So you know I like sand art. I try my hand at it every year at the beach. I'm getting better with each attempt, learning to sculpt with more detail and getting more creative with my subject matter, but this morning I saw a video that takes it to a whole different level. I doubt I'll ever attempt this grand of a scale, but it's inspiring to see someone pull off a picture using such a large piece of beach as canvas...
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Origami and Erections
WARNING: This post is not excessively adult-themed, as may be inferred from the title. However, it is quite silly and immature, which can be ascribed to my general nature and should therefore be expected. Please read on.
My wife took my kids to the hobby store recently. The kids brought their own money and made their own purchases. (NOTE: They are both loaded. I don't know where all the money came from, but it can be helpful in those times when my wife and are desperate for cash.)
First item: An origami kit. It has an instruction book and paper, and with it one could make a dozen different endangered animals, if one could somehow decipher the instructions, something neither child is capable of.
So I've been attempting a lot of origami lately. We almost made a zebra, except it only has one hind leg. That's easy to explain though, as zebras and lions are known to have special encounters that could easily explain the absence of such an important appendage. I consider the zebra a success.
We also have a koala head and a panda head, but neither animal has a body, and I don't think they ever will. The pictures in the instruction book make IKEA furniture assembly look simple and intuitive.
My older son also purchased an Erector Set. It also has an instruction book with amazingly complex drawings, but it is a book someone with a degree in mechanical engineering could easily use as reference. Sadly, I am lacking in such a degree, but in an effort to reduce the volume of whining in the house, I have been making due. And swearing under my breath.
My in-laws were here this past weekend, and I spent the whole time waiting for my mother-in-law to mispronounce the toy as an "Erection Set" because I am immature and think that would be really funny.
Which reminds me of the time our dog had bladder stones. Nearly 60 of them, and they had gone from the bladder into his urethra, where they all got stuck. During the examination the vet reached back between my dog's legs and felt the stones. He encouraged me to do the same, not realizing that I was in no way mature enough to engage in a general conversation about my dog's urethra, let alone actually touch the underside of my dog's vacant scrotum. (NOTE: I have not shaken hands with the vet since then.)
I struggle with this inability to take important things seriously. It's an ongoing battle that I am sure is pointless, as I have no intention of ever winning it.
My wife took my kids to the hobby store recently. The kids brought their own money and made their own purchases. (NOTE: They are both loaded. I don't know where all the money came from, but it can be helpful in those times when my wife and are desperate for cash.)
First item: An origami kit. It has an instruction book and paper, and with it one could make a dozen different endangered animals, if one could somehow decipher the instructions, something neither child is capable of.
So I've been attempting a lot of origami lately. We almost made a zebra, except it only has one hind leg. That's easy to explain though, as zebras and lions are known to have special encounters that could easily explain the absence of such an important appendage. I consider the zebra a success.
We also have a koala head and a panda head, but neither animal has a body, and I don't think they ever will. The pictures in the instruction book make IKEA furniture assembly look simple and intuitive.
My older son also purchased an Erector Set. It also has an instruction book with amazingly complex drawings, but it is a book someone with a degree in mechanical engineering could easily use as reference. Sadly, I am lacking in such a degree, but in an effort to reduce the volume of whining in the house, I have been making due. And swearing under my breath.
My in-laws were here this past weekend, and I spent the whole time waiting for my mother-in-law to mispronounce the toy as an "Erection Set" because I am immature and think that would be really funny.
Which reminds me of the time our dog had bladder stones. Nearly 60 of them, and they had gone from the bladder into his urethra, where they all got stuck. During the examination the vet reached back between my dog's legs and felt the stones. He encouraged me to do the same, not realizing that I was in no way mature enough to engage in a general conversation about my dog's urethra, let alone actually touch the underside of my dog's vacant scrotum. (NOTE: I have not shaken hands with the vet since then.)
I struggle with this inability to take important things seriously. It's an ongoing battle that I am sure is pointless, as I have no intention of ever winning it.
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Friday, October 14, 2011
Let's go to the hop...
No, it's not a '50s dance party. It's a blog hop, and I'm in on the action. There are a lot of great writers out there, and this is a good way to find a great many of them all at once. More specifically, Matt and Alex are running a blogfest with more than 200 blogs linked together.
As a participant, I'm supposed to recommend three blogs and why you should visit them:
The Literary Lab: This is my favorite writers' water cooler. The three moderators raise interesting points about reading and writing, and the community of followers add to the discussion in the comment threads. Writing is a long process, and there's always more to learn. Following the experiences of others is a great way to pick up new tips / tricks.
Nathan Bransford: I started following Nathan's blog in hopes that he would one day represent my writing, and I continue to read it now that he is done agenting because it's insightful and well-written. Plus it's another blog where the comments are a big part of the attraction.
D. Michael Olive: Mike's posts are a combination music review and wine review...two things that sit close to my heart! Mike has introduced me to many guitar and bass greats. His link compilations can serve as an incredible distraction, though...they make me want to pop a cork and sit back and listen to 45 minutes of music, the rest of the day be damned!
BONUS BLOG:
Roger Ebert: I've been a fan of Ebert's movie reviews since the late '90s. Even if I don't agree with his rating of a film, I enjoy reading his opinion of why he rated it that way. His blog takes that same writing (Pulitzer prize winning, I might add) and applies it to a wide variety of topics, from film and TV, to his battle with cancer and subsequent perseverance, to politics, religion, and the world.
As a participant, I'm supposed to recommend three blogs and why you should visit them:
The Literary Lab: This is my favorite writers' water cooler. The three moderators raise interesting points about reading and writing, and the community of followers add to the discussion in the comment threads. Writing is a long process, and there's always more to learn. Following the experiences of others is a great way to pick up new tips / tricks.
Nathan Bransford: I started following Nathan's blog in hopes that he would one day represent my writing, and I continue to read it now that he is done agenting because it's insightful and well-written. Plus it's another blog where the comments are a big part of the attraction.
D. Michael Olive: Mike's posts are a combination music review and wine review...two things that sit close to my heart! Mike has introduced me to many guitar and bass greats. His link compilations can serve as an incredible distraction, though...they make me want to pop a cork and sit back and listen to 45 minutes of music, the rest of the day be damned!
BONUS BLOG:
Roger Ebert: I've been a fan of Ebert's movie reviews since the late '90s. Even if I don't agree with his rating of a film, I enjoy reading his opinion of why he rated it that way. His blog takes that same writing (Pulitzer prize winning, I might add) and applies it to a wide variety of topics, from film and TV, to his battle with cancer and subsequent perseverance, to politics, religion, and the world.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Got a Question For You...
Before I had kids I used to think answering a child's questions was a wonderful way to help that child grow and become a better human being. I was eager to respond to any child's general inquiries about life and the world, to have the opportunity to share my knowledge and help that child learn.
Then I had kids, and that all changed. I realized that the questions Just. Don't. Stop.
I began to burn out when my older son hit the early threes. That's when "Why?" made its initial appearance. Then my kids got to thinking I know absolutely everything about anything, like I'm Wikipedia or something.
Here's an example from the time we took them to an amusement park over the summer:
How high is that roller coaster? I don't know exactly. Pretty high.
Is it a hundred feet? At least.
Higher? Maybe.
How much higher? Two-hundred feet? I don't know.
How fast is it? Really fast.
Is it faster than our car? It depends on where we are driving.
What year was it built? What, our car? 2009.
No, the roller coaster. I don't know. Google it when we get home.
A month later we took a family vacation that involved an airplane. As we made our descent at the end of the first leg, both kids looked out their respective windows.
How high are we?
Are we as high as the Wind Seeker?
What about the Drop Tower?
We're definitely higher than the Diamond Back, aren't we?
Are there any pyramids this high?
As we got settled into our seats on the next flight, my son started asking me more questions. I fought back. I took out my notebook and started writing them down.
Is it three o'clock?
What time is it?
Why did the TV turn off?
Why do they do that?
[Peering at my notebook] Why is it talking about Wind Seeker?
Why are you writing down all the questions?
I'll try not to ask any more questions, okay?
Are you going to show those to people?
What if there was a fire inside the plane?
The flight attendants aren't the pilots, are they?
Why is there an exit way back here?
What if a shark ate the life raft?
What is this volume button for?
Would you stop writing those down? You're annoying me!
When we get high enough I can unbuckle, right?
What does "airborne" mean?
What's "free of charge"?
At this time he pleaded with me to stop writing the questions down. His attempts to grab my pen and notebook made the process more challenging that I was willing to put up with, so I acquiesced (NOTE: That's a really big word. Thanks, spell-checker, for your help.)
There was one more series of questions that I had to write down, though. I did get his permission, but I would have done it anyway. I had pointed out the window and said, "Look at that huge airplane. You see the higher row of windows? It's a double-decker."
So there's stairs in there? Yep.
Have you been in one? Nope.
But you've seen one, haven't you? Really? You just asked that? Dude, I'm writing that one down...
Then I had kids, and that all changed. I realized that the questions Just. Don't. Stop.
I began to burn out when my older son hit the early threes. That's when "Why?" made its initial appearance. Then my kids got to thinking I know absolutely everything about anything, like I'm Wikipedia or something.
Here's an example from the time we took them to an amusement park over the summer:
How high is that roller coaster? I don't know exactly. Pretty high.
Is it a hundred feet? At least.
Higher? Maybe.
How much higher? Two-hundred feet? I don't know.
How fast is it? Really fast.
Is it faster than our car? It depends on where we are driving.
What year was it built? What, our car? 2009.
No, the roller coaster. I don't know. Google it when we get home.
A month later we took a family vacation that involved an airplane. As we made our descent at the end of the first leg, both kids looked out their respective windows.
How high are we?
Are we as high as the Wind Seeker?
What about the Drop Tower?
We're definitely higher than the Diamond Back, aren't we?
Are there any pyramids this high?
As we got settled into our seats on the next flight, my son started asking me more questions. I fought back. I took out my notebook and started writing them down.
Is it three o'clock?
What time is it?
Why did the TV turn off?
Why do they do that?
[Peering at my notebook] Why is it talking about Wind Seeker?
Why are you writing down all the questions?
I'll try not to ask any more questions, okay?
Are you going to show those to people?
What if there was a fire inside the plane?
The flight attendants aren't the pilots, are they?
Why is there an exit way back here?
What if a shark ate the life raft?
What is this volume button for?
Would you stop writing those down? You're annoying me!
When we get high enough I can unbuckle, right?
What does "airborne" mean?
What's "free of charge"?
At this time he pleaded with me to stop writing the questions down. His attempts to grab my pen and notebook made the process more challenging that I was willing to put up with, so I acquiesced (NOTE: That's a really big word. Thanks, spell-checker, for your help.)
There was one more series of questions that I had to write down, though. I did get his permission, but I would have done it anyway. I had pointed out the window and said, "Look at that huge airplane. You see the higher row of windows? It's a double-decker."
So there's stairs in there? Yep.
Have you been in one? Nope.
But you've seen one, haven't you? Really? You just asked that? Dude, I'm writing that one down...
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Tuesday, October 4, 2011
My Birthday Wish...
On October 10 I turn 40. Next Monday. Over the Hill. The Big 4-0. How the &*^% did this happen? As far as I can remember I'm way too irresponsible to be this damn old.
I have simple tastes. I don't want a fancy sports car (however, if a Lamborghini ended up in my garage I would certainly drive it). I don't need a 10,000 square-foot mansion on a hill (I would rather it be on a lake).
I do want to write for a living, and for people around the world to read and enjoy my stories. So for my birthday, I don't need anything directly, but I would like you all to get yourselves a copy of The Man in the Cinder Clouds.
If you already have a copy but haven't read it yet, now's a great time to crack the cover...and then you can leave a review on Amazon.com or Goodreads as a birthday gift. And then buy copies of the book for everyone you know, 'cause it feels good to give.
If you have a copy and have read it and reviewed it, not only are you an incredible person who has earned my everlasting thanks, you have the opportunity to recommend the book to other people.
And if you read the book and think it sucks, you can always trick someone you don't like into buying it. I'm not above that.
