A Couple Things To Update

So.

I've lost a few pounds by switching to Dr Pepper 10, something I've needed to do for some time now. Hopefully I will continue to lose, which in this case, is winning. My grandfather lost his leg to complications arising from diabetes, so I know how important this is.

In other news, I am still waiting on word from Baen books about The Last Captain. It seems the file was caught in the editor's spam filter for four months. I cannot say I'm pleased, but it is what it is.

I haven't been up for much writing of late, and my wrist is punishing me for being out of shape right now. If it keeps complaining, I may have to buy Dragon and start talking to my computer.

Work has been an odd concoction of crazed morons and rough circumstances these last few weeks, with moving courtrooms, clerk strikes, and investigations.

I am looking forward a great deal to a couple things:

Chicon 7 in August will be my first as a paid author, with the added bonus that many of the fans and folks who write for 1632 are doing a con within the con. I hope that someday I'll be on a panel or two at one of these events.

World Fantasy in November looks to be a good time, though expensive. It's in Toronto, where I lived briefly, as a child. Hope to get a police patch or two while I'm there.

Then, this movie looks to be quite the entertainment:



No one makes a better antagonist than NAZIS!


Then there is this show, about to be released on BBC America, called Copper:

Oh, and I plan to do more frequent updates here on the blog as well...

We'll see how that goes.

The Thing

Always loved the original Thing. Now, I see there is a re-make. Here's hoping it's good.

And then there's The Killer Elite. I am looking forward to old man DeNiro kicking some ass.

Films

Jay Lake just put up a list of some of his favorite films. Being entirely unoriginal and a slave to fashion, I decided I needed to do my own:

Non-Anglophone Films:
La Femme Nikita
Cyrano de Bergerac
REC
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Beaulieu 13

Science Fiction:
Alien
Aliens
The Matrix
Life Force
Outland

Crime:
The Usual Suspects
Lock Stock, Two Smoking Barrels
The Green Machine
Snatch
The French Connection
The Departed
Blood in, Blood Out
Heat
Taken
Bullet
Colors

Animated:
Heavy Metal
Watership Down

War:
Full Metal Jacket
Saving Private Ryan
Beast Of War

Fantasy:
Conan the Barbarian
Lord of The Rings Trilogy
Excalibur

Western:
The Magnificent Seven
True Grit (Both Versions)
3:10 to Yuma

Comedy:
The Pink Panther
The Hangover
American Pie
A Brief History of The World
Monty Python's The Quest For the Holy Grail
Ice Pirates
The Blues Brothers

Other:
The Seven Samurai
Stand By Me

Looking Forward To Something

This movie looks interesting, not least because of the attractive actresses.

Christmas in Tennessee

This morning was quite fine, with my daughter ecstatic over her American Girl doll, Emily. My wife liked the things I bought her, and my parents appreciated the gifts they received. I too, looked about and thought myself blessed.

Isabelle, Karen, and I spent the day hammering out different games on the Wii... Entertaining, but sore shoulders for all.

Then it came time for dinner: Turkey, stuffing, cranberries, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, green beans, aunts, uncles, dog trainers, dog, cat, and a general wonderland of wine. What I wouldn't give for another stomach!

Now we sit and digest, and I try not to watch Prince Caspian for the 8 millionth time (my daughter absolutely adores it, and can quote lines from any portion of the film). I am supposed to get some writing done, I think. Luckily, the laptop lets me be among the family and cozy whilst I type this out.

I am blessed in many ways, most of all with regard to my family. I treasure these times, I really do.

Merry Christmas to you and yours, and best wishes for the New Year.

Later, District 9.