One of the things I said on the “about me” page is that from time to time I like to game. This weekend was one of those times when I took the time to just relax and play. We had friends that live a couple of hours away come down to spend the night giving us all kinds of time to just hang out, chat, snack and game. It was great fun.

One game we played 3 times today was Castle Panic. Great fun, cooperative game that my daughter has a real passion for. We added in the Wizard Tower expansion for a little extra challenge and fire!

I’d go through a lot about how to play, but a certain star has already handled that. Check out Table Top – one of my favorite shows.

My blog here has been neglected lately, and it shouldn’t be. There’s been an awful lot going on – but isn’t there always?

I posted the following on social media, but somehow forgot to post it here:

This is probably going to be a long post, so if you’re into the short version I’ll start with that:
I got laid off last Friday. I have no job.
Now that we’re past the short part I’ll go a little more into things. Probably not a ton, but enough to maybe answer some questions that might pop up. I waited a couple of days before I said anything just to be certain I had some clarity. I have told a handful of folks in person before this, but not many.
No, I had no idea this was coming. Neither did my direct supervisor. He actually called me on Monday to apologize and offer a recommendation if needed. Two of the guys I worked with also offered recommendations if needed.
Yes, as far as I know I will get unemployment benefits after the 2 week waiting thing. I don’t really know much about it – any other time in my life I’ve moved directly from one job to the next. I’ve always had something lined up. This is all new to me.
Am I angry? I’m more disappointed than anything. There’s a part of me that is, but I’m really doing my best to focus and move past this. I’m not going to toss rage fueled statements out here or start playing conspiracy games about reasons and persons to blame. I’ve got thoughts and theories, but they’re just that. Airing them out just isn’t professional, so if I intend to continue to be a professional I should figure a way to get through this.
How does this change ______? I left that blank on purpose. There are a lot of things that will change because of this. One thing I don’t think will change substantially will be me. I am not my work and my work is not me. Yes, I like(ed) my work but it was just that ~ work. I’m going to be pulling back on a lot of things and staying close to home. The less I spend the better off we’ll be if this lasts more than a couple of weeks. I am really upset about the fact that once again a planned family vacation will be screwed up by my work crapping out. It’s happened more than once and it deeply frustrates me. I want to be able to give that kind of experience to my daughter and not always be caught up in “sorry, daddy’s work isn’t paying him again”. That’s the part that *really* pisses me off.
Enough of that line of thought. I have updated my resume and already have a half dozen leads. I had 3 of those leads the very next morning, just as soon as some folks heard I was available. I’m optimistic about the whole situation but not too hopeful. I’m not going to run and jump at the very first thing that pops up on my e-mail. I want the next step to be right.
Hopefully this covers the questions that might pop up. I have had the chance to chat with a few friends and they have all been extremely supportive. I appreciate that. It sucks, but I’ll land on my feet.
So – anybody hiring?

Today marks 2 weeks since I was laid off from my day job. I told myself I was going to pretend that I was actually a full time writer while I’m looking for new work. That hasn’t really worked out so far. The “work” of looking for a job seems to be devouring a significant amount of time – as it should – but has also been draining. I believe I’ve gotten a handle on things around the house and intend to start getting things in my creative world back in order.

What kicked this actually getting back to the creative change off? One of the coolest feelings I’ve had in a long time – I got a royalties statement from the publisher (and yes, it included money for me!). I think I could get used to a schedule like I have now. I know I’ll need to get back to my day job here very soon – but so far this hasn’t been terrible. Changes / transitions are a difficult thing. I’m hoping this one works out for the best.

Sometimes I don’t like that the research I did for stories leads me toward “correct” conclusions. IF you haven’t, head out and pick up the Defending The Future series, in particular Best Laid Plans and Dogs Of War where my stories appear. The stories I wrote have soldiers from “resource command”. I’ve taken a rather dim view of how people will react to scarcity, but that view has been borne out in the past.

Recently an article cropped up that that dim future might be closer than we thought. Sometimes it’s not great to be right.

Historic Drought in California

I’ve always struggled with poetry. I don’t know why, but I have. I don’t understand, but I do appreciate from time to time.

Recently I found a TED talk that involves a poem, research and possibly regret. It’s interesting and amusing and if you’ve got 15 minutes I think you should watch it. I enjoyed it very much. Maybe waking around that time this morning after a restless night contributed…

A museum of 4 o’clock in the morning

Once upon a time I thought I was behind the curve when it came to Podcasts. As it turns out I wasn’t so far behind after all. I’ve even met some really well known podcasters – and had them drop by Watch The Skies.

I really like being able to listen to these amazing stories. I wish there were more hours in the day that I could spend just listening to these artists work.

One podcast I’ve really been hooked on lately is PodCastle. I find myself listening to them as often as I can. I am always happy with the wide, wonderful variety they provide. Their work is top notch stuff. I’ve put my money where my mouth is, but just as important is getting the word out to others.

PodCastle

Go to their site, check out the stories. You won’t be disappointed.

I’ve posted a couple of times lately about the new story I’ve got coming out in TV Gods, but I don’t want this to be the “promote my work” channel.

I like the idea of getting a peek behind the curtain from time to time and thought I’d offer one of my own.

Both of my stories that have been published in the Defending The Future series feature military members that are part of “Resource Command”. I suspect there are a lot of non-genre folks that would see this as a kind of prediction that science fiction is commonly known for. I don’t believe for a moment that fans will be shocked to hear that real science in combination with other news sources were part of the inspiration behind a military command group based around fighting for resources.

There has been news in many forms about climate change and associated dangers. There have even been official reports and news about those reports. It’s a simple extrapolation really. Take an idea from that – there will be riots in the future because people can’t get enough clean water – then ask – how to many places respond to riots? With force. Suddenly there’s a police or military need to respond to what people are doing about getting water. Voila – military science fiction story idea.

I genuinely hope we don’t ever need a military command to oversee who gets water and who does not. I don’t believe that will end well for anyone – except perhaps the already super wealthy that think like this too.

I do also love to hear about technology that works toward energy and preservation of resources, so don’t be shocked if a solar chimney appears in an upcoming story…