I have simple tastes. I don't want a fancy sports car (however, if a Lamborghini ended up in my garage I would certainly drive it). I don't need a 10,000 square-foot mansion on a hill (I would rather it be on a lake).
I do want to write for a living, and for people around the world to read and enjoy my stories. So for my birthday, I don't need anything directly, but I would like you all to get yourselves a copy of The Man in the Cinder Clouds.
If you already have a copy but haven't read it yet, now's a great time to crack the cover...and then you can leave a review on Amazon.com or Goodreads as a birthday gift. And then buy copies of the book for everyone you know, 'cause it feels good to give.
If you have a copy and have read it and reviewed it, not only are you an incredible person who has earned my everlasting thanks, you have the opportunity to recommend the book to other people.
And if you read the book and think it sucks, you can always trick someone you don't like into buying it. I'm not above that.
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Friday, September 23, 2011
My Radio Interview is Available
Since Blogger doesn't host audio files, I've been playing tech-sleuth in trying to figure out how to share this MP3 with you wonderful people.
There is a 50/50 chance that this will work. Of course, that leaves open a 50/50 chance that this will not work. Such is life.
The interview experience on The Biggs Show was great. I am totally ready for Oprah now. I think she need to start her show up again, or at least do a one-off Christmas special for me. If any one knows her, please pass along my contact info so we can get the ball rolling. I hate to keep her waiting. Thanks!
There is a 50/50 chance that this will work. Of course, that leaves open a 50/50 chance that this will not work. Such is life.
The interview experience on The Biggs Show was great. I am totally ready for Oprah now. I think she need to start her show up again, or at least do a one-off Christmas special for me. If any one knows her, please pass along my contact info so we can get the ball rolling. I hate to keep her waiting. Thanks!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Cinder Clouds Hits Times Square!
My press release this week included an image of the book's cover. Reuters news service displayed the image on their Times Square marquee, and also one in front of the mall on the Vegas strip. I don't have a picture of the Vegas display, but here's a high-res photo of my book hovering over mid-town Manhattan. Click for the big version:
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Breaking New Ground
The vast majority of the people who follow this blog are cyber-friends who know me only through this blog and my comments on other writing blogs. To many I am a sun-glassed smart-ass who has a penchant for photos with water in the background. But what do I look like without the glasses? And what do I sound like? Do have have a deep and sexy voice, or an accent? Are my eyes lasers that will incinerate you if I remove the glasses? (NOTE: The lawyers from the X-Men will see you now.)
Some bloggers have turned to web-cams and posted videos to get more personal with their readers. (NOTE: Not that kind of web-cam. The innocent tasteful kind.) I have yet to take that leap. Stand before walk, and sound before sight, that's my motto. At least for the time being it is. I'll probably change it later today. Notably around dinner time my motto will be Feed me! followed by More wine, please!
For those who want to get a little more personal, tune in to 1290 AM Thursday at 1:35 pm eastern to listen to my interview on The Biggs Show. For those who don't have the advantage of residence in London, Ontario, you can Listen Live via the Internet.
This is exciting because I have no idea what to expect, but I anticipate solving many of the worlds problems in the half-hour allotted. I might even entice a few people into buying my book, which would be all sorts of awesome.
The offer for the interview came after I issued this press release about my origins of Santa story, The Man in the Cinder Clouds. (NOTE: I realize you all probably know the title of the book, but I must restate it for search engine optimization purposes.)
I didn't know what to expect when I issued the release, and was very happy when the offer for the interview hit my inbox 19 minutes after the release hit the wire!
So tune in tomorrow afternoon if you have the time. I'd love to get some feedback after the interview...
Some bloggers have turned to web-cams and posted videos to get more personal with their readers. (NOTE: Not that kind of web-cam. The innocent tasteful kind.) I have yet to take that leap. Stand before walk, and sound before sight, that's my motto. At least for the time being it is. I'll probably change it later today. Notably around dinner time my motto will be Feed me! followed by More wine, please!
For those who want to get a little more personal, tune in to 1290 AM Thursday at 1:35 pm eastern to listen to my interview on The Biggs Show. For those who don't have the advantage of residence in London, Ontario, you can Listen Live via the Internet.
This is exciting because I have no idea what to expect, but I anticipate solving many of the worlds problems in the half-hour allotted. I might even entice a few people into buying my book, which would be all sorts of awesome.
The offer for the interview came after I issued this press release about my origins of Santa story, The Man in the Cinder Clouds. (NOTE: I realize you all probably know the title of the book, but I must restate it for search engine optimization purposes.)
I didn't know what to expect when I issued the release, and was very happy when the offer for the interview hit my inbox 19 minutes after the release hit the wire!
So tune in tomorrow afternoon if you have the time. I'd love to get some feedback after the interview...
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Wednesday, September 14, 2011
And now for something completely different…
One of the perks of my job is international travel. I get to meet interesting people, learn about different businesses and industries, and immerse myself in new (well, actually old) cultures.
One of the fallbacks of my job is international travel. I have to stay up for days on end, eat the stuff they call “food” on airplanes, and hold my pee for inordinately long stretches of time thinking the Chinese girl who fell asleep in the seat next to me and is now leaning on me may wake up on her own in the near future.
My most recent trip was to London, and I thought getting around in England would be a piece of cake, me knowing the language and all. Plus, I get British culture. I’ve been a Monty Python fan since the age of eight (NOTE: Thanks Ken, for bringing home The Life of Brian on Betamax!). I can even fake the accent, mate.
I went to the ticket station at the London Underground (NOTE: This is the subway system, also known as The Tube. It is not a terrorist cell, as I once suspected. Good to know. Mind the gap.) I asked for a ticket to a station near Southwark Bridge Road. I said it like it looks: Southwark.
“You’re wrong, it’s Suthick, mate,” the ticket guy said, disregarding many letters in Southwark and compressing the word into a single syllable.
Oookay. Point taken. I don’t really know English.
I took the tube to downtown London. I had reviewed directions from the station to the hotel online and knew the general direction in which to walk (NOTE: I really didn’t do that, but I don’t want to let you know how dumb I can be so I’m changing the story to save face. Don't tell anyone I told you. Thanks!). The simple fact that no London street other than a bridge goes more than 10 meters without curving broke my internal compass. That is to say, I got totally lost deep within in the winding cobblestone roadways. I did wander through a nice market that smelled of fish and curry, and after I asked directions several times I found my hotel. (NOTE: For the record, pulling wheeled luggage across block after block of old cobblestone street sucks.)
I was laughed at for being a silly American when I confused London Bridge with the Tower Bridge, but earned a point back by knowing that Big Ben was actually the bell inside the tower, not the clock. I earned an additional point for having a real Yorkshireman compliment my accent when I let out a few Monty Python quotes. For me, Monty Python quotes just kind of slip out, like farts.
I did get some time to walk through the streets of London with two Dutch colleagues. Every now and again they would start talking in Dutch, and I would tell them to stop talking about me.
We saw the main tourist attractions: Big Ben, Parliament! (I did a Chevy Chase impression for my colleagues, but apparently European Vacation was not popular in the Netherlands, as they just started talking about me in Dutch again), and I also saw Westminster Abbey and Piccadilly Circus.
When we got to Buckingham Palace, I had to take advantage of the moment to capture on film the unshakable thought that ran through my head all afternoon as I walked the twisted streets of London. Let me sum it up this way...
Question: If you were in front of Buckingham Palace, could you resist doing your best Silly Walk?
Answer: Me neither!
The trip ended as I prefer them all to end: with me arriving safely home. Maybe next time I’ll tell you about my epic trip to Chicago to see The Dave Matthews Band…
One of the fallbacks of my job is international travel. I have to stay up for days on end, eat the stuff they call “food” on airplanes, and hold my pee for inordinately long stretches of time thinking the Chinese girl who fell asleep in the seat next to me and is now leaning on me may wake up on her own in the near future.
My most recent trip was to London, and I thought getting around in England would be a piece of cake, me knowing the language and all. Plus, I get British culture. I’ve been a Monty Python fan since the age of eight (NOTE: Thanks Ken, for bringing home The Life of Brian on Betamax!). I can even fake the accent, mate.
I went to the ticket station at the London Underground (NOTE: This is the subway system, also known as The Tube. It is not a terrorist cell, as I once suspected. Good to know. Mind the gap.) I asked for a ticket to a station near Southwark Bridge Road. I said it like it looks: Southwark.
“You’re wrong, it’s Suthick, mate,” the ticket guy said, disregarding many letters in Southwark and compressing the word into a single syllable.
Oookay. Point taken. I don’t really know English.
I took the tube to downtown London. I had reviewed directions from the station to the hotel online and knew the general direction in which to walk (NOTE: I really didn’t do that, but I don’t want to let you know how dumb I can be so I’m changing the story to save face. Don't tell anyone I told you. Thanks!). The simple fact that no London street other than a bridge goes more than 10 meters without curving broke my internal compass. That is to say, I got totally lost deep within in the winding cobblestone roadways. I did wander through a nice market that smelled of fish and curry, and after I asked directions several times I found my hotel. (NOTE: For the record, pulling wheeled luggage across block after block of old cobblestone street sucks.)
I was laughed at for being a silly American when I confused London Bridge with the Tower Bridge, but earned a point back by knowing that Big Ben was actually the bell inside the tower, not the clock. I earned an additional point for having a real Yorkshireman compliment my accent when I let out a few Monty Python quotes. For me, Monty Python quotes just kind of slip out, like farts.
I did get some time to walk through the streets of London with two Dutch colleagues. Every now and again they would start talking in Dutch, and I would tell them to stop talking about me.
We saw the main tourist attractions: Big Ben, Parliament! (I did a Chevy Chase impression for my colleagues, but apparently European Vacation was not popular in the Netherlands, as they just started talking about me in Dutch again), and I also saw Westminster Abbey and Piccadilly Circus.
When we got to Buckingham Palace, I had to take advantage of the moment to capture on film the unshakable thought that ran through my head all afternoon as I walked the twisted streets of London. Let me sum it up this way...
Question: If you were in front of Buckingham Palace, could you resist doing your best Silly Walk?
Answer: Me neither!
 | |||||
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Wednesday, September 7, 2011
I've Been Interviewed!
Kai Strand is helping to promote my origins-of-Santa Claus story "The Man in the Cinder Clouds" and she posted an interview on her blog(s):
http://kaistrand.blogspot.com/2011/09/three-times-charm-with-rick-daley.html
http://cleanwriter.livejournal.com/87925.html
The same interview is on both blogs, so pick either one to find out what I have to say about writing and relaxing!
http://kaistrand.blogspot.com/2011/09/three-times-charm-with-rick-daley.html
http://cleanwriter.livejournal.com/87925.html
The same interview is on both blogs, so pick either one to find out what I have to say about writing and relaxing!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
What Are My Kids Snorting?
My wife and my younger son suffer from allergies. We all get them to some degree, but they are your above-average sufferers. (NOTE: They are also above average in many other wonderful ways, and I'm not just saying that for brownie points because my wife reads this blog. Really.)
My wife has a sinus rinse bottle that you fill with a salt-water solution and squirt up your nose. It all comes out your other nostril and looks totally disgusting, except when my wife does it, then it's kind of hot. (NOTE: Still just sticking to the facts here. Not going after brownie points. Love you dear!).
The other day, she offered the sinus rinse to my son. He was reluctant. He said he didn't like how it feels; but this was perplexing because he had not tried the sinus rinse before. When my wife pressed him for more information, he revealed this gem:
"One time I put water up my nose in the bathtub."
It happens, I guess. When my wife pressed him for more information, he revealed this gem:
"I was pretending to be an elephant."
Gotta love that boy and his extra-vivid imagination...
My wife has a sinus rinse bottle that you fill with a salt-water solution and squirt up your nose. It all comes out your other nostril and looks totally disgusting, except when my wife does it, then it's kind of hot. (NOTE: Still just sticking to the facts here. Not going after brownie points. Love you dear!).
The other day, she offered the sinus rinse to my son. He was reluctant. He said he didn't like how it feels; but this was perplexing because he had not tried the sinus rinse before. When my wife pressed him for more information, he revealed this gem:
"One time I put water up my nose in the bathtub."
