refuse?

I first experienced Nielsen's back in high school. My friend Bob even worked there. Back then the location was maybe a mile up the road. Don't look for the building now--it's been replaced by condos. The "new" location has been there for decades.

One thing I forgot about being inside the restaurant is the noise. Of course, it's worth it for the custard. We had our meeting and enjoyed our lunch. All I can say is, if you haven't tasted their frozen custard, you're really missing out. My flavor of choice, Oreo.

I don't eat there often, and, considering how much I love the stuff, that's a good thing. But, once in a while, it's definitely worth the trip, regardless of whether you're having a business lunch or not.

Taking A Little Afternoon Walk...

I had to run an errand this afternoon. It wasn't far--normally, I'd hop in Donk the Subaru and drive over, but today, I thought I'd go for a walk.

What a beautiful day for a walk.

Since I began my career, I worked in offices, except for the past couple of years when I've telecommuted. Don't get me wrong--I LOVE working at home. I highly recommend it. But, when I worked in an office, I used to take public transportation and I'd take breaks as much as I could. In short, I was more mobile. Now, my commute is me walking from one floor to the next.

I have some exercise equipment close by and I try to use it, but I don't work out as much as I should. I keep thinking I should go outside and just walk around. For the past couple of months, I can use the excuse that it's too cold outside, but as the temperatures rise, I hope to take more breaks out of doors.

I only snapped a couple of pictures today. Just walking, I wasn't focused on taking pictures. It's not that there's a lack of things to see. I've lived in the same neighborhood most of my life, more than four decades. Much has changed and there'll be more changes. Homes being renovated and even a couple of new houses going up.

Yes, it will be a goal for me to get outside more. And if I do, I'll be sure to snap some pictures.

My Little Valentine's Day Photo...

Last Friday, I thought I'd inject a bit of humor with my Pic Of The Day. While it seemed everyone on social media was posting pictures of floral arrangements, boxes of chocolates, and Valentine's Day cards, I snapped a couple of pictures of a loaded dishwasher.

Don't know if it hit its mark.

And, to be honest, I hesitated a bit before posting the picture, and I worked on the caption over and over in my mind before I settled on:

This Valentine's Day, may I suggest something a little more practical...and cheaper than both flowers and/or chocolate.

I wanted the picture to be something fun, something light. Then I started to wonder if it would be taken the wrong way. I mean, was doing the dishes supposed to be some "gift" to my spouse, like that's her job? Because, doing the dishes is not her job, nor is it my job--it's our job, or the kids job. It's something that needs to be done.

I guess I was trying to say that instead of going out and buying stuff, why not do something nice for your significant other--not necessarily dishes--but something, anything. There's so many ways to help and serve, all you have to do is look around. There's an old saying that a wife loves a man with dishpan hands. Sure, it's dated (and sexist...), but the underlying sentiment is the same--do nice things for each other, be it flowers, chocolate, cards...

Or dishes.

The Light Goes On...What Now?

I noticed the light as my wife and I drove home last night, the little symbol of a tire with an exclamation point inside.

Tire issue.

But, what does it mean?

The newest car we have (before I picked up Donk, the Subaru...) is a '07 Toyota van. Love it--I highly recommend the Toyota product. Over the years we've had the tire sensor indicator light show up on the van's dashboard. When that happens, I'll check the tire pressure, fill up whatever tire's low, then the light will go off.

With Donk, I just don't know the car well enough. I checked the tires and they seemed okay, not any noticeably low. I then referred to the trusty owner's manual. Reading that, it made it sound like if the tire light goes on, you've got a flat--or almost flat--tire. Well, I know that's not the problem. The manual even states if the light goes on, do not panic. Keep driving straight ahead and move off to the side of the road.

I did an on-line search. I sort of got some answers. Turns out the sensors in the tires can be affected by cold weather. Yes, it's been cold, but from what others have written on-line, the light should go out once the tires warm up. My light hasn't gone out yet.

