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

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

Historic Drought in California

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

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

A museum of 4 o’clock in the morning

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

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

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

PodCastle

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On Goodreads of course!

I know there are other internet sites for doing this sort of thing, but Goodreads is the one I got hooked up on and the one I think I’m going to stick with (at least for the foreseeable future).
I like this as a way to share the books I’ve read and the books that have really changed things for me. Those are the 5 star books – the ones that really change things for me. It’s tough to get 5 stars from me. I don’t like the fact that I can’t give half stars in their rating system, but I tend to put that in the review portion for each book I add. If I give 4 or 4 and a half stars that’s probably as high a rating as I go without something truly special.
Changing things for me includes books that have a story by me in them! Head on over to Goodreads and check out TV Gods from Fortress Publishing. My story “Leave It To Buddha” is in there! I’m looking forward to reading all the other offerings in the book and I hope you’ll be excited about it too.

This past weekend Central PA Comicon was happening. I’ve written up a review for Watch The Skies that will be published on the 16th of this month (check it out at the new web site: http://www.watchtheskies.org/ ). I didn’t include a particular issue in that review that I still feel the need to comment on. It’s probably just me, but as this is my web site I guess my opinion is really what counts here.
I saw coverage of the convention in the local news media. One of the articles was here: http://www.pennlive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/04/central_pa_comic_con_1.html#incart_m-rpt-1
The coverage seemed, middle of the road. I feel like what they wanted was something more salacious than what they found. I could be wrong, but it’s the feeling I get. Despite the fact this was a “comicon” the headline includes Star Trek and a particular section about the guy that dresses up as a Klingon. I suppose based on the guests of the convention this was a point of interest, but it really rubs me the wrong way that this is the lingering impression people have of conventions. I’ve written about this before from the book angle – or the “I don’t read that stuff” effect.
Speaking of lingering impressions – there are 2 photos that I’m not particularly fond of. The photographer (Paul Chaplin) did a fine job, it’s the juxtaposition that bugs me. One is Bonjo the scary clown sitting and people watching (first image in the gallery). The other is me, sitting and people watching – but the costume aspect is opposite (last image in the gallery). I was in street clothes and the cosplayers were Joker and Harley. Like I said before, it’s probably just me but I hate looking like that guy lurking around the con and staring at female cosplayers and making them uncomfortable. I don’t ever want to be that guy, or make any cosplayer feel uncomfortable about what they’re clearly passionate about. I love what it takes to be willing to cosplay – even if I can’t pull it off and the image bugs me.
Like I said – it’s probably just me. It’s likely nobody will notice or care… but I noticed. What does anyone think, am I just over sensitive about this?

I don’t remember what pill made things back the way they were – clearly I need to go back and watch the Matrix again.

As is often the case, the real world has crashed into fantasy land and things here at the Pretend Blog got tossed by an airbag or something.

For those that are with me here, but not with me on other social media allow me to draw back the veil… my wife has landed herself in the hospital. So far it’s been 5 days – and doesn’t look like she’ll be home before next weekend at the earliest.

I’m hoping that will get her all healed up and back to a place where she can start to get healthy again. Until then, things here may be more sporadic than usual.