It happens, I guess. When my wife pressed him for more information, he revealed this gem:
"I was pretending to be an elephant."
Gotta love that boy and his extra-vivid imagination...
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Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Peek Behind the Cinder Clouds
As a follow-up to My Path to Publication, I'd like to direct your attention to Sue Quinn's blog once more for an interview that goes behind the scenes of THE MAN IN THE CINDER CLOUDS and explores the origins of my origins-of-Santa Claus story.
Sue also asked me some great questions about self-publishing, and I sure hope I gave good answers. Click here to visit Sue's blog and read the interview.
SPECIAL BONUS: Read through the comments on the interview post and you'll find out the winner of the epic battle: Superman vs. Bugs Bunny. Of course you realize, this means war!
Sue also asked me some great questions about self-publishing, and I sure hope I gave good answers. Click here to visit Sue's blog and read the interview.
SPECIAL BONUS: Read through the comments on the interview post and you'll find out the winner of the epic battle: Superman vs. Bugs Bunny. Of course you realize, this means war!
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Tuesday, August 23, 2011
My Path to Publication- Part Two
Click here to read Part One. Otherwise the leap right into Step 7 might be jarring.
Step 7: Right after my agent started presenting RUDY TOOT-TOOT to editors I lost my job. I'm pretty sure the two events are not related, but who knows, I love a good conspiracy theory.
I took advantage of the two months between gainful employment opportunities to write the first draft of another book. Thinking I might be best served continuing in the children’s book market, I chose an origins-of-Santa story I’d been contemplating for several years.
I wrote the first draft of THE MAN IN THE CINDER CLOUDS in about 6 weeks. Then I reached out to a diverse group critique partners, including children’s book authors, YA authors, and authors of literary adult fiction. I had a fifth-grader read my book, and I read the book aloud to a class of third-graders; the kids all liked it. I incorporated the feedback from my critique partners (NOTE: a.k.a. "critters" in some writing circles) and revised the manuscript and emailed a copy to my agent. I thought it was pretty good. My submission was met with:
Silence.
I called to follow up on the submissions for RUDY TOOT-TOOT. My follow-up was met with:
Silence.
For nearly six months I heard nothing from my agent, and I tried to reach out to her monthly. I noticed on one call that she now had an intern. I saw in Publisher’s Marketplace that she was selling books. Just not mine.
Eventually she responded to an email and let me know that RUDY didn’t get any offers, but said she would read my new book. She asked me to give her a month. I did, and when I got back in touch with her, she had not read it. She asked for another week. I gave it to her. She still did not read it. It was one more week when we both realized that our author/agent relationship was not going to work and parted ways. It was bittersweet, because as frustrating as the end was, her editorial guidance and feedback helped me to grow as a writer and storyteller.
But I do believe that things happen for a reason, and I'm not about to hold a grudge, because eventually...
Step 8: I revised THE MAN IN THE CINDER CLOUDS again and again. I applied everything I had learned and poured my heart and soul into the book. The result is a very special story; I feel honored that The Muse picked my fingers to hammer it out, because I think it's a great read. I guess that's a conceited thing to say on some levels, but what do you expect? I'm asking people to spend their hard-earned money on the book and take hours from their busy lives to read it...you should hope I think it's good.
I considered querying and going the traditional publishing route, but I realized that to do that, my book would not be published until 2012 at the very earliest…more likely fall of 2013. I decided that I did not want to wait that long. The story is ready to be told.
But speed-to-market is not the only reason I decided to self-publish. I’ve been watching the changes to the publishing market over the past several years. I wouldn’t suggest everyone self-publish. I don’t know if I’ll self publish my next book. But for this book, I feel the time is right, and I’m comfortable with my decision.
THE MAN IN THE CINDER CLOUDS is available at Amazon.com in print and Kindle editions, and it also available for the Nook at BarnesandNobel.com.
Step 7: Right after my agent started presenting RUDY TOOT-TOOT to editors I lost my job. I'm pretty sure the two events are not related, but who knows, I love a good conspiracy theory.
I took advantage of the two months between gainful employment opportunities to write the first draft of another book. Thinking I might be best served continuing in the children’s book market, I chose an origins-of-Santa story I’d been contemplating for several years.
I wrote the first draft of THE MAN IN THE CINDER CLOUDS in about 6 weeks. Then I reached out to a diverse group critique partners, including children’s book authors, YA authors, and authors of literary adult fiction. I had a fifth-grader read my book, and I read the book aloud to a class of third-graders; the kids all liked it. I incorporated the feedback from my critique partners (NOTE: a.k.a. "critters" in some writing circles) and revised the manuscript and emailed a copy to my agent. I thought it was pretty good. My submission was met with:
Silence.
I called to follow up on the submissions for RUDY TOOT-TOOT. My follow-up was met with:
Silence.
For nearly six months I heard nothing from my agent, and I tried to reach out to her monthly. I noticed on one call that she now had an intern. I saw in Publisher’s Marketplace that she was selling books. Just not mine.
Eventually she responded to an email and let me know that RUDY didn’t get any offers, but said she would read my new book. She asked me to give her a month. I did, and when I got back in touch with her, she had not read it. She asked for another week. I gave it to her. She still did not read it. It was one more week when we both realized that our author/agent relationship was not going to work and parted ways. It was bittersweet, because as frustrating as the end was, her editorial guidance and feedback helped me to grow as a writer and storyteller.
But I do believe that things happen for a reason, and I'm not about to hold a grudge, because eventually...
Step 8: I revised THE MAN IN THE CINDER CLOUDS again and again. I applied everything I had learned and poured my heart and soul into the book. The result is a very special story; I feel honored that The Muse picked my fingers to hammer it out, because I think it's a great read. I guess that's a conceited thing to say on some levels, but what do you expect? I'm asking people to spend their hard-earned money on the book and take hours from their busy lives to read it...you should hope I think it's good.
I considered querying and going the traditional publishing route, but I realized that to do that, my book would not be published until 2012 at the very earliest…more likely fall of 2013. I decided that I did not want to wait that long. The story is ready to be told.
But speed-to-market is not the only reason I decided to self-publish. I’ve been watching the changes to the publishing market over the past several years. I wouldn’t suggest everyone self-publish. I don’t know if I’ll self publish my next book. But for this book, I feel the time is right, and I’m comfortable with my decision.
THE MAN IN THE CINDER CLOUDS is available at Amazon.com in print and Kindle editions, and it also available for the Nook at BarnesandNobel.com.
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Monday, August 22, 2011
A New Review and a Book Give-Away
As an interlude between parts One and Two of "My Path to Publication" I'd like to draw your attention to Sue Quinn's blog and a wonderful review of THE MAN IN THE CINDER CLOUDS.
If you haven't ordered a copy, drop by Sue's blog and leave a comment today or tomorrow and you will have a chance to win a signed copy of the book. Click here for more details, and thanks so much, Sue, for your kind words and support!
Click here to read part one of My Path to Publication. Stay tuned tomorrow for part two, and visit Sue's blog again on Wednesday for an interview that will shed some additional light on the story behind THE MAN IN THE CINDER CLOUDS (and my plans for my next book...).
If you haven't ordered a copy, drop by Sue's blog and leave a comment today or tomorrow and you will have a chance to win a signed copy of the book. Click here for more details, and thanks so much, Sue, for your kind words and support!
Click here to read part one of My Path to Publication. Stay tuned tomorrow for part two, and visit Sue's blog again on Wednesday for an interview that will shed some additional light on the story behind THE MAN IN THE CINDER CLOUDS (and my plans for my next book...).
Friday, August 19, 2011
My Path to Publication- Part One
I published a book. It’s a story-within-a-story (within a story) called THE MAN IN THE CINDER CLOUDS. But despite all the things I’d like to share about the layered story-telling in my book, I have a different tale to tell you now: the story of how this book came to be.
Rather than go with traditional publishing, I chose to self-publish. It’s not a decision I made lightly. I did many things before I went down this path…
Step 1: I wrote a novel. Now to be clear, I am not talking about THE MAN IN THE CINDER CLOUDS, I’m talking about the first novel I wrote, FATE’S GUARDIAN, a 120,000-word paranormal thriller.
Step 2: I queried and was rejected. Eventually I earned a request for a partial from a popular agent. Unfortunately he didn't request the full manuscript. But I gained something from the experience: great feedback and inspiration to keep trying.
Step 3: The experience also forced me to swallow a bitter pill: I needed to re-write FATE’S GUARDIAN from scratch. I started into that process, and was amazed at how much better my second attempt was. I was learning, and practicing hard to get better at the craft. I was a writing machine. I even started writing a new book, a satire about the end of the world. I woke up early to work on FATE’S GUARDIAN, and I worked on EARTH’S END in the evenings.
Step 4: I read news that a long-time children’s book editor had come on board with a reputable New York agency. I dusted off a 500-word picture book manuscript I had written for my children years before, a silly little story about a boy named RUDY TOOT-TOOT. Rudy was born on a bean farm, and he had a special talent. Something someone who eats beans everyday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner would be expected to do. He can fart.
The query and manuscript caught the agent’s attention. She liked the premise, but thought there wasn’t enough to it. It was worthy of something more; Rudy’s toots needed real plot consequences. She advised I try to expand it and stay in touch.
Step 5: Several thousand words later I had a fledgling chapter book. I queried again, and was offered representation…but with a caveat. While I was on the right track, my story still felt like a small part of a larger work, and my agent asked if I could put more into it.
Mornings and evenings were dedicated to Rudy, and after 13,000 more words I thought I had it. Rudy had moments of literary glory, moments of humor, and moments of learning. What it didn’t have was cohesion. I was trying to be too many things, and my agent told me as much.
Step 6: They say real writers re-write, and since I hope to be a real writer one day, that’s exactly what I did. I followed my agent’s advice and my gut instinct and found the voice of the story, fixed character inconsistencies, removed an anti-climax and wrote a great ending. I had it critiqued, and my readers thought it was ready. My agent agreed, and RUDY TOOT-TOOT went on submission.
Click here for Part Two: The Arrival of Cinder Clouds...
Rather than go with traditional publishing, I chose to self-publish. It’s not a decision I made lightly. I did many things before I went down this path…
Step 1: I wrote a novel. Now to be clear, I am not talking about THE MAN IN THE CINDER CLOUDS, I’m talking about the first novel I wrote, FATE’S GUARDIAN, a 120,000-word paranormal thriller.
Step 2: I queried and was rejected. Eventually I earned a request for a partial from a popular agent. Unfortunately he didn't request the full manuscript. But I gained something from the experience: great feedback and inspiration to keep trying.
Step 3: The experience also forced me to swallow a bitter pill: I needed to re-write FATE’S GUARDIAN from scratch. I started into that process, and was amazed at how much better my second attempt was. I was learning, and practicing hard to get better at the craft. I was a writing machine. I even started writing a new book, a satire about the end of the world. I woke up early to work on FATE’S GUARDIAN, and I worked on EARTH’S END in the evenings.
Step 4: I read news that a long-time children’s book editor had come on board with a reputable New York agency. I dusted off a 500-word picture book manuscript I had written for my children years before, a silly little story about a boy named RUDY TOOT-TOOT. Rudy was born on a bean farm, and he had a special talent. Something someone who eats beans everyday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner would be expected to do. He can fart.
The query and manuscript caught the agent’s attention. She liked the premise, but thought there wasn’t enough to it. It was worthy of something more; Rudy’s toots needed real plot consequences. She advised I try to expand it and stay in touch.
Step 5: Several thousand words later I had a fledgling chapter book. I queried again, and was offered representation…but with a caveat. While I was on the right track, my story still felt like a small part of a larger work, and my agent asked if I could put more into it.
Mornings and evenings were dedicated to Rudy, and after 13,000 more words I thought I had it. Rudy had moments of literary glory, moments of humor, and moments of learning. What it didn’t have was cohesion. I was trying to be too many things, and my agent told me as much.
