Third Quarter Resolution

The book is pretty much finished now, and I'm pretty much just out collecting blurbs, so there's time to return to blogging. But there are going to be some changes.

Change 1. 'Mom' does not know about blog. This was a tough change. Yes, you'd like your mother to be proud. Yes, you'd like her to hold on to the hope you're still pursuing a novelist career.

But no, you don't like explaining your fascination with pornography. No, you don't like her frowning at you and saying things like, "Were you a little angry yesterday?". You definitely do not like this one, "Are you and Alex having problems?'.

A little background.

When I started my site, I wanted it to be different from me. It should be exciting, funny and with a touching message at the end. But to get to that final sentiment, you'd have to wade through a lot of filth. That way the result would seem that much sweeter.

But then fame struck. I made an appearance on the NPR puzzle show with Will Shortz. Later that week, a local reporter called me to ask some questions. Then she decided to do a profile of me, detailing my years of volunteer work as a firefighter/emt. And in a foolish act, I mentioned to the reporter that I hosted a web site. I gave out the URL.

The day after the paper appeared, I got an email from 'Mom.'

'I didn't know you had a web site! I sent it to all my friends at work! My boss loves it!

Oh, are you and Alex having problems?'

Change 2. Must start visiting new blogs this year. Hopefully in the Puget Sound area... BreakupBabe seems interesting...

Change 3. Oh, must now give up side-career as freelance writer and pursue hobby as freelance photographer. As of Sunday, I am the official band photographer for The Glass Family (glassfamilymusic.com). I'll post some of the best shots on onechildleftbehind.com.

I don't get paid, unless you count free booze and cigarettes. That's right! I said free booze!

I'm the 30-something photographer for a 20-something rock band, choking down jagermeister and coughing up drum tobacco. Am I cool? Do my wife and kids know what kind of life I'm living on the side? Is this like a pathetic cry for help?

Oh my god! I just realized that I wrote a short story 10 years ago foretelling that this would happen. I have become a character in one of my own poorly written stories.

Change 4. Add 'wife' to Change 1...