What do you think of the new site? Too austere? I’m going through a phase where I just like to see writing, black scratch on white, and not a lot of other crap in the way. I’m a writer so I prefer text over media these days. This post is an attempt to explain recent events…
I don’t consider myself lazy, but when my web host raised the price of hosting in order to “encourage” me to upgrade my ancient Linux host to a modern server, I debated whether to back up the old site and plug it into the new one. I debated with myself for months, actually. On the one hand, that’s a lot of posts over the past 15 or so years, so surely I want to save them all? On the other hand, they aren’t very relevant anymore. I mean, who wants to read about book announcements from 10 years ago? I’m not writing programming books any more, although I know there are still fans and teachers who use my books for their classes.
So, I sat on my hands, and in the end, I let all of the old content fade away like dust in the wind on the old server, and now, as you can tell from this dreadfully empty new site, it’s time to start over!
If you’re here looking for source code files, and I don’t have the portfolio rebuilt in time, fire off an email and let me know what you need (see the Contact page). I’m always happy to help a reader with source code files (long after the publisher has flaked out).
First step around here is to figure out which theme I want to use. Yes, I’m literally at that stage now! I have no idea, really. I want it to be simple and writer-friendly, as I plan to post short stories here more often than meandering thoughts.
It’s an interesting time, 2018. There was a time when I was passionate about a great many things. Not so much any more. I don’t care about politics or the economy (as long as the world doesn’t look like Fallout 4, we’re doing okay). I still play a TON of video games (look for my Xbox Live ID and Steam ID on the Contact page). It’s not that I feel apathetic toward life now, it’s that life is simpler. I’ve left the high-stress jobs behind and now I am doing something that has allowed me to pursue my love of reading. I’m on the road 10 hours per day, 50-60 hours per week, and during most of that time I listen to audiobooks (look me up on Goodreads, I welcome friend requests, and check out my reading list). The reason this is significant for me is, I’ve never been a fast reader, but audiobooks (via Audible) allow me to simulate being a fast reader, and I do pay attention, and rewind often. I can listen just fine on long stretches, but when in heavy traffic, my concentration is on the road.
I mentioned simplifying my life. Part of that process involved deleting all of my social media accounts. Well, by “all”, I mean, Facebook and Twitter, though I’m still very active on Goodreads, which is the only social media site I’m interested in now. I get a lot of book recommendations and enjoy chatting (usually arguing) with friends about new novels. Due to this employment “perk”, I’ve read 160 books in the past two years, with a goal of 70 this year (and I’m right on track). I read a lot of short story collections, and while I review shorts (in order to keep track), I don’t count them toward my reading challenge. I enjoy it. Goodreads is my go-to site nowadays. I would much rather “Like” a book or a friend’s review than do the same with a stupid cat video on FB.
I’ll post more about my writing career but after finishing two novels recently, I haven’t written anything else. What I’ve been doing instead is taking notes of every great story idea that comes to me. Would you believe in the last year it’s come to 100 pages of notes? Dozens and dozens of stories waiting to be written. And since I read (e.g. “listen”) so much now, including collections, I’m up to date on what’s been done, for the most part, and the ideas that come to me are always unique, as far as I know. Unique and absolutely mind blowing, otherwise I don’t jot them down. (Oh yeah, while driving, I send myself an email with transcribed notes any time an idea comes to me! Thank you, “OK Google”).