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comicfan

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  1. comicfan

    A Story is Loose

    By comicfan,

    Okay, so I think every writer I know has one. It is that story you keep going back to you. Eventually you find someone who you will share part of it with but you just know it isn't done and you keep going back over it, and over it, and oh yeah, over it.
     
    Meet my story, Fates of the World. I've only been writing it, for .... the last seven years. lol. It is one of those I write really hard on then stop go over it, rewrite it, toss out sections, begin again, finish it, toss out the ending, go back, do it over, lose part of it on a crashed computer, rewrite again, add forever.
     
    Well for the first time since I began the damn thing I let another human being see the first couple of chapters. I mean there was a whole world to set up and after all this time, well I wanted to make sure I hadn't been writing a bomb. Guess it passed muster because I was sort of asked for more. I guess I should pick it up again. Oh dear.
  2. comicfan

    Christmas Gifts

    By comicfan,

    Okay get ready cause this is going to be a quick but wild entry. First off I got a few gifts for holiday. Two of them were from people here on the site. It would be remiss of me to not to thank them, and I have. How can you go wrong with cook books or collections of comic books if you know me? They have good taste is all I can say.
     
    The gifts from my family, well lets just say that they were lacking. Who would expect that the oddest gifts, the ones you don't know what to do with, you know you certainly won't use, and know you can't exchange, would come from your own family? Odd.
     
    Then there were the two gifts I gave those who follow me. The latest chapter of Seeon is up and on time. The final chapter of Accidents Happen is in the hands of Jian and Intune. When they get done that chapter goes up and the story is done. I know it feels like a Christmas miracle.
     
    Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed your holiday and your gifts were things you like and can enjoy. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
  3. comicfan

    Some Special Thank You's

    By comicfan,

    First to Graeme, Lugh, and Cia who worked announcing, planning and helping to get the Anthology together. Their hard work makes the stuff us writers do look so much better. They start a year in advance with getting the ideas together, having people vote, and then work it over till it shines, before it is given to us writers to put our own spin on it. Then they create skins, double check the work, and make it all go together smoothly.
     
    Then to not only those work behind the scene deciding who will gain that title of Promising Author but to the readers who take the time to devote to the work, comment, and make it a pleasure to post. For those who have read, liked, commented and been there to encourage and push along a writer.
     
    To those who have inspired new work, to those who helped correct my awful ideas smoothing away the rough edges and making me look better than I am, again thank you. It is nice to have something to be truly grateful for. May my work continue to bring you in and make you read.
     
    Wayne
  4. comicfan

    Facing Facts

    By comicfan,

    Alright tis the season and all that. I know I am not the only one dealing with the holidays and problems too.
     
    This week I lost a friend in a senseless accident. Sort of makes you stop and look at things. Then while I am in that raw sort of state another friend is dealing with an impending death and I know it is making his life hard.
     
    The day after the accident I get a message from someone I had become close to. Alright, someone I had fallen for if I am going to be honest with myself, and he is calling it off. Seems I can't catch a break. So to the upset add heart break.
     
    Then I get to hear all my faults from my father. The mistakes I've made, including who I've dated. It is just what I needed when I am feeling down on myself.
     
    So not exactly feeling perfect or cheery at the moment. Oh yeah, and I had to wait to be paid so I can mail out the various Christmas gifts I had bought in November so they would be done before Christmas was here. Seems I screwed that up too and had it pointed out to me.
     
    Just one of those times you feel like crawling into bed, pulling the covers over your head, and staying there till oh I don't know, Spring? But some how I just manage to keep going. Don't know how, and don't know why, but I do.
     
    So if you have a little good news, feel free to share it with me. I sure as hell could use some right about now.
  5. comicfan

    Missing pieces

    By comicfan,

    Okay, I've been a little erratic lately. Sort of comes with the territory of growing up I think. Funny, most people can blame their issues on their mates, their children, hell even their pets. I don't get those outs. lol
     
    I just found five Thanksgiving cards I forgot to mail. I feel like an ass but still putting them out in the mail. I have bills waiting for my paycheck to come in so I can I send them out. Feels like all I do is work to see the money go out. I think it is that time of the year. Time for depression.
     
    I guess part of it is being home with my father. I am noticing the missing things. My mother not being here any more. His new aches and pains as he ages. The loneliness of being without anyone at the moment. It is just sort of wearing on me. Where did the time go? How did I screw up? Oh trust me, I know I screwed up, I've been told that often enough just don't know where.
     
    I'm behind on my story, only because lately I feel like all I do is work. Hell, I've had a prompt written for two weeks and only last night got to post it. I have my chapter for AH done, haven't had two minutes to type that up either. Forget Nanowrimo. I'd have done better if the month was September or even October. November just has too much crap going on.
     