I guess tomorrow, I'll check the tires to see what the proper pressure should be. It's possible they're all low, even though they don't look it. If they're low, I'll inflate them then hopefully, the light will go off for good. There's a pro/con whenever you get a new-ish car. The improved features are great, but more features mean more chances for things to go bad.

Like the van, I'll get used to the car, try things, keep doing what works. It's a trial-and-error system--just part of the plan.

Immortal Work's "A Mighty Fortress"...And Then There Were Four

In the end, it took four volumes to contain the stories, and truth be told, I'll bet they could publish a few more when it's all said and done. The call went out years ago for stories containing two things: Steampunk and Mormonism.

They were pleasantly surprised.

Now, the fourth in the collection is available tomorrow. A Mighty Fortress can now be yours after 2/18/20. Just click: HERE to preorder now or wait until tomorrow. Either way, it'll be a great way to complete your collection. And if you haven't got them all, just follow the links on the Amazon page. You can also go to the publisher's page, Immortal Works. You can access that site: HERE for these and other amazing books.

In A Mighty Fortress, I know many of the authors personally, one I met while living in Denmark in the mid-1980s. Crazy world! I have a story in Book #2, Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel. I recommend that book, after you order and read A Mighty Fortress, of course.

And, if you'd like to know more about several of the stories, check out this YouTube video preview. You can get there by clicking: HERE.

A Mighty Fortress available 2/18/20. The perfect thing to get you through those winter blues, or summer blues if that's where you are.

Please check out these other Mormon Steampunk anthologies!

When The Storm Hits...Got To Get Water Drop Photos

I watched the storm roll in, it's been raining/snowing all day. After the rain ebbed, you could see water drops hanging from branches, pine needs, leaves. I ventured outside to see what I could see. These are just a few of the pictures I took. There's something (for me...) that's beautiful, tranquil, soothing about seeing the aftereffects of a storm. I tried to capture that feeling today.

There's also the smell that accompanies a storm. Unfortunately, I can't do anything about replicating that here. It was one of those "had to be there" things. Next time a storm rolls past, go outside and look around. It'll be worth it.

Saying Good-Bye To Goodly Parents...

I attended a viewing this morning, a viewing for one of the first people I knew from "Old Farmington." Those of us form Old Farmington know what that means. Our family moved to the town in 1970, newer than some, older than most.

Old Farmington now only exists in our memories.

Nelda was the wife of our first bishop and the mother of a childhood friend. In these later years, she was so kind to come up to me at church and ask how I was doing. We'd talk about this and that, and she'd always arrive and leave with a smile. I found out earlier in the week she had passed. It made me sad.

Another parent of a friend is no longer with us.

Unfortunately, it's happening--and will continue to happen--more and more, until none of my friend's parents will be here. The price of getting old, I suppose.

I will always associate the Oakesons with Farmington. In my mind, they can't be separated. We grew up, attended school, attended church in Farmington, and even though so many moved away and were replaced by others, many will always be residents of Farmington. There was a time when I knew almost everyone that lived within a mile radius of our house, and if I didn't know them personally, I knew of them. It's such a great place to live that many remained, so much so that one of the only ways to buy a house in the old part of town is to wait until people die. It sounds crazy, but in many ways, it's true.

My father passed away when I was eight years old. I had friends being raised by single parents--mostly due to divorce. I don't remember a lot of kids who had a parent die. My mother (who was seven months younger than Nelda...) passed away almost thirteen years ago. I'm now left to watch friends go through what I went through. I know the experience of losing a parent is different for everyone, but there are some things I know they'll face, feelings they'll have, emotions they'll need to experience. It's not that I have a ton of wisdom, but I do know about that.

I am glad many of my friends still have the chance to call and talk to their parents, or go and visit them for holidays or to drop in just because. It's a blessing they still get to have to be able to take their children to visit the children's grandparents. Today, a wonderful family gathered in a church to say good-bye, the same church where we did the same thing for both my parents. It's an important day, a sad day, but also a day of release, of joy. It's a day another part of Old Farmington will forever exist in our memories.

Writing Without An Outline...And Hitting A Lull

There are as many theories of how to write a novel as there are writers. Maybe even more, since many people who have never written a novel have opinions on how novels should be written. From a macro view of suggested ways to write a novel, there are two main camps and they go by the names of Plotter, or Pantser.

