November is, to most folks who write as either a hobby or professionally, NaNoWriMo month. People set themselves up to crank out over fifty-thousand words in one month's space of time. For those on a certain side of the political spectrum, it's probably a been a rough month. For others, they've probably beaten their numbers,… Continue reading The End of November
Category: General Thoughts
Two Updates for October
(Image by the great Ron Spencer) It's the waning days of October and, here in the DC area, it finally feels like October. Morning air bites you on the cheek. Leaves rattle on the asphalt in slow-motion tornadoes. ALIEN ARTIFACTS has seen print. I'm still focusing on writing short stories, especially now that three new… Continue reading Two Updates for October
Oh, The Horror. The Horror….
Oh, The Horror. The Horror. I love horror fiction, and films. The weirder, the better. But, I don't think I'll ever be able to successfully write it. I'll explain why after this gloomy self-portrait of Sir William Fettes Douglas: If there was a philosophy to my early childhood, it's this: "The world is dark and… Continue reading Oh, The Horror. The Horror….
This Is Not My Future: Gundam Unicorn & Generational Conflicts
For those who didn't shell out to get the blue-ray OAV releases, Bandai is broadcasting a re-edit of Gundam Unicorn. Mecha addict that I am, even though I've seen it before, I've been re-watching the series and it's and finding more depth to it the second time around. First, the opening theme as a spoiler… Continue reading This Is Not My Future: Gundam Unicorn & Generational Conflicts
Our Map is Not The Territory
I originally wrote this before the events in Dallas, Minnesota, and Baton Rouge unfolded on our screens. It's leading me to rethink a lot of things, especially what is happening in Baton Rouge, where a good chunk of Metaphysical Graffiti takes place. Will I have to revise the book so what happens to Ieshia Evans… Continue reading Our Map is Not The Territory
Narratives in Echo Chambers
Warning! The following article will have a discussion of events in Orlando, as well as spoilers for The 100 and Penny Dreadful. Please proceed at your own risk. To act as a buffer, please enjoy this artwork of Chirico Cuvie from Armored Trooper VOTOMS...shirtless: Humans build narratives. We have a need to understand, and to… Continue reading Narratives in Echo Chambers
Traveling
Two posts this time around, mostly to cover a long silence. On May 21st I married. And about a week later, we went on our honeymoon to Dubrovnik, Croatia; Vienna, Austria; and Prague, Czech Republic. I'm still working on processing the 1.5K photos I took of all three cities. Aside from giving me time with… Continue reading Traveling
What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Negotiated Strategic Arms Reductions
"Ah, we come in peace!/shoot to kill, shoot to kill, shoot to kill, men!" If one believes a good chunk of the science fiction literary canon, diplomacy is the refuge of fools and cowards. Problems can't be solved by "talking." Negotiating a "peace treaty" is a fool's errand. In the end, all problems are solved… Continue reading What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Negotiated Strategic Arms Reductions
Mecha Games, Where For Art Thou?
This is a general lament and a confession. For those who haven't guessed, I am a fan of the mecha genre. If one needs proof, I'm happy to supply photos of my case full of Gundam and VOTOMS kits, as well as the book which started it all for me - a battered copy of… Continue reading Mecha Games, Where For Art Thou?
On Love, Death & Responsibility
Issues of love, death and responsibility - from a creative point of view - have been on my mind during last week. What follows will contain thoughts on a recent episode of The 100, on representation, on choices, and on the responsiblity of a creator. So, here's a picture of Edward James Olmos as Lt.… Continue reading On Love, Death & Responsibility
Biomechanoid Blues 