    I was listening to the news this morning. One commentator was talking saying the government hopes to see more and more stores open on Thanksgiving. If it happens they can cancel Thanksgiving as a national holiday. People aren't interested in their family, only football and shopping. To hear them say that scared me. They were reading statistics. In 1978 stores decorated for Christmas on Thanksgiving. Stores opened at their normal time with special sales from 9am to noon. In the late 1980's the Black Friday shopping blitz began to take off. Stores opened earlier hoping to get people in and spend more money by promising special sales from six am to nine am. By the 90's it was a five am opening for many stores. There was a joke that people would give up their family for a good sale in the 2000 decade. Looks like they were right but were off by a decade. As of now most major chain stores are opening at midnight. Some, like Toys R Us are now opening at 9pm on Thanksgiving evening. What ever way you look at it this means they have to have enough employees working in the store to get it operational two hours before the customers are allowed in. Some retailers have announced if they have enough people shopping at these new hours this year, next year they plan to open at 3pm on Thanksgiving day. End result, greed over family means no more holiday. Most stores are not paying their employees anything extra. So they are told if they don't work they lose their job and health benefits. So they go in to work a 10 to 16 hour shift with no holiday pay or bonus unless they end up with more than forty hours for the week.
     
    I heard this and felt like I wasn't the only one missing some vital pieces this year. I guess no one feels the need to give thanks for being with family any more. Instead they have their shopping list and are "thankful" that they can give up their meal and family to go shopping.
     
    In case I haven't made said it. I am thankful for my friends and family. For the people who smile and wish me well. Who share their comments, their lives, and their days with me. Those who send me notes. call me, text me, and keep in touch. For reminding me I am human, I am not alone, and I have worth even when I don't feel like I do. For all those reasons I am grateful for a day that lets me take the time to think of people gone from my life, for those who remain at my side, and for the new ones who have entered my life. I might have lost some pieces along the way but I am grateful for the ones who have found me and made me fit into their lives as well.
  6. comicfan

    Holidays - meh

    By comicfan,

    Okay, so we sit a week before Thanksgiving. I'm sort of confused but I think at this time of the year it is is normal. I work full time in retail. That means I am supposed to get no less than 32 hours a week. In fact the latest thing to come down is all full timers will have 36 hours a week. Well they keep scheduling me 30 hours and I have to find ways to add the two hours in so I stay full time or I lose my health benefits.
     
    Well next week is Black Friday. i work in one of those wonderful companies that now think it is a great idea to make it easier on the consumer so we are opening now at midnight. That means for a large number of us, our Thanksgiving has to end by five pm, because we need some sort of sleep before we go in for ten pm and begin working our ten to fourteen hour work day. I know for that week I am already scheduled 46 hours. Joy. I guess it could be worse. Some are opening now at 9pm on Thanksgiving eve, and others are presently talking about staying open all day. Yes, one of the only three days a year that we close is going goodbye so people can shop it. I know giving up my family, my day off, and sleep is nothing against the almighty dollar but whatever happened to being thankful for a good year, and having time to spend with your family. Oh, that's right, family died in the face of the almighty dollar. Silly me.
     
    This is supposed to kick off the holiday season. i don't know about anyone else who works in retail, but what was once my favorite season is now just one more time of the year to get through. The only things I truly look forward to are spending Christmas in bed sleeping, opening my presents from my friends and family (which means my father and my possibly my brother & sister-in-law if they remember in time), and eating a cold buffet meal cause it is one holiday I refuse to cook for. The other is hiding out from an event in December that has been horrible since I was fourteen years old.
     
    Sorry to depress anyone reading this. i was trying hard to get into the holiday mood. Hell I just watched A Miser Brother's Christmas and was preparing to write out my Christmas cards, but I can't seem to find the spirit to do it. I wish you better luck. Happy Holidays.
  7. comicfan
    Well the Thanksgiving cards are out. I bought my Christmas cards. For me that is a major step this year.
     
    I have my father's birthday card and gifts. Still trying to figure out what to do about Christmas for him. I forgot my sister-in-laws birthday. I wonder if that makes me a bad person? Anyway I ordered off Amazon, and sent her card out. All I can say is Oops, I'm human.
     
    I posted Seeon yesterday, partially because I was having a bad day and partially cause I know the site will be down on Saturday most of the day. I'm amazed that a story of mine can have over four hundred views between the first two chapters and just six reviews. I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Mainly because if I read someone's work and can't find something nice to say, I just don't comment. Makes me wonder what people really think of my writing.
     
    If my mood had been better yesterday AH would be done. Instead 30 sits half complete. i did finish Chapter 8 on Jonas. After I go over it tonight I will send that over to Andy.
     
    I still have two chapters of a Day in the Life of Seer I need to type up for FSO yet. I feel like am way behind.
     
    Then there nanowrimo. Well, the way this month is going I got about 10,000 words and haven't had two minutes to get back to it. The month is only going to get worse considering I work retail and we are rapidly getting towards Black Friday.
     
