The craziness of the past two months has finally died down a little. It’s at least died down enough that I can start writing again.
When I don’t write for a long time, it starts to fester in my brain like a ping-pong ball. I have ideas, opinions, things I want to document, and I get so busy that the habit falls from my routine. Then I remember: that’s why I set up the mini-blog! My homegrown answer to losing the beauty that was old school Twitter. Then the guilt sets in about not writing.
So, here I am, back at it.
The last two months have been a Tasmanian devil-style whirlwind of work on several large design projects, new baby duties, tasks involved in my promotion, managing my relationship with my girlfriend, and being a dad to a sixteen year old. I haven’t had time to write, or steal a little time for video games, or communicate with friends.
The friend situation will be addressed in a later post because I have other thoughts that need to be fleshed out.
Watching my new son discover that he has hands, legs, and most prominently, vocal cords has been fun. I use the word “fun” in its purest form. He has a lot to say, and I get a major kick when he expresses it in his own baby-language.
Some consistencies I’ve been able to keep on track are the news and audiobooks. Even though I’ve been busy, I tried my best to be informed. I don’t often make public comments about politics, world events or national headlines, but sometimes I take a step back and think to myself that we’re deep inside what Robert A. Heinlien referred to in his future timeline as “The Crazy Years.”
As of this writing, the Middle East is sinking further into war. Hurricane Helene has devastated the southern states as the death toll continues to rise. The historic presidential race is gearing up for the final stretch. There’s also the rise of artificial intelligence, space tourism and the cyberpunk-style sneak-attacks that left dozens of people wounded or dead in both the Lebanese and Ukraine conflicts.
On the science fiction front, I paused Red Rising to start listening to Livesuit, James S.A. Corey’s latest novella that just released today. It’s the next installment of their Captive’s War series. I enjoyed the first novel of the series way more than I was expecting. It also reassures me that the writing team of James S.A. Corey are certainly amongst my favorite writers. Drawing inspiration from them is so easy that if I find time, I may just do a deep dive online to find any and all craft of writing tidbits from them.
October is my favorite month, and I know it’s cliche but I also love autumn. The fall is my favorite time of the year, and Pennsylvania is especially beautiful. Overcast skies, colorful leaves and everything pumpkin spice!
Here’s the kicker: I got so used to the hot weather this summer. Long stretches of high temperatures, bright sun, no rain. I just don’t feel like I’m in an autumn mood yet, despite all the pumpkin spice.
It’s only October 1st. I’ll have my autumn mojo soon.