Step 6: They say real writers re-write, and since I hope to be a real writer one day, that’s exactly what I did. I followed my agent’s advice and my gut instinct and found the voice of the story, fixed character inconsistencies, removed an anti-climax and wrote a great ending. I had it critiqued, and my readers thought it was ready. My agent agreed, and RUDY TOOT-TOOT went on submission.
Click here for Part Two: The Arrival of Cinder Clouds...
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Sunday, August 14, 2011
The New 10 Commandments
NOTE: This is a piece of satire. Mostly. But regardless, it's bound to offend some people. If you think you will be offended, please don't read this post. You have been warned. If you have a sense of humor and/or you are also a jaded cynic who is fed up with the way religion has been distorted by our political system, by all means, read on and share your thoughts.
I was reading political news this morning (a bad habit I am trying to quit), and I realized something:
Everything I learned in church was wrong.
I always thought the golden rule was "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" but that's so two-thousand years ago. I started taking notes and doing research today and came up with a new list of 10 commandments that reflect the Biblical virtues extolled by our politicians, pundits, and vast strings of chain emails:
1. Thou shalt not help the poor, for any reason, ever. They are all worthless, lazy leaches, and f@#% them anyway.
2. Thou shalt hate people from other countries and other religions, because f@#% them too. No more of this "Good Samaritan" crap.
3. Thou shalt not make any move to protect the birds, the flowers, or any other of God’s creations except your own damn self, because God will take care of them. Also because f@#% them.
4. Thou shalt hate all homosexuals, because fuc…wait a minute, no. F@#% them definitely doesn't apply here.
5. Thou shalt not have an abortion. Not even if thou art assaulted, battered, raped, and impregnated by a schizophrenic psychopath. The demon seed has a right to life. But if that schizophrenic psychopath also knocks over a convenience store, fry his ass.
6. Thou shalt not pay any taxes, ever. Especially if thou art a corporation.
7. If thou prayest the loudest and in front of the most people, thou art the most holy, and therefore the best able to translate the scripture into modern legislature.
8. Thou shalt be the richest motherf@#%er on the block with a pimped out ride and a million dollar crib, because that's what Jesus would do.
9. Thou shalt read the Bible often, only paying attention to short phrases that can be bent to your ever-changing political whim while ignoring the larger context of the book in whole.
And last but certainly not least, the most bi-partisan of all commandments:
10. Thou shalt lie thy ass off if it gets thou votes.
I'm so glad I have it figured out now. I think I'll live a much better life by following these principals. I hope they work just as well for you!
I was reading political news this morning (a bad habit I am trying to quit), and I realized something:
Everything I learned in church was wrong.
I always thought the golden rule was "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" but that's so two-thousand years ago. I started taking notes and doing research today and came up with a new list of 10 commandments that reflect the Biblical virtues extolled by our politicians, pundits, and vast strings of chain emails:
1. Thou shalt not help the poor, for any reason, ever. They are all worthless, lazy leaches, and f@#% them anyway.
2. Thou shalt hate people from other countries and other religions, because f@#% them too. No more of this "Good Samaritan" crap.
3. Thou shalt not make any move to protect the birds, the flowers, or any other of God’s creations except your own damn self, because God will take care of them. Also because f@#% them.
4. Thou shalt hate all homosexuals, because fuc…wait a minute, no. F@#% them definitely doesn't apply here.
5. Thou shalt not have an abortion. Not even if thou art assaulted, battered, raped, and impregnated by a schizophrenic psychopath. The demon seed has a right to life. But if that schizophrenic psychopath also knocks over a convenience store, fry his ass.
6. Thou shalt not pay any taxes, ever. Especially if thou art a corporation.
7. If thou prayest the loudest and in front of the most people, thou art the most holy, and therefore the best able to translate the scripture into modern legislature.
8. Thou shalt be the richest motherf@#%er on the block with a pimped out ride and a million dollar crib, because that's what Jesus would do.
9. Thou shalt read the Bible often, only paying attention to short phrases that can be bent to your ever-changing political whim while ignoring the larger context of the book in whole.
And last but certainly not least, the most bi-partisan of all commandments:
10. Thou shalt lie thy ass off if it gets thou votes.
I'm so glad I have it figured out now. I think I'll live a much better life by following these principals. I hope they work just as well for you!
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Thursday, August 11, 2011
Piano Talk, Continued
More Piano Talk for this week!
When the piano teacher was explaining sharps and flats to my younger son, he used a flat tire as an example:
"...So a flat note is going down, like air going out of a tire. Now what do you think sharp is?"
To which my budding young Beethoven replied: "Putting air back in the tire?"
When the piano teacher was explaining sharps and flats to my younger son, he used a flat tire as an example:
"...So a flat note is going down, like air going out of a tire. Now what do you think sharp is?"
To which my budding young Beethoven replied: "Putting air back in the tire?"
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Tuesday, August 9, 2011
The Queen of Wal-Mart
Yesterday Nathan Bransford announced a contest on his blog (NOTE: Attention spell-checker- "Bransford" is legitimate word, add it to your damn dictionary already).
The goal: Write a funny scene (in 350 words or less).
Never one to shy away from the opportunity to make people laugh so hard the milk they are drinking shoots out their noses, I channeled my inner fat lady and submitted this entry:
"The Queen of Wal-Mart"
By Rick Daley
It all started when they opened that new Wal-Mart at the corner of Renneck and Hylbly Street…you know the one, the Super Center. I knew from the get-go it was going to ruin our community, and I was right. You wouldn’t believe the class of people started turning up. Rich folk from across the tracks. Well, they was about to get out-classed by yours truly. I am the Queen of Wal-Mart.
I saw her from the checkout line. She was easy to spot ‘cause of her lack of fashion sense. She didn’t wear nearly enough eye makeup and her hair was too short to pull back with a scrunchy. Her clothes fit all loose…If I had hips that tiny I’d wear Spandex every day. Course I do wear Spandex every day but that’s beside the point.
She was in the produce section, her son standing next to her pulling on her skirt and pointing to the display of chips. She kept pushing his hand away and picking out vegetables, which is just dumb because the chips were buy-one-get-one-free and vegetables just suck.
I snapped when she said “No” so loud even the people in line 18 heard her and then she dropped the carrots in the cart. Not even proper carrots, so a kid can nibble on one like Bugs Bunny and then spit that nasty shit out. She had baby carrots. I hate those things and everything they stand for.
I marched over, footsteps thundering so hard they made the Muzak skip. I grabbed that poor boy away from her, grabbed two bags of chips, and carried him back to the checkout line.
She followed me and kept looking back at her cart all protective-like, as if someone was actually gonna steal her vegetables. Not in this Wal-Mart, sister.
She got the manager, who took my side until she explained that it was actually her kid. Apparently they got laws that let rich people abuse their kids, so I had to give him back. But the best part?
They let me keep both bags of chips.
The goal: Write a funny scene (in 350 words or less).
Never one to shy away from the opportunity to make people laugh so hard the milk they are drinking shoots out their noses, I channeled my inner fat lady and submitted this entry:
"The Queen of Wal-Mart"
By Rick Daley
It all started when they opened that new Wal-Mart at the corner of Renneck and Hylbly Street…you know the one, the Super Center. I knew from the get-go it was going to ruin our community, and I was right. You wouldn’t believe the class of people started turning up. Rich folk from across the tracks. Well, they was about to get out-classed by yours truly. I am the Queen of Wal-Mart.
I saw her from the checkout line. She was easy to spot ‘cause of her lack of fashion sense. She didn’t wear nearly enough eye makeup and her hair was too short to pull back with a scrunchy. Her clothes fit all loose…If I had hips that tiny I’d wear Spandex every day. Course I do wear Spandex every day but that’s beside the point.
She was in the produce section, her son standing next to her pulling on her skirt and pointing to the display of chips. She kept pushing his hand away and picking out vegetables, which is just dumb because the chips were buy-one-get-one-free and vegetables just suck.
I snapped when she said “No” so loud even the people in line 18 heard her and then she dropped the carrots in the cart. Not even proper carrots, so a kid can nibble on one like Bugs Bunny and then spit that nasty shit out. She had baby carrots. I hate those things and everything they stand for.
I marched over, footsteps thundering so hard they made the Muzak skip. I grabbed that poor boy away from her, grabbed two bags of chips, and carried him back to the checkout line.
She followed me and kept looking back at her cart all protective-like, as if someone was actually gonna steal her vegetables. Not in this Wal-Mart, sister.
She got the manager, who took my side until she explained that it was actually her kid. Apparently they got laws that let rich people abuse their kids, so I had to give him back. But the best part?
They let me keep both bags of chips.
Monday, August 8, 2011
A Scary New Kids' E-Book Hits The Web Today
I just bought a new e-book, written by my friend Anita Laydon Miller. It's a middle-grade novel, and priced at just $0.99 how could I not add it to my Kindle library? (NOTE: Done.)
It's called "A Scary Good Book" and based on the description it looks like an entertaining thriller for younger readers:
Twelve-year-old Hannah Stone tells everyone she’s “okay,” but that’s a total lie. Two years ago her dad was killed by a hit-and-run driver. The detective in charge of the case never found the driver, but he somehow managed to get Hannah’s mom to fall in love with him. The jerk. And speaking of love, Hannah’s developed a major crush on Ollie Ortega—he’s her best friend and the only one she can talk to—a crush on Ollie is so not a good idea.
Also not a good idea? Searching for a missing person with no help from the police. But that’s exactly what Hannah does when she finds messages in library books—underlined words that point her in the direction of someone who needs her.
And, suddenly, Hannah’s even further from okay. She breaks into a library, gets caught in a kidnapper’s web, and is stalked by her dad’s killer, all in an effort to save a life…but can she save herself, too?
Friday, August 5, 2011
Reviews for "The Man in the Cinder Clouds"
My book The Man in the Cinder Clouds is now available for the Nook at BarnesandNobel.com! Nook and Kindle editions are only $4.99 and delivery is immediate. Help spread the word!
Get it in print.
Get it on your Kindle.
Get it on your Nook.
Get it in your iWhatever (NOTE: this is really the Kindle version, you'll need the Kindle app on your iWhatever).
Here are the reviews it's received so far on Amazon and GoodReads. Thanks to all for reading and supporting my book. I think it's a special story and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to share it with people.
5 Stars, TRIFECTA! Adventure, humor, and something old made new again.,July 25, 2011
" THE MAN IN THE CINDER CLOUDS is one of those middle grade books that the grown-ups get sucked into along with their kids. You think you bought if for your young reader but after you browse chapter one you just sort of... can't stop.
"For the kids: The story starts with an adventure gone dreadfully boring as a boy accompanies his dad on an expedition to the North Pole. He discovers that the exotic location can't overcome the drudgery of hanging out with scientists for a few weeks, even if Santa Claus is reputed to live somewhere nearby. The scientists make a discovery in the ice, though, that captures not only Jason's imagination but everyone else's. For one thing, not even the scientists can figure out why the book they've found appears to each person in his native language.
"If the book they've uncovered is what it seems, it tells the tale of how Santa Claus came to be the figure we all know today. The traditions and images we associate with Santa are all rooted in his first Christmas venture to find one example of goodness in humanity. He fulfills his own quest while helping a brother and sister who desperately need an ally.
"For the grown-ups: THE MAN IN THE CINDER CLOUDS is intricate, with two stories unfolding together as Jason discovers the history of Santa Claus and the children in the Santa story overcome their own hardship by taking care of each other. It's also funny, with humor and references the kids will get but doesn't rely on lowbrow jokes that an older reader would just find silly. The wit shines through in chapter one and the story carries you right through to the end.
"I'm going to recommend this one to my school librarian as well as my kid's teachers. Charming, satisfying, warm, and plain old fun to read."
5 Stars, loved it,August 2, 2011
"I have read and watched many santa claus stories and movies in my many years on earth, and by far this is the best christmas story I have ever heard. I agree with Debbie it needs to be a movie, Good work Rick I can't for many more books to by written by you."
5 Stars, Very good book, July 22, 2011
" I love this book. When you get to the end you don't want to leave the characters. The story is very well written and my only complaint is that it is over too soon! I would love to see this as a Christmas movie."
