You REALLY should be reading D.M. Cornish's "The Foundling's Tale" series

Foundling by D.M. Cornish
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I adore D.M. Cornish's The Foundling's Tale (formerly known as Monster's Blood Tattoo) series, which includes the books Foundling, Lamplighter and Factotum. It has oft-been described as Dickens-like tale of an orphan's through through an 18th-century-like, biopunk world...with monsters.

Biopunk? Think steampunk. But instead of gears, steam, and blimps...technology based on plants, vat-grown tissue, surgical enhancements, and potions.

There is so much I loved about these books. And much is hard to put into words. One thing was it's texture. And by that, I not only mean the objects, surfaces in this world, but the institutions, culture, language, and tech. It just feels, sounds, and looks good in my mind. Though the plot is great, for me, it's really the world that Cornish has created that enchanted me. It is so thick with potential that I hope he either writes a hundred books, or finds a way to expand it to other writers and creative platforms, as has been done with Star Trek, Star Wars, D&D, etc.

This book is perfect if you like....

TECH: If you like clockpunk, steampunk, or cyber punk. Tech is tech.

MINUTIAE: If you like reading all the little text in a Chris Ware graphic novel or a Dave Eggars' early McSweeney's issues. His books include a massive, mostly-for-fun glossary and gorgeous, detailed illustrations...by the author!

MADE UP WORDS: Did you enjoy all the whimsical names J.K. Rowling invented for her Potter universe? These books have a TON!

DESIGN: These books just look and feel wonderful. The size and proportion of a 19th-century novel. Beautiful covers with sublime color palettes and delicious paper stock.

18TH & 19TH CENTURIES: Like I said, think Dickens. Also, the movies Amadeus, Immortal Beloved, and Glory. Or the books Bartleby the Scrivener and Frankenstein. Lots of bookkeeping done in ledgers. Powdered wigs, tricornered hats, muskets and pale-faced bureaucrats.

MONSTERS: Of course.


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Finally back on the bike

I made great strides last year, with both my physical and mental health, when I started biking before work. And due to it being so warm in Florida during Summer and Autumn, early morning was also an ideal time because it was still cool.

But when the Florida winter hit, and it dropped to the 40s and sometimes 30s early in the morning, my bike riding waned. My healthy eating waned as well. So, between when I stopped riding in October and now, I put back on 20 of the pounds I lost.

But, now I'm back on track. Finally warm enough at the wee hours...and I got my chain and rear gear replaced.

And I picked a great day to start. The weather was great (even though it rained just a bit at the beginning of the ride.) I headed down to Venice beach and had a bit of breakfast. Then I biked down to Maxine Barrit park to do a little bit of journaling and morning pages for my novel.

Deaf Painting, Vultures and La Croix Selzer

Biked down to Venice in the morning. Stopped at the Venice Market and bought an Emotional Balance inhaler from Kokokahn. Smells strongly of rose. Then headed down to the Jetty. Nice cool wind blowing. Read a chapter of "Summerland."

Then headed down to Caspersen. Just stopped for a minute. Noticed a woman painting what I assumed was a landscape painting.

As I biked toward her, I asked, "Can I take a look?" She totally ignored me. I asked her again. No luck at first. Then she pointed at her ears. I assumed she had headphones in. Then I learned she was deaf. So I motioned that I wanted to see her painting. She motioned to go ahead. She hadn't been at it long, but it looked pretty good. So I signed the letters "N-I-C-E." She then said what I gathered to mean she didn't think it was much, or she hadn't been at it long, or something to that effect.

On the way back, I realized that I had started the ride too late to go to the jetty. It was getting really warm. I hoped I wouldn't get burned. When I got back, the pool was cool and refreshing. Read some more "Summerland."

And, oh yeah. I'm down to 248 pounds. AWESOME!

During the day, I picked up the Druid Animal Oracle, got some Chinese food, worked on an admin interface for a client, watched some of Tim Workman's videos, and saw a ton of vultures handing out in the ditch at the end of Olympia.

And after dinner, had La Croix Cran-Raspberry selzer for the first time. Almost tastes like sweetened soda! Going to be drinking this a lot.

