Lost and Found

Around the House
Not much to say about what is happening around the house right now.  Just moved a few weeks ago, so I am still in the process of settling in.  My mind has been trying to focus hard on writing, but work has been completely consuming me.  I need to get back in the habit of writing again, since I am way late in getting the next two books out.

My Thoughts
I am going to do something that is rather uncharacteristic of me these days.  I don't speak much about my personal life or feeling.  Mostly because I feel like I have lost a sense of myself.  I feel a bit emotionally dead and lost inside which is the theme of this blog.  It is about taking a step to find a way back to life.  So, I have decided to make a change and start doing thing differently.  Since, I have been such a bad friend, I will call a different friend every week.  Additionally, I will return voice mails with in 24 hours of  receiving them, and I will make a point of asking one person on a date a quarter.  It is time I took the my life back a little.  So, keep me honest and ask questions.

Things I Miss

Around the House
Well I just finished with a move.  I really hate moving especially when you have to wait on the Cable Guy to show up.  Unfortunately, they won't be showing until the end of the month.  It really annoys me.  Of course, that does force me to finish all of my editing and writing projects that are laying on my desk.  Well desk top at the moment since I don't have a full desk right now.

My Thoughts
I was thinking today while sitting here working that their are many things I miss.  I was thinking about some of my favorite TV shows that have found a new life in the land of Comics - Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed, and Angel.  These where amazing shows that drew the audience in each week.  It is sad that they had to eventually come to an end, but it is nice to get to delve into them once in a while to make you feel better on a down day.  Of course the fact that we don't get to enjoy all of our favorite actors and stories every week is enough to make us all a little sad at heart.

The book series that I miss right now are the Harry Potter Series and the Black Jewels.  Now, the fact that Percy Jackson and the Olympians is technically over, it is great the Rick Riordan has continued to show us all the joy of the world of Percy Jackson by following them in the Heroes of Olympus Series.  I can't wait to see all the trouble Mr. Jackson gets himself into now.  At least with a great book it will always sit on your shelf to enjoy when ever the mood hits.

Those are just a taste of the few things I miss.  I just hope that for everything that goes away we each find a great new passion to enjoy.  I can only hope that my books do for readers what those series and TV shows have done for me.

TV Review: Suburgatory

Around the House
Getting ready for a move, so the house is a complete nightmare.  I have boxes everywhere.  It doesn't help that I am trying to move and edit a book at the same time.  It is not the easiest thing in the world.  I am a bit disappointed that my next two books have been pushed back a little, but I am editing away.  As soon as I am done with this edit, I will be finishing the first draft of the second book on the Prelude of Illuminations and starting editing the third book in that series as well.  Then it is off to starting the second book in the Chronicles of Illumination.  Editor Tim will not leave me alone about getting him my next two books.  He is dying to see where the story goes.  Thankfully it isn't due until March.

My Thoughts
I was sad that Brothers and Sisters was cancelled, but I have to say that I am excited over what I have seen so far.  Tonight was the debut of Suburgatory which I was leery about adding to the DVR.  But now that I have seen it, it is non-stop laugh stop.  The characters of the show are funny, witty, and completely relateable.  The series reminds me of a cross between Desperate Housewives and Joss Whedon's classic humor.  The series shows a New York family the moves into a high end suburb where the people are plastic and every Mean Girls stereotype is true.  This show is definitely the best midweek show for laugh.

Rating 4 out of 5

Movie Review: X-Men First Class

Around the House
Working on editing and reviewing submissions for the fall Anthology, so I am busier than I expected to be this summer.  Things are taking me way longer than I planned for and my editor has been on my butt about it.   I am very excited to see that Gilbert Press has their website up and running.  I really hope that authors are submitting great works so that my editor has something else to worry about.  Make sure you check out my page on there as well as the links posted.  Also, I am starting a new job in July which has me very excited.  I can't wait.  Otherwise, I am trying to get out to enjoy the weather some, though the rain in Chicago has made that a bit hard.