    Today is Veteran's Day. I wish to thank all those who have served to make our country safe. Whether you love it or hate, those people put their lives on the line to defend us. For that, I offer my heart felt thank you.
     
    Anyway, have a good day all.
  8. comicfan

    Prep and Execute

    By comicfan,

    Okay, so it has been a busy month. Oh yeah today it just day one. LOL. Let me explain. First, Happy Birthday Mark. Now I screwed up and didn't get his gift out in time it seems so he didn't have it today. The joys of dealing with many different postal services. But that just begins it.
     
    This month I have family birthdays - my sister-in-law, and my father. Various other friends, oh and any international gifts I plan to send for Christmas I was told by the post office to make sure were in the mail not later than the 15th. My Thanksgiving cards are bought but I haven't had two seconds to write them out yet. However all my Christmas gifts are bought. I just have to wrap.
     
    I am in the process of finishing Accidents Happen, sorry to my readers, work has been nuts and my father took a fall so didn't get a chance to write as i wanted to this week. I have Seeon back from my beta, needs to be redone and then for a change I'm going to ask if he wants to look it over again to makes sure it all makes sense before it goes to my editor, if she has time at all. Then there is Jonas who is still in the overhaul stage trying to get that ready for when Accident is over. I really have to thank Andy for all his hard work on that with me. He has shown me new ways to write. Oh yeah I have two other stories I wrote in my notebook. (I'm not sure about other writers but I always carry one to jot things down in. Well wrote two stories on my break on Monday) Those two stories I have to get time to type up.
     
    Did I mention I sketched out my idea for Nanowrimo? Somewhere I have to find time to do that because, oh yeah, that story is going for the Anthology next year. If I can get it completed that means I just need to find an editor and beta and that is one less thing on my plate to worry about.
     
    Oh yeah, I have a few beta projects to complete as well. So I do apologize for being a bit behind. Sometimes the best laid plans go a bit astray, but I do have lots to get out and it probably going to happen almost all at once. Thanks for caring though.
  9. comicfan

    The Countdown is On

    By comicfan,

    Tomorrow is Halloween. I'm closing, or to be more accurate I am working a midnight release of another crappy video game at my damn store on Halloween. i don't know if my car will be egged, people will be in costume or what. All I do know is i can't get dressed up. I'll just be my boring old self. Unfortunately with the hours I had this weekend I didn't even make a holiday party at all. I made it home late tonight and missed the start of my show, Once Upon a Time.
     
    Anyway, the countdown is also on at my job for Christmas and Black Friday. Funny, even before I worked retail I thought that was an idiotic idea. Working it I find it simply pathetic. I still don't understand why anyone in their right mind would set up a tent on Thanksgiving at a store at 8 p.m. to be in line for a store that opens at 5 a.m. just so you can be sure to get some sale item in the circular that day. Sorry, I like warmth and comfort. There is nothing I need that bad that I will give up sleep, warmth, and all for it. I mean I've seen snow fall, six plus inches, and idiots sitting outside wrapped in coats and blankets for an item. My health and peace of mind are worth more than some tv or toy for Christmas.
     
    While I'm on a rant, and excuse me for it, I'm also pushing myself to finish a little Halloween story I have based off a prompt. I'm trying my best to get it done. Lets see, on the list of things to get done: Finish Chapter 29 of Charlie - he has been a pain and chapter is now 7 pages and no where near done. Going to be a loooooong chapter, Finish Chapter 6 of Jonas so Andy can beta the sucker, wait for Seeon to come back from Beta and Editor, complete second chapter of Seer for FSO, complete Halloween story. Um, good lord, when did I become Nephy? I'm not even sure how I'm keeping them all straight other than the fact that each one has a completely different world. Oh yeah, I have a rest until Tuesday when November starts and then I do the novel for Secrets Kill. Any volunteers to come see me in the mental ward. I'm afraid I might break down. The sad part is the deadline and stories are all mine, but my mind is on overdrive and I'm barely getting sleep. So when massive amounts of stories begin posting, well, you know why.
  10. comicfan

    Update on the Weight.

    By comicfan,

    Okay so I don't care who you are what you are trying to accomplish but sometimes things go astray. I'm human. I do things I know I shouldn't. For the last two weeks at Weight Watchers I gained. It wasn't huge, only .6 lbs a week, but after two weeks that was 1.2 pounds I had put back on. The reason, I simply wasn't careful.
     
    So moving on to this week. I've been working more, running like an idiot all week, and oh yeah no sleep. So I wasn't exactly expecting to see anything on the scale this week. Granted there were days I hadn't used all my points but I was more tired and didn't have time do much extra. However, this has been one of the biggest weight loss weeks I've had. I dropped 7 pounds this week. That was a major drop in weight for me. That brings me up to a grand total of 29.4 pounds so far. I have a pound and four ounces to go and I will have lost 10% of the total weight I walked into Weight Watchers with.
     
