Yeah, what a day. I woke up about 8:30, and I was doing good. I listened to some disco and finished a short story I was working on called “Silence”. Then I got the headache. I lay down for a bit about 1. I did not expect to not wake up until 6:30. Well, good news is head feels better. I just did an edit to the story I finished this morning and I am happy with it. I want to work on the next novel soon but one more short one is coming out of me and I think I just need to bang it out.
Staying Busy
Life has been interesting. I am working a lot of long hours and there are what seems like a million projects to be done. I feel the most important project keep getting pushed to the side. I hope this will change. In fact I quit one of my jobs just to make this happen. I hope I am not shooting myself in the foot but “fortune favors the bold”.
Project 49, my first novel has been rewritten. I moved stuff around and added content and will be released as an edition two. I am not sure when. I would like to finish the second book in the series, currently entitled Lowe: Williamson’s Legacy.
I have finished several short stories and have one more to finish before I continue to work on the book. After the book I have one more idea for a short story that I will write. These stories will be released in a collection.
The first edition of Project 49 is no longer available except through me and is in a limited supply. Contact me if you want one. Facebook would be the best way and thanks for being here.
Pumpkin Carving
Anyway, I know I have not been around for a while so I thought I would drop a line and say hi.
Today we carved out a Halloween display, albeit minor. My youngest daughter and I got two pumpkins and a pineapple. I cut the top off the pineapple and used a de-core tool to get the juicy (and delicious) insides out. My Sharpe would not make a mark on the pineapple so I had to do it by my eye. It came out looking messed up but I liked it.
I used a drill with a cake mixer attachment to clean the insides out once the heavy stuff is removed. They say an egg beater will do the same. My daughter used a regular knife to carve hers and she did a really good job, but, I cheat.
I drilled holes in mine with a drill bit then used a electric carver, like a small Saws-all.
What I was going for was the pumpkins seeing the pineapple and freaking out a bit. You can tell me in we succeeded.
And remember, the seeds can be roasted. If you don’t like that idea, toss it outside instead of the garbage. The squirrels will love you for it.
Waiting…
for T-shirt and hot car season!
Check out the Back Seat!
Patrick Rothfuss
“Books are a poor substitute for female companionship, but are easier to find.”
Rothfuss, Patrick. The Wise Man’s Fear. Daw. p.135
Just a piece of brilliance on so many levels. I would recommend his works
Sex and C-19
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Road Side Distractions
I saw this in Route 66 in Texas. The sign in front of the gas station says it is haunted.
I believe them.
Making Toy Swords
I guess I could say that my 12 year old daughter is a chip off the old block.
She began to write fantasy. For a 12 year old it was rather good. I got her permission, took the story and ran with it. It is coming out good, slowly but good. Since she expressed a desire to continue to write fantasy, I thought it good for her to have some background and to understand that to write, one must do some research.
I am always happier when I am making something for some dumb reason or the other, so I downloaded the fundamentals of swordplay off the net and we went to the hardware store to get supplies to make homemade swords. It cost around $20, enough to make two.
First get one 8 foot long stick of 1/2 inch plastic grey water pipe, not the real floppy stuff used for quick connections like Shark Bite. Get (2) 1/2 PVC 4 way unions, 8 small screws, foam pipe padding and a lot of duct tape.
With a hacksaw, cut the tubing. A good rule of thumb is that the blade part should be about as long as the baseball bat that person would use. The pummel should be long enough for two fists or slightly longer. Hand guard you can do what you want, I just went 3 inches. After cutting, insert pieces into 4 way and resist the urge to glue it as it will come apart later. Drill a small hole and put the screws to it.
Next, maybe after a smoke break, slide the foam down the blade part and cut it over length, fold the ends down and tape it. That allows for a cushion while stabbing. Cover the hand guard with foam, and the pummel if you want to.
Wrap the entire thing in duck….duct tape. (Quack). I added more foam to the pummel end to give it a rounded end, also optional.
SAFETY NOTE: Now pay attention. The foam makes them hurt less, BUT YOU CAN HURT YOURSELF WITH THESE OR SOMEONE ELSE. I know there are clubs around that do this, but use your head. Do not use them in the house. If your mom/wife gets mad because you broke the Jack Daniels Elvis Decanter I don’t wanna hear it. I told you. Work on swordplay, knowing the strikes and blocks before you go hitting people, which I wouldn’t suggest you do anyway. Have fun but nobody gets hurt. I am NOT responsible for what you do.
Scott Downey 