Saw a Great Blue Heron at Caspersen Beach this morning

I assume it was a Great Blue Heron. I wanted to get a really up close photo or video of it. But darned smartphones are always so wide screen. I got as close as I possibly dared. Then sat on a rock. He (or she) mostly sat there. Then he pointed at the water with his beak. I started filming. Then we walked in front of me, over to a nearby fisherman. I thought he was going to steal some fish from the fisherman's bait buckets. But it seems he was just going to wait behind the fisherman, hoping he'd share some of a catch. I was wondering if the bird was going to bet so close to the fisherman that the fisherman would turn around and jump at how close the bird was. But he didn't. 

Picked up some great book deals at the South Venice Goodwill Bookstore

I love going to the Goodwill Bookstore in South Venice. Perfect place stop in and spend just a bit of money, but get so much for it. Just about all the hardback books are $2.99, and the newer hardbacks usually $7.99

The End of Sorrow is a three-volume series of commentary on the Bhagavad Gita by the late Eknath Easwaran. I used to own all three copies. I may have given them to my mother. So I was happy to pick up a cheap copy of volume 1.

I got David Sedaris' Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim because I decided I must own every one of his books. BTW, I'm really looking forward to the upcoming movie C.O.G, which was inspired by one of his essays...

I got the two This I Believe books because I am a fan of the NPR segment, and I liked the blurb on the back by the late Daniel Schorr that said "...this forward-thinking compilation serves as a wonderful antidote to the cynicism of the age." I am a fan of anything that fights cynicism.

And I got the book The New Oxford Book of English Verse because I love old books. I love poetry books. And I especially love old poetry books. (And it was only a dollar.)

Just Loving My Morning Bike Ride

I've been biking since this second week of August. And between the biking and eating better, I've lost 17.8 lbs over a month. And honestly, I don't I could have done without biking and without being in Florida. 

I have always hated to exercise. So boring. Walking was boring. Running painful. And walking or running on a treadmill even more boring. I've always found biking to be a lot more enjoyable. Covering a lot more ground. And if you want, you can take it easy. But you're still moving.

But back in Pittsburgh, my neighborhood wasn't conducive to biking. Very hilly. And the closest flat trails necessitated a decent drive. Plus, since I commuted, I had less time to do so.

But Florida has been a blessing. One, I'm working from home. So that's almost two hours I gain. Plus, my neighborhood, and the whole area for that matter, is very, very flat. Plus, there is a major bike trail just a few blocks away. And the best part of the trail, and area, is you can bike by very beautiful areas. The bike trail goes all the way along an inland waterway. And another part of my 17-mile daily route goes along some gorgeous gulf beaches. 

I will have to mention my diet has worked as well. I've kinda been following the Virgin Diet, where you stop eating the top 7 intolerant foods (soy, egg, wheat/gluten, corn, sugar, dairy, peanuts) for three weeks, then try one at a time to see which ones you are intolerant of. I myself am just avoiding the above (only cheating once in a while with a pat of margerine). I really miss ice cream and stuff made out of flour. But it has really really helped. Not only with weight loss, but general well-being, both mental and physical.

By the way, you can check out my daily route below:

Beautiful Steampunk Art and Video

Courtesy of Natania Barron, authoress of the the book and blog The Aldersgate Cycle, I discovered the winning entries to a steampunk art and video contest held by the CGSociety, entitled Steampunk Myths & Legends

It is truly full of some beautiful stuff, steampunk or otherwise. Here is one of the entries that piqued my interest. It is called "Odysseus' Departure."

How to write on the go...with Evernote

I've been using Evernote since Beta and I've always loved it. And one of the things that I used it for was to jot down notes for my novel. However, during the early stages of the mobile, web, and desktop clients, note taking was all I used it for. 

But ever since the improved clients came out, I've been using Evernote more and more to actually write my novel. Especially on the train on the way to work via my Windows Mobile phone. Sometimes it's notes. Sometimes it's an actual chapter. Then, during other parts of the day, I add and edit in the desktop client. 