    Already they are warning us of the holidays. Tis the season to eat. Halloween is a kick off of food and sugar. You have Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve coming up and to be honest I am not worried. Being single I won't be out much so no real panic.
     
    So whatever you are working on in your own life, remember it isn't just an end goal. It is part of a long ongoing journey that is going to have ups and downs. Some good, some bad, but it is your life so don't let someone or something ruin it for you. Stay on your course, enjoy it, and if you get a little off from where you want to be, remember there is always time to correct it and start over.
  11. comicfan

    Damn Prompts

    By comicfan,

    Yes, you read that right, I said Damn Prompts and I meant it. The problem is I create the suckers now. I felt I should use some ideas for stories I had but just hadn't had time to get to. Smart idea, right? Wrong.
     
    There is a reason some of these things have launched much longer stories than just the small page to two pages stories they should. My real complaint is that I read Cia's take on one of my prompts and felt inspired to go ahead and write my own take on it. I loved her interplay with the characters, the opposites who are compliments of the other. I figured what could go wrong.
     
    I'll tell you what can go wrong. That two page story got away from me. Cia laughed and said hers was a bit long. Let me tell you, the damn thing spawned a nightmare. I am presently trying to finish Accidents Happen and get going with The Strange Life of Jonas Marks. Well, A Wedding for Seeon sort of sprouted out nothing to force these two projects to the side. In the meantime, Seeon's tale grew, and grew, and grew. Now it is in the hands of one of my editors and is sitting at exactly thirty eight pages. That is thirty eight pages in less than three days while I was working!
     
    Well, now I am just waiting to get to Thursday. That is my day off. Guess who has major writing to try to finish then? When will I learn? Sigh.
  12. comicfan

    Small Blessings

    By comicfan,

    Every once in a while things come along that excite you or make your life better. Sometimes it something major - a new car, a new outfit, or a new lover. Sometimes it something small - a card, money found in the pocket of a jacket, a phone call that makes you smile.
     
    Lately I have been blessed. I am not sure how else to put it. Things in life rarely go as one would hope. There are obstacles that pop up, things you need to overcome, and more often than not - your own stupidity to correct. I know I sure as hell never claim to be perfect but I try to find an upside to most things.
     
    That brings me to what I call my small blessings. I call them my blessings but most people would call the friends. I have a number in my real life that attempt to keep me on an even keel. They are there when i need to talk, try to cheer me up when I'm glum, and know I will gladly return the favor however I can. In plain English, they don't expect more from me than what I can give and that goes both ways.
     
    That also brings me to site. When it comes to the big man in charge, Myr, all I can say is thanks. I might have done no more than seen him in the chat room for a few minutes but his creation of this site has opened a few doors for me. I've taken more than one or two people from the site and turned them into friends. They aren't just an editor, an author, or someone who is here to support others. I have turned to these people originally for help in writing and that has lead to them becoming friends. I kid with them, write to them, write with them, talk to them over skype or msn, and basically turned them from anonymous, to acquaintance, to friend. I don't know if everyone has taken the opportunities presented to them but I know I did. For their help and friendship I am truly blessed.
  13. comicfan

    Finishing Everything

    By comicfan,

    Ever feel like you are so far behind you might never catch up? I get that way occasionally. I mean, well, it seems my life is going on without me and now I have to try to play a part in it. I don't know if that makes sense.
     
    Anyway, I got a lot accomplished today. Chapter 27 is in the hands of my beta and editor. I'm working on 28 and nearly done. I guess you can say I am not the world's most patient person so I published Red ahead of time. That only leaves one more chapter. With the way I am feeling it will probably be published on Thursday.
     
    I am sort of screwed up on November Birthdays at the moment. I had ordered tickets for a Patti Page performance in Patchogue on November 5th. I was just notified the concert has been cancelled so there went my gift for my father for his birthday. I have no idea what I am going to get him now. I've finished my shopping for other friends who have birthdays next month. In fact tomorrow I plan to wrap them all up and then I just have to wait till we get closer to that time to mail them all. If I don't seal the boxes up I know I will continue to shop and that can get to be expensive to ship.
     
    Oh I also found a now belated birthday gift for a friend from here. I hate when i find things out last minute and have to scramble but I think this will do nicely.
     
    Tomorrow I plan to write out some post cards, bills, and just finish up the odds and ends I hadn't touched yet. Hate being behind.
     