5 Stars, A bit biased, but who doesn't love Santa,July 30, 2011
" I know Rick interpersonally (i.e., from the web via his terrific blog)and he's by far one of the funniest people out there when it comes to kids' humor (and adult humor, for that matter). This book melds that humor with his typical charm into a tripled layered tale about doing the right thing (A Rick Daley joint) with a familiar protagonist (i.e., Santa Claus) in an inventive origin yarn. Definitely would recommend for the kid in all of us. "
5 Stars, The read,July 22, 2011
" I found this book well written in every way.
Organization, story line, imagination, all excellent!
Should be made into a movie!"
5 Stars, The Man in the Cinder Clouds,August 4, 2011
" what a great book. I enjoyed all of this story and you get so involved that you just can't lay the book down. I guess it just brought the kid in me out. This would make an excellent movie and would be especially great around the Christmas season. Keep up the good work Rick!!! Can't wait for the next book."
5 Stars, Great Read!!,August 3, 2011
" Christmas in July!! What a perfect time to release this book and to read it! I'm sure all ages will love it- It is an easy read, and a hard to put down book! Would make a great movie during the xmas holidays! Can't wait to read more from this author!"
Get it in print.
Get it on your Kindle.
Get it on your Nook.
Get it in your iWhatever (NOTE: this is really the Kindle version, you'll need the Kindle app on your iWhatever).
Here are the reviews it's received so far on Amazon and GoodReads. Thanks to all for reading and supporting my book. I think it's a special story and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to share it with people.
5 Stars, TRIFECTA! Adventure, humor, and something old made new again.,
"For the kids: The story starts with an adventure gone dreadfully boring as a boy accompanies his dad on an expedition to the North Pole. He discovers that the exotic location can't overcome the drudgery of hanging out with scientists for a few weeks, even if Santa Claus is reputed to live somewhere nearby. The scientists make a discovery in the ice, though, that captures not only Jason's imagination but everyone else's. For one thing, not even the scientists can figure out why the book they've found appears to each person in his native language.
"If the book they've uncovered is what it seems, it tells the tale of how Santa Claus came to be the figure we all know today. The traditions and images we associate with Santa are all rooted in his first Christmas venture to find one example of goodness in humanity. He fulfills his own quest while helping a brother and sister who desperately need an ally.
"For the grown-ups: THE MAN IN THE CINDER CLOUDS is intricate, with two stories unfolding together as Jason discovers the history of Santa Claus and the children in the Santa story overcome their own hardship by taking care of each other. It's also funny, with humor and references the kids will get but doesn't rely on lowbrow jokes that an older reader would just find silly. The wit shines through in chapter one and the story carries you right through to the end.
"I'm going to recommend this one to my school librarian as well as my kid's teachers. Charming, satisfying, warm, and plain old fun to read."
5 Stars, loved it,
"I have read and watched many santa claus stories and movies in my many years on earth, and by far this is the best christmas story I have ever heard. I agree with Debbie it needs to be a movie, Good work Rick I can't for many more books to by written by you."
5 Stars, A bit biased, but who doesn't love Santa,
5 Stars, The read,
Organization, story line, imagination, all excellent!
Should be made into a movie!"
5 Stars, The Man in the Cinder Clouds,
5 Stars, Great Read!!,
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Kindle Alert!
My book The Man in the Cinder Clouds is now available on Kindle! It's only $4.99, if you've been waiting for the lower-priced eBook version, it's time to download...
Many thanks to all who have already bought a copy of the print version. The personal feedback I've received has been great, and there are 6 awesome reviews on Amazon! Check out what readers have said so far.
For those with iPads and similar devices, there's a Kindle app available for free (unless Apple has removed it...I have one on my iTouch from a year ago).
For Nook users, hang tight...I'm working on a Barnes & Nobel upload, and hope to have a Nook version available in the near future.
Many thanks to all who have already bought a copy of the print version. The personal feedback I've received has been great, and there are 6 awesome reviews on Amazon! Check out what readers have said so far.
For those with iPads and similar devices, there's a Kindle app available for free (unless Apple has removed it...I have one on my iTouch from a year ago).
For Nook users, hang tight...I'm working on a Barnes & Nobel upload, and hope to have a Nook version available in the near future.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Creative Problem Solving
The Problem: Six kids, one trampoline, and I want to drink my beer in peace.
The Solution: A kitchen timer, 5-minute intervals, and 2-kid limits.
Cheers!
The Solution: A kitchen timer, 5-minute intervals, and 2-kid limits.
Cheers!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Piano Talk
Our sons have piano lessons this evening, and the piano teacher said this:
"Play an F and A."
But they way I interpreted it, because I am immature and it is much more fun, is:
"Play an effin' A." (The common substitute for a full blown F-bomb (In case you didn't know)). "No, not the C. Play the effin' A."
Chuckles from the kitchen, and then an F and an A resonated through the house
"Attaboy!"
"Play an F and A."
But they way I interpreted it, because I am immature and it is much more fun, is:
"Play an effin' A." (The common substitute for a full blown F-bomb (In case you didn't know)). "No, not the C. Play the effin' A."
Chuckles from the kitchen, and then an F and an A resonated through the house
"Attaboy!"
#
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Sand Art- Kris Kringle Hits the Beach
All of the other sand sculptures this week were practice sessions for my special The Man in the Cinder Clouds sculpture...it was Christmas in July on Hilton Head Island!
Here we have Kris Kringle hanging out under the branches of an evergreen tree. I wanted to add some other characters, but didn't have the time. I also wanted to make a fireplace with his boots / legs in it, and an evergreen ranch and burnt chair leg on the hearth and a stocking hanging and a dollhouse and pair of boots...Maybe next year.
Here we have Kris Kringle hanging out under the branches of an evergreen tree. I wanted to add some other characters, but didn't have the time. I also wanted to make a fireplace with his boots / legs in it, and an evergreen ranch and burnt chair leg on the hearth and a stocking hanging and a dollhouse and pair of boots...Maybe next year.
Sand Art- What a Croc!
Friday was the last day at the beach. Yesterday we were up at 5:30 am, on the road by 6:45am, and thanks to loads of traffic that at one time required 90 minutes to move forward 10 miles, we made it home by 9:15pm.
I made two sculptures on Friday. First was an alligator, but it may really be a crocodile (NOTE: Crikey!) because I tried to show some teeth outside its mouth. I think that's the major difference between the two, aside from the spelling of their names, but I'm not willing to consult Wikipedia right now so someone will have to fact-check me in the comments. The final sculpture will be posted later today...
I made two sculptures on Friday. First was an alligator, but it may really be a crocodile (NOTE: Crikey!) because I tried to show some teeth outside its mouth. I think that's the major difference between the two, aside from the spelling of their names, but I'm not willing to consult Wikipedia right now so someone will have to fact-check me in the comments. The final sculpture will be posted later today...
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Sand Art with a Porpoise
Today's art has meaning, a theme. It exists for a porpoise...
I had to do this quickly, the tide was coming in. It's still just a warm-up for the end of the week Cinder Clouds sculptures, which may not be posted if they totally suck.
I had to do this quickly, the tide was coming in. It's still just a warm-up for the end of the week Cinder Clouds sculptures, which may not be posted if they totally suck.
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| A porpoise surfaced at the beach |
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| Hey buddy, got any fish? |
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| Some other sand artist is at work today... |
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| And doing a damn good job! This was there before I started. |
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Sant Art: The Sphinx
Here are some pictures of my first sand sculpture: The Sphinx. I'm warming up for a Cinder Clouds-themed sculpture later in the week. I think a croc / alligator will invade the beach too.
The Sphinx lasted about an hour before we watched the tide destroy it, which of course is half the fun.
After I had completed the Sphinx, my kids were helping me build the perimeter wall when several other kids came by to see the sculpture. Then they left and reappeared with shovels and quickly got to work helping us.
"Cool, we have slave labor," I said. My younger son picked up on that and relayed that little factiod to every other person who came by.
The Sphinx lasted about an hour before we watched the tide destroy it, which of course is half the fun.
After I had completed the Sphinx, my kids were helping me build the perimeter wall when several other kids came by to see the sculpture. Then they left and reappeared with shovels and quickly got to work helping us.
"Cool, we have slave labor," I said. My younger son picked up on that and relayed that little factiod to every other person who came by.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Sand Art
I'm going on vacation next week, and one thing I like to do at the beach is build sand sculptures. I need suggestions for new things to build. If you have any ideas, please leave a comment. Here are a few examples from vacations past:
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| Sand Shark |
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| Bugs Bunny |
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| Surf's Up Doc |
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| That's all, Folks! |
Monday, July 18, 2011
Past Lives
The other day, we were all driving in the car and my younger son said, with absolute deadpan delivery: "I really enjoyed my past life as an alien."
Tough not to burst into laughter at his matter-of-fact tone of voice, so of course that's what the rest of us did.
"What? I did," he insisted.
I am really enjoying this life as that boy's father ;-)
Tough not to burst into laughter at his matter-of-fact tone of voice, so of course that's what the rest of us did.
"What? I did," he insisted.
I am really enjoying this life as that boy's father ;-)
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Ancient Book Discovered Under Arctic Ice
COLUMBUS, OH (July 2011)- A team of climatologists just reported a startling discovery: an ancient book of unknown origin was found embedded deep in an Arctic ice core. The team immediately set out to excavate the rest of the book—the drill had only punched through its center—and spent days piecing it together before cracking the cover. The text is in English, Spanish, and Japanese, and tells an incredible story you have to read to believe…
Such is the premise of The Man in the Cinder Clouds, a debut novel by Rick Daley. This brilliant re-telling of the origins of Santa Claus brings the nostalgia and wonder of the old clay-mation Christmas specials to life. “Rather than try to trace Santa’s history through the years, I focused instead on his first Christmas, and the challenges he faced that year,” Daley explained. “I wanted to make it real.”
And feel real it does. This story-within-a-story (within a story) reveals the origins of all of the most famous aspects of the Santa Claus legend: from his red suit and white hair to Christmas trees, stockings, and lumps of coal (and everything in between). The story also answers the age old question: How does Santa fit all those presents in his sack?
“The little details are a big part of the book’s appeal. They are not gratuitous; they all make sense in the context of the story and the characters. Sure his suit is red because that’s his favorite color, but why is red his favorite color? It’s no spoiler to say he meets Mrs. Claus and falls in love, but how does their relationship grow? That’s what was important to me in writing this tale,” Daley said. “And while the main character is Kris Kringle—known as ‘the man in the cinder clouds’ after an accident involving a chimney—the layers of the story above and below Kris’ tale are thrilling…from the people who found the book in the ice, struggling to decide if they should keep it and get rich or find a way to return the book to its rightful owner, to the two orphans Kris befriends after their greedy uncle robs them of their inheritance.”
If you've ever believed in Santa Claus, this is the book for you. And there’s no need to wait until Christmas, you can open this one early: The Man in the Cinder Clouds is currently available in print through CreateSpace, and will be available at Amazon.com and other online retailers in the coming weeks. A Kindle version is scheduled for release in early August. For more information, visit www.cinderclouds.com.
Publication Date: July 12, 2011
IBSN-13: 978-1461091684
Such is the premise of The Man in the Cinder Clouds, a debut novel by Rick Daley. This brilliant re-telling of the origins of Santa Claus brings the nostalgia and wonder of the old clay-mation Christmas specials to life. “Rather than try to trace Santa’s history through the years, I focused instead on his first Christmas, and the challenges he faced that year,” Daley explained. “I wanted to make it real.”
And feel real it does. This story-within-a-story (within a story) reveals the origins of all of the most famous aspects of the Santa Claus legend: from his red suit and white hair to Christmas trees, stockings, and lumps of coal (and everything in between). The story also answers the age old question: How does Santa fit all those presents in his sack?