The reason I like using the phone, is at least during the draft stage, writing on the phone kinda forces me to be succinct, since hitting phone keys takes so much time. Especially if there are no seats and I only have one thumb to type with (since my other hand is holding onto a bar). Plus, being out and about seems to be a better environment for writing than my home desk. Seems like more of a diversion than work.

As for organization, I use keywords such as chapter, note, character, and location to keep things organized. And, to see my chapters in order, I have numbers at the beginning of the note title, select the chapter tag, and sort by title.

Now, when I get down to really perfecting my words, I'm not sure if I stay in Evernote, or copy over to Google Docs. Yet, I'm not really seeing why I would need to do that. Evernote's pop-out editor seems to have all the formatting I would need.

Any thoughts from anyone on this?

Though, I must say, that some of the things I don't like, is that I have to be connected to my carrier to access notes on the phone. I used to use Evernote for my shopping list. But sometimes, when I'm deep within a store, I lose my signal and can't access my shopping note. Seems it would be a great addition to have the option to save some notes on your phone locally.

Trying to Write a Comic Book

I've been a big comic book reader my whole life. And the thought of writing one crossed my mind a few times. But writing a novel or screenplay was always more attractive to me. Plus, I just assumed getting a job as a comic book writer was more difficult than selling a screenplay or getting a novel published.

But, the other day, an idea for a comic book popped into my head. So I looked into how they are written and what one's options are to get into the business. After some reasearch, it looked to me it may not be as difficult as I thought. And, it looked pretty fun. So I started.

It's coming along pretty well, actually. It enables me to make dramatic stories, without the strict limitations of a screenplay, or the volume of words necessary for a novel. And the nature of the genre is just too damned familiar, after reading and thinking about thousands of comic books my whole life.

So, I write. And when I'm done, I plan to find a local artist that may be interested in drawing it. Either as a lark, or a partnership. Then after that, either publish it myself, for fun or profit. Or use it to get a more official gig.

Comic Recommendation: Proof

I've just started reading the Image comic "Proof," by Alex Grecian and Riley Rossmo. And I'm really, really enjoying it. It's kind of like Hellboy, BPRD, Men in Black, and X-Files. It's centered around two agents that work for an organization that investigates and hunts down usualy-harmful cryptids. (And, oh yeah, one of the agents just happens to be a Bigfoot.) The stories are crisp, the humor light, and the characters engaging. And each issue has a dearth of bonus content at the end, while still costing only $2.99.

To read issue #1 for free, go here. (Click on the image of the "Proof" cover in the upper left)

The many names of the Dude

When we got out Sheltie almost 2 years ago, we named him "The Dude." Since then, the name that has become our preferred way to address him is "Bubba." But he has acquired several other names as well. Here's the (incomplete) list:

• The Dude
• Bubba
• Pupsicle
• Pupsicle Mama
• Puddle
• Lovey
• Love Love
• Love Bug
• Lovey Mama
• Bugsy
• Bum Bum

Great documentary about the Chicago 10

I caught this documentary last night by accident on PBS. Talk the story of the anti-war demonstrations at the 1968 Democratic National Convention and the trial of the Chicago 10. The trial is recreated in the same animation style as the movie "A Scanner Darkly" and the archival footage of the events are set to a soundtrack featuring Rage Against the Machine and Black Sabbath.

I knew very little of this event and am glad I caught it. And I recommend it highly, no matter what political bent you are.

An anthem for the Earth

Last night, I came across the 2008 version of the "Where the Hell is Matt" dancing video. For those of you who do not know, this guy traveled around the world, doing a strange little dance on video. A few years ago, it was just by himself. But in this latest one, he has locals join with him.

When I saw this video, it blew me away. It was like a home video of the Human family.

And the soundtrack was just as powerful. The music was written by Garry Schyman, and the lyrics from a poem by Indian poet laureate, Rabindranath Tagore, called "Steam of Life"

Stream of Life

The same stream of life that runs through my veins night and day
runs through the world and dances in rhythmic measures.

It is the same life that shoots in joy through the dust of the earth
in numberless blades of grass
and breaks into tumultuous waves of leaves and flowers.

