There’s An Old Joke

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That when you ask an author how their day went writing they recount laundry, shopping, grooming the dog, making phone calls, and “plotting some stuff out in my head.” They never actually got around to writing.

So it is today with narrating my latest audio book. I got the signed copies of the devotional ready for the mail, browned a chuck roast, cut the veggies, and got it in the crock pot, and took a 7 mile walk to get ready for the 1/2 marathon on Saturday. (Which, may be my best time in years, as the predicted starting temperature is 48 degrees! Joy when it’s below 70 around here!)

Now, as I sit at the desk to edit the audio for chapter 20, I realized no blog in a week. I am a bad blogger. But let me tell you about the narration: it’s cool. The book will be announced soon, but it is well written with many, many different voices. I am not allowed to slack on this work.

I enjoy it. I have a list of 10 projects for 2023. Yikes! I will be super busy, as I’m mentoring students in Navigating Adversity as well. Thankfully, I can do this at times when my wife is likewise engaged so it doesn’t get me in too much trouble.

Well, gotta go. Chapter 20 isn’t going to edit itself.

Today We Write Of Old And New Things

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First, today is the anniversary of my friends death on Ranger 12. I’ve talked about it before. Seems like yesterday. Here’s the link to a great version of the story. 

Next, I was rucking past the Sheriff’s range today when the gaggle of SWAT team types ran by on their way to the weight sets in the parking lot. I smiled and thought about how I once was young and shaped like that group. I hadn’t remembered my friends anniversary until I got home. It was kind of an impact, remembering that they were also at the peak of their young lives physically. 

I came home and talked to a potential client about a new audio book. Then headed into the studio to work on the current one. A rush job was waiting in the queue of my email, and I blasted that out. The audio book is next. I’m very thankful for that work. I decided to keep my head small and went to read the negative reviews on Audible. It’s not clear if I’m truly the worst narrator ever, because the people that accused me of that leveled it at other narrators. So I have that going for me. I’m content with an overall 4.5 rating on all the books I’ve done. Works for me.

The voice is strong, and the work rewarding. I’m excited about all the books I’ve got lined up for the next two years. Yes, that much work waiting for me out there. It’s going to be a busy 2023 and 2024. 

Now back to the old: the rucking has been paying off, and there’s less of the old me and more of the new me. I’ve gained core strength, muscle mass and lost some fat. It feels pretty darned good. 

Well, thanks for wandering by, but I’ve got to get editing: those books don’t do themselves.

This Is A Picture Of A Fish.

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Well, actually there’s nothing there to show you. I have maintained my very long streak of catching not a darned thing while fishing.

My last recorded catch was in 1990. I might be wrong about that, it’s very likely my wife caught the actual fish, but I was there. Come to think of it, I’ve never caught a fish except with a net at the pet store.

This past week I joined my boss for a deep-sea fishing expedition. We went about 12 miles offshore, fairly shallow water (does that qualify as deep sea?) in the Gulf of Mexico. It was chilly out on the water until the sun painted us. But getting up at 0400 so I could make it to the boat on time was not fun. It reminded me of the Navy. It was a 0700 show for a 0800 go. One hour of sitting around. 

But it was a good break. I’ve been working on a couple of audio books the last month, and the devotional Rodger and I wrote finally published. I hadn’t had much of a break in months and needed it.

I’m back, real blogs to follow. I even have an inspiration for a gory story to share, but I have to carefully evaluate it before I publish it. Something about going to jail… Well, it is fiction.

 

 

Ooooh, A New Audio Book: Digital Dreams and Other Distractions

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Kerry Nietz has been kind enough to humor my style for two books now. The latest released today: Digital Dreams and Other Distractions. 

This one is relatively brief, but is an excellent read/listen. It’s perfect for the lover of the unusual. You can buy it by hitting the picture below, for it serves as a link.

Software developer turned storyteller Kerry Nietz brings artificial wonders to life. Digital Dreams and Other Distractions is essential Nietz—nine tantalizing tales of synthetic futures, unfolding across a background of stars. 

In this surreal landscape, dying legends haunt sheltered keeps, young boys reconstruct ancient giants, astronauts push the boundaries of the solar system, and metal nightmares reign over faraway rocks. Alluring and compelling, Digital Dreams is a multifaceted blend of mystery, imagination, and devotion—as thrilling as interstellar exploration, and as dangerous as another day at the office.

 

I Owe You A Decent Blog

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But that probably won’t happen today. I promise a good one next week with some cool pictures. You’ll understand why when I post it. 

Again, my apologies for the false alarm last week. Oy, such a mess. But, as you can see, I’m still kicking.

See you next week. My blogging vacation is almost over. I have been working on audio books and the new devotional the last few months to the point where I didn’t have much time for the blog. I will be back next week.