“The little details are a big part of the book’s appeal. They are not gratuitous; they all make sense in the context of the story and the characters. Sure his suit is red because that’s his favorite color, but why is red his favorite color? It’s no spoiler to say he meets Mrs. Claus and falls in love, but how does their relationship grow? That’s what was important to me in writing this tale,” Daley said. “And while the main character is Kris Kringle—known as ‘the man in the cinder clouds’ after an accident involving a chimney—the layers of the story above and below Kris’ tale are thrilling…from the people who found the book in the ice, struggling to decide if they should keep it and get rich or find a way to return the book to its rightful owner, to the two orphans Kris befriends after their greedy uncle robs them of their inheritance.”
If you've ever believed in Santa Claus, this is the book for you. And there’s no need to wait until Christmas, you can open this one early: The Man in the Cinder Clouds is currently available in print through CreateSpace, and will be available at Amazon.com and other online retailers in the coming weeks. A Kindle version is scheduled for release in early August. For more information, visit www.cinderclouds.com.
Publication Date: July 12, 2011
IBSN-13: 978-1461091684
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Adventures in Parenting: Tequila Edition
Here's a fun endeavor for our more adventurous parents. This is a step-by-step guide to sure-fire laughter and joy:
Step 1: Invite friends over for a cookout and margaritas.
Step 2: While the food is cooking, use a small bottle of Patron Silver to make several rounds of margaritas.
Step 3: Observe a nine-year-old boy playing with the now-empty bottle, which has a cool shape and a convenient cork.
Step 4: Observe that your wife is not in the room.
Step 5: Emit a mad scientist laugh and tell the boy we're going to play a trick on Mom.
Step 6: Rinse the bottle well, but leave a little water (about 3 shots worth).
Step 7: Have the boy walk up to Mom, hold up the bottle, and say, "Dad said I could drink this!"
Step 8 (must be done IMMEDIATELY after step 7, timing is critical in comedy routines): The boy uncorks the bottle and chugs while Mom stands up in a panic saying, "No, I'm sure Daddy...NO!!!"
Step 9: Laugh.
Step 10: Catch your breath and wipe the snot bubble from your nose.
Step 11: Laugh.
Step 12: Repeat steps 9-11.
Hope you did something fun on your holiday weekend too!
Step 1: Invite friends over for a cookout and margaritas.
Step 2: While the food is cooking, use a small bottle of Patron Silver to make several rounds of margaritas.
Step 3: Observe a nine-year-old boy playing with the now-empty bottle, which has a cool shape and a convenient cork.
Step 4: Observe that your wife is not in the room.
Step 5: Emit a mad scientist laugh and tell the boy we're going to play a trick on Mom.
Step 6: Rinse the bottle well, but leave a little water (about 3 shots worth).
Step 7: Have the boy walk up to Mom, hold up the bottle, and say, "Dad said I could drink this!"
Step 8 (must be done IMMEDIATELY after step 7, timing is critical in comedy routines): The boy uncorks the bottle and chugs while Mom stands up in a panic saying, "No, I'm sure Daddy...NO!!!"
Step 9: Laugh.
Step 10: Catch your breath and wipe the snot bubble from your nose.
Step 11: Laugh.
Step 12: Repeat steps 9-11.
Hope you did something fun on your holiday weekend too!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Adventures in Parenting: Wilderness Edition
For this installment in our Family Adventure series, we’re going camping. That’s right: camping. Our style is to rough it to the hilt, as you will soon see. We are Expert Campers. That’s right: Expert First-Time Campers.
Sure my wife and I have camped before, growing up. We even camped together. Once. And we pitched the tent with our kids in a friend’s backyard a time or two (NOTE: That doesn’t count as camping).
We knew this trip would be enlightening. We would learn fun facts, like “How fast can you unzip the tent door in an emergency?” (Answer: Not fast enough. Keep reading, if you dare.)
Step one for a fun family camping adventure: Packing.
We brought: Tent, tarp, sleeping bags (4), pillows (4), air mattresses (2), blankets (3), flashlights (3), fan, cooler of food (eggs, bacon, cinnamon-swirl bread, fresh-cut veggies, fresh-cut fruit salad, sliced turkey, lettuce, brats, hot dogs, home-made slaw and chili for the dogs, buns, ketchup, mustard, paper towels, trash bags, salt, pepper, a rhubarb pie, a Buckeye pie, some nuts, and Dorito’s Cheeseburger-flavored chips (NOTE: Yes, they do taste like cheeseburgers. No, that does not make them good)), cooler of beverages (wine (red and white), beer to drink, beer to boil brats, water, Gatorade, ginger ale, Fresca, lots of ice), camp-fire skewers to roast hot dogs and marshmallows, guitar, lawn chairs (4), sparklers (6 boxes), fishing poles and tackle (2 each), duffle bags of clothes (2), duffle bag of towels, and bathroom kits (3).
Can you believe it, we forgot the kitchen f*&^ing sink. Like I said: Roughing it.
Step two toward a fun-filled camping trip: Getting there and setting up.
The kids enjoyed the ride there because I drove fast over the rolling hills and it tickled their tummies. My wife didn’t enjoy the ride there as much because I drove fast over the rolling hills and it tickled her tummy.
My aunt & uncle were already there with a pop-up camper set-up and dinner on the grill. I spread out our tarp and unpacked our tent, and just as I exposed the tent to the air it started raining. The faster I worked, the harder the rain came down. I think it’s important to tell you that the top of the tent is all screen, and before the rain cover is attached it’s kind of like a giant cup. I’m glad we brought the duffle bag of towels.
Step three to a relaxing time in the country: Food and activities.
We brought some food with us (see Step One) and ate well for every meal, except lunch Saturday because we ate so well for breakfast we weren’t hungry. It happens.
My wife and I took the boys canoeing. I asked for a three-hour tour, but we settled for the five-mile trip. There were several places where rope swings overhung the river. We stopped at one and the boys and I climbed 5-6 feet up the bank and swung out and dropped into the river. It was cold, but fun!
Step four to an exercise in sleep deprivation: The wake up call.
At this point in the story, those of you with weaker stomachs will find out that you have a lot in common with my elder son. It started all evening long, when he ate a chili dog, a bratwurst, rhubarb pie, buckeye pie, a brownie, and a s’more. Then, at precisely 2:35 a.m. he began moaning and kicking my air mattress in such a manner as to deliberately wake me and/or my wife. It took some time for him to convince me that there truly was something wrong, for this child has called wolf a time or two in the past. I made a quick deduction: he had been complaining about the bathrooms since we arrived the day before, so he must be holding something back, and it reached critical mass. (NOTE: Man, that is one complicated way of saying he had to take a shit.)
We loaded into the car and drove to the main bathroom / shower facility. I will put it loosely and tell you everything came out all right (read all the way into that one). Our drive back to the campsite was exciting, as we came very close to scoring some fresh venison on the way.
At exactly 4:32 a.m. my son woke me up again, kicking furiously and saying he needed to go to the bathroom again. Since it was Father’s Day, I poked my wife and suggested she take this shift. Then my son got up really fast and yanked on a zipper on the tent door. Unfortunately the zipper he pulled was to the flap covering the screen, not the zipper to open the door, so he was still stuck inside the tent.
What followed was a sound similar to a bucket of slop being dumped on the ground. Twice. I sprang into action.
First order of business: Open that door.
Second order of business: Get a flashlight and assess the damage. Luckily a blanket we had laid out by the door caught most of the…let’s just call it a chili dog, a bratwurst, rhubarb pie, buckeye pie, a brownie, and a s’more.
Third order of business: Get rid of that stinking blanket before any foul odor has the chance to permeate the tent (NOTE: I almost made it).
Final order of business: Clean up, helped him rinse his mouth, and get back to bed.
Step five to a camping adventure: Packing up and heading home.
‘Nuff said.
Stayed tuned for the next installment in our Family Adventure series: The 5k Race…
Sure my wife and I have camped before, growing up. We even camped together. Once. And we pitched the tent with our kids in a friend’s backyard a time or two (NOTE: That doesn’t count as camping).
We knew this trip would be enlightening. We would learn fun facts, like “How fast can you unzip the tent door in an emergency?” (Answer: Not fast enough. Keep reading, if you dare.)
Step one for a fun family camping adventure: Packing.
We brought: Tent, tarp, sleeping bags (4), pillows (4), air mattresses (2), blankets (3), flashlights (3), fan, cooler of food (eggs, bacon, cinnamon-swirl bread, fresh-cut veggies, fresh-cut fruit salad, sliced turkey, lettuce, brats, hot dogs, home-made slaw and chili for the dogs, buns, ketchup, mustard, paper towels, trash bags, salt, pepper, a rhubarb pie, a Buckeye pie, some nuts, and Dorito’s Cheeseburger-flavored chips (NOTE: Yes, they do taste like cheeseburgers. No, that does not make them good)), cooler of beverages (wine (red and white), beer to drink, beer to boil brats, water, Gatorade, ginger ale, Fresca, lots of ice), camp-fire skewers to roast hot dogs and marshmallows, guitar, lawn chairs (4), sparklers (6 boxes), fishing poles and tackle (2 each), duffle bags of clothes (2), duffle bag of towels, and bathroom kits (3).
Can you believe it, we forgot the kitchen f*&^ing sink. Like I said: Roughing it.
Step two toward a fun-filled camping trip: Getting there and setting up.
The kids enjoyed the ride there because I drove fast over the rolling hills and it tickled their tummies. My wife didn’t enjoy the ride there as much because I drove fast over the rolling hills and it tickled her tummy.
My aunt & uncle were already there with a pop-up camper set-up and dinner on the grill. I spread out our tarp and unpacked our tent, and just as I exposed the tent to the air it started raining. The faster I worked, the harder the rain came down. I think it’s important to tell you that the top of the tent is all screen, and before the rain cover is attached it’s kind of like a giant cup. I’m glad we brought the duffle bag of towels.
Step three to a relaxing time in the country: Food and activities.
We brought some food with us (see Step One) and ate well for every meal, except lunch Saturday because we ate so well for breakfast we weren’t hungry. It happens.
My wife and I took the boys canoeing. I asked for a three-hour tour, but we settled for the five-mile trip. There were several places where rope swings overhung the river. We stopped at one and the boys and I climbed 5-6 feet up the bank and swung out and dropped into the river. It was cold, but fun!
Step four to an exercise in sleep deprivation: The wake up call.
At this point in the story, those of you with weaker stomachs will find out that you have a lot in common with my elder son. It started all evening long, when he ate a chili dog, a bratwurst, rhubarb pie, buckeye pie, a brownie, and a s’more. Then, at precisely 2:35 a.m. he began moaning and kicking my air mattress in such a manner as to deliberately wake me and/or my wife. It took some time for him to convince me that there truly was something wrong, for this child has called wolf a time or two in the past. I made a quick deduction: he had been complaining about the bathrooms since we arrived the day before, so he must be holding something back, and it reached critical mass. (NOTE: Man, that is one complicated way of saying he had to take a shit.)
We loaded into the car and drove to the main bathroom / shower facility. I will put it loosely and tell you everything came out all right (read all the way into that one). Our drive back to the campsite was exciting, as we came very close to scoring some fresh venison on the way.
At exactly 4:32 a.m. my son woke me up again, kicking furiously and saying he needed to go to the bathroom again. Since it was Father’s Day, I poked my wife and suggested she take this shift. Then my son got up really fast and yanked on a zipper on the tent door. Unfortunately the zipper he pulled was to the flap covering the screen, not the zipper to open the door, so he was still stuck inside the tent.
What followed was a sound similar to a bucket of slop being dumped on the ground. Twice. I sprang into action.
First order of business: Open that door.
Second order of business: Get a flashlight and assess the damage. Luckily a blanket we had laid out by the door caught most of the…let’s just call it a chili dog, a bratwurst, rhubarb pie, buckeye pie, a brownie, and a s’more.
Third order of business: Get rid of that stinking blanket before any foul odor has the chance to permeate the tent (NOTE: I almost made it).
Final order of business: Clean up, helped him rinse his mouth, and get back to bed.
Step five to a camping adventure: Packing up and heading home.
‘Nuff said.
Stayed tuned for the next installment in our Family Adventure series: The 5k Race…
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
You're Not Supposed to Tell Me...
"Victor," I called.
"Yeah?" he replied.
"Where are you?"