My Thoughts
Growing up as a die hard X-Men fan, I was very worried about this movie.  The trailers made it seem like they were going to be making a real mess of this movie.  I should have known better.  Marvel did an awesome job on it.  The back story was fleshed out in a way that allowed anyone watching the movie fall right in for the first time while keeping those who have enjoyed the rest of the stories enthralled.  I am wondering how they are going to handle the Havok item though.  Since having him a teen and Jean Grey a youth when Xavier is older makes me wonder how old they plan on portraying Scott.  Is he now going to be a younger brother?  Or is Xavier just going to age extremely quickly after his accident.  I am very curious to see how it all comes together.  I did especially enjoy the tie in to the first X-Men movie with the expanded story of Magneto.  It makes you wonder when and if they are going to have his kids popping up in the franchise, especially with the kick off of the Avengers movie.  I am rather excited to see.  The Internet is also spawning rumors of X4 and 5 along with turning the first class into a trilogy.  If they keep the stories going, I am down for the ride.  Also, I hear talks of New Mutants.  BRING IT ON!

Rating: 8 out of 10

I love Youtube!

Around the House
I was checking my email today and a friend of mine sent me a link to this woman, Alina.  I think I am in love.  She is completely insane, so I had to share it with you all.  I spent the last two hours watching all of her posts.  Let me know what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w56CH9uK0Tw

My Thoughts
This woman is fantastic.  She has reality show potential written all over her.  I could completely see her on Bravo or E! following her life and what he husband is doing now.  I do worry that she is setting herself up for a very messy divorce.  I have to wonder if the cousin is trying to set her up for a quick deportation after the divorce.  Since court rooms are now using social media in cases, I know if the mother gets her way all of these posts will be all over the court room.  I want a front row seat for this proceeding.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Gilbert Press

Around the House
I have been busy interviewing for a new job.  They have given me an unofficial offer, so I am very happy.  That right now is taking a lot of my time, so I haven't had enough time to finish my edits.  I do have a do date coming up for my next book with my publisher, Gilbert Press, so I need to get a move on putting together the final draft on Cursed which is supposed to hit shelves at the end of the summer.  I don't know how I am going to get everything done.  Especially, since the weather in Chicago is so nice now I don't want to be locked in front of my computer.

My Thoughts
I got a sneak preview yesterday of the new website for Gilbert Press.  It is really nice, so I am excited to see it go out.  They are currently looking for new authors to add to their list, so as soon as I have a link for you I will toss it up on for you all to check out.  I am glad a publisher is working to change the way the publishing industry is working.  They are really looking to hit the digital market hard and make a name for themselves by helping first time authors get noticed in the world.  I was also talking to my editor and he told me that they are looking for investors to speed the process along.  They are really looking to do an aggressive expansion.  With my book currently on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, I think they really have the skills to make it all happen.    I wish them tons of luck.  Oh, and for those of you who don't know, I did sign a 7 book deal with them to continue my series.  I am really excited about it.  Wish me luck!  Here is a link to their facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gilbert-Press/184562114922637

Movie Review: Thor

Around the House
Wow, I can't believe how long editing this book is taking.  It is one of the slowest edits I have ever done.  I am excited to announce that Gilbert Press will have a new website coming soon, and they will be starting major acquisitions.  It is nice to see my publisher getting ready to make itself a presence in the market.  Otherwise, I am here dealing with finding a job since I didn't the one I wanted, and working to restore my social life.  All things are really starting to look up in my world and that makes me very happy.

My Thoughts
As a fan of Marvel Comics especially the X-Men, I have been very happy with the way they are handling the realism of their live action movies.  They have been able to take their franchises and cross them over without making them feel cartoony.  I was extremely worried about Thor though.  How where they going to handle the whole god element in a way that made sense with the other movies, not take away from the realism they are using, and holds true to the story of Thor.  I was extremely surprised that they not only pulled it off, but did an amazing job.  I am now even more excited to see how they bring us to the Avengers.  Marvel has done such an amazing job that I hope the new X-Men and Spiderman movies hold up to the Avengers franchise.

Rating: 8 out of 10