    Oh well, enjoy all.
  14. comicfan
    Today was finally the Riverhead County Fair. I managed to get out to it and had a nice time. There were quilts, cakes, cookies, and other goodies that were entered into contests that I walked around and looked at. There were also fields of funnel cakes, apple fritters, sausages, kielbasa, hot dogs, hamburgers, cheese steak sandwiches, clams, fish, french fries, kettle corn, and so much other food you could explode from just smelling it. There were booths selling yard decorations, hair ribbons, candles, cookware, shirts, blankets, sheets, scarves, and you name it. It is just one massive shopping explosion all around you. At one end of the fair there were carnival rides, more food, face painting, create your own color sand bottle, and so many other things. Also being in Riverhead, which is the official home of Polish town, there was fresh babka, polish sausage, and other goodies also for sale. In plain English, for a dieter it was a nightmare but who wouldn't risk it all to be a part of it.
     
    I loved walking around seeing the singers at different grandstands, Polish Dancers, Scottish Dancers, the stilt walkers, and the crowds of people. It is fun just to become anonymous and wander amongst the crowds seeing what is there and what everyone is finding. Today was also perfect weather. I mean here it is in October with 80 degree temperatures, the sun shining, and all sorts of fun going on. To put it simply I had a blast. I'm including some of the pictures from around and in the fair. Forgive me for not taking more but I was too busy enjoying myself. And for those of you who keep thinking New York is only New York City this might finally help convince you otherwise.
  15. comicfan

    Fair was not fair

    By comicfan,

    As the old saying goes, the best laid plans of mice and men. Well originally I had plans to go to the Riverhead fair today. That wasn't to be. The website for the fair announced it was Saturday October 9th. That is correct. Today is the 8th and tomorrow is the 9th. Someone mistyped Saturday instead of Sunday. Oh well. It simply means I go tomorrow.
     
    Not one to waste a day, considering I was already in Riverhead, I went to the outlet mall. While there I found gifts for friends whose birthday are next month. One of which the second I seen it I had to get. I already know it is going to swim on him but it was the only size they had and I wanted him to have it. Sorry, won't name names because he might read about it here in my blog.
     
    When I got home I spent my afternoon writing and rewriting the same chapter. Finally realizing I wasn't going to finish it without stepping away from it for a while I attacked some of the prompts I had created. I went after all the ones no one has written yet. I figure if I get stuck again I can write some of the others I haven't done yet.
     
    In the meantime I finally began the story for my entry in the Winter Anthology. I've been a busy little bee today.
     
    I am looking forward to tomorrow now. Another shot at going to the fair. I don't consider today a loss at all. It might not have started out as I would have liked but I did get a lot accomplished. Hope everyone else had a good day too.
  16. comicfan
    Okay after all the problems at my job and my vacation being cancelled twice this year, I put in for week off that begins on Sunday and goes to next Saturday. Sorry, I never get weekends off and forget about two days off together.
     
    So I got a bonus when they gave me tomorrow off too. Now normally I would say that is just a nice bonus but the reality is tomorrow is the Riverhead County Fair. There will be baking contests, quilting contests, jams, etc. There will be carnival rides, vendors of all sorts, and it is just suppose to be a blast. On top of it all the weather is suppose to be up in the seventies, sunny, and comfortable.
     
    So that is my first official day of vacation. All the rest of my plans fell to the way side because I can't line up with my friends like I had planned to, their vacations are all the last two weeks of October. Lucky me.
     
    So I plan to go out tomorrow and just enjoy myself. Walk along seeing what is for sale, what I can find, maybe even some surprises for friends who have birthdays coming up. Then of course their is Christmas. I never know what will happen at the fair. Some years I walk out and haven't spent a dime. Other times I think I broke my wallet with my finds. lol. Anyway you look at it I just plan to relax and enjoy myself and the time off from work. Hope everyone else has a good weekend as well.
  17. comicfan
    We all do it as writers, or at least nearly every writer I know. You come to look at the story and characters you are working with as your children. However eventually every parent has to stop coddling them and push them out into the world. I did that tonight again with Red.
     
    So I gave the site another strange look at the worlds that can inhabit my mind. This one was just supposed to be a retelling of Red Riding Hood. I can't even say it is the same tale at all any more. This one just kept growing and growing. I am however very thankful to KC Grim for stepping in and doing double duty as Beta and Editor for this piece. I just hope it is well received. One more spin of the wheel and it was all Vampires, Werewolves, and Elves.
     
    I never claim to break new ground but I do like to put my own spin on things. Hopefully I did with this one.
  18. comicfan
    I'm off tomorrow. I was hoping to get some writing done but might have to forgo that in order to get some shopping done.
     
    Tomorrow, my father has a doctor's appointment and then he wants to go to Sam's Club. For those of you who may not be familiar with them, Sam's Club is another massive store like Price Club where they sell gigantic sized packages at low prices. You can by a half gallon jug of Vanilla Extract for a dollar more than you might buy seven ounces of it in a grocery store. You don't buy an apple, you buy a large bushel, and bags of potato chips come in bags you would expect to see on the side of donkey. However, they also carry clothing, blankets, books, and gift ideas.
     