"In the bedroom."
"What are you doing?"
"Hiding from you."
"Okay." A pause. "Do you want me to come and find you?" No answer. He's getting better. "I take that as a yes," I said as I climbed the stairs...
"Yeah?" he replied.
"Where are you?"
"In the bedroom."
"What are you doing?"
"Hiding from you."
"Okay." A pause. "Do you want me to come and find you?" No answer. He's getting better. "I take that as a yes," I said as I climbed the stairs...
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
WARNING: Overwhelming Cute!
We were sitting at the kitchen table playing Apples to Apples with some friends when my 6-year-old son came in with a special announcement and follow-up question.
The announcement: “We found a bunny in the yard!”
The follow-up question: “Can we catch him?”
We took a moment to visualize a pack of jubilant children being quickly outrun by a frantic hare before offering responses, which ranged from “Knock yourself out” to “Good luck with that one.”
You might imagine our surprise when, a few minutes later, the aforementioned 6-year-old came back inside with another special announcement:
“We got him!”
But there was another follow-up:
“But he got away.”
We kind of saw that coming. But not this:
“He’s still in the garage.”
Enter parental intervention. I went into the garage with him, and he told me the bunny ran behind the stuff on the side of the garage…folded beach chairs, cornhole boards, sleds, brooms, etc. Behind the beach chairs I found a small baby bunny. I moved the chairs slowly. The bunny didn’t move a whisker. I picked him up gently, and he jumped from my hands. My son grabbed him…not rough, but I’m sure it wasn’t comfortable for the bunny. He gave him to me, and I held him in one cupped hand, the other hand closed over his body so he wouldn’t jump again.
The other kids gathered round. The air reverberated with seven-dozen Can-I-Hold-Hims (there were only 6 kids, you do the math). I took a moment to imagine myself in the bunny’s soft brown fur, getting grasped groped and squeezed by a dozen grubby mitts.
“No,” I said out of the kindness of my heart. “But you can pet him.”
The grubby mitts reached out to pet the bunny, still safe in my hands. Then the same complaint was repeated from all six mouths: “I didn’t get to hold him yet!”
“None of you have,” I explained. Then they asked the inevitable: “Can we keep him?”
I explained how he was scared, he missed his mommy, his mommy missed him, he could get sick, he could get eaten by our neurotic schnauzer, etc.
“So we can keep him?”
I fixed up a box, and we put the bunny in it with spinach, carrots, and a tiny cup of water. The bunny didn’t move. To its credit, it didn’t produce a single little rabbit pellet through this entire ordeal (NOTE: I would have produced several thousand. These kids were terrifying.) I taught the kids how to hold him…not to grab him around the middle, but to let him sit on their hands. Each got a turn to hold the bunny before we released him into the woods behind the house. There’s a big pile of old brush insulated with fallen leaves that I’m pretty certain houses a dozen bunnies and countless squirrels. The kids were sad they didn’t get to keep him, but overall it was a good experience for everyone.
The announcement: “We found a bunny in the yard!”
The follow-up question: “Can we catch him?”
We took a moment to visualize a pack of jubilant children being quickly outrun by a frantic hare before offering responses, which ranged from “Knock yourself out” to “Good luck with that one.”
You might imagine our surprise when, a few minutes later, the aforementioned 6-year-old came back inside with another special announcement:
“We got him!”
But there was another follow-up:
“But he got away.”
We kind of saw that coming. But not this:
“He’s still in the garage.”
Enter parental intervention. I went into the garage with him, and he told me the bunny ran behind the stuff on the side of the garage…folded beach chairs, cornhole boards, sleds, brooms, etc. Behind the beach chairs I found a small baby bunny. I moved the chairs slowly. The bunny didn’t move a whisker. I picked him up gently, and he jumped from my hands. My son grabbed him…not rough, but I’m sure it wasn’t comfortable for the bunny. He gave him to me, and I held him in one cupped hand, the other hand closed over his body so he wouldn’t jump again.
The other kids gathered round. The air reverberated with seven-dozen Can-I-Hold-Hims (there were only 6 kids, you do the math). I took a moment to imagine myself in the bunny’s soft brown fur, getting grasped groped and squeezed by a dozen grubby mitts.
“No,” I said out of the kindness of my heart. “But you can pet him.”
The grubby mitts reached out to pet the bunny, still safe in my hands. Then the same complaint was repeated from all six mouths: “I didn’t get to hold him yet!”
“None of you have,” I explained. Then they asked the inevitable: “Can we keep him?”
I explained how he was scared, he missed his mommy, his mommy missed him, he could get sick, he could get eaten by our neurotic schnauzer, etc.
“So we can keep him?”
I fixed up a box, and we put the bunny in it with spinach, carrots, and a tiny cup of water. The bunny didn’t move. To its credit, it didn’t produce a single little rabbit pellet through this entire ordeal (NOTE: I would have produced several thousand. These kids were terrifying.) I taught the kids how to hold him…not to grab him around the middle, but to let him sit on their hands. Each got a turn to hold the bunny before we released him into the woods behind the house. There’s a big pile of old brush insulated with fallen leaves that I’m pretty certain houses a dozen bunnies and countless squirrels. The kids were sad they didn’t get to keep him, but overall it was a good experience for everyone.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Amster-DAMN!
I'd heard many things about Amsterdam before I got here, so naturally the first thing I did was [REDACTED].
After that, what else could I do but [REDACTED]? So that's what I did.
I was surprised the [REDACTED] was so [REDACTED]. But that's the way things roll in a foreign land, you know?
I want to come back here someday so I can [REDACTED] again.
After that, what else could I do but [REDACTED]? So that's what I did.
I was surprised the [REDACTED] was so [REDACTED]. But that's the way things roll in a foreign land, you know?
I want to come back here someday so I can [REDACTED] again.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Off to Nether-Nether-Land
One of the interesting things about my job is the travel. In 2008 I flew home from Germany on my birthday. It was my birthday for 30 hours that day. Longest birthday of my life.
This week I'm off to the Netherlands. I'll spend my time in two cities. Because this is a family-oriented blog, I'm going to call them Amsterdarn and Rotterdarn.
Going to Europe is great, because a day-and-a-half meeting takes a full week when you bundle in travel time. I leave today, and get in tomorrow at 2pm, but it will really only be 8am. Then I'll try to stay up until 9pm, but I know I'll wake up at 3am or some ridiculous time in the dead of night.
Then I'll spend my day-and-a-half in meetings, and my body will adjust, and right when it's firmly calibrated I'll fly home, making it to my house at 8:30pm, which will really be 2:30 am.
Good times. I'm expecting at least one good blog post to come out of this trip. Hopefully I'll be able to publish it. That family-oriented thing might be a show stopper, from what I've been told about Amsterdarn.
#
This week I'm off to the Netherlands. I'll spend my time in two cities. Because this is a family-oriented blog, I'm going to call them Amsterdarn and Rotterdarn.
Going to Europe is great, because a day-and-a-half meeting takes a full week when you bundle in travel time. I leave today, and get in tomorrow at 2pm, but it will really only be 8am. Then I'll try to stay up until 9pm, but I know I'll wake up at 3am or some ridiculous time in the dead of night.
Then I'll spend my day-and-a-half in meetings, and my body will adjust, and right when it's firmly calibrated I'll fly home, making it to my house at 8:30pm, which will really be 2:30 am.
Good times. I'm expecting at least one good blog post to come out of this trip. Hopefully I'll be able to publish it. That family-oriented thing might be a show stopper, from what I've been told about Amsterdarn.
#
Monday, February 28, 2011
The Craig’s List Killer
Alarming title for the post, I know. Rest assured, faithful readers, that I survived my close brush with certain death. But it was a harrowing experience to say the least.
It started innocently enough with the purchase of a new sofa. But with the pending delivery of said sofa, weeks ahead of schedule, we were pressed for a solution to rid ourselves of the old sofa. And some tables, while we were at it. Enter Craig’s List.
We snapped three dozen photos, kept two, and created an ad for a leather sectional and table set. Priced to sell, apparently, because within 30 minutes I had three offers. They kept coming in, and I had more than a dozen when I went to bed. Enter the scheduling complications: people wanted to come to my house the next day, but I was leaving for Detroit first thing in the morning, and my wife had to work that day.
I know better than to advertise my home’s vacancy to strangers on the Internet (NOTE: not like you, of course, my most respectable blog readers. The key’s under the mat and you are welcome any time). I used vague language to push my availability back to Thursday.
I returned from Detroit to find over 30 new emails plus two voice mails. One person was very excited. He really liked the way the couch looked in the pictures (NOTE: that meant he liked the other merchandise in my house, too). He wanted to come over Thursday afternoon. With some friends.
What if he’s The Craig’s List Killer? I thought. I had read many headlines about The Craig’s List Killer, but never clicked through to the articles, so at this stage I used my overactive story-telling imagination to fill in the gaps. Here’s what happened next…
We agreed that he would call me at 1:30pm, I would give him directions and he would come for the couch, ca$h in hand. And a gun in the other hand. He would murder me in cold blood, take the couch, tables, and whatever else he wanted. My kids would be surprised when I wasn’t at the bus stop, but they would think I was stuck on a conference call. They know the garage code so they would just come home and find…
Luckily he never called, and someone else came over ca$h in hand and bought the couch and tables at our asking price. I can only assume that somewhere in Columbus there was a Dexter-style kill room where a minor complication delayed the killer and saved my life.
It was a very close call.
#
It started innocently enough with the purchase of a new sofa. But with the pending delivery of said sofa, weeks ahead of schedule, we were pressed for a solution to rid ourselves of the old sofa. And some tables, while we were at it. Enter Craig’s List.
We snapped three dozen photos, kept two, and created an ad for a leather sectional and table set. Priced to sell, apparently, because within 30 minutes I had three offers. They kept coming in, and I had more than a dozen when I went to bed. Enter the scheduling complications: people wanted to come to my house the next day, but I was leaving for Detroit first thing in the morning, and my wife had to work that day.
I know better than to advertise my home’s vacancy to strangers on the Internet (NOTE: not like you, of course, my most respectable blog readers. The key’s under the mat and you are welcome any time). I used vague language to push my availability back to Thursday.
I returned from Detroit to find over 30 new emails plus two voice mails. One person was very excited. He really liked the way the couch looked in the pictures (NOTE: that meant he liked the other merchandise in my house, too). He wanted to come over Thursday afternoon. With some friends.
What if he’s The Craig’s List Killer? I thought. I had read many headlines about The Craig’s List Killer, but never clicked through to the articles, so at this stage I used my overactive story-telling imagination to fill in the gaps. Here’s what happened next…
We agreed that he would call me at 1:30pm, I would give him directions and he would come for the couch, ca$h in hand. And a gun in the other hand. He would murder me in cold blood, take the couch, tables, and whatever else he wanted. My kids would be surprised when I wasn’t at the bus stop, but they would think I was stuck on a conference call. They know the garage code so they would just come home and find…
Luckily he never called, and someone else came over ca$h in hand and bought the couch and tables at our asking price. I can only assume that somewhere in Columbus there was a Dexter-style kill room where a minor complication delayed the killer and saved my life.
It was a very close call.
#
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
I guess he takes after me...
I was at basketball practice with my nine-year old son the other day, and my wife was home with my six-year old, cuddled up on the couch watching a movie. Very tender moment. She hugged him tight. "I love you," she said.
"I love you too," he said. "Now let's get back to the movie."
"I love you too," he said. "Now let's get back to the movie."
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
What a Pain in the…
Funny thing happened at the airport this morning. (NOTE: We all know airports are hotbeds for humor.) So there I was, sitting on my seat in the plane, all settled, ready to push back from the gate and begin my journey home. I powered down my phone and my iPod* and reached to my laptop bag to dig out the book I am reading. I checked the back pocket, where I always keep my books when I travel. No book.
I checked the front pocket, where I never keep my books. No book. (NOTE: Duh. I just said I never keep them there.) I checked inside where the laptop is. Just a laptop and chargers/cables. No book. I checked the other zippered pocket in the laptop case, where I keep documents / receipts/etc. No book. I bent down and looked all the way under the seat in front of me, in case it had fallen out of the pocket. Lots of smegma, but no book.
