Voting For Art...I Don't Quite Understand

I'm getting older, but I'm not too old that I don't remember being a teenager, looking at my mom, and wondering if she and I lived in the same world.

Don't get me wrong--my mother was not clueless, far from it. She was sharp and competent and wise. But sometimes, when my friends and I would talk to her about things that interested us, she just had that look, a look of not quite understanding it all. And now, I know how she feels.

My son is a digital artist. For the past several years he's been making a name for himself in the world of social media. He's produced videos that have been seen hundreds of thousands of times. He's created art that--because of the internet--anyone from anywhere across the globe can order and display. He's still a teenagers, albeit in his last teenage year. It's getting to be a somewhat regular occurrence that he'll tell us of another milestone, another sale, another pinnacle reached.

Like last week, when he told us one of his original works of art is up on a website to be voted on. I checked out the site. I'm sure I had the same look my mom used to have. But I'm smart enough to know that there's an entire fandom out there who, when they see this picture, will think it's really cool. I do, and I don't understand most of it. I've checked out his other artwork and the response he gets from those "in the know" is very positive.

If you'd like to check out the voting site, click: HERE. Maybe you're one who, when they see the picture, know more about it, the character, and everything else. I admit, I just don't, even though I do try and keep up on what all the kids are into these days--there's just so much of it and I've got things to do...like work and sleep.

Yes, I believe having the look of confusion when speaking with your children has arrived for me, as it did with my mother, and will no doubt, happen to my children when their time comes. And on that day, I wonder if the will remember the look I sometimes give them now. Time will tell.

Randy Hopkins...My Neighbor...Is Running For US Congress

The notice went out, a sign went up, a speech was given. It's official. My neighbor is running for congress.

If there's one topic I avoid on this blog, it's politics. It's a policy that's served me well for 2548 blog posts. And I'm not going to start now, at least, not going to have this post devolve into a "what about" fight. This is about the man running, not the race.

I've known Randy for decades. He moved into the neighborhood with his young family back when  a new street was carved into the mountain. I owe a lot to Randy. Because of him I got a job and I've been with the same employer for over twenty years. Back when he and I worked in the same building, we would occasionally carpool, and inevitably the discussions of how best to rule a large group of people came up. Randy retired a few years ago and him putting his hat in the ring for US congress is something that's as natural as water running downhill.

I've not personally spoken to him about this decision. It's too bad we no longer carpool because it would be fun to chew the fat, find out what he'd like to change, what he thinks his chances will be. Randy announced his candidacy today at the Salt Lake City Downtown Library. You can check out his Facebook page to see more about his announcement.

Politics is a dirty business. It takes either a brave man--or a crazy man--to enter the fight. Good luck, Randy! May the wind be always at your back!

"Hyggeligt" Night With Friends...

I got a text earlier this evening from a good friend. He and his family were in town and wondered if I wanted to come over to his sister's house and hang out.

Ah...yeah!

Matt and family was here from the midwest. They're visiting family and friends. The get together was quickly assembled. It was, in a word, cozy. The Danes have a name for cozy. It's called "hygge" and a cozy evening is "hyggeligt." It's such a perfect word and there's really nothing that compares in English. If I had to describe hygge, imagine sitting in a room in the evening, lights lowered--not blaring or overpowering--perhaps a small fire in the fireplace, and with a winter wind blowing outside, you're sitting in a comfortable chair maybe engulfed in a warm blanket drinking tea or hot chocolate chatting with loved ones. That's hygge and it's a wonderful thing.

Of course, you don't have to have all those things to have a hyggeligt evening. We were missing a fire, a winter wind blowing outside, blankets, or warm beverages, but we did have the most important thing--spending time with loved ones, chatting about life, about jobs, family, movies, hobbies, books, and music. We did that tonight. It was great.

When you're young--high school, college-aged--you have a lot of time to just hang out. We would go to friends's homes and talk, or go to a restaurant, spend time with each other, and talk. All that time was not wasted; it was well spent. I think it would be hard to explain to me back then that in the future, doing that same thing--just hanging out--would be so seldom done, and so richly enjoyed. Thanks Matt, Melissa, Darin, Lisa, Amy, Chase, and the kids for a hyggeligt time.

And they even had a Danish chandelier.

James Alderdice's "Brutal"...Getting Rave Reviews!

One of the fringe benefits of getting involved in the exciting world of writing is getting to know other authors and enjoying their stories. And when you get to know them, you hear about their successes.

And you're happy for them.

Before I hung around a bunch of writers at conventions, I hung out with people in plays at theaters, as well as some people involved in films. I noticed something about writers. I realize I'm generalizing here, but for the most part, authors want to see each other succeed. They're excited when good news from a fellow author hits.

So when local author James Alderdice, a.k.a. David J. West posted on social media that his book, Brutal, was chosen by Fantasia Reviews as one of the best books they reviewed all year, it made me happy. You can find the review website: HERE. You can read about how Brutal was named their Best Literary Value in 2017: HERE. And you can order Brutal on Amazon: HERE. It's only 99¢ right now!