    November alone I have my father's birthday, my sister-in-law, a close friend's and another one I just learned of. I can't afford to wait to the last minute to go get this stuff so tomorrow going to try to get it all taken care of.
     
    Won't be long till I sit down to write out Thanksgiving cards and Christmas cards. Ah, the writing never ends.
     
    Just hoping to fit in time to knock off chapters 27 and 28 tomorrow. Enjoy all.
  19. comicfan

    Mail Call

    By comicfan,

    I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love mail. Not junk mail, and not bills, but actual mail. Today was one of those days I just love.
     
    Today in the mail I got two special things. One was a postcard from Mark. Hey, I make no secret who i become friends with. Those I do I come to care and worry about. Well I've sort of taken Mark in as close friend. I sent him a few postcards and today I got one from him as well. Funniest thing is it has a picture of a pig on it and all I could think of was his home page and the pigs he grows.
     
    Then I also got a package. Alright, I'll admit it, I'm a little bit proud of my home on Long Island. We have some interesting things here. Granted some of the stuff I've gone looking for I couldn't find but I did put a package together of some odds and ends to send to Mark, hoping he would enjoy it.
     
    Guess what? He decided he would return the favor. So now I have a small taste of what his area of England is like. The guy even went so far as to find cookbook of some of the things native to his area of England. I know what I'll be trying out soon. How many of you have had Yorkshire pudding? I have the recipe now, including one on a tea towel. That probably was the best part. I have a few of my great grandmother's towels that she brought over with her from England/Scotland when they moved to Long Island. Now I have one of my own.
     
    Like I said, little things make me happy. Mail is one of them.
     
    Have a great one.
  20. comicfan

    Odd Day

    By comicfan,

    Things are work are getting pathetic but even I don't have the energy to talk about that.
     
    Been on a writing kick lately. Been doing a lot of the prompts. Granted I create them now, but I have been doing the ones no one has attempted. I am not sure if it is because people feel they are no good or because they just didn't know how to approach them. Luckily there are some brave souls who will give my wild ideas a whirl so very grateful to Cia, Dolores, and Nephy.
     
    I got the latest chapter of Accidents Happen up as well. Nearly done now and it is hard to see Charlie's tale coming to an end.
     
    I'm hoping my editor and beta finish my new story, Red shortly. It is a four part tale that I hope to start posting by Wednesday. This is a bit different. It started out as a retelling of a fairy tale but got hijacked along the way. Now it is more of a post apocalyptic tale that deals with humanity no longer being in charge. In fact they are barely surviving but have to deal with a lottery type situation with their children. To add to the mix I toss in Vampires, Werewolves, and Elves. And just to show I am not afraid i toss in some sex for good measure. I wonder what that will do to the readers who have only read my Accidents Happen story. lol.
     
    Oh well. I hope everyone is having a good day. I'm off to bed. Enjoy all.
  21. comicfan

    Thursday is Thor's Day

    By comicfan,

    Well it has taken me some time to sit down and finally watch the movie Thor. It was pretty decent. I guess between the director and the actors they finally got it fairly right.Of course being a comic book geek I do have one or two things to nit pick but the only major one was killing off Loki. Hard to do when he is such an important part of Ragnarok.
     
    The title for this blog is actually very correct. Thursday is actually Thor's Day. One of those little twists in history. With so many months and all named after the Greeks the Norse Gods did slip in now and then. Especially when the Greeks adopted and molded the Norse Gods to fit their own. Jupiter/Zeus often was identified with Thor. Okay, enough of the history lesson. Lord the things one learns over the years.
     
    Anyway my next one to watch is the new Tron movie. Can you tell I am a bit behind in my movies? I can’t remember the last new movie I got to go see.
     
    So hope you all enjoyed your day and your night. Shortly off to bed. Sweet dreams all.
  22. comicfan

    Mixed sort of day

    By comicfan,

    Amazing the friendships you can create here. Yes day by day if you wish to you can make friends and deep that friendship. I know I have been doing that with people I met here.
     
    Anyway, was busy as hell today. The whole morning was spent running around like a nut. I started this morning off going to my Weight Watcher's meeting. Wish I could say it was a huge loss but I did lose 2 pounds. I know I shouldn't complain but just wish it would melt off already. Well didn't put it on in a day so not going to drop off in one either. At least I am watching the scale go in the right direction. After that it was off to get a quick hair cut. When you look like you have a fro or like a dust mop has moved onto your head you know you are over due to get one.
     
    Then I had to do some shopping for things for friends and myself. This might sound odd but you know you are really losing weight when you need to go buy underwear. When yours won't stay on any longer it is time to buy new ones in a size smaller. Sigh.
     
    Then went to do food shopping. Needed to pick up some fruits, vegetables, and yogurt. For me those are staples in the house and in my daily routine now. Learning to once again cook and use spices instead of breading, broil and bake to keep things juicy, and just stay aware of what you are eating. My biggest problem hasn't been that I eat too much or junk food. My biggest problem is I skip meals and don't enough so the doctor yells at me that I put my body into starvation mode and eating lettuce will make me gain weight. The things you learn as you try to lose weight. Who knew you had to eat so much to get your weight down?
     
    I got out some cards I wanted to mail that for me were late Halloween cards. The rest of mine were mailed early with the problems they are expecting to have in the post office. The internet is wonderful for so many things but it is killing the post office because other than bills no one is really sending cards or mail anymore. Joy.
     
    Anyway my biggest issue is my character doesn't want to cooperate as his story unwinds. Right now I'm so frustrated want to put him in front of a bus and let it end with an accident but I won't. I know I am not the only writer to have problems getting a character to behave. Oh well. Have a good night all.
  23. comicfan

    Tuesday Night Ramblings

    By comicfan,

    Okay so it was another interesting night at work. It is getting so the drama there at work could infuse life into any old soap opera. Feels like you need a score card to keep track of who is dating who, who isn’t friends with who, who is has an in with the junior mangers so may not have to work and can disappear to talk or go on cigarette breaks whenever they like. I long for the store I use to work in where rules mattered and policies were followed.
     
    In the mean time I can happily announce I have finally finished Red. It is in the hands of my editor and my new beta. So we can see just what happens to this one. This little story will be a four parter. I’ll admit I have a problem. I read too many fairy tales and myths as a child so if something is open for that you can bet I will take a shot at it. Red, I will admit, came about because fellow GAer, Elezbed, suggested I take a crack at Little Red Riding Hood. Okay so I have a cape, a woodcutter, a grandmother, a wolf, and Red from the original. If you have read any of my retellings of the fairy tales you know I am going to turn that on its ear and I do. Oh well. I just hope it will be well received when it is posted.
     
    I have less than five chapters of Accidents Happen left. It is sad to see Charlie’s story coming to an end. He was a really sweet character and has been opening so many doors for me here at GA. His little story has sort of gotten me noticed. I will be sorry to see him go. My next major project is one that Andy commented on and suggested I detail. So my Summer Anthology piece is going to be expanded and reworked. Jonas is my next character to breathe full life into and see what that brings.
     
    Finally I am enjoying the cooler temps at night. It is so much more comfortable and I also want to do more when you can just be comfortable. I was never much of a summer person. I have always adored the spring or fall. Those are the two seasons of vibrant color. In the spring flowers are blooming, the grass turning green, and the birds are filling the air with color and song. Fall brings the sweet fruits and vegetables of the season, the falling leaves in bright reds, oranges, yellows, and browns. Then both seasons are cool enough for a light jacket but you neither are constantly freezing or sweating your butt off.
     
    So that is about all I have to say. Tomorrow I am up early on my day off for my Weight Watchers meeting. Then I have just a bit of shopping to do. I have a feeling I might have to run out to Riverhead to get what I want for an upcoming birthday. Other than that I can’t say I have much to complain about. Hope everyone is having a good one.
  24. comicfan
    Okay, I’m having problems all over. This is the second attempt to post this blog so let’s see how it goes. Got a nice message from Myr the first time telling me the site was updating.
     
    Let me begin by apologizing. This blog is going to be a bit of me just complaining. Feel free to read other things. In the meantime if you have been looking to see what I am up to I do say I’m sorry. Things here have been a bit out of whack.
     
    My father is now home from his vacation. The only problem seems to be the dog has now imprinted on me. He might be home but she is running to see and will only seemingly listen now to me. All I need for him to say is the dog is mine so he is getting a new one and I will be moving into a new place. The room will have a nice padded walls and my new jacket will have long white sleeves that tie in the back, if you catch my drift.
     
    Now of course comes the time I describe the joys of my job. I started off today by having to be up before dawn to go to a morning meeting. It wasn’t a store meeting, it was a department meeting. Why? Because instead of reinforcing the employees positively, they feel by having meeting after meeting while screaming we are dropping down will be a good way to get those in the department to perform. After all threatening your job works, right?? At least at first till people begin to tune you out. So there I was at work bright and early then had three hours to waste between my meeting and my scheduled shift. I went home with plans of catching a nap but that never happened.
     
    Then when I went back in it was confirmed that the two weeks I had put in for vacation was denied. This wasn’t the first time I had been denied. I’ve been told before that too many put in for this week or that. You were last so we had to deny you. I’m all about being fair but that is how I ended up without a vacation last year.
     
    To be honest usually I don’t care about vacations. Every year you accumulate 40 hours of vacation time to use when and as you would like. Presently I have one hundred and twenty one hours. Do the math. Right. I haven’t had a vacation now in three years. Normally even when I take time off it doesn’t mean I plan to do anything. I can be extremely lazy. I mean, time off is supposed to be used to recharge your batteries. Some people lay on the beach. Me, I would prefer to curl up on the couch and plow through the books I bought and haven’t had time to read, or maybe just sit down and write for a while. However, this time was going to be something different for me. Two solid weeks off with pay and I had plans. Originally I was going to spend a few days from the first week going back up to Connecticut to see friends. I have not been able to see them as I would like so this would give me free range to check in on them and I had made some loose plans. Okay, so if I lost the first week it would have been a pain but I wouldn’t have complained too much.
     
    The second week was sort of special. Yes, I’ll admit it. I have been one of those chatting with someone from the internet. It has been going on since May. You finally reach the point where you just want to sit down and talk to someone face to face. See if you click and if you can be friends. We had hoped to spend three days together solidly down in Pennsylvania or even taking a trip to DC. Those plans now of course are also gone.
     
    Why? Well I can thank my company and indirectly my boss. My boss I blame for not posting the changes. I’ve worked at this company for six years. They have always blocked out from the first full week in November to the middle of February and told the employees in my department there would be no vacations at all. They joys of working retail, and in plain English, they suck. However you get use to it. That was why I took the last two weeks of October off. It would give me the time to relax, have fun, and recharge before the holiday bull crap began. Of course no one bothered to tell me that this year the company had announced the new blackout dates would be from October 24th to February 15th. That is right, Ladies and Gentleman, my vacation time was requested in the blackout dates and I never knew it so they were instantly denied. To add insult to injury I was told I could request two days off together to do what I needed to. So basically I could get like a Wednesday and Thursday off to drive six to eight hours down to see him, maybe have dinner, talk and find a hotel room where I could crash over night. Then get up, find him, maybe have breakfast and begin the six to eight hour drive to get home so I could be at work on Friday morning. Thanks, but no thanks.
     
    I’ve put in for another vacation time for the 8th to the 15th of October. Who knows if they will accept it or not? Me, I’m just tired of it all. Even if I get this new time off I won’t be able to do as I wanted or see who I had planned because this won’t work for any of them. I’m thrilled, so it will probably be just me home alone with Dad.
     
    I’ll simply say I miss the days when I taught school. You had a set schedule, you were off for holidays, and you had summers off too if you wanted them. You knew what you were paid for, and meetings were done when it was convenient for everyone. Instead I work in retail hell and wonder if I will ever finish up.
     
    I hope your day and life is going better dear reader. Sorry if you read this all. I am sort of tired and burnt, so please forgive me.
  25. comicfan

    How time does fly

    By comicfan,

    Okay today was sort of a mixed bag of stuff. I guess it is always that way. For those who care to read just hang on cause the mind is overdrive and I just hope the fingers can keep up.
     
    First up is my job. I didn't wait I just put in for the only week I knew my co-worker was on vacation. So I'm presently trying to get the second week of October off. I will know tomorrow if I got it or not. Willing to bet money at this point that I didn't. Anyway I am going to put in for some assorted days off to try and have a life. I am buying tickets for my father's birthday for Patti Page who is going to be performing in Patchogue. There is someone coming up to Long Island who wants to meet for coffee and I am more than happy to do that. Also trying to get someone to come up to see me but will have to see how that goes.
     
    Secondly as a surprise a book I ordered, well it seems like forever ago arrived in the mail today. I now have something to look forward to and read the first chance I get.
     
    Third up is a new story. I am working on Charlie who on Wednesday will be off to the editor and beta cause I am beefing up the chapter a bit. However, I got side tracked a bit. I asked for an idea and Elezbed made a suggestion for a story. I jumped on it. However that was suppose to be a short story. Maybe, two to three pages at most. It hasn't worked out that way. Every time I turn around I seem to be pushing more and more into it and revising it. It hasn't even gotten to see a beta reader or an editor yet. What was going to be a quick filler has instead turned into a full out apocalyptic fairy tale revised and totally changed till you just might barely recognize what had started out as an homage to it. Now it is totally different, dark, and yeah just not my normal thing but hopefully it turns out well.
     
    Fourth in my line of projects was some beta work for KC Grim. For those who haven't read this author just let me remind you that he did take third in the novella contest. The man does have some nice writing chops and his new stuff is going to be a great read. Now I know how my betas and editors feel when I hand them a story. In a word, I am waiting for more.
     
    Finally I picked up the last of my cards. While 90% of my Halloween cards had been bought and mailed I've recently become close enough friends with four other people that I had to run out and get what I needed. All I can say is beware if I friend you, you are in for one hell of a lot of cards.
     
    Anyway I am now looking at the clock as it draws ever closer to one am and realize I am still sitting in front of the computer typing. I wish you all a good night or good day. I am off to bed. Enjoy!
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