I checked the pocket on the back of the seat in front of me. No book. Looked on the seat beside me. No book. WTF? I must have left it on a chair at the gate. All other passengers were on board, but the door was still open. I got up and asked a flight attendant if I could go out and check real quick. Since I still had my boarding pass, it was allowed.
I ran up the jetway and to the seat I had been sitting in. No book. I asked the people sitting there if they had seen it. They shook their heads.
I hurried back to the plane and went straight to the overhead bin on the other side of the plane, where my travel bag was stashed. No book in the side pocket of my travel bag or floating around the bin. I resigned to sit through two flights with only an iPod to entertain me. I would have to buy a new copy of the 557-page novel I was reading. The novel I read roughly 350 pages of. The novel I had been looking forward to devouring for the next several hours.
I turned around to face my row. There, on my seat, was my book.
Yes, it had been under my bony ass the whole time I was looking for it on the plane, and when I got up to check the gate I didn’t bother to look down. I don’t blame this little mishap on the fact that I woke up at 5am this morning for my flight. Or on my urgency to get home after cancelled flight on Tuesday and an extended stay in Atlanta.
I blame it on the fact that airplane seats are so uncomfortable that you can’t tell if you are sitting on a f*&%ing 557-page novel.
*Yes, I still have my iPod. Although I am getting a new laptop (NOT a Mac) and it may get flushed (the iPod, not the new laptop) in the very near future when I try to sync.
I checked the front pocket, where I never keep my books. No book. (NOTE: Duh. I just said I never keep them there.) I checked inside where the laptop is. Just a laptop and chargers/cables. No book. I checked the other zippered pocket in the laptop case, where I keep documents / receipts/etc. No book. I bent down and looked all the way under the seat in front of me, in case it had fallen out of the pocket. Lots of smegma, but no book.
I checked the pocket on the back of the seat in front of me. No book. Looked on the seat beside me. No book. WTF? I must have left it on a chair at the gate. All other passengers were on board, but the door was still open. I got up and asked a flight attendant if I could go out and check real quick. Since I still had my boarding pass, it was allowed.
I ran up the jetway and to the seat I had been sitting in. No book. I asked the people sitting there if they had seen it. They shook their heads.
I hurried back to the plane and went straight to the overhead bin on the other side of the plane, where my travel bag was stashed. No book in the side pocket of my travel bag or floating around the bin. I resigned to sit through two flights with only an iPod to entertain me. I would have to buy a new copy of the 557-page novel I was reading. The novel I read roughly 350 pages of. The novel I had been looking forward to devouring for the next several hours.
I turned around to face my row. There, on my seat, was my book.
Yes, it had been under my bony ass the whole time I was looking for it on the plane, and when I got up to check the gate I didn’t bother to look down. I don’t blame this little mishap on the fact that I woke up at 5am this morning for my flight. Or on my urgency to get home after cancelled flight on Tuesday and an extended stay in Atlanta.
I blame it on the fact that airplane seats are so uncomfortable that you can’t tell if you are sitting on a f*&%ing 557-page novel.
*Yes, I still have my iPod. Although I am getting a new laptop (NOT a Mac) and it may get flushed (the iPod, not the new laptop) in the very near future when I try to sync.
Friday, January 21, 2011
It was awful...
I can't take it. The high-pitched screams. The pounding. The inability to speak.
Of course I'm talking about the new season of American Idol.
It was awful. Randy had no viable input. He's the show veteran, but he seemed more interested in watching his new judges react than judging an audition himself. His motto seemed to be, "Whatever you two think, I guess."
For several candidates, Steven Tyler screamed along and pounded on the table. Kara used to groove sometimes, and Paula danced on occasion, but they never overshadowed an audition the way Steven Tyler did, where the kids auditioning were demoted to his back-up performers. At least Mr. Tyler didn't stand up and grab his crotch, or if he did the producers mercifully edited that out.
Jennifer, "OMG I can't say no!" Lopez (hereafter to be called J-No) needs to develop another reaction to an audition. Watching her judge contestants is like watching Adam Richman take a bite of anything on Man vs. Food (NOTE: he only has one reaction after his first bite of food, which is chew once, close eyes, roll head, and simulate an orgasm, even to the point where he says "Oh my God!").
There was no honesty in the feedback. Everyone wants to be the nice one, but in reality each one is just lame, and the level of lameness grows exponentially when combined as a group. Now I'm not asking for someone to act like a Simon clone, or to go all Ricky Gervais on each contestant, but someone must have the guts to be honest.
The thing I miss most is Simon's dramatic pause, though.
"You just sucked," he would say, and then pause for effect, making you wonder if he was finished, before continuing with, "the life out of that song."
On Wednesday we watched the first half of American Idol as a family, and when the kids went to bed, my wife and I switched to Modern Family. On Thursday I had DVR set for AI, The Big Bang Theory, and Wipeout. Problem is, I can only record/watch two out of the three. Sorry, new AI, we recorded Big Bang, and watched Wipeout.
You were voted out.
Of course I'm talking about the new season of American Idol.
It was awful. Randy had no viable input. He's the show veteran, but he seemed more interested in watching his new judges react than judging an audition himself. His motto seemed to be, "Whatever you two think, I guess."
For several candidates, Steven Tyler screamed along and pounded on the table. Kara used to groove sometimes, and Paula danced on occasion, but they never overshadowed an audition the way Steven Tyler did, where the kids auditioning were demoted to his back-up performers. At least Mr. Tyler didn't stand up and grab his crotch, or if he did the producers mercifully edited that out.
Jennifer, "OMG I can't say no!" Lopez (hereafter to be called J-No) needs to develop another reaction to an audition. Watching her judge contestants is like watching Adam Richman take a bite of anything on Man vs. Food (NOTE: he only has one reaction after his first bite of food, which is chew once, close eyes, roll head, and simulate an orgasm, even to the point where he says "Oh my God!").
There was no honesty in the feedback. Everyone wants to be the nice one, but in reality each one is just lame, and the level of lameness grows exponentially when combined as a group. Now I'm not asking for someone to act like a Simon clone, or to go all Ricky Gervais on each contestant, but someone must have the guts to be honest.
The thing I miss most is Simon's dramatic pause, though.
"You just sucked," he would say, and then pause for effect, making you wonder if he was finished, before continuing with, "the life out of that song."
On Wednesday we watched the first half of American Idol as a family, and when the kids went to bed, my wife and I switched to Modern Family. On Thursday I had DVR set for AI, The Big Bang Theory, and Wipeout. Problem is, I can only record/watch two out of the three. Sorry, new AI, we recorded Big Bang, and watched Wipeout.
You were voted out.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Kiss My Apple
I have wasted hours of my life that I will never get back trying to accomplish a seemingly simple task: sync my wife's iPod iTouch to her new PC.
Perhaps my expectations are unrealistic. I admit, I am a dreamer. My dream (in this isolated case) would be to connect the iPod to the new PC, authorize the new PC to the iTunes account, and then have them sync up so I could use the new PC in the same fashion as the old PC.
Apple has other ideas about this, though, and has turned my dream into a nightmare.
Apple will allow transfers from the iPod, but only items purchased form the iTunes store. The many gigabytes of music from CD's I bought won't transfer, because Apple doesn't like them. Apple also has a vendetta against the playlists, and refuses to sync them, too.
I checked online and found an incredibly useless article that detailed how to use the iPod to transfer all your music from one computer to another, boldly proclaiming the wonders of the iPod as a high-capacity storage device. The article was good for all iPods...except the iTouch. This inspired me to make up several creative new bad words.
I called support and told the automated system my name, but the robotic voice and I had difficulty talking about the device serial number, so I was transferred to a representative, who asked me my name again because the robotic voice refuses to sync its info with the representative, just like the iPod refuses to sync information with a new PC. At least Apple is consistent in this approach.
I calmly and politely described my issue, and was immediately put on hold because the representative was totally clueless and had to "do research". She came back about 5 minutes later and asked a few questions, the answers to which were all given in my initial description of the problem. She put me on hold again, and my call was dropped.
She must have been using an iPhone.
#
Perhaps my expectations are unrealistic. I admit, I am a dreamer. My dream (in this isolated case) would be to connect the iPod to the new PC, authorize the new PC to the iTunes account, and then have them sync up so I could use the new PC in the same fashion as the old PC.
Apple has other ideas about this, though, and has turned my dream into a nightmare.
Apple will allow transfers from the iPod, but only items purchased form the iTunes store. The many gigabytes of music from CD's I bought won't transfer, because Apple doesn't like them. Apple also has a vendetta against the playlists, and refuses to sync them, too.
I checked online and found an incredibly useless article that detailed how to use the iPod to transfer all your music from one computer to another, boldly proclaiming the wonders of the iPod as a high-capacity storage device. The article was good for all iPods...except the iTouch. This inspired me to make up several creative new bad words.
I called support and told the automated system my name, but the robotic voice and I had difficulty talking about the device serial number, so I was transferred to a representative, who asked me my name again because the robotic voice refuses to sync its info with the representative, just like the iPod refuses to sync information with a new PC. At least Apple is consistent in this approach.
I calmly and politely described my issue, and was immediately put on hold because the representative was totally clueless and had to "do research". She came back about 5 minutes later and asked a few questions, the answers to which were all given in my initial description of the problem. She put me on hold again, and my call was dropped.
She must have been using an iPhone.
#
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Headline of the Day
An inquisitive journalist wonders:
"What Caused Thousands Of Dead Birds To Fall From The Sky?"
The short answer:
Gravity.
You see, suspending dead birds in the sky is rather difficult, since dead birds can't flap their wings (NOTE: flapping is a very important part of flying, so I am told.). So when there are thousands of dead birds in the sky, they will fall like Newton's apple.
It's like the old joke: Why did the monkey fall out of the tree? Because it was dead.
Let me know if I can answer any other questions. I'm here to help.
Happy New Year!
"What Caused Thousands Of Dead Birds To Fall From The Sky?"
The short answer:
Gravity.
You see, suspending dead birds in the sky is rather difficult, since dead birds can't flap their wings (NOTE: flapping is a very important part of flying, so I am told.). So when there are thousands of dead birds in the sky, they will fall like Newton's apple.
It's like the old joke: Why did the monkey fall out of the tree? Because it was dead.
Let me know if I can answer any other questions. I'm here to help.
Happy New Year!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Holiday Toasts- Wine and Friendship
Yesterday my wife and I were getting a gift package ready for some friends, and one of the presents was a wine journal. We wanted to write a nice quote about wine and friendship, and while Google provided ample results to our search, none sufficed, so I made up several of my own:
The vine begets the grape
The grape begets the wine
Our friends be gettin’ glasses
And I be fillin’ mine
#
With our friends we raise our glasses,
And watch another New Year’s pass us
Uncork the wine, my lads and lasses
And we'll get drunk off all our asses
#
Friends and wine go hand-in-hand
Or glass-in-hand, as it may be
I really can’t tell right now
For I’m so drunk I see in threes
#
We count our blessings
For our friends
And toast until
The bottle ends
#
Fine wine is to be cherished
Like a friend’s familiar face
So let us gaze upon each other
And have wine brought by the case
#
Let’s raise our glasses, raise them high
Another year has passed us by
And once the bottoms reach the sky
Fill them again so they won’t dry
#
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
The vine begets the grape
The grape begets the wine
Our friends be gettin’ glasses
And I be fillin’ mine
#
With our friends we raise our glasses,
And watch another New Year’s pass us
Uncork the wine, my lads and lasses
And we'll get drunk off all our asses
#
Friends and wine go hand-in-hand
Or glass-in-hand, as it may be
I really can’t tell right now
For I’m so drunk I see in threes
#
We count our blessings
For our friends
And toast until
The bottle ends
#
Fine wine is to be cherished
Like a friend’s familiar face
So let us gaze upon each other
And have wine brought by the case
#
Let’s raise our glasses, raise them high
Another year has passed us by
And once the bottoms reach the sky
Fill them again so they won’t dry
#
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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