I've read several of Mr. Alderdice/West stories. His impeccable fashion sense is only eclipsed by his fantastic writing. I've not read Brutal yet, but, based on the opinions of others, it's one I definitely should read.

And I'm guessing you should to. 

A Trader Joe's Theory...But Does It Hold Up?

I came across a story on Yahoo's homepage today. I usually scan the headlines, but rarely do I fall for their catchy headlines. But this click-bate story hooked me, and I bit. It had to do with something bizarre at Trader Joe's.

You can access the Yahoo story: HERE.

It's an interesting theory. According to the article, Actor Daniel Spenser noticed that things found in Traders Joe's have five syllables in their names. Several items were identified to prove his point.

Harvest whole wheat bread 

Mini beef tacos 

Super burrito

Pita bite crackers 

Three seed beet crackers 

Pesto and quinoa

From those examples, Daniel's theory holds true. But I wanted more proof. We had a few Trader Joe's items left over from Christmas. Did the names follow the five-syllable rule?

First item:

Candy Cane Joe-Joe's.

Boom! Works!

Second item:

Mini Dark Chocolate Mint Stars.

Um...maybe? To fit into the five-syllable rule, I have to fudge things. I have to remove "mini" and count chocolate as a two-syllable name, not a three-syllable one.

Last item:

Organic Hot Cocoa Mix.

Nope. Fail.

I can't even fudge this to make this a five-syllable name. If I take off "organic," we're left with hot cocoa mix--that's four. Add organic and we're up to seven.

I still like the theory. I'm sure many people who read the article did what I did, either by thinking of Trader Joe's things, or by rifling through their pantry for Trader Joe's originals. I think when we again visit our state's one and only Trader Joe's, I'm going to see just how many things follow this rule. I'm sure it's more the rule than the exception.

Salt Lake Comic Cons And FanX...Amazing Experiences, Lives Changed!

There's no other way to look at this--I'm one incredibly lucky fella! Last week I did a little cleaning in my room. I have a spot on a bookshelf where I put my convention lanyards and passes. I've kept every Salt Lake Comic Con and FanX pass I've been given since 2013. Tonight I spread them out and just looked at them.

There's a lot of amazing experiences packed into those plastic passes.

Back in the summer of 2013 I was asked by a friend if I'd like to help out with the first Comic Con in Salt Lake. I was beyond honored. But even I had no idea just what that simple question would mean to my future, to the future of my family, and my career. Had I known, I might have been even more excited (if that were possible...). 

Because of these conventions, I have meet people who I may not have met otherwise, people who have helped me with my writing, helped me get stories published, helped me secure my first novel contract. The book comes out a week from today. I've been on panels with world-famous authors, filmmakers, artists. I've met some of the most beautiful people at these events. 

I know some who diss comic cons. They make fun of the people who go, the people who spend hours of time creating costumes--be they good or not so good--all in the name of fun. They can't understand how people would spend their hard-earned cash for the opportunity to wait in long lines to spend five minutes with their favorite celebrities, leaving only with a signed photo. They can't understand it--it doesn't compute in their minds, and it probably never will.

I feel a little sad for those who think this way. But the great thing about these conventions are those who go couldn't give a flying flip about what others think. Personally, these shows have changed lives--mine included. In years past, the next convention would be a few weeks away, but not this year. We'll have to wait until September. I've been fortunate enough to help out and be a special guest at each one so far. I hope that streak continues, but if it doesn't, I'll always be grateful to Blake, Ryan, Dan, Bryan, and the literally thousands of others who have helped me become a better writer, a better salesman, a better communicator, a better person. 

I can't wait for the next one!

Fyrecon 2018 Edition...Tell Us What YOU'D Like To See!

2018 is only a week old, but before you know it, it'll be summer and it'll be convention season. Fyrecon, Utah's Premiere Writing Conference, will begin its sophomore year June 21-23, 2018 in Layton. It's going to be great!

And there's a way for YOU to help us out. You can suggest topic ideas for classes you'd like to see. From the Fyrecon Facebook page:

Our passion is to help people learn and develop their creative fire. That’s why we’d love to know what YOU want for classes this year. If you have a class you want to see at Fyrecon, please fill out the form on the link. This will help us make sure attendees get the most out out of the conference. 
Note: this for Attendees to request what classes they would like to see, not to submit to be a presenter.

You can visit the Facebook site: HERE.

Last year's event was great. I was fortunate enough to present a couple of classes, classes I help suggest. I've been participating in conventions since 2013 and I think this is the first time I've seen open submissions from the general public. It makes sense--many times we as presenters think we know what people want to learn. Sometimes we're right, sometimes not. Personally, I can't wait to see what topics people suggest. Even if you're not going to attend, please suggest ideas.

Think up topics, go to either the Frycon website: HERE, or the Fyrecon Facebook site: HERE and let us know what you're thinking. You can help make an already great con even better!