There's even books written on the pros and cons of each style. They have their strengths and their weaknesses. If I had to choose a side to describe my style, I'd have to go with Pantser, or "writing by the seat of your pants" over Plotter, or one who outlines the story before they write the actual story.

Personally, I like just running with a story and seeing where it takes me. The problem is, I run out of steam, sometimes at 5000 works, sometimes at 20,000. The story I'm currently writing has over 33,000 words. That may sound like a lot of words (and, to be honest, it is a lot of words...), but depending on the genre, that could be halfway, or just a scratch. For my story, it's about a third of what it needs to be.

I've had this story in my mind for years. I'm excited because I've gotten farther in the story than ever before (I've re-written the beginning several times...). I'm pleased with the progress and I do like the characters. I can see several novels coming from this universe. Of course, I've got to finish this one first.

One reason I don't do a lot of plotting is because my mind thinks it's unproductive, even though that's not true. I could spend weeks writing several hundred words of outline. If I were writing the story, I could write tens of thousands of words in that same time. But, then I hit walls where I'm not sure where I want it to go. And thus, I hit a lull.

I think I'm going to have to do some serious outlining on this story so I can finish it. If I can pull it off, I could write the remaining 60,000 words relatively quickly. So, maybe plotting isn't for me, nor is pantsing, but a combination of both. I wonder if anyone's written books about that...

I Can Tell By The Memes My Friend's Sending Me...Valentine's Day Is Coming Up

Valentine's Day is such an interesting day. Some love it, some loathe it. Some tolerate it, and some look forward to it all year long. I've gone through almost all of those emotions (except the looking forward to it all year long...). Like many things, as I get older I tend to care less and less about things--if other people want to make a big deal about something, or not make a big deal about something, who am I to interfere?

But that doesn't stop my friend Steve from sending me memes to celebrate the day.

Tonight, Steve sent me several Valentine's Day message.s I've included the family-appropriate ones. Of course, it's my definition of family-appropriate. You may disagree. Let's just say, there's a couple I'm not including here for obvious reasons.

In our house, we have no big plans to celebrate the day. We'll probably go out to eat, but we do that almost every Friday. If we were other people with other priorities, maybe we'd celebrate, go to a nicer restaurant, or even go out of town for the weekend. Not our style.

I know many of you hate the day. And if you do, I hope these little nuggets help in some way. And if you love the day, well...I hope you enjoy them, too.

Behind Handlebars...One Of My Favorite Sites

I'm not a big Instagram participant. Sure, I'll post a Pic Of The Day on Facebook and Twitter, but I've always felt Instagram should be for better pictures, higher quality. I know not everyone feels this way, but I've tried to include some of my favorite shots.

I subscribe to many Instagram accounts from Denmark. We live in an amazing time when I can log on and see pictures of a country I love from strangers sharing what they see, and I can do it everyday. One stranger I follow has a unique perspective--basically, from behind his handlebars.

Behind Handlebars is one of my favorite Instagram sites, and you don't have to love Denmark to enjoy and appreciate it. Not only does he take wonderful pictures in his native country, he's quite the traveler and shares pictures from locations all over the world. You can access his Instagram account by clicking: HERE. Or search behindhandlebars on your Instagram app.

One shot that made me feel especially homesick was posted in June, 2018. It's a shot of Odense, Denmark, a place where I lived back in 1985. Hidden in these narrow cobblestone streets is the childhood home of Hans Christian Andersen, perhaps the world's most famous Dane. The memories came flooding back by just looking at it.

I've corresponded with the photographer only a few times. Once, I told him he must come to Utah, especially Southern Utah. I think this biker would absolutely love Slick Rock and would fully appreciate it. Apparently, I'm not the only one--another cyclist from Utah has told him the same thing. One day I'm sure I'll log on and see the beautiful Utah scenery in front of his trademark handlebars. I sure hope he makes it here.

There's so many sites out there. Behind Handlebars is one of my favorites.