It is the same life that is rocked in the ocean-cradle of birth
and of death, in ebb and in flow.

I feel my limbs are made glorious by the touch of this world of life.
And my pride is from the life-throb of ages dancing in my blood this moment.

Make sure to check out his web site as well.

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008)

Things Sarah Palin Can Name

Somebody has created a blog that names the stuff that Sarah Palin CAN name.

For example...

Reporters I’ll Agree to Talk to Again

* Sean Hannity
* Hugh Hewitt
* Steve Doocy
* Katie Couric
* Charlie Gibson

Funny stuff...http://www.thingspalincanname.com/

Great PSA video about voting

Heavy Metal in Baghdad

Found a trailer of a new documentary about heavy metal music in Baghdad.

On the film's site, the film is described as thus:

Heavy Metal in Baghdad is a feature film documentary that follows the Iraqi heavy metal band Acrassicauda from the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003 to the present day. Playing heavy metal in a Muslim country has always been a difficult (if not impossible) proposition but after Saddam’s regime was toppled, there was a brief moment for the band in which real freedom seemed possible. That hope was quickly dashed as their country fell into a bloody insurgency. From 2003-2006, Iraq disintegrated around them while Acrassicauda struggled to stay together and stay alive, always refusing to let their heavy metal dreams die. Their story echoes the unspoken hopes of an entire generation of young Iraqis.

Guess what. Now I'm thinking about voting Republican

Watch the video and you'll see why.

New Evidence: Palin Had Direct Role In Charging Rape Victims For Exams

Talking about adding insult to injury. In Palin's world, if you're raped, you have to pay to get your rapist convicted. And if he impregnated you, you would have to have his child.

You'd be triple-screwed!

clipped from www.huffingtonpost.com Under Sarah Palin's administration, Wasilla cut funds that had previously paid for the medical exams and began charging victims or their health insurers the $500 to $1200 fees. Although Palin spokeswoman Maria Comella wrote USA Today earlier this week that the GOP vice presidential nominee "does not believe, nor has she ever believed, that rape victims should have to pay for an evidence-gathering test...To suggest otherwise is a deliberate misrepresentation of her commitment to supporting victims and bringing violent criminals to justice," Palin, as mayor, fired police chief Irl Stambaugh and replaced him with Charlie Fannon, who with Palin's knowledge, slashed the budget for the exams and began charging the city's victims of sexual assault. The city budget documents demonstrate Palin read and signed off on the new budget. A year later, alarmed Alaska lawmakers passed legislation outlawing the practice.

Dave Winer nails McCain and Palin and admonishes the press

Man, Dave Winer posted a hell of an article in response to Gov. Palin's interview, as well as McCain's campaign in general. He also includes summaries and links to reponses by other commentators and columnists. And the righteous fury is delicious.

Here is one of my favorite parts:

The news should not report a controversy, they should report that McCain is telling a desipicable lie. Until that lie is acknowledged, retracted and apologized for, both to Obama and to the electorate, McCain should not receive any of the services of the press. The first question in any interview should be "Why are you lying and when will you admit that you are and stop." If he continues to lie, that's the end of the interview. The reporter wraps it up and leaves. You can't continue to interview someone who you know is lying. Reporters do it all the time, but this must stop now.

And, as I told him in my comments to his article, his words made me feel proud to be an American...and a Democrat.

Dave Winer: If the press will just do their job, all will be OK

Palin Links Iraq to Sept. 11 In Talk to Troops in Alaska

Gov. Palin has said "I haven't really focused much on the war in Iraq." And by her speech to a brigade of Alaskan soldiers, it's pretty obvious.

clipped from www.washingtonpost.com FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska, Sept. 11 -- Gov. Sarah Palin linked the war in Iraq with the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, telling an Iraq-bound brigade of soldiers that included her son that they would "defend the innocent from the enemies who planned and carried out and rejoiced in the death of thousands of Americans." The idea that the Iraqi government under Saddam Hussein helped al-Qaeda plan the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, a view once promoted by Bush administration officials, has since been